HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1970-04-09, Page 4Clinton NeWs•FleCOrd Thursday, April 9 1970
Editorial comment
We don't care if you think we're right or wrong
We care only that you think.
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Put railway • back on track
Anyone who has travelled by train
lately might wonder if all the effort to
fight the Canadian National Railways
attempt to drop passenger service in the
area is worth it.
If you've had to sit in a railway car
staring at the dingy surroundings of a
freight yard while you waited to make
connections with another passenger train
or waited for a freight train to pass you
by, you might just be all in favor of
having the service (if one could call it
that) taken out at once,
if you've had to deal with the grumpy
group of f`gentlemen" who man most of
the CN's trains and even its ticket
counters in Union Station, Toronto,
you've probably long since given up
taking the train.
One might expect this sort of thing on
the little branch lines that come into this
part of Western Ontario, but anyone who
has ridden the train knows that the worst
service comes after you get to Stratford
when you are on the so-called mainline.
A housewife at the recent Canadian
Transport Commission hearing in Owen.
Sound claimed she could make the
railway a paying proposition in .a year.
One of her methods would be to use
mini-skirted hostesses on the trains.
Perhaps she went a bit too far with
that idea but it is a certainty that the
business the railway receives would be
much heavier if it decided to provide
service to the customers instead of
herding them on and off cars like cattle.
It's a vicious circle. The railways claim
that they can't afford better service
because so few people are using the trains
these days. But people are going to ignore
the trains altogether unless they are
provided with better service than they've
been getting.
How the railway expects to get people
to travel the train when the only train
leaving Clinton for Stratford and beyond
pulls out at 12:45 p.m. is a wonder to
anyone, Even the arrival time of 11:13
a.m. is ridiculous.
If the railways are ever going to be any
good, they not only must continue their
service but they must improve it.
Our crime scene is a crime
It's difficult to see, after the recent
rash of burglaries in Clinton, how Town
Council could continue to ignore the
recommendation of Police Chief Lloyd
Westlake that a fifth officer be added to
the police force and a new cruiser be
obtained.
Obvidusly something is wrong in this
town. The way things are going, it soon
won't be safe to own a home or business.
This week the problem was brought
into full view when for the second time in
a week, the Huron Conservation Society's
club_bouse-was-broken-into ••ancl nearly
• wet rythRAN:areal 1 dli'etaria:Mi taken
out.
Unless the police are able to protect
the community, others are apt to take the
law into their own hands as they are now
in many places in the United States, with
disastrous results.
It's time to give the police the help
they need to cope with this growing
menace to the health and well-being of
our community. But more than that, it's
time to look deeper, beyond the crime
itself, and find what is causing the
problem. How can we improve our town
so that there will not be the temptation to
cornrrit crime?
There will always be those who will go
against the law to benefit 'themselves. We
can, however, cut the number of such
individuals. :to a minirtitl, thus making
s tlj&ikbrr< of Ale police,las.
But until we succeed in this area, we
must enforce the law. And if the police
need more men and better equipment to
do their job, give it to them. It will save
money in the long run.
How to lose 20 years
Dream ahead
{ THE CLINTON' NEW ERA AMalganiated THE HURON NEWS-RECORD
Established 1865 1924
Clinton News-Record
A member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper AssOciation,
Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association and the Audit, Bureau
of Cireulation (ABC)
second Class mail
registration huMbef 0817
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KEITH W. ROUL8TON - Editor
\1TREN General Manager
.4;441ipie
Established 1881 '
Published every Thursday at
the heart Of Huron County
11 Clinton, Ontario
Population 3,475
THE HOME
OF RADAR
IIV CA1VADA
The wonderful prophe
The man who runs the place
where I get my magazines sends
me a clipping from a trade paper
under the heading What They're
Reading.
It contains the news, if such
it is, that periodicals dealing
with astrology remain the most
consistent sellers, topped only
by the true confession things for
the little women and the
so-called "men's magazines",
mostly naughty, for the boys.
"I am amaz,eci;?rty,::friend 'spiritual bounty. Astrology is
writes, "at the‘iidffetY of 'people; passpOrt tb",lhe.' infinite
of all walks of life, who seem to 'Meadows of true happiness
be seeking solace or guidance through self-understanding."
from the professional star-gazers.
Surely it is true, as old Mencken
once observed, that nobody ever
went broke under-estimating the
intelligence of the North
American public."
Not that this is anything new,
of course. From the days when
the Roman soothsayers poked
about messily in the entrails of
birds for a sneak preview of the
future there's been a generous
supply of vain or fearful or
simply ignorant customers to
keep any self-appointed voodoo
man in business.
There have been and are
fortune-tellers, teacup readers,
oracles with second sight,
transient -yoga practitioners,
seventh sons of seventh sons,
gazers into cards, palms and
crystal balls and students of
cranium bumps, all thriving on
the reliable theory of P. T.
Barnum that there's one horn
every minute.
My friend sends me along a
random selection of the
astrology magazines. I note that
they go to great lengths to
defend their purpose and to
invite new clientele with the sort
cy of the star-gazers
of double-talk that Willa Cather
had in mind when she said that
if you give people a new word
they'll almost always mistake it
for a new idea.
Here's one, for example, that
says: "Astrology is the rainbow
key that unlocks the doorway to
understanding of each cosmic
bequest. It forges your
relationship with the universe
and is the source of knowledge
about your natal resources and
What is middle age? If
you're in your teens, anybody
over 30 is in that category. If
you're in your 30s, it's any-
body over 45. At 45, it's peo-
ple in their 50s, And if you're
a hale and hearty 63, you just
might admit, in a weak mo-
ment, that you classify as mid-
dle-aged.
What it is, of course, is a
state of mind. Some people are
middle-aged in their 20s, and
others are young in their 70s.
Or it's a time of year. I am
extremely middle-aged in April
and- November, 'and I'm sure
you are, too.
Right - non I'm middle-aged
or older. The snow hasn't quite
gone from the shaded corners.
Mud is ubiquitous. The curling
season is over and the golf and
fishing haven't begun, There is
no real promise of spring, ex-
cept that my winter boots are
leaking, always a good sign.
There's nothing to do but try
to exist through this hiatus,
And one of the best ways to
make. it possible is to think
about how young you wilt be
July,
I can see myself now, at the
beach. Take off the. sunglasses.
Stand up. to my full height of
five-foot-eight, And a half.
Suck in the flab. Saunter to
water's edge, glancing nonchal-
antly at bikinis, rumps and
bosoms. Stride straight in.
Swim like a paddlewheeler for
20 yards. Pretend to float on
back while regaining wind.
Stride out, tall, clean, brown,
and not a clay over 31.
Or on the first tee. Eight
a.m. Smell 'of sun and grass.
Flex muscles ominously. Three
perfect swings that would
make Arnold Palmer green.
Step up to ball, ignoring ad-
miring, awed looks of women.
Zoek! Straight down the fair-
way, 120 yards in flight and a
10-foot roll. Not a clay over
28.
Getting younger every min-
ute. Let's try the fishing. Drive
to special spot with friend who
knows where the big ones arc.
Fight through swamp and
slash to dark, brooding pool
behind beaver dam. Lie down
on beaver dam till muscles
stop jerking. Bait' hook with
worm. No flies, They're for
snobs. Casually, and beautiful-
ly, toss worm just above sunk-
en log. Not sunk deep enough.
Hooked. Break line. Swear a
little. On next toss, caught in
willows. Swear a little more.
On third toss, third hook, tie
into a real tiger. At least eight
inches. Feel not a day over 25.
See? It's all in the mind. I
can forget that my wife is nag-
ging about cleaning up the cel-
lar, that my kids are perma-
nent pains in the posterior,
and that another birthday is
crawling toward me rernorse-
leggy,
Another trick that works is
to get out the old Pictures.
There's the fighter pilot, with
handlebar -moustache, the
deadly, whimsical, lifted eye-
brow that used to slay the
WAAFS, and the cocky look, of
a kid who can never be killed,
grow old, or get married.
There's the football picture.
"Bill Smiley, h.b." That means
halfback, not half baked. Close
my eyes and I can 'feel the
clean smack of the ball into
my hands as I leap for a high
pass. And drop it. Not a day
over 19.
Now, don't carry this to ex-
tremes. Don't get out your
baby pictures, or the one of
your Sunday School class.
You'll weep at your lost inno-
cence and sob over your
smeared purity. Like every-
thing else, the cure for mid-
dle-agedness should be taken
in moderation.
But take it. In the cold, dull
damp of April in Canada, we
all need something to prevent
us from going mad. Neither
booze nor barbiturates will
help. Just think young.
.I've lost at least .. 20 years
just writing this column; I'm
not .even afraid to go and look
in the mirror: I know that be-
hind those dewlaps, that gaunt
and harassed look, lies a light.
hearted youth of not more
than 24. A smile and the wrin-
kles turn up, instead of doWn,
A wink; and I'm ready to g-
out on the' town:
The editor:
After the hearing in the
McGregor murder case Judge
Egener 'was satisfied "the
accused caused the death of the
deceased,"
At this hearing the defence
called ten (10) witnesses, mostly
character witnesses, and at least
two of them were relatives of
the accused. According to any
published accounts we have
teen, Mr. Cochrane did hot see
fit to cross-examine these
witnesses nor call any rebuttal
witnesses. WHY? Had he no
obligation to do this?
In many cases, even much less
dreadful Ones, there are remands
and delays, sometimes for more
than a year, so cases can be
prepared and presented to the
best abilities of the lawyers
involved. This One, than which
there has been no worm, Was all
Wrapped up — from' the day of
the crime' to the fifteen minute
trial (I) -- in Iess than two
InOriths, What Was the rugh
the real rush? Should riot Mr,
Cochrane have fought for a
postponement long enough to
ensure the trial would be in
adult court, since otherwise
there could not be a sentence
containing any deterrent value?
Who is going to know, with
any certainty, at the end of the
two years and two months
whether of hot another
"spontaneous act" may hot
occur? The quote was Mr.
Cochrane's and the word
spontaneous, means, according
to our dictionary "acting in
accordance With, or resulting
from, a natural feeling or
tendency, without constraint"
and/or "having no external cause
or influence." What it the
inference here if not that there
need not have been any
provocation to trigger this Mott
revolting crime? In which case
surely there was need to treat it
as something more than a boyish
prank and prosecute
accordingly?
YoUrS truly
"Concerned"
leading the blind.
Perhaps the secret of the
continuing popularity of these
magazines lies in the basic
feeling of insecurity of these
times or it may simply be the
age-old hunger for inflating the
ego.
Anyone, you see, with 35
cents to spare, can find. by a fast
consultation with the star-gazer
that he's really a giant among
men, whatever his wife or
anyone else says. thm7Y
Take my own case I am
Pisces, as it happens. It says right
here that I am quiet, dignified,
studious and thoughtful, not to
mention being honest and a
tower of courage in moments of
adversity. In fact, even with a
careful reading of this entire
magazine, I can't discover in
myself anything that isn't
downright wonderful.
It would seem, too, that the
"readings" might be a swell way
to dodge any individual
responsibility for what the fates
have in store.
In my own case yesterday
they promised highly
satisfactory dealings with others,
tomorrow I must do everything
possible to increase my financial
holdings, on Wednesday things
are right for me to make my
relations with my superiors more
amicable and lucrative and on
Thursday things will be just
dandy for promoting
inspirational ideas. So it goes.
It isn't strength of character
that prevents me from obeying
the advice, really, but just the
suspicion that it may be coming
from that poor old boozer who
used to read the stars in the
bottoms of empty glasses.
The editor;
We, at the Children's Aid
Society, wish to express through
your paper, our appreciation to
Colonel Ryan and all others at
the Canadian Forces Base, who
have done so much for your
Children's Aid Society of Huron
County over the years. We are so
Sofry to know that the Canadian
Forces Base is closing out.
Ever since the first Christmas
Party in 1956, the Canadian
Forces Base (and formerly R. C,
A. F. Station, Clinton) has
annually given Over 70 children
the thrill of their young lives by
inviting them, (through the
Children's Aid Society) to the
Base for an afternoon of
programme, food and then Santa
Claus bringing" each child a.
wonderful gift, Excitement ran
high with the anticipation of
invitations and Santa's arrival in
full dress and with jingle bells
made °yea sparkle and faces
spellbound, Squeals of
ek in citeent and Cheers were
OPTOMETRY
J. E. LONGSTAFF
OPTOMETRIST
Mondays and Wednesdays
20 ISAAC STREET
For Appointment Phone
482-7010
SEAFORTH OFFICE 527-1240
R. W. BELL
OPTOMETRIST
The Square, GODER ICH
524-7661
THIS SPACE
RESERVED
FOR YOUR A0
ear-splitting but joy prevailed. It
was the highlight of the year for
all those children.
It meant a tremendous
ainentit of Work and money On
the part of Base personnel in
planning and conducting the
party and buying the gifts which
were always very generous. This
made Christmas for these less
privileged children.
The hockey game last Sunday
afternoon was such fun and a
very happy idea. Introducing
those twit* dear little boys -
Adastral's Secret Weapon - waS a
delightful idea. They scored a
goal, toe! The proceeds of
$73.35 which was presented by
Coionei Ryan to Me for the
Children's Aid Society Christmas
Fund is indeed greatly
appreciated.
We' wish to ekpreSs our
gratitude to all those taking part
in these projectS and Wish them
INSURANCE
K.W.COLOUHOUN
INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE
Phones: Office 482-9747
Res. 482-7804
HAL HARTLEY
Phone 482-6693
LAWSON AND WISE
INSURANCE — REAL ESTATE
INVESTMENTS
Clinton
Office: 482-9644
J. T. Wise, Res.: 482-7265
ALUMINUM PRODUCTS
For Air-Master Aluminum
Doors and Windows
and
AWNINGS and RAILINGS
JERVIS SALES
R. L. Jervis — 613 Albert St.
Clinton — 482-9390
every success and happiness for
the future,
Very sincerely,
(Miss) Clare McGowan
Local Director.
of Huron County.
The editor;
I would like to voice a few
opinions regarding the Miss
McGregor Murder and the
decision Of Judge Egener.
I would agree that nothing it
accomplished by treatment of A
juvenile as was done in Truscott
case but I cannot help but
Wonder how Much searching the
Judge did, AS to the true facts of
what is being accomplished in
the 'Mining School Spelteii
I'm Wondering if the Judge had
true facts would he be satisfied
to put this boy there for the two
years he has coming to him.
I feel I have a right to speak
Please turn to page
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Vil
..._ ,.....,
, ONTARIO STREET UNITED CHURCH
"THE'r11 wibl..y CHURCH"
i
/ Pastor: REV. H. W. WONFOR,
iig 13.5c, B.Cin” B.D.
Organist: MISS LOIS GRABBY, A,R.C.T.
o,
SUNDAY, APRIL 12th
9:45 a.m. -,- Sunday School,
11:00 a.m. -,- Morning Worship.
Sermon Subject "THE IMMORTAL HOPE"
7:30 p.m. — U.C.W; Thankoffering Service.
Speaker: Mrs. K. B. Clysdale, St. Marys, Chief of Girl
Guides Association of Canada.
Wesley-Willis -- Holmesville United Churches
REV, A. J. MOWATT, C.O., B.A., B.D., D.D., Minister
MR. LORNE POTTERER, Organist and Choir Director
SUNDAY, APRIL 12th
WESLEY-WILLIS
9:45 a.m. -- Sunday School.
11;00 a.m. — Christian Fellowship Hour.
Discussion Topic; "Literai Thinking and the Church"
Dr. Mowatt
HOLMESVILLE.
1:00 p.m. — Divine Worship.
Guest Preacher: REV. J. URE STEWART
"THE BETTER WAY OF LIFE"
2:00 pm. — Sunday SchOol
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, Clinton
263 Princess Avenue
Pastor: Alvin Beukema, B.A., B.D.
Services: 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
(On 2nd and 4th Sunday, 9:30 a.m.)
The Church of the Back to God Hour
every Sunday 12:30 p.m., CHLO
— Everyone Welcome —
ST.. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-
The Rev. R. U. MacLean, B.A., Minister
Mrs. B. Boyes, Organist and Choir• Director
SUNDAY, APRIL 12th
9:45 a.m. — Sunday School.
10:45 a.m. — Morning Worship.
BAYFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor: Leslie Clemens
SUNDAY, APRIL 12th
Sunday School: 10:00 a.m.
Morning Worship: 11':00 a.m.
Evening Gospel Service: 7:30 p.m.
--Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. Prayer meeting and Bible study_
ST. PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCH
Clinton
SUNDAY, APRIL 12th
EASTER II
Service 11:30 a.m.
Parish Communion and Sermon
Wednesday, April 15, 8:15 p.m. — Friendship Guild,
Parish Hall
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% Business and Professional •
,
, Directory
I Your passport to the infinite
meadows is 35 cents a copy and
I defy anyone with a
rudimentary knowledge of the
English language to find a
sensible statement from .the
front cover to the back.
I found myself remembering
a gent we once employed on a
certain paper with which I was
associated many moons ago. His
job was to work out the daily
horoscope. As an eager young
newspaperman I can still recall
my dismay when a survey of
readership produced the
intelligence that more people
read his astral-type paragraphs
than read the top world news
story of the day.
This unhappy fellow was an
advanced alcoholic whose sole
income for his liquid supplies
came from searching his pickled
brain for cosmic bulletins. The
chilling fact that his stumbling
around in the infinite meadows
of the universe may have
influenced the lives of a good
many of our readers was either a
huge joke or a small tragedy.
Either way it was the blind
is unavailable this week
ERS TO THE EDITOR
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