The Ludington Daily News from Ludington, Michigan • Page 2

4 Ludington Daily News, Friday, December 23, 1977 Daily News Looking Business Mirror Backward Few Understand AN IN DEPENDS NT NEWSPAPER SER VI NG MASON COUNT AND SURROUNDING AREA Editorial Page "Where (he press is truly free, and when all men can read, all is safe." Thomas Jefferson 'MY DARLING CLEMENTINE' Lady Spencer Churchill, the widow of Sir Winston Churchill, died last week at the age of 92. She was the sturdy supporter and helpmate of her husband, the greatest leader of World War Two. Sir Winston, in his autobiography, said "I married and lived happily ever afterwards." Clementine, or "Clemmie" as he called her, played a great part in history as the inspiration of her husband whose superb oratory united the English people during a tragic period and carried them on to victory. She gave stability to his genius. It was ironic that the British government did not care for Lady Spencer Churchill in a financially responsible manner.

After Sir Winston's death, she was forced to sell several of her husband's paintings in order to live. She may have been forgotten by her government but she will live on in the hearts and memories of the English people as a great and lovable woman. H. P. F.

Patrick J. Buchanan Through Our 50 Years Ago 1927 The St. Simon Shamrocks journeyed to Walkerville to open their court season Tuesday but came home suffering from a 1710 defeat despite the effort of rangy center Underwood. 35 Years Ago 1942 Ludington Postmaster W. H.

Cuthbertson said the local post office handled a record volume of mail during the Christmas season with an increase of 38 percent over 1941. 25 Years Ago 1952 The large, spruce tree at the northwest corner of the Municipal Building has been lighted for the Christmas season. The lights were turned on Tuesday night. 10 Years Ago 1967 Lt. Cmdr.

Arthur N. Lee has assumed his duties as senior inspector for the Ludington office of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Inspection. 5 Years Ago 1972 The William Hanna home at 825 E. Melendy St.

won first place in the residential division of the annual Christmas decorating contest sponsored by the Ludington Jaycees. Corporate Finance ByJOHNCUNNIFF AP Business Analyst NEW YORK (AP) Repeated surveys show that relatively few Americans understand corporate finance and the private enterprise shstem. Many believe that what a company takes in is used to line the pockets of a privileged few. Asked what percentage of a dollar of sales is kept as profit by most companies, many individuals told John Q. Jennings, a labor- management consultant, that the figure was more than 30 per cent.

The truth is that manufacturing companies in the first half of this year retained as profit about 2 cents of each dollar of sales. In 1967 the return was a nickel. In 1957 it was less than that. Measured another way, as a percentage of shareholder money invested, these companies earned after-tax profits of 14 per cent, 11.7 per cent and 10.9 per cent respectively for the same periods. Neither do many people know how the corporate pie is cut.

This is the circular graph divided into wedges indicating the distribution of corporate revenues. In 1976, the world's largest manufacturing corporation, General Motors, used 51 per cent of its gross revenue to pay suppliers. Employees received 32.4 per cent, taxes 8.5. Depreciation, accounted for 2 per cent, and 2.7 per cent was used in the business. That accounted for 96.6 per cent.

The rest went to shareholders, the people who put up the money to keep the operation solvent. Businessmen often complain that popular arithmetic, if it ever arrives at this stage in analysing the corporate dollar, seldom goes beyond. To divide that 3.4 per cent by the 1,223,406 shareholders, for example. In 1976, GM profits of $2.9 billion averaged out to $2,372 when divided by the number of shareholders. If the total were divided by the er of sharehol ders it would come out to $10.08 a share.

Neither, say business executives, do many people stop to think of who those shareholders'are: pension funds, employees, other small investors and the like, as well as speculators and the rich who are said to line their pockets. But all this arithmetic still doesn't tell a complete story. In spite of what appear to be solid profits, some businessmen are complaining about the erosion of profits. Arthur F. Burns, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, most recently sounded the warning.

The figures do not tell of inflation's devastation, said Burns. When companies seek to replace inventories and build new plants they will be in trouble, he said. In a speech, Burns said that replacement of plants and inventories last year alone came to $50 billion more than corporations were able to claim for tax purposes. Harold Williams, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, also believes the big profits reported in 1977 were deceptive. In reality, he said, they were "dangerously low." Jack Carlson, vice president and economist of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, agreeing with Burns and Williams, observes that corporations have been unable to afford replacements for their worn physical assets.

Walter Hanson, head of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell the public accountants, comments that corporate profits as a percentage of national income have fallen from 16.5 per cent to 8.5 per cent over the past decade. The decline of true corporate profits, said Hanson, is related to the inability of companies to generate the capital they need to replace old facilities and expand to acquire new business. Yes' For The Abourezk Amendment Benjamin Franklin emerged from the Constitutional Convention he was confronted by a lady who inquired, "What kind of government shall we have, Dr. Franklin?" To which the wisest of the Founding Fathers responded, "A republic, madam, if you can keep it." What we inherited, then, is a representative, not a pure, democracy. The men in Philadelphia reasoned that while common folk lacked the information to make the daily decisions of government, they were qualified to decide who should make them.

Come now Senators James Abourezk and Mark Hatfield to add to the work of the Founding Fathers. They propose a constitutional amendment whereby voters may participate directly in the making of national law. Before a proposal could be placed upon the national ballot, however, criteria would have to be met. Three percent of the voting population from the last presidential election from 10 separate states, would have to sign validated petitions within an 18-month period. Using 1976 as a base year, this would require the support and signature of 245 million small number.

In the judgment of this conservative that amendment merits ratification. For there is no real conflict between what the Founding Fathers envisioned and what the senators are proposing. Unlike 1789, 1977 is a year of mass education and mass communication. While the people are still equipped to make the day-to- Mulligan's The Midnight Ride Of Santa, As Described By Hugh Mulligan By HUGH A. MULLIGAN AP Special Correspondent (Sleigh bell theme music) ANNOUNCER: And now the makers of YEECH, the breakfast cereal that banishes holiday grumps, invite you to join us for another episode of TINSEL, the emotion- packed saga of an average middle-income family facing the conflicts of life on top of the world.

As we look in on the Claus family today, Santa, the jolly old pater familias, is talking with SYMPLETON, one of his elves, down at the miniature railroad boxcar laquering shed. (Sound: Toy trains tooting around a track) SANTA: Now Sympleton, what's all this nonsense about the sled not being loaded yet. You know we have an 11:30 lift-off. SYMPLETON: It's not my fault, Santa. Mrs.

Claus wouldn't give the crew any breakfast and refused to turn on the lights over the loading platform. She said unless she gets to ride along this year, everyone sits on his hands and doesn't lift a gift package SANTA: We'll soon see who's boss reindeer wrangler around (Theme music up dramatically SANTA: Ginny! Ginny! Why haven't the little gnomes had their breakfast yet? And what's this about not turning on the warehouse lights so they can lift those boxes and tote them bags? GINNY: You heard right, buster. Nothing moves around here unless I get to go along and help with the deliveries for once in mv life. SANTA: Ho Ho Ho Ho, my dear, this must be your little yuletide joke. Let's talk about it over breakfast.

GINNY: You can stow that macho belly laugh. I find it sexually degrading. And you can take that club and go out to the seal hole and get your own breakfast. I'm tired of being treated like a second-class citizen of the North Pole. SANTA: How can you say that, my pet? Don't I let you load the sled and push off when the runners are frozen fast and help build the snow man? GINNY: It's snow person, and I find your outmoded notions of gender appropriateness disgusting in this liberated day and age SANTA: (Sputtering) But, but, but GINNY: What's more, the girls in the stocking-stuffing shed have written a song to support my feminist strike.

Let's hear it girls. GIRLS: God rest ye, Merry Gen- tlepersons, let nothing move today, Until the wife of Santa gets to ride the sleigh! SANTA: You trample on tradition, my SWGCt. IN You mean a male slav system What I asking is a role reversal around here. I want to climb down chimneys, fill up stockings, whistle up the team and shout: Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer Now Say, how come our nine- reindeer team, counting Rudolph, has only two females, Vixen and Blitzen? You know you could get hit with a pretty hefty sex discrimination suit like SANTA: (heatedly) I dispute your statistics there. You know we never were sure about Dancer.

There's talk down at the paddock thathe or it wants an operation for Christmas that has something to do with tos er high pitched whinny. GINNY: Stop smirking. All you men are alike Dancer's body and what becomes of it is nobody's business but Dancer's. Now help me put on this beard and zip up this red day decisions of government they are as qualified to pass upon individual laws as upon the individual men who make them. And what is there to fear in this amendment? If the voters go off on a toot and decide to equip everyone with an M-16 rifle against the day the Russians arrive, Congress could repeal the law by a two-thirds vote.

As for the power to make war, raise troops, and propose constitutional amendments, that would still reside on Capitol Hill. And since 23 states already have the initiative and referendum this hardly seems a dangerous constitutional leap in the dark. Consider the possibilities. For certain, the liberals would be on the ballot early with a proposal to confiscate all handguns. But the nation is drifting rightward on this issue, as on others.

And consider proposals that might be on the 1978 ballot were the Abourezk amendment already ratified. Proposition 1: Since the median income of the average U.S. worker in the last five years-due to taxes and fallen 3 percent, the 30 percent raise Congress gave itself this year is hereby rescinded. Capital Background Proposition 2: Like workers in the private sector all federal employees, including office holders, shall make contributions to the Social Security fund. Proposition 3: The United States government shall not discriminate in hiring or promotion against, or in favor of, any individual on the basis of sex, race, creed, color or national origin.

(Bye-bye affirmative action and quotas.) Proposition 4: No federal tax dollars shall be used in any abortion unless a physician asserts in writing that the only alternative is death of the mother. The list could go on and on. For years now my right-wing brethren have been talking about a natural conservative majority "out there," whose will is frustrated by an elitist establishment ensconced in the bureaucracy, the judiciary, the Congress and the establishment with a game plan all its own for America, over which we exercise little control. Well, the Abourezk amendment offers the people an unimpeded end-run around that liberal establishment. Now is the time for the brothers to put up or shut up.

Why Michigan Is Curbing Freeways Rv MAI.mi SANTA: Please, Mrs. Claus, what will the children around the world think? GINNY: Can that Mrs. Claus claptrap. It's Ms. Claus from now on out.

SANTA; but you'll never fit down anyone's chimney. GINNY: I've been going to Weight Watchers. I ve taken off 75 pounds so I can resent being treated like a sex object like other women. SANTA: My little helpmate, be reasonable. The hour is late.

The little toddlers already are toddling off to their trundle beds. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care and not a creature is stirring, except you. Now, for the last time will you start packing? GINNY: No. No. There, I've said it.

No Betty Friedan taught us all how to say it in The Feminine Mystique." She wrote: "You have to say No to the old ways before you can begin to find the new YES." SANTA: Is that your final answer Virginia Claus, after all these years and all the blizzards we've faced together? GINNY: Yes. YES. The new YES. (Sound: Whip snapping, reindeer snorting) ANTA: A "ght hop aboard. As William Faulkner put it: "All them that's going, get in the Gol-darned wagon.

All them that ain't, get out of the Gol-darned way! GINNY: Now Dasher, Now Dancer. And Yes, Santa, there really is a Virginia and it took you all these years to find out (Theme music up triumphantly and then Ludington Daily News Trademark Patent Office With which is consolidated the Mason County Enterprise of Scottville. Michigan Owner and Publisher: Harold P. Furstenau General Manager: Gilbert C. Larsen Managing Editor: Paul S.

Peterson Assistant Managing Editor: Todd Reed Advertising Manager: George Wilson Circulation Manager: Kenneth Case lUS VelV he U5P Or 'oca, news printed in newspaper (he oaiiv New A 9 IF PAPER IS NOT DELIVERED PROMPTLY telephone your earner it unable to contart rarr fr rail me Daily Newsofficethenextmorningandacomplainrwiiibet.iedwithh.fr. uany Member Of Associated Press. Audit Bureau of Circulation, Inland Da.ly Press Association. M.ch.gan League of Home Dailies. Michigan Press Association.

Great Lakes Newspaper Mechanical Conference i-eayue o' nome SUBSCRIPTION RATES Cities of Ludington, Scottville and Pentwater By carrier $3.00 per month. Paid in advance $33 00 per year $17 00 for six months, $8. 50 for three months. By mail in trading territory paid in advance $20.00 per year, $11.00 for six months, $4 00 for three months, Motor route $3.00 per month in advance. Outside trading territory (Michigan) $25 00 per year $13 00 lor six montlis, $7.00 for three months.

Outside Michigan $30.00 per year, $16.00 for six months, $9.00 for three months Servicemen $15.00 per year, $8.00 for six months, $4.50 for three months. By MALCOLM JOHNSON Associated Press Writer LANSING, Mich. (AP) Michigan's decision to curb freeway building is the product of an unlikely group oil-rich Arabs, the governor, environmentalists and newly active citizens. Together, and for different reasons, they have forced the state to abandon its traditional "more roads is better" approach, and concentrate on more modest goals of improving and maintaining existing highways. "We no longer assume that freeways will be built through certain areas of the state not served now by limited access highways," says state highway Director John Woodford.

That means motorists probably will never cruise into Petoskey off a four-lane freeway, or sweep across southern Michigan toward Chicago on a new expressway, or stream northward toward Alpena on a smooth, divided four-lane highway. Instead they will have to make do with present roads and a few improvements truck-passing lanes on hills, better intersections, wider shoulders. Only a few remnants of the freeway system are yet to be built, and they generally connect expressways already in operation. The change was formally enacted last month, when the State Highway Commission erased several long-planned projects from its map of future construction. "We can't afford them financially, socially or ecologically," says Commission Chairman Peter Fletcher.

The projects had been planned without much study "pre-judged" as one official said and local government and private developers made decisions assuming they'd be completed. Highway officials say the change does not mean those projects are scratched for good, or that others might not be proposed. But officials acknowledge that it's unlikely many will ever be built and if they are, it will be only after exhaustive studies. The main reason for the cutback in construction is money both the skyrocketing cost of materials and the leveling off in revenues from gasoline taxes. In addition, Gov.

William Milliken strongly supports financing public transportation, and has appointed highway commissioners who feel the same way. Environmentalists have fought roads planned through ecologically sensitive areas. And local citizens have taken a more active role in opposing and sometimes urging the construction and routes of new highways. The result has been cancellation of the Interstate 275 link in western Oakland County, the scrapping of the Northwestern Highway extension nearby, and now the elimination of several long-term projects. Highway officials admit that's caused frustration and some morale problems in the state Department of Highways and Transportation, which has long been identified with laying cement and painting stripes on it.

But, said Charles Carroll, deputy highway director, "it introduces much more realism into what the department can expect to accomplish." The main reason costs came from the Arab oil embargo and a resulting boost in gas prices which reduced consumption. That hurt revenues, which come from the gasoline tax and license plate fees and go to state county and local governments. Fuel tax revenue climbed 4.8 per cent to $425.9 million in the fiscal year ending Sept 30, according to highway department figures. But despite a sharp increase in the number of cars, the hike is lower than historical yearly increases. Meanwhile, inflation was boosting the cost of supplies.

A square yard of concrete cost $10,08 in 1975, compared to $5.93 in 1970. A foot of guardrail went up from $3.05 to $8 07 a cubic yard of fill dirt from 90 cents to Finally, building the interstate system has taken longer than planned, tying up federal money until 1992. And funds are needed to upgrade older freeways and improve highway safety. So the fiscal pinch, the drive for public transit systems, new citizen participation in government and uncertainty about the future dictated a more modest building program. The department has erased plans to build a freeway along northern U.S.

131 toward Petoskey an "old-rich" resort area which has voiced concerns over clearing the way for a new deluge of tourists. It abandoned ideas of building a freeway near U.S. 23 up the east side of the state. And it dropped a planned expressway parallel to 1-94, running along the southern part of the state. Some of those freeway proposals instead will turn into road improvements along existing corridors.

Projects which remain in the works up to 200 miles in bits and pieces of freeway in the next five years include a freeway linking the western Detroit suburbs and Ann Arbor, completion of 1-69 around Lansing and on to Flint, the eastwest 1-696 route through the northern Detroit suburbs, U.S. 27 north of Lansing, Michigan 21 east to Port Huron, U.S. 31 from the Indiana border to Benton Harbor, M-59 north of Mount Clemens and U.S. 131 around Big Rapids Local citizens have played a big part in several highway issues, working with local officials and a special highway department task force. And although Carroll notes a growing anti-road building, anti development sentiment around the state, in some spots roads are being promoted.

People worked to block 1-275 in Oakland County, but have pushed the Benton Harbor freeway. They also have supported upgrading U.S. 2 in the Upper Peninsula a planned improvement although not a freeway. And a western Michigan group has lobbied for its "freeway to the Straits" the US. 131 expressway that now appears unlikely to make it past Cadillac.

Environmentalists, who have hailed the switch in highway planning, helped block I- 275 and are working to move the U.S 2 improvement away from Lake Michigan. And farmers add their voices to affect the routes of 1-69 and 1-27 in the flat fields around Lansing. Never Too Young To Deserve Respect By Abigail Van Buren 1977 by The Chicago Synd. Inc. DEAR ABBY: Why is it that nobody has any respect for children? I am 10 years old and notice it a lot, especially when I go to the market for my mother.

When I try to get in line at the checkout counter, I'm always pushed aside by some adult who cuts right in front of me. My friends say this happens to them, too. Please print my letter, Abby, so adults will know how we feel. I'm pretty sure you will be on our side. NEEDS RESPECT DEAR NEEDS: I AM on your side.

Adults should treat children with as much respect as they treat grownups. Besides, in teaching children to respect others, example is the best teacher. DEAR ABBY: Six months ago I discovered that my husband was having an affair, and we've been separated ever since. I've filed for divorce, but until we are officially divorced, as far as I'm concerned, technically we're still married. Recently the wife of the president of my husband's firm invited him to a dinner party and told him he could bring a date.

I feel the hostess was out of line to have made that offer I have no desire to have my husband suffer undue punishment, but it's my feeling that society's ready acceptance of a person's dating while he is technically still married makes a reconciliation more difficult, and hi fact encourages extramarital activities. Please comment. MIFFED IM MILWAUKEE DEAR MIFFED: "Separation" means different things to different people. If a divorce is in the works, most people "date," unless their lawyers forbid it. I can't agree that the hostess was "out of line" for inviting your estranged husband to bring a date.

DEAR ABBY: I used to think that your column was a form of glorified gossip and I turned up my nose at it. But I couldn't resist reading the letters, which span the human condition in such touching personal ways. Those letters and your spirited, succinct replies remind me that unless life is really felt and experienced fully it isn't really life. At times I wonder why people's small problems gain such a big audience. Then I realize that these are not small problems" but signs of individuals struggling to make their lives more livable and meaningful.

Through your column I lose my cynicism (which as a journalist I acquire easily). I am moved. I am touched. Thank you STEVEN CARTWRIGHT, ORONO, ME. DEAR STEVEN: The reaction of my readers means a great deal to me.

Thanks for writing. Your letter made mv CONFIDENTIAL TO YOU: Are you registered to vote? If not, why not? You don't know where to register? Phone either the Republican or Democratic Party headquarters, tell them where you live and ask them where you should register. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke) Problems? Tell them to Abby. For a personal unpublished reply, write Abby: Box 69700, Los Angeles, Calif. 90069.

Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. A full-grown sperm whale is from 40 to 80 feet long and can weigh up to 100,000 pounds. by THOMAS JOSEPH ACROSS 8 Greek letter 1 Stand one 9 Written in good letter 6 Enroll 10 Female 11 Highborn ruff 12 Badger 14 Embark 13 Ibsen drama: 17 Endure 3 wds. 18 Center 15 Annamese 19 Region length 20 Landlord's I2-Z3 16 Reclined 17 Secular 18 Detroit export 21 Cadabra's partner 24 City in Pakistan 28 Embrace 28 Mrs. Ponti 29 Deadly 31 Anagram of team 32 Lambkin's ma 33 Occasion Math word 36 Not working 39 Figurehead: 2 wds.

43 New York city 44 Seeing red 45 Denoted 46 Principle DOWN 1 Obstacle 2 Commotion 3 Black 4 Wholly 5 6 Of morals 7 Inert gas due 21 Summit 22 Puff 23 Uncommon 25 Dwelling 27 Longsuffering 30 Blue serge's bane Yesterday's answer 34 Deserve 38 Fume 35 Reach across 36 Wang Lung's wife 37 Lavish party 39 Small Dog 40 Mexican tree 41 green 42 English river 12-23 DAILY CRYPTOQUOTE-Here's how to work if AXYDLBAAXR LONGFELLOW One letter simply stands for another. In this samnln A used for the three L's. for the two O's, etc apostrophes the length and formation of the word! hints. Each day the code letters are different. CRYPTOQUOTES GY PYWDSGHGWIS BUT UYS JRCIB PMSM I WDSGH Gil RCM UERSD EUTM.

MGYEG'M RSIKSD 1 IF YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE HOLY DAYS A AY YOU NEVER HAVE, YOU MIGHT TRY UNKNOWN 1977 King Fettuies Syndicate. Inc..