Fitchburg Sentinel (Newspaper) - February 14, 1966, Fitchburg, Massachusetts For 127 THE WEATHER Fair SEE HEPORT ON PAGE 2 1838 Vol FITCHBURG MASS 01420 MONDAY FEBRUARY 14 1966 20 PAGES Cents A Week By 10 CENTS Improvement Commission Sought In Council Petition progress Councilor Lemay TWINS AND THEY'RE 100 Sarah Duckworth Hampton left and her twin sister Mrs Mattie Duckworth celebrate their 100th birthday at convalescent home in Ventura Calif Mattie blind and somewhat deaf has lived at the home eight years Sarah hospitalized at 99 with monia entered the home in November AP Wirephoto J Harold Lemay will file a petition with the City Council seeking Capital Improve ments Commission to ter and advise on long-range programs set up for community planned to file The petition either today or tomorrow with the city clerk for eventual incorporation into the council calendar The councilor observes in his petition that Fitchburg is suggested ordinance to his peti tion The ordinance would be necessary to establish the com- mission The Bogen report to which the councilor refers in his petition is a program projected from 1964 through 1969 setting down in detail the improvements ed throughout the city The Capital Improvements Program spelled out by Bogen Herbert C endeavors to set down a priority list of in need of many capital improvements and since the City of Fitchburg is and will be confronted with many capital expenditures and has paid thousands of dollars for the Bogen it is time a com- mission is created has been referred to a number of times in City Council ings and often sets the tone for deliberations on costly projects but the program never has the city take greater ad- used except as an guideline since the City of tures in keeping with a reason Councilor Lemay attached able tax rate The central theme in the improvements program is to set up a virtual blueprint of the future showing which come first and suggesting means of financing them through local and federal and state aid The program Weekend Precipitation Total 174 Thirsty Basins Gulp Rain Snow Melt A Capital Improvements Com- mission as proposed by cilor Lemay would work ly from the Bogen report ing recommendations to the City Council and to city departments on current and future tures A Capital Improvements Com- mission has been in existence in Leominster for about five years That group also works from ai long-range plan advising mayor city council and city de- heads on expenditures Among other things the Bo- gen report contends that burg has not borrowed enough money to undertake long-term This city's thirsty reservoirs many of them lowered cally by three years of drought are getting their biggest drink from the heaviest rainfall in eight months and melting snow A total of 1.74 inches of rain Sunday falling on the of over 30 inches of snow in the watersheds was expected to be of inestimable benefit was the heaviest rainfall locally in eight months But the storm by no means ended the three-year drought During that period area has Been more than 20 inches cient Much more rain is ed to spell finis to the dry spell Coming as it did during a warm spell the rain added to snow melt gave brooks and streams feeding reservoirs a quick boost Of greater benefit however the melting snow and warm weather prepared the ground allowing much of the heavy fall of rain to soak into the earth to replenish ground supplies Two electric pumps were turned on at Bickford Pond by the Water Division The two pumps are 4400 lons per minute from Bickford into Mare Meadow The division is attempting to keep the water in the pond so that all of the runoff can be trans- ferred to Mare Meadow voir Before the rain Reservoir was drained to its lowest point or down to 28 feet below the full mark The voir is 30 feet Other voirs were in comparable shape as the rain did and on the snow in the sheds much of the water it is believed sank into the earth replenishing underground plies Although far from ending the three-year drought officials the importance of rain at this time will enable not only burg but other com- to stretch out their supplies Officials also believe that the weather pattern which has shunted major storms north and south of this area for the past three years may be changing Slightly over 30 inches of snow in January and Sunday's heavy rain appears to be proof of a change On June 23 1965 a total of 2.42 inches of rain fell here in a veritable cloudburst That rainfall helped temporarily but had little effects with much of the rain running off Sunday's rain combined with the snowmelt will replace much of the ground water Water which soaks into the earth vides a steady source of water to feed brooks streams springs and ponds Previously the earth had been dried by the extended drought Because there was little water in the ground and the water table was low there was little water to feed the streams entering the reservoirs With succeeding heavy falls officials believe the water supply picture will be much brighter this year At least the conditions are right now to take advantage of future storms and to receive greater benefit from tion Trouble On The New Veterans Benefits For future state could easily add 1150 to Nov 1 1958 Berlin Aug 14 persons to the list of those eligible for benefits through Fitchburg's Veterans Services Department Lionel J Boudreau local de- commissioner made this seven Lebanon July concerning current military op- 1961 to June 1 1963 Quemoy and Matsu Aug 23 1958 to June 1 1963 Taiwan Straits Aug 23 1958 to Jan 1 1959 Cuba Oct 24 1962 to June 1 1963 July 14 1960 to lent JUly 14 1960 10 announcement and noted j Laos April 19 trouble already 1961 to Oct 7 1962 and Viet ing our obligations Whats ing to happen if a thousand more men are Mr Boudreau received word today that retroactive to Jan 7 full veterans services fits are available to Viet Nam Benefits include recording of discharges cial aid and hospitalization Previous only veterans from the Spanish American War World Wars 1 and II and the Korean Conflict were deemed eligible In extending the rights and privileges of veterans joins only three states California Illinois and Oregon in recognizing a new category of benefit coverage Mr Boudreau estimates 150 city men are now eligible Clarifying he law the notes a Viet Nam shall mean any veteran who has been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Viet Nam Service Medal for military service performed in Viet Nam between July 1 1958 and the termination of the emergency in the Dominican Re- public but they will be pre- added to this list Boudreau Persons who may have fied for the medal but didn't receive it may apply to the activity which maintains their records or the appropriate branch of the Military through the Fitchburg of- fice This could add a crushing monetary load to the funds now by Veterans Services here The current tal budget is about one quarter million dollars The federal law contemplated would make all servicemen were in uniform for more Nam July 1 1958 to the end of the emergency Any Fitchburg resident who took part in the military activities in the above areas are now eligible for Veterans Services benefits through the city department No word has been Records Center GSA 9700 Page St Louis 32 Mo Boudreau further commented that if and when Massachusetts approves federal legislation now pending to make more servicemen eligible for benefits another 1000 men would be six months begining Jan 1 1955 eligible for federal Veterans Administration benefits hospitalization financial aid and educational aid Whether or not the stale approves such a federal law determines the amount of money itself must provide for veterans List Overseas Project For as the chase of equipment for some departments The Bogen report also advises advisory I vantage of federal and which would ease the strain on the city's own tax evenue The Planning Board ed for the Bogen report as a part of the city's long-range planning and development Councilor Lemay observes in his petition that the City Council has not found time to revise and update the Bogen report in terms of current and ing future needs One of the principal functions of a Capital Improvements Com- mission would be to keep itself current with changes in city de- so that tions could be made on future needs Educational Programs Several accelerated programs designed to aid students at School including a novel Overseas program for girls who will be learning for the sake of learning Cost of the program is High Prospect has the ob- Upon arrival in Italy each girl will go directly into in an Italian community where she will live for one month During wish to further their education of preparing the girls will see without formal schooling to take an intelligent announced today by William active and open-minded role in Laverack headmaster at The Armed Forces ary Medal was established wild School Preliminary drawing are in several times a week at group activities which the leaders of the overseas the international life of their leaders ov community j grams will arrange The properties to be Following the the Hi v v aa vu uv T December 1961 and is of program will be two will join forces and have combat or is hoped lhat this work may will Ye ten by each girl Final plans hazardous duty in he opera bc the in Fitchburg and four will be worked out for an Members of months aly pendent study project in the next WAAC Auxiliary Under is From late September through of the program Corps are benefits The above also eligible for medal was given troops during following If You Insist use of the house at 28 View St as headquarters for the nursery and kindergarten The two houses at 54 nad 71 View St will serve as faculty residences A new program which will add variety and vigor lo both the school and community will be a i iaic i January the girls will live in I For slx weeks in the Fitchburg They will study group will take up residence ropean history art and music with emphasis on Italy and intensive training in the Italian language That they may better under- Following Offering education and girls will return International j Distraught relatives without the burg Orientation for their in Putney VI and Dr and persuaded Antonio to work of schooling in Italy and DC director program will intensive language Experiment in Italy fainted her return to the altar The pries put the question Antonio sighed and said Yes Vice- President Richard M in Atlanta for a GOP Lincoln Day dinner stated that he ad- greater use of air and sea power to shorten the war in Viet Nam NBA Photo NO U S Sen Barry Goldwater above says that a groveling peace offensive will not bring the Communists of North Viet the conference table He said I don't think it's bur job to get the Communists to the conference table by ging by going through other emissaries by going through other leaders I think we'll get the Hanoi the conference table when we convince them we have the will to attack and that we are attacking them He snid it is a sad spectacle to see the greatest power on earth sort of groveling NORMAN C CROSS United Fund President HOWARD J ROME Budget Chairman Hike Over United Fund Goal Set At A goal of has set by the United Fund of er Fitchburg Inc as the amount to be raised during the upcoming campaign it was an- today by Norman C Cross president of the UF He that the goal represents a per cent increase over the obtained goal of last year Two years ago residents of the United Fund area contributed Howard J Rome budget com- chairman reported that the total agency requests for the last three years were as for for and He said that days of study both by individual bers of his budget committee and as a group they have pre- sented to the community and the board of directors of the United Fund an obtainable and realistic goal for the coming year Members of Mr Rome's com- Bigelow Crock- er Jr Robert S Goldthwait William Laverack Edward H Hall Jr William S Morgan Carey D Rhoten G Gardner Cook Mr Cross Robert C son John Grado Jr Barlow Kelly Paul A Nadeau Parker Rice Jr and Herbert O'Neil He expressed his appreciation to the committee members for their tireless efforts and time spent away from business to In- sure the community of a tic and obtainable Fair Share Goal Mr Cross announced that the supporting funds of for the operation of 21 United Fund agencies will be raised in March and April by the co-chairmen Carey D Rhoten and Robert C Hudson Mr Cross stressed that the campaign steering committee and every volunteer has the full support of the board of tors of the United Fund Mr Hudson and Mr in accepting the goal replied that an enthusiastic campaign UNITED FUND Page 2 A Cold Cash Our Wallets Bulging The Government Says WASHINGTON Treasury figures are by travelers most still find cans have more cold cash represented a per capita it convenient to carry more gling in their pockets from to stuffed in their billfolds Treasury officials said the I they years ago in an Italian city or town Each girl will be occupied with an area study course and an vidual project Continued study of the language the art and i part of the answer for the increase The Federal Reserve Bank at Richmond Va part of the agency which distributes coins money has come up with some explanations More teen-age spending to name one but most factors lack accurate measurement John K Carlock fiscal ant secretary of the Treasury said only theories can be ad- to explain the non and one theory is probably as good as another Hard cash makes up only about 20 per cent of the total money supply The rest consists of time deposits mainly ing accounts Here are some of the cold WILLIAM LAVERACK Headmaster stand and interpret their own music win be natural ripi entitled High Prospect country an objective study of the experience inf It which 1S Sirls who be made of the United Traveling in Italy for the s i 1 hn completed their secondary its social political and economic or iree weeks ending with I rt i i M do not wish With the flexible stay in Rome will climax the also a cast for he o it be May in on to college sible for the girls to pursue return home i High Prospect which will er interests The cultural re- HlS Prospect is under the Today's Index Almanac Bridge Classified Comics Crossword Editorial Family Pages 2 16 16 16 6 based both in Fitchburg culminate with departure the arc in Italy There will be no course j by ship for in early here will be resident j credits no degrees Motivation I February Page t Movies 5 Obituaries 17 Personals 2 Sports 16 Through The Years t increase has nothing to do with The business boom is any trend toward inflation which is a much broader lem of production supply and demand over-all fiscal policy and a variety of other factors Two definite developments in the new pattern the bank re- ported are the increased de- mand for coins and an upturn in the business cycle The remaining possible es the bank added are less measureable It listed them 1 The demand for pocket money by the increasing ber of who hold jobs or receive allowances The ber of between 15 and 19 increased by 3.5 million between 1960 and 26 per cent above the increase for the previous five years currency than they normally would at home 3 Possible hoarding of can currency abroad to offset shaky currencies in emerging countries 4 Internal Revenue Service policies including a crackdown on federal gambling tax tions and use of computers to check income tax returns Persons who were evading the gambling and income taxes may have been sufficiently im- pressed by these two policies to switch to a currency basis for conducting their business rather than depositing their funds in the bank said 5 Strong and steady in- creases especially since 1961 in personal income savings and public holdings of liquid assets The rising use of credit cards land higher interest rates are 2 Increased travel both in the opposite direction and foreign which On June 30 1960 the total Americans to carry in circulation was valued at billion compared with billion last Nov 30 the the bank said but pressures toward bigger holdings of hard more ready cash than normal cash were much stronger The Chicago Federal One Treasury spokesman Bank reported that up the whole situation most recent date for which travelers checks are one word affluence City Workers Better Off With More Buying Power Is the average Fitchburg family better off today in terms of buying power than it was five or ten years To what extent has the ing cost of living eaten into the income gains it has ed Locally the figures show the financial picture is a rosy one Family earnings have been rising at a much faster rate than the cost of goods and services As a result the average duction worker is in much belter shape than he was in previous years His week's pay goes further in the ket place than it did formerly Just how it shapes up ing into account both ed earnings and higher costs is brought out in surveys made by the Tax Foundation by the Department of Labor and others They show that the average working man in Fitchburg now earns enough after 26 on the job to buy a pound of round steak best grade or the equivalent In dollars and cents the round steak is 14 percent more expensive than it was seven years ago However it amounts to less in terms of his working time since his wages have gone up more than the 14 percent The figures show that per capita income in the local area is 21 per cent higher than in 1958 As a result local residents have greater buying power than before For example a man's wool suit good grade can now be bought with 31 hours of work and in auto- mobile lire size 7.50 x 15 with about 10 hours These items and most others would have cost con- more in terms of effort seven years ago The Tax Foundation shows in a special study how much time is spent by a typical man married with two children during an eight-hour day to provide for his family's various needs It shows that he must work 2 hours and 19 minutes to meet lax bills 1 hour and 30 for and household costs 1 hour and 16 minutes for food and co and 39 minutes for trans- The rest of the time goes for apparel 31 minutes cal 21 minutes recreation 18 minutes and all others 1 hour and six minutes
