ES —_— | think | Can't by Ralph Nader WASHINGTON—As has been their practice for over 20 years, the domestic automobile com- panies once again are mounting an intense propaganda cam- paign to advertise their ‘‘inabil- ity” to §: air pollution con- trol standards. This time General Motors, Ford and Chrysler executives have been singing the same tune about the impossibility of meeting the federal government’s 1975 auto- mobile emissions standards. Congress gave the industry this deadline in a 1970 law. What the giant auto corpora- tions say they cannot accomp- lish in 1975, two small Japanese auto companies have already accomplished. According to official U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test results, Honda and Toyo Kogyo have easily met the 1975 stan- dards for 50,000 miles with their respective vehicles, the Honda and the Mazda. In these dur- ability tests, the Japanese ve- hicles performed well under the levels of emissions permitted for carbon monoxide, hydrocar- bons and oxides of nitrogen. In addition, the National Academy of Sciences, ina mid- February report prepared for Congress under the Clean Air Act, concluded that the auto in- dustry would be able to meet the 1975 standards with four types of systems. These are a (1) modified conventional engine equipped with an oxide catalyst, (2) carhgeted stratified charge engine W(Honda), Wankel engine equipped with a thermal reactor (Mazda), and the diesel engine (Mercedes-Benz). Con- trary to the domestic industry’s domestic manufacturers could meet the 1975 standards with modified conventional engines with an oxidation catalyst. By this time, the domestic numerous other engine choices which would have worked better and cheaper. Since the late Thirties, they knew that their cars were connected with the periodic smog which would occur in Los Angeles. In the early Fifties, independent scientists proved that auto ex- hausts contributed to photo- crc mg During the Fifties af early Sixties, Calif- ornia pollution control author- ities demggnded that the auto — control their ve- hicle emissions. A California law over a de- cade ago required that new cars sold in that state be equipped with exhaust controls two years after the state certified the effectiveness of at least two workable control devices. The auto companies said that suck year. But when California cer: tified the control devices of twc non-automotive companies, GM, Ford and Chrysler sudden- ly announced that they could in- deed install such devices in 1966 vehicles. Their switch was clearly prompted by the risk of having to use the devices of the non-industry certified com- panies. In 1969 the real reason for the auto industry’s uniform unwill- ingness to clean up their en- gines came to light when the Justice Department filed an antitrust suit against the domestic manufacturers and their trade association, the Automobile Manufacturers Association, for conspiring to restrain the development and marketing of auto exhaust con- trol systems since early 1953. The evidence brought together prior to this suit by a Los Angeles grand jury outlined the cross-licensing agreement and other close associations be- tween these so-called auto com- petitors that forged this illegal, united front of inaction. In Sept- ember 1969, the domestic auto companies entered into a con- sent agreement with the government agreeing never to engage in such a conspiracy again. Continuously obstinate to all government pleas, however, GM and other domestic auto companies persist in installing a less effective but a more ex- pensive exhaust control system—the catalyst-equipped vehicle which will carry a gouging sticker price increase of $230 above the 1970 vehicle price or about $160 above cur- rent vehicle prices according to the NAS study. Where were these companies when the basic concept of the stratified charge engine was first suggested in the early 1920’s or when numer- ous other low polluting engine designs were waiting to be re- fined decades ago? To drive its point home, Honda converted a 140 cid engine Vega to stratified charge and easily met the 1975 Instead, the U.S. companies continue to stick to the over- heavy, grossly inefficient; re- pair-prone internal combustion engine which tosses the costs of upkeep and low fuel mileage (aided mightily by heavier and on the motorists. What these corporate mastodons need is more com- petition from smaller com- panies and strong antitrust en- forcement. For The Record below. creasing by as much as 1.5 percent the interest rate paid by foreigners obtaining capital in the United States. Yeas 358. Nays 23. Passed, Feb. 27. Mr. Flood voted yea. H. Res. 256 authorizes the continuation until June 30th of the Select COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE CRIME in the United States. Yeas 317. Nays 75. Agreed to, Feb. 28. DANGER dents. Insurance Commissioner Dr. Herbert S. Denenberg has accused the = Nixon Ad- ministration of ‘‘waging war’ on freedom of the press and said the attacks jeopardized the future. of the consumer movement. “Protecting the first amendment is the number one consumer issue,”’ Dr. Denen- berg said in a speech delivered to the New York Consumer Assembly. “The Nixon Ad- ministration has launched the most systematic, com- prehensive, well organized, and extensive attack on freedom of communications in American history.” Dr. Denenberg pointed to the Caldwell decision destroying the confidentiality of a repor- ter’s sources, the treatment of the Washington Post following its reporting of the Watergate break-in, and the injunctions against newspaper publication of the Pentagon Papers as evidence of the battle against the media. “The consumer’s most essential commodity is in- formation,”’ Dr. Denenberg said. “Without it, he can’t make intelligent decisions at the polls, in the marketplace, or anywhere else. “Protecting ‘freedom of the press is one side of the coin and the public’s right to know is the other. “Imagine,” Dr. Denenberg continued before an audience of 1,000, ‘‘what the Washington Post and the New York Times would look like if (White House Press Secretary) Ron Zeigler, were managing editor.” Dr. Denenberg also accused the Nixon Administration of paying heed to the desires of insurance lobbyists while ignoring the needs of Dr. Denenberg noted that many of the major contributors to President Nixon’s campaign fund had ties with insurance companies. The tributors included W. Clement Stone, chairman of the Com- bined Insurance Company of America, who made the largest single. :. contribution, $2.1 million; Richard M. Scaife, the Mellon banking heir with a 20 percent interest in General Reinsurance, the nation’s by William Ecenbarger Remember the Common- wealth Compensation Com- mission—that five-member bureaucratic freak that out- raged Pennsylvania citizenry last year by suggesting that le- gislators’ get a $10,000-a-year raise? Well, there’s a budding move- ment in the General Assembly right now to do away with the commission—either by killing it outright or by letting it starve. Before taxpayers begin re- joicing in the streets over this development, they ought to look for possible motives behind the lawmakers’ sudden distaste for the commission. Last year, the commission’s efforts were devoted to the salaries of legislators, judges and top executive offices in the state government. This year the target was another form of compensation—pensions. The two subjects are quite different. The basic question on state salaries was: How much higher should they be? The Mr. Flood voted yea. H. Res. 18 authorizes the Committee on BANKING and CURRENCY to conduct studies and investigations during the life of the 93rd Congress. Many House members wanted to amend H. Res. 18 to increase the percentage of committee funds availableiAo the Republican minority. On the motion to move the ams defeat of which would have permitted the amendnient to be offered: Yeas 204. Nays 191. Previous question ordered, Feb. 28. Mr. Flood voted yea. By later voice vote H. Res. 18 (without amendment) was agreed to. ! H. Res. 257 authorizes the Committee on the DISTRICT of COLUMBIA to conduct studies and investigations, including provision for travel outside the United States. Yeas 153. Nays 234. Resolution rejected. Mr. Flood voted yea. The final vote of the week occurred on Thursday in connection with the WATER and WASTE DISPOSAL PLANT program (H.R. 3298) for small towns. The bill directs the administration to spend funds already appropriated for this grants-in-aid program. Yeas 297. Nays 54. Passed, March 1. Pv Mr. Flood voted yea. is: How can they be brought under control? Until the Compensation Com- mission came along, the size of a state official’s pension was re- lated directly to the size of his salary. But the commission froze all pensions pending a complete review. That review was conducted by the respected Pennsylvania Economy League, which con- cluded that the state retirement fund was being bled white by “extraordinarily generous” pensions for legislators and judges. The Economy League studied the retirement systems of 12 other states and a number of private industry plans, but it could find nothing that even approaches the sweetness of the Pennsylvania system. The most recent batch of le- gislative retirements is instruc- tive of the problem. Former Rep. Robert K. Hamilton (D.- Beaver) stepped down last year _ after 30 years at a lifetime pen- sion of $22,129 a year. Mr. Hamilton received substan- tially more than the 15 other re- tirees because of his long ser- vice and because he was House speaker (at a higher salary) during the 1965-66 session. At the other end of the spec- trum was former Rep. William C. Rybak (D.-Northampton), who “retired” last year at the age of 51 after only six years in the House. He will get a lifetime annual pension of $3,016, which will be a nice supplement to the income from his law practice. These examples are given to illustrate the kind of thing that incumbent legislators are look- ing forward to with understand- able relish—and why they might feel constrained to let the Compensation Commission die. If. Sen. Robert D. Fleming (R.-Allegheny) were to retire tomorrow, his state pension would be about $50,000. House Minority Leader Herbert Fine- man qualifies for a $30,000-a- year lifetime pension if he quits after his current term. Every member of the General Assembly who serves six years or more has a stake in seeing that the Compensation Com- mission does not have the op- portunity to follow up on the Economy League report—for it would have no choice but to downgrade retirement benefits for legislators and judges. Despite the controversy it has generated, the commission is a good way of determining com- pensation levels for state offi- cials. All that is needed is a re- quirement that its recommen- dations be voted upon by the Legislature (currently, they take effect if no action was taken). Given the sorry track record of the legislature on matters in- volving the feathering of its own nest, one cannot escape the feel- ing that in moving to pull the rug from under the Compensa- tion Commission the lawmakers the Economy League’s unalloy- ed indictment of their retire- ment benefits. largest professional insurance company, $2 million; and Samuel Schulman, vice chairman of the National General = Corp., which owns Great American Insurance Co., $262,574. ‘ Dr. Denenberg said that Mr. Nixon's positions on national no- fault, national health insurance, and catastrophe insurance represented the interests of insurance companies instead of consumers. “Whenever the Nixon Ad- ministration has an insurance straight to the insurance in- dustry for the answer.” Dr. Denenberg praised the role of the media in pointing out abuses in insurance and other areas and attributed many consumer reforms to public pressure generated through the press. “The mass media is the ally of consumerism like none other,” Dr. Denenberg said. He urged consumer groups to actively support proposed ‘shield laws’ designed to’ protect newsmen from being forced to reveal their sources. Children Hurt Crossing Street Robert Richardson, 7, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Richard- son, Monroe Avenue, and Joe Maniskas, 7, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Maniskas, Luzerne Ave., Dallas were injured slightly Feb. 26 while they were crossing Machell Avenue in front of Gate of Heaven School. The children were returning from Dallas Elementary School, Huntsville Road, at about 3:45 p.m. when they at- tempted to cross Machell Avenue after a car, travelling east, passed. The children failed to see an approaching auto driven by Randolph Koeb III, Sterling Avenue, Dallas, which was travelling west at a low rate of speed. The Koeb car knocked the children down. Bobby Richardson ran the short distance to his home and IT HAPPENED 10 YEARS AGO 1963 John Brominski and Thomas Borthwick became the first Dallas wrestlers to win the P.I.A.A. District II crown. Political heads of Dallas Borough and Kingston and Dallas Townships expressed little enthusiasm for Luzerne County’s Planning and Zoning Commission’s 73-page plan for sewage installation in the Harveys Lake area. The commission was also preparing suggestions for 13 local water companies. March roared in like a lion, leaving a 10-inch blanket of Snow. : Frank Townend called a meeting of Dallas Borough, Dallas and Kingston Township municipal supervisory boards to discuss the possibility of forming a regional police force. Andrew Sordoni Jr., Com- monwealth Telephone Com- pany, reduced rates to customers in their various size local calling areas. Chief of Police Robert Cooper, Jackson Township, requested additional police officers to help him with the traffic situation at Lake Silk- worth. Robert Letts and Tom Gauntlett were named to the All-Star North League Basket- ball team. IT HAPPENED 20 YEARS AGO 1953 The Kingston Township Ambulance Association pur- by Raymond A. Minor, D.V.M. No matter how carefully you protect your pet from street traffic, there may come a time when your cat or dog is hit by a car or truck. If such an incident does occur, your first reaction would be to take your pet to a veterinarian for treatment. Without a doubt, this is the proper step to take so that you may get an accurate diagnosis of the severity of the injury and receive the appropriate treat- ment. However, in some cases there are several things you should do for your pet immediately following an accident, before moving him to the veterinarian. It is extremely important that you approach an injured dog or cat very cautiously, speaking constantly in a reassuring voice. Remember,’ if a pet is in pain and afraid, he may even bite his owner. A bandage muzzle made from a strip of cloth, or perhaps a necktie, if nothing else is avail- able; can make handling of your pet easier. Slide your pet carefully on to a plank or board, a blanket or your coat and carry him gently to a quiet spot—perhaps your car—where you can examine him with no onlookers. This should keep him from becoming too excited or causing any fur- ther injury to himself. If your pet’s leg appears to be broken, try to keep it as straight as possible. If you see that the bone has broken, attach a stick as a splint. Tie the splint above and below the break. This will prevent the joint on either side of the break from cutting a blood vessel if the pet moves or attempts to struggle. Bandage not tightly. The bandage must be loose enough to allow per- manent circulation to continue. Check your pet to see if there is a cut or a gash. If there is, place a wad of cloth over the wound and hold it in place with a bandage. In a leg injury, you should start bandaging at the foot and work upward. Remember to apply the bandage firmly but still loose enough to allow blood flow. If your pet’s head has to be bandaged, you should carefully wrap two turns around the neck, again loosely, then carry it be- tween the ears over the head and down by the side of the face. Bring the bandage under the jaw, up over the other side of the face, across the head and between the ears to the neck. Repeat this until several layers are applied. Be certain to tuck the bandage to keep it in place. You can be fairly sure an ar- tery has been cut if there is blood spurting from a wound. In this case, haste is essential. Apply a tourniquet (a twisted cloth or anything that is avail- able to cut off circulation) be- tween the cut and the heart. This is not as difficult as it sounds. / For example, if there is a leg injury, place the tourniquet above the wound on the leg. The tourniquet should be loosened every ten or fifteen minutes or the blood will be stopped alto- gether, causing gangrene. After experiencing an auto- mobile accident, your pet will suffer from shock. His lips and gums will turn pale and grayish in color. : You should be aware that these signs may also indicate that there is internal bleeding. First-aid treatment for shock is to wrap your pet in a blanket or coat. Above all, keep him warm and allow him to rest quietly. Whether your pet appears un- hurt or not, he should always be examined by a veterinarian as quickly as possible following an nal injuries that you may not be aware of. Page A5 — chased its first community ambulance with funds donated by 870 community citizens. Officers of the group were Martin Porter, William Clewell, Thomas Morgan and Howard Woolbert. The mill levy in Dallas was maintained at 22 mills without an increase from the borough council. figure of $151,000. Fred Anderson, president of Borough-Kingsto Township Joint School Board leading to its recognition as an accredited school during a meeting of directors. IT HAPPENED 30 YEARS AGO 1943 Eleven thousand local residents registered for War Ration Book No. 2. The original sugar ration book No. 1 was required before new coupons were handed out. At the same time, the War Stamp and Bond Booth at the Dallas Post Office reported a good week in sales as did local schools. A fire raging out of control , damaged the home of O.H. Gordon, Pike's Creek, causing $3,500 in damages. : William Davis, 19, formerly of Dallas, an employee of Sordoni Construction Company, was killed instantly beneath the wheels of a D. L. and W. passenger train at Shickshinny. Mr. Davis was pinned to the tracks when a carload of telephone poles from a side car toppled on him. Rescuers were unable to release the victim before the locomotive, running 50 minutes late, came around the bend. IT HAPPENED 40 YEARS AGO 1933 contests. Back Mountain area were designated as District No. 2 in the proposed school legislation which would convert 73 Luzerne County units into 34. A valuable bird dog, belonging to R. V. Evans, Center Street, was found poisoned in an unknown manner. Lake Township was pre- paring to go to the Supreme Court to appeal a decision handed by a Dauphin County court that the township was to $30,000 for construction of roads between 1920 and 1927. Joe was carried to a local doctor by the Rev. Thomas Jordan, Effective Feb. 20 pastor of Gate of Heaven Telephone Numbers Church. £ Neither child suffered serious 3 or : injury but both were reportedly Kingston Twp. Police frightened. Municipal Building Chief of Police Ray Titus, 696-1174—696-1175. Dallas Borough, investigated. : Ambulance Log Dallas Feb. 26—Louis Evans, Summit Street, Shavertown from General Hospital to home. Crew: Jim Davies, Frank Herliman. Feb. 27—Fire support to Pearsall property, Route 118, Dallas. Crew: Jim Davies, MiMi Wilson. : Feb. 28—Auto accident on Route 309: Timothy Bellas, RD 1, Noxen, James Bellas, RD 1, Noxen, Michael Pasternick Jr., 86 McLean St., Wilkes-Barre, to Nesbitt Hospital. Crew: Tim Carroll, Ted Wright, Willard Newberry, Delmar Besecker, Bob Besecker, J. R. Sperl. Later: James Bellas from Nesbitt to General Hospital. Crew: All the same with the exception of Bob Besecker. March 2—Harold Jackson, RD 1, Dallas from General Hospital to home. Crew: Len Roginski, MiMi Wilson. March 2—Fire support to Park’s barn, Route 118, Lehman. Crew: MiMi Wilson, Ann Davies, Bob Cartier. March 3—Tara Tondora, Center Hill Road, Dallas to General Hospital. Crew: Don Shaffer, Delmar Besecker, Ted Wright. March 3—Cathy McCullough, Jackson Street, Dallas, not needed. Crew: Sonny Smith, Tim Carroll, Dave Carey, Bob Besecker, Ted Wright. March 4—Marge Kery, Hildebrandt Road, Dallas from General Hospital to home. Crew: Sonny Smith, Dave Carey. TUESDAY-(Sr., Jr., Inter.)-Tomato soup, toasted cheese sand- coffee cake, milk. WEDNESDAY-Hot dog on roll (Jr., Inter., Elem.): French fries (r., Inter.) : potato chips (Elem.): corn, doughnut, applesauce, milk; doughnut, milk. THURSDAY-Macaroni creole with beef, Parmesan cheese, Vienna milk. cole slaw, fruit, milk. LAKE-LEHMAN March 12 - March 16 MONDAY-Turkey patties, French fries, fruit, milk. TUESDAY -Spaghetti, Vienna bread and butter, lettuce wedges and dressing, gelatin with topping, milk. WEDNESDAY -Chicken bar-b-q, chicken noodle soup, rice pudding, milk. THURSDAY -Braised beef and vegetables over noodles, pickled beets, roll and butter; ice cream, milk. milk. GATE OF HEAVEN March 12 - March 16 applesauce, bread and butter, milk. beans, doughnuts, milk. 3 WEDNESDAY—Chili con carne, buttered rice, cole slaw, gelatin, bread and butter, milk. : y THURSDAY—Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, buttered corn, cookies, bread and butter, milk. f sticks, chilled prunes, bread and butter, milk. # Hg Vay atts HS SE SR SE Rp CS AAAS
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers