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Show Christians Across World Ready Yuletide Celebration United Press International Christians around the world observe the birth of Jesus Christ Thursday in the most popular commemoration of the church year Christmas. First suppressed in the United States by the Puritans because of their pagan origins, Christmas celebrations . have J become and popular increasingly commercialized. Dec. 25 was the date of a pagan festivel in Rome, chosen in A D. 274 to celebrate the winter solstice. Christmas on Dec. 25 is first known to have been celebrated in Rome in the second quarter of the 4th Century. Christmas is a traditional time to visit with family and friends, to exchange gifts and to feast. strike had threatened to keep many Americans at home, but the strike was settled and full service was restored for Christmas Eve travel. white Much of the nation will have a hoped-fo- r Christmas. The Weather Service said snow will fall for Christmas from the central Great Lakes to the Ohio River Valley and west to central Missouri, and also in southwest A United Air Lines Wyoming. Snow is already on the ground from southern New York state to Lake Erie past Milwaukee and Minnesota into the Rocky Mountains. Jordan, the hilltop In Bethlehem, in Judean village where tradition says Jesus Christ was born, the spirit of Christmas was hardly recognizable. Israeli-occupie- d There were Christmas wreaths and caned olive wood likenesses of the Christ child and the three wise men. And a gaily decorated Christmas tree sparkles outside the Israeli police station on manger square. But you also find a lot of Israeli security guards carrying submachine guns on their rounds. In Beirut, Lebanon, a city torn by nine months of civil war, gunmen kept the streets deserted and showed no good will toward any man. Christian churches canceled carol services and midnight masses. Almost every shop, bar, restaurant and nightclub was closed. In Los Angeles, a lawyer contended lighting of the city hall tower in the form of a cross is illegal because it violates constitutional provisions for separation of church and state. A judge rejected an immediate petition, but set a hearing for Jan. 16 well after the Christmas season. In Cincinnati, Christmas returned to the Wendling family. Last week, Mr. and Mrs. John Wendling, both all the Christmas physically disabled, discovered presents thy had purchased for their four children had been stolen from the storage room in their apartment building. When the story got out, gifts from around town and across the country many of them anonymous began pouring into the family's home. The Wendlings received so many gifts they decided to give some to charities for the needy. ui:atiii:ii index PROVO-SAL- Amusements Classified Comics Editorial 12-1- 3 22-2- 7 20 21 snow near zero through 0 18 103RD YEAR, NO. PROVO, UTAH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 125 Visitors BETHLEHEM, Israeli-Occupie- 1 Christmas President Outlined WASHINGTON ven signed Tuesday is only for six months, there is little doubt Congress will vote early next and year to keep the cuts for perhaps increase them religious will culminate with midnight mass. Thousands of tourists from around the world streamed toward Bethlehem in sparkling weather to attend observances marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of soldiers in combat gear lined the route from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, watching the crowd from sidewalks, roofs and windows in an attempt to prevent Arab guerrilla attacks. About 2,500 persons, colored lights and streamers hanging above them, milled in Manger Square at midday with vendors hawking everything from roasted chestnuts to wooden souvenir camels. As the sun went down the tourists and pilgrims in Bethlehem drifted into ' it- cafes around Manger Square anci ir to St. Catherine's Church . Michael Kidron, spokesman for the Tourism Ministry, reported the largest number of Christmas tourists since Israel captured Bethlehem in the 1967 Middle East War. Kidron set the figure at 25,000, 8,000 more than in 1974. "This is a record year for Christmas tourists since the y war," he said. "I've enjoyed every minute of my visit to Bethlehem," said Mrs. Ida Dattilo of Louisville, Kentucky. CIA Chief In Greece Murdered - ATHENS The (UPI) American CIA chief in Athens fsfeif was M PUT the framework around a cherry tree and waited for cold weather. After about two weeks Mr. and Mrs. Norman Cluff, 466 W. 610 S., Orem, had THEY - six-da- Ice Causes . Epidemic of Of Accidents Slipping and sliding replaced walking for lots of folks in the valley Tuesday and some 40 of them arrived at the emergency room at Utah Valley Hospital for treatment. (Continued on Page 2) Provo Officials Study Revision Pattern for Occupancy Permit Law to Provo's Revisions occupancy permit ordinance will probably take the form of a licensing requirement for "commercialized residential rental." City Attorney Glen J. Ellis said he has written a suggested revision to the now - abandoned law which would require a business license for a landlord who rents to more than four roomers or boarders or to more than two families. license, occupancy require like permit, annual the would renewal. it could be renewed by mail, and it would require no on - site inspection as was required by the occupancy permit law. Parking requirements would one off remain the same street parking space for each tenant with a car with a minimum of one - half parking space for each tenant. Commissioners will meet to discuss the proposed ordinance after Commissioner - Elect J. Earl Wignall is sworn in Jan. 5. The ordinance was adopted June 19 this year. Several apartment owners filed a suit Aug 19 in an effort to stop the However, -- (UPI) -Ethe tax cut President Ford though extension St. that CENTS R7 I Just Signed by Catherine's Church to begin the observances 15 ixfeimdl Tcax Cutfs Provisions of Bill the Judean hills Wednesday to protect the largest crowd of Christmas tourists in Bethlehem since Israel captured the town in 1967. The Latin patriarch, accompanied by at least three Israeli secret service agents, led hundreds of marching schoolboys from the ancient walled city of Jerusalem to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Msgr. Giacomo Beltritti then adjacent - PRICE $3.00 PER MONTH d Jordan (UPI) -Hundreds of troops patrolled entered 1975 Cmigress ixpeeited Throng Holyland The measurable Friday. of Probability 15 Society Sports Stocks LAKE-OGLC- Hazy sunshine Friday, continued cold, light winds. Highs near 36, lows 15 to 20. implementation of the The lawsuit said the ordinance was unconstitutional because it added requirements to already existing buildings. It also complained that the law would work a hardship on some landlords who are unable to Sept. law. meet 1 the requirements. parking The city agreed to take another look at the law and on Dec. 22 ordered a refund of money paid for occupancy permits. created this ice sculpture which is likely to remain a part of the landscape for some time yet and certainly will serve as a landmark if Santa gets lost in the fog. Weather Forecast: Dismal But With Light of Christmas Editor's note weather report from the Springville Junior High weather station has a new look done in free verse by Mrs. Voneal Heber, a secretary at the school. : Today's 'Tis the night before Christmas and the weather is foggy; at the Springville Junior High weatherstation our instruments are smoggy. As we look through the haze temperatures to read, we find lows in the low 20s and northwest winds from one to 10 will speed. The highs in the mid 20s and chance of precipitation near 20 percent; that's the outlook for Christmas Eve the forecast has sent. Now we are really concerned worried we are; with this low visiblity Santa can't get very far. How can he see to guide his reindeer? Maybe we'll have to wait for our gifts 'til next year. But what's that that we see through the snow flurries mist? A bird? A flying UFO? Or maybe ol' Claus checking his list? Get out the telescope and look quick. What is it can you tell? Oh, it is, it's St. Nick. So even though the forecast is dismal, and cold with fog everywhere, nothing stops Santa Claus from flying through the air. You see, Santa has Rudolph with f lorescent nose of red, and with the other reindeer, they know where to head. So no need to worry about Santa's coming tonight. Springville Junior High Weather Station reports he's now within sight. A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. miles-per-ho- the rest of the election year. For now, there will be no major effect of the President's action, for the bill continues last year's tax cuts. There are some technical revisions in calculating 1976 taxes but not enough to change weekly withholding rates. If Ford and Congress had not reached a compromise on the bill, withholding rates would have gone up by $2 to $6 a week beginning the first week in January. Ford already has said he would ask for a larger tax cut but is tying his promise to whether Congress accepts his billion budget request. $395 Neither Republicans nor Democrats in Congress are of a mind to let taxes rise just before an election campaign. Here is a rundown of the changes the bill will make: Standard deduction Maximum dollar limits for the standard deduction, claimed by those who do not are itemize deductions, increased from the current assassinated Tuesday night and Greek authorities tightened security around key U. S. Embassy personnel today because of threats to assassinate other U.S. officials made by a group claiming responsibility for the murder. Three masked gunmen shot and killed Richard Welch, head of CIA operations in Greece, Tuesday night as he returned home with his wife from a Christmas party in a lightning $2,300 to $2,400 for single attack that policce called a persons and from $2,600 to "very professional job." $2,800 for joint returns. The In Washington intelligence minimum deduction, which can sources said Welch was a be taken no matter how low the brilliant officer who appeared person's income and which headed for a top agency post. helps to wipe out taxes for the Welch, 46, had been identified poor, is raised from $1,600 to as chief of CIA operations here $1,700 for singles and from in a letter published a month $1,900 to $2, 100 for couples. ago by the English language Every taxpayer is allowed to daily Athens News. subtract $35 directly from taxes owed for the taxpayer and each dependent, compared to $30 this year. An alternate credit is available instead of 2 per cent of the first $9,000 of taxable income, a maximum $180 credit. This would be of benefit to single persons and WASHINGTON -S(UPI) families. small ecretary of State Henry income credit Earned Kissinger is warning Russia The special credit for the and Cuba to get out of Angola or face U.S. resistance and maybe working poor is continued. This grants a payment of 10 per cent the end of detente. But at a news conference of earned income up to $4,000, out as phasing who was gradually Tuesday, Kissinger income reaches $8,000. This for largely responsible creating better U.S. relations with both maximum $400 payment is if Moscow and Havana left to subtracted from tax bills any the and owed taxes are speculation what he meant by to the made is remainder resistance and the future of worker as a lirect payment detente. "Unless the Soviet Union from the Treasury. Business taxes shows restraint in its foreign Most earlier business tax in situation the actions, policy our relationship is bound to changes were for more than become more tense," he said. one year. This bill continues "And there is no question the those few that were for one United States will not accept year only, mainly the lower on' the first $50,000 of Soviet military expansion of rates income. corporate anvkind. Kissinger Asks Soviet Union Show Restraint LL Press International 'Twas the night before Christmas and across the nation, motorists left for their Christmas vacation. The Christmas traffic rush began in earnest today. Motorists clogged highways to share gifts and dinners with family and friends. The National Safety Council estimated that between 440 and 500 persons could die in traffic mishaps on the nation's roadways between 6 pm. local time today and midnight Sunday. The council estimated 19.000 persons would also tO 22.000 suffer disabling injuries in holiday mishaps. Police put on extra patrols in most states efforts to keep holiday auto travel as safe as possible and to in enforce the national 55 mile per hour speed limit on highways. The white Christmas of New England proved hazardous to motorists. Up to 1' 2 feet of snow from two weekend storms covered the ground, and a last flurry of snow Tuesday left highways slippery and touched off a flurry of auto accidents. A storm over the Rockies touched off travelers' advisories or heavy snow warnings today for portions of New Mexico. Arizona and Texas. Auto clubs reported Christmas motorists should have no trouble finding adequate supplies of gasoline. While motorists packed up and took to the highways, other travelers jammed airports for flights home. The air travel load, although heavy, was not as unbearable as it had been strike during the against United Airlines. United resumed full operations today, easing the air travel burden, but a strike by National Airlines a major carrier to Florida caused some difficulties with flights to the sunshine state. cars two-wee- k Some half million tourists shunned the traditional white Christmas in snowy-areas and headed for the usually warm beaches of Florida. They may have been disappointed. Cold weather engulfed much of the state with temperatures ''''II! MIL Ford in N.H. Primary Race N.H. (UPI) -PFord today officially entered the 1976 New Hampshire presidential primary, the first of a series of battles with GOP challenger Ronald ReaCONCORD, resident gan. Rep. James Cleveland, gave the secretary of state $500 and nominating with some 1,200 petitions signatures, slightly more than the 1,000 signatures required. Reagan entered the same Feb. 24 contest on the first day of the filing period 14 days ago. Ford supporters filed as the President continued an eight-daski vacation at fashionable Vail, Colo. y Preparations for additional showdowns between the President and Reagan are under way in Florida and Illinois, sites of the third and fourth primaries in 1976. Cleveland told a news conference Ford had little choice but to enter the New Hampshire primary. "He's a candidate. It would be misinterpreted if he didn't enter New Hampshire," said the sevpn-ter- "He's going Ford supporters filed as the day filing period was due to close. Filing ends Friday 5 p.m. 16 All expect- entered liberals, companion the Democratic contest. The struggle was expected to eclipse the crowded Democratic struggle Ford-Reaga- n between Sanford, former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter, Rep. Morris Udall of Arizona, Sen. Birch Bayh of Indiana, former Oklahoma Sen. Fred Harris and 1972 vice presidential candidate Sargent Shriver. For the President, 62, and Reagan, 64, the New Hamp- shire primary represented their first tests before voters in years. Ford was last on a ballot in 1972 as a Michigan congressand man seeking Reagan last submitted his record to voters in 1970 in seeking a second term as governor of California. President Skis have a confrontation with Gov. Reagan. It might as well be here." near or below freezing in the northern and central areas and chilly weather clearing the beaches as far south as Miami. Amtrak, the national rail passenger service, reported heavy traffic but said many major routes still had space available for travelers. An Amtrak spokesman said reservations were 26 per cent over last year's volume but that chances of getting a seat on most routes remained good. major candidates ed in the New Hampshire race were to have filed by evening, as former North Carolina Gov. Terry Sanford, the last of six Republican. to have to Motorists Jam Roads in Christmas Traffic Rush By United II. CARRYING SKIS, President Ford waves toward fellow skiers as he finishes his first day on the slopes at Vail, Colo., where he and his family are spending a six - day vacation in snow ountry. (UPI Telephoto) After Signing Batch of Bills Colo. - In (UPI) jaunty spirits, President Ford headed back to the ski slopes at this Rocky Mountain resort today a.if r signing a batch of bills In the evening, Ford and his family planned to gather for a Christmas Eve celebration and if they follow tradition a midnight mass. Ford had 28 more bills to act VAIL, snow-starve- after signing 20 measures Tuesday, including a erteasion of the 1975 tax cut and a bill to move the United States toward conversion to the metric measurement system. on |