The Mail-Journal, Volume 6, Number 48, Milford, Kosciusko County, 31 December 1969 — Page 7

L I . PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY The Milford Mail (Eat 1888) Syracuse-Wawasee 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

Happy New Year As 1970 comes into being tomorrow we will be entering into a new decade. . so much has happened in the past 10 years that one can not help but wonder about what will come in the next 10 years. As 1979 draws to a close and the last paper of the year goes to press the staff of The Mail-Journal wishes a Happy New Year to all its readers, whereever they may be.. .as near as Milford, North Webster and Syracuse or as far away as Germany or Viet Nam. Our wish is for peace in the new

Our Resolutions

As 1969 came into being we made a list of four resolutions we wanted to keep during the new year. We aren’t making new ones this year but are renewing our old ones in hopes of creating a better community, state and world. Not being one to make a long list then break them one by one before the first week is past we made the following and tried our best all year to keep them. The first one was to be a better neighbor — we all have our faults and neighbors aren’t only the people next door but those who live down the block, across town, elsewhere in the Lakeland area, or the state, or the nation and even across the seas. Our second resolution was and is to fix up, paint up, clean up come spring — just think what an improvement it would be if everyone in the Lakeland area would make and keep this resolution each year.

New Kind Os Gerrymander

One thing which immediately strikes the eye on looking at the legislative district map produced by a Federal court panel is that it includes some very odd shapes. We give the three judges the benefit of the doubt and assume that considerations of party politics did not enter into their draftsmanship. On the basis of that assumption the odd shapes must have resulted from maneuvering to approach within one per cent of precise arithmetical balance among the districts. This is a new kind of gerrymandering. The visible effects in distortions of geographic boundaries and agglomerations of areas remote from each other are no different from those produced by political gerrymandering. Intensive study by political experts will be needed for predictions of the probable political effects. The root cause of drastic upset is the conversion to single-member districts. This is a radical change for Marion County and other counties of relatively large population. There is understandable con-

Bayh A Leader In Fight For 'Philadelphia Plan*

WASHINGTON, DC., - Senator Birch Bayh (D., Ind.), urging the Senate to deal with “the nitty-gritty of economics” in the area of civil rights, Monday emerged as one of the principal leaders of the successful legislative battle on behalf of the controversial “Philadelphia Plan.” The plan, which would encourage non-white employment in the construction of federal projects, has been one of the few civil rights issues of the 1969 Congressional session. In a speech on the Senate floor, the Indiana Senator urged that a crippling amendment barring the use of federal funds on any project that the Comptroller General found in violation of federal law be stricken from a supplemental appropriations bill. The Comptroller General, head of the auditing branch of Congress, has already ruled adversely on the Philadelphia

EDITORIALS

Plan. Noting the importance of bread-and-butter issues in civil rights, he said, “It seems to me if we are going to make a stand on the matter of equal rights and civil rights, we are going to have to deal with the nitty-gritty of economics. It does not make any difference what the laws are unless we are able to plug the loopholes so that those who are hungry have an opportunity to use the law to provide for themselves gainful employment and adequate compensation for a day’s work. “Today, I think the black citizens, the brown citizens, the minority citizens of this land are yearning for one thing, and that is an equal piece of the action in the economy of the country.” Senator Bayh said it was his judgment that the Philadelphia Plan is lawful under the government’s federal procurement statutes and under the 1964 Civil

year with an abiding faith in the great promise the year 1970 holds, we wish for all men the peace and harmony that comes from living under the guidance of His love. May the year ahead be your lucky one with dreams come true, hopes fulfilled and health, wealth and happiness. We toast you and yours on this new year’s eve. As the clock strikes 12 tonight may you find health, happiness and prosperity in the new year for you and yours.

Third we tried and will keep trying to put our manners back to work — we’ve all become a little lax and it seems words like please, thank you and excuse me have gone into history. Many boys and girls don’t even know what they mean. The last one is the one we found the hardest to keep. It was to slow down — In this hurried-up world everyone has someplace to go almost every hour of every day. Soon we won’t even have time to sleep. We all need to slow down and put first things first. Family and church should come before fun and friends. We need to decide what things we are doing are the most important and which ones we can live without. Truly we need to slow down and enjoy the things God has given us. Well, those are the resolutions the editor made last year and has renewed this year. You were welcome to use them in 1969 and you may do so again ift 1970 too. t

sternation among incumbent members of both House and Senate who find themselves living in the same new districts as other incumbents. The fact that there are quite a number of these situations does indeed indicate a tendency toward geographic imbalance of representation in multi-member districts. One Marion County Senate district, entitled to a single senator under the new plan, is the residence of four incumbent senators. By interesting coincidence this is one of the oddly shaped districts. Unquestionably the single-member district plan will spread representation more evenly over the more populous counties. This is desirable. Can the legislative leaders produce a better set of districts? The way is open for them to try. It is questionable whether anything the legislature now does, however, can affect the 1970 elections. The panel of Federal judges has ordered that the elections be held according to its plan of districts. At any rate the legislators now know the alternative to doing it themselves. (The Indianapolis Star)

Rights Act. The plan does not require contractors to meet fixed “quotas” of minority workers, but rather sets a flexible range of “goals” for minority employment. Bayh urged the Senate to demonstrate “good faith” by guaranteeing the right of American citizens — “the minority citizens who have been bypassed in the great economic growth of this country” — to get jobs and “to earn for themselves, not by special privilege but by equal opportunity, their livelihoods as craftsmen and skilled workers.” Summing up the issue, he added: “If a Government contractor does not provide . . . opportunity for workers of whatever race or creed so they may earn an equal pay check, then I do not think the taxpayer should pay him for pursuing those contracts. It is as simple as that. After debating the issue, the Senate voted 39-29 to strike the amendment against the Philadelphia Plan.

• L /Mix ( \ ♦ *’ i? Ti 'III/ z 1111 Js* Ils I f ' ..MW’HUS «* n n I 1 5 " rPu ■ > ZZ KX * - sincere appreciation for a fine year past, here’s wishing that the New Year proves to be the happiest, brightest and most prosperous ever. May it be marked by ever continuing achievement and success each day for all.

Know Your Indiana Law By JOHN J. DILLON Attorney at Law

This is a public service article explaining provisions of

Indiana law in general terms.

Patents

Many would-be inventors or people who have a novel idea come to a lawyer’s office seeking advice on how to secure a patent. They are sometimes surprised to find out most lawyers do not handle patent claims. These applications for patents are handled by “patent attorneys” or “patent agents.” These are highly specialized technicians who are admitted to practice before the Patent Office. Because .of the highly technical nature of thfe practice “patent attorneys” are normally lawyers with an engineering background. Lay practitioners also practice before the Patent Office and they are referred to as “Patent Agents.” Upon hearing your problem your regular lawyer will most probably refer you to a “patent

Special Report from Washington

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Mel Laird has turned out to be a dove in hawk’s feathers. In the policy councils, he has fought to pull combat troops from Viet Nam, to cut military spending, to close many military installations and to destroy germ warfare stockpiles. He overrode the military brass on all these issues. Some critics warn, however, that he is dismantling the military-industrial complex too fast for safety. Military cutbacks will idle a few defense plants and will throw about 300,000 defense workers out of jobs by summertime. This will cause an uproar since it will come at the same time that the President’s anti-inflation policies are causing higher unemployment. However, the outcry will not force Laird to back down. He will assure military leaders that he has no intention of risking national security but that the Pentagon can no longer dominate the federal government. LBJ’S DENIALS UNBELIEVABLE Those who know Lyndon Johnson don’t believe his denial that he ever told his brother during a discussioa of Senator John Pastore’s qualifications for the Vice Presidency: “ . . . Sam Houston, what in the hell’s gone wrong with you? How could an Italian from a dinky state like Rhode Island possible help me?” Intimates say that the quoted statement is all too typical of Lyndon Johnson. He frequently makes nasty, needling remarks, even about friends. The barbed remarks are more likely made behind the victim’s back than to his face. LBJ was always quite aware that his ridicule would reach the victim via the whisper circuit. This was a frequent device he employed to let associates know of his displeasure without a personal confrontation. The ex-President finally broke his public silence about Sam Houston Johnson’s explosive book, “My Brother Lyndon,” in response to a letter from a Rhode Island housewife. According to the book, the exchange took place when LBJ was searching for a Vice President for his 1964 ticket. When the President asked his brother for suggestions, Sam Houston maintained that he recommended John Pastore, the Democratic Senator from Rhode Island.

attorney.” He will not refer you to that class of “patent attorneys” referred to as “ADVERTISERS.” These people advertise in magazines and draw a large volume of unsophisticated inventors into their offices. You are far better off and can expect a better quality of work by going through regular legal channels. The “patent attorney” in your home town maintains a correspondence with Washington, D. C. attorneys who specialize in searching the records and are close to policy changes in the Patent Office. The question that always comes up first is whether an idea can be patented. This can be one of the most difficult questions for even the most knowledgeable practioner to answer. Remem-

ber, we are talking about patents and not trademarks and copyrights, which I will discuss in future articles. A patent normally covers a machine or process or mechanical thing or a combination of these. To be eligible for a patent you must be the sole and original inventor of this “thing.” A patent search is therefore necessary to determine if someone else has already patented your “thing.” Your idea must also be original and in the words of the statute must add something to the prior art which is not obvious. As you can see great expertise is needed in analyzing your claim for a patent and perfecting it. If you are successful you can be issued a patent which will protect your invention for seventeen years from the date of issue. The time your patent application pends, which can be considerable, does not count. If you have a good idea, go to your lawyer to take the preliminary steps and then get in the hands of a qualified “patent attorney.” |,(iumy DRIVE CAREFULLY

In Johnson’s letter, he denied making such a remark; maintained that Sen. Pastore is a good friend of his; that Italians are among his best friends and cited the fact that both Jack Valenti and Joseph Califano had been on his staff for years. Actually, the President had tried to get his hands on the manuscript ever since he learned about it. But Sam Houston studiously kept out of his brother’s way. He didn’t even show up at the LBJ Ranch for the family Christmas last year and turned down an invitation to join LBJ for his last presidential flight on Air Force One. Once aroused, the famed Johnson wrath knows no bounds. Sam Houston Johnson told me recently that he and his presidential brother haven’t spoken, either in person or on the telephone, since the first of this year. Indeed, when Sam Houston’s daughter was in Washington recently, her visit coincided with Lyndon’s and Lady Bird’s attendance at the wedding of Lyndon’s White House secretary. His niece made numerous attempts to reach her famous uncle by telephone, but never succeeded and none of her calls were returned. In all fairness, though, the relationship between the two brothers was as trying for Lyndon as it was for Sam. Repeatedly, Lyndon was obliged to bail his brother out of trouble. TAX VETO LIKELY Just as German U-boat captains preferred to strike at dawn or dusk, lobbyists have found that the best time to torpedo legislation is during the end-of-the-session rush. Then the legislators are to impatient to adjourn Congress and head for home that they don’t bother to scrutinize the fine print. The action is also too fast for the public to follow, and, usually, the lobbyist’s hand is quicker than the public’s eye. Typical was the scrabble to decorate the “Christmas tree” bill, which the Senate just passed. This started out to be a tax reform bill and, indeed, a few tax reforms still remain on its branches. But the lobbyists also hung a number of goodies on its branches for the Christmas joy of their high-paying clients. One or two Senators protested, and a few

Congressional Comer: John Brademas Reports From Washington

Both Houses of Congress have now concluded business for the first session of the 91st Congress and have adjourned for the holidays. Several major pieces of legislation on which Congress acted during the last week should be of major importance to all Americans. TAX REFORM Topping the list was passage by the House and the Senate of the Tax Reform Act of 1969. Passage of this long overdue legislation means a large step forward tax justice for millions of Americans. I am particularly pleased that this bill will: —plug some of the loopholes which have allowed extremely wealthy Americans to avoid paying taxes at all; —provide much needed tax relief to those who most need it—low and middle income families; —raise the personal exemption from S6OO to $750 by 1973; —and provide a 15 per cent increase in social security benefits, starting in January, 1970. While some provisions of the tax bill fall short of the ideal, it is certainly the most comprehensive tax reform-tax relief measure in American history. The overwhelming approval Congress gave the bill—7l to 6in the Senate and 381 to 2 in the House—is. evidence of the widespread bipartisan support for tax reform and is a great tribute to the major architect of the bill—Wilbur Mills, Arkansas Democrat and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. LABOR-HEW APPROPRIATIONS The House also this week passed a House-Senate compromise bill providing appropriations for fiscal year 1970 for the Departments of Labor and Health, Education, and Welfare. The $19.7 billion bill contained about sl.l billion above the Nixon Administration’s budget for education programs, an increase supported by a majority of both Democrats and Republicans in the House. The education and health money bill is now awaiting Senate approval which should come in January soon after Congress reconvenes. The Senate deliberately did not act on the measure before adjournment in order to head off a threatened pocket veto of the bill by President Nixon.

others squirmed a little as if the outcries were causing an uncomfortable draft. But most Senators merely sat listening in studied nonchalance. As a result, President Nixon will cite the Christmas tree ornaments as his excuse for vetoing the entire tax bill, thus depriving the taxpayers of needed tax reforms because of the greed of the favored few. ETHICS CODE President Nixon is still chafing over the Senate’s refusal to confirm Judge Clement Haynsworth to the Supreme Court and has grumped to aides that the Senate judged Haynsworth by a far more rigid ethical standard than it applies to its own members. In fact, many of the Senators who condemned Haynsworth’s conflicts of interest have worse conflictsrfhemselves. Members of Congress do a lot of talking about ethics. When the press is able to document outrageously unethical conduct on Capitol Hill, the talk becomes louder. Yet there is no real desire to change the double standard that countenances behavior in Congress that would not be tolerated elsewhere within the federal structure. It would be naive to suppose that the members of Congress are unaware of the dark stains on their institution as it would be to pretend that all of them entered politics out of a genuine fervor for public service. Politics is as honorable a career as any other. Yet the honorable men in Congress demean themselves by ignoring the corruption that flourishes in their midst. Many members who might be tempted to speak out against the abuses around them find that they cannot. They have been compromised by the small favors they have done, or intimidated by the wielders of power, or bought off by the necessity of seeking funds for re-election, or hushed by a code of comradeship that sometimes ignores morality. Their silence is complicity in the deeds of the corrupt. Because of this double standard, President Nixon will soon establish a presidential commission on ethics to set ethical standards for public officials. He will call for a single standard of ethics that would apply to * Congress as well as the Supreme Court and the Executive branch.

Tax Reform

Many Democrats and Republicans were surprised by the President’s veto threat, particularly in view of the massive cuts Congress made in President Nixon’s budget this year. Congress trimmed $5 billion from military spending alone—and overall, Congress voted to appropriate $5.6 billion less than President Nixon requested this year. Without Senate action on the Labor-HEW bill this week, the President will be prevented from letting the bill die for lack of signature for ten days—the socalled “pocket veto.’’ When Congress returns next month to start the second session, if the President then vetoes the bill, he will be compelled by law to return it to Congress with an explanation and face the possibility of having his veto overridden. Congress this year has repeatedly, through votes of both Democrats and Republicans alike on roll call votes in both houses, insisted that we invest more in education, not less. The President’s position against adequate funds for education is, therefore, counter to the will of Congress and, I believe, to that of the American people, who are beginning to insist that we begin to change some of the priorities of our own country. FOREIGN AID STALLED OVER JETS FOR TAIWAN Perhaps the best indication of the increasing concern about where our monies are spent is illustrated by Congressional action over the foreign aid appropriations bill in the closing days of this session. Last week the Senate voted to reject a House-Senate compromise foreign aid bill because it contained $54.4 million to give Nationalist China free fighter jets. The Administration had not requested either these funds nor an additional SSO million in military aid to South Korea which the House also voted to include in the aid bill. Because of Senate refusal to agree to the jets for Taiwan, the foreign aid bill is in limbo until January when Congress returns and another House-Senate committee can work out the differences. I voted against the free jets for Taiwan and also against the entire foreign money bill because I could not in good conscience support such unnecessary military aid

By JACK ANDERSON