Alton Evening Telegraph from Alton, Illinois • Page 4

ALTON EVENING SATURDAY, JULIf 2T, ififiJ Advance Move Payi Off The City Council's Wednesday flight approval ef authority for Mayor Wiseman to take the federal government in as a party to its contract for community planning underlines once more his foresight. The mayor and city council already had entered a contract with the engineers, General Planning and Resource Consultants of St. Louis, for the work, before the federal government granted its approval of our application for assistance. That gave the city and the planners an opportunity to proceed with use of local funds, assuming federal help would develop. Gamble or investment, the action paid off when the planning program was approved by federal authorities so that Wednesday night the council could draw Department of Business and Economic Development into the $18,783 program.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development earlier in the week had approved a $17,162 grant for the city. Before long we're liable to have more airport planning in the St. Louis Metropolitan tWhdt We think about. City's Foresight Airport area than an engineer could shake a sHpstlck at. The county has lost no time In Jumping to its recognised responsibilities (or poten- Utilities) in the matter, No sooner had it been announced that the Illinois General sembly had completed action on a $50,000 Clair airport study grant than County Board Chairman Harold Landolt named his committee to undertake the work, Chairman Designate William Straube of Edwardsville had his four major areas of study already pinpointed and on paper, The committee fortunately has plenty of guidance in the matter.

Chairman Straube's announced four purposes cited possible dorsement of an East-West Gateway Coordinating Council study of the problem, The committee also would consider a report prepared by the Governmental Research Institute on the subject. The prime action element in the county board committee's program appears to be consideration of reservation for the airport site. The whole airport development program in the area must always involve consideration of established air traffic into St. Louis and its developing problems, We hope then, that the county committee can refer final consideration to this higher level of governmental authority. Place for Cooperation The Illinois legislature apparently has other problem to clear up for local municipalities.

Corporation Counselor Francis Manning has told South Roxana's relatively new village board there is some doubt as to its authority to require that property owners purchase culverts for installation in the munity's drainage ditches. He pointed out that the law permits the board to "regulate" but admitted there was a question about whether property owners could be required to buy them. Currently it is possible that the esprit de corps which led South Roxana to incorporate and has characterized the village's progress so far would lead to largely voluntary support of the ordinance. But this spirit could be easily dampened if a few refused to cooperate and it was found no power existed under municipal authority to require compliance. Villages have authority to undertake and enforce local improvements as such, And, as pointed out, township and county highway departments can require purchase of culverts; too.

In this case the village stands ready to install them if the property owners pay for purchasing them, and already 2,203 feet have been bought by property owners, We hope South Roxana suffers no relapse from its forward movement as a result of the doubt cast by Counselor Manning, and that the legislature can quickly clear up the matter. By A Press It's a horrible thought! You've got something to tell people thousands of people waiting to read it and you can't make yourself read. That was the feeling we had for hours Friday afternoon and evening while the Telegraph's press was disabled by a backfire of the very efforts our pressroom crew had made to insure against sueh ail IfttefTtiptton, They'd put a new bearing oft the folder at a crucial spot on the press, So yesterday the new bearing, though It tested out all right the night before, And that immobilized the press with itinly about 4,000 of our 38,000 circulation printed, There followed two hours of waiting for the first approach at adjusting the difficulty to be complete. Then the press ran for a while but otily a while, Other approaches followed, each one involving a shutdown of the press. There it was: the whole 24 hours' events of the world reduced to curved metal plates, tightly locked on their press cylinders.

And no papers could be printed because of one small bearing. People called wanting to know what, had happened. We notified our distributors and carriers but one couldn't blame them for becoming impatient, either. We regretted it more than anyone. PAUL S.

COUSLEY, Editof Readers Forum Switch From Vandalism Is Long Past Due Senate Judiciary Committee members are "Anxious to see" the striptease film which Abe Fortas ruled as not Item. Recently I noticed on TV news, that someone had decimated the beautiful statue of St. Louis by removing the.large sword from his outstretched gauntlet. This juvenile act of vandalism reminded me of the many times when our own local monuments have been plundered: The removal of the bayonet from our World War I memorial in Riverside Park, and the splattering of paint on the old Plasa Bird some years back, plus the recent scrawl "Chicken Man" across the bluff below the faded, almost indiscernible outlines of what had once been Alton's label. Vandalism, I believe, is caused mainly by three factors.

(1) Youthful promiscuity born of ignorance and frustration. (2) "Litter" strewn about by tourists and citizents on a weekend jaunt. (3) Flagrant disregard, disrespect, and dis-association with one's historical heritage. The first factor is usually flie only one spoken of in polite, adult society. It's all well and good to condemn the activities of a few (and I mean few) youth who feel they can get their kicks by having the results of their vandalism sensationalized publicly.

A psychiatrist would point out that pleasure derived from such vandalism, while covert in nature, is basically an "attention getting" device to overcome feelings of frustration among one's peers. A teenager who is unable to get a job may under cover of darkness deface a prized monument. In such a youth's frustrated mind this is the only manner in he can strike out to say "Here I am, this is me" knowing all the while he can never tell anyone of his nefarious acts. If these frustrated young people only realized that they were acting like children who stand on their heads to gain attention, perhaps they might find constructive ways of venting their anxiety and frustration. A case in point some years ago the Piasa bird was splat tered by someone with bags of paint.

These youthful misfits could never brag about their efforts. Yet another young man by the name of Neil Howes sat out on a lonely path to reclaim the old bird. He called the mayor, the TELEGRAPH, THE Boy Scouts, chief of police, the Chamber of Commerce etc. and was told by all that "They knew the i should be repainted but that they did not have the right to grant him permission to paint the old Thus the young boy called on consruction firm (Mr. Ash), and a scaffold was soon erected, the fire department washed down the bluff with hoses, and John Neil Howes, a young boy, set out to reclaim the bird.

In so doing he was honored by the Jaycees and the Telegraph, which ran a series of pictures and stories of the boy's achievements. The moral, of course, was that one act was a negative display of frustration, while the other, using the same youthful power, was a positive method of meeting the frustrations of the day. as we all know, costs our government, whether local or national, tremendous sums each year. It is a heartbreaking sight for one who has saved for years to fly to Hawaii to end his vacation on "Waikiki Beach" or better illustrated by the term Beer bottles, cans, and flotsam have made this paradise a virtual eyesore and rat refuge. Our national park service has to close down the "Old Faithful" geyser every once in a while to clean out the refuse (Bottles, cans, etc.) in Yellowstone park.

The geyser be- comes so badly clogged that it fails to emit its beautiful plume of water spray. One need not of course per- sue the national scene to see the inroads of litter. The Piasa Bird is an excellent example. On the waterfront barges along with beer cans, soda bottles, etc. obstruct the view of those on the Alton Lake.

As many as 10,000 persons use the lake on weekends. This does not include the thousands who use the River Road. The least spoken of and most damaging element of vandalism (in my opinion) is not manifested in a wayward youth's escapist techniques, nor in "Utter" per se, but in a whole community's basic disregard for its basic historical heritage. Many of the great magazines of our country have played up the "Arch" and the surrounding territory as a vacation paradise to the millions throughout our country. But I have yet to find a writeup where Alton with its Piasa Bird is included.

The only one I caa observe to date that takes the bird seriously is the owner of the "Con- oco" service station near the base of the faded bird. The owner has a billboard which has a better replica than the original on the bluff. It's about time other businessmen realize that the historical "Harpy of Hop Hollow" if reclaimed and restored and perhaps lighted at night and the adjacent area cleaned of junk and piled up Barges, might cry anew to thousands of tourists from every segment of our nation. WILLIAM H. HOWES RR NO.

1, Box 328-A, Alton Help to Mothers With summer vacation about to end, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent program provided by the Alton Park and Recreation Department and to the many instructors that helped make the program a real success. My son, for one, spent many happy and creative hours at the Olin Playground. He learned a great deal and had a lot 'of fun. It helped me more than I can say in knowing where he was most of the day. I know many other mothers in this area feel as I do.

Thanks again for a Job well done. MRS. RICHARD ZETZMAN, 1249 W. Ninth St. They're Police! I would like to voice my opinion on the way the Tele- graph reporters use the word "cop" to headline an article when writing about the police- any police.

In my opinion this shows disrespect. I have great respect for the good policemen of this country and for law and order, and believe we should teach our children to have the same. I would like for the Telegraph reporters to take a look at the word and see whether it doesn't look degrading to them, also. HELEN ALEXANDER R. R.

1, Godfrey ED'S NOTE: Webster's Third International Dictionary recognizes the word "Cop" as (short for Copper): policeman. Forum Writers, Note Writeri names and addresses must be published with letters to the Readers Forum. Letters must be concise (preferably not over ISO words.) All are subject to condensation. Washington Merry-Go-Roun Edgar Eisenhower's Trade-Stopping Advice Doesn't Help Czechoslovakia By DREW PEARSON WASHINGTON One of the best ways to block the trend toward democracy in the communist world was given by Edgar Eisenhower, brother of ex-president Eisenhower, in a recent letter to Seattle voters. It will be of no help to citizens now struggling to defeat hardline, orthodox communism.

In a letter addressed "To fellow Americans," Edgar Eisenhower enclosed a blue-and-white window sticker featuring an appeal, "Help Stop U.S.-Communist then called upon Washington State voters to defeat Sen. Warren G. Magnuson because he had "introduced legislation for the Johnson administration favoring an increase in such trade." "I am writing you because yon Today's Prayer Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, we would live for Thy glory and lose ourselves in wonder, love, and praise. We would extol Thy name among men and honor Thy holy precepts. Thy Word is our light upon the dark pathway, our guide across the rocky places, and our strength for the steep climb ahead.

Help us for this day, that our lives will in some way, perhaps unknown to us, point the confused and wayward ones to Thee; in Jesus' name. Amen. Eugene Sterner, Anderson, executive director, Christian Brotherhood Hour. PEARSON ANDERSON have shown deep concern in the past about the future of this country," continued the ex-president's brother. "I am asking you to help us defeat Sen.

Magnuson. His defeat would be dramatic proof that Americans want trade with the communists stopped." The unfortunate thing about Edgar Eisenhower's letter is that people in the communist world do not realize that he does not represent the views of his brother, the ex president. Dwight D. Eisenhower followed the policy started by President Truman of trading with Eastern European communist countries a policy followed by President Kennedy and president Johnson. President Eisenhower was actually attacked by members of his own party, particularly Sen.

John Tower, for selling jet fighter planes to Yugoslavia. Other Republicans, including Rep. Paul Findlay, 111., have tried to stop the shipment of surplus American wheat to Yugoslavia, Poland, and other, smaller European communist countries. However, this bipartisan policy of trading with Eastern Europe has paid off as witnessed now by the democratic surge in Czechoslovakia. Sen.

Magnuson was carrying out this bipartisan policy when he introduced Senate Bill S-3363 favoring increased trade with the European communist world. Victor Wickersham, who cleaned up a small fortune in real estate as a congressman, hasn't prospered in his investments back in Oklahoma. As a result, he's running for Congress again. In a move to attract publicity, he announced that he was leaving for South Korea to demand the return of the Pueblo. Obviously one lone congressman can't get the Pueblo released, but he can claim credit for it when the ship is finally released.

The astute and wily Oklahoman says he'll wage a "cheese and crackers" (poor mouth) campaign to unseat Democratic Rep. Tom Steed. One day be- fore the July 15 withdrawal deadline for candidates, a friend of Wickersham's phoned Steed and urged him to get Wickersham a job in Washington. "Vic is hard up," said the friend. "What he really wants is a job.

He may get out of the race against you if you help him." "Listen," exploded Steed, "don't you know it's against the law for me to do anything to discourage a candidate from running in a political election? You tell Vic that the only thing I will give him is a good licking on Aug. 27." Allen-Goldsmith Report France Appears Ready for Full Thermonuclear Status By ROBERT S. ALLEN And JOHN A. GOLDSMITH WASHINGTON France has licked some of the problems which beset her atomic energy program and appears ready to become a full, thermonuclear, member of the International nuclear club. That is the preliminary assessment, by U.S.

experts, of the first nuclear weapons tests in the current French series, primarily on analysis of the ra- Such appraisals are based dioactive debris blown into the. atmosphere by the power of a nuclear explosion. U.S. experts routinely sample and assess these residues, as do the nuclear scientists of other nations. Allen Goldsmith In this instance, preliminary indications are that U-235 was used in this year's French testing program.

U-235 is a highly refined uranium isotope used in making hydrogen (thermonuclear) weapons. It was not found in the debris of French tests in 1966 and 1967. The French, however, were known to be building highly complex diffusion facilities for duction of Its use Is the new test program suggests to U.S. experts that a French diffusion plant is now in operation. Use of U-235 also indicates that France will soon be able to join the United States, Russia and Communist China, in achieving a thermonuclear, H- bomb, reaction.

The French test series, which began July 7 on Muuruoa Atoll southeast of Tahiti, is expected to continue Into the summer. All indications now are that the series may well include a thermonuclear test, as widely predicted in France. Such a test would be a tonic for Gen. Charles de Gaulle, his scientists and his fellow coun- trymen. All of them were embarrassed when Communist China, supposedly backward in science and technology, beat France to the thermonuclear punch.

Chinese weapons experts are still perfecting missile systems to deliver their nuclear warheads. De Gaulle, with his Mirage bomber force, will now be able to boast that France has achieved a modern thermonuclear striking force to support its independent posture in Europe. Such a boast will not materially change the European power balance, however, because the French nuclear potential will be dwarfed by the available nu- clear stockpiles of Russia and the United States. In addition to their strategic high yield weapons, both Russia and the United States have smaller tactical weapons at hand In Europe. The Defense Department makes no secret of the fact that the United States has 7,000 nuclear weapons of various types deployed in Europe.

Harold Brown, secretary of the Air Force, used that total in a recent statement which was cleared by Pentagon censors. That situation would change materially, of course, if the six- division U.S. force in Europe to reduced, as favored by a large number of senators. What They Did From The Telegraphs of Yesteryear 25 Years Ago JULY By action of the Civil Service Commission the way was opened lor police and firemen to press ittmj for back pay balances that were due them under the minimum wage acts of 1987. The commission adopted a resolution which granted firemen and IMflteffflftn with back piy cbUioi the right to engage in suit agaJntt toe city without prejudicing Uifllir fftfltuc under CivU fttfyjofj Altoo bad been Miected is "honor" dty to be dirwstly vritb irtnto hia4quirtirs in the B- air raid drill, Col.

B. I. Jackson, area flWUMOdflr of Civilian Defease said, Thecomrauni' Aid been selected because of the hign proflcleucy shown in the past by its air raid setup. Large numbers of friends had contributed excessive amounts of blood for transfusions for Chief of Police Paul Smith, who was desperately 111 in a St. Louis hospital.

He was suffering from a duodenal ulcer, which developed after a surgical operation, causing repeated hemorrhages. C. w. Shook had been appointed acting post' mister effective Aug. 1 at Roxana, Sgt.

Bernard E. Zimmerman, of Weit Alton, Mo. was reported missing in action -a of July to tbe European area of war. Bjchard storm, Telegraph priafer, Md. longtime captain of the city's biggest precinct air warden jpip would be tto substitute for area Civil Commander R.

Jackson when the community Joined a nearly'Statewlde blackout test, His organisation not only finished far ahead in scrap salvage campaign, but kept it in operation and eventually formed it into a Boy Scout troop. Good news for the coffee drinkers came from the ration board which announced that the beverage had been taken from the ration list, they also hinted sugar would soon be unrationed, too. 50 Years Ago 37,1118 Toe Alton Community Labor Board was being formed under orders of the national War Labor Board, Members were Edward S. Feeney, Roland Adams, and F. F.

Ferguson. The board was to have power to draft labor from less essential plants for reassignment to war-needed industries here. Capt. Madden, representing the federal Ordnance Bureau here, filed a sharp protest against remarks made by a Marine recruiter against men working in war plants. So desperate was the shortage of roustabouts on river steamers that the Plasa arrived here after being loaded by farmers who had to get thejr wheat to market.

Rev. S. Neeley was installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at JerseyvlUe after cupying the pulpit for six years. Soon after his Installation he was scheduled to leaye for France AS a YMCA wir worker. A controversy between J.

J. WueUner Sons and the Alton Brick Co. which had forestalled delivery of brick to (be College Avenue-C. A. grade sejpra- tton site was resolved, and a conference over substitution of concrete tor brick was canceled, Mrs.

lona Bailey, police matron, issued 1 an order that all girls under 18 stay off the streets; at She also urged that those roaming the streets during the day find work to Keep them busy. She threatened to have some of them sent to the state training school. Two already were picked up, An officer of the Bluff Line railroad announced plans to enlarge its river terminal located above the freight bouse on the riverfront, The enlargement would aUead despite Die, UUnojs Terminus con- etructlon of a river terminal, A Poag Bottoms farmer named Pushe was ing in the season's first watermelons, and had no trouble disposing of them at 9 cents a pound or 55 cents apiece. 1.