PAGE 1C - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1979 Y Plaindealer , Editorial • Opinion ------ Recession Symbol ' In America, the word "recession" ha^Htbme a horror symbol. No president and no politician can admitp&essions are, perhaps, inevitable. Yet man has experienced them for centuries, regularly, because he has not yet learned to manipulate the economy so delicately and perfectly that things remain on an even, orderly ; President Carter risks a future recession with his current anti- inflation and dollar-support measures. As a result, there are those now complaining that no problem justifies measures which might produce a recession, which will put some out of work-temporarily. The hard truth is that soaring inflation and a ruined currency can, in time, do more damage to more American families and * workers than a temporary economic slowdown. In fact, they'll cost every American citizen heavily, and ruin as many businesses as A recession. There may be no way to avoid periodic recessions-even if the politicians can't admit it in their oratory. The Acid Test Michigan recently became the first major state to try to solve the problem of disposable bottles and cans with a mandatory deposit. law. That means all stores must sell returnable bottles and cans. The customer and the store must go to a bit more trouble. But the -<• problem of waste disposal is meanwhile greatly alleviated. - Oregon, South Dakota and Vermont already have similar laws, and results there and in industrialized Michigan will demonstrate to the rest of the country the success or failure of mandatory legislation in this field. Already a swell of protest has arisen in parts of Michigan. It was, after all, three years ago that voters approved the new law, which only now is taking effect. If Michigan can do it, other big states can, so Michigan is the acid test industry and the environmentalists are closely watching. I Major Food Stamp Progham Change Nearly 900,000 Illinois residents receive food stamps at no cost, effective Jan. 1, as the Food Stamp program experiences its first major changes since 1964. "The transition from the old to the new will be carried out in two stages," according to Illinois Public Aid Director Arthur Quern. "The elimination of purchase requirement (EPR) starts Jan. 1. Households eligible for food stamps will receive one monthly issuance at no charge. Food stamps will no longer have to be purchased as in the past." Simply stated this means that a family of four currently paying $95 for $182 worth of food stamps and receiving an $87 bonus, under the new rules, would instead receive just $87 in stamps at no cost. The food stamp authorization card may be redeemed at authorized currency exchanges, post offices, banks and savings and loan associations. In addition to using food stamps, participants in the program will have to spend money to purchase food during the month. Phase II of the new Food Stamp nptigram, which begins Marc^n, involves eligibility an^ertification standards. Jt itemized deductions will be eliminated and the program's income limits will be lowered thereby excluding middle income households f r o m p a r t i c i p a t i o n . Applications* for the Food Stamp Program can be made at local public aid offices. Quern noted that the purpose of elimination of purchase requirement will be twofold: "(1) more elderly and working poor who could not afford the purchase requirement will be * brought into the program, and (2) less money will change hands thus limiting the opportunity for fraud." Also effective Jan. 1, households using food stamps will receive a cash refund for amounts less than $1 instead of the customary tokens and credit slips. Hot food items which can be eaten immediately, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products i and other non-food items cannot be purchased with food stamps. Additionally, Jan. 1 marks the semi-annual adjustment of food stamp allotment and income levels which reflects the rise in food costs. Based on the U.S.D.A. Thrifty Food plan, the amount of the increase, reflected on the following chart, will be dependent upon household size and income: Family Incomo Allot mem Family Incoma Alletmant Six* Amount SIM Amount One $0-279 $ 58-10 Five $0-760 $228-28 Two $0-367 $106-20 Six $0-913 $274-32 Three $0-507 $152-18 Seven $0-1007 $302-36 Four $0-640 $192-24 Eight $0-1153 $346-40 Households with more than eight members will receive a $44 allotment adjustment and a $147 income adjustment for each additional person. Persons who have questions about the elimination of purchase requirement are encouraged to call the toll-free food stamp hotline: 800-972- 4608. The Value Of Windbreaks IVrxjierlive AFTERMATH OF THE CHINESE SURPRISE K> KOINAM) RKA<;AN In the wake of Mr. Carter's "Chinese Surprise" (as one editorial cartoonist labeled it) much media attention was given to the Good News that Peking would not launch an immediate invasion of Taiwan. After all, the commentators noted, in breaking our mutual defense treaty with the Republic of China we were letting the line-year ter mination clause run its course. That means Taiwan is "safe" for a year. Why, according to one newspaper headline, the "Defense Department Sees Taiwan Safe from Invasion for Five Years." Very reassuring. In all the millions of words that came at us in the wake of Mr. Carter's announcement, I cannot recall a single discussion of the matter of Taiwan's security beyond those superficial mutterings about invasion. As anyone who has made even a brief study of the matter knows, the Chinese Com munists doAnot have the capability now of launching an amphibious invasion of Taiwan, and it is likely they won't have that capability for at least a decade. Even then, their ability to launch a large- scale coordinated attack will depend on their having had their armed forces modernized by us and our allies, ostensibly to checkmate the Russians. More important than in vasion timetable talk, Americans should be examining the realities of the Chinese situation and asking themselves some earnest questions about American morality and reliability as an ally. Between bashing some allies with his "human rights" program and throwing over others for "realpolitick," Mr. Carter has told the world that "expediency" will be the key word in U.S. foreign policy. It is clear that Peking would not launch an invasion of Taiwan now even if it had the ability. To do so would be foolish, and Messrs" Teng and Hua are anything but that. They do not want the wrath of the world on their heads, nor do they want the high cost in human lives that such an in vasion would bring. And, they« certainly don't want Taiwan in ruins. What they do want is control of Taiwan's large and ever-growing industrial For Your Information Dear (Hands. A parson's own wishos, not his ago, should dotormino his timo of retirement. Forcod rotiromont ot 45 or 70 is wrong. Many artists, musicians, and othor professionals have dony good work until thoy diod. Oldor Industrial workers havo a 20% bottor • absontoo rocord than youngor workors. Thoy havo fowor on- tho-fob injurios and tho frequency of accidonts docroasos \ Respectfully. PETER M.JISTEN & SON FUNERAL HOME McHENRY, ILLINOIS - 345-0043 Windbreaks are a permanent conservation practice that help reduce the energy requirement in the home, reduce soil erosion by wind and provide shelter for wildlife. A farmstead windbreak is used to reduce wind velocities and lower the fuel requirements for heating. Behind a properly placed windbreak the wind velocity is reduced by as much as 35 percent. The following table shows the percentage reduction of fuel required to maintain an inside temperature of 70 degrees F. Wind Velocity MPH -10 5 13% 10 23 % 15 30 % 20 36 % Outside Temperature (Degrees F) 0 10 - 20 12 % 12 % 12 % 22 % 21 % 20 % 30 % 29 % 28 % 35 % 34 % 34 % 30 11% 20% 27% 33% Windbreaks should be a minimum of three rows of trees or shrubs or both. The shrubs should be placed on the windward side. The inside row of trees should be a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 150 feet from the building to allow for proper row placement. Field windbreaks are useful to reduce the erosion problems. In this case a single line of trees or shrubs would be Sufficient. The effects of field windbreaks vary with the surface texture of the soil. Sandy soils are more , capacity. It is modern and sophisticated. In fact, tiny Taiwan today has greater in ternational trade than the mainland with its nearly 900 million people. How does Peking get its hands on all this? First, they needed to "legitimize" their j legal title to the island, iln their/ eyes, U.S. recognition x(alon^ with de-recognition of Taipef) - was the key. They got it - and on 'their terms. Mr. Carter forgot that they and not the United States government was the supplicant. Carter was beset with troubles .and desperately wanted another Camp David-like event to bolster his popularity. Buti like Camp David, today's television triumph may be tomorrow's failure. Mr. Carter's "China card" may thus come back to haunt him. The Chinese Communists, having gotten the legal arrangements they wanted, can now bide their time. It was not imminent invasion Taiwan feared anyway, but rather a slow, subtle economic and politiq^l warfare that could leadAo strangulation. Perhaps it would take the form of pressure on third parties to place certain trade restrictions on Taiwan. Perhaps infiltration and subversion to create political instability. Perhaps a declaration that all shipping companies doing business in Taiwan ports must henceforth get a special permit from a maritime^ bureaucracy in Peking (where, alas, the red tape will be found to be too thick to dispense any permits). There might even be a little selective terrorism to scare the population. All of this would be aimed at forcing Taiwan's government to the bargaining table to negotiate away the island's self-determinaiiorw*nd to bring it under communist China's control. Once the White House adds two-and-two and figures out Peking's game it will be too late. Our protests will be met with polite reminders that we recognized Peking as the capital of Taiwan, along with an invitation to mind our own business and not meddle in the internal affairs ' of other nations. Taiwan may thus become Mr. Carter's Sudetenland. And lat is why the maintenance of our mutual defense treaty with the Republic of China was seen as so vital to them. In its place, the only thing that might deter Peking from such a "Silent War" would be firm, explicit commitments by Congress and the administration to continue selling defensive arms to Taiwan after the treaty ex pires. That, along with acknowledgement of Taiwan's right to chart its own course in the world. One form of such acknowledgement would be to keep Taiwan representation in this country as close as possible to present norms. Republic of China officials are concerned lest the U.S. government make them close their 12 consulates. And some of them hope that their present embassy can be called a "liaison office" just as the communists' has been for six years. Ask Help Directing First Eagle Census Cooking Roasts Boned and rolled roasts require more cooking time per pound than roasts with bones. In addi tion, aged meat cooks slightly faster than unaged meat. The- National Wildlife federation is calling on federal and state agencies as well as bird clubs and other outdoor groups to assist in its first nationwide bald eagle count. The survey, which is planned as an annual census, will be conducted during the last three weeks of January under the auspices of NWF's Raptor Information center. That period was chosen because eagle movements are at a minium at that time of year, according to William S. Clark, director of the Raptor In formation center. Elton Fawks, of East Moline, ' 111., an NWF consultant who has conducted eagle surveys in the Mississippi valley for many years, will be cooperating in this nationwide effort. BecatiSe eagles are plentiful and not threatened in Alaska, and not found in Hawaii, the survey will be confined to the "lower 48" states. "We need a more accurate estimate of the number and distribution of wintering bald eagles in the 48 contiguous states," said Thomas L. Kimball, NWF executive vice president. "The midwinter census will provide valuable information on total numbers and age ratios, and will identify important wintering locations. In the past, this data has been partly conjectural due to in susceptible to wind erosion than are silt loam soils. Another benefit is to attract wildlife. This provides shelter for the animal and depending on the species, it also provides a source of food. Financial assistance is available for field windbreaks only and more information can be obtained at either the USDA- ASCS office at 338-04444 or the USDA-SCS office 338-0049. TAX GUIDE . For those who need to know the dates and filing requirements for filling out their 1978 Federal Income tax return or need help in deciding how the tax laws apply to a particular farming situation, there is help at the McHenry County Cooperative Extension office. Copies of the 1979 edition of the Farmer's Tax guide are available to provide current information for use in preparing the 1978 return. For a copy or for more information contact, the- McHenry County Cooperative Extension office, 224 W. Judd street, Woodstock, phone 815-338-3737 or 338-4747. complete coverage of all potential wintering habitat." Those who would like to assist with the eagle count, or obtain more information, should contact: Raptor In formation Center, National Wildlife Federation, 1422 16$h street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. or call (703 ) 790-4264. The Handcar v V£&\b> y,'*; c s r s ARE YOU NEW IN McHenry Area? Do You Know Someone New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA!!!!! CALL JOAN STULL 385-5418 ' J# moyh wacom KNOW YOUR AREA-ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST Service Line McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 385-4300 FAMILY SERVICE A MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC 3409 W. Waukegan Road McHenry 385-6400 PARENTAL STRESS UNE OF McHENRY COUNTY Meeting Place: McHenry County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Call 312-463-0390 STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMEltT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-755-6660 Hours7:30a.m. to 5:30p.m. weekdays (Ever had a problem involving the federal government and not know where to call? And then been given a runaround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn't know how to help? Ten specialists available at this center.) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phone: 800-972-6004 (For confidential conversation on problems dealing with run-away children) MOVING HOTLINE Phone 800-424-9213 (Complaints about interestate moving by companies, buses or trains. Sponsored by Interstate Commerce commission) CONSUMER PRGpUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Phone 800-638-2666 (For questions or complaints on products ranging from toys to ovens) NATIONAL HIGHWAY ' ^TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION n* Phone 800-424-9393 (Answers questions about automobile safety defects or whether a particular model has ever been recalled. Valuable for those interested in buying a used car) ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES Child Abuse Center 4 McHenry County (312) 546-2150 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 800-638-2666 (Operates five national lines. Answers inquiries about, or reporting on, the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children's toys) NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER . 800-523-2929 ' P.O. Box 1607, Rockville, Md. 20850 (Dispenses information on solar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun-powered hot-water system) CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 1603 N. North Avenue MfcHenry, 111. John T. Licastro (Calls from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - 385-1703; interviews Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) BIRTHKICHT Pregnant? Nwd Help? Counseling Service, 385-2999, 24-hour An- twering Service. YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 840 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock j Phone: 338-7360 24-hour Crisis Intervention and Confidential Counseling for youth and families. * Are you concerend about your angry feelings toward your children? 24-hour Parental Stress Line, 344-3944. ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone 217-522-5514 Answer to questions on government regulations. I N t A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc,. WEEKLY MARKET REPORf December 26,1978 Although we hadlooked for a technical rally after last Monday's opec oil price increase stimulated collapse, we certainly didn't hold out much hope for real Christmas cheer. Being bearish but not a scrooge. We don't begrudge the bulls the good rally Friday and the chance it may persist a short time longer. However, as we seem to be for the moment, like the salmon swimming against the tide to spawn and then die, a review of our market opinion and the rationale behind it seems in order. For 7 weeks now die market has traded in a 780-830 range on light volume with neither declines nor advances developing a lasting following. The New York Composite Index also stayed in a tight range bordered by 52 & 54. Since last Tuesday, the market has been bouncing off the 780 area again. So far, December has been modestly down for the advance-decline ratio, flat for the industrials, down for the utilities, and transportations, and stocks became moderately oversold. We have felt a further move to 815 sometime this year is possible, helped by window dressing, but that's about the maximum we had expected. The alternative would be a breakout over the intra-day recovery high of 828 which would give a technical signal of a move to the 850 area. We continue to give this possibility low odds. Rally attempts the past 7 weeks have lacked volume, breadth, cumulative strength, and individual stock breakouts. These technical factors would have to change for the current uppidiness to amount to anything more than just another bounce. The major bull arguments are that stocks are fundamentally cheap and institutional cash is vast. Unfortunately, fundamentals are ignored until themood is right and there is littleevidence of that yet. Also, a survey by a leading brokerage firm pointed out that 93 percent of institutions polled are bullish and thus they are apparently comfortable with their high cash reserves. The bear arguments, which we espouse, are that interest rates will go meaningfully higher, inflationary pressures will increase further, and the economy is too strong to cool things down. Also, we doubt the willingness or ability of anyone to look past the next business cycle whentthe whites of its eyes are not close to being visible. We realize f/e have been fighting the tape the past few days but sometimes that is necessary depending on the quality and durability of the buy side. We would use this rally to sell poorly situated holdings. Increase cash reserves. Get orjfctay defensive. A1 Goldman r Prof^'""" Dir<*'"rv EARL R. WALSH & JACK WALSH INS. Fire, Auto. Farm, tife Representing RELIABLE COMPANIES 4410 W Rte 120. McHenry 305 1100 >, DENNIS CONWAY AUTO-LIFE-FIRE State Farm Ins. Co. 331V W Elm St McHenry, III. 105 7111 DR. LEONARD B0TTARI 303 N Richmond Rd . McHenry * Eye» examined • Contact Lenses Glasses fitted Mon , Tues., Thurs. Fri., 4 6 p m Tues , Thors., Fri., / ?p m Sat ,9:30 to 3:00 Ptv 115 4151 or 105 2J4J McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES-SERVICE * RENTALS Mon-Sat*-S:10 Friday til 0:00 •1 Grant St.. Crystal Lake Ph. 459-1224 McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service • Answering Service * • Cor, Telephone & Paging Service • Complete Mimeographing A Printing Serivc* • Typing & Photocopying" ' Ph. 385-0258 9932 W. It. l20.McH.nry "GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE" CALL US (815) 385-4810 »SSOCI**4* J* * Farm Equipment George P. Freund, Inc. Cote • New Holland 4102 W. Crystal Lake Rd.. McHENRY Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 IIRELIT RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc. 2318 Rte. 120 815-385.0700 ConuMt! ML St our quid quick-action copy center FINEST QUALITY COPIES MADE ON XEROX EQUIPMENT See us, also, forCvery kind of Printing Need!! * 3909 W. MAIN 385-7600 i NE« TRAILERS USED HILLSBORO ft OWNES DUMP-FLATBEDS-CAR HAULERS \ Stidham Horse & Cattle Trailers Plus A Complete Lin* Of Braden Winches y * ADAMS ENTERPRISES '< 3017 W. Rte. 120 McHENRY, ILL. 815-3?5-5970 A & S SPORTS EQUIPMENT CO. •Name Brand 4211 N. Dennis Blwd. (Sunnyside) •T-Shirts Uniforms McHenry, III. 60050 'Imprinting TEAfyPECIAllSTS ' . All Sports Equipment \ ' ' •Jackets •Bowling Shirts i