4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, November 8, 1989 New minimum wage plan creates inequity The compromise reached in Washington on the minimum wage to be paid to American workers is both inadequate and unfair. We hope it will be reconsidered at the earliest possible opportunity. : Anyone unfortunate enough to earn the minimum wage | knows the painful reality that it has not increased since 1981. At that time the lowest rate most workers could be paid was raised to $3.35 per hour. Had that figure increased to keep pace with the cost of living, it would be $4.79 per hour today. Put another way, $3.35 in 1981 is worth $2.34 in 1989. The plan passed last week will give minimum wage workers a raise to $3.80 per hour on April 1, 1990 and to $4.25 a year later. In the meantime, of course, the purchasing power of those dollars is likely to decline further due to inflation. To illustrate how little minimum wage workers earn, think about this: A 40-hour week at the present federal minimum earns $134.00 gross. At the $4.25 rate, that will rise to $170.00. An average family, with two people working at that income level, would earn about one-half the average family income in this country. In many parts of the nation the demand for workers has pushed starting wages well above the mandated minimum. That is true for many jobs here, though not for all. Pennsylva- nia had enough humanity to raise its minimum to $3.70 per hour this year, making it one of several states that were ahead of the Federal government on this issue. More onorous than its meager increase, the latest wage ~ plan’s provision for a “training wage” virtually guarantees abuse. This stipulation allows an employer to pay someone be- tween the ages of 16 and 19 at 85 per cent of the minimum for three months, provided they are engaged in a legitimate training program. We expect policing of the training requirement will fall by the wayside quickly, since the government has neither the will nor the manpower to do so. That means that, given two equally qualified applicants - one of whom is over 19 and one under - an employer would be foolish to hire the older one. While that may be a boon to unemployed teenagers, it will cause older workers - who are more likely to have others to support - to lose out on job opportunities. A minimurn wage that is adjusted more frequently to con- form to the realities of America's economy makes more sense than one that receives attention only when it becomes hope- lessly out-of-date. Anything less seems to be a renunciation of the promise to which many of our recent forebears dedicated their lives. : Continued penny-pinching on the wage rate could be an eco- nomic as well as a humanitarian disaster. It has been said that one of the shrewdest maneuvers Henry Ford ever made was to increase the wage rate in his factories to $5.00 per day, an unheard of figure in that day. Other employers were forced to follow suit or lose their best workers to Ford. As a result, those workers became customers for Ford's automobiles, since they could now afford to buy one. They also became better custom- ers for everyone else. ~ To some extent the thinking that motivated Henry Ford is still true. In an age when the world’s consumption of goods and services has skyrocketed, people who make minimum wage are able to contribute little if anything to our collective prosperity. Insufficient increases in that pay scale will be of little help to them or the people who produce goods and services. 'Old Shoe' offers plenty of excitement While it won't be a championship season for either Back Mountain high school football team, the traditional “Old Shoe” game that will be played Saturday will be filled with spirit. Dallas, disappointed by its loss to GAR two weeks ago, stumbled in its next game, but came roaring back to top Bishop ‘Hoban 42-7 last week. ~ Meanwhile Lake-Lehman has grown stronger as the season has progressed, and seems capable of playing with Dallas every inch of the way. Perhaps the fact that a league title is not on the line will allow the players and fans to relax a little as they play and watch what is sure to be a hard-fought contest. Chances are that will mean better play and more enjoyment for everyone. Scoring The Sky Corn tassles on Church Street in Trucksville reach up to touch a blue autumn sky. (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Library news Lead Civil War figures by Milt Lutsey on display By NANCY KOZEMCHAK November 19, 1863! The date the Gettysburg Address was deliv- ered by President Abraham Lin- coln. The Back Mountain Memorial Library has a very historic and unique display set up in the li- brary containing 120 civil war fig- ures made of lead. These have been loaned to the library by Mil- ton Lutsey of Dallas who hand- made all the figures from hot lead, using special molds. The display includes about 12 horses, one set of horses pulling a canon. The center of the display shows an authentic copy of the Gettysburg Address on parchment paper. Standing behind the paper is Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. - Grant, and the members of the troop with the photographer, Brady waiting with his camera. There is an artillery gun crew and authentic civil war bullets which came from the Virginia Mili- tary Institute in Charlottesville. There are soldiers on horseback, buglers and drummers, and flag carrying infantrymen. The soldiers representing the North are on the right side of the display with the South on the left, featuring General Robert E. Lee on his gray horse, named Traveler. Featured with the southern con- tingent are the stars and bars of the confederate flag. Stonewall Jackson is also with the group, who has been called General Lee's right and left arm. There is also a pile of authentic cannon balls. A book with the North section is titled, “Slavery Attacked - The Abolitionist Crusade” with a United States belt buckle. With the South is the book, “Slavery Defended; The View of the Old South” with a Confederate States belt buckle. There is a special diaorama on the top of the display featuring a spe- cial group of figures. All of the figures are 1/35th scale and take about 30 hours to completely make and finish. Milt started to make these with his father when he was a little boy and were a tradition to have under the Christmas tree. Some of his molds date back to 1930 from a company called Gilbert and he works on these in the basement of his home which has taken a lot of his spare time hours. Milt was a teacher at Wyoming Valley West for 31 years, retiring in 1986 and is now serving as secre- tary of the board at Dallas High School. He taught history, eco- ‘nomics and business subjects and was really interested in the Civil War. Milt and I have something in common, we graduated the same year from Kingston Township High School, where he was president of our class. The display will be here until November 29. Jane and I have just returned from The Dallas Post where we attended a special reception to celebrate their 100th publishing year. The reception was lovely and many of the Back Mountain digni- taries were on hand to enjoy con- versation and refreshments. Con- gratulations! Letters invited The Dallas Post encourages readers to share their opinions with the community by writing a letter to the editor. All letters for publication must be signed and include a telephone number so that we may verify authen- ticity. We will not publish anonymous letters. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612. Letters received by Noon on Monday may be included in that week's issue. Only yesterday 50 Years Ago - Nov. 10, 1939 JUNIOR WOMAN'S CLUB ADDS 25 MEMBERS Dallas Township school board lets contract for addition of second story. Dallas Junior Woman's Club marks its seventh birthday by ini- tiation of 25 new members. Dallas Borough Council awaits report of survey to determine if insurance cost will decrease for protection against fire. Dallas Township and Lehman Township football teams clash tomorrow to determine mythical Back Mountain championship. Wed - Jean Frey and James Davis; Mary Atkinson and Olin Webb. 40 Years Ago - Nov. 11, 1949 HOME BUILDING AND LOT SALES BRISK Judge Frank L. Pinola on Friday ordered a club liquor license granted to Daddow-Isaacs Post “American Legion for its proposed new home at Castle Inn on the Harveys Lake Highway, Dallas Township. New home construction contin- ues at peak in the Back Mountain with sales of lots brisk in New Goss Manor. Excellent progress is being made on the new Prince of Peace Episco- pal Church since ground was bro- ken. Engaged - Margaret Laity and George May. Mrs. Walbridge Leinthall is new club president of Harveys Lake Women's Service Club installation. 30 Years Ago - Nov. 12, 1959 KINGSTON TOWNSHIP PLANS BUILDING Kingston Township is arranging for a central municipal building with offices for police, supervisors and tax collector. Dallas seniors Clinton G. Hell and Durelle T. Scott III are cited for outstanding performance on the National Scholarship Qualifying Test last spring. Luther Carter, Shavertown, has been promoted to head Nation- wide’s Allentown District. Joe Lopasky sparks Lehman's Scotties 33-7 win over Edwardsville with five touchdowns. Wed - Jacqueline Hinkle and Ross T. Bartleson. 20 Years Ago - Nov. 13, 1969 TALKS BEGIN ON JOINT POLICE FORCE A union dispute flared at Na- tona Mills when several employees were accused of trying to railroad through new union representation when the present contract expires next year. Dr. Hugo Mailey called a meet- ing of Dallas Borough, Dallas Township and Kingston Township councilmen and mayor to begin talks on a joint police force. Engaged - Christine Cheryl Crecca and David E. Mascali; Sandra Jean Patton and Ronald Bruce Whitesell; Kay Ann Mohn and Larry A. Major. Wed - Faye Nina Brown and Darwin L. Smith. Dallas bows to Central Catholic 14-0, Coughlin downs Knights 18- 12. The Brothers Four announce ¢ servinga $1.50 smorgasbord Tues- day, Wednesday and Thursday nights. 10 Years Ago - Nov. 15, 1979 DALLAS CHURCH TO HOST THE NEEDY Dallas District superintendent Dr. Richard Shipe issues invita- tion to the district's Education Week. : Dallas United Methodist Church issues an invitation to Thanksgiv- ing dinner to Back Mountain friends who are lonely. Alan Landis chairman, an- nounced this week that an expan- sion fund drive is underway by the Dallas Fair Association by selling bonds payable in the amounts of $50, $100, $500 and $1000, Jan. 1, 1990. Dallas Junior Women's Club hold Talent Auction. Wed - Valerie Marie Naylor and Edward Gerald Riefenstahl. Lake-Lehman Knights upset Nanticoke Trojans 14-13. The faculty and staff of Dallas Fa y 7 Junior High hosted a drug and“ alcohol seminar, Nov. 14, in the school auditorium. Letters Congratulates Post on 100th anniversary, special edition Editor: Congratulations are in order for you and your staff in celebration of The Dallas Post's 100th anniver- sary. This is an achievement for which you can be extremely proud, since it is not often that busi- nesses and organizations reach the 100-year milestone. We were impressed with the format and content of your centen- nial edition, and we're glad to be one of the advertisers in this com- memorative publication. Members of our staff particularly enjoyed the nostalgic photographs. Again, I commend you on a fine first century and wish you much luck and success in publishing A Y ’ The Dallas Post in the future. William J. Schoen Assistant Vice President Public Relations Allied Services - Ronald A. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Edward Kraynak Advertising Acct. Exec. Paul Rismiller Composition Tir SDALLASCPosT Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Jean Hillard Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Charlotte E. Bartizek Associate Publisher Charlot M. Denmon Reporter Olga Kostrobala Classified/typesetting Hl Valeri May Dallas “I think this was sufficient. I think it should raise every year.” Angel Kreidier Hunlock Creek “I think it should be more.” Jennifer Kozak Lehman “It is a sufficient increase for kids, but not for people with a family.” | The Post asks: Do you think raising the minimum wage to $4.25 per hour is enough? tion.” Nichole Roberts Dallas “I think it is a good move, but it is still not keeping up with infla- 7 re 5) LF
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers