The Mail-Journal, Volume 6, Number 3, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 February 1969 — Page 9

Mail i« PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY The Milford Mall (Est 1888) Syracuee-Wawaeee Journal (Eat 1907) Consolidated Into The Mail-Journal Feb. 15, 1962 DEMOCRATIC ARCHIBALD E. BAUMGARTNER, Editor and Publisher DELLA BAUMGARTNER, Business Manager > Box 8 Syracuse, Ind., — 46567 Entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse, Indiana Subscription: $4.00 per year in Kosciusko County: $4.50 Outside County

EDITORIALS Outdated Patronage System May End By VANCE HARTKE

The outdated patronage system for selecting postmasters as a reward for political service may be at an end. Last week, President Richard M. Nixon issued an order removing postal jobs from political patronage. According to Postmaster Winton M. Blount, all appointments to postal jobs will be made under open competitive Civil Service examinations with the top qualifiers getting the jobs. The President also announced plans to ask Congress to approve legislation that would end the present requirement that nominees for postmasterships be confirmed by the Senate. As a ranking member of the Senate Post Office and Civil Service Committee, I long have advocated abolishing the postal patronage system. Two years ago, I supported the Legislative Reorganization Act which would have taken the postmasters out of politics. The Senate approved the Compromise Good ... If the state of Indiana must have an auto inspection, and it seems we are destined to have one, we think the compromise that has been reached is a good one. Why wait six months or a year to begin the inspection? We might as well get started and get it over with. The compromise starts the inspection in March as planned and uses one digit per month (the last one on your 1969 license plate) for the next 10 months. The compromise bill would also give the Governor authority to extend the deadline if necessary.

Don't Blame I For Abusing Me

“Thanks for being so nice to my husband and I,” said the prominent actress. “The measure applies to you and I,” commented a Washington dispatch in a large Texas newspaper—not the News, we hasten to add. What ever happened to me? Wherever one goes, some presumably educated persons use “I” in the objective case, apparently because they have learned not to say “him or me did it.” Providing again that a little learning is a dangerous thing, they apparently didn’t absorb the constant drilling of

■a Senator Birch Bayh Urging Electroal Reform Legislation

WASHINGTON, D. C. - Senator Birch, Bayh (D-Ind.) visited Arkansas on February 6, in an effort to gain popular support for his efforts to reform the electoral college. Bayh, who is chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments and the author of the 25th Amendment dealing with the difficult question of Presidential inability, is recognized as the leading sDokesman for a direct national election of the President and Vice President. Bayh’s proposed amendment, similar to one that he introduced in the last Congress, provides that the Presidential ticket receiving the greatest number of

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bill but it was not voted on by the House of Representatives. I congratulate the President for what I consider to be a very constructive step toward improving our postal system. I am pleased with the businesslike approach Mr. Blount has taken in his attempt to solve the ills of the postal “system. This nation was founded on the principle of open competition for jobs with the most qualified man obtaining the position. That is the way our successful businessmen operate, and that is the way we must operate our post offices if they are going to be efficient. The concept for appointments which calls for naming the best men to postmaster jobs is a good one.* But, I want to reserve my judgment of his overall plan, including the President’s proposed legislation, until after the Post Office Committee has an opportunity to explore fully all aspects of the new ruling. The compromise does not invalidate any inspection that has already been made or any that is completed before the first of March. Also included in the compromise are several changes in present regulations. The new inspection would require only about 20 minutes of the mechanic’s time and relaxes some of the laws in the original inspection bill. We’re sure there are still “bugs” in the inspection law but the legislature seems to be headed in the right direction if we must have an inspection.

some poor teacher as to the difference between subject and object. Shaking their heads dolefully, a Highland Park grade school teacher and SMU engineering professor recently agreed that usage may some day abolish the differences. Despite all of the drilling in classrooms, young people use “I” as an object because of the influence of the conversations they hear at home and elsewhere. As for I, give I liberty or death before me’ll chant, “Os I me sing.” — Dallas Morning News

popular votes in a national election would be elected if that total is more than 40 per cent of all the votes cast. If no ticket receives at least 40 per cent of the vote, a run-off election would be held between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. Bayh has been advocating direct popular election since May of 1966 but his pleas for preventive medicine in the area have fallen on deaf ears until as he put it, “the undesirable contingencies of the 1968 election became evident.” “These same contingencies have become the subject of concern in the past because of close elections,” Bayh said, “but as Americans return-

ed to their day to day interest and the Congress to its day to day labors, memories of the country’s close brush with disaster faded.” “I do not intend to let that happen again,” Bayh said. "I intend to work with members of the Senate, the House and interested organizations in the private sector in keeping this vital piece of unfinished business before the American public,” stated the Hoosier lawmaker. In pursuit of that goal Bavh accepted an invitation by the Pine Bluff, Ark., Chamber of Commerce to speak to them on this matter. Bayh said he will take the opportunity of his visit to spend time with political, educational, community, student, citizen, labor and business leaders in discussing the reform question. Bayh’s itinerary included a press conference at Little Rock, a luncheon with representatives of the groups named above, a visit to the State Legislature, an apmintment with the Governor and the evening speech in Pine Bluff before the Chamber of Commerce. and Social Security Q—l am going abroad for several months. I get social security benefits and wonder if I must do anything before leaving. A—We suggest you contact your social security representative personally and discuss the length of time you will be gone and the country to which you are going. There are some restrictions on sending social security checks out of the country.

'DID I REALLY WANT THIS JOB?’

Know Your Indiana Law By JOHN J. DILLON JjfVh Attorney at Law This is a public service article explaining provisions of Indiana law in general terms.

Statutes Pertaining To Indiana Military Law

A little known phase of Indiana law concerns itself with our statutes on military law and related matters. The Constitutions of the state of Indiana provides that the Governor is the Commander - inchief of the military and naval forces of the state; it also provides that the Governor shall name an adjutant general, who is the executive and administrative head of the Indiana Military department. In effect, he is the Chief-of-Staff to the Governor in all military matters. The present adjutant general is Brig. General John N. Owens, ’who was recently appointed to this high office. The members of the land and naval forces of the state have a dual mission and obligation. Their oath is given not only as a member of the Indiana National

HOOSIER DAY •X

| Whitcomb | Sits On | Prison | Powder I Ke - 9 By FRANK WHITE

Guard (the active state militia) but also as a member of the Na- ■ tional Giiard of the United States. During normal times the Governor has the power to muster the entire military forces of Indiana to serve in emergencies such as might occur as the result of a flood, tornado or other natural disaster; and, also in cases where local officials cannot cope with uprisings, tumults or other breaches of the peace occurring anvwhere within the state. ■ During national emergencies the entire military force of the state or any part thereof may be called to active duty by the President of the United States as Commander • in-chief of the armed forces of the United States. Because of the recent necessity to use state military forces in civil disorders, interest is

THIS COLUMN, not designed to endear me to anyone, is a tip to Governor Edgar D. Whitcomb that his administration sits on a powder keg in regard to Indiana prisons. I really wonder whether Governor Whitcomb, so busy on many matters, really knows the raw, inside Indiana prison story. I draw the following paragraphs from 15 years of speciality of reporting on prisons. HOOSIER DAY stories have given readers shocking details of politics, degradation, bribery, brutality, traffic in dope and homosexual corruption of youth, that have taken place behind the prison walls. Never once have prison exposure stories I wrote been disproved. How can Governor Whitcomb know the explosive depth of Indiana prison affairs unless he has read word for word, an original report of experts branding Indiana prisons one of the worst in the U- S. A. READ FURTHER about this exhaustive study that cost $50,000 of tax money. On the fly leaf of this typed study, almost six inches thick, was this stipulation. It was not to be shown any newspaper reporter or representative of press media. I believe I am the only reporter who read this report and had it in my possession four months. This stinging report of Indiana’s prison setup and policies was watered down, held up, and to put it bluntly suppressed from the legislature. Yes, I know what I am

heightened in the function of the National Guard. Many people feel that future years will bring more and more riot type training to members of the National Guard and less training as a national reserve military force. Local officials are more and more looking to the state mili-. tary forces to help maintain law and order in local communities. For this reason the Indiana National Guard will become even more important to the citizens of Indiana. Hartke Wants Investigation of ‘Skyjacking’ Problem WASHINGTON, D C. - Senator Vance Hartke today called for immediate Senate hearings to determine if existing regulations can be supplemented to discourage airplane “skyjacking”. Hartke, a member of the Senate commerce committee which examines legislation affecting the Federal Aviation Administration, said he has instructed his staff to study possible solutions to the “skyjacking” problem. “One suggestion,” Hartke said, “is to have an armed guard riding on every plane. It might be a good idea for the airlines to announce that a guard in plainclothes will be on some airplanes. The threat might discourage some potential ‘skyjackers’,” Hartke said.

talking about. Consider this fact. A breach developed between Governor Roger D. Branigin and his Prison Commissioner Arthur Campbell, who had served as Corrections Commissioner under three governors. Yes, I have quotes- Campbell had his fill. He was “bone tired” and agonized through a year of prison paralysis on the state level. THE GOVERNOR felt he had his man for the job. Governor Henry F. Schricker had a stormy session with the Governor and talked to me at length on the subject. Governor Branigin didn’t announce his appointment. State Police Superintendent Robert O’ Neal sent detectives into a neighboring state. Had that man been appointed Indiana prison head, it would have been a catastrophe. The Governor then named Bernard Dolnick as Corrections Commissioner. He was unique, and as near as I can figure, didn’t believe any criminal was bad, just suffering from mental illness. PERMISSIBILITY was unbelievable- Under the “soft line” attendants and guards could not talk back to rebelious inmates. Television viewers saw Dolnick passing out cigarettes to Girl School Inmates who were cursing, shouting obscenities, hurling bricks through building windows, including the chapel. The scandalous rioting at the girls’ school was almost a riot a week. So Dolnick went and Anthony Kuharich, the present comsissioner was hired. He has done a pretty good job keeping out of print the upheavels in Indiana’s rotting, politically dominated pris-

Many Taxpayers Claim Erroneous VjSSp Exemptions

LITTLE CHANGE — Unemployment insurance claims activity showed LITTLE CHANGE last week, increasing only 1.7 per cent above the weak-before level. Dwight D. Kelley, chief of research for the Indiana Employment Security Division, said that 27,493 claims were filed, more than 29 per cent fewer than during the comparable week a year ago when nearly 38,850 out-of-work claimants registered. ’ ❖ $ $ ERRONEOUS EXEMPTIONS — James O. Mathis, commissioner of the Indiana department of revenue, announced that a PRELIMINARY AUDIT of the first 1968 Indiana Tax Returns has revealed that some taxpayers are claiming ERRONEOUS EXEMPTIONS in many instances where both the husband and the wife have income. MANY TAXPAYERS, filing a joint return, are claiming a full SI,OOO exemption for both the husband and the wife even though one of them had less than SI,OOO income. Mathis urges taxpayers to fill out their returns CAREFULLY or they may have their refunds delayed or may receive tax error notices when the computer audit picks up the erroneous exemptions. NIPSCo MEN PROMOTED — The announcement of the promotion of seven employees of NIPSCo has been announced by the Hammond office. Promoted were EUGENE R. MAX, Lansing: MYRTLE L. WOLTER, Highland; GLEN E. LAVINE, Highland;

X f] on w a Qooii start!

on system. Look at the turnover. Frieda # Lyda, recommended by Indiana university officials, was ousted when homosexuals got the upper hand at the girls’ school. Then g: came in succession, George g: Phend of the hard line, strong g: arm; Alfred Bennett, a career g: penologist whose hands were tied g: and now Mrs. Dorothy Vanßrunt $: as girls’ school superintendent. g: I WAS SHOUTED AT by those g: high up for exposirig some of the g: brutalities at the girls’ school that •$ were hard to believe- A riot left the Penal Farm in shambles, with g: thousands and thousands of dollars ;g damage. Two or more riots wracked the Indiana State Prison at g: Michigan City that cost thousands ;g of dollars in damages. Guards :g had to ride “shotgun.” JEROME HENRY, recently was g fired as superintendent at Pend- :g leton Reformatory. Rioting there has repeated. The plan of three governors and three legislatures ¥: for the new intermediate first of- g; fender prison at Plainfield, has g: been subverted. The idea of a g: diagnostic center and classes to g: teach trades, is rs joke now. The new intermediate outlay, with its g: millions and millions of dollars of g: refrigeration and facilities, is just ;g a glorified annex to the jam-pack-ed Plainfield Boys’ School. IT IS MY HOPE Governor :g Whitcomb will visit Indiana pris- g ons and look in depth behind the g; facades. I hope he confers with gj some people who tell him the in- g; side story and that he will protect them. One of his biggest achievements could be to give Indiana deg; cent prison setup.

COSMAS E. SMITH, JR.. Crown Point: EDWARD J. SPITZ, Hobart; RAYMOND C. BOARDWAY, Hammond. DETERRENT FOUND — Indiana state police officials have found what may prove to be an EFFECTIVE DETERRENT against the unlawful use and possession of MARIJUANA. Superintendent Robert K. Konkle reported that department researchers recently DISCOVERED a seldom-enforced section of the INTERNAL REVENUE CODE of 1954. enacted by the CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, entitled “Marijuana: Imposition of Tax on Transfers.” Briefly, the portion of the code referred to rules that WHENEVER MARIJUANA IS TRANSFERRED THERE IS A TAX DUE THE FEDERAL GOVENMENT of $1 per ounce for persons who possess a valid federal narcotics tax stamp. The code further states that in a similar transaction’ by persons who do not have a narcotics tax stamp, an assessment of SIOO per ounce shall be levied by internal revenue authorities. ONLY D UGG I STS AND DOCTORS are permitted to purchase narcotics stamps. Engineers week February 16-22