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Pagr 3 - PI \ 1MDEALER-HERALP^WEPNE9DAV. MARCH 2>. 19tS Opinion/Politics Enough of this absurdity, let states set speed limits WASHINGTON-A 10-year-oid controversy once again is simmering on Capitol Hill. This is the issue: Should the nationwide meed limit of 55 mph be preserved intact, or should the states be permitted to set higher limits on certain of their rural roads? You will recall that back in 1983, at the peak of the energy crisis, Congress adopted the 55 mph limit a as a measure to conserve gasoline. This was intended to be a temporary limit, but in 1964 it was made permanent. Prior to that time, some of the states had fixed limits of 65 mph or 70 mph on portions of their interstate highways. The 1974 law did two things: It saved fuel and it saved lives. It is possible to preserve a decent skepticism about the precise numbers. Repor­ tedly the fuel savings amount to $2 billion a year, but the figure has been pulled from a hat filled with estimates, averages, ballpark guesses and informed approximations. It is also said the 55 mph speed limit continues to save 2,000 to 4,000 lives every year, but that figure also involves elements of large conjecture. Be that as it may, there is no question that the lowered speed limit has contributed significantly to highway s safety and to fuel conservation. There have been other substantial savings in a reduction of serious injuries, auto repairs and insurance costs. At first glance the law appears to have everything in its favor. But the law merits a second glance. Senators Chic Hecht of Nevada and Man Simpson of Wyoming have introduced a b31 to permit states to fix limits up to 65 mph outside urban areas. i James V. Hansen of Utah and Dave of Oklahoma have offered similar bills in the House. Hieir arguments make good sense. Hie legislation merits support. One finds in this situation a perfect example of the advantages of old-fashioned federalism. From every topic everywhere. So it is with this 55 mph speed limit. It is non­ sense to contend that such a meed limit is the perfect, untouchable, sanctified quintessence of legislative wisdom, to be enforced on every mile of rural highway from Portland, Maine, to San Diego. The proposition is absurd. I spend a substantial part of my life on In­ terstate 66 from Washington west toward my home in the Blue Ridge mountains. I voice no Ridce objection to the 55 mph speed limit on this high­ way. It js heavily traveled; here the limit makes the very were of the Republic, the states function as laboratories of The founding fathers to legislative experiment recognized the folly, as they saw it, of giving the national government the power to legislate on But if you are driving from El Paso to Tucson on Interstate 10, or from Cheyenne to Salt Lake City on Interstate 80, the limit makps no sense at all. Interstate 80 goes on west to Reno. This is a land of long straight stretches, relatively little traffic and relatively few fetal accidents. On such western highways, the 55 mph speed limit is bound to breed contempt for the law. Beyond question, as the sponsoring members concede, the limit contributes toward a saving of lives and fuel. It is equally beyond question that the limit results in a tremendous loss of time-and time has economic value, just as fuel and lives have economic value. The National Research Council estimates that obedience to the law results i in an extra one billion hours spent by motorists on the road. That figure may by subject to the same skepticism that applies to other such estimates, but the loss is plainly significant. Opponents of change contend that if the limit were raised to 65 mph on about 32,600 miles of rural interstates, another 500 lives would be lost every year. It might be so. But if loss of life were the sole criterion, why stop at the limit of 55? Why not 45? Or 35? Or why not ban automobiles ;ther and go back to horses. Then nobody die on the highways. In the name of national fuel conservation, Congress might say that 70 mph is tops anywhere. Otherwise, on this issue, we ought to trust the judgment of the states. James J. Kilpatrick Vd/WTAEg • Prosecution fees may go to cities Municipalities would have a right to collect prosecution fees for vehicle code Violations under legislation introduced in the General Assembly by State Rep. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Lake. "Presently, when a municipal attorney prosecutes a vehicle violation case, the taxpayers pick up the tab, because the municipalities can't collect a prosecution fee from the violator," Klemm said. "However, if a state's attorney prosecutes the case, a $10 fee can be charged. I don't see any reason why municipalities and their taxpayers should be forced to pay for these cases when counties don't. My bill would correct this inequity." House Bill 40 amends the state Fees and Salaries Act, providing the municipalities with populations under a million are entitled to a $10 prosecution fee for each conviction for a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code or a municipal vehicle ordinance violation prosecuted by the municipal attorney. HB 40 has been assigned to the House Judiciary EE committee for review. It would become effective immediately upon approval of both houses of the I legislature and the governor. When there's money to be made people fight for almost anything Anything it seems, is worth fighting about when there's money to be made. How else to explain the public-relations war being waged between the plastics and paper industries over the best kind of grocery bag to use? If you've been to the super-1 market lately, you know what we're talking about. Alongside those tried, trusty and true brown paper bags that Americans have relied on and treasured since 1883 you'll see a lump of limp, shapeless, non­ biodegradable plastic con­ tainers that the plastics lobby would try to convince you is the way to go. Their argument is that plastic bags are more easily portable- at least for those who go to the store on foot-because they have handles, that they don't leak all over the place when something wet gets loose, and that they can just as easily be used as garbage containers as the paper variety. They are also cheaper for the supermarket, at about 2.6 cents apiece, compared with 4.4 cents for paper bags, and they require less storage space. The obvious response to this propaganda barrage is that paper bags stand on their own, so to speak, in your trunk, are biodegradable, make a better waste container, can be cut up and used to wrap books or make Halloween masks, and - here's the telling punch- are actually cheaper overall because supermarket checkers can pack them 18 percent faster than the; plastic. , It shouldn't come as any surprise that these opposing claims come from the respec­ tive industries struggling to win the hearts, minds and bulk orders of supermarket chains around the country. Surveys have been conducted, of course, and it turns out, not too surprisingly, that those who just about anyone the middle of Manhattan or San Francisco-prefer plastic. The rest of us- "suburbanites," the pro-plastic folks disparagingly ^ys-are quite h|«mtwith our brown paper bags, thank you, and we're still a majority. This is a war for the survival of a way of life, after all, and we're taking no prisoners. At least (Hi paper. (Reprinted by permission of The Sacramento Bee.) INCOME TAX SERVICE PAUL A. SCHWEGEL & CO. 4817W.ELM ST.-McHENRY CALL (815)385-4410 •mm SERVING ALL YOUR NEEDS FOR 29 YEARS! ALSO'* *r *•*«** FURNISHING: •IV: V oi kttioq i •YEAR ROUND. ACCOUNTING SERVICES t\?nh •DATA V; PROCESSING •uii 1(; si v i i •IRA & ANNUITY ' PLANNING McHENRY MOOSE LODGE \ 3535 N. RICHMOND RD. McHENRY 815-385-9770 FRIDAY NIGHT V! "PROFESSIONALLY CATERED" FISH FRY & ADDITIONAL MENU SE RVED FROM 5:30PM • »PM * MUSIC GUESTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BV MEMBERS 9PM-11:30PM spurgeon s McHENRY MARKET PUCE 385-4100 RE-ELECT MAYORJOSEPH B.STANEK McHENRY "A GOOD CITY... IN GOOD HANDS" An even better McHenry-which we all want-will not happen merely because we want it to happen. A better McHenry will become a reality through hard work, intelli­ gent planning and bold vision. It won't happen overnight, but only through years of effort, persever- ence and unfaltering faith. I be­ lieve the way to make progress is to build on what we have, to take from the lesson of yesterday a little more wisdom and courage to meet the tasks of today. Fortunately, those who serv. b e f o r e u s , M a y o r s D o h e r t y , Freund, Overton and others had the vision and did the planning for a solid foundation for a better McHenry. We are building on that foundation with new parks, irnpo- roved roads, new bridges, snow re- movel, dedicated employees, a fine library, a new modern hospital, an active Chamber of Commerce with fun Fiesta Days and many many other things to improve the quality of life for our people. There is still work too be done and problems to solve. I have the time, the experience and the desire to as­ sist with that work. With your help we can make McHenry the finest city in the world. If that be the fashion of your dreams-hold fast to those dreams and together we will go forward to fulfill the promise of an even better McHenry for our­ selves and for our children. JOSEPH B.STANEK ELECTION APRIL 2-POLLSOPEN 6:00am to7:00pm Paid for by the Candidate Now thru Tuesday! SAVE $4 to *7 a or. on Lee® Jeans for ladies, girls, men. Get a look that's terrific and a fit that makes the difference in classic 5-pocket denims. Save a bundle besides! Misses' and juniors', reg. $23 17.99 Other ladies styles, reg. $29 21.99 Girls', 7-14, reg. $19 .. 13.99 Men's, regular $20 15.99 Use our Free Layaway or' Choose and Charge Today MoiftCord Sale Ends March 26th Oft* SUNDAYS 10 to 5