The Evening Times from Sayre, Pennsylvania • Page 10

10 THE EVENING TIMES, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1980 onsumer Pioneer Still Active at Age 88 WASHINGTON, N.J. (AP) Most of us who encounter defective merchandise tend to deal with our frustration by resorting to curses and expletives. If you'd like to avoid this and the unnecessary ritual of swearing off a bad product, consumer researcher public aware of the concept of consumer protection," says the octogenarian. "We were ahead of our time in doing this, because you had the National Bureau of Standards doing research and tests. But the results were not available to the public." Schlink's view of government regulation is that it may be overstepping its boundaries.

"The federal government needs to reverse its stance today with regard to regulation," said Schlink. "We did not envision a situation where government bureaucrats would run wild with regulations." call on Schlink. The White Plains group met weekly and issued pamphlets on consumer products. This work attracted one woman who granted Schlink and his men $10,000 to pursue formal research. The word quickly spread of the fledgling consumer-study team out of New York and, in December 1929, the Club formed into a non-profit, membership corporation' entitled Consumers Research Inc.

Schlink was singled out by former President Richard Nixon for his advocacy role in consumer protection in a Consumer Message to the Congress in 1969. Schlink admits that "every presidential administration has done a certain amount of work in attempting to improve the role of consumerism. "Franklin Roosevelt was perhaps the first one to take an active interest in any consumer movement," says Schlink, who in 1935 presented F.D.R. with an open letter and 21-page report on a proposal to enact a Department of the Consumer Act. "Our only intention in sending the proposal to the president was to make the bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Illinois, finishing in 1917.

Schlink worked for the U.S. Bureau of Standards during his post-graduate studies until 1919. That year, working as a researcher for the Bureau, Schlink earned the Edward Longstreth Medal of Philadelphia's Franklin Institute for the design of a novel type of precision weighing scale. This became the first of many accolades and many inventions for the Washington, N.J. resident.

During his stay with the Bureau, Schlink developed a number of specialized weighing and measuring instruments which the Bureau inherited without making royalty payments. Schlink's start as a staunch advocate of the consumer began when he organized a quasi-consumer club in White Plains, N.Y. He and economist Stewart Chase co-authored "Your Money's Worth." Perhaps not since the days of Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" had the American public been spurred by such writing. Published in 1927, the book became a best seller. The idea of guarding consumers' interests began to snowball.

"The federal government had been conducting tests on consumer products," says the affable Schlink, "but results were never available to the public." Soon, the public began to Ann gt Landers 1 Parents Were Right Chemung News Magazine, Schlink spends countless hours studying consumer products, then examines test results and copy to be printed in the nation's second most widely-read consumer journal. "His life is devoted to this, from morning until night," says Mary Catherine Phillips, an editor on the Consumers' Research staff. Besides the research work he helps coordinate, Schlink' proofreads all copy submitted for publishing before it is sent to print. Heading a staff of about 50 full-time researchers and technicians indeed has been nearly a lifelong endeavor for Schlink. A native of Peoria, 111., he earned both his First Bill i I 1 I iJC;" (, A' 1 Frederick J.

Schlink can help you. A pioneer in the field of consumerism, Schlink at 88 still maintains "a daily schedule that befits someone at least 30 years younger. As technical director and editor of Consumer's' Research become more fluent in the language of their adopted homeland. Youngsters who bear more of that "second language" establish speech habits that are virtually impossible to overcome. For example, I am now struggling with a student who says, "Vot's the kvestion?" and "It's vorm ottside." This boy was born -in the U.S.

(Brooklyn) and is nine years old. Another boy in the class says he is "heppy as a boid." See what I mean? A Teacher Who Is Trying Dear Teacher: The speech patterns you describe have nothing to do with speaking a second language at home. These kids pick up and imitate the sounds they hear from their parents and grandparents. With consistent effort, had speech habits can be unlearned. I hope you will have the patience to work with these students.

It's a real challenge. Dear Ann Landers: Does a person have to sign his name in blood before you will print his letter? I have written to you four times, and not one of my letters ever made the newspaper. There were no dirty words, and the hand-, writing was good. People are so hard-up for something to talk about in this town they discuss your column at lunch, supper, at work and at lodge meetings. The pastor based his sermon on it last week.

The subjects I wrote about were of vital importance to me and several others in this community. What are the average person's chances of getting a letter printed? Very Disappointed Dear I receive about 1,000 pieces of mail a day. (One third of them are booklet requests.) I can use only three letters in a daily column sometimes two. So those are your chances. Sorry.

Ann Landers P.O. Box 11995 Chicago, Illinois 60611 Betty Tuccinardi (607-529-8894) Chemung, N.Y. 14825 held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month with the exception of June, July and August. In addition to a call for scrap felt, tissue paper, green plastic garbage bags, and styrofoam, a special plea is being made for knitting yarn no piece too small and, of course, none too large. CHEMUNG GRANGE 1004 A picnic supper at 7:30 was held on Jan.

12 prior to the first regular meeting of Chemung Grange No. 1104. Worthy Master Pauline Van Dusen presided. Palmer Nelsen, legislative chairman, called attention to an item in the "Empire State Granger" which expressed concern that "working people are being penalized to pay for welfare programs with the way the present Social Security system is being handled." Nelsen cited further from the article that the Grange "advocates a complete revision, of the Social Security Act and the implementation of a totally new program providing only supplemental retirement benefits on the basis of past contributions, as was the original intent" of the Act. The Grange feels Social Security should not disburse welfare benefits from funds contributed by the working people.v Among other things, the Grange favors tightening eligibility requirements for food stamps and welfare in general.

The Grange also favors work incentive programs and supports I It 'C I 'j I I'''" I i 7 I It I f' Dear Ann Landers: I have been an avid reader for many years, even though I am only 17 years old. The subject I am writing about has appeared so many times I won't feel hurt if my letter isn't used in the column. My problem? I was never a listener. Oh, yes, I listened to my so-called friends (who were nowhere around when I needed them), but I never listened to my parents. They turned out to be the only real friends I had.

I thought Mom and Dad were the squarest people on earth, always on my back about smoking and drinking and drugs and late hours and bad company, blah, blah, blah. Well, I am writing this as I sit in an abortion clinic waiting for my turn. A person who has never been in one of these places can't imagine what it's like. My parents are here with me, and I could just die when I think of all the agony I put them through because I thought I knew it all. After this is over, I'm going to change my ways and listen to them.

They really stood by me when they could have said, "I told you so." I just hope I can repay them for all the grief I've caused. You can bet I am going to try. A Sorry Daughter Dear Daughter: Your letter is sure to pack a wallop. Thanks a million for writing it. Dear AriV Zanders: In a recent column you advised teenagers with foreign-born parents or grandparents to speak as much of the foreign language at home as possible.

You said, and I quote, "You'll speak English with your friends and in school. The ability to converse in a second language will be invaluable in later life." As a third-grade teacher, I disagree. You should have advised those children to speak English and help their parents and grandparents ncest, PHILADELPHIA (AP) The International Year of the Child has come and gone but hardly enough has been said of one of the saddest and oldest plights of children and adults. It is the problem of incest, sexual deviation within the family. Incest, "the unspoken illness," cuts across every thorough investigations of welfare applicants on a continuing basis, supported by review boards to reevaluate eligibility.

Mabel Miller, who chairs the Hospitality Committee, announced that an apple pie contest will be held in March. Sue Van Dusen reported that Pomona Grange is supporting a bill to return prayer to the schools, and announced that the annual Spring Supper of Pomona will be held on March 29th at the Harris Hill meeting rooms. Mrs. Marilyn Bok of Sayre, chairperson of the Bradford County League of Women Voters, will speak on the Equal Rights Amendment at the Feb. 9th meeting.

This will be a pancake supper to be held at the Grange hall. Beverly Kouterick offered to donate the sausage. Mrs. VanDusen appointed Palmer Nelsen, Beverly Kouterick and this writer to the Membership Committee. Lecturer Beverly Kouterick read -the Rules and Regulations of dog ownership in the Town of Chemung and reported that Helen Banzoof's home suffered smoke damage from a chimney fire.

Marian Snell, who is too ill to attend meetings, was tendered a card shower in honor of her thday on Jan. 16th. The pillow race was won by Bob Miller and Joan Cole. The next meeting on Jan. 26th will be at the home of Mr.

and Mrs. Ben Van Dusen. if-- Vt ww.Sfo.airiteaiilnllillllg'Mi CARLTONTUBBS FARM BUREAU SPEAKER Carltort Tubbs of Lockwood was the guest speaker at the annual Chemung Farm Bureau meeting Jan. 14th at Tomasso's Restaurant. He and Mrs.

Tubbs, who was also a guest at the dinner, recently returned as delegates from the Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting at Las Vegas. To the surprise of the local farmers, Tubbs reported that the consensus of the Farm Bureau is that President Carter acted properly withholding grain from Russia in retaliation for their invasion of Afghanistan. The busiest part of the meeting concerned returning the following officers to their posts: Lon Kouterick, chairman, assisted by Rhonda Kouterick, Irene Boardman, and Gertrude Warren; Program Chairman Palmer Nelsen; Secretary Vickie Grace; Social Concerns Kate Grace and Irene Boardman; Program Chairman Palmer Nelsen; Local Affairs Bill Grace; County Affairs and Women's Committee Beverly Kouterick. CHEMUNG GRANGE 1104 Plans were made for the Fall annual bazaar of the Chemung Methodist Women at a meeting held with Alice Goddard at the parsonage on Jan. 15th.

Jan Larock was reelected General Chairperson and Elsie Thomas as general treasurer, Mrs. Larock will establish her committees by the next meeting on Feb. 12. Others attending the meeting were Lucille Ellis, Betty Robinson, Joyce Emms, and this reporter who is in charge of publicity. Committee members have been asked to make a potholder or Christmas tree ornament for each meeting, which will be my child's mind." The woman, 33 years old and married to a man five years older, said she was beginning to see changes in her child that are "unhealthy," and doesn't know where to turn.

"It's getting so that I'm afraid to leave the house or to leave them alone," she said. peo)D III 1 Assembly Speaker Christopher Jackman, D-Hudson, N.J., holds copy of the first bill originated and passed by the current New Jersey Legislature in Trenton. It is the first of many bills that can be subjected to enormous pressure for approval or rejection by a hidden government of lobbyists. Sexual Deviation a Real Big Problem I I social, economic and educational boundary. It involves men and women, boys and girls, old and young.

What makes the problem so incendiary is that sometime the consequences of the act plagues both its victim and the perpetrator for years, even until death. It is a dilemma as old as man. Families are often destroyed by guilt, or violence, or both, an outgrowth of an act sometimes so secretive and reprehensible to victims and aggressors alike not to mention society that few can deal adequately with what some clinicians view as a "disease of the mind." that I hesitate even to speak it aloud." She confided that she strongly suspected her husband has been abusing her seven-year-old daughter for more than a year. The woman said she remained unwilling to "face what is very obvious because to unearth it might set off a stick of dynamite in And, while children regularly suffer in silence, they sometimes are driven to existences that vary from dedicated promiscuity, to unreasonable rage, to total withdrawal. Just this week I met with a young woman who contacted me about a matter she described as "so confidential but poor Rich get a bit richer, get smaller Amy Brown, 18, of Jackson, N.J., is afflicted with a rare illness that forces her to eat almost constantly in order to survive.

Her parents pay a $170 a week food bill which they say is nearly eating them out of house and home. Robertson Going to Court LA JOLLA, Calif. (AP) Actor Cliff Robertson is going to court in a dispute with the Coastal Commission that has ordered him to dedicate his private beach to the public before he can build a $75,000 seawall. Robertson's attorney, C. Samuel Blick, quoted the actor as saying, "There's no way I'm going to give up this part of my beach." Robertson was granted permission last fall by the San Diego Coast Regional Commission to put up the 100-foot wall protecting his beach from erosion by the pounding surf.

But "the commission said Robertson would first have to dedicate his property out to the ocean to the public, which has used the beach for years anyway. Robertson appealed to the California Coastal Commisson, which ruled against him Dec. 19. By David R. Francis Boston Are the rich getting richer and the poor poorer in the United States? That is what communist philosophy predicts for capitalist societies.

The answer is a bit complex. The poor are getting proportionately poorer in cash income, but fewer are really poor; the rich are getting slightly richer, but Economic scene However, the evidence is solid that prosperous families have been sending more members into the work force than the poor. Thus these well-to-do families have increased their share of total income between 1968 and 1977. The average number of earners per family fel! in the poorest two quintiles, while rising among the three upper quintiles. "The women's movement and a decade-long rise in unemployment rates may together account for this conflicting picture," Ms.

Haltmaier explains. "Cyclical unemployment tends to raise income concentration, because it affects lower-income groups more heavily than higher-income groups." What are the prospects for income distribution in the future? Ms. Haltmaier figures that for a while the trend will probably be toward greater inequality. She notes that labor's share of total income cannot Increase indefinitely above today's three-fourths level. So, if the upper-income families continue to send more members to work and if managers and administrators make further large income gains, pretax income will continue to be distributed more unequally.

But who knows, maybe some wives will get tired of working at an office as well as at home. Perhaps some corporate boards will get more hard-nosed in setting management salary levels. centage drops from 10.1 percent to 6.5 percent. In other words, the war on poverty has been making headway. It has not been a failure, as some conservatives allege.

A second point made by economist Haltmaier is that the capitalists have not been enriching themselves at the expense of the workers. In fact, the trend has been in the opposite direction the labor share of income (vs. "unearned" income from accumulated wealth) has been steadily increasing. In 1950, workers received 66 percent of the total. By 1968 they received 73 percent and in 1977, some 76 percent.

Why has this trend not resulted in a more equal distribution of income? Ms. Haltmaier finds only murky evidence that better-paid workers are gaining at the expense of the lower paid. Incomes of managers and administrators increased faster than those in any other occupation between 1968 and 1977, putting them ahead of professional and technical workers as the most highly paid group. But at the same time, she notes, sales and clerical workers gained on professional and technical employees, who are higher on the white-collar ladder. Differentials also narrowed within the blue-collar group, as both operatives and laborers gained a little in relation to more-highly paid craftsmen studies, however, show that after loopholes, the US tax system is much less "progressive" than the nominal tax rates would indicate.) Moreover, many low-income families receive subsidized services (health and housing services, for example) or food stamps, which are not counted as cash transfer payments.

If such factors are not included, the poorest one-fifth of US families lost a small fraction of 1 percent of their share of total family income in the decade from 1968 to 1977 and the second poorest quintile (one-fifth) lost almost 1 percent. They lost that share to the richest quintile of families, which boosted its slice of the national family income pie by about 1 percent. Such shifts sound like good propaganda for the revolutionaries. But they aren't. For one thing, if the noncash factors are added in, the number of poor has decidedly decreased.

Sheldon Danziger, writing in the fall issue of the Wharton Magazine, notes that between 1968 and 1976 the percentage of poor people in the nation would have increased from 18.2 percent to 21 percent if income from government programs were excluded. But if cash transfer payments are included (the official measure), the proportion of poor has dropped from 12.8 percent to 11.8 percent in the same years. And if noncash government benefits (e.g., food stamps) are further included, the per not so fast as the merely well-to-do; and the distribution of pretax income has been growing less equal over the past decade. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco in its latest Weekly Letter calls tliis a "mysterious trend." Jane Haltmaier, an economist, looks at pretax income distribution, including such cash "transfer payments" as welfare or social-security benefits. Up to about 1968 there was some leveling of incomes.

But since then the nation's income distribution has become "decidedly less equal." That's not the whole story, however. A progressive tax system one that taxes the populace somewhat according to its ability to pay tends to even out these pretax income disparities. (Economic May Thank Khomeini AUSTIN, Texas (AP) CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite says Americans may someday thank the Iranian "backward old fanatic" who is leading a horde "hell-bent for the dark ages." Cronkite, who reeled off a negative prediction for the new decade, told a University of Texas audience Friday, however, that Iranian, religious leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini may provide a much-needed unifying influence on Americans. "To that extent, the ayatollah and the commissars may have done us a great service. Not only have they united us as nothing has done in 20 years, they have wakened Cronkite said..