The Mail-Journal, Volume 8, Number 3, Milford, Kosciusko County, 17 February 1971 — Page 9

CTIm? Mail * <== ®A / PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY » The Milford Mail (EsL 1888) |» Syracuee-Wawasee Journal (Eat 1807) Consolidated Into The Mail-Journal Feb. 15, 1962 DEMOCRATIC ARCHIBALD E. BAUMGARTNER, Editor and Publisher DELLA BAUMGARTNER, Business Manager Box 8 Syracuse, Ind., — 46567

Do Something Different

Very few of the tasks we perform produce true fatigue, which results largely from the accumulation of metabolic waste products in overworked muscles. But monotony can produce a, reasonable facsimile. It isn’t the energy expended by a housewife in dusting, washing dishes and performing other household chores that tires her, produces headache and vague aches and pains. It is the boring repetitive nature of the tasks. A good rule for avoiding this: Do the most tasks first, the pleasanter ones

Joining The War On Drug Abuse

Among the firshto praise Congress and the Administration for an enactment of one of the most comprehensive drug abuse and control laws in the nation’s history' was a spokesman for the U, S. pharmaceutical industry. The president of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Mr. C. Joseph Stetler, speaking on behalf of 124 companies that manufacture 95 percent of all U. S, prescription medicines declared that, “Drug abuse has become a frightening problem for millions of Americans. It is absolutely proper for the federal government to exercise this type of aggressive leadership to stem the use of physically and psychologically damaging illicit substances, to control the misuse of legitimate medicines produced for the health and welfare of citizens, and to support rehabilitative needs for victims of the drug problem.’’ However, the drug industry spokesman went on to say that it would be a “mistake’* to believe the federal

On Peeling Onions

A household hint with a moral was spread abroad the other day: It was alleged that if one keeps his mouth shut while peeling onions, he A local housewife tried it. “It

Listiessness Attributed To Marijuana Addiction

By IRWIN J. POLK. M. D. Copley Newt Service The 30-year-oki man across the desk from me looked worried He seemed a bit pale and tired but otherwise in good health So I had difficulty in understanding his numerous complaints. “I’ve had these headaches » for months now They begin in both of my temples, and gradually become worse and worse. Nothing I do seems to relieve the headaches which are coming almost daily now.” But that was not the real problem His real trouble was that he didn't feel exactly fright. He had a vague sense 4 that something was wrong and he didn’t seem to be doing quite as well at his job as he had previously. He was sure there must be something wrong because he didn't seem to be interested in anything anymore. He wasn't enjoying his work so he went through it in a perfunctory fashion. But he figured he was doing reasonably t well on the job since no one there was complaining. His careerst the bank seemed to be going along about the same as ever, although he had just been passed over for a promotion. He didn’t seem too upset about that as he related it. which surprised me •‘That doesn't sound like you. Bill." I said ‘ You've always been a go-getter, one who worked efficiently and hard at whatever you tackled. I remember you played tennis like that just a few years ago. How’s your tennis these days?” He had given up tennis, just as he had dropped bridge, photography and other hobbies. He claimed he wasn't up to air that anymore since

EDITORIALS

he never felt completely well these days So he had come for a checkup with headaches as the presenting complaint but with actual problems far more general in nature His chief problem was his "i/foss of interest in everything, a feeling of pointlessness, lack of purpose and lack, of meaning to his life But the only specific physical complaint was one of headache He went through the usual physical exam perfectly. He was coughing a bit and his eyes seemed a little red but he was otherwise in good Health. Even a careful check of his nervous system did not reveal any brain or nervous system disease. His headaches and general feeling of ill health could not be explained by any finding in his physical examination. As usual, the lab was no help. His blood test, urine examination and special 12-test blood ‘‘profile’' were all normal. So about an hour later we sat again in my office as I groped for the right words to explain that I didn't know what his problem was. So as not to appear totally useless, I began our review with a comment about his cough. After all, no visit to the doctor is complete without a warning about smoking. 1 asked, “How king have you been smoking heavily?" “I don’t smoke heavily," he said. “Just about five or six times a day." Five or six cigarettes a day should certainly not have caused his cough and headache. I thought, when suddenly the light went on. He was not talking about cigarettes. He was talking about marijuana So I went back to the beginning and started the discussion all over

last. Intermittent relaxation lessens monotony. A short walk, a crossword puzzle, a half-hour nap can accomplish wonders. The same rules hold for men. Do something; different. A commercial fisherman finds relaxation in reading a magazine article. An editor who reads all the time gets his relaxation by fishing. * Brief periods of diversion throughout the day —a coffee break, a pause to look out a window, a stroll to the water cooler — lessen the stress of monotony, make for more efficient performance.

program total solution. “It will take the cortibined efforts of government, the pharmaceutical industry, the health, education and law enforcement communities, and responsible citizenship and parenthood to assure success,” he added. In addition to cooperating in enforcement of the new act, the drug industry is pursuing new programs designed to maximize security in plants and in those parts of the distribution system subject to company control. Further, the Association has a program of drug abuse activities that includes the development and promotion with the American School Health Association of a curriculum guide being used by teachers of grades kindergarten through 12. The business of the prescription drug industry is to save lives. It is a powerful ally of government and the public in the grim task of bringing drug abuse under control.

works’” she announced. What other ills may be averted by keeping the mouth shut it is hardly necessary to specify. —Boston Globe

again. Sure eribugh. the patient had a marijuana habit. He'd been using it for ten years, having first begun With a group of friends in college. Over the years, he had c6me to use it more often and in larger amounts without any obvious change* in the state of his health. Except for his headaches, he had no specific complaints; he just didn’t feel right. He was uneasy and wasn’t enjoying his work anymore, his family life, or his recreation. That was why be had quit tennis. His work was suffering too, or he would not have been passed over for a promotion. He had even noticed a decreasing interest in sex and was hearing some grumblings from his wife. All in all, he wasn’t really sick, but he wasn't really well either. Perhaps his state could best be. described a s apathetic. Nor is Bill the only such patient. It has been estimated that 10 to 20 per cent of the patients who use marijuana are just like Bill — white-col-lar. long-term users who suffer from a sickness which might, be called “marijuanism." they are functioning reasonably well in society but not as well as they might. They have many nonspecific complaints but no outright illness They often complain of severe headache. Marijuamsm is an important problem if not a striking one. For despite the disclaimers of many selfstyled experts, such patients are addicted to marijuana. What happened to Bill? He left the office somewhat relieved to know that his problem was “only due to pot," and promised to handle it in his own way— his own apathetic way.

SOMEHOW TURN OFF THE BUBBLE machine? 7 ' \ I * I / c \ ii r\ // o 'X \° /A° >p’P c o’ e ; °C °O*-Pc Oo o C/o P°.c*sß e .P«So “

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. copyright, Joftn j. onion

'Blocking Obscene Mail'

A very irritating aspect of everyday life to many citizens in this country in the past few years has been the increase in obscene, lewd and lascivious mail that they receive periodically. Particularly upsetting to many people is the fact that this obscene mail is often directed towards minors living in their home. Through the efforts of many persons and many organizations*, it has now been . made possible by law to turn off the flow of obscene mail to one’s home. Congress has enacted a law which makes it possible for any citizen after February 1,1971, to obtain a form from any post office which will cause a person’s name to be listed on a list of those persons who do not wish to

SPECIAL REPORT FROM WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON — The plan to drive across the Laotian border and cut off the Ho Chi Minh trail system was first proposed five years ago by General William Westmorland, then U.S. commander in South Viet Nam. He said it would take 260,000 American troops to carry out the operation. President Johnson turned him down flat, for fear of the political repercussions. Three months ago the plan was revived in secret talks between South Viet Nam President Thieu and American Ambassador Elsworth Bunke. This time no American troops were used beyond the Laotian border and less than 10,000 South Vietnamese soldiers crossed into Laos. President Thieu strongly urged the incursion to cut off the flow of war goods into South Viet Nam and Cambodia. Bunker agreed and urged the plan on the President. The details were worked out by General Creighton Abrams, the American commander. and General Cao Van Vien, the South Vietnamese military chief. A flurry of top secret messages was exchanged between Saigon and Washington. At one point Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird sat down with President Thieu and listened to his arguments. Laird was less enthusiastic than Bunker about driving into Laos but he promised to present Thieu’s case before President Nixon. The President finally bought the plan about the first of the year. Final details wejre worked out at a secret meeting January 29 when Ambassador Bunker and General Abrams sat down again with President Thieu. Bunker returned the next day for another secret conversation then flew to Washington on February 1 to meet with President Nixon. It remains to be seen whether 10,000 South Vietnamese soldiers can do the job that General Westmoreland five years ago said would take 260,000 American soldiers. HOME-FRONT FEARS The greatest deterent to the South Vietnamese penetration into Laos wasn’t the estimated 70,000 North Vietnamese soldiers and workers strung along the Ho Chi Minh trail system, but the anti-war movement in the United States.

receive pornographic mail. This form, known as Postal Form No. 2201 also makes provision for the listing of any child in the household under the age of 19 years. Any person or firm in the business of mailing obscene mail must at their own peril purchase from the Post Office this list of persons who refuse to receive obscene mail and they can hereafter mail obscene matter to .those persons only under great peril. Violation of this law can bring a penalty of a $5,000 fine and five years in the federal penitentiary. In addition to the criminal sections provided in the law, the Post Office Department is also authorized to obtain civil remedies against companies mailing obscene matter to persons who have asked that it not be

Loos Thrust Proposed 5 Years Ago

mailed to them to force these companies by this method to stop mailing obscene matter to persons on the list. Once a person fills out Postal Form No. 2201 and indicates he does not wish to receive obscene mail, the post office will keep this record for a period of five years. After that if a person wishes to maintain the same position, a new form must be filled out. Once any child listed by the parent on a firm readies the age of 19 years, then the child must himself fill out a form ar his name will be removed from the proscribed list. Once a person has filled out the prescribed form and has indicated he does not wish to receive obscene mail, he is then requested to take any material he receives of this nature to the Post Office so that the United States Postal authorities can initiate proper action. This whole program is designed for implimentation by the Post Office Department’s computers and is estimated by the authorities that millions of names will be placed on the list of people who do not wish to receive obscene matter. It is fairly obvious that this law will impose a considerable financial burden on those firms which attempt to profit from the mailing of obscene matter.

At the White House strategy sessions. President Nixon and his advisers spent as much time agonizing over what would happen on the home front as on the Laotian front. They concluded that the domestic opposition would be tolerable provided that American troops aren't used on the ground. President Nixon also predicted he would be able to quiet the dissent with an announcement in April of another troop reduction. COST WORRIES NIXON President Nixon is privately disturbed over the continuing high cost of the Viet Nam war. He had counted upon a big saving ff-om winding down American combat operations in Viet Nam. but the Cambodian incursion and now the Laotian invasion have kept up the cost. The price of military hardware has also gone up alarmingly. Then last September the President was jolted over the armed forces lack of preparedness to meet the Jordanian crisis. The 82nd Airborne Division, which was supposed to be ready for immediate action, was so under strength it could only put together two fighting brigades. Air lift was also so desperately short that the Pentagon discovered it could send the 82nd Division to the Middle East by sea faster than by air. It would have taken three months to land a division in the Middle East. The Navy also had no extra aircraft carrier available for the crisis and the carrier John F. Kennedy had to be taken off a shakedown cruise to be dispatched to the Mediterranean. Much of the crew was green and unprepared. President Nixon, therefore, felt compelled to divert more money to build up our military reserve. As a result, military expenditures have actually gone up. not down as he has anticipated. WAS IT WORTH IT? The Apollo 14 moon landing has revived the controversy over whether the money would have been better spent on earth. The moon program has cost the United States $25 billion. ( Critics argue this could have gone a long way toward improving life on the earth. The

Congressional Comer: John Brademas Reports From Washington

92nd Congress Touches On One Os Greatest Problems: Our Health Crisis

One of the major issues to be taken up in the 92nd Congress touches on one of the greatest problems in America: our health crisis. As President Nixon said during his first year in office, “we face a massive crisis in tins area and unless action is taken, both administratively and legislatively, to meet that crisis within the next two or three years, we will have a breakdown in our medical care system which could have consequences affecting millions of people throughout this country.” Surely, it is a cruel contradition that citizens of the richest nation on earth often cannot afford adequate health care; that our nation, which leads in so many fields, ranks 21st in infant mortality rates. Although we celebrate this week the remarkable achievement of Apollo’ 14, we seem to lack the commitment to devote the resources of money and manpower to conquer the illnesses that inflict mankind. We have taken some steps to correct deficiencies in our systems of health care. But programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, Hill-Burton hospital construction grants, and Federally-funded medical research have only partially met the needs. And the needs are growing. Medical costs, for example, are growing each year. In the past decade hospital changes have escalated 150 per cent, and insurance rates have climbed correspondinglyi AMONG KEY ADMINISTRATION GOALS President Nixon • has recognized the problem and has listed as one of his “six great goals” the improvement of health care in America. As he said in his State of the Union message. “America has long been the wealthiest nation in the world Now is the time we became the healthiest nation in the world.” But Members of Congress were advancing proposals to reach the goal of proper health for all Americans well before the President’s message. The last Congress considered at least three major bills providing for a national health insurance system, and on the first day of the new Congress last month, a bipartisan group of

problems of poverty, they contend, are more urgent than the mysteries of the moon. However, Apollo 14 brought back 108 pounds of lunar rock and soil which included samples of an unknown white rock found on the outer slope of a lunar crater. This is a geological bounty that may impress the poor, but has excited scientists. Space advocates point out that Queen Isabella could have been criticized for r hocking her jewels to finance Columbus’s trip rather than distributing the proceeds to the f poor. Anyone who made that argument in the 1490 s would 400 k silly today. And space of- ' finals believfe that the objections to space exploration wHI look equally ridiculous a hundred years from now. THE GAP WIDENS Senate Republican Leader Hugh Scott’s rueful remark about the credibility gap accurately reflects the attitude of most Americans Scott said that the public wouldn’t even have belived the Los Angeles earthquake if it had been announced by the White House. Too many times the White House has resorted to deception which inevitably has produced more em- • barrassment than would have resulted from the incidents the President has tried to hide. This was probably worse under Lyndon Johnson than it has been, under. Richard Nixon. The raw facts about the Viet Nam war went through a filtering and flavoring process which could be ascribed partly to a natural desire to make American troops look as heroic as possible, but mostly to President Johnson’s determination to portray the war as he wanted the world to see jt. President Nixon has been more candid than his predecessor about the Viet Nam war. But his credibility is also doubted because of his habit of changing his image. Last year he talked like a conservative President. Now he has reversed himself and come out for liberal programs. / Unfortunately for Nixon, however, too many people remember last year’s speeches which sounded like a man wanting just the opposite. This has continued the crisis in cridibility that reduced the White House’s effectiveness under President Johnson.

Senators and Congressman introduced a major measure to establish a comprehensive health insurance program for every American. The proposed Health Security Act does not set up a national health service in which the government owns the facilities, employs the personnel and manages the operations. Rather, the measure is designed to extend health benefits to everyone through government insurance program. PROGRAM’S PROPOSALS The bill would assure coverage for anyone needing health care. Benefits available under the program would include the entire scope of personal health care services, including the prevention and early detection of disease, and care and treatment of illness, and medical rehabilitation. > The program would be financed through a Health Security Trust Fund—similar to the Social Security Trust Fund. Sources for the income would be general Federal tax revenues and special employer payrolls and employee wages—much the same as Social Security deductions are currently handled. There are several alternative programs being proposed, and the President has not yet forwarded to Congress his specific proposals for a national health care program. But the one I have described very briefly is the plan now attracting the most attention on Capitol Hill. SEEKING A CURE FOR CANCER The latest successful venture into space by the men of Apollo is a dramatic example of American ingenuity and knowhow. If we w'ere to apply the resources toward finding a cure for cancer that we have spent in getting to the moon, we could look forward to a still greater accomplishment for mankind. I am a co-sponsor of two measures now before Congress, one which would establish an agency committed to discovering a cure for cancer, and another which would increase substantially the finding for research in this crucial field.

By JACK ANDERSON