The Silsbee Bee (Silsbee, Tex.), Vol. 71, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 2, 1989 Page: 2 of 32
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Silsbee Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Silsbee Public Library.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
P09* 1, Section 1, THE SIISIEE BEE, Humvday, February 1,1989
THE SILSBEE BEE (UPS 496-600)
SECOND CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT SILSBEE, TEXAS
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY AT
410 HIGHWAY 96 SOUTH • SILSBEE, TEXAS 77656
SUBSCRIPTION RATES $10.00 PER YEAR IN HARDIN.
JASPER, TYLER AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES:
$15.00 IN ALL OTHER AREAS OF U.S.
NOTICIt CHANGFS OF ADDRF^S NOTICES MUST
BE SENT TO
THE SILSBEE BEE
P.a BOX 547
SILSBEE, TEXAS 77656
MEMBER 1989
TU
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL NEWSPAPER
ASSOCIATION
— EDITORIAL STAFF —
R.L. READ............ Editor and Publisher
WENDI JACKSON.............. City Editor
LEONA WHITMAN . Society & Personal Editor
JOYCE DUKES .... Subscriptions-Classifieds
PORTLAND GRIFFITH..........Office Sales
BARBARA PARET .... Special Feature Writer
RICHARD WEATHERSBY .........Controller
— COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT —
BILLY JOE WILLIAMS ... Supt. of Composition
JAMES JOHNSON........Printer-Pressman
MIKE MINTON......... Composition
What If My Credit Card
Bill Is Incorrect?
Editor's Note: State Treasurer
Ann W. Richards each week
answers questions about per-
sonal finance and state govern-
ment. These questions are com-
piled from various letters to the
State Treasury. Answers are
not intended to take the sound
advice of reputable financial
advisers or other professional
counselors.
If you have a question to ask,
write to:
Ask Ann Richards
P.O. Box 12608
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
When I received my latest
credit card invoice, I noticed a
purchase at a restaurant I have
never even been to! My hus-
band said to just ignore it and
not pay it, but I'm afraid that
will damage my credit rating.
What do you think?
If you are certain you were
incorrectly billed, check the
postmark on the envelope in
which you received the bill.
Legally you have 60 days from
that date to file a complaint
with the credit card company
W<V £
GOING DOWN
PiM: “f irsi one wing eamc oTT,
am! ila'h another."
Slew artless: "Then whal H hap
puicd7" *
PHol: "I polished oil a drumstick
and helped mvsell lo some while
meal
r
12-Year-Old Finally Recognized
For WWII Service In U.S. Navy
By Sen. Lloyd Bentsen
STATE CAPITOL
HIGHLIGHTS
, By Lyndell Williams
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
and ask for a correction.
Do not pay the portion of
your bill pertaining to this
charge. Instead, send a request
for a correction in writing, and
state that you are withholding
the payment until the matter is
settled. All other charges on
your account must be paid on
time to assure your good credit
rating.
Give the credit card company
as much information as possi-
ble, especially your account
number. The company then has
30 days to acknowledge your
complaint, and 90 days to
correct it. You will not be
charged interest if the company
is at fault, and it will not
damage your credit history.
My in-laws in New York
suggested my wife and I try to
get a home equity loan to put
down on a new boat. What are
these loans and are they a good
route to take f
Texas does not allow home
equity loans because of s pro-
vision in the Homestead Act.
That act says a homestead may
only be used as collateral for
loans solely for home improve-
ments, money with which to
buy the house and taxes.
With a home equity loan you
borrow against the equity you
have built up in your home. In
other states, you can use that
money tor any purpose, such as
the downpayment tor that new
boat you want. But in Texas,
that would be a violation of the
Homestead Act.
Some financial and legal ex-
perts have been talking about
allowing home equity loans
here in Texas, but those at
tempts have not been aucceaa-
ful.
AUSTIN--A panel of state
senators barbequed members
of the State Board of Insurance
last we$k with charges of gross
mismanagement ^hich has im-
periled the industry.
Their public grilling of the
three insurance commissioners,
the like of which has not been
seen in years, prompted Gov.
Clements to hint an agency
overhaul is brewing, including
the naming of a new chairman
and two resignations.
At week’s end, none of the
three offered to resign, but
Clements indicated it would not
be his sole appointee, chairman
Edwin Smith.
The other two commissioners
were appointed by former Gov.
Mark White and the term of
one, James Nelson, ends this
month. Clements left clues the
other, David Thornberry,
would resign, which Thorn-
berry denied.
Senators led by Lubbock’s
John Montford, who asked
Clements to demand their re-
signations, aired a probe done
by former DPS head Jim
Adams which found no criminal
misdoing but ripped the com-
missioners as ineffective.
Banking Reforms Urged
Clements also answered a
report detailing problems in the
state banking industry with a
call for major changes in the
State Department of Banking.
The state auditor's report
criticized the banking board’s
actions in the face of record
bank failures in Texas, 130 in
two years.
Banking commissioners re-
jected the criticism while draw-
ing praise from the Texas
Bankers Association.
Prison Plan Planned
Treasurer Ann Richards,
praising the California solution
to overcrowded prisons, told
lawmakers that financing new
prison construction with a $343
million bond program would
eventually cost $4.9 billion in
interest and other cost.
She offered the California
program of drug counseling and
rehabilitation as a solution.
Other Highlights
* Clements wants the Legis-
lature to appropriate $38 mil-
lion to retire part of the bond
debt used to lure Sematech to
Texas, and he ordered emer-
gency status for ttfe issue.
Sematech is a consortium of
14 U.S. high-tech corporations
uniting R&D efforts to over-
come Japan’s lead in semicon-
ductor production.
The short-term project’s suc-
cess is considered vitad to global
dominance in the computer and
electronics fields.
* House Republicans, with 57
members, formed a Republican
Caucus and elected Midland
Rep. Tom Craddick as chair-
man and Houston’s Ashley
Smith as vice chairman.
Their formal organization for
the first time along party lines,
besides being a response to
Democrat organization, is indi-
cative of their push to elect a
GOP speaker in '90. They need
19 votes for a majority.
* Democrats legislators, for
the most part, stayed quiet
when Jesse Jackson’s former
aide Ron Brown claimed he has
sewn up the national party
chairmanship. Brown is also a
former aide to U.S. Sen. Ted
Kennedy.
* The Railroad Commission
and the Public Utilities Com-
mission made history by an-
nouncing plans for their first-
ever joint session to discuss
rebate and marketing program
by utilities.
* San Antonio Mayor Henry
Cisneros confirmed he will not
seek another term, fueling
speculations the Democrat will
indeed enter statewide politics
next year, possibly governor.
CLA5SIFIED5
EVERYBODY’S MARKETPiACF
Tax Facts m-*
Can Tan Itemise This Yaart
You can deduct $5000 for married individuals ($3,000
for singles) Mr your total Itemized deductions from
your adjusted income - whichever fs higher - on your
1988 Federal Tax Return.
Available itemized deductions include:
100% of personal use property and real estate
taxes.
100% of most mortgage interest and financing
points.
100% of most charitable contributions.
40% of consumer debt*(credit cards, installment
notes, etc.)
Other deductions must exceed a "floor" to be deduct-
ible • deductible amounts are:
Medical Expenses in excess of 7.5% of your total
income less adjustments.
Miscellaneous Deductions (employee expenses,
tax preparation fees, safe deposit box fees, etc.)
in excess of 2% of your adjusted income.
Let us be your tax professionals:
f tllists
Business and Tax Services
250 East Aver G-Suite 1
(Across from Britton-Cravens Lumber Co.)
Silsbee (409) 385-3662
* Meanwhile, Texas Republi-
cans are standing in line to
make that race.
Three touted for the race are
George Bush, Jr., the presi-
dent's son; Midland's famous
A&M alum, Clayton Williams of
Claydestra Communications
fame; and Amarillo’s world-
renowned corporate raider, T.
Boone Pickens.
Add Texas Secretary of
State Jack Rains, who said he is
“95 percent sure” he will run
for the mansion, and Railroad
Commissioner Kent Hance, the
symbol of conservative realign-
ment. * The latest surprise in
a Legislature where everyone
seems to be publicly confessing
dreams for higher office came
last week when state Sen. Ted
Lyon, D-Rockwall, said he may
challenge U.S. Sen. Phil
Gramm, now that Agriculture
Commissioner Jim Hightower
has backed away from that
ambition.
John Lincoln Clem was 12
years old when he was pro-
moted to a sergeant in the
Union Army during the Civil
War. Calvin Graham was also
12 years old when he enlisted to
serve in the U.S. Navy during
World War II. Yet, while Clem
became an American hero,
Graham endured a bureacratic
nightmare that for more than
45 years denied him the bene-
fits he deserved as a veteran.
Rarely have two stories that
began so much alike ended up
so differently.
Clem was known as “Lin-
coln’s Little Soldier” after be-
ing promoted from drummer
boy to sergeant in the Union
Army during the Civil War. He
went on to fight numerous
battles and rose through tjve
ranks to retire as a Major
General. He was buried with
honors in Arlington National
Cemetery in 1937 and is still
listed in “Who Was Who in
America.”
Graham did not receive such
glory. This Fort Worth-area
resident enlisted in the U.S.
Navy in 1942 and fought.Jn
World War II’s Pacific Theaters JO
When the Navy discovered his ^
true age a year later, they
released him from his military
service without an honorable
discharge or his military bene-
fits.
This was unfair to Graham,
who served as an anti-aircraft
gun loader on the U.S.S. South
Dakota and performed honor-
ably in the Battles of Santa
Cruz and Guadacanal. As a
seaman, he earned the Asiatic
Pacific Service Medal with two
campaign stars, the World War
II Victory Medal and the Navy
Unit Commendation with one
bronze star. He was awarded
the Purple Heart after a piece
of shrapnel tore through his
mouth during the Battle of
Guadacanal. This injury would
eventually cause Graham to
lose all his teeth, but he was
denied the medical coverge of
his veterans benefits.
Naval authorities learned of
Graham’s true age from his
mother. They threw him in the
brig for 54 days and stripped
him of his medals. He Vas then
shipped home without an hon-
orable discharge or eligibility
for benefits. . ,
When he reached the proper
age, Graham would go on to
serve in the U.S. Marines
during the Korean War. Last
year, his story was the subject
of the television movie ‘Too
Young the Hero.” Over the
years, he tried to convince the
Navy to grant him his honor-
able discharge and grant him
his veterans benefits, but to no
avail.
When I first heard of Gra-
ham’s difficulties some years
ago, I decided to join with him
to fight another battle - this
time for the recognition and the
benefits he deserved.
In 1§77, I began urging the
Navy to recognize his contri-
bution to the effort in World
War II. In 1978 we convinced
the Navy to give Graham his
honorable discharge, but he
still was denied the back pay
and full-service connected
benefits that other World War
II veterans enjoy.
Over the past decade I con-
tinued working to help Graham
and then last year I sponsored
legislation in the Senate to give
him all the compensation and
benefits that he was due. A
companion bill was sponsored
in the House by Speaker Jim
Wright and Congressman Mar-
tin Frost. Congress approved
the legislation, and President
Reagan signed it into law.
When he was notified that he
would finally receive the bene-
fits due him, Graham was
understandably pleased. Not so
much because of the money, he
said, but for the pride of being
recognized for his part in
defending his country.
It makes me proud to have
played a part in making that
recognition possible.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE BU
"King of the Big Woods”
"ALL STAR" SOUND
YOUR KIND OF COUNTRY
Music, Shopping.Tips ft Sports
KWDX
FM 101.7
Silsbee, Texas
TSN Dallas Cowboys Network 9
mi
★
Sa le
Ends
Sat.
Feb. 13
Just Say
Charge It!
You may use Goodysar's
own credit card or
• Discover • Master Car'd • VISA
• American Express
/m •
Flexible sidewalls deliver a smooth,
comfortable ride
Steel belted radial construction delivers
strength, tread wear, and fuel efficiency
WHITEWALL
an
SALE F9UCI
NOTMOI
NfEOCO
71*5/75*14
117.9*
7195/75*14
tn.ts
7305/75.U
*43.95
7305/75*15
844.96
7315/75*15
145.9*
_ 7325/75*15
145.9*
Goodyear “50" Battery
$3995
Installed • Sizes 24,24F and 74
Starting power you can count on.
Limited 50 Month Warranty.
Front Or Rear Brake Service
*4995
Turn Drums Or Rotors, Pack Front Wheel
Bearings, New Pods Or Rear Linings.
Car Front End Alignments
MS” (Most Cars)
Truck Alignments
*19” <*
Deep Lug Traction
For Mud, Sand & Snow
$5995
700-15
Load Range C
Blackwell
Traction Sure Grip
BLACKWALL
SIZE
LOAO
RANGE
SALE PRICE
EFT
750-16
C
$47.95
750-16
D
$73.95
.43
09 Filter, Chassis Lube, 09 Change
© $1388
• Includes up to five quarts oil.
• Special diasal oil and filtar type may rasult
In extra charges.
ill
Rogers Tire Service
215 North 5th Street • Silsbee
MI4UT • 758*770*
fVCAR
4
4
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Read, R. L. The Silsbee Bee (Silsbee, Tex.), Vol. 71, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 2, 1989, newspaper, February 2, 1989; Silsbee, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth821083/m1/2/?q=%22%22~1&rotate=270: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Silsbee Public Library.