The Mail-Journal, Volume 7, Number 13, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 April 1970 — Page 7

(- I L PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY The Milford Mail (E»t. 1888 > Syracuse-Wawaoee Journal (EsL 1907) Consolidated Into The Mail-Journal Feb. 15, 1962 DEMOCRATIC I ARCHIBALD E. BAUMGARTNER, Editor and Publisher DELLA BAUMGARTNER, Business Manager Box 8 Syracuse, Ind., — 46567

Soil Stewardship Week Soil Stewardship week is a nationwide observance which places emphasis on man’s obligation to God, as stewards of soil, water, and other related resources. It will be celebrated May 3-10. “Resources and Renewal’’ is the theme of this year’s observance. It underscores the responsibility that each citizeiThas in dealing forthrightly with curreht issues involving stewardship of

'Operation Cleansweep' A Good One

Indiana Governor Edgar D. Whitcomb will lead a giant downtown parade in Indianapolis on May 9 to officially start Indiana’s month-long land clean-up program, “Operation Cleansweep.’’ Following the parade equipment will fan out in all four directions in an effort to clean the entire state during the nionth of May. Eormer senator Homer E. Capehart lis serving as general chairman of the * month long project and he needs the support of every citizen in the state. He hias ours! “Cleansweep’’ is a good

What America Means To Me

J close my eyes and in my mind. I see turmoil, strife, protest, unruly tnobs. war and hate. Then I open my eyes and ask myself. “Is this really what America means to me?” I close my eyes again and see the most beautiful flag in the world flown proudly over the White House. I think of our President, and the great monuments dedicated to those who dwelt there beofre him. Each one is sworn to faithfully execute that office to the best of his ability and to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, the Constitution that was designed to secure equality foi : all \ I remember vacationing among the . tallest and oldest trees in the world. I remember touring the. largest tavern in the world. " 1 remember crossing the longest river in the world and standing watching Old Faithful erupt until it looked as if it reached the sky. I remember looking down into the ; Grand Canyon from an airplane and thinking, all these wonders, and all in

Taxpayers Urged To Attend Budget Preparation Meetings

INDIANAPOLIS - The statewide reassessment of property which has resulted in significant readjustment of property tax rates emphasizes the necessity for Indiana taxpayers themselves to examine local government expenditures when they are first proposed, it was asserted today by Joseph D Geeslin, Jr , chairman of the state board of tax commissioners. . "The state board is a court of last resort m reviewing local government budgets and property ta< levies." Geeslin explained “But the proposed expenditures originate in local government units, and they are administered by local officials.. “In general they may not. be reduced unless local taxpayers object to the proposed expenditures? Thus, the local taxpayers should attend meetings when budgets are being prepared for the following year. “Nobody knows better the feasibility or desirability of such expenditures than the folks who live in these communities. If spending should be curtailed or eliminated, the place to do it is right there in the neighborhood " The statewide uniform reassessment was mandated by the 1961 Indiana General Assembly < Legislature) to achieve an equitable and general valuation of land and structures. Geeslin reminds taxpayers.

EDITORIALS

The various property tax rates are determined by using these valuations as applied to proposed budgets Therefore, tax rates are lower in some taxing units this year, as compared with last year, and some are higher "The variables of assessment and budget determine the rates. "Geeslin emphasized, "We at the Statehouse do not make these decisions and do not spend the money Budget proposals come from local civil and school officials '* Beginning in 1974 there will be a continuous reassessment of all Indiana land and buildings on a 6year cycle. Until then tax rates will be determined each year on the basis of budget requirements as related to the 1969 reassessments Individual taxpayers have the right to appeal to the County Board of Review if they feel that their property has not been properly assessed "Simply replacing local money with state funds is not the answer.” Geeslin continued. “Taxpayers who pay local property taxes also pay state taxes It is a waste of tax funds for local government and schools to spend more tax dollars than necessary to provide the local citizens with good schools and government services. “Therefore, replacing property tax with a state-collected tax is not the best answer. ""We are currently showing a plan announced by State Revenue

renewable natural resources. This is the 16th annual observance of Soil Stewardship week. The Kosciusko county conservation district is joining some 3,000 companion districts throughout the nation along with state and national associations in sponsoring the observance. We saAite those who belong to this organization and give of their time to conserve the land God has created.

program but it will be only as good as the people of this state make it. A fewcan not do this job — it takes everyone. We watched the other day as a businessman in an area town cleaned the trash and papers from a small area in the business district over his noon hour. The next morning as we looked at this same spot it was once again full Os trash thrown there by thoughtless, ignorant (yes we said ignorant) people. Truly, we must all cooperate with “Operation Cleansweep” or we shall continue to live in the pig pens that we have created for ourselves and our neighbors.

America. I opened my eyes and I cannot remember ever being hungry, when there was nothing to eat. or cold when I had no coat to wear. I cannot remember a Sunday morning without a church to go to, or a Bible to read. » I cannot remember my Dad without a job or when someone told him where to work. I remember exciting campaigns and close elections, but I cannot remember a time when my Mom and Dad could not vote for the candidate of their choice. I remember times when our country was divided, but I can never remember when it did not unite in the time of tragedy. I remember ail the great men from George Washington to Neil Armstrong that made this country great. Then I know what America means to me. America means greatness, the greatest land on earth. —Zionsville Times

Commissioner James 0. Mathis that will insure that the local citizens retain control over their schools, etc . and still reduce the tax burden on property “Local authorities propose the budgets, we only review them Unless they seem far out of line or unless local taxpayers raise questions or objections, the tendency of the State Board usually is to approve them “The best place to head off an excessive budget is at the source ” The statewide reassessment helped to correct inequities where property values have changed because of economic patterns, inflation, or other basic reasons. Geeslin said. “But everybody's rates could be lower if the people would demand a cut in local spending “Governor Whitcomb has demonstrated that you can bold the line on state-collected taxes Perhaps certain local officials will do likewise, if the taxpayers wll only look to their own defenses ’’ YOU AND SOCIAL SECURITY Q — I'll be 65 on the 4th of July. I started drawing social security when I was 62 When and how do I sign up for the medical portion of Medicare' 1 A — You should sign up in the three-month period April. May or June, before you become 65 to have the insurance begin with July 1. You will receive an enrollment card in the mail. If not received by June 15. call your social security office.

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

Two Jobs At Once'

In this era of high prices and inflation, many people are required to hold two or even three jobs to make ends meet. It is interesting to note that in the public office sector this practice was frowned upon by the framers of the Indiana Constitution. To insure that neither too much power or too much selfishness was collected in one [dace, a provision of our state constitution prohibits holding two lucrative offices Article 2. Section 9 of our Indiana Constitution provides: “No person holding a lucrative office or appointment under the United States or under this State, shall be eligible to a seat in the General Assembly, nor shall any person hold more than one lucrative office at the same time, except as in this Constitution expressly permitted: Provided, that offices in the militia to which there is attached no annual salary, and the office of Deputy

Special Report From Washington

WASHINGTON — Assistant Secretary of State Joseph Sisco, in his secret reports on his meetings with Egypt’s President Nasser and Israel's Premier Golda Meir, has described the visits as useful. He said that he had been able at least to keep the channels open to Nasser and clear up his misapprehensions about American policy. The Egyptian leader told him, Sisco reported, that Egypt has neither accepted nor rejected the latest U.S. peace plan for the Middle East Sisco, in turn, told Nasser that the United States hoped he would show more flexibility in seeking a Middle East settlement. Sisco also told him bluntly that the United States would never support any plan that would jeopardize Israel's sovereignty. In Tel Aviv. Sisco cautioned Premier Golda Meir that Western disapproval is rising over Israel's hawkish attitude. He indicated that any Middle East settlement would have to include the return of the conquered Arab territory. VIENNA TALKS The Nixon administration has made exhaustive preparations for the Vienna talks with the Russians on limiting strategic weapons. President Nixon is eager not only to improve Soviet-American understanding but to reduce military spending Since World War II the United States has spent an almost incomprehensible one trillion dollars on weapons. This has taken seventy cents out of every tax dollar to buy sophisticated new weapons that are constantly turned in like automobiles for new models. The only way to end this spending spiral, in the President's opinion, is to get an agreement with Russia limiting new weapons White House insiders tell us that more time has been spent preparing for the Vienna talks than has been devoted to the Viet Nam war during the past 18 months.

Postmaster where the compensation does not exceed ninety dollars per annum, shall not be deemed lucrative: And provided, also, that counties containing less than one thousand polls, may confer the office of Clerk, Recorder, and Auditor, or any two of said offices, upon the same person.” It is obvious that this enunciates a strong public policy against holding two public offices. It reflects a sense of fairness of the founding fathers that as many people as possible should be able to participate in government. However, no provision in our Constitution has been a greater cause of argument and litigation. Probably more opinions have been rendered on this subject by the Attorney General of Indiana than any other. This is because in small towns or lightly populated areas it is difficult to find people to fill certain offices. The

remuneration is so small for many jobs that many persons are not interested. This causes the proliferation of questions as to just what jobs are covered by this provision. It must be an office that is exercising sovereign powers of the government. It must have pay attached. Refusing the salary does not take the office from under the constitutional provisions. * I have always felt this provision of our State Constitution should be rigidly enforced. If an effort is made, citizens can be found to serve their government even at a personal financial sacrifice. If you are asked, you should serve!

FOUOW SMOKEY S RULES crush all smokes dead out.

CRIME IN THE STREETS President Nixon made crime in the streets a major issue in the 1968 presidential campaign. However, since he took command of the federal government, crime has soared, i Nixon inherited from the Democrats a new program to assist localities with their law enforcement. But the big cities, where most of the crimes are committed, haven't been getting a fair share of the aid. Most of the federal money has been going to the police rather than to the courts and the prisons, which are so bogged down that in many cases they have released criminals because of sheer lack of facilities. i Charles Rogovin, who headed the law enforcement aid program has resigned out of frustration. Now Congress is working on a complete overhaul of the law enforcement aid program. But crime in the streets will again be an issue in the 1970 election campaign. IMPEACHMENT BACKFIRE The ammunition for the impeachment campaign against Supreme Court Justice William 0. Douglas was furnished to House Republican leader Gerald Ford by the White House. ‘ The rnaterial was dug up by presidential aide Clark Mollenhoff. a former investigative reporter, who spent seven months digging into Douglas’s background. The impeachment drive will backfire against the White House. By antagonizing the Democrats in Congress, the move will also antagonize the liberal justices on the Supreme Court who. if they had any idea of retiring, will now remain on the Court. Thus the President’s desire to restaff the Court will be delayed indefinitely. Justice Douglas will refuse to retire under pressure and angry Democratic Congressmen will refuse to impeach him.

Congressional Comer: John Brademas Reports From Washington

People World Over Relieved And Thankful For Apollo 13's Safe Return

All Americans — and people the world over — were enormously relieved and thankful when Astronauts Lovell, Haise and Swigert emerged in good health a few days ago from their crippled spaceship after it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. I followed the safe return of Apollo 13 from South Bend, where I presented a new flag to the Thomas Jefferson Junior High School student body on the anniversary of Jefferson’s birth and where I spoke to the Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity about work on education legislation in Washington The world had been watching for over three days to see whether the spaceship could sustain the life of our three astronauts during their precarious return to earth. Probably the largest television audience ever assembled over the world was concerned about the inside of that spaceship. Would there be enough oxygen both to propel the craft back to earth and to sustain life on board? Could the air be kept free enough of carbon dioxide to be breathable until splashdown? It was evident to all who watched the events that the spaceship carried a very limited supply of the gases, fuels, and foods which are essential to life. Earth Day The drama of Apollo 13 has helped us to realize the fraility of another environment — our own here on planet earth, where the air, water, food, and other supplies which we consume are also in limited supply. The photographs sent back from Apollo showed us the beauty of our planet and its place in the universe. As Archibald MacLeish has said, we live on a “tiny raft in the enormous, empty night.” Last Wednesday was Earth Day. and in Washington. D.C., — like other communities across the country — there were several Environmental Teach-Ins. I had the pleasure of addressing one of the Teach-Ins here in Washington where government employees paused to consider what must be done to assure the quality of life. The Teach-In that I addressed was held in L’Enfant Square. I told the government employees there that, if we are to be able to cope with the dangers from the pollution of our land, air and water, we must deepen our sensitivity to the unity of all life — the interdependence of man and things and plants and animals. Indeed, I think that the awakening concern of young Americans to the dangers to our

HUSSEIN S BITTERNESS Harrison Symmes, the American ambassador who was asked to leave Jordan, has privately blamed his ouster upon King Hussein’s disenchantment with President Nixon. Symmes has told his superiors in the State Department that the tough little Jordanian king had expected President Nixon to adopt a more friendly attitude toward the Arabs. Hussein came to America a year ago expecting the President to use him as the catalyst for the change, thus boosting his prestige in the Arab world. The king was deeply disappointed over his failure to come home with some American concessions His bitterness has increased as the Middle East situation has deteriorated. He expected the United States, for example, to press for an Israeli withdrawal from conquered Arab territory. The immediate cause for Symmes’s ouster was his recommendation that Assistant Secretary of State Joseph Sisco bypass Jordan because of inadequate security. Hussein took this as an insult and immediately asked the United States to withdraw Symmes. But the ambassador reported to the State Department that the real reason for the king’s action ran much deeper. SOVIET SICKNESSES An apparent rash of illnesses has broken out inside the Kremlin. Premier Alexei Kosygin is reported to be recuperating from a recent illness. President Podgorny has also been reported in poor health, and Mikhail Suslov, the Kremlin’s chief theoretician, is said to be sick. Still another member of the all-powerful politburo, Dmitry Polyansky, has not been seen in public for several weeks. There has been so much turmoil inside the Kremlin lately that W'estem diplomats can’t make up their minds whether the illnesses are physical or political.

environment goes far beyond protests against pollution. The rapidly arising awareness about the environmental crisis seems to me to reflect a deepening sensitivity in our own country to the fundamental values of human life. A few days ago in St. Louis. Missouri, I addressed some of the delegates attending the General Conference of the United Methodist church on precisely this theme. I told them that we must now shape a theology of ecology. For, if we are to protect the quality of our environment, we must develop what is basically a religious attitude toward all life on our planet. Environmental Quality Education Act During the Washington, D.C. Teach-In I also warned that we will not be able to mount an effectiveattack against pollution or generate support for measures to protect our environment unless people are informed and educated about the ecological crisis. We must therefore begin to teach ecology in the schools to our children and in the community to our adults — and we must begin now. In an effort to stimulate education about the environment, I have introduced in Congress the Environmental Quality Education Act which would authorize funds for elementary and secondary school and adult education courses in environmental studies. The bill also provides aid for teacher training and for preparing materials on the environment for use by schools and by radio and television. Welfare Reform Dr. Margaret Mead, the noted anthropologist, recently testified , before my subcommittee during hearings on the Environmental Education bill. She gave us a valuable insight, saying that if we really are committed to improving the quality of life on this planet for a time 50 years from now, we cannot overlook the plight of those who suffer in our country today — in 1970. A few days ago, the House of Representatives passed a measure aimed at helping meet the needs of those who do suffer here and now when the House approved President Nixon’s program to reform the welfare system in the United States. The Nixon reform measure assures for the first time that the welfare program would no longer penalize the working poor. The Nixon proposal assures a family of four a basic annual income of SI6OO.

By JACK ANDERSON