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PAGE 10-PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1972 EDITORIALS Buying The Tree In a few weeks millions of Americans will buy Christmas trees. Many know very little about them, or how to look for value, fteshness, etc. The National Christmas Tree Grow­ ers Association says prices ranged from three to twenty dotlars last year, the average being about six dollars. Americans buy more Scotch pines than anything else, a bushy tree which holds its needles well. Red and Norway pines are also bought but are losing out with growers be- Lige wet snows often damage them. Eastern and western ite pines are also sold but many growers feel firs are best, since they hold their needles indoors longer. There is balsam and douglas fir (not a true fir), both popular. The spruces hold their needles a shorter time, though pretty. There is Norway spruce, white spruce (less popu­ lar) and blue spruce, a very expensive tree because it grows slowly. In buying your tree, here are some useful tips: 1. Bend a needle. If it breaks, don't buy. 2. Bounce the stump. If nde^Ues fall, don't buy. 3. Look at the stump. If not moist or sticky, don't buy. 4. Keep your tree green longer by cut­ ting an inch off the stump and keeping it in water or damp sand. Some add sugar, aspirin, etc., to the water-accord­ ing to pet theories. Christmas Giving Complaints grow louder each year that the Christmas season has become mostly a party binge and commercial bonanza. But those who wish to enjoy an old-time Christ­ mas can still do so, with proper planning and determina­ tion. * Family members will enjoy helping mothers prepare spe­ cial Christmas dishes and foods ahead of time and some of these specialties can be the presents to be given family, friends and neighbors. All of us appreciate self-made gifts and this also saves money and shopping effort. The secret to a relaxed, old-time Christmas is to plan ahead so that Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and one or two days after Christmas are not hectic, overly-filled days. H)08e who enjoy traditional, large family dinners should attend them but those who do not can substitute a brief call at a time which will not interfere with their own home's holiday observance. Imagination and perhaps sometimes discipline will be needed to keep the family together and calm-during the holidays. Television might be profitably disconnected and temptations to dash out on the highway resisted. Instead, family games, talks, sports, meals and projects of pleasure should be enjoyed--good food, good company, dedication to the meaning of Christmas. In guiding the family along thia path American fathers, too many of whom play the role of the television dunce husband, might assert their influ­ ence for a change. Suckered Media THE SHOPPING S Pearl Harbor Thirty-one years ago this December 7th--a Sunday--the radio broke the news that the United States naval base (Pearl Harbor) and air fields in the vicinity had been sud­ denly bombed by Japanese aircraft. Though President Roosevelt knew such an attack was possible, though military commanders there had been warn­ ed, though an enlisted man on radar watch picked up the incoming raid, and though an intelligence colonel in Wash­ ington had concluded the attack was imminent and was struggling with superiors to warn Pearl, the attack was highly successful. The battleship fleet was wrecked. Thousands were kill­ ed. 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 most 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 Amer- ica four days aftertheJap 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 overwhelm­ ing 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 over- come practically any obstacle or problem. We can remember this profitably today-thirty-one years after Pearl Harbor. Dwight D. Eisenhower was once a minor-league baseball player. PUBLIC PULSE (The Plaindealer invites the public to use this col­ umn as an expression of their views on subjects of general interest in our community. Our only re­ quest is that writers lim­ it themselves to 300 words or less - signature, full address and phone num­ ber. We ask too, that one individual not write on the same subject more than once each month. We re­ serve the right to delete any material which we consider libelous or inob- jectional taste.) CRITICAL OF MOVIES "Editor: "In regard to the movies being shown at the outdoor theatre, I would like to add my voice in protest to those of the Church Women United. "I am a concerned parent as I live near there and must travel past with my children in the car. I feel that it should be choice to see or not to see those kind of movies and not have them thrown at me and my family as I drive along the road. "Also, as the new chairman of Christian Social Concerns for the Methodist church, I am speaking for my church as well. "It is time for action! In­ nocent children are the victims as well as us adults who do not wish to see that type of movie. "Carrie Lou Thomas" "Editor: "We as concerned citizens agree and wholeheartedly support the Church Women United. People who desire to see pornographic films cer­ tainly have the right to do so. However, we strongly feel something must be done soon because we, as citizens, are having our rights violated when we drive down the road and cannot help seeing the screen of the drive-in theater. It is also impossible to keep children's eyes from seeing. "We ran ads in this paper last year objecting to this type of film, trying to have them placed near the theater ads, but sorry to say they didn't seem to do any good. We urge more people to give this problem some serious thought. We, as citizens, do have our rights. If you feel concerned, and you should, write your represen­ tatives and senators and make your feelings known. Here are addresses: State Represen­ tative Thomas Hanahan, 2012 W. Grandview, McHenry, 111. Stevenson and Percy, Federal building, 219 S. Dearborn, Chicago, 111. "Concerned citizens: "Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Diedrich 3505 W. Broad St. "McHenry, 111. "Mr. and Mrs. Wm. O'Brien "907 N. Woods Lane "McHenry, 111. fSditors and television newsmen in recent years have been increasingly suckered into giving prominent play to the words of militants, nuts, defendants, etc., at news confer­ ences specially called by the publicity seekers. The latest example is the press conference called by Daniel Ellsberg on the day the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal in his Pentagon Papers trial. There was no news in the press conference. Ellsberg merely seeks to bring pressure to bear on the court and government in a pub­ lic relations battle to escape sentence--understandably. If television and newspaper editors gave every defendant the same publicity Ellsberg is getting, and has been getting for months, newspapers would contain nothing else. Ells- berghas been backed by the New York Times and Washing­ ton Post(which recently opposed President Nixon, one sus­ pects, partly because of the Administration's prosecution of the man who admittedly turned over to them secret papers for a sensational series of articles on government secrets). These papers have pushed the line Ellsberg is a hero, that he's fighting the battle of a free press. If this were true, of course, all newsmen would be immediately encour­ aged to steal whatever state secrets they could. More responsible editing is needed b> news media editors. Aside from Ellsberg, the same policy has splashed pictures and film of various militants, revolutionaries, oddball ter­ rorists or criminals on front pages and on television to an excessive degree-- almost as if these people were heroes, it seems, to the gullible and impressionable. This publicity has often aided radical movements and helped build the rep­ utation of lawbreakers. Social Security Winter Vacation Trips Pose Driving Problems Question: I am single, in my late thirties and as a result of an accident, I have been severely disabled since I was 10. I have never worked under Social Security. My father, who was my sole support, died recently. Can I collect monthly Social Security benefits as his dependent? Answer: Since you were disabled before 18 and have been unable to work since that time, you might be eligible to get monthly survivors benefits. Call any Social Security office as soon as possible. If your mother is living, she should also check at the Social Security office. She may be eligible for payments, too. Question: Are retirement and death the only events that permit Social Security payments? Answer: Benefits may be paid also to a disabled worker and his family. If an accident or illness keeps the breadwinner from working for a year or more, payments could start after the sixth month of disability. Question: When is a worker considered disabled? Answer: A worker is con­ sidered disabled under the Social Security law if he has a physical or mental condition which: Prevents him from doing any substantial gainful work, and is expected to last (or has lasted) for at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death. (Payments may be made to a person who meets these con­ ditions even if he is expected to recover from his disability.) Some portions of the country don't have the snow and winter sports that many of us enjoy; but every year, more people from every part of the country are taking winter vacations in snow country. This observation has led Donald C. Lhotka, manager of the National Safety Council's Traffic department, to consider a growing winter problem. In his words: "All too many tourists from states with mild winters simply do not realize the problems of driving under snowy and icy conditions." As a primary example, Lhotka pointed out that drivers who are inexperienced at driving on ice and snow-packed pavements have little concept of the extremely poor traction that such surfaces provide. "Tests by the Council's Committee on Winter Driving Hazards have shown that braking distances on snow and ice may be from three to nine times the normal, dry pavement distance," he reported. "It seems obvious that few drivers recognize this fact of life or take the necessary precautions to compensate for this vast dif­ ference." Lhotka offered other suggestions for safer, trouble- free winter driving based on recommendations of its testing group: 1. Make sure the antifreeze solution in your radiator and your windshield washers can handle below freezing weather. 2. Keep your windshield, windows and rear-view mirrors snow free and clear at all times. Replace worn, streaking wiper blades. 3. Clear head and tail lights regularly. A barely visible film Economic Stabilization Questions and Answers on light lenses can decrease lighting power by as much as 25 percent. 4. Make sure your car has good tires with good treads. In heavy snow areas, equip your car with snow tires and carry a pair of reinforced tire chains in your trunk. 5. Increase distance between you and the car ahead. Give yourself ample room for maneuvering or stopping if the vehicle ahead makes an unexpected stop or turn. 6. Pump brakes rapidly to slow down or stop;_ this technique keeps wheels rolling and helps maintain steering control. 7. When driving on winter- slick roads, get the feel of the road. Accelerate carefully or tap your brakes while away from traffic. See if the wheels spin or skid. If either occurs - reduce your speed accordingly. 8. If a skid starts, steer in the direction of the skid - steer left if the rear skids left; steer right if the rear skids right. 9. Buckle your seat belt and shoulder harness every time you enter the car and be sure your passengers buckle up as well. 10. Drive Defensively -- traffic laws in other states may not be the same as those in your home state. When in doubt, slow down to give yourself more time to judge the situation. This column of questions and answers on the President's Economic Stabilization Program is provided by the local office of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and is published as a public service. The column answers questions most frequently asked about wages and prices. Q. Is it true that landlords with only a few apartments are exempt from rent controls? A. Yes. Rental units are exempt when the owners and members of his family do not own or control, directly or indirectly, more than four units. Q. Are Social Security recipients exempt from paying rent increases? A. No. Although the Internal Revenue Service has launched a nation-wide "rent watch" to make sure that Social Security recipients do not receive illegal rent increases, these in­ dividuals are not exempt from legally justifiable rent in­ creases. The IRS has a special "Rent Watch" publication explaining to tenants how they can determine if their rent increase is legal. Write your Internal Revenue district office "Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wember "921N. River Rd. "McHenry, 111." "Mr,and Mrs. Medard Rybak "1511N. Riverside "McHenry" WHO KNOWS) 1. Name the flower for the month of Decembef. 2. What precious stone is designated for Decem­ ber? 3. When was the first heart transplant made? 4. How many years has it been since Japan attack- - ed,Pearl Harbor? 5. On what day in 1936 did King Edward VIII abdi­ cate the British throne? 6. What animal always washes its food before eating it? 7. Who invented the pas­ senger elevator? 8. What is another name for freckles? 9. What was the original name given to the White House? 10.Name the northernmost university on this conti­ nent? Answers to Who KROWS •BMSBIV i° ^tSJaAIUQ-Ol •aoBI^d sjuapisaid aqx '6 •08IJU3T 8 LS8I ui 'SHO *0 *qsna L „ -uoooo*H aqx -9 •qni Jaquiaoaa 'S •auo-AjJiqx \ 'L96I *8 iaquiaoaa g •asionDJnx Z •jChoh 10 snssioJBjj *i Not Love "Your wife must be a very affectionate woman. She al­ ways kisses you when you come home." "That's not affection. She just wants to see if I've been drinking." show-orr Foreman--Why is it you carry only one plank at a time when all the other men on the job carry two? Worker-Isuppose they are just too lazy to make the extra trips like I do. and ask for a free copy of IRS Publication S-3053, " 'Rent Watch* For Social Security Beneficiaries". Q. May a hospital treat as an employee a physician who works on a contract basis and pay him a 5.5. percent increase in compensation under the terms of his contract? A. No. For the purposes of E c o n o m i c S t a b i l i z a t i o n regulations, hospital-based physicians on contractual arrangements who are not subject to the direction and control of the hospital as to the means and methods of ac­ complishing the results of their work are generally considered to be independent contractors. They are not employees and thus would be subject to the same restrictions as any non- institutional health provider. The increase to the physician on the contract may not exceed the 2M> percent limitation and must be based on allowable costs. Q. Are frozen seafood products exempt from price controls? A. No. Although the first sale of raw, unprocessed seafood p r o d u c t s i s e x e m p t f r o m controls, the sale of frozen seafood products, whether the first or a subsequent sale, is subject to price controls. However, the first sale of fish which is "iced" by the fisherman for the purpose of preserving the catch until he returns to port is exempt. Q. When the IRS publishes an Economic Stabilization ruling stating that a certain practice is not permitted under the regulations, does this mean' that the practice was per­ missible up to the date the ruling was published? A. No. The practice was not permissible from the time Of the effective date of* the regulation. A published rul represents the application the existing law as expressed in the regulations to the par­ ticular facts involved. Unless otherwise ""indicated, . a published ruling is to be applied with retroactive effect. In appropriate circumstances, however, a ruling may indicate specifically that it is to be applied without this retroactive effect. Q. I've heard the term "base rent". What does it mean? A. Base rent is the highest monthly rent a landlord can charge for a residence before making any allowable in­ creases. Generally, it is the approximate market level rent for a housing unit before the Freeze began on August 15, 1971. In figuring a rent in­ crease, you always start with base rent. n.*ecT0* OPTOMETRIST Dr. John F.Kelly At 1224 N. Green St-eet McHenry (Closed Wednescte;-) Eyes examined .. Glasses fitted Contact Lenses Hrs: Daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday Evenings - 8:30 p.m. Evenings by appointment PHONE 385-0452 Dr. Leonard Bottari Eyes Examined - Contact Lens Glasses Fitted 1303 N. Richmond Road Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs.and Fri. 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tues., Thurs., & Fri Eve. 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sat.: 9:30 to 3:00 p.m. No Hours on Wednesday...... PHONE 385-4151 If No Answer...Phone 385-2262 ; •'$»¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ Are You New la McHenry Area j »»¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ Do You Know SomeonoNew? For Your Information Dear Friends, The courts have determined that the 'next o f k i n ' t o t h e d e c e a s e d , i n t h e o r d e r o f a u ­ thority, is as follows: 1. Surviving spouse (husband or wife) 2. Adult children 3. Father or mother 4. Brothers and sisters 5. Uncles and aunts 6. Nephews and Nieces 7. Others in blood-line 8. Administrator or executor. Respectfully, PETER M.JISTEN fL com FUNERAL HOME McHenry, Illinois . 385-0063 I CALL WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA ! \ ' • Joan Stull 385-5418 Fran Olsen 385-5740 Doris Andreas 385-4518 'c ROYAL WELCOME 'know your new area--royal ( ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥¥ < W E L C O M E d o e s i t K •1 9 I I r I I B E S T J t » ¥ ¥ » H OFFICE EQUIPMENT McHenry County Office Machines Sales-Service & Rentals Typewriters - Adders Calculators Mon.-Sat. 9:00-5:30 Friday 'til 9 p.m. PHONE 459-1226 93 Grant St., Cyrstal Lake, 111. LETTER SERVICE Mimeographing - Typing Addressing - Mailing Lists McHenry Letter Service 3509 W. Pearl St. McHenry PHONE 385-0258 or 385-8020 Monday through Saturday INSURANCE Earl R. Walsh & Jack Walsh Fire, Auto, Farm & Life Representing RELIABLE COMPANIES When You N»ed Insurance ot Any Kind PHONE 385-3300 3429 W. Elm St., McHenry, 111. George L. Thompson General Insurance •"LIFE •AUTO •HEALTH •FIRE •CASUALTY •BOAT Phone 815-385-1066 3812 W. Elm St., McHenry In McHenry Plaindealer Bldg. Dennis Conway AUTO, LIFE, FIRE STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY 3315 W. Elm St. McHenry, Illinois Phone 385-5285 or 385-7111 TO WORK FOR YOU FOR FAST RESULTS PHONE 385-0170