The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 47, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 December 1983 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL - Wed., December 7.1983

Editorials

Pearl Harbor Forty-two years ago today (December 7) -a Sunday - the radio broke the news that the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, and air fields in the vicinity, had been suddenly bombed by Japanese aircraft. President Roosevelt knew such an attack was possible. Military commanders there had been periodically warned. An enlisted man on radar watch picked up the incoming raid. And an intelligence colonel in Washington had concluded the attack was imminent, was desperately seeking to warn Pearl. Yet the attack was highly successful. The battleship fleet was wrecked. Thousands were killed. Many aircraft were destroyed. But, by good luck, the few U.S. aircraft carriers in the Pacific were not in the harbor that morning. - As it turned out, the carriers were the vital ships in the resulting war, and they turned the tide in June of 1942, at Midway, six months later. In this 1941-45 war, the U.S. was attacked; either the nation fought or surrendered. (Hitler declared war on America four days after the Japanese attack.) Few Americans proposed surrender; thus the nation was united. In that sense alone, it was a good time to be an American — if one survived the war. The nation was behind its fighting men; the overwhelming majority of citizens sought to do their part. And unity achieved miracles. In three and a half years the effort of unified Americans produced the world’s mightiest military force. The lesson is obvious. Unified, the nation can overcome practically any obstacle or problem. Christmas tree time Americans buy more Scotch pine Christmas trees than any other. It’s a bushy tree which holds its needles well. Red and Norway pines are also bought but are losing out with growers because wet snows often damage them. Eastern and western white pines are also sold but many growers feel firs are best, since they hold their needles indoors longer. Balsam and Douglas firs (not a true fir) are both popular. The spruces, though pretty, hold their needles a shorter time. There are Norway spruce, white spruce (less popular) and blue spruce, a very expensive tree because it grows slowly. In buying a tree, here are useful tips: 1. Bend a needle. If it breaks, don’t buy. 2. Bounce the stump. If needles fall, don’t buy. 3. Look at the stump. If not moist or sticky, don’t buy. 4. Keep your tree green longer by cutting an inch off the stump and keep it in water or damp sand. Some add sugar, aspirin, etc., to the water. Books for gifts In this age of television, the pleasure and value of good book is often overlooked. Christmas time, when one buys presents, is an appropriate time to think of giving books. Books, like newspapers, can be read at a time of the reader’s pleasure, when he or she has time to enjoy them. They can be handed on to others, unlike some other forms of pelasure and learning. They can be referred to for years to come. Unlike films, good, nonfiction books tend to be accurate, since they’re permanent records and sources supporting statements must be given. Errors are noted by reviewers, for books sell over a period of time and sales are adversely affected by proven inaccuracies. Giving good books adds to knowledge and understanding, in addition to pleasure. What others say — Governor's report Determining what is and what isn’t “news” sometimes rests not only on what is said but on who says it. A trivial statement may become news because the person who makes it is an important person. If President Reagan were to say, “I don’t like jelly beans any more,” we’d hear about it on the evening news and read it in the newspapers. When he says something that’s important in itself, the fact that the president said it enormously enhances its news value. Occasionally, however, both of the criteria cited — important statement by an important person — come together, yet the whole thing slips through the cracks in the news media operation. An example of that occurred recently when Governor Orr (important person) made a major policy statement on education (current Hot Topic). The coverage he received seemed far short of what was deserved, considering that he was laying out criteria affecting our children and the future of our state. The governor listed six areas on which we must “concentrate and cooperate.” He spoke positively without laying selective blame for past actions. The enemy, he said, “is us.” One area for us to consider is time at task. Can we improve the time spent on learning, either by better use of the school day or by increasing the length of the school year? Secondly, he said, we must ask ourselves how we can better produce, encourage and reward quality teaching. This has several elements related to the recruiting, training and retention of qualified teachers and to finding practical ways to replace any unqualified ones. His third consideration was the need for statewide standards for academic achievement, particularly in the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. Governor Orr said fourthly we need to consider the merits of expanding our kindergarten-through-grade two Project Primetime program to a larger number of children. Fifth, he said, we need to assess the best structure for providing educational leadership, long-range planning, and evaluation and research at the state level. His final area of focus dealt with the necessity of having discipline in the public schools. One of the attractions of private and parochial schools is the promise they extend of simple discipline. Teachers cannot teach if classes are out of control; children cannot learn amid chaos. Maybe you’d better say it again, Governor... and again and again, until you have the whole state nodding its head. To quote your words: “We have set a course for excellence in education, but much remains to be accomplished.” - LAGRANGESTANDARD

Howard Haab of Milford, a WWII veteran who served in the Pacific Theater, studies books which tell about the day the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Ml D. 457-3666 Or -J Hulse Ca 11658-4111, Ext. 17 QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do you feel the amount of Christmas presents should be limited? Results of last week’s question: How do you explain Santa Claus? 1 tell my grandchildren he’s the nicest man around, and they need to be nice to him... He lives in the North Pole and comes to Milford once a year to bring goodies to his favorite people... Santa is a good person who enjoys making people of all ages happy, especially little boys and girls ... A man who has a weight problem, but still likes to give to others and make them happy ... I tell my kids that they need to be nice all year long, for Santa, who is the nicest person in the world will rewqard them for their good behavior...it’s amazing ... I try to downplay the importance of Santa. I think you’re not telling the truth when you say Santa is a real person and that he brings gifts to you on Christmas. We try to think of the original idea of Christmas, and not man-made stories ... Letters to the editor Teacher questions remarks

Dear Editor: I am writing this letter as a concerned parent, taxpayer, and teacher in the Lakeland Community School Corporation, for the past 19 years. This letter is in response to quoted comments in last Wednesday’s Mail Journal and the Warsaw Times-Union, by Lakeland School Board President, Bill Little. Mr. Little stated that, “This board has directed the administrative staff to place into effect by the 1984-85 school year an evaluative procedure that will insure average performance will no longer be acceptable in the Lakeland Community Schools.’' Later in the article, after commenting about where our salary increase places us in relation to other schools in our area, Mr. Little went on to say that, “Inasmuch as this commitment represents above average compensation, the board of school trustees and the community now deserve above average performance and. cooperation in all aspects of the educational program from the teaching staff.” In the 19 years that I have taught in this corporation I have basically kept quiet on school board and administrative matters, but in light of developments in the past year, I feel I must question some of Mr. Little’s remarks. First of all, the two quoted statements by Mr. Little strongly imply that the performance of most Lakeland teachers is average. I wonder how Mr. Little knows this, as neither he, the other board members, or even administrative personnel have been in classrooms enough, if at all, to make such an evaluation. Also, if most teachers are average in performance, this raises questions concerning those who recommended they be hired. Teachers cannot prevent a poor teacher from being hired or get them fired. This is an administrative and school board function. Because I have taught at the elementary, junior high, and high school level in my teaching career, I must question the validity of Mr. Little’s implication that most Lakeland teachers are average in performance. In my years of teaching at these levels 1 can honestly say that most of the teachers I worked with were above average teachers, putting forth an above average effort. It really hurt to read a statement like this, made by the president of the school board, when you remember all the extra hours put in and personal income spent in trying to do a better job of teaching. One other time in the article that was of even more concern to me was the statement that, “Other board members supported Little’s comments by saying they were ‘very well stated.’.” I know a couple of the board members fairly well, and I just can’t believe they concur with this thinking. If they do, then I feel I must strongly consider “joining the growing number of above-average teachers” that are leaving public education. I feel Mr. Little owes the teachers and the Lakeland community an apology for his implication. I also feel that if the rest of the school board members

don’t agree with Mr. Little’s implications, they should state their position. Failure to do so will only hurt the quality of education in the Lakeland Community Schools. David Stookey sth Grade Teacher North Webster Elementary School Remember the ducks Dear Editor: The winter months are fast approaching and already the lake and channel are freezing over, so it is impossible for the ducks to find enough to eat. It would be a very discouraging sign to see these beautiful ducks freeze to death this winter for lack of feed. We are appealing to farmers and friends to donate com or cash which will be used to feed them. There must be some friends or organizations who are interested in preserving our wildlife. Contribution’s may be made to Joe Baumgartner, phone 457-3050 or mailed to his home, 719 S. Fourth St., Syracuse. Contributions will be acknowledged. This appeal submitted by: Everett Ketering, 601 S. Harrison St. Syracuse, Ind. a 20-year contributor. Successful campaign Dear Editor: On behalf of the United Way of Kosciusko County and the twenty member agencies, 1 would personally like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the outstanding support received during the 1983 campaign drive. Residents of Kosciusko County not only met the $400,000 goal, but exceeded it by more than $37,000. Thanks to this support, agencies will be reviewed for more funding during the coming year and services for the elderly, the youth and the less fortunate will continue yet another year. Thank you, Kosciusko County! Sincerely, John R. Scott 1983 Campaign Chairman THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) Published by The Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse. Indiana 46567 Second class postage paid at 103 E Main Street. Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices Subscription: sl4 per year In Kosciusko County, 16.50 outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mail Journal. P O Box IM. Milford. Indiana 46542 10l H

"CRUZIN AROUND 'OUSE"

Sixth In A Series — Tiny Luxembourg, Europe's linchpin country

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is th« sixth letter Della and Arch Baumgartner have sent to their grandchildred, Jennifer Baumgartner and Jason Yoder, on the European Economic Community and North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries in Europe, and concerns itself with a visit to Cologne, Germany, and Bonn, the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany.) LUXEMBOURG, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Thursday, Oct. 20,1983. Dear Jennifer and Jason: While we’re writing you from Paris, what this letter concerns itself with most is our two-day stay in Luxembourg, on our Study Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Economic Community nations. Luxembourg proved a rather pleasant respite after the long, somewhat hard briefings in the countries we had previously visited. This small country of some 360,000 people lies between the Meuse River in France and the Moselle River on the east. Its neighbors on the north are the Belgiums, on the east are the East Germans, and on the west is France. This makes Luxembourg a keystone state in central European affairs, economic and political - and they play the unique role very well. Your grandpa had been in Luxembourg before, in February of 1945 when his Air Force unit, the XIX Tactical air Command, stayed here briefly on its march into Germany. While many things were remembered, perhaps the best was the Alzette River wining through the city. Luxembourg is a many-tiered city, giving us opportunities to see the splendid - and colorful - city from several levels. Picture opportunities abounded. An Old City It was pointed out to our group on several occasion that Luxembourg is an old city, founded in the year 963, making it a thousand and twenty years old. And during this period it has been settled by the Romans, some of whose construction remains, Germans, Holland, the French and Spain. It seemed like a pawn in a European chess game, to hear its history recited. While the country is small (36 by 52 miles), with only 999 square miles, the city of Luxembourg itself has only 80,000 busy people. The entire country is smaller than Long Island, New York. The fact that this country is referred to as the “Northern Gibralter” tells something of its strategic importance. It is also referred to as “the Switzerland within the European Common Market.’’ The country is 95 per cent Catholic; Martin Luther couldn’t cut the mustard here, we were told. An indication of how industrious Luxembourg is, is the fact that they must import 25 per cent of their labor. Steel manufacturing makes up 40 per cent of Luxembourg’s gross national product, but right now this is in decline, due to a running out of the mines and antiquated manufacturing facilities. One should note, also, that the steel industry is in decline the world over at the present time. A Banking Center Luxembourg is fast converting from a manufacturing economy to a service economy, something like the United States. In this regard, Luxembourg is becoming another world banking center. This was vividly pointed out to our group by Henri Ahlbom, managing director of the country’s Chamber of Commerce in a briefing that grandpa attended. Actually, there were three simultaneous briefings and our group was broken up. Mr. Ahlbom and his accompanying ministers told us Luxembourg has 10 local banks and 116 international banks. It seems there’s a bank on every corner — and some in between. We were told there are now four international financial centers - Switzerland, London, Hong Kong and Luxembourg. The enormous growth in international banking began in 1929 with banking laws that favored holding companies. Get this: 80 per cent of Luxembourg’s gross national product is generated by international trade, and 90 per cent of this is to EEC countries. We were told, “We are afraid of the threat of the Soviet Union. We have been under the protection of the United State and we want to remain so.” One reason for rapid economic growth in Luxembourg is the fact that they have complete labor peace here, with no strikes since 1963. The labor Unions are willing to discuss their problems “up front,” and this dialogue is ongoing and constant. “We exceed the Germans in our labor standards,” we were told. And there is complete social peace. Somewhat like the Japanese, there is not the adversary relationship between labor and management here in Luxembourg. French President Francoise Mitterand, on a recent visit to Luxembourg, made this cryptic remark, “The missiles are in the East, and peace is in the West.” This coming from an avowed

111111 1 1 i , -W Bu»**i** , *~*| mIIKI I . I I /r> kT rK I a3P I I A OttL lJ ■= *' MEET YOUTHFUL LUXEMBOURG MINISTER — A part of ear European tour group meeting with Luxembourg Secretary of State for Foreign and Economic Affairs and Foreign Trade Paul Helminger is shown here. We were all charmed by the 43-year-old. American-educated minister, who spoke openly and even-handidly about the affairs of his tiny country. He is shown fifth from left in this photo. The author of this column is on the left of the photo.

socialist is somewhat remarkable. And such an open society Luxembourg is! If one wants to see a minister of state, all he has to do is place a phone call, and within minutes he’s talking with the minister himself! Luxembourg is trying to attract extrepreneurs through its program of offering incentives such as tax abatements and labor peace, and a minimum of regulations. There’s a 12 per cent normal value added tax, but a tax of only six per cent on foods and medicines. Mr. Ahlbom told us, however, that, “Luxembourg is not a tax haven.” Like Paul Helminger Helminger is a name common to the folks around Milford, and would you believe the next minister we met with was one Paul Helminger, Secretary of State for Foreign and Economic Affairs and Foreign Trade. Everyone in our small group instantly liked this effervescent 43-year-old, Stanford universi-ty-educated fellow. He had a quick smile that beamed from underneath his frizzie hair-do. He is well over six feet tall, all of which gave us an impression that here is a man who is bound to make himself heard in the high counsels of Luxembourg government in the years to come. Helminger had just returned home from the United States as part of a round-the-world mission to seek new investment, venture capital for his country. His English was impeccable, reflecting, if anything, the California idiom where he received his business school education. He joked that, “The temptation to take yourself seriously is less great if you are a small country like Luxembourg.” He did say Luxembourg has 8-9 per cent inflation. He went so far as to predict that Tokyo would become an international financial center in the future. Minister Helminger scored the United States for using 40 per cent of the world’s oil supply, yet leaving its oil underground, and went on to say our government won’t purchase Luxembourg agricultural exports and in the same breath doesn’t want Luxembourg to sell these products to the Soviet Union. He said he looked for a “blow up” in Russia, but just when, he would not venture to predict. The U.S.S.R. has no warm water ports and the country continues to be governed (and severely governed) by a small cliche of military communists who are aging and out of step with the times. He pointed out that a whopping part of the Russian GNP is going into armaments, while food and other necessities are hard to come by. “This won’t go on forever,” Helminger said. He also said to let Brazil, Argentina and Mexico “go bankrupt” is unthinkable, saying the nations who hold their loans simply have to bail them out. He spoke of the internal chaos that would follow these bankruptcies. Visit Patton’s Grave Late in the morning, and in a constant drizzle of rain, our group visited the gravesite of Lieutenant General George S. Patton as part of our city tour. His grave is marked by a simple granite cross bearing his name, at the foot of which was a bouquet of fresh flowers. It is at the head of the American Cemetery in Luxembourg, and the grass of the entire cemetery is impeccably groomed. Patton, “the soldiers’ general,” wanted to be buried with his men in Luxembourg. These men fought side by side with the flambouyant and often outspoken general across Europe, making their memorable turn-around stand at Bastogne, Belgium, not too far north of the city of Luxembourg. Patton, an avid student of the American Civil War, lived out the battles of Europe, and eventually died from injuries sustained in a Jeep accident in Germany. His headstone is dated December 21, 1946, presumably the date he died. There are 5,074 American boys buried alongside General Patton. We were told there is a German cemetery “not very far north of here” where 10,000 German soldiers are buried. When grandpa walked through the grass to take a picture of General Patton’s grave, the guide told him he’d get wet feet. Grandpa said the general got wet feet many times soldiering with his men, so his wet feet was of little consequence. Like U.S. Ambassador We had occasion to visit the United States Ambassador and his wife at the U.S. Embassy at Luxembourg, through the close friendship of Oliver and Peg Amos, members of our tour group and close friends of Ambassador John Dolihois and his wife Winifred. The two couples were close friends back at Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and were happy to meet one another again. The Ambassador, a graduate of Miami U., headed that school’s alumni group, and in fact raised sl4 million for its continually expanding program. Miami University, with some 18,000 students, has campuses at Oxford and Hamilton, Ohio, and an overseas school here in Luxembourg. (Continued on page 5)