The Daily Journal from Franklin, Indiana • Page 1

i nnvvAn SATURDAY LlU FRANKLIN GREENWOOD, INDIANA, JANUARY 30, 1982 25t I Jj 1 1 1 World unites to protest on behalf of Solidarity --i i jj 1 J' By JOHN WARNER Journal Staff Writer People in countries across the globe today are protesting Poland's martial law and the repression of its Solidarity union. The special day designated by free trade union organizations all over the world has even gained the endorsement of President Reagan who in his State of the Union address urged American participation. The protest day was planned by the International Federation of Free Trade Unions, a mini "United Nations" of union organizations. In mid-December, Poland's Prime Minister Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski declared martial law in his country and arrested Solidarity union leader Lech Walesa.

The historic move was made to stamp out the Solidarity union, which had called for a referendum on setting up a non-communist government. Solidarity still exists through underground channels, but the once powerful union is firmly in a position where the government wants it-almost non-existent The violence and turmoil in Poland have eased since the military regime took to the streets, but protests worldwide remain. 'Wayne Brinkman, Greenwood, former president of AFL-CIO International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Technologists Local 1208, agreed with Jones that the putdown of the Solidarity movement runs parallel with early American union history. "But that doesn't mean it should be that way. You can't help but feel compassion for them, with the shortages and all," he said.

Another AFL-CIO state headquarters staff representative, Casper Alessi, said union people feel a common bond for the Solidarity union members. "A hurt to one is a hurt to all," he said. Alessi said he sees no difference in the in Poland and "what Reagan didtoPATCO." "The only difference is the amount of population that has been restricted," he said. "PATCO wasn't allowed to strike or appeal either." Alessi said the Solidarity union could become just another chapter in the history books, but the "Idea of Solidarity definitely won't die." "It was passed down to them, and they will pass it down to the next generation. It will come back at another time," he said.

From the AFL-CIO state headquarters in Greenwood, President Ernest C. Jones said he hopes today "will be one of the many actions that finally convinces the Polish government to relax its martial law." Jones said AFL-CIO has pledged full support and participation in the international protest. And AFL-CIO national President Lane Kirkland will be speaking for an expectedly large crowd at a rally in Chicago. Jones said he knew of no formal rallies in the Indianapolis area. "We will be displaying an 8-by-5 foot Polish-spelled Solidarity banner in the Indianapolis Hilton," Jones said.

Jones said the opinion of the "rank and file" among his union members is that Solidarity is going through the same hardships that American labor union organizations had to burden in the early part of the century before unions became an accepted part of the national labor force. "It wasn't until the 1930s that the powers of the federal government were not used against the formation of union organizations. The formation of all organizations is stormy in the beginning. They (Solidarity) moved pretty fast in a short period of time," he said. 1 1 Residents to fight court rule A group of White River Township residents, upset by a recent court decision that overturned a 1980 Johnson County Plan Commission ruling, has called for residents to attend Monday's meeting of the plan commission.

In a notice distributed Friday, the group said, "Our plan commission has suffered a severe embarrassment as well as losing their authority and through the ruling by Johnson Circuit Court Judge Larry McKinney. In his ruling, McKinney said the commission had overstepped its authority in blocking a proposed residential development by Ramshead a Martinsville firm, in the Smith Valley Road, Berry Road area of White River Township. The judge ruled the company had abided by the county's current planning laws in its development plan, so the plan commission did not have the discretion to turn the development down. He also said the plan commission failed to list specific reasons based in the zoning ordinance for its action, a requirement of the law. The company still must go through a number of planning steps before county officials give final approval to the project.

Dave Owen, the president of the Smith Valley Community Association and a member of the ad hoc residents committee that drew up the notice, said, "We want to emphasize the fact that a lot of people are concerned and interested-by a show of people we want to show that a lot of voters are interested. "The judge has taken over the planning commission; what the judge has said is that their opinion doesnl mean anything," Owen said. The plan commission meeting is scheduled to start with an executive session at 7 p.m. Monday, with a public session to follow. The group will meet in the basement of the Johnson County Courthouse in Franklin.

-Saturday- Weather Winter storm watch for today. Full weather details, page 12. Inside today MARRIAGE-Most people are happier the first time-around in marriage, says Paul Harvey in a column on page 4. SPORTS-County basketball results and a sectional preview on the Edinburgh girls' basketball team are on pages 8, 9, 10 and 11. SLIM DOWN-Latest diet promises 10 pounds off in seven days, story on page 6.

Deaths Dexter Indianapolis. Miriam L. Long, 60, Franklin. See obituaries on page 12. Mm Cmon 2 Cheese Distribution plans still not clear Sue Asher, cafeteria manager at Northwood Elementary School in Franklin, was lookin' good Friday at school during "spring fling day." Mrs.

Asher got into the act with shorts, sunglasses, T-shirt andouta-sight socks. Jet-set dog misses flight The rest will be taken to other distribution sites, she said. Betty Davis, director of the Greenwood Senior Citizens Center, said the center will receive about 100 cases of cheese. Neither Mrs. Davis nor Mrs.

Wales knew what day they will receive the cheese or when people can pick up their free box. President Reagan in December released some 30 million pounds of surplus American cheese which had been stored in about 36 warehouses throughout the country. He said the cheese should be distributed through the states to needy and elderly people. Mrs. Wales said Interlocal instructions say that people over age 60 will automatically receive a box of the cheese.

Other people must have a maximum income of 150 percent of the poverty level to oualify for the program. Wright said Wednesday that for one-person households, that means a maximum annual income of two people, three people, $10,605 and four people, $12,675. The amount for larger households can be figured by adding $2,070 for each additional person. Mrs. Wales said she believes the distribution of the cheese should progress smoothly.

"I don't think it's going to be bad at all," she said. Ms. Bowen said her workers are also prepared for the big cheese party. A tv Spring The FBI joined the case because Happy and the luggage' were involved in interstate commerce. The federal agency, along with Allegheny County police and two airlines, issued the all points bulletin urging airports to check baggage rooms for an unclaimed dachshund.

USAir spokesman David Shipley explained the trouble started when the USAir flight to Orlando was canceled and passengers had to be transferred to an Eastern Airlines jet. More than half of the baggage, including the dog, never made it to the baggage compartment of the new jet. more than people do today. It's dog eatdogjww." Of her daughter, born in 1925, Mrs. Alexander remembers: "I dressed her pretty good-made her little dresses and things." Material, at a dime, a yard, at least remained affordable.

"The welfare helped me to clothe her," she says. Once, before the start of a school year, welfare workers called mother and daughter in. "They got her a little pair of black patent Feather slippers," she remembers. "That was the happiest girl you'd ever seen because that was the first pair she'd ever had." 'You can see the response of that child of long ago on the mother's face. Mrs.

Alexander stops and quietly sits, remembering. Her expression changes. That memory, or another one equally close, becomes a little painful. "We just donl want to recall half of the terrible things," she says a moment later. With his inaugural speech, the first to be widely broadcast over radio, Roosevelt, a master of the medium, rallied and reassured Americans.

"This great nation will revive and will prosper So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the- only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Once in office, he moved fast. "When Mr. Roosevelt came in, he came in with a bang and turned it around," says Mrs. Alexander.

"He put men to work on the roads and the Roosevelt and bis brain trust of university professors and academics put a lot ot people to work. A whole 7 Fan recalls FDR's recovery deal By MIKE LEWIS Journal Staff Writer Just when and where needy and elderly people can pick up free cheese next week may be the bestjcept secret in the state. Officials at Johnson County's senior citizen centers received some information about the great cheese party Thursday, saying that the distribution is scheduled for next week. The centers will serve as some of the pickup points in the county. Freda Bowen, director of the Edinburgh Community Center, said she has been told to pick up more than 7 tons of cheese Monday morning in Madison and distribute it throughout Bartholomew County.

But some state officials refused to talk about the program David Wright, deputy director of the commission on aging, said a list of distribution sites has been set, but he would not say where the sites are. He said the list has been mailed to news media and social agencies throughout the state and should be available early next week. An official at the Interlocal Community Action Program, which is organizing the distribution to Johnson County, also would not comment on the program, but said the staff is ready to start when given the go-ahead. "We'll release the information when we're ready," she said. Jean Merritt, director of Indiana Com Memories of munity Service Administration, spoke to United Press International Friday, however She predicted the cheese may be handed out Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ms. Bowen said her workers will pick up the cheese and drop it off at several points in Bartholomew County. She said 2,000 pounds of the cheese will be taken to the community center where it will be handed out to needy and elderly residents of the Bartholomew County portion of Edinburgh. She said her group is working through the Human Services office in Columbus. But a worker at the Human Services office said her organization still does not know the full details of the program.

"They've told us it will be Monday, but that's not definite," she said. Martha Wales, director of the Franklin Senior Citizens Center, said Interlocal officials have told her the cheese should arrive next week. She said local officials will be given about 24 hours notice prior to receiving the cheese. The Johnson County Civil Defense and the nine township trustees will assist in taking the cheese to distribution sites in the county, she said. In all, Franklin will receive about 487 cases each containing six, 5-pound boxes of cheese, she said.

The Franklin center will distribute 163 cases of the dairy product to the needy and elderly on a first-come, first-served basis, she said. 1 1 A a president 1 J- 4 i MFMIrHMt PITTSBURGH (UPI) The FBI has issued a missing dog bulletin to airports around the nation in 'J hopes of turning up Happy, a dachshund lost in an apparent baggage mixup at Greater Pittsburgh International Airport. Happy vanished along with 30 pieces of luggage on a USAir flight bound from Pittsburgh for Orlando, last Sunday. Zelda Kern of Florida, owner of the droopy-eared dog, suggested to authorities that the missing dog bulletin sent to airports around the country should note that Happy dislikes kids who tug on his ears. Even that information has failed to turn her pet up.

morning, they let them come in and deposit their money and then closed the doors at noon-took those poor people's last savings People screamed and hollered and knocked on the doors." "Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, it was a bad old time-that was a terrible, terrible time," she says. Mrs. Alexander remembers the unemployed men-not bad men or bums, she adds, just men with no jobs and without homes-how they used to sleep in old piano boxes or cartons on the streets or in the vacant lots of Dayton. She worked as a waitress in a restaurant during those years. "I had a job for $4 a week and I worked 16 hours a day," she recalls.

"I remember walking to work and I didn't have any shoes; she pauses to amend her memory; had shoes, but I had to put paper in them." The years 1930, 1931, 1932. "Thars when we learned how to cook without meat," Mrs. Alexander says. Newspaper articles told homemakers bow to get the most from what they had to work with. "Cabbage and beans and potatoes, that's what we had to eat They taught us to save the bacon grease for flavor." She remembers that during the leanest times people also learned how to go to the butcher's shop for scraps, for bones and off-cuts.

"You'd say you'd want them for the doe and you'd take them borne for yourself." But as bad as it was, "We took care of one another. If we had a loaf of bread we shared it," she says. "That's alphabet soup of relief and recovery programs and regulatory agencies sprang up. The WPA (Works Progress Administration), the CCC (Civilian tion Corps) and the CWA (Civil Works Administration) all provided jobs. There was the NRA (National Recovery Administration), the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), the AAA (Agricultural Recovery Act) and the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority).

For many, he was a saviour; others feared he spearheaded a socialist surge that would strangle freedom. Today, whichever side of history people take, all accept his monumental role in American life. "He's the one that brought in Social Security," says Mrs. Alexander. He also brought unprecedented regulation and government participation into American life.

The most massive change of course in the history and governmental philosophy of America had begun. FDR was personally wealthy-a member of the privileged Eastern elite. Somewhat paradoxically, that did not hurt his standing with the average American who suffered so greatly from lack of money. "That (his wealth) didn't matter to him at alL" she says. "He just seemed like he had a sympathy for the poor people," Mrs.

Alexander says. "He was a man. When he said something, he said just what he meant; he was a great man. Let me tell yoo something, there was a great president," she says. By BILL STR OTHER Journal Staff Writer '1 can remember when he got elected; oh, my goodness, the people went wild when he got in," bers 74-year-old Leona Alexander The Greenwood resident was only 24 then.

America's voters, desperately grasping for a "New Deal" lifeline to save them from a sea of economic hard times, swept Franklin D. Roosevelt into the presidency in 1932. Times were bad, very bad. The country was in the grip of the Great Depression. The long slide into the most serious economic crisis in America's history had begun with the stock market crash in 1929.

Banks failed, industrial output ground down, businesses collapsed by the thousands. Farmers lost their land. As many as one in four American workers 13 million in all were without jobs. Millions more earned only subsistence wages. Poverty had become a way of life and the specter of malnutrition crept ever closer for many families after the sustained high times of the bright, brash decade of them Roosevelt, whose 100th birthday anniversary is today, came to office with his promise of a new deal a new order to overcome a disaster that threatened to swallow the country.

Mrs. Alexander was a young mother in Ohio then, separated from ber husband and fending for herself, ber Slighter and ber disabled "The day the banks dosed and the crowds came she says; "in the Leona Alexander, 74, has vivid memories of one of the nation's most trying times, the Great Depression of the 30s, and of President Franklin Delano.