White Deer News (White Deer, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 21, 1974 Page: 6 of 8
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PAGE 6
WHITE DEER NEWS
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1974
The
Consumer
Alert
by John L. Hill
Attorney General
AUSTIN — The best way to
reduce consumer problems in
the marketplace is to have a
State full of knowledgeable,
shrewd consumers.
My office's Consumer Protec-
tion attorneys tell me that peo-
ple who are on guard against
possible deception and who are
determined to get the most for
their shopping dollar are less
likely to fall prey to unscruplu-
lous business tactics.
Consumer problems that are
headed off before they develop
could save Texas citizens money
and grief and could save the
State time and money by sett-
ling more cases before they
reach the courtroom.
Many cases now are settled be-
fore they reach the litigation
stage by our Consumer Protec-
tion Division staff's efforts to
improve communication between
consumers and merchants.
It has been said that consumer
protection is essentially nega-
tive, while consumer education
is essentially positive. I believe
the two are intertwined, and
both are needed to adequately
safeguard the rights of consumers.
With our tough Deceptive
Trade Practices-Consumer Pro-
tection Act, the Attorney Gen-
eral's office now has the tools
needed to fulfill our obligation
as the chief protector of the
consumer.
District and county attorneys
have responsibility trader the
act, too. And an even more
important and innovative fea-
ture of the Act means private
attorneys who represent indivi-
dual consumers can collect tri—
pie damages for them, plus at-
torney's fees and court costs.
New trends are now developing
in consumer education that we
feel will complement the con-
sumer's rights under the law.
One example is the new Con-
sumer Information Center Infor-
mation Center set up in Fort
Worth by several local consum-
er interest groups and our Con-
sumer Protection Division.
But adults are not the only
ones interested in consumer in-
formation. School children of
all ages are beginning to in-
vestigate the "How to' s" of
consumerism.
Last session, the Texas Legis-
lature voted to allow the Texas
Education Agency to develop
programs of study in consumer
education. The TEA is author-
ized to begin classes as early
as 1975. Even now, some math
and home economics courses
feature consumer-related ma-
terial.
In some states, even children
at the pre-kindergarten age
are learning how to shop wise-
ly. In classes that deal with
items of great interest to chil-
dren (such as toys, cookies,
and punch), young consumers
learn that a small bag of cook-
ies may cost them more per
cookie than a larger bag.
Older students may be figur-
ing whether it's less expensive
to buy or rent ski equipment
for vacations or learning what
to look for when purchasing a
product or service.
All of these efforts should re-
sult in a new generation of
alert, informed consumers
who are aware of their legal
rights.
We feel this will make the
business climate in Texas bet-
ter not only for the consumer,
but for that large majority of
businessmen who are honest
and conscientious.
For assistance with a con-
sumer problem, call my Con-
sumer Protection Division,
your local county or district
attorney, or your local Better
Business Bureau.
FARMERS
ELEVATOR
CO., INC.
Let Us Continue To Serve You
• Grain Handling and Storage
• Farm Chemicals
• Full Line of Commercial Feed
or Mixed To Suit Individual Needs
Kingsmill Office
Rt. 1, Box 280
Pampa, Texas 79065
Phone 665-5881
Mike Germany
Operating Mgr.
White Deer Office
Box 368
White Deer, Texas 19097
Phone 883-5651
Morlan Shuman
General Mgr.
News From Area . . .
Social Security Office
People with low net earnings
from non-farm self employment
may get social security credit
if they report their earnings by
an optional method similar to
one available to farmers.
The option is available for the
first time to people reporting
non-farm self-employment earn-
ings for 1973, according to How-
ard L. Weatherly, social security
branch manager in'Pampa.
"Instead of reporting their net
earnings for the year", Weather-
ly said, "people can report up
to two-thirds of their gross earn-
ings from self employment for
social security credit—if two-
thirds is $400 or more but less
than $1, 600. "
Previously, people who worked
in non-farm self employment
got no social security credit if
their net earnings for a year were
under $400. "Now they can get
credit if their net is under $400
but their gross is from $600 to
$2, 400 and they report their
earnings by the optional method, "
Weatherly said.
Earnings reports and social se-
curity contributions should be
sent with income tax returns to
the Internal Revenue Service by
April 15.
Eligibility for social security
benefits depends on credits earn-
ed by people who work in jobs
covered by social security. The
amount of their monthly social
security benefits is based on the
worker's average earnings over
a period of years.
"The new non-farm option may
be used only by people who had
net self-employment earnings of
$400 or more for at least 2 out
of the 3 previous years, "Weath-
erly said.
Under the law, the option may
be used only five times.
For more information, contact
your social security office.
Mrs. Horace Brooks Gives
Program For Church Ladies
The United Methodist Women
met at the Church parlor last
Tuesday morning for a lesson.
Mrs. Horace Brooks gave the
program; the first part was taken
from the book "The Healing
Fountain" - Joy, Freedom and
Peace was discussed, with em-
phasis on Joy. She then showed
a film of the women of India,
dressed in saris, principal gar-
ment of the Hindu women; the
film showed the progress the Hin-
du women have made since 1870
due mostly to Christianity. Great
strided have been made in health
care and education.
Mrs. Orville Franklin was hos-
tess for the occasion and served
delicious crescent rolls and cof-
fee to Mrs. L. C. O'Neal, Mrs.
Jimmie Eamhart, Frances Stande-
fer, Russ Howard, Howard Bran-
son, A. W. Chi sum, Lawson
Shaw, Laura Jo Skaggs, the
leader Mrs. Brooks and the Rev.
Marvin Roark.
Return From Oklahoma
Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Milligan
returned last week from Semi-
nole, Okla. , where they spent
several days visiting their son
and family, the Joe. Milligans.
Political
Announcements
The White Deer News has
been authorized to present the
names of the following candi-
dates for office subject to the
Democratic Primary Election
May 4, 1974.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
For Carson County Judge:
* CLARENCE C. WILLIAMS
For County G District Clerk:
* SUE COCKRELL
For Carson County Commissioner
Precinct 4
* JOHN MORRIS
CLINT FREEMAN
For Carson County Treasurer
* PEGGY BUTLER
Texas House of Representatives,
65 th District
ROBERT D. SIMPSON
Congressman, 13th Congressional
District
JACK HIGHTOWER
( * Incumbent)
-A Let’s Work Together For Our
School System -fa
-VOTE-
JOHNNY SLAGLE
Position 5, White Deer-Skellytown School Board
Pd. Pol. Adv.
&
American Red Cross is a hometown affair—perhaps the biggest self-help program in all America.
So when you give a buck to your local chapter, much of it will be used right around home to teach
kids lifesaving. To help old people. Young people. People in need, people who suffer, people in
trouble.
But your bucks don't just stop here. Some of them may be used to help people far, faraway. When
Tropical Storm Agnes left disaster behind in 1972. for example, American Red Cross had to house
150.000 people. Feed a half million. Provide medical care. Clothing. And many other necessities. The
bill: $23,000,000.
American Red Cross is the organization that can respond immediately, anyw here, anytime there's
trouble.
Whether it’s in your home town. Or a continent away.
Help us. Please
The American
Red Cross.
The Good
Neighbor.
Published as a Public Service
by the White Deer News
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White Deer News (White Deer, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 21, 1974, newspaper, March 21, 1974; White Deer, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1170369/m1/6/: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Carson County Library.