The Independent-News, Volume 107, Number 34, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 28 January 1982 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - JANUARY 28, IM2

EDITORIALS

THANKS POSTAL SERVICE Another of the U. S. Postal Services surprises hit our paper and the second class mailing industry a couple of weeks ago, just another typical action that we feel is uncalled for. We are not blaming the local postal employees, but rather the system and those that set the rules and put them in motion. Newspapers and magazines, basically any subscription type publication, is mailed by second class mail. There is no doubt that for many years postage was more than reasonable in this class as this type of mailing was given good rates and the service was more preferred than third and fourth class matter. However, in recent years, the increases in rates and regulations on second class mailing has gone up and up and up, and the happening a couple of weeks ago was in our mind another example of poor business. To mail second class one must have a special permit, fill out rather complicated forms and pay a lot of different rates each mailing. The rate is depended upon both a piece charge, a pound charge, where the publication is being sent, etc. It cost much more to mail further from home, in fact it costs much more to mail in a neighboring post office if it is not in the same county, for example, any rural Plymouth, Grovertown, LaPorte, etc., paper costs considerably more than one to a patron serviced by the Walkerton, North Liberty, South Bend, or any St. Joseph County post office. However, after the form for the mailing had been filled out on Wednesday, January 13, the mail taken to the post office for regular Wednesday evening mailing, on Thursday wc were pesented with a “new rate’’ schedule that had gone into effect on Sunday prior. No warning or notice of this increase given, just a new form to fill out and when one studied it, it amouned to more than a 10 percent increase in our postal rate . . . and this made the fourth (yes, fourth) rate we have paid since July 1, 1981. And it is certain that these changes reflected increases. We have felt that for years the Postal Service is not progressing as it should, and have opposed various changes they try to implement. We still feel that the nine digit zip is not the answer and feel that the more they change, the more they discourage business rather than encourage it. The postal increases that hit recently for first class and other classes as well, has made people much more aware of the costs when they put the money down to buy that roll or sheet of stamps. It no longer is cheap to mail and the recent Christmas mailing helps to point this out. An 11 percent increase in first class postage in November found Christmas mailing off about 11 percent ... a story is told there. In fact, from Christmas 1980 to Christmas 1981, the increase to mail greeting cards was actually 33 percent, first with the three cent and then two cent increase in rates. There is no doubt our business and many, many others, needs the postal service. We are dependent on it to distribute our newspaper. However, the continued increase in postage rates for second class, and we understand they are to increase much more in the next three years, will again tell the tale for more and more publications depending on the postal service to distribute their product. You will continue to hear of newspapers and magazines going out of business, or at least raising rates considerably as postage and newsprint rates continue to climb and climb and climb. We want to keep our rate as low as possible, but it is going to be inevitable that a rate increase to help defray these two rapidly increasing costs will come in the future. We only hope that the next postal increase will be handled a little better than the last . . . figures released before we mail instead of after. It is for sure a business of the private sector could not get away with something like this. WHEN... JMM (Taken From The Files Qf The Independent-News)

1972 The week of February 13 - 19 is being celebrated as Vocational Education Week throughout the nation. In proclaiming this week for Indiana Governor Edgar D. Whitcomb has urged "all citizens of the State to observe this week by making themselves better acquainted with vocational education purposes and programs by visiting any vocational institution or program in their area " Friday evening the North Liberty Shamrocks will be playing OregonDavis and this is Homecoming for the Shamrocks Activities are sponsored by the Junior class and will include the crowning of the queen at halftime and a dance to follow the game from 9V)to 11 30 John Glenn High School is having an Open House on Wednesday, February 9. at 7:00 pm. This is

scheduled to better acquaint the parents with the high school. At the market blade cut chuck roasts were selling for 69 cents a pound; center cut chuck roasts at 79 cents a pound; swiss steak at 99 cents a pound; stew meat also at 99 cents a pound; smoked sausage at 89 cents a pound; beef liver at 59 cents a pound; eight 16 ounce bottles of 7-Up for 79 cents; 24 ounces of Wesson oil for 65 cents; a three dozen medium eggs for $1.00; five cans of Green Giant corn for $1 .(MJ; 20 pounds of Michigan potatoes for 89 cents; two pounds of bananas for 25 cents; and a 10 inch baked apple pie for 9M cents. 1952 The 2 7 th annual St. Joseph County Basketball tournament will get underwav Friday at 6:00 p.m. at John Adams High Sch»x>l auditorium as New ( arhsle meets

Madison. The collection of scrap metal and its return into the channels of industry is getting more and more vital each day. according to information from large manufacturers of steel products. Dr. Bernard E. Vodnoy, optometrist. related the great work and progress of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis at the basketball game last Friday night and the free will collection following his talk netted the March of Dimes the sum of $98.72. The basketball game was a close one with the Walkerton Indians losing to Greene Township bv a score of 40-39. An old-fashioned "spelling bee" provided the entertainment last Thursday at the regular meeting of the P.T.A. Pupils from the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades participated in the contest and first prize went to Dennis Finch; second to Harry Buettner and third to Mike Murphy. Dr. George Nassef will move to his new office at 908 Roosevelt Road over the weekend and be ready for practice there on Monday. January 28. Extensive remodeling has been done to the Thompson property in order for the Doctor to use as his office. He is moving from 611 '/i Roosevelt. The Post Office Department has announced that a three cent stamp commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad will go on sale February 28. 1942 In a tournament characterized by superlatives in the quality of games played, take at the gate, excitement and mad frenzy, the Wash-ington-Clay Colonials won top honors last Saturday night in the final encounter by eliminating Woodrow Wilson by a score of 52 to 42. Walkerton lost their game to Lakeville by a score of 37-28 and North Liberty lost to Washington-Clay by a score of 28-26. City delivery of United States mail has been officially refused for the town of Walkerton by Ambrose O’Connell. First Assistant Postmaster General, at Washington. D.C.. according to a letter addressed to Wayne Cover. Clerk-Treasur-er for the tow n. An engine and four cars were derailed on the BAO railroad east of the tower on Sunday afternoon about 1:00 p.m. The fireman was slightly injured but no serious damage was done to the cars. Plans and specifications for enlarging, improving and modernizing trie rooms at the Walkerton branch of the Farmers State Bank of Wyatt have been completed according to Wayne Burch, assistantcashier. Work on the improvements will be completed within the next two months. THE STORY OF THE FOUR CHAPLAINS January, 1943 — Aboard the S.S. Dorchester troopship — The Dorcheter was an underprivileged ship as were a dozen or more other convoy ships. She should have been retired long before she started out on her fateful voyage — but in this time of crisis — everything that could float was being pressed into service. The young and confused soliders felt as if they were being cheated when they struggled up the gangplank. The officers, too. felt let down as they stood on the pier and watched the enlisted men and the draftees climb aboard. Each and every man felt uneasy and showed it. Among the men — were the Four ( haplains. I heir names were George L. Fox. Alexander D. Gmxlc. Johnns P Washington and ( lark V. Poling. These men —two Protestants, one Jew and one Catholic — were from different towns and different ways of living. Fox was a country boy from New I ngland. Goode a lad from our n.iiion s capital John Washington. a slum kid from New Jersey, and Poling, a parson’s son from

THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS Publication Number 261460 ROBERT E. URBIN, EDITOR SUSAN R. URBIN, ASSISTANT EDITOR INDEPENDENT-NEWS CO., INC,, Publisher 601-03 Roosevelt Road, Walkerton, Indiana 46574 Telephone (219) 586-3139 PUBLIC ATION TIME: Thursday of Eaclj Week Second Class Postage Paid At Walkerton, Indiana 46574 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 15c Per Copy; $4.50 Per Year (50C Extra If Mailed Out Os State)

New York City. They came together on the slanting deck of the troopship, and their meeting was a rendezvous with death, although they didn’t know it at the time. As the ship got underway, matters went from bad to worse. The Four ( haplains knew the troopship was having a tough time, trying to keep up with her convoy. They also knew that rumors were being piled on rumors. Guesses were being made as to the destination of the ship. The chaplains knew the ti n il - that thev were bound for Greenland, the ice-covered glaciertortured end of the world. On the second evening in Febru ary, a Coast Guard cutter blinked a message across the water to the Dorchester. The Dorchester had broken away from her convoy, which meant they were nearing port. The chaplains were smiling as they started for their cabin — and then, the message. "We are being followed by a submarine", it said. At one o'clock on the morning of February 3. 1943, the ship’s bell struck twice and never sounded again, for a few minutes later a torpedo struck home. A German torpedo ripped open the ship and exploded with all its fury in the engine room. (The conclusion of The Story of The Four Chaplains will be next week previous to the observance of Four Chaplains Week.) Orville Eastcrday Unit 189 American Legion Auxiliary Weekly Update From Congressman JOHN HILER Americans who can’t pay their bills can be afforded legal protection through bankruptcy. An estimated 460,000 individuals were relieved of their debts last year, costing creditors nearly $6 billion. In LaPorte County alone, from July through September, 68 were relieved of their debts at a cost of nearly $3.5 million. Most of this loss cannot be helded. For various reasons — bad investments, loss of income, poor economic conditions or even carelessness — many Americans must turn to bankruptcy for help. However, there is evidence that bankruptcy laws are being abused. A recent study by the Credit Research Center at Purdue University suggests that nearly 30 percent of those who file "straight" bankruptcy can fully repay their debts in five years from future income. The evidence indicates that a large number of debtors are legally avoiding repayments as a matter of convenience. Much of the problem rests with bankruptcy code provisions approved by Congress in 1978. While many of the reforms were needed, the new bankruptcy law doesn’t take into account the way consumer credit is extended. Virtually all consumer credit today is extended upon a consumer’s ability to repay out of future income. The bank ruptcy code looks only to the consumer’s assets. This contradicts

the way creditors do business. Bankruptcy reform legislation (HR 4786) has been introduced in Congress to make a few essential changes. These changes include: — Limiting "straight" bankruptcy (chapter 7) to those who have demonstrated no ability to pay. Those with sufficient disposable income to pay could still be protected by a part of the bankruptcy code (chapter 13) which allows filing a proposed repayment schedule based on the debtor’s disposable income; — Proposed repayment plans filed under chapter 13 would be permitted to extend up to five years. They now can extend only up to three years. "It is important to understand (that bankruptcy losses are) not a wealth transfer from the credit industry . . . bankruptcy losses are a cost of doing business." the Purdue study noted. Creditors pass along these losses in one or more of three ways: They increase interest rates; they reduce the amount of credit available to better-quality credit risks; or they tighten credit requirements. In short, consumers who pay their debts are forced to pay for those who don't. I've joined as a cosponsor of the bankruptcy reform bill. I believe it will reduce the cost of providing credit, thereby improving credit availability and helping lower interest rates. If you have any questions or com ments about bankruptcy legisla lion, please write: Congressman John Hiler, House of Reprcsenta tives, Washington, I). C. 20515. GARDENING BROCHURES AVAILABLE FREE The Progressive Gardening In >otu(e, a non profit organization, is offering free of charge, five bro chures to the public. They arc entitled as follows: "How To Las out A Garden". "Preparing Ihe Soil For Your Garden". "Irrigating Your Garden". "Controlling Weeds The Easy Way" and "How Io Can Fruits And Vegetables". We feel that these brochures will be of great benefit to our readers and hopefully you do also. If interested in obtaining all five or just any one of these bnxhures write to Five Free Brochures, in care of Progressive Gardening. Inc.; P. O. Box S(X). Morrison. TN 37357. Rest Easy V With Sleep-Ezel J > Ihe gentle ingredient in / Sleep Ize hel| hi get f/ a good night s sleep <ind 1 U wake up refreshed Um / V- • ' • on ' FOR DRY / \ HAOONG f 4 COUGHAND —NASAL Tnaminic rum E.peeux*n t CONGESTION TRY TRIAMINIC ~ EXPECTORANT. C IW Dorsey I atto/alo/irs a division of Sando/ |n» Lincoln Nrl'ratka tiMSOI