Vidette-Messenger of Porter County from Valparaiso, Indiana • 1

Vol. 50-No. 15 20 Pages Valparaiso, Indiana 46383, Thursday, July 22, 1976 Phone 462-5151 20 Cents Should Demand Resignation, Erwin Points To Philosophical Differences' He Has With Fithian Dispute Hurts Road Projects Says Fithian WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should demand the immediate resignation of Air Force Undersecretary James W. Plummer to preserve the integrity of the service, says Rep. Floyd Fithian D-Ind.

In a letter to Rumsfeld Wednesday) Fithian said Plummer's prospective employment by Lockheed represents a conflict of interest. Last week, the Pentagon announced that Plummer was resigning his position with the Air Force to become executive vice president of the Lockheed Missile and Space Co. But Plummer said he planned to remain in the defense job for several months. Plummer, 56, worked for Lockheed for more than 15 years prior to his appointment as director of special services for the Air Force. In that position, Plummer was in charge of procurement and contract decisions in which Lockheed, one of the nation's largest defense contractors, was involved.

Fithian, who represents Indiana's Second Congressional District, said Rumsfeld should demand the immediate resignation because "to do less calls into question the relationship between our government and Lockheed, a corporation of questionable ethical standards at best." Farmers' Market On Thursdays At Lincoln Square between $2.6 million and $2.7 million is given annually by the FHWA to urban areas in northwest Indiana for projects within the federal aid urban system. Competitors for those funds include both local municipalities within urban areas and the state. The state, however, is not in competition for federal aid primary funds. Thus, local officials fear that if the state's plan to reclassify the highways within the urban area is approved, they must face an added major competitor the state for a limited number of dollars. If the roads remain in the federal aid primary system, on the other hand, affected municipalities need only to compete for the funds among themselves.

Brown reported that a meeting between state and local authorities is expected soon, although the state has not yet set a meeting date. Valparaiso is not affected by the dispute since it is listed as a separate urban area. In other business, John Schnurlein of Valparaiso was presented a plaque honoring him for his efforts to get a bypass around Valparaiso on a rerouted Indiana 49. A resolution was passed approving a program for a Northwest Indiana Economic Development District, designed primarily to finance projects that would make northwest Indiana more attractive to new business interests. Included in the plan is an "ambassador" program to contact traveling businessmen to promote the area's image and a housing consumer advice program.

Hoped also is that federal funds can be attracted for improvement and expansion programs for airports, the Port of Indiana and the Little Calumet River. fied information, which by the way, is way over done" but he echoes his negotiating position by asserting that the U.S. must have a strong defense. "War is unthinkable to the Communists as long as they believe that bad things would happen to them, too." Erwin stated that he is definitely in favor of lowering the unemployment rate, but believes stimulating private business is the best way to create more jobs. "The government is already spending more than it is taking in," he explained.

"Created government jobs can really feed inflation." He is opposed to abortion, but said he still had questions about instituting a constitutional amendment. He stated he believed life began at conception, but felt a constitutional amendment might open the doors to other problems. "If a pregnant woman was on welfare, would the government be required by law to pay her for an extra dependent? If a pregnant woman was in an auto accident and suffered a miscarriage as a result, Erwin stated in another example, "could the guilty party be tried for manslaughter? He also voiced his" concern for the environment "To me, rain falling on the trees can be a symphony" but stressed the aspect of "trade-offs, in order to maximize the quality of life. There will never be an absolutely pure environment as long as people exhale." He also stated he thought Congress did the country an injustice by imposing clean air -clean water acts. "You are dealing in absolutes." If he defeats Fithian, Erwin said he would support the expansion bill for the Indiana Dunes National Lake-shore if it had already been passed by Congress when he took office.

If not, he would examine the issue before taking a stand. If the national park is to be expanded it should be done soon, Erwin said, and for the final time. Why does a farmer want to go to Washington as a congressman? "My wife, June, and I were getting so discouraged with the way Congress has functioned," he said. "I didn't like the direction it was moving. The Democrats have been in control of Congress for 22 years and have written most of the tax laws now they say they want to reform those same laws." By JO ANNIES Staff Reporter Will Erwin is a Marshall County farmer.

He's now a politician, with hopes of unseating Second District Rep. Floyd Fithian and bringing the district back into the Republican fold. But, although his name and face are a little more recognizable since his primary victory over four opponents, Erwin is hardly a household word in Porter County. The 50-year-old farmer is trying to change that, since he is aware that his views and name must be known if he is to be successful in his attempt to remove former history professor Fithian from Washington and put him back into the classroom. The focal point of his campaign will be the "philosophical differences" between Fithian and him, Erwin said during Wednesday's visit into the county.

Fithian may be trying to build an image of being fairly conservative, according to Erwin, but his voting record tells another story. "Fithian has voted with the majority every time to override Presidential vetoes of programs calling for more federal spending," Erwin said. "It was a straight party line vote." The soft-spoken Erwin is no stranger to the political arena or Washington. In 1964, Erwin was elected to the Indiana Senate. Later, he went to Washington, acting as a consultant during the early formative days of the Environmental Protection Agency.

He then joined the Department of Agriculture and Secretary Earl Butz, and was an administrator for several agencies, including the Farmers Home Administration. In agriculture, his position is "free markets for free farmers," although he feels it is sometimes at the advantage of the U.S. to use its abundant food supply at the negotiating table. "The only way you can deal with the Communists is from a position of strength" Erwin said, noting he has experience with such matters. "We have what they need and it's to the American consumer's advantage to sell the grain to them." Why? "Because they pay in hard cash, which gives them less money for making guns.

The Russians were Will Erwin paying us with gold. Other times we've sold grain for oil. We're selling something that we can replenish every year and getting in return irreplaceable resources." Erwin also pointed out that the U.S. exports, on the average, one acre of farm-grown products out of every four. "It's either export or idle some land," he said, emphasizing that he is not in favor of the latter because idle land raises the farmer's cost per unit.

He said that "1973 and 1974 were the first years where the average farm income was about equal to that of the non-farmer. That's good. Besides, without agricultural exports, our country is up a tree." Such stances are not necessarily out of line with Fithian's views, Erwin admitted. He staunchly agrees with Fithian's contention that the exemption on inheritance taxes should be raised from the current $60,000 figure, since many farmers are now being forced to sell part of their farm in order to pay the inheritance taxes incurred when the farm was handed down to another member of the family after death. Erwin's views on defense are sometimes tentative "since I am not an incumbent, I have no access to classi HIGHLAND Federal funds for many highway projects in northwest Indiana have been curtailed because of controversy between state and local authorities, it was reported at Wednesday's Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission meeting.

According to NIRPC transportation planner Ross Brown, the dispute centers over the state's insistence that portions of some highways in Porter and Lake counties be reclassified so that they will come under a different source of funding. If that is done, local officials believe, there will be added competition for a limited number of dollars used in upgrading highways within the corporate limits of many cities and towns within the two-county area. Since state and local authorities disagree on the new classifications, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has, since July 1, decided to stop funding any projects in affected areas until an agreement is reached. The impact of that decision is being felt in northern Lake County and much of northwestern Porter County. The argument began when the State Highway Commission proposed that eight highways within urban areas of the two-county region which includes Porter, Burns Harbor, Portage and Chesterton in Porter County be reclassified from Federal Aid Primary designation to Federal Aid Urban.

NIRPC'S Brown explained that Time? the Indiana senators, calling for acceptance of his version. The additional acreage and cost, he says, are not needed. "At this point," concluded a Senate Interior staffer, "I don't think they should be quarreling over specifics. It's really down to the matter of whether or not either bill will even be considered in time." Aides to Bayh and Hartke say they are hopeful the panel will schedule a bill-writing session later this week, which could be the last chance this year for the committee to turn out a final product. A committee official, however, said "the Dunes bill is not on tap this week and we're already full up for next week." That would leave the first week of August, putting the effort in a collision course with the ever-shortening time clock.

There are fewer than 35 working days left in this Congress. From this juncture, the Dunes bill would have to pass full committee, pass the Senate floor vote, be reconciled with the House version and passed by both Houses all over again. ill Dunes Bill Would Cost $50 Bookmobile as too expensive. Kanney told the board that the bookkeeping costs resulting from such a project "looked enormous," and urged the group to stay with its present inter-library loan system operated under the Northern Indiana Area Services Library Act (NIASLA). Kanney said the federally funded NIASLA, which serves a seven-county area, was more practical in terms of costs and operation.

He recommended instead that the board develop closer cooperation with the Westchester Library as an alternative to the Lake County proposal. In other business the board Lose To By DANIEL WEST V-M Washington Bureau WASHINGTON Working against odds, Indiana's two Democratic senators are maneuvering behind the scenes to force speedy committee consideration of the stalled Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore expansion bill. A -Dunes bill was passed by the House earlier this year. Preliminary hearings before a Senate Interior subcommittee followed in late May. But since that time, the full Interior Committee has ignored the measure.

Sens. Vance Hartke and Birch Bayh, in a joint attempt to break the impasse, this week circulated among committee members a letter urging the bill be placed on a legislative calendar and finalized. The Hoosiers, in their letter, stressed the urgency of holding a bill-writing session quickly and underlined the importance of including in the measure a provision that would make Beverly Shores, a small residential community, part of the park. Chief opposition to the Hartke and Bayh-sponsored Senate version centered on the Beverly Shores section during the May hearings. Opponents said the "developed area" was not proper park material, and, at $23 million, costs too much.

The Hartke-Bayh legislation calls for 4,686 acres to be. added to the present National Lakeshore at a cost of $57.8 million. The House bill asks for 4,340 acres at a cost of $53.5 million, and was authored by Rep. Floyd Fithian, D-Lafayette. Fithian recently has broken with General Fund Surplus More Than Forecast INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana had a general fund surplus of $159.2 million June 30 according to a preliminary report on the fiscal year.

The total was $32.2 million more than state officials forecast after the legislature adjourned in February. It does not include a special $100 million reserve for school aid payments. The surplus was $252.5 million a year ago. Budget makers predict it may drop to about $70.5 million by June 30, 1977, because appropriations still are exceeding anticipated revenues. State Budget Director Edison Thuma said that despite the declining surplus, state revenues are coming in sufficiently to afford normal increases in government expenditures, including aid to schools, without the need for a lax increase in 1977.

He did not, however, rule out a possible increase in highway user taxes next year. A report prepared by the NIRPC staff snowed 475 projects in the two county region have received federal and state help in the last nine vears totaling $232.8 million. Of that" $178 million has gone to Lake County and $47.7 million to Porter County. NIRPC's figures showed that seven per cent of that has gone to the regional planning organization for planning and administrative purposes. Highway, transit, airport, water, sewer and open space programs have attracted most of the money.

Michigan City Man Killed On U.S. 20 A Michigan City man died early today when he lost control of his vehi-. cle on U.S. 20, about five miles east of his hometown, and struck a tree, police said. Officials identified the victim as David Thomson, 19.

Andrew Schissler, 54, of Shelby, died in a Crown Point hospital Wednesday of injuries suffered Monday in Lake County. attend annual band camp in August. Members of the visiting bands will be housed and fed by Music Parents. Nearly 1,000 students will be hosted by Chesterton Adult volunteers ho ill act as guides, hosts, ticket takers, ticket sellers, cafeteria help and ushers, the band director reported The visiting bands will arrive Friday afternoon and depart after having participated in the local Bicentennial parade July 31. Competing bands will include the Royal Cavaliers from Van Nuys, Wiltmar (Minn!) High School Band, Oregon (Wis.) High School Band, Ricori Spartans of Cold Spring, Rock Falls fill.) High School Band, the Crown Imperials of Carpentersville, 111., Dakota (111.) High School Band, Watse-ka (111.) High School Band, Warren (Ohio) Military Academy Band.

Dundee '111 High School Band and Oskaloosa i Iowa) High School Band. Chesterton Hosting 11-Band Spectacle Won't Reconsider Bailly Plant Okay Replace By MARTIN ZIMMERMAN Staff Reporter The Porter County Public Library Board is searching for ways to avoid the $50,000 price tag for replacing its present bookmobile, which Chief Librarian Wade Kanney said will wear out in two more years. Kanney told the board Wednesday that the cost of replacing its 14-year-old bookmobile with a vehicle of equal size would cost in excess of $50,000, a price he termed "outrageous." However, Kanney added that the board must take steps to replace the vehicle, which he said would be unfit for service within two years even if extensive repairs are undertaken. Kanney suggested that the board consider buying a smaller parcel van to carry its library-on-wheels, a move he said would cut in half the cost of buying a new vehicle. A smaller vehicle would also lower operating costs, which Kanney said are reaching a prohibitive level.

The librarian also noted that the emphasis in bookmobile service is shifting from serving county schools, which are developing their own libraries, to serving the residents of the new outlying subdivisions. Kanney said this shift would allow the bookmobile to carry fewer books and therefore would make a smaller vehicle more practical. A proposal from a Lake County Library organization that the two counties establish a reciprocal lending system was rejected by the board Porter County Weather Sbowen and thundentorm likely tonight. Lows In the upper 60a to low 70i. Partly tunny Friday with a chanct of ihoweri and thunderstorm.

High in upper to. Chance of rain 60 per cent tonight, 40 per cent Friday. Obituaries: Page 8 Announced a special meeting for July 28 to approve Us new budget for advertising. Board Treasurer G. Warren Phillips said two work meetings have already been held on the 1977 budget.

A public hearing will be held on it at the board's August meeting. Announced that it had received final approval from the State Board of Tax Commissioners and the State Board of Accounts for its $50,000 expansion program at the Kouts library. The board in May approved the purchase of an additional 3,000 square feet of space in the building which houses the town's library at 107 Main St. tribute to the area's air pollution problem. However, Rowden said those issues had been dealt with during the 65 days of public hearings before the construction permit for the Indiana Public Service Co was approved.

The Interior Department was invited to participate in the testimony prior to the NCR approval of the nuclear constructon site but declined. The state of Illinois, the city of Gary and several conservation groups banded together to protest the plant. Rowden said investigation has shown the secretary of interior cannot ban industrial growth outside the Lakeshore. Rowden explained thatthe National Lakeshore Act which created the recereation does not bar a nuclear facility. CHESTERTON Eleven bands from six states will compete July 30 in the first field show contest to be held in Chesterton.

Chesterton High School's Marching Trojans will host the contest, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Troy Field. Participating groups are championship caliber bands and will arrive in Chesterton the day after performing in exhibition at the Football Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, reported Al Castronovo, music director for Duneland Schools. Since rules governing the event prohibit the host band from competing, the Marching Trojans will present an exhibition performance. During the past two years, the CHS marching band has entered field show competitions throughout the Midwest, Castronovo said.

The "spectacle of bands," featuring groups from California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Ohio, is a benefit show to raise funds for CHS marching band members to WASHINGTON (AP) -Despite pressure from Interior Secretary Thomas Kleppe, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NCR) has refused to reconsider its approval of a nuclear generating plant adjacent to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. In a lengthy letter to Kleppe, NCR president Marcus Rowden said Kleppe did not raise any new questions concerning the proposed Bailly Nuclear Plant near Portage. "We would refuse to license a plant for constructon at a proposed site only if we reach the conclusion that a plant located on that site would not be environmentally sound or acceptable safe," Rowden wrote. Kleppe had expressed fears the plant would make management of the National Lakeshore difficult and con i i.