The Mail-Journal, Volume 7, Number 30, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 August 1970 — Page 9

the Hail 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

Reason For Encouragement

If man knew no more about his surroundingsthan he did 500 years ago. there would, today, be little concern over environmental pollution. People would simply have no way of knowing what was happening to the soil, air and water. Thanks to science, we know there is environmental pollution, and forward steps are being taken to alleviate it that would not have been possible without present-day knowledge. A bulletin of the Chicago Natural History Museum reports how. through studies of core samples of ice taken

Power Os The People

Out of all of the debate about this nation's ills, there comes one certain fact. It is that the American people crave new evidences of stability. They are thirsty for signs which demonstrate anew the basic soundness of our public institutions and the system under which free men effectively govern themselves. This stability is a trust which rests with the people, too. At times, only the people can give their public leaders the tools with which to improve the administration of their government. This comes when the people exercise their most essential power at the ballot box. The Bill of Rights of the Indiana Constitution states that ‘‘all power is inherent in the people,” and that “the people have, at all times, an indefeasible right to alter a&d reform their government.” That is a power that will be exercised most dramatically — and in a manner rarely experienced throughout the history of this state — at the General Election next November 3. The people will be expressing their “will” about a

Consistency On Drugs The nation’s sudden stand against heroin and other drugs contrasts with its apathy toward alcoholism — also a form of drug dependence with grave personal and social effects. It was reported this past week that alcohol is an even more serious problem than thought. Only a few months ago Dr. Roger 0. Egeberg, Assistant Secretary for Health. Education and Welfare, said there were 6.5 million problem drinkers in the United States. On the basis of this figure, alcoholism was the number one national health challenge. But now researchers at George Washington University have estimated that there are a third more problem drinkers than was previously thought. They put the number at nine million, with other millions on the borderline of serious alcohol addiction. The public is of course familiar with the statistics on alcoholism’s toll. American business loses $2 billion in inefficiency absenteeism. Half the nation's auto deaths involve drinking drivers And so on. Yet it is only fair to say that alcohol and its abuses do not get anywhere near the open and sharp public reaction

Harke Urges Action Against Com Blight

WASHINGTON - Senator Hartke (D-lnd) today expressed his concern over the growing corn blight invasion of Indiana and the Midwest, and urged Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M Hardin to take all necessary measures to assess the extent of the damages and to assist com tanners. In his letter to Secretary Hardin. Hartke went on to observe that a particular hybrid com seed with a Texas germ cytoplasm is especially vulnerable to Southern Blight, and it is estimated that 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the com

EDITORIALS

acreage in Indiana has this germ cytoplasm. The text of Hartke’s letter follows: “As you know. Indiana is now undergoing a very serious invasion of Southern Com Leaf Blight While the full extent of the com loss cannot be determined at this time, the blight represents a very grave threat to Indiana com growers." “A particular hybrid com seed with a Texas germ cytoplasm is especially vulnerable and it has been estimated that 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the com acreage in Indiana has this germ cytoplasm. Therefore, the

from arctic regions, the lead content in the atmosphere can be measured back for many centuries. No one knows yet how minute quantities of lead ingestion — information that never would have been available, much less understood, a few centuries ago — to indicate that the lead content in the atmosphere is rising. This has been enough to launch basic industries into intensive efforts toward controlling the use of 4ead in certain products, such as motor fuel. We should take encouragement from the fact that the problems are recognized, have been analyzed, and solutions are being found.

proposed constitutional reformation within the State’s judiciary. On the ballot will be a referendum for the ratification or rejection of a partially new Judicial Article for the Indiana Constitution. Briefly stated, the proposal would remove the judges of the Indiana Supreme and Appellate Courts from partisan election ballots. It would establish a merit plan for the selection and tenure of those high court judges. Still resting with the people would be the ultimate power for the retention or rejection of the judges so selected. Traditionally, only about one out of every four Indiana voters cast their ballots on referendum questions. Certainly the tremendous importance of. this constitutional question will deserve the awareness of more members of the Hoosier electorate. They should vote on this question and vote on a basis of informed opinion. The people, too, in the exercise of their right of franchise, hold the key to a greater stability’ within one of their most essential institutions, the judiciary.

they deserve. This may of course be because using alcohol is still widely thought to be a pleasureable activity, or a social or a business necessity. It is a paradox that the public should take so clear cut a stand on drug use, and miss entirely the logic of applying the same stiff action against the dangers of drink. Researchers on alcoholism have been stressing how analagous it is to modern drugs. Continued drinking, they say, can lead to physical addiction which the victim cannot control. It can be argued, perhaps, that militancy against drugs other than alcohol is more urgent because such are a comparatively new threat, or because it affects a younger generation which has not yet reached an age of full responsibility for its own acts. But this does not hold up as an excuse for inaction against alcohol. Adults seem either hypocritical or inconsistent to inveigh against one form of artificial mental stimulant while indulging in another. Consistency in disapproval would only help the case against both alcohol and the other lethal drugs. —Christian Science Monitor

potential loss to my state's com producers could be catastrophic " “I urge you to furnish the nation's com growers with the most accurate assessment possible of the potential com loss ! would also recommend the issuance of guidelines for individual farmers to use in diagnosing their com yields as affected by the blight in different stages of maturity." “To prevent a recurrence of this situation. I urge that the USDA press for the development and use of resistant seed. Seed companies should greatly expand production of existing non “T” cytoplasm forms of hybrids for use in the 1971 season. Also the I use of these hybrids should be encouraged in Latin American countries to augment a predictably decreased supply of com."

Kl I Kyat '/; f »P V ■ a jt/ ’ : ' Vx XX GET WITH IT- DON’T BE CARELESS!

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.

'Don't Fence Me In' - Part I

Fence problems are almost as old as the recorded history of man. They have caused more feuds, neighborhood fights and legal battles than almost any other cause. Western movie fans jhnd students of American history will recall the great western range wars that arose when the farmer, “sodbusters,” moved west into the domain of what had previously belonged exclusively to the cattlemen and started swinging up fences. n’he great western fence wars have long since passed into history. However, fences still cause a lot of trouble today, even in Indiana. The nature of fence disputes has changed since the days of the old west. Once the major problem was a rural one

Special Report From W ashington

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health. Education, and Welfare has been guilty of slipshod, even illegal purchasing practices, according to a survey made by the huge agency itself but kept quiet for eight months. The alarming survey indicates that millions of public dollars deserately needed to combat poverty, upgrade schools and fight cancer are siphoned into the pockets of greedy contractors with the cooperation of HEW. officials. The report was made by four top-level investigators who delved into HEW’s procedures for awarding contracts by negotiation instead of competitive bidding Negotiating contracts is common in all federal agencies, but strict regulations have been established governing the practice. The report, completed January 15. describes a purchasing scandal similar to those already uncovered at the Pentagon This column has obtained a copy of the report’s major findings. In most cases, the investigators learned, the department’s authorized contract officers were bypassed by HEW program officials who lined up contracts on their own “The contracting officer is often forced to provide a ratification service.” the team notes acidly. The investigators found that the agency repeatedly went back to the same firms with which it had been doing business instead of trying “to develop new sources and thereby further competition.” Thus older, influential contractors tend to land the Department’s business while many new companies, some of them controlled by blacks, are frozen out erf the HEW market The result is that during fiscal 1969. 82 per cent of HEW’s negotiated contracts worth over $2,500 were awarded without any competition whatever. “The team believes this figure to be excessively high.” says the report. When a contract is let without competition, the agency must justify it in writing. But the investigators found that at least half of the justifications for HEW’s noncompetitive contracts were “inadequate.”

1

between farmers and cattlemen, or between farmers and farmers. These problems still exist but to a lesser degree and I will deal with fences outside of cities or towns in next week’s article. Today’s fence problems are mostly urban ones. City and suburban families, either for privacy or beauty, often put up fences between themselves and their neighbors. Occasionally one neighbor gets mad at another and puts up a spite fence. In any case, the other .neighbor often objects to any fence. The best way to avoid a fence problem is to talk over with your neighbor before putting it up. Many times a dispute arises because of a question about the location of the property line If

tend to

you are not absolutely certain of the exact location of your property line, have a licensed surveyor survey and stake the line

Before putting up a fence you should check to see if there are any plat restrictions regulating the kind, height and placement of fences. Further, the abstract and plat should be examined to make sure that the fence would not conflict with any recorded easements, such as an alley or a utility maintenance right-of-way. City and county zoning ordinances should be checked as they often restrict the kind, height and placement of fences. The same is true of city and county building codes. Often there are regulations on whether the post and framing should be facing inside or outside. Some ordinances prohibit fences in the front yard. Finally, note should be taken of a state law which declares as a nuisance a fence which unnecessarily exceeds six feet in height and which is maliciously erected or* maintained for the purpose of annoying the occupants of the adjoining property. Where zoning or building ordinances permit fences over six feet high, this statute is probably not enforceable.

EDUCATIONS OFFICE FAULTED The Office of Education (OE) is singled out for special criticism. The written reasons for ’■egotiating rather than bidding contracts “were rarely found in the contract files” at the Education Office, the team discovered. “Os those procurements which required publicity ... in the Commerce Business Daily, over 90 per cent of the contract files showed no evidence that this had been done.” the report said The inquiry revealed that instead of advertising contract work in the press, the Office of Education has been sending out brochures to hand-picked recipients. “A non-recipient of the brochure would have little way of knowing” about the contracts. the team said The survev concludes with this indictment of OE: “The method used by the Office of Education to make contract awards ... is cutside the intent of the Federal Property and .Administrative Services Act.” In other words, it is illegal. Footnote: The White House is considering the appointment of Dr. Sidney Marland of the Institute for Educational Development to the post of Commissioner of Education. Marland is considered a kingpin in the burgeoning “education-industrial complex.” Indeed, the motto of Marland’s institute is to “close the circle ... to link education, industry and government.” Last year, Marland’s institute got about 25 per cent of, its income from government contracts. In one case, the institute billed the government for consulting fees as high as S2OO a day. NIXON’S UNFULFILLED PROMISE Whether shaking hands with a Marine private in Viet Nam or jawing with a general in the Oval Room, President Nixon radiates a star-spangled regard for the men in service. Thus, it may wound his feelings to know that some of the military old times who helped put him in office in 1968 are now calling him a “double-crosser” for “welching" on them. Nixon brought it on himself during his

Congressional Corner: » John Brademas Reports From Washington

Health Care System Facing Crisis Os Alarming Proportions

Most professional experts who are knowledgeable about the health needs of the American people, say that our health care system is facing a crisis of alarming proportions. It is a sad fact that the United States, which leads the world in so many areas of scientific achievement, lags far behind many other nations in the quality’ i of the health care we provide our citizens. Although we are far from providing every American with the best level of health which modern medical science can achieve, Xe have made significant progress in some areas. In the last five years, for example. Congress has enacted several landmark laws in the field of health care. Here are a few: The Medicare Act of 1965 and its allied Medicaid program have extended medical care of high quality’ to many of our nation’s old and citizens. The Partnership for Health Act of 1966 renewed by the House this - year, has encouraged better use of our health resources through comprehensive planning. Both the Health Care Foundation. Inc. of Northern Indiana and the Memorial Hospital and Mental Health Center of St. Joseph County have received assistance as a result of this legislation. The Health Services Act of 1968. by extending the regional medical programs enables more Americans to benefit from the advances of medical science in fighting heart disease, cancer and stroke With grants made under the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Amendments of 1967. we are building and staffing Unless otherwise prohibited, one can put up a fence up to six feet high right up to his propertyline as long as it remains on his porperty. If you cannot get your neighbor's agreement as to the fence’s placement and upkeep, then the fence whould be set back from the property line a sufficient distance to permit the upkeep of the fence without trespassing on the neighbor s property. Framing and posts should be normally faced to the inside as a matter custom and courtesy, unless an ordinanace of the locality required otherwise. Copywright 1970 by John J. Dillon

campaign in September. 1968. when he harked back to old gut-fighting days to accuse the democrats of a “breach of faith" with the retired military. The Democrats, candidate Noxon charged, had put “an intolerable and unfair burden” on the 750,000 retired servicemen. And Nixon was going to correct it "at the earliest possible time.” Nixon said he was going to revise military pensions so that older veterans, who need the money the most, would not fall even further behind the pay scales of those just leaving the service. Nixon won much of the military vote, was elected and did nothing. Months passed. Then ornery old soldiers like retired Brig. Gen. Ted Gillette began to ask politely “how come?” Gillette and others got the runaround and their letters got harsher After all, said Gillette, his 44 years of service brought him only SIO,OOO a year while men retiring much later in the same grade with the same service were getting $14,000 or more. And, pointed out Gillette, the grizzled old retired master sergeants who had served under him were suffering even more. Finally, House Armed Services Chairman'- Mendel Rivers. D-S. C., quietly stepped in to make the administration come clean with the facts. Defense Secretary Mel Laird got the assignment. In effect what Laird said was that Nixon cannot put his money where his mouth was. The S7OO million the first year, and the subsequent funds to correct the acknowledged injustice “cannot be made available at this time without crippling other desperately needed Defense programs,” said Laird. \ CAPITAL CHAFF Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., com'menting on some pornography he received in the mail, said, “The photography was so bad that I couldn’t make out a thing. I could do better with my Brownie! ”... The Military District of Washington has told soldiers now wearing civvies to work that they must don their uniforms, but only on Wednesdays.! Some Gls and officers were serving their whole tour without once putting on their uniforms.

new research and treatment centers in this area. Two years ago Congress, recognizing the critical need for more doctors, nurses and medical technicians passed the Health Manpower Act. And just this summer, Congress exercised for the first time during the present Administration its power to override a Presidential veto, and extended the Hill-Burton Hospital Construction program for three more years. The extension of the HillBurton program of grants to build hospital facilities was welcome news for the citizens of St. Joseph. Elkhart. Kosciusko, and Marshall Counties who have been working so hard to meet the urgent needs for expanded hospital facilities in they- communities. Already- this measure has permitted a $330,000 grant to the Greencroft Villa nursing facility in Goshen. But as a Congressman who has worked for and supported every one of these programs, I feel these legislative accomplishments are only small beginnings toward the solution of our health care crisis. It seems to me one of the most realistic things we can do is remove some of the bottlenecks that prevent our system from adequately meeting our pressing health needs. One key bottleneck to alleviate is the critically short supply of * medical personnel. For this reason Congressman Ogden Reid. Republican of New York, and I a year or so ago introduced the bill in Congress called the Medical Education Bill of Rights. Briefly, our bill provides a rapid escalation of our national commitment to medical education by providing 8.000 to 11.000 new scholarships for middle or lower income medical students as well as providing grants to start 20 new medical schools in the United States. Another area of concern in the health field is, of course, research in the health related sciences — the fruits of this research are now protecting our children from diptheria, polio, and measles — but we need still more research For that reason I am now co-sponsoring in Congress a resolution calling for the same dedication of national resources to eliminating cancer by 1980 that we willingly devoted in the early 1960's to the landing of a man on the moon.

By JACK ANDERSON