The Daily Telegram from Adrian, Michigan • 4

The Daily Telegram Editorial Page Tuesday. March 23, 1976 Page 4 New Car Financing In growing numbers. consumers are stretching out newcar payments for four years sometimes even five in the wake of price hikes which have transformed customary shortterm auto loans into minmortgages. Just three vears ago newcar financing terms for more than 36 months were virtually unavailable. Now.

according to government estimates, nearly one out of five loans are for more than three years. Chrysler Corp. says half its contracts in 1975 were for 42 or 48 months. An explanation for the growth of -term loans can be summed up in one word inflation. finance officials say.

"As far as we're concerned. higher prices are the sole reason. says James Madden. vice president of Chrysler Financial the auto maker's credit arm. Since the lifting of government price controls on the auto industry in 1973, new -car prices have shot up more than $1,200 on the average.

Those boosts. in turn. have meant sharply higher monthly payments, which officials concede. have driven many potential buyers out of the market. face it, a guy who went shopping for a car for the first time in three or four years and saw the sticker on a 1975 car had to be shocked." commented one industry analyst.

loans cul the monthly payment to something the guy can afford." Charles Luckett. an economist with the Federal Reserve Board. says the average new-car loan from a finance company in 1975 was for $4,100 at 13 per cent annual interest. Under those terms. a consumer can cut his monthly payment from $161 a month for a 30-month loan to $109 by stretching it out to 48 months.

In fact. Luckett says, the average contract length last year was 37.6 months with a monthly payment of $132. Total cost for the $4.100 loan averaged $4.960 with finance charges accounting for $860, or 21 per cent of the original loan. For the auto companies. which suffered through a twoyear sales drought, extended finance terms make it easier to sell cars.

But the industry may only be stealing sales from the future. fear is that a 48- month contract may keep a buyer out of the market a year longer than if he had a 36-month explains an official at one Big Three finance company. "'There are a lot of people who won't shop for a new car until they've paid off the old one." Well Done An additional salute is due the three Lenawee county high school coaches honored Saturday night in Lansing by the Michigan High School Coaches Assn. It's really remarkable that three of the five coaches-of-theyear in Michigan high schools come from Lenawee county. They are Tom Saylor of Hudson in football, Gail Shinall of Madison in wrestling and Larry Tuttle of Blissfield in baseball.

Jim Hoenig covered the banquet awards well in his column yesterday. This is just one more voice saying "well done' to the three coaches from our county. Heap Big Error Heap Big Our business manager. Gene Porter, returned last week from a Georgia vacation and brought along a clipping from the Brunswick News which is worth passing on. Entitled "Heap Big it goes like this: A typographical error appearing recently in The News classified section under the Help Wanted classification noted the need for an "experienced chief and kitchen manager.

What the advertisement intended to draw were applicants for the position of chef: and what it drew was 3 "'resume' directed to The Brunswick News from Chief Bicentennial Eagle. Teepee No. 1. Cherokee Indian Reservoir. Personal data on the chief included his age 35 winters too: 2 description "tall as the tallest pine: strong as the strongest bear: fleet as the fastest deer and with the eye of 311 and his religion "devout worshipper of Sun god.

Rain god. and assorted other gods. Of his family, he noted: "Squaw. Pocahontas X. daughter of Chief Thunderbird Washington Merry-Go-Round Somoza Demanded A Payoff From IBM BY JACK ANDERSON With Les Whitten WASHINGION The president vi Nicaragua personally tried to squeeze bribe from IBM in exchange for business favors in the Central American land The story recounted by the late A Arthur K.

Watson. son of IBM's founder Watson headed IBM World Trade Corp at of the bribe demand. "Watson. later ambassador to Paris. was visiting the Nicaraguan captial 01 Managua on business.

As he recalled it in talks with friends in Paris in 1973. he was invited in to speak with who was running the country." The current president of Nicaragua 15 Anastasio Somoza. But one of those in: whom Watson confided in 1973 said it was conceivable Watson meant Anastasio's brother. Luis. or.

less likely, his father Anastasio who was assassinated in 1956. All served as Nicaraguan heads ni state. In anv case. Watson said he WaS outraged when the Nicaraguan head of state put out his hand and demanded a for allowing IBM to expand its facilities in Managua. Watson emphatically refused.

saving his firm did not business that way. A recent audit by IBM seems to bear out Watson. Except for some legal contributions to Canadian politicians, no payoffs were found. A $24 Million Loan In Washington, meanwhile. the InterAmerican Development considering a $24.4 million loan request from Nicaragua for the construction of a superhighway around Managua.

Such loans are supposed to benefit the poor, but this one would enrich President Somoza by additional millions. Anastasio. "Managua a Beltway. has been dubbed. would pass through acre after acre of property owned by Somoza.

his family and his flunkies, It would be 80 per cent financed with a long-term, low-interest loan from the IDA. This means the American taxpayer, in short. would be supplying the Nicaraguan government with about $16 million at two per cent interest. payable within 40 vears. The of course, would increase the value of Somoza's personal property by millions of dollars.

would be paved, furthermore, with concrete blocks manufactured by the National Cement Company. which Somoza also owns. Indeed. the benefits that would redound 10 the dictator have so astounded IDA officials that the loan is being held up until POLITICAL SERVICE SE RACE CONGRESS "I thought I told you NO economizing on essentials!" Tom Tiede Military Inducements Getting Out Of Hand? BY TOM TIEDE WASHINGTON (NEA) When he was director of the Selective Service system. Gen.

Lewis Hershey often mused on the need "to make the armed forces so popular everyone will want to get in." that no longer sounds so comic. In recent years pay for most service soldiers has tripled (a private E-3 can earn $500 a month now. a top general the equivalent of $50.000 a year. and the free medical and retirement benefits have undergone lucrative upgrading. In fact military recruiters are now reporting waiting lines at their doors.

This is all very well for the people inrolved, no doubt. but worry is increasing that inducements may be getting out of hand. It is. for example, now possible to imagine a situation where a man serves 3 military career. then retires.

and thus draws for himself and his survivors as much as $1 million total from his grateful nation. Remote? Admittedly, vet there it is. And with it are some real problems. A decade ago when America had 500.000 more men in uniform, manpower costs accounted for 48 per cent of the defense budget. This year the salaries and benefits take up at least 60 per cent.

Actually. when tangential military costs such to veterans is included. American taxpayers are now spending about $70 billion a year on the care and feeding of service personnel. The dilemma here is thus obviously uncomfortable. Not only is the nation paying far more money to far fewer soldiers, it is robbing other vital elements of the defense industry to do it.

Virginia Sen. William Scott has beer grumbling for the past year that although the military budget goes up annually, we are getting little for it save better paid employes. per cent of the increase in defense outlays between 1964 and 1974 have gone to manpower and operation and maintenance--only five per cent to Since investment is defined as military procurement. research and development and construction. Scott believes the mechanical strength of America is being Chickilili; father of two small braves and one little squaw who attend reservation school; family enjoys lacrosse and archery." Detailing experience and education, Chief Bicentennial Eagle indicated that "he entered apprenticeship as a brave at age of 12 summers: passed tests of fire, water, and various and sundry other He was trained.

he noted, as chief under guidance of Great Council and Head Medicine Man. began my career as chief with Seminoles where I remained two years: accepted offer from Blackfeet which I had to give up as feet were too light; moved to Cherokees where I served as chief until the uprising. Took offer from red brothers at Wounded Knee to assist in movement. but was replaced when Brando moved in. Am presently unemployed and available for work immediately.

Can easily handle chief's duties but will leave cooking to squaw." The communication. calling attention to the error in the advertisement. was un- jeopardized. He points out that in terms of constant dollars. military investment spending has actually shrunk since 1954.

The Soviet Union, by contrast, has expanded its defense investment spending, while maintaining its manpower costs at an estimated 20-25 per cent of its military budget. The thinking is that since the manpower budget can no longer stretch as it once did, it will consolidate around the idea of survival, that is. atomic strength. In other words, thank God, we still at least can afford to blow up the world The consequences of all this are unknown. but some guesses are being made that are chilling.

One concern is that as more and more military money goes to creature comforts, and less and less pragmatic hardware. America may be drying up all but one defense option. The one? Nuclear. Answers to this enigma are not readily availabie, even in Washington. where on a given day there are quite as many solutions floating about as there are problems.

But Scott is one of several lawmakers suggesting the nation at least begin a debate concerning the high costs of hiring centurions. Oh. for the old days when troops were paid with the spoils of victory. jade chalices and the like, but taxes don it now and therefore public discussion seems merited. The dialogue might profitably begin with the subiect of military retirement compensation.

There are currently one million former soldiers receiving $8.4 billion in benefits a year, the latter figure having grown 700 per cent in a decade. Since soldiers contribute nothing toward their retirement, and can begin drawing lifetime benefits as early as age 38. taxpayers might wonder about the prospects of funding perhaps $450 billion worth of retirees in the next 25 vears alone. This is not to suggest the old soldiers be cut adrift. Nor should readers see here any attitude of anti-people.

The intent is to argue that our costlier military may in fact be 2 weaker military, as regards fighting power and combat flexibility. and it seems doubtful we can afford for long either its upkeep or its hazards. Don Oakley Clean Up Water At Cost Of The Eco Economy? By Dun Oakley The closer the nation gets to the goals set by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. the harder it becomes and the more it is costing Spending for pollution abatement and contro! by business. consumers and government in the United States totalled $23 billion in 1973.

reports the Department of Commerce. This was an increase of IS per cent over the $19.5 ballon spent in 1972 and the bulk of it $13.2 billion WaS spent by industry, and most of it wen: to combat water pollution Figures for 1974 and 1975. when they become available, will no doub: show 3 continuing upward trend. According to the government's Council en Environmental Quality, some industries will have to put 10 to 20 per cent of their total plant and equipment investments into pollution: control to meet existing federal laws But not only is industry feeling a cost pinch Municipalities were promised Nicaragua enacts a tax law that wowa prevent "unjust enrichment" to anyone. Footnote: Nicaraguan ambassador Guillermo acknowledged that the proposed road would pass through Somoza property but argued that it would cross land owned by other people as well As to the IBM bribery, demand.

the ambassador said none the Somozas would ever have "used such methods. I assure you it is a very honest family." is the brother-in-law cf President Anastasio Somoza. SOLAR ECLIPSE: It's hard to ignore but the Energy Research and Development Agency ERDA, has done it. In preparing a "comprehensive national plan" for energy development. ERDA has ignored solar energy.

This oversight. charges a confidential Senate memo. is Incredibly, ERDA's low opinion of solar energy is based on studies conducted by General Electric. Westinghouse and TRW which have a huge financial stake in developing nuclear energy. The Senate memo, prepared for Sen.

Thomas McIntyre. charges that ERDA has a blind bias in favor of nuclear power. Its energy plan calls for the U.S. to increase consuraption of nuclear power more than five times by 1985. Growing Pressure ERDA appears oblivious to evidence to depend on 1n the future.

There growing pressure on the government stop the spread of nuclear energy done" Yet contingency plan has been allege the memo "concerning the effects vi moratorium and gradual phase-ou: nuclear energy. The prospects for solar energy been undercut. meanwhile by government's reluctance to fund research. The government has fostere the impression. therefore.

that there be minor federal for solar heat in and cooling. protests the McIntyre men. "Thus they conclude that there will only marginal use of solar heating an cooling equipment by the year 2000. ERDA IS making it a self-fulfilli: 011. The Senate has moved prophecy.

the brink on a bill to break up the oil dustry, but the House so far has bet sausfied mainly with talk. Now. power: House Judiciary chairman Peter Rodin has quietly asked his staff to ready if the Senate acts. He has ordered a study of the effects, splitting Big Oil firms into separat companies for their various partdrilling. pipelines.

refineries and fillin stations. He also wants to know whethe divorcing natural gas. coal and othe enterprises from Big Oil would competition and bring down prices (Copyright. 1976) that nuclear power may be too dangerous Today In History By The Associated Press Today is Tuesday. March 23.

the 83rd day of 1976. There are 283 days left in the year. Today's highlight in history: On this date in 1775. Patrick Henry made a plea for American freedom in a speech before the Virginia Provincial Convention in Richmond. He declared: me liberty or give me death." On this date: In 1534, Pope Clement VII declared valid the marriage of Henry VIll of England to Catherine of Aragon.

In 1868, the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson began in Washington. He was acquitted. In 1919. Benito Mussolini founded a new political movement in Italy. In 1942, the wartime program of moving Japanese-Americans from their homes on the West Coast to inland camps was begun.

In 1956, Pakistan became a republic but retained membership in the British Commonwealth. In 1965, the first two-man American space team was shot into orbit from Cape Kennedy, Fla. It was the first of the Gemini series, with astronauts Virgil Grissom and John Young making the pioneer flight. Ten years ago: President Lyndon Johnson stated that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would push ahead without France, if that became necessary. Five years ago: Eighty thousand farmers from six European countries marched in Brussels, Belgium, to demand higher prices.

One year ago: In South Vietnam. Communist military forces were overrunning government positions on the outskirts of the old imperial capital of Hue and tightening their noose around the key city. Today's birthdays: Actress and business executive Joan Crawford is 68. Irish civil right leader Bernadette Devlin is 29. Thought for today: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning the Psalms.

Bicentennial footnote: Two hundred years ago today. the Continental Congress Bible Verse "For truly my words are not false: one who is perfect in knowledge is with you." Job 36:4. "He who would distinguish the true from the false must have an adequate idea of what is truc and Benedict Spinoza. Dutch-Jewish philosopher. "I loathe my life: I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my Job 10:1.

"We exaggerate misfortune and happiness alike. We are never either so wretched or so happy as we say we are." Honore de Balzac. French novelist. Timely Quotes "Now that Dr. Cassidy is safely out of Chile, I can state what we have up to now deliberately refrained from publicizing.

This is that Dr. Cassidy was tortured by the Chilean security police. No British vernment can accept such uncivilized. brutal treatment of a British subject at the hands of a foreign James Callaghan. British Foreign Secretary.

reacting to the torture of a British doctor in Chile. "Television. the great molester of children. cannot be redeemed with the sprinkling of a few sesame Dr. James Billington, director of the Smithsonian Institution's International Center for Scholars, in an address to the National Association of Episcopal Schools.

Berry's World "Oh. Poopsie, you shouldn't have: My very own PET ROCK!" ended a long debate by resolving the armed American ships could act privateers to seize British vessels on high seas. Backward Glances CERVICE LEA standards lest the nation's recovery from the recession be endangered. At least one business leader has suggested a more positive way of reducing the adverse economic impact of pollution control laws in the area of water quality F. Perry Wilson.

chairman of Union Carbide proposes the creation of a "Water Quality which would evaluate the progress of each industry and municipality toward the goals of cican water and identify where those goals were not being met. Where the goal has been achieved." he says. "the board would require additional control only as necessary to maintain the quality level. Where the goal has not been achieved. it would identify the technology that would have to be applied.

determine its feasibility, and ascertain the desirability of the benefits expected." Such an approach, he says. would avoid 10 YEARS AGO March 23. 1966 Several large logs which road once had formed corduroy toll wert discovered by contractors who were digging a trench while installing moder: storm and sanitary sewers under Wes Maumee Street. Mrs. Diabel Lockwood of 214 S.

Var Buren Tecumseh. won $3 for he successful entry in The Telegram's Oh. Gallery contest. Her photo of the Friends Church Sunday School Class 1910 appeared in today's paper. Arthur L.

Clift of 1251 Oregon Rd. w2: named "Kiwanian of the Month' at the weekly luncheon meeting at the Moos. Home. 25 YEARS AGO March 23. 1951 Road Commissioner William Gibso: announced that a check for $425.75 hac.

been received from Ridgeway Townshi; to pay for gravel hauling under th township aid program. City and county business places close their doors at noon in observance of Goo Friday. The members of Imperial Hive attende the business meeting in the hall on Nort Main Street. Mrs. M.O.

White and Mr: Frank Bowen later won prizes at buner SO YEARS AGO March 23, 1936 The Lincoln Hi-Jinks Circus conclude: its engagement al the Lincoln Schoo Saturday and a profit of about 5100 wa reported today. The money would use to buy shrubbery for the school lawn an other school equipment. In an impressive service. Alyce Kortic daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Kortie. we th initiated into the Adrian Chapter of Order of Eastern Star with her mothe who was worthy matron of the chapte presiding. Carrol A. Wilson. proprietor of the Wilson Electric Service.

today wa moving his automobile electric an carburetor service shop from 122 Maide Lane to 105 E. Church the form: Leland Garage building. RICENTENNIAL FACTS The Battle of Blue Licks occurred on Aug. 19, 1782. when Indians ambushed and defeated a pursuing force of Kentuckians.

Often called the 'last battle of the Revolution." it was the worst defeat suffered by an American force in Kentucky during the war. Daniel Boone was one of the Kentucky commanders. The World Almanac recalls. federal grants to cover 75 per cent of the capital cost of sewage treatment systems. These grants were to have totalled $19 billion over the last three years.

Congress. however. has released only $9 billion to date. Present indications are that 40 per cent of the nation's municipalities and 10 per cent of industry may not be able to mee: the Environmental Protection Agency's July. 1977.

deadline for compliance with water quality standards. When Congress passed the amended Water Pollution Control Act. it set a series ot progressively higher standards. If and when the 1977 standards are met. the ration will have achieved 90 per cent of all the water quality goals envisioned in the original bill.

Already. however. there is a growing chorus of calls, not only from industry but from labor leaders and local politicians. for 3 relaxation of pollution control the unnecessary cost of an automatic and sweeping standard by establishing realistic and economically justifiable goals. Another solution to the dilemma is through technology itself through "second water pollution controi equipment according to Ecodyne Corp.

At a recent Pollution Control Roundtable. E.codyne reported innovations which have sliced thousands of dollars off the initial capital cost of water treatment equipment as weil as energy costs and still more in annual operating costs. which better results in terms of water quality. The nation's course over the next few vears would thus seem to be. not to abandon the goal of "swimmable and fishable" water.

but rather to make haste slowly so that healthy water and healthy economy may both be realized. The Daily Telegram Published daily excep: Sunday at 133 North Winter Street Adrian Mich 49221 Second ciasa postage paid at the post office at Atman Mich 49221. under the act of March 5. :679 EDWARDJ LEAHY. PUBLISHER And General Manager EDWARD5 PORTER.

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