The Kane Republican from Kane, Pennsylvania • Page 4

4 The Kane Republican, Tuesday, April 4, 1978 "Jt Today's Business Mirror THE WQCS, BIRJ)4p "he must change course to avoia an economy fiasco." In case the message was missed, the magazine reprinted the editorial in a full-page advertisement in the New York Times, urging that it be read by "every American business executive and President Carter." Clearly, one of the great frustrations of many critics is their view that the federal government itself is spattering grease on the inflation fires while blaming private industry. They feel the government isn't credible. While talking about the dangers of inflation, Congress backs a higher minimum wage, higher farm price supports and restrictions on lower-priced imports. And so they drop their estimates of anticipated growth, and raise the odds on higher prices and perhaps recession. Typical of that position is Merrill LynQ Economics.

After listing actions that can only exert more pressure on prices, including the budget deficit and an excessively loose monetary policy, it comments: "Thus we continue to expect an underlying uptrend in inflation and interest rates, to the point where growth slows sharply, or recession begins, sometime early next year or late this year. In short, private industry is ringing the inflation alarm, but it fears the fire department either won't respond or will come and put out the economy along with the fire. By JOHN CUNNIFF AP Business Analyst NEW YORK (AP) President Carter returns from dealing with some of the hottest international issues of the day to find smoke rising from various areas of the economy, and from his critics too. The economy is not in good shape, and the critics are shouting loudly that it cannot correct itself until Carter takes firm hold of the reins and gives a good hard tug. He did grab the reins briefly and effectively while in Brazil, denouncing the $10.50 price increase announced by U.S.

Steel, and forcing a rollback to a more acceptable figure of $5.50. But one tug doesn't make a program, and the critics angry, impatient, doubting, fearful are asking what he's going to do about the dollar, the trade imbalance, food prices, taxes, government spending All these have become the subject of speculation in the mass media, as well as in the allegedly confidential memos sent by private economists, and in the more widely distributed bank newsletters. The most outspoken of the criticisms was delivered by Business Week magazine, which scolded the president for having "let the nation go a long way down the road toward destructive inflation." Claiming he has "made a hodgepodge of his economic program by trying to give something to everyone" for political reasons, it warned Insurance Bill HARRISBURG (AP) To small businessmen Lindsay Wolfe and Joe McEwen, product liability means higher costs, lower profits and the fear their firms could be wiped out with the bang of a judge's gavel. Their concerns are shared by a growing number of businessmen who will be pushing this week for a Senate bill that would change some of the product liability rules. It generally would guide courts when they decide damage suits filed by persons who claim to be injured by a company's product.

Trial lawyers will be working just as hard to kill the measure, which they label anti-consumer and unnecessary. The bill is expected before the full Senate this week for debate and amendments. "There is a very real threat down the highway for all of us unless we get some relief in either state or federal legislation," said Wolfe, president of the American Baseball Cap based in Media, Delaware County. Wolfe, whose company invented the baseball batting helmet, said the cost of liability insurance adds $5 to $6 to a helmet's $30 price tag. "When it gets to be in that neighborhood, 15 to 20 percent, it's pretty tough," he said in a telephone interview.

McEwen, head of Modern Handling Equipment Co. in Bristol, Bucks County, said his insurance cost has soared from $45,000 to $200,000 a year since 1976. It amounts to one percent of his annual $22 million gross a seemingly small expense except that profit margins are usually only about 2 percent, he said. Rather than pay the high insurance costs, some manufacturers are setting up self-insurance funds or going without insurance. Havir Manufacturing Co.

in Minnesota, with $5 million in annual sales, recently picked the no-insurance route. The company, known for its punch press, was then hit with $2 million in damage awards and went bankrupt, according to James Buente, head of the state Chamber of Commerce's Insurance Committee. Consumers have a right to damages when they are injured by a truly defective product, businessmen say. But too often, they add, the courts broadly interpret the law and award damages for products that have been in use far longer than intended, for products that have been altered by the user and for products that are misused. McEwen tells of the case where a distributor of fork lift trucks was sued by a man who was riding on the forks and fell off.

He claimed the distributor was negligent because he didn't post a warning on the truck saying people shouldn't ride on the forks. In addition to higher prices, the product liability problem also stifles innovation, Wolfe said. He said companies are afraid to put new products on the market for fear of more lawsuits. Ben Prybutok, Insurance Department lobbyist, agreed and said drug companies are A mother's concern prevented a Clearfield youngster's afternoon of play from turning into tragedy. Mrs.

Con Mucci, Clearfield, said her five-year-old daughter Marie came to her the other day with "Mommy, can I play dirt in the hole outside?" Mrs. Mucci went outside to the backyard of their home where the tot had been playing to find that the "hole" was at least 10 feet deep and two feet in diameter. Only hours before it looked like any other, part of the yard. The hole, which neighbors told the Mucci family was the site of a well about 50 years ago, is now covered with a leaden iron lid and the family is still thinking about what would have happened if she hadn't listened when her daughter spoke to A policewoman who always parks beside a busy intersection in the Birmingham, Ala. suburb of Midfield is a real dummy.

John Cargile brought her character in light when he happened to notice that she ignored a speeder running a red light one day. The next day he saw her in the same place and, while waiting for the light, noticed that she never seemed to move. He got out of his car, walked over and found she was a department store mannequin. The dummy, dressed in a uniform, glasses and an old wig belonging to the wife of the police chief, sits in the car four or five days a week. A real officer mans the post other days.

Chief J.W. Morris said, "We're not after the revenue. We're just trying to slow people down. This is the most dangerous intersection we have." He said there were 11 accidents at the intersection in December, before the dummy joined the force, but in January, the dummy's first month on the job, there were only three. Chief Morris said the dummy is so convincing that truckers try to reach her on their Citizen's Band radios, and once he saw an old man standing by the car talking to the dummy through the rolled up car City Clerk June Smith at Mendon, N.Y.

is sending her letters to the dogs. Frustrated because dog owners failed to license their pets, she sent warning letters to the town's unlicensed canines. "You should realize that you can be seized by our dog warden and your life could be in jeopardy," she warned. About 165 dogs heeded the warning and got their licenses immediately. But, one dog, identified simply as "Barney, your eight-pound canine friend," sent a response to the clerk.

Barney said he couldn't sleep because of "horrible dreams that a hangman's noose will be draped over my poor little three-inch neck." The clerk had a solution for Barney. She offered Barney a free package of goodies-if his owner brought him in for his Local Schedules SOCIAL SECURITY-Second -and fourth Wednesdays, 10 a.m. at the Armory Building on Chestnut Street. DIAL A PRAYER-Free daily devotional prayer. Dial 837-7141.

SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER-Phone 837-6981. HOTLINE Free Counseling-Dial 1400-652-0562. DRIVER EXAMINATIONS Third Thursday of each month at Kane Area Senior High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. McKEAN COUNTY COURTHOUSE OFFICES-Phone 7784656.

They'll Do It Every Time WHEN VOU WANT A QUIET RIPE THE CABBY 7AUCS V0UR but wheu you I WANT INFORMATION, cr World of Television By JAY SHARBUTT AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) Harvey Korman's popularity showed no signs of waning after he left Carol Burnett's CBS show to start his own sitcom for ABC. His first effort last January was a ratings hit. Tonight, "The Harvey Korman Show," in which he essay a character actor who lives with his grown daughter, starts a four-week spring tryout in the time slot of the demure series called "Soap." His show could be renewed by ABC for the fall if it clicks. But let us pray brother Korman, one of the best comic actors around, has far better scripts in the next three weeks than the one displayed tonight. It is no good, awful, wretched, and pretty bad, too.

It concerns his discovery that his daughter, Maggie (Christine Lahti) is gasp, living with a boyfriend, Stuart (Barry Van Dyke), right in Korman's own home. The revelation comes late at night as Korman and his agent (Milton Selzer) unexpectedly return from a flop road tour starring Korman in a musical version of "Moby Dick." Harvey sees a form beneath a blanket on the living room couch. He thinks it is Maggie. He is wised up immediately as she sleepily pads downstairs, doesn't see Pop, yawns and says: "Honey, aren't you going to come upstairs?" Thus does Pop learn of the affair and that the lovers decided to live at his home instead of the boyfriend's pad (I forget why, but maybe the "Soap" cast took a month's sub-lease at Stuart's place). Amid shocked looks by Korman and mutterings by Maggie about a "trial marriage," the half -hour lurches on, briefly pausing for a scene in a bank where the two lovers labor.

As a promotional stunt, the bank is decorated in cornpone country style, ditto the employees. This proves an arena for an exchange in which Korman sarcastically refers to Maggie's beau who sports a farmer's straw hat as a "turkey in the straw." "But not in the hay," leers sweet Maggie. (Such is the tenor of the show. Actually, it's basso, the writing is that low.) In time, the lovers fight, their "trial marriage" temporarily fails and Stuart moves out. Shout "bingo" if you didn't expect this.

The only time things light up is when Korman briefly acts out all the major roles in "Gone With the Wind," and even this only is a faint echo of his brilliant sketch work when he was on the Burnett show. It's a shame to see his great talent wasted, likewise the good supporting work of Miss Lahti and Selzer Van Dyke is, well, a great ad for his dentist and no more). Fortunately, ABC believes enough in Korman to say that if it renews his series for the fall, it'll make changes that include a new character in the show and a new production staff. Good deal, but I wish they'd thought of it earlier. THE KANE REPUBLICAN Incorporated FeB.

7, l0t Member of Pennsylvania Newspaper Publisher's Association Published every afternoon except Sunday by The Kant Publishing Company, Inc. at The Kane Republican Building, 200 North Fraley Street, Kane, ZIP Code 1735. Telephone 837 6000 or 837 6001. John 8. Cliff, Editor Emeritus Richard K.

Coleman, Editor George Daggett General Manager Charles w. Codine, Advertising Manager National Advertising Representative: Mathews, Shannon 4 Cullen, inc. 757 Third Avenue, New York, Y. 10017 TERM OF SUBSCRIPTION By carrier service $1.10 per week. Papers going through the Kane Post Office rural routes and in first end second postal lones (Western and western and Eastern Ohio) One Year S39.00, Sin Months 121 00, Three Monthi $11.50, Students (Sept.

to June 1) $29 00. Other tones (U.S. and Canada) 145.00 per year. Service personnel A. and APO 134.00 per year.

All mail subscriptions payable In advance. Entered at the Post Office of Kane, Pa. as second class matter. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to use for epublication all news dispetchej credited to It or not therwiie credited in this paper and also local news ubllfhe hrin. Problems at Home Undoubtedly, the current presidential trip to Latin America and Africa is an enjoyable one for the presidential party and its hosts.

Pleasantries are being exchanged, state dinners held, a little sightseeing enjoyed and if the President's luck holds the trip will end with no serious mistakes. When it does end, it should be the last one contemplated by the Chief Executive for a long time to come. There is something about presidential travel outside the United States which seems to be contagious. Each succeeding President tries to vie for the honor of setting a new record for miles traveled, countries visited. More to the point, the problems facing the United States are not to be found in Venezuela, Brazil, Nigeria or Liberia.

They are here at home. For the most part they are domestic rather than foreign. Inflation is on the increase again, the dollar continues its long slide in world esteem, the huge federal budget deficit shows no signs of shrinking, the trade deficit has reached disastrous proportions. Imports now supply almost half domestic oil consumption, the "energy program" is a joke, Congress and the White House are not working well together. The list of problems requiring resolute leadership grows.

Yet both Congress and the White House have adopted a business-as-usual attitude. The business of governing requires greater determination, including the presence of the Chief Executive in Washington. Unpopular Reductions Among the pending decisions which have some members of Congress on edge in this election year is the coming announcement from the Pentagon about new base closings and curtailments. It is generally assumed there will be some-some estimates go as high as 50 bases--as part of the Pentagon's continuing cost reduction program. What bothers elected officials, of course, are the political waves generated by base closings.

Local opposition frequently is intense and lobbying to reverse the decisions generally begins almost as soon as they are announced. At stake frequently are millions of dollars in payroll and other infusions into the local economies which disappear with a base closing. The abrupt nature of such decisions is a large part of the problem. A study underwritten by a coalition of governors and House members confirms that little is done by the Pentagon to cushion the effects of base closings on local communities, despite the existence of an Office of Economic Adj ustment to do just that. The Trade Deficit Economists were not expecting a good trade performance by the United States in February, so they probably were not overly surprised that the trade deficit for the month was $4.5 billion.

Expecting bad news, however, doesn't make it any more reassurjng when It comes. The February performance was another record deficit for a single month. Nor does it help much to have the same tired excuses of bad weather and heavy oil Imports thrown out as an explanation. We have experienced bad weather before without running up record trade deficits. As for heavy oil imports, undoubtedly they are a factor.

But how is It that another industrial nation--Japan--is more dependent than we are for Imported oil to fuel its economy but still manages to earn sizable trade surpluses every month? Perhaps it is time to forget the excuses and delve Into the real reasons why American trade Is sagging even at a time when a declining dollar should help it grow. Controversial holding back vaccines because of the quick-to-sue attitude many people have. "It certainly has a stagnating effect on our economy," he said. The Senate bill, supported by the Chamber, the Insurance Department and the Insurance Industry would: Set a 12-year statute of limitations. After a product is 12 years old, a person could not sue if he is injured while using it.

Prybutok said it represents a humane compromise. Most products have a far shorter useful life, he said. Workmen's compensation and other insurance plans should provide protection in incidents occurring after the 12-year deadline. Set by law the definition of strict liabil Since the mid 1960s, the courts have broadened the definition. This provision would give businesses and insurance companies a better idea of just what they will be liable for.

Force the injured person to prove in court that the company did not conform to the best available standards in manufacturing the product. Allow juries to consider evidence that the injured party already has been compensated through insurance and other benefit plans. Remove wholesalers and retailers from suits that should be aimed at the "We feel it's a reasonable compromise between balancing the rights of injured parties and the responsibilities of the manufacturers and sellers," Buente said. Lee Swartz, president of the Trial LawyJI Association, said the bill is unneeded and was proposed as a result of hysteria among businessmen faced with insurance premium increases. "It's a piece of anti-consumer legislation," Swartz said.

"It's, in effect, special legislation directed to satisfy the problems of one particular segment of society. "Many products are safer today because of law suits," he said. "Manufacturers were forced as a result of lawsuits to create safer measures of design." The number of suits is growing, he said, but because of heightened consumer awareness, not because of lawyers. Years Ago April 4, 1948 The Sunday School presented an Easter program at Moriah Lutheran Church, Ludlow. Shirley Swanson played an organ prelude.

Margaret Swanson was the pianist, Mary Ann Connelly and Susan Anderson were violinists and Betty Nystrom and Jane Dahle played the clarinet in special numbers. The girls' chorus appeared twice, under the direction of Mrs. Enoch Nelson. April 4, 1958 The Sunday School of Tabor Lutheran Church will present an Easter program duringQ Sunday School hour Sunday, including Primal Department recitations by Vickie Norman, Beth Ann Benscoter, Joyce Weborg, Shirley Johnson, Cheryl Cooley, Judy Peterson, Beth Ann Stewart, Jimmy Heckman, Milena Marold, Judy Williamson and Patty Houser. Pastor Mallard Nelson will bring Easter greetings.

April 4, 1968 Kane Borough Council has advanced plans for a "swap" with the Pennsylvania Department of Highways of the present streets involved in Route 321 for the Hacker Street route, Council also took an historic action, approving a $30 a month salary for each member of council. The audit of the borough books for 1967 was submitted by Andrew iQ Mrs. Alfreda Davison and Mrs. MargaVcT Henry. Today In History By The Associated Press Today's highlight in history: On this date in 1917, the U.S.

Senate approved a war resolution against Germany by a vote of 81-6. On this date: Five years ago: The twin towers of the 110-story World Trade Center in New York were dedicated. YAITATA-V INFLATION-- WTTATA- VATTATA-- VAP'VAP--' BAP VAK-VAK-- BILLY fr WINTER-- WACKETV- CARTER- ENERGY 4ACK6TV-- 1.CRISIS"A VAP-YAP--. ygTlrTh fFT WAV THE LJJf WHAT MNP OF 11? YOU GET? TgL HE WA LjiLlJ ws.