The Daily Journal from Franklin, Indiana • Page 1

Benji's out of the doghouse and making his first movie ft fear By SUSAN ATKINSON Journal Staff Writer Johnson county youngsters got an opportunity to meet a real movie-television star in person when Benji visited the Greenwood Shopping Center Mall Tuesday evening to promote his recent motion picture. Benji, of course, is not the typical movie star. He is a 15-year-old dog of "questionable heritage" who made the successful 'transition from television to movie star. After a nine-year run on the popular television program "Petticoat Junction," Benji debuts today in several Indianapolis area theaters including the Greenwood Cinema in a G-rated movie which bears his name. Mooresville trainer "Benji" also opens today in Mooresville, the hometown of Benji's trainer and friend, Fran Inn.

Mooresville native Franklin Freeman has used the Hollywood name of Frank Inn for the past 40 years. In addition to Benji, Inn has groomed a number of well known animal stars. In fact, one of his well-known clients is Arnold the Pig, of "Green Acres" fame. Inn adds that Arnold was found on the Mooresville farm of Jim Clem. "I took him to Hollywood and made a ham of him," laughed Inn.

Inn got early training by working with Lassie and his trainer. But now he has become the "man behind the stars" in his own right. Inn's first famous canine client was Cleo of the old "People's Choice" program. He has followed with Tramp, who was featured on "My Three Sons;" Duke and the animals on "The Beverly Hillbillies;" Waldo from "Nanny and the Professor;" the three dogs on "Apple's Way." The long-time trainer has not confined his activities to dogs alone. He has a number of fj 4 Benji and friends at nr- I a.

Greenwood, Indiana, Wednesday, August Madison jury hears final arguments before deliberating fate of Lamb tamm -1 Special Journal Report MADISON A seven man and five woman jury was scheduled to begin deliberations here this afternoon to determine the guilt or innocence of accused murderer Raymond Charles Larnb. The jury was expected to begin deliberations shortly before 2 p.m. this afternoon following Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Paul Schnaitter's instructions to the jury. Lamb is on trial for first-decree murder in Council "A (Daily Journal photos Greenwood Center. 0 yoL 12, No.

21 connection with the February 1973 shooting aeatn ot Katnryn (Kitty) Kautman, 19, Greenwood. This morning Johnson County Prosecutor Joe N. VanValer and Lamb's court-appointed defense attorney Thurman DeMoss concluded their closing arguments to the jury. Both attorneys rested their cases at 11:45 a.m. Witness testifies Tuesday afternoon, a young Johnson county woman gave testimony which tended to delays key "It's merely a vehicle for you, the county, to provide a retirement progranyfor your employes," said William Murphy, a member of the state office of the Public Employes Retirement Fund.

Murphy told the council that his agency already has assets of $335 million to pay to retiring public employes. Johnson county already has been partially involved with the program. In 1965, the Indiana General Assembly made it mandatory for all to see a more coordinated transportation system in the U.S. He said that the transportation industry needed to avoid duplication of services. Zaieck pointed out instances of delayed motor, transportation of materials when there was less than full load of freight.

He added that the trucking industry does not want to "run empty miles." He cited this both as a means of conserving energy and for the economic impact. Zaieck told the industrial leaders that there are now 12 certified common carriers to serve Edinburg. He added that common carriers are only a small segment of the trucking industry. He urged Edinburg leaders to investigate other services which could berovided by the trucking industry to the area truckers. 'Right track' He told the Chamber members they were "on the right track to consider alternatives (to rail transportation) right now." Also meeting with the industrial leaders in Edinburg were Dick Moser, district sales representative for A 4 and Paul Berebitsky of the Indiana Motor Truck Association.

Rate schedules and routine problems were also discussed during the Edinburg meeting. The trucking officials all emphasized the value of a "transportation manager" in any industry. "As a transportation man, I canrfet lump community transportation problems one Zaieck. "Problems with regard to rate schedules for freight must be worked out on an individual basis and often with the help of a transportation manager. "When the individual shipping needs of a Franklin 15" 14, 1974 1 mm i VI.

Just like n- nmm fyn i mil i mum mi if T- I V- J. i. 'y i tVV, I Decisions from the Johnson County Council on a possible retirement program for employes of Johnson county, funds for the Johnson County Association of Friends and Parents of Retarded Children, funds for a mental health clinic and a regional sewage system for Johnson county are to be made at the council's Sept. 3-4 meetings. The retirement program, which is administered by the state though it is ftmticu the tynptoyes it covers-and the units of government that employs them, has already been adopted by 535 local units of government.

well-known cats in his "stable of stars." Dancing cat The' dancing cats on the Purina Cat Chow commercial are among his clients. Inn also trained a number of movie cats, including Pywackit who appeared in the movie "Bell, Book and Candle." Benji took the crowds at Greenwood all in stride Tuesday evening. After all, as a star one gets used to crowds of admirers. Inn and Benji have been to 44 cities in the past six weeks promoting the movie by Mulberry Square Productions. After leaving Indianapolis today, Benji and Inn will head for North Carolina and South Carolina for more promotional appearances.

A career was probably the farthest thing from Benji's mind 15 years ago. Inn rescued Benji from a Burbank (Cal.) animal shelter when the dog was only six-weeks-old. At the time Benji was chosen for his movie (Continued on back page, col. 4) 3 'r4 Ml 1 v-, I. daddy Judge Davis also stated in his ruling made earlier this week that the following statements were proper: Griffin's declaration of candidacy which was filed in the Johnson County Clerk's office on March 1.

Griffin was a qualified voter at the time he filed his declaration of candidacy. Griffin would be 18 years old before the election for such office is held. Persons who will be 18 years old at (he time of the general election are made eligible, to vote by the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Griffin received more votes in the primary than did plaintiff (Condit). The major question in the hearing, according to Judge Davis, was: "Does the lowering of the voting age to 18 years make persons 18 years of age eligible for the office of Justice of the Peace?" Attorneys representing Condit contended that the 26th Amendment addressed in terms to the right to vote cannot have any effect on the right to hold office.

They also contended that the statute was adopted at a time when electors in (Continued on back page, col. 5 xTrucks cannot replace contradict the prosecution's description of the crime. Millie A. Hutton, 17, told the jury she heard four shots ring out and then saw a car with its headlights off speed away from near the scene where Miss Kaufman's body was found. Miss Hutton was a customer at the Dog 'N' Suds drive-in on the night of the murder.

"I heard what I thought was a shot," she told (Continued on back page, col. 3) decisions county welfare agencies to be a part of the program. Should the county council decide to adopt the program, the county payroll would be increased by 9.35 per cent, with the entire increase being paid into the retirement fund. Of the 9.35 per cent; 4.57 per cent is the figure required to pay one year of retirement. The rest of the sum is to make up for years already (Continued on back page, col.

4) rail system company are known, then perhaps an alternate service can be found," added As far as trucking service to the Edinburg area, Zaieck felt it would be possible to adequately serve the town. He added that the trucking industry needs to be able to more fully utilize the highways. The trucking official pointed out numerous federal regulationS.on routes and other matters which hinder expansion of the trucking industry. He added that the current truck load weight limits have deterred more expansion by the industry. Shipping public He told the Edinburg industrial leaders that legislation is currently before the U.S.

Congress regarding raising of the load limits. He added, that carrying heavier loads would reduce th cost to the shipping public." Many communities in the U.S. are served only by trucking, said Zaieck. In emphasizing his personal opinion that the 'community would not be abandoned by rail service, Zaieck stated that a lot of railroads are making a profit. It was also, pointed out that even if Penn Central were to disband there would probably be other railroad lines bidding 'for the route.

Zaieck added that "there's a place for everybody" in the transportation industry the common carriers, railroads, other services of the trucking industry. He concluded, "any transportation company must make a profit on the services it provides." (Daily Journal photo) By SUSAN ATKINSON Journal Staff Writer While admitting he did not think "this community will be abandoned by the railroads," a trucking official advised Edinburg industrial leaders to examine all available options. Frank W. Zaieck, director of sales for A Truck Line, with general offices in Evansville, addressed the industrial committee of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce this morning. The Edinburg community has been hit in recent weeks with the possible abandonment of the Penn Central railroad line which serves the southern Johnson county town.

They have rallied support during recent rail hearings to fight for continued rail service in order for th highly industrialized town to survive. Zaieck, a member of the board of directors of American Trucking Association, admitted that the "trucking industry, cannot replace the railroad system in the nation." He added that the trucking industry can "pick up some slack." Make changes Zaieck said he didn't feel the rails would abandon service to the community, but he said changes must be made. He urged industrial leaders to examine alternate means of transporting freight prior to changes in the way rail charges are made, rate structures and route changes. He added that these changes would be necessary if the rails were to obtain sufficient funds to maintain tracks. The trucking official pointed out that he hoped Jamie Carpenter is slightly more than six months old, but he's already aware of what his father, William, Carpenter, does.

Carpenter is a police officer on the Franklin Police Department.So itiras fitting that in the recent Johnson county fair baby clerby that the policeman's son be outfitted in an extra small policeman's uniform. Jamie won a blue ribbon at the fair for winning a division in the baby derby, (Daily Journal photoX Ruling by judge fa'v ors young JP White River Township Justice of the PeacePerson who had the right to vote was qualified thohallnf for office in the upcoming November election, according to a ruling made in Shelby Circuit Court. Special Judge George B. Davis has upheld Griffin's right to hold the office of Justice of the Peaee although he is 18 years old. Griffin was appointed White River Justice of the Peace in February by the Johnson County Commissioners.

Although be was a registered voter but only 17 years old. Griffin eventually faced a legal battle raised by his GOP primary Justice of the Peace opponent Robert W. Condit. Condit filed suit against the Johnson county election board prior to the May primary charging the board that they were in violation of the lav when they registered the 17-year-old Justice of the Peace for the election. Condit later amended his suit to include Griffin.

Griffin defeated Condit in the primary race. Judge Davis, who presides over the Hancock Circuit Court in Greenfield, ruled that "persons 18 years old are now electors in Indiana and are eligible for the office of Justice of the Peace." Judge Davis also referred to the 26th Amendment to the Constitution by stating, "In those cases where the framers (of the -Constitution) said the office holder must be an elector or voter but did not say he must be 21 years old, it appears that they intended that a Trucking industry offers alternatives of the trucking industry appeared before Edinburg industrial Commerce; Frank W. Zaieck, who spoke for the trucking industry; Paul leaders this morning to discuss the options available to them in thj! wake Berebitsky of the Indiana Motor Trucking Association; John Lewis, a of the recently critical railroad situation. From left to right are: Albert member of the industrial committee; and Dick Moser of A Truck Cox, chairman of the industrial committee of the Edinburg Chamber of Line, Inc..