The Daily Chronicle from De Kalb, Illinois • Page 10

1 0 DAILY CHRONICLE DeKolb, Minoa, Tuesday, July 1 8. 1 972 Daily Chronicle' t'Ui lP" I I Statehouse Sidelights Editorial Page opinions, columns, letters, features i Yarns, Tales ii v- 1 1 1 ur. ii VrA GETTING Parti In 1960, students and faculty of Sjfamore' High School moved into their splerioid nevf building on Syeamor far 'west side. It is ex-- -cellently equipped and is lurrounded by a spa- clous campus that includes a great, new athletic field with an updated lighting system for-night-games. No doubt about it -1oth stu- dents and faculty were (and yet are) both.

proud and greatly thrilled with their community center of education, and they should have been, and that pride should be maintained at a high point for years to come, but we doubt that they did, or ever could, muster more joy and pride than did the students and faculty in 1917 when a similar move was made. How could it be otherwise, 1917, for example, they were moving from classrooms, corridors and stairs that were alt of wooden structure. When we entered SHS as a freshman in September 1915 the building devoted to that next level of education above eighth grade, was 16 years old, having been built in 1899. It was, in its beginningfonsidered the last word in high school buildings of that time, but already In 1915 it was nearing serious overcrowding and lacked many educational facilities that today the taxpayers and school board would be horrified to be without. Our chief interest in this series of columns is to Impress readers, young and old, with the vast transition for the better, as Sycamore's intelligent and progressive minded school boards, with the generous authorization of the taxpayers, met the challenges of the march of time for nearly, three quarters of a century; You readers KNOW what you have today so we shall confine this column to a few com-parisons with the past We shall take a look at the Sycamore High School building of 1915-1916.

It stood on the northeast corner of North Main and West Sycamore Streets. If you counted the attic with the low ceiling used as a storage space, the building consisted of three floors and basement. The first floor was devoted entirely to classrooms. The second floor housed an office for the superintendent of schools, and an office for the high school principal, an assembly room, a few classrooms. -Sounds normal and good so far, doesn't it, but look again science was taught in an ordinary classroom with no room or space devoted to laboratory.

The experimenting was done on tables where space permitted, in the same classroom with student desks and seats. There was no room for the teaching of commercial subjects and none for the teaching of music, vocal or instrumental. The orchestra rehearsed in the assembly room as one example of the acute lack of space. 1 Ur "i Caveat Amator, or, Lover Beware Data recently made available by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) indicate that "Marriage On the Rocks," has a lot more meaning today than merely the title of an old Doris Day flick. The NCHS, a branch of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, says the national divorce-marriage ratio has reached an all-time high of 45S divorces per 1,000 marriages.

In 14 states the ratio is already above 500 divorces per 1,000 marriages. Put another way, this discoraging statistic means that in nearly a third of the United States more than half of those entering holy matrimony will eventually be making their way out again. 1. What young married would pause to consider that chances of staying married are only about as good as winning at the Las Vegas craps tables less than even money. Yet this is exactly the case.

The national ratio of 455 is up from 428 last year, according to the government statistics for the first four months of 1972. The report covers 43 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Data from the remaining seven states including da which mleht raise statistics even more-were not available. A numerical breakdown of breakups for the first four months of 1972 goes like this: 528,117 were married and 240,409 were divorced. From the same period of the previous year marriage increased', by 16,684 while divorces rose by 21,344.

In a state to state picture, young love birds get a picture of marriage that is even grimmer. Montana had a divorce-marriage ratio of 803 and has the dubious honor of lead By RAY SERATI Copley News Service SPRINGFIELD The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is continuing its pro-" gram of a watchful eye on teenage liquor violations. TheXommission's Executive Director, Ivan Maple, told Copley News Service, that teenage drinking is still a problem 'throughout the state of Illinois. However, roadie mhui itiai uic virumii33iuu agciiis along witrrotherlaw enforcement'officiais are able to keep a "close on the situation. The agents issue a "warning The umets ttie similar 10 me warning uianons issued bv Dolice and state commerce commission.

They give the licensee 30 days to correct alleged violations. These tickets can cover such areas as the presence of minors, failure to check identification, failure to meet vision requirements and sanitation deficiencies. In the vision area this means that any public place serving alcohol, except for a few exceptions, there must be a clear means of seeing into the establishment from the outside. Maple points out that between 90 and 95 per cent of the businesses want the enforcement of the regulations in an effort to upgrade the overall business. If the licensees fail to correct the deficiencies within the given 30 days, they can then be cited by the Commission.

When they are cited by the Commission they are then brought before the entire Commis-sion for a hearing for possible license suspension or revocation. Presently Illinois has some 21,300 been sees or outlets, according to Maple. These range from the large restaurants to the neighborhood establishment. He says, there are some 60 employes under the Commission's Control. One agent is responsible for 800 to 1,200 places.

In addition the agents are called upon to do undercover work by the local law enforcement officials as well as state law enforcement agencies. At any rate, Maple Says, the Commission along with its agents is trying to do the best possible job. Letters Traffic Speed Problem EDITOR: For some time I have been concerned about traffic on Route 23 between DeKalb and Sycamore. Time and again as I drive, watching my speedometer, I have seen dozens of cars driving considerably over the speed limit. My biggest concern, however, is the fact that the inside lanes which should be used ONLY for passing and left turns, are used instead as lanes to speed the entire way between the two towns.

I must make a left turn in the morning to get to work and again in the afternoon to get to my home. When several cars are behind, I know the third, fourth and the rest are not going to see my car's signal. Several accidents have been caused because of this condition, including one in which my daughter's car was hit from behind. When I saw the picture of the taxi that was hit, I was moved to write this letter. Is there a solution to this problem other than having it patrolled constantly? I have noticecf drivers tend to drive more, carefully when they see a squad car In the vicinity.

MRS. STANLEY HARRIS Sycamore, 111. 1972 by NEA, "YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!" BERRY'S WORLD and History I Until students were drastically curtailed in their "ambitious" desire to leaye-the building at noohfaitd again late In the afternoon, there lurkfid a real danger of injury. Double doors were cradled under an arched entrance at the front of the structure. A few feet inside were swinging One noon hour in the fall of 1915, or 1916, the lale Senator faerrftt Uttie, then, a freshman, went crashing through the window glass in one of the swinging doorr when seemingly avariciously hungry students, like a panicky mob, roared through the front entrance like a flying wedge of a college foot- ball team when that game was in its infancy.

Fortunately, Little sustained only minor cuts. Thereafter, members of the faculty were stationed at the entrance to TRY to dam the starving youngsters. However, there was a lack of many other things in the old school. For instance, no gym. During-the year of 1915 and 1916, the Sycamore School Board was planning a new high school.

For some years the SHS basketball squads had been training and playing their games In' a gym created out of the former livery stable on east State Street next door east to the public library. It was very small, but did serve the purpose quite well in those early times. The space was leased from the late Frederick B. Townsend whose terms were generous because he was a philanthropist at heart and also because he appreciated the value of athletics. As most of you know, contracts for the playing of most athletic games by high school teams are made from one to several years in advance.

A separate building was planned as a gym as part of the new high school. It Was estimated that the new building was ready some time in 1916. For that reason, schedules for 1916-1917 were made with home games to be played in the new gym and, the lease for the Townsend building was cancelled. But because the great war in Europe that had begun in 1914, placed a major demand on American steel production and also because a labor strike occurred, prices of steel zoomed upward and caught the Sycamore contractors, who were striving to complete the new school on time, and the school board with a bond issue with a fixed amount, In a bind. It was seen that the new school would not be ready for occupany and plans had to be changed.

When Engle Wold joined the SHS faculty as teacher and coach, his first feeling must have been of great dismay because THERE WAS NO GYM available for basketball. What Jhappened next will be told in Part 2 of this series. i oriented viewpoint. Our justification for the staff wearing street clothes is as follows: the pool manager and staff are paid to be present at and to attend to various jobs throughout a 13-hour We are, after all, at work, whereas the patrons are at the pool at their leisure to swim. We would also like to point our that on busy days when the manager deems it necessary to aid the staff in guarding and patrolling the decks, he is clad in proper swimming attire, We, as public servants, are paid to enforce rules which do, in fact, benefit everyone.

Finally, we would suggest that any future complaints concerning pool rules or their enforcement be registered at the park district office, where the matter can be more directly resolved. The Hopkins Park Pool Staff DeKalb, 111. Bobby Fischer fairly. Next, you attacked the game, saying it historically or intrinsically, an interesting spectator sport, "where in fact it is a very popular and intriguing sport. On February 27, the CHICAGO TRIBUNE started a Sunday chess column (en-! titled EVANS ON CHESS) by offering prizes for the first 3 correct solutions to a chess problem.

Over 1,700 people replied, showing that chess interest is very great. Then chess is not a bunch of In fact, it is a highly enter- taining, serious, ancT mind-testing sport that requires both mental physical demand. Incidentally, it Would not hurt your sub- scription rate obtain a hess column. You can get one" from Chesstours, Box il82, Reno, Nev. 89504.

BILL THOMPSON Genoa, III. Marry in haste and repeat at leisure. One way to make a shroud is to weave in and out of traffic lanes. What would they do with old peanuts if there weren't ball games to sell 'em at? Pool Staff Replies EDITOR: In answer to the letter by Mrs. Harryman concerning Hopkins Park pool.

We would, first of all, like to say that we agree entirely with Mrs. Harryman's interpretation of the function and use of this municipal pool. However, we fail to agree with her opinion of the management. The pool is run in accordance to rules which insure the safety and welfare of the patrons, and not according to the convenience and disgression of individuals. These rules have been on the; records for many years, but this is the first time in quite a while that the manager has been successful In his duty of enforcing them.

So in order to make this public utility run more smoothly we need the cooperation of all. The "no street clothes" policy was put into effect from a sanitation and safety A SICK ing the nation in marital splits. Oregon with 768 held second place, but California's ratio of 755 has a far greater impact on the national statistics. In the Golden State more than three divorces are grant- ed for every four couples married. California's liberal "no fault" divorce -law has been cited as a main reason for the large number of divorces.

The law recognizes "irreconcilable differences" as grounds for divorce; If this is true, then as more states liberalize divorce laws the proportion of divorces will continue to rise. With all of the talk the last few years about "open marriages," "trial marriages" and just plain "shacking up" among young romantics, one would think I that more couples would be sure of thefriselves be-' fore taking the giant step. Butj apparently they are not. 1 Conservative members of the older generation keep arguing to retain the familiar status quo. They wonder why youngsters seem dissatisfied with the institution of marriage, as it now stands.

The recent statistics, however, unquestionably indicate that something is amiss. Many psychologists, phychiatrists and sociologists not to mention a few downright nosy people have voiced their own ideas about how to solve these problems, Their solutions have ranged by eliminating marriage to legalizing polygamy, or even making it mandatory. Thus far, however, all of the proposed solutions have seemed to be less workable than our current system. Until a real solution can be found the best advice any person can offer is Caveat amator let the lover beware. Meeting We must be persistent also, and not tire when legal proceedings get lengthy.

The landfill company won't. No vivid description is necessary of what this could do to the area east of Genoa if they succeed. MRS. THOMAS DORN Sycamore, 111. Almanac Today is Tuesday, July 18, the 200th day of 1972 with 166 to follow.

The moon is in its first quarter. The morning stars are Venus and Saturn. The evening stars are Mercury, Mars and Jupiter. Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. English novelist William Makepeace.

was born on July 18, 181 1. On this day m.M tne woman tmperor Nero "while Rome burned In 1938 Douglas Corrigan landed in land after a flight which' the pilot had told authorities was from, New York to California, thus earning him the nickname "Wrong Way Corrigan." In 1940 President Franklin D. Roosevelt was nominated unanimously for a third term with Henry Wallace of Iowa as his running mate. In 1951 world heavyweight boxing championship was won by Joseph "Jersey Joe" Walcott in Pittsburgh. He knocked out Ezzard Charles in the seventh round.

A thought for the day: Novelist William Thackeray said: "Mother is the new name of God in the lips and hearts of little children." Fischer Treatment Unfair Landfill Protest EDITOR: We are relatively new residents of Genoa Township and DeKalb County, and were among the approximately 250 concerned citizens who attended the landfill hearing at Genoa-Kingston High School last Thursday night. As is pretty widely known by now, Tri County Landfill Company is trying to get the August Becker farm, exactlly 2'4miles (cross country) east of Genoa's town limit, zoned for a sanitary landfill. The hearing was a disappointment to those attending as it was adjourned after a few minutes. Adequate time had not been permitted from the time the landfill company published its intentions to allow area residents to have soil borings made a test to determine how much pollution, if any, a landfill would cause to neighboring land and also water supplies. The next hearing will be Thursday evening, Jury 20, 7:30 p.m., at the Gehoa-Kin'gstoji High School.

I was edified to see howtioterested the people in this area are-in their community and I feel good having "becomea part of it. Please Come back again July 20. This landfill company is big and it is persistent. They are experienced with lawsuits 1 notice almost daily items in the Elgin Daily Courier News about the lawsuit the City of South Elgin, Elgin Jayeees, Kane County, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is having with Tri-County Landfill Company concerning alleged pollution of water supplies. Tri-County has also been trying to get permission from the Illinois EJA.

to expand their South Elgin landfill from its present 46 acre operation to 296 acres according to July 13 Elgin Courier News. (Is this a precedent of their future intentions here?) EDITOR: I do not think your treatment of Bobby Fischer in your editorial on him on Thursday, July 13, 1972, was fair. I agree, his conduct was inexcusable, but you did not mention his most important virtue: He is a genius and the best chessplayer that ever lived. If you do not agree with that last statement, then how do you explain his fantastic chess achievements? For example; In the quarter-finals candidates matchese smeared Russia's Mark Taimanov all over the board by a score of 6-0, an unheard-of feat in master play. Then in the semi-final candidates matches, "he defeated.

Denmark's Bent Larsen by the same score. Then in the final candidates' match he took" Russia's Tigran Petrosianrformer World Champion, by a score of 6Vi-2tt. These are just a few of his fantastic chess achievements! there will be many, many more. So as you; can see, you-did not treat Barbs Today, it's six of one and a half-dozen of the other with 10 cents off if you have the coupon. For a pessimist, opportunity knocks.

Want lots of exercise? Run around trying to keep on the good side of the boss..