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PAGE 2—The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, July 8, 1971 Neuibrrnj 1101 Boyce Street, Newberry, South Carolina 29108 PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY 0. F. Armfield, Jr.^ Owner Second-Class Postage Paid at Newberry, South Carolina SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $3.00 per year in advance; six months, $2.00. SENATOR STROM THURMOND REPORTS TO THE PEOPLE WELFARE REFORM Within a few days, the Senatt Finance Committee will begir hearings on reform of the na tion’s welfare system. Everyone agrees that something must bt done to cut back the staggering costs of the rising welfare rolls. In 1960, there were 6.8 million recipients on the welfare rolls, receiving $3.7 billion. Today there are 13.2 million on the rolls, receiving $12.8 billion. Even under the present pro gram, these figures will double in four years. The cause of this soaring rate of welfare dependency is cer tainly not an increasing level of poverty. As recently as 1959, 22.4 percent of our people were living at or below the poverty level. In less than a dozen years this figure has been cut nearly in half. This indicates that we ought to be trying to improve the economy and opening ur new job markets. UNREASONABLE RESTRICTIONS Among the chief culprits be hind rising costs are the un reasonable restrictions set by HEW and Supreme Court de cisions. Twenty-four governors have signed a demand that HEW grant administrative waivers to cure defects in the program— waivers that can be given with out change in legislation. A re port of the Oregon legislature said recently that “The constant stream of changes in welfare rules and regulations, in effect, has blackmailed Oregon into ac cepting federal dictates to ob tain federal aid.” A state in vestigation in Nevada showed that 22 percent of the caseload were cheaters, but HEW dis allowed most of those cases which were uncovered. Califor nia and New York have been engaged in running battles with HEW, to little avail. If real reform is to take place, therefore, the first step is to remove from HEW officials their power to dictate welfare pro grams. Many states need fed eral financial assistance to sus tain the overwhelming burden; but the states should have the power to determine how that assistance is to be used. The dismal record of HEW in this field suggests that any state could devise a far more bene ficial and creative system of welfare administration suitable to its own needs if given the power to do so freely. For this reason, it is certain that the Senate Finance Com mittee will take a close look at the so-called Mills Bill for wel- "JUST GIVE ME AN INSURANCE MAN WHO UNDERSTANDS FARMING" We can qualify. With much experience in helping farmers get the most from their insurance dollar, we believe there are many ways we can fit into your picture. A call will bring us running if you desire. But keep us in mind. We're easy to find. “YOUR PRIVATE BANKERS” 1418 Main Street Phone 276-1422 rr "Whatsoever Things By DONALD E. WILDMON Too*- the Holy Land with Mr. Wildmon. Nov. 22-Dec. 3. $664. For more info, write him at Box 1368, Tupelo, Miss. S8801) LORD, I’M THANKFUL (Copyright, 1971, Donald E. Wildmon) Lord, I’m thankful. Today as I was beginning my day a friend called and said they would be happy to accept our invitation to visit in our home. They are good friends, fellow workers, and their friendship means much to us. Strangely enough I feel they need our friendship as much as we need theirs. A few years ago they lost their only daughter in an automobile accident and it’s been pretty tough on them since then. For their friendship, Lord, I’m thankful. A Reader Writes Lord, I’m thankful. In the mail this morning came a note from a reader in Australia, the “Down Under” con tinent. He had some very kind words to say about one of the books I have written. You know, Lord, it’s folks like that who keep me trying against all the odds. To know that something you do lifts another makes one feel so good. Lord, for the people I can help, Fm thankful. Lord, I’m thankful. This morning I picked up our youngest son and look ed into his eyes. He’s just slightly over three months old now, but he means so much to his mother and me. He is so precious, as all new life is. His smile makes the day so much more en joyable. And at noon Tim got to take his swimming lesson. I kept the girls while Lynda carried him to the pool. It’s such a great task and responsibil ity, this thing of being a parent. You have entrusted to us the care and training of four wonderful children, ness to our lives. Lord, for a loving They bring so much love and happi- family, I’m thankful. American Flag Lord, I’m thankful. On the way down town I passed by an office build ing where the American flag was dis played. It’s symbolic of the greatest privilege known to mankind, this flag. For it stands for freedom, justice, ser vice and a host of other attributes be longing to the higher nature of man. I know that in this country, with hard work and dedicated desire, I can reach the limit of my potential. Sure, there are obstacles. But that’s par for the course and makes the striving so much more exciting. Lord, for the high pri vilege of living in this country, I’m thankful. Lord, I’m thankful. Today a friend and I did a little work around the church building. My friend is such a great man in his own way. But if I ever told him he was he would blush and be embarrassed. He is like many of the other folks in the church. They take their job as being Followers of the Way seriously. And it is friends like them that keep me going when I get down in the dumps. Lord, for friends who can share with me the faith of the Man of Galilee, I’m thank ful. Lord, I’m thankful. As we stopped at the stop light today the family in front of us were having such a good time. They had just bought some ice cream cones, and the mother had a double dip. One side was hers, and the other she gave to her infant. As I sat and watched the small child enjoy that treat I laughed out loud with joy. Lord, for the simple things in life such as a mother’s love, I’m thankful. I could go on and on, Lord. You know that. So just let me close by saying that for this day, and tomor row, and the days after, and all the wonderful possibilities they hold — Lord, I’m thankful.—FIVE STAR fare reform, which recently passed the House by a close margin after acrimonious de bate. Instead of going at the heart of the problem by elimi nating HEW roadblocks, the Mills Bill perversely compounds the problem by instituting the guaranteed annual income con cept and concentrating more power in Washington. The bill will initially put twice as many people on the welfare rolls. WELFARE APPROACH Such an approach to welfare may' enhance the power of Chairman Mills’ prestigious House Ways and Means Com mittee, but it is hardly in the best interests of the American taxpayer. Such legislation de stroys the concept of “Federal ism.” It forces uniformity on a program which, by its very na ture, must permit recognition of local and regional geographic, economic and social differences. It is particularly disturbing that the Administration has en dorsed the Mills Bill as it came out of committee. The Presi dent’s own statements <»n wel fare reform have generally been very constructive and showed a determination to eliminate de pendency on the dole, and to come to the aid of the long- suffering American taxpayer. Few would disagree with the goals which the President has outlined. Yet it is manifestly doubtful that the Mills Bill can he’p this nation attain the President’s goals. This is legis lation which cannot be counted upon to do what the President wants done in the way of wel fare reform. It appears, therefore, that the President’s advisers — both in the White House and in the bureaucratic establishment — are misleading him as to the real effect of the bill and its social and economic impact. The hearings before the Senate Fi nance Committee will provide the President with an unbiased opportunity to learn atrut the consequences of this bill, and the displeasure which the Ameri can people will have with it, if enacted. City Building Permits City building permits for the past two weeks totaled $19,595. They are as follows: Mrs. Herbert Coleman, 1705 Vincent St., repairs; Dr. R. E. Livingston, 2306 Harrington St., repairs; Gate Petroleum Co., By-Pass 76, erect service sta tion; Mrs. Charlie Swindler, 1310 Third St., repairs; George Wilson, 521 Brantley St., re pairs; Carrie Whitner, 802 Floyd St., repairs; James Pratt, 831 Crosson St., repairs; Johnny Wilson, 700 Clara St., repairs; Eugene Sligh, 1722 Harris St., addition; J. R. Rollins, 2026 Piedmont St., repairs; Ulysses Chaplain, 2321 Emory St., re pairs; 1014 Sports Club, 1014 Main St., repairs; Mrs. Neeley, 1226 Calhoun St., repairs; Claude Calloway, 2021 Shelley St., erect building; and Mrs. Lake, 803 Drayton St., repairs. Letter to Editor The Editor The Newberry Sun Newberry, S. C. Dear Sir: The 1971 American Cancer Society Education-Funds Drive is almost completed. We are gratified to report that the New berry County Unit well exceed ed its goal. This goal was achieved by the cooperation and assistance of our newspapers: The New berry Sun, The Newberry Ob server, The Whitmire News and the Prosperity Citizen; and our radio stations: Station WKDK and Station WKMG. We are grateful for the excellent publi city given to the Cancer Drive by the news media. In addition, we are most ap preciative of the many hours of work by the dedicated volun teer workers, and to the people of Newberry County who contri buted so generously. The success of this Drive means that the American Can cer Society can continue its as sistance to cancer patients, its education programs, and re search, which we hope and pray will soon conquer cancer. We are deeply appreciative to all of you who have made this possible. Yours very truly, Mrs. Herschel A. Kemper President, Newberry County Unit American Cancer Society Almost 40 per cent of all highway deaths occur on week ends—56 per cent between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to statistics compiled by The Tra velers Insurance Companies. “Never on weekends” might be a driver motto worth observ ing. Statistics compiled by The Travelers Insurance Companies suggest its safer to ride in a truck than in a car. In 1970, over 54,000 passenger cars were involved in fatal accidents com pared to 12,400 c o m m e r cial vehicles.