Livingston County Daily Press and Argus from Howell, Michigan • 4

by Richard t. Milliman Almsncck ,1 Bobby Vs. Boris In Astrodome? '3 PAGE 4-A WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1972 Lofs More People, Lots More Money ALMANACK FOOTNOTE: One Michigan newspaper recently ran a telephone poll on whether Fischer should apologize to Spassky for being late. A surprising (to me) majority of about 70 percent thought that Fischer should, indeed, apologize to the Russian master. Now, does that tell you something about the popular desire to thaw the cold war? Now that the political season is upon us in earnest, we will be treated to many versions of the "debate challenge" ploy.

This is a rather standard political tactic, wherein the underdog In a political race challenges the front-runner to a debate; and almost automatically, the front-runner finds it impossible to fit into his schedule. The debate challenge is a tried-and-true and legitimate political device. It is a good tactic for the challenger, who then can charge that his opponent is afraid of taking him on in open debate. The front-runner can dismiss the challenge as a shallow attempt by his opponent to gain exposure and climb aboard his coattails. And both are right Opponents now and again do indeed get together for a debate.

For the political watcher, this means that both candidates are running scared and they both believe the contest is pretty close. And that's our note for amateur political analysts for tsis week. You're Welcome. What's this world coming to anyway? Front page attention has been spread out in the past several weeks to of all things a chess game and at the unlikely site of Reykjavik, Iceland yet. Bobby Fischer, the United States champ, was supposed to be playing a match with Boris Spassky, the Russian champ, with the world title at stake.

In past years, such events have been carried on in relative secrecy. News coverage, if any, would be limited to a tag-on at the end of a short Movietone News newsreel, or something similar. But not this year, and not in Reykjavik. Fischer upset the apple cart by demanding more money in the pot. The two gents are playing for a purse of $250,000 or some such figure, and Fischer wanted more moolah.

To the uninitiated, this fact was surprising; I supposed people played chess because they liked to play chess, with maybe a buck or two bet on the side. Then Fischer was going to boycott the whole thing, and Spassky demanded a personal apology, and then there were demands and counter-demands. I don't know right where it stands now, but I do know this: A whale of a lot more people know a whale of a lot more about chess, and how tournaments are run, then they knew before the Fischer-Spassky verbal fireworks began. Being an old politician, I'm a bit suspicious that the whole thing may well have been a trumped up situation, with both sides in cahoots trying to create interest in the It reminds me of Cassius Clay and Joe Frazier tuning up for a boxing match, Can you imagine how a breathless public is now. 'going to permit Fischer and Spassky to quit after playing off their match in Iceland? Why not move the next one to the Houston fill the stadium, and sell the rights on closed circuit TV at $7.50 a throw for theater tickets? It's a natural.

Every major newspaper and every network would have to dispatch their chess experts to the rematch, to provide stunning move by move descriptions to a waiting public. Fischer and Spassky then could both clean-up in the advertising business by endorsing chess-boards and other paraphanalia of the game, and then move on into shaving cream and breakfast cereals and their pictures on T-shirts. Of course, maybe I'm too cynical. Such goings on, I will probably be assured, are below the demeanor of chess champions. But then, I never knew you could work up a $250,000 pot in a chess game, either.

The departments registering the biggest increases, both in people and in cost, the two tables show, were: executive offices, up from 66 employees to 272, and in cost from $549,777 to $3.6 million; the department of civil rights, up from 70 employees to 227, and in cost from $443,217 to $2.6 million; the judiciary, up from 196 employees to 524, and in cost from $2.4 million to $8.1 million; the Department of Education, up from 1,163 employees to 1,956 and in cost from $7.5 million to $19.5 million; and the Department of Social Services, up from 3,816 employees to 7,024, and in cost from $21.3 million to $62.3 million. Now, admittedly, the departments registering such Increases up to 312 percent in personnej and 564 percent in the costs of those personnel, have been departments in which public interest has been high, or which have been subject to reorganization which brought them more personnel. This particularly is true of the executive office, which gathered together a variety of smaller offices under its wing, and even of the judiciary, which was restructured and upgraded by 1968 legislation. Nevertheless, the figures given in the Rozycki report are shocking ones. Instead of examining such peripheral issues as the structure and administration of the Detroit school system, leave time for highway employees, and the pheasant population, it must be hoped that the committee if it ever is to prove itself worthy of its name will turn its attention to the "crunch" situation the inflation of state employees and salaries.

And that includes the Legislature itself, whose own record for empire building is not altogether undistinguished. People cost money. That is a basic rule for any enterprise, private or governmental. And the rising number of people in Michigan state government in part explains the rapid recent increase in the cost of that government Inflation alone is not to blame. The number of state employees increased by roughly 25 percent between 1966 and 1971 alone.

This striking figure is given in an otherwise undistinguished report of the Michigan State Senate's Committee on Governmental Efficiency. The committee is headed by Sen. Stanley F. Rozycki, and had a budget of $65,000 for fiscal 1972. While the idea of a committee which "study, investigate and determine the extent of duplication or overlapping of departmental programs and responsibilities" is a good one, it can.be questioned if the people of Michigan, to date, have had their money's worth from the Rozycki group.

That, however, is a little beside the initial point that the number of people in state government, as well as the costs of those people, is inflating. For example, the Rozycki report, in two final tables, cites Michigan Civil Service Commission reports to show that the number of employees in the 19 Michigan departments, plus the executive offices, the legislative offices, and the judiciary, has increased from 39,753 in June of 1966 to 49,576 in June of 1971. This is an increase of 9,823 employees, or 24.7 percent. Over the five years, too, the personnel cost of these divisions of state government rose from $247 million to $470 million, an increase of $222 million, or a whopping 89.9 percent. "if it ri I i I Color Me Redrxt- With Crayola I November Amendments: What Do They.

Mean? by Jim Fitzgerald And then I wrote. It was the first registered letter I'd ever received and I was naturally excited, gee. Someone had paid 90 cents for a signed guarantee that I had received his message. Before I was excited, of course, I was worried. 1 figured it was a dun, probably from that record club whose computer won't believe I resigned in 1952 because I couldn't wash the sugar off their Doris Day records.

the return address said this letter was from C. W. Mon- tgomery, corporate secretary of Binney and Smith which is on Madison Avenue in New York City, 10017. 1 didn't owe them any money. This was, obviously a really important com- munication.

Anyway, to make a short story long because this is a slow week, was with trembling fingers that I tore open Mr. Mon-' tgomery's90-cent letter. Itwas a two-pager! Eleven graphs with one enclosure and the Initials CWM: je at the bottom to let the world know that Mr, Montgomery does not type his own letters, je does it for him. Leave us pause a moment to ponder upon the anonymous je, a big city secretary, jean eagle? joan eastway? Perhaps janice enclave, a pouty blond who used to be a Playboy bunny until she was fired for refusing to allow a staple in her navel. Does Mrs.

Montgomery understand Mr. Montgomery? Is je jacob english?) (And how come je has no middle initial? Big shot CWM has one. And how does he rate the capital letters while je is lower case? Who types all the lousy letters without any mistakes, anyway? What kind of discrimination is this? The riot begins at noon in front of Binney and Smith's, girls. Don't forget your signs, upper case). By now, you are doubtless going nuts trying to figure what old CWM had to say in his eight paragraphs.

I hope you are ready for this: Mr. Montgomery said I have not been coloring with crayolas all these years. I have been coloring with Crayola crayons. CWM reminded me that recently I wrote a terrible thing. I advised children to draw pictures with "red crayola." "CRAYOLA is our trademark," wrote upper case CWM.

"Ordinarily, it is preferable if our trademark is completely capitalized, i.e., CRAYOLA. If this is not feasible, we request that in addition to being followed by the applicable generic term, at least the initial letter of our trademark be capitalized." How about that? For a guy whose secretary is je, Mr. Montgomery can get pretty stuffy about capital letters. CWM concluded: "In the absence of hearing from you to the contrary, we shall assume that you are in agreement with our position." I would not dream of being contrary about CWM's position on CRAYOLA. In fact, I have not been so ashamed since I spelled Cellophane with a dinky the same I have too often used when writing Coke.

I mention these other transgressions against non-generic terms so CWM will realize I have nothing personal against CRAYOLA. I have been a complete idiot about many words. I even used to call every refrigerator a frigidaire, may God have mercy. And I was a long time learning that all paperlike tape is not Scotch tape. I am so dumb, in fact I think a manufacturer should be pleased that his mousetrap is so popular the average consumer thinks there is no other way to catch mice.

He should appreciate his good fortune and forget the silly 90-cent letter about capital letters. But what do I know? If I worked for Binney and Smith, I would bejf. But maybe je would understand me. It now appears that Michigan voters in November will be asked to approve two particularly important amendments to the -Michigan Constitution. One would limit the use of the property tax as the chief means for financing public primary and secondary education in the state.

The second would repeal a prohibition against and thereby permit the imposition of a graduated state income tax, replacing the present "flat" rate. These two proposals obviously are com- -panion pieces. If local property taxes no longer are going to be the chief support of the schools, then the state itself will have to provide the funds. In its existing fiscal situation, new revenues will have to be found. There is not that much "fat" in the current budget.

So these new revenues principally, would have to come from (l)-a state-wide property tax for primary and secondary education (2) an increase in the four cent sales tax, which already weighs most heavily on the low income groups or (3) an increase in the income tax, and corporations. The last obviously, will appear the most feasible. In essence, what the localities will cease to take from one pocket the state will have to take from the other. This inter-relationship should not be' forgotten. Yet seemingly, it is being minimized.

The turmoil, bitterness and frustration over the financing of education in Michigan in recent years, through escalating property taxes, has created a psychological state, among both taxpayers and educators, where almost any other alternative appears desirable. The property tax for schools is hated so much that impatience to be rid of it, at whatever cost seems irresistible. Other considerations, including the alternative means of raising the necessary money, tend -to be forgotten. This is While it is very natural to hope that the new burden will fall on someone else, it does not necessarily follow that such will be the Apparently, there has been no detailed analysis of the total possible results, administrative and financial, if the property tax amendment should pass. Similarly, the average citizen has not been told the total probable effect on his personal finances, of a shift away from the' property tax for school purposes.

In the months between now and November, it is to be hoped that pre-electoral political discussions will help to clarify both the financial and the administrative aspects of the property tax proposals. As the matter now stands, emotion, rather than reason, may be the principal guide of the electors. MMMHlt rV. 1111111111 Citizen Spotlight Tom Kfcer Point Of View Dog Discriminafion? In Focus HOWELL Leslie B. Merritt chuckles when asked what he did when he started as editor of the LCP in 1939.

"I had just about the whole news end of the paper," he says, "and my problem was having enough time to do everything." In those days, he usually had only part-time reporters, and put out a newspaper that usually ran to 24 pages Merritt who retired in 1969 after 23 years (1939-1962) as LCP editor; six years (1963-1969) as administrative assistant to the president of Northwood Institute; and a variety of teaching and other positions Leslie B. Merritt that included a year as president of the Michigan Press Association, lives with his wife, Jane, at 363 East Brooks. is a great town," he says. In retirement, he mows the lawn, does crossword and reads fiction and non-fiction. Winters, he and his wife go to Texas.

It's obvious he's enjoying his retirement just as he enjoyed his years in journalism, mixed with teaching, and civic responsibilities. Merritt says he grew up in journalism. (Continued on page 7A) convention in a Chicago cat house or a Miami dog kennel, protesting to our Washington Dog Catcher legislature that the white, black, brown, yellow, and red people were guilty of discrimination and the next thing you know we could be on the wrong end of the leash. Come to think of it I'm not so danged sure we aren't already. Yesterday's Headlines from our Files As that renowned columnist Judd Arnett, would start off to breaking bread with a couple of aspiring office candidates.

Melvin Simon, candidate for drain commissioner and Kenneth C. Smith, candidate for register of deeds. In both instances, the lunch was "Dutch Treat" Some of you may recall the written altercation that Simon, who is on the County Road Commission, and I had regarding tree cutting some months ago. This will be an earth shaking column. Read on and see.

I own a dog. Last week the mail brought a notice to the effect that if I didn't pitty pat down to the County Treasurer's office, toot sweet and pay my delinquent dog tax I would invite a warrant for my arrest Well, I love my dog; but going to jail for her is going beyond the call of a master's duty in my book. So I pitty patted down to the Treasurer's office and forked over $7.50. Three dollars of that amount was penalty for being late. Now this all led to a couple of Intriguing questions.

Why are we favored with tax notices and invoices on all other taxes assessed us and then left to watch for notices in the paper to remind us we owe a dog tax? I have no trouble getting bills (Invoices) for everything else I owe, why not dog tax? Secondly, how accurate is that dog census taken each year? I can remember years when no tax was collected or asked for, yet I had a So, they got me this year and last but how many other dog owners didn't they get? And if they didn't Isn't that discrimination? Thirdly, why don't they assess a tax on cats, on parakeets or monkeys or any and all other I can see dogs (or maybe cats) getting all upset about this sort of discrimination too, if Cty ever find out about it. If we don't keep this all very hush, hush, those cats (and dep) mlA call a national July 21, 1892. 80 Years Ago COUNTY FAIR The executive committee of the county fair met recently and set the wheels rolling for the next exhibition to be held September 20 to 23 inclusive. The various committees were appointed and are now at work looking up attractions and making other arrangements. The intention is to make the county fair this year fully up to its usual standard of excellence.

An Thomas W. Brewer, editor of the HeralcL'starts on a business trip to Minnesota and Dakota today for the Howell Standard Medicine Company. The hay crop of Livingston county has been secured in excellent shape. The yield too this year is unusually large with many farmers estimating two tons and even more to the acre, A.A. and Fred Piatt Bert Stratum and H.

D. Wilber returned Monday from a trip on Zukey and Strawberry lakes and the Huron River in the former's neat little yacht A. R. Pfau and R. Rhiel have gathered nearly one hundred and forty loads of hay on the farms of A.

S. Van Patten and Mrs. E. Mitchell. Ye Old Singers of Fowlervllle gave a grand concert at the M.E.

church on Wednesday evening of last week. It was a comical affair in costume and a success in every respect G. F. Stedman's school closed at the Germany school house in Tyrone with nearly every patron present with ice cream and cake, to show their appreciation of his services. George goes to Fairhaven, Washington this week to seek his fortune.

There will be a convention of the Prohibitionists of Livingston county at the courthouse In the village of Howell Aug. 3 for the purpose of electing delegates to the state convention in Owosso. In order to give everyone! an opportunity to visit toe Barnum and Bailey shows at Lansing July 30 the D.L.. will run a special excursion leaving Howell at 7:30 a.m. reaching Lansing In time for the street parade and returning from Lansing at 10:30 p.m.

The fare is only 75 cents, so put away dull care and go and see the elephant See small bills for par-ticuiars. John Snyder's barn; recently built four and a half miles north of Fowlerville, burned to the around Monday with 300 bushels of old wheat 100 bushels of beans, besides several sets of whiffle trees, tools, etc. A tenant's youra son and a match were In the barn. Fire and wind did rtt Yet despite Oils and some harsh words that passed back and forth, he chose to meet with me, so in a sense this is in itself a sort of recommendation of character for him. -Actually our differences were minimal and more the result of lack of communication than differences of opinion or objective.

Be that aa it may, I found Simon to be knowledgeable, intelligent, young and thoroughly interested in the job of drain commissioner he is running tar. He has some specific qualifications which he will no doubt acquaint you voters with (Continued cm pte 7A) arrangement is on foot to more than double the amount of money usually devoted to the race program. The track is in good condition and some of the best races in the state may thus be looked for. 'The school board at a meeting Monday evening organized by re-electing the same officers as last year: L. S.

Montague, moderator; Frank Hickey, assessor; and Thomas Gordon, director. The board decided to put down a stone walk from the central school building to the southeast corner of the school yard and a plank walk to the southwest corner..