The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 3 December 1968 — Page 1

INDIANA STATE LIBRARY

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Journalists greet daily lumps belonging to Fourth Estate

The Fourth Estate

by SHAUN HIGGINS Staff Reporter ED. NOTE: This begins a three-part series by Banner Reporter Shaun Higgins on the role of the journalist in society and the problems faced by reporters and editors in meeting obligations to their profession, their communities and to themselves. Higgins' experiences in journalism range from covering bean suppers, to infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan and covering racial disturbances in Cincinnati, Chicago, and Detroit.) Being a reporter is not an easy job. People constantly haul the newspapers of America over the rack for being biased. This sometimes means the paper has an opinion which differs from that

of the reader, but usually means the reader has an opinion which differs from the facts. Be this as it may the reporter and his editors find themselves simultaneously labelled “pinko” and “fascist”, depending on who's doing the labelling. William Randolph Hearst once said: “There are three things that no man can do to suit another man: poke a fire, love a woman, and run a newspaper.” My personal experience with poking fires is limited, my love-life slightly more fulfilled, but my newspaper ideas are of “cup runneth over” proportions and at least the last third of Hearst’s statement is true. Take for example a case where an editor comes into a new posi-

tion and wants to find out what’s happening behind the scenes: Threatening phone calls, people crying in the office, cancelled subscriptions, irate readers, irate non-readers and a general hell breaking loose atmosphere. Some are offended by the news hounds’ search for facts and stories: outstanding examples of non-journalophiles include cops, prosecuting attorneys, political candidates, and hoods — a motley crew to say the least. These people, as well as hundreds of “just plain folks,” feel that the newsman should not look for news, but rather wait until it falls in his lap. That’s nice except for the fact that news does not necessarily follow Newton’s

laws of Gravity, it may stay up in the air forever. As a member of “The Fourth Estate” the reporter and his editors serve as a safeguard to freedom in a democratic state. When he has facts, he prints them: He does ( or should) point the way for other authorities and show the public what public authorities are and are not doing. He should not condemn, but sometime serve to light a fire under the public guardians who have let down their guard. It is a moot point whether or not newspapers should have this

power. The simple fact is that they have it and they will always have it unless put under the strict control of the government. Since they have the power they must be responsible with it and responsibility requires good judgment to be used and fairness to be the top requirement for any news or feature article appearing in their pages. The newspaper cannot play favorites and remain a newspaper. If it does so it becomes a propaganda sheet, in the worst sense of the word. News is what’s happening. A

paper, ifit wishes to judge events, should confine its judgments to the editorial pages and leave the news pages for a factual presentation of the material. The news pages should contain the facts; the public should make the decisions regarding whether or not action should be taken concerning those facts. It is a travesty on the concept of free and fair communications that many dailies cannot keep their opinions to themselves. However, it is a greater travesty that such “vested interest” journals continue to be read by a public that does not demand justice in print. These are the people who gossip privately about how bad newspapers are, but retain their subscriptions and substan-

Shaun Higgins

tiate arguments with the phrase “I read it in the paper.” So many newspapers have developed into “opinionated” journals simply because the public

cannot take its material “straight,” they either cannot or will not separate fact from opinion and they prefer “interpretative” reporting to dry facts, until, the interpretation happens to disagree with their viewpoint. Then the label game begins. Next to cops and nurses, journalists are the worst paid people for the amount of labor they perform. They are required to put in a minimum of forty hours a week, expected to put in a least 55 hours, and usually put in close to 70. In fact a good journalist, is never off work. He is constantly thinking, informing himself or looking for news. His mind, if not his typewriter Continued on Page 2

VOLUME SEVENTY-SEVEN

The Daily Banner GREENCASTLE, INDIANA. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3. 1968 100 Per Copy

“It Waves For All”

UPI News Service

No. 29

DPU fraternity is foster parent to Filipino boy-Ricarte Bogamat

DePauw University Inter Fraternity Council, ATO Greencastle, Indiana, 46135, has financially “adopted” Ricarte O. Bogamat, a 13-year-old Filipino boy, through Foster Parents Plan, Inc., 352 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10010. The Foster Parent’s responsibility is financial, not legal and the child grows up within his own family. The $16 a month (or $192 a year) contributed by the Foster Parent through PLAN for a minimum of one year, provides a monthly cash grant, supplementary new clothing and household goods carefully selected to meet the needs in each area. In addition PLAN offers medical care when called for, primary school education and in some cases vocational training. The family receives guidance and counseling from the North American Director and a staff of trained local case workers. PLAN’S purpose is to help the child and family to become self-supporting through improved health, nutrition, and educational opportunities. Until a few years ago, the family of Ricarte lived almost comfortably, as the father was a very hard workingman. But then he felt sick and developed symptoms of tuberculosis. Closer examinations revealed that he also contracted Hansen’s disease. The family was beset by problems. The father needed treatment, but could not enter a hospital. His earnings were the mainstay of the family. The mother tried everything to earn a living, but she has no skill, nor an education. By peddling vegetables, fish or fruit, or doing laundry, she cannot earn more than 40? to 70? a day and even this is not steady. Unable to pay rent, the grandparents allowed the family to live in a room of their shack. But they eat separately. The grandparents cannot do more than offer shelter, for they are verypoor. The shack is built on land that belongs to a private company. Eviction faces them soon. This part of Quezon City, which is actually a slum of Manila, is close to the business district and the city keeps growing. Besides Ricarte, there are also Milagros 11, Herminigilda 7, in school, and Cristina 5, at home. Ricarte attends the 5th grade and will soon be on vacation. Schools close before the onslaught of the rainy season. The boy is diligent and gets good marks. All he hopes for is to be able to stay in school. He is a quiet, respectful child, shy with strangers. When the picture was taken, Ricarte posed in a brand new outfit, a gift of PLAN. The parents would like to own a small shack once more, but the father is still unable to work. He got much better after receiving treatment, but recuperation is a slow process. Food, clothing and school needs still pose heartbreaking problems. Wages are very low here and there is little work. When the bitter poverty of this family was made known to PLAN, aid was sent at once by a good foster parent, now unable to help. Your kind acceptance of Ricarte as a foster child enables him to study. Under the PLAN prob study. Under the PLAN program a cash grant of $8.00 for 8 months or $7.50 for 4 months is given, new clothing, supplies

and medical and dental care for the entire household. Our skilled social workers can advise and encourage them. Your goodness is returned in the love of a needy child and deep gratitude of his long suffering family. Foster Parents Plan stresses help to the entire family as well as to the child. In most countries where PLAN maintains offices there is a Foster Parents medical clinic with doctors, nurses and drugs. The doctors treat the child’s immediate family as part of the service. Experience has shown that it is impossible to keep a child healthy in a sick family. In some countries where poor teeth are common among the children, PLAN also provides dental service. Despite the distance that separates Foster Parents from their children overseas, “adoption” is very personal. Monthly letters between them ( original and translation) keep both parties in constant touch, and over the years they often develop fast and loving friendships.

The original case history and photograph of the child sent to the Foster Parent at the time of “adoption” are supplemented byregular reports and photographs to chart the progress of the child. In their monthly letters, the children share their sorrows and joys with their second Parent--the wonder and cruelty of snow in Greece during a bitter winter when even the birds had a rough time finding food, or the complaint of Hong Kong children because the government forbade all fire-crackers for the traditional New Year celebration. The children are touchingly eager to do well in school for their Foster Parents’ sake, but like children all over the world they are not always successful. One Hong Kong youngster ruefully confesses: “But I have hardships on arithmetic, geography, grammar and history.” Sound familiar? Some Foster Children show real concern for their faraway friends. One sympathetic little girl writes her single-lady Foster Parent: “Sorry to know something happened to your marriage plan. Hope you will find another honest and wonderful friend soon and have a happy family.” The arrival of Foster Parent’s letters, photographs and postcards, and, of course, gift packages are a cause for rejoicing--both letters and gifts shown proudly to all the neighbors, teachers and classmates. The letters are read and re-read until they are dog-eared. A little Korean girl writes: “I had your gift parcel with your warm thought. I held it in my arms and danced.” The variety of Foster Parents is surprising — both individuals and groups. They range from re - tired school teachers to the army sergeant leaving for Viet Nam, from Senator John G. Tower and Julie Andrews to a mother with a brood of her own who wishes to share her modest means with a child in even less fortunate circumstances. School classes, fraternal organizations, labor unions, bridge clubs and even prisoners pool

their resources to help some child achieve a decent life. Last December crewmembers of the USS Endurance who had adopted a little Filipino girl spent their precious shore leave at the Subic Bay Naval Base entertaining the child and tubercular mother aboard the ship--a real Christmas party complete with turkey dinner, Christmas tree and gifts. In addition, shocked by the condition of the girl’s shack home, they sent a group of plumbers, carpenters, tinsmiths, electricians from the ship and all the material and equipment needed into the Manila slum where she lived. The little house was rebuilt from floor to roof, all within 24 hours. A number of Foster Parents visit their Foster Children during business or vacation trips. These are moving and heart-warming encounters long-remembered by both sides. Often the first thing a visiting Foster Parent sees is his own photograph in a place of honor. The Foster Parents Plan program has been working since 1937 and has “graduated” more than 110,000 Foster Children thanks to more than 600,000 United States and Canadian Foster Parents, including groups. Some of the “graduates” are professionals, others are industrial or agricultural workers. All are eternally grateful for the support of generous Americans who saved them from sickness, abject poverty, and ignorance, and gave them health, education and hope. Currently Foster Parents Plan is operating in Greece, Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. A child may be chosen according to country, sex, and age and PLAN will try hard to meet the specifications. Foster Parents Plan is a nonsectarian, non-profit, nonpropaganda, independent organization. “Adoptions” and contributions are tax deductible. For information write to Foster Parents Plan, Inc., 352 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10010.

Postmaster up at 3 a.m. for Christmas mail

WASHINGTON (UPI)—Postmaster General W. Marvin Watson said today he plans to deliver more Christmas mail this year with fewer workers by using a “command post” which will drag some postmasters from bed for 3 a.m. weather and mail load reports. “We believe we have a plan that will allow us to move what is anticipated to be 10 billion pieces of mail from about Thanksgiving t o Christmas day,” Watson said in an interview. “We further believe that should there be problems in any given area or given post office, we’ll be able to determine the problem, which will allow us some opportunity to transfer some of that mail away from that particular point” for sorting elsewhere. Watson said he understood that last year the post office employed something between

120,000 and 125,000 seasonal and part-time people for the Christmas rush of mail. “This year”, Watson said. We estimate we will not employ over 55,000. “We believe that by using trained personnel and paying them some overtime, the economics will be better and the efficiency will be better.” The “command post,” down the hall from Watson’s gymna-

The sheriff’s department investigated two evening accidents yesterday with estimated damags totaling nearly $3,000. There were no injuries. A 1967 Ford pick-up truck collided with a 1963 Ford on U.S. 36 at Bainbridge at 5:50 p.m. The auto, driven by Larry Huffman, 18, Bainbridge, turned into the truck, according to the sheriff’s report. The truck driver was Fred E. Noll, 33,

sium-sized office, will field phone calls on precise schedules. Postal officials through, out the nation will report on everything from the weather to the length of noontime lines at their parcel post windows. Watson who will lose his job Jan. 20 when Richard M. Nixon becomes president, will leave behind an efficiency plan for the Continued on page 4

Bainbridge. Damages were $750 to the car and $800 to the truck. A Public Service Indiana utility truck was hit by a 1966 sedan one-half mile eastof Greencastle on Ind. 240. A faulty auto turning signal was blamed for causing the accident. Estimated damages in - eluded $800 to the truck, driven by Marion Mallus, 41, Greencastle, and $200 to the auto, driven by Cassell Balay, 45, Greencastle.

Accidents cost $3,000

Bessie Rector loads gifts for Muscatatuck Hospital Mental Health group provides merry Christmas

by WILBUR KENDALL, Staff Reporter The Putnam County Mental Health Christmas Gift Project met with huge success this year, as the generosity of Putnam County residents were expressed in the collection of 500 gifts. Mrs. Charles Rector Jr., President of the Putnam County Chapter of Mental Health, told the Banner that the 186 members of the group had collected these gifts for the patients at the Muscatatuck State School and were to be delivered yesterday. Several members of the group met at the home of Mrs. Bob Albright to help in the collection and handling of the gifts in preparation for the delivery. These members have worked very commendably in their efforts and have achieved one of the finest results to date. There are approximately 18, 000 patients in the State School, located 10 miles south of North Vernon. The patients will have a much finer Christmas this year due to the efforts of these and other such chapters located in each county in Indiana. Putnam County was represented at Muscatatuck by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rector Jr., when the gifts were delivered from throughout the state to the officials in charge there. Mrs. Rector expressed the desire of the entire Mental Health Program in that, they hope to find through the donated funds a cure for the disease. Mental Welfare directors meet here Friday Legislation on social welfare will be discussed in Greencastle Friday when members representing 13 county welfare depart, ments will meet at the Student Union Building at DePauw University for a West Central District Welfare session. Mrs. Audrey Beatty, Putnam County director will serve as hostess. Mrs. LelahDungan,Hendricks County director, will be heading the day long session which starts at 9 a.m. and will continue through 3 p.m. Counties to be represented include Boone, Clay,Clinton, Fountain, Hendricks, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Vermillion, and Vigo.

Health is an illness, and as in any other through research and development, hopes are that a cure can be found to prevent its beginning rather than treatments. Still, until this happens work such as that completed by the local Putnam County group will help to maintain an overall effort in the State and National Pro-

Sooner or later this Christmas season, chances are somebody’s going to try to sell you a gold brick. It may be in the form of an “expensive” perfume marked down to ridiculously low cost, or a similarly “ bar gain-pr iced” watch. It may come through the mails, as merchandise you haven’t ordered but are made to feel you should pay for. Or, in the shabbiest trick of all, it may be an appeal for some “charity” which actually benefits only the promoters. These are among the four favorite schemes of Christmas-season swindlers, according to a nationwide survey of Better Business Bureaus reported in the December Reader’s Digest. The fraudpeddlers count on two human qualities to abet their rackets: the Christmas-time mood of benevolence generally prevalent, and the universal desire for a bargain. In The perfume swindle-which annually extracts several million dollars from victims-you might be offered “a $25 bottle of Chanel No. 5” for say, $8.75 The bottle may look like a Chanel bottle. But once you get it home, you’d find it contained , atbest,acheap cologne. The watch trick is almost identical in style. A stranger offers you a “$59.95 watch” for about $20 , explaining that he needs cash immediately due to unforseen circumstances. If you’ll pardon the pun, watch out. For the only accurate timing involved will be your almost immediate discovery that you’ve purchased a fake. To guard against the perfume and watch swindles, advises the Better Business Bureau, never buy these items from strangers or at locations other than reputable shops.

Mrs. Rector would like to expr'iss, as President of the Putnam Co mty Mental Health Chapter, Fie thanks of all the membei o of the local group to the people of Putnam County who help.J in this year’s highly suc-

ces- fu! collection.

“It is indeed gratifying to know that you have helped someone less fortunate to have a better Christmas, ” she said,’

Another favorite holiday swindle is sending you merchan-dise-greeting cards, cheap pens, keyrings, etc.-that you haven’t ordered, at pricesfar higher than the stuff is worth. Your best protection in such cases is to realize you’re under no obligation to pay for unordered merchandise. You can either return it unopened, or toss it on a shelf and wait for the sender to come and get it. One final caveat: Don’t respond to any charity appeals unless you know the organization or check it with your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Com. merce. Christmas is a favorite time for schemers to collect money in the name of phi Ianthropy. Taking these simple precautions may dampen Christmas cheer for the swindlers and schemers. But it will help assure that as you practice the art of giving, you don’t get taken. Housing Committee to meet The Greencastle Housing Committee will meet Wednesday Dec. 4th, at 7:30 p.m. at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church. This committee is a volunteer organization of persons interested in relieving the shortage of low-cost housing in Greencastle. Representatives of all the various service and civic organizations are being urged to attend. Several members of the committee recently visited the Planner House Homes, Inc., project in Indianapolis and will report on this project at the meeting.

C of C honors past, new officers by BILL BOYD, Staff Reporter (Pictures on Page 6) A full compliment of Chamber of Commerce members convened Monday evening for coffee and dinner in the DePauw Student Union. The long-standing annual affair affords Chamber members opportunity to introduce new officers and review business and planning progress. One hundred and 50 members dined together in the Student Union’s ballroom, hearing the introduction by outgoing presi - dent Harry Moore, of new president William F. Long, IBM plant head; new vice-president Jerald D. Calbert, Greencastle attorney; and new treasurer James R. Headley, Greencastle merchant. Remarks on chamber activity and goals by incoming and outgoing presidents preceded the evening’s speaker, Harvey G. Foster, vice president of American Airlines. Foster’s talk centered on present projects of commercial aviation, specifically the new planes and the intricacies of passenger handling relating to the large new craft. Continued on Page 6 Author to lecture here An author who has climbed to fame on “Peanuts” will lecture at DePauw University Wednesday (Dec. 4) at 10 a.m. Best-selling writer, Robert Short, author of Gospel According to Peanuts, will speak in the ballroom of the Memorial Student Union building. The free public lecture will be illustrated by slides developed by Short and Charles M. Schulz, originator of the famed comic strip character, “Peanuts.” Short leaped into national literary prominence in 1965. That was when he used Schultz’s character as a vehicle to provide some contemporary views on theology “Gospel According to Peanuts” was the name of his book. When it appeared it became the number one non-fiction best seller of 1965. The book continues to break records in its sales and was immediately translated into many foreign languages. “The Manchester Guradian” called the book“... the most devastatingly thorough item yet of pop cultural theologising,” while The Chicago Tribune maintained it included “.. sophisticated theology for almost everyone.” Short is more than an author. He has an academic background in theology. He received the B. A. degree at Oklahoma and the Bachelor of Divinity degree at Southern Methodist. He also Continued on Page 2 Weather watcher X; vj Mostly cloudy today with some light rain likely. Rain changing to light snow or flurries later this afternoon. Snow flurries gradually ending later tonight. Mostly cloudy and colder Wednesday. Little snow accumulation expected. High today upper 40s. Low tonight upper 20s. High Wednesday mid to upper 30s. Precipitation probability percentages 70 today, 60 tonight, 20 Wednesday.

gran.

Jingle bells may bring snow job