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Show f f BEN (shoumgedl During the Christmas season it is human nature to be more compassionate, eager to respond to other kindness people, and prevails. Any scam that is good the rest of the year is better around Christmas. The conartist usually uses the goodwill toward men for his own advantage. The con artist takes advantage of you wherever you are. Beware of the street vendor who is usually unlicensed and has a very expensive item that he is making a real sacrifice on for one reason or another. He is broke, he is in need of medical care, mother or father just passed away, it many-splendor- hard-workin- ' el few. You see, the positive side is that there is an abundance of good projects already on the drawing boards. The Bureau of Reclamation alone has a backlog of 83 projects with a total price tag of some $14.2 billion. The Corps of Engineers has hundreds more already authorized. And Administration recommended 27 new starts for the 1979 budget year the largest number of new starts recommended by any President in the last eight years. mer- may even be stolen chandise. Your door-to-do- salespersons are usually busier at this time of year. They are selling everything you might want and save you a trip to a business, particularly in the mad rush of Christmas one of many decorative Christmas trees at the recent Relief Society Christmas show in the North Ogden Stake. THIS WAS We should concentrate on completing those projects, and, at the same time, continue to develop worthwhile new ones, instead of dredging up the unsound ones that seem somehow to seep into every budget cycle. Projects that dont cut the mustard should not be unloaded onto the backs of the groaning American taxpayer. Thats the message President Carter put across when he vetoed the Public Works Bill. He was saying, loud and clear, that the public interest lay in sparing the taxpayers the old business-as-usuhabit of dropping in a few million here, a few billion there, for projects which cost us all, but only benefit a few. Obviously, the Congress agreed, because it sustained his veto, and came up with a cleaner bill. My object is not to gloat over this small victory for fiscal sanity. Both the President and I would have been infinitely happier to have moved ahead with the good projects alone, and spared everyone the hassle that confrontations bring. Theres no mystery about how to accomplish this. Its a matter of recognizing that times have changed and we can get much more done by working together for the good of all, rather than scrapping over the perceived interest of the few. shopping. Exercise caution. The trip may have been less costly. Make certain a subscription to a magazine will not cost you more over a long period of time than if you bought it off the newstand. Examine carefully any contract you put your name on. Read the fine print. Youll be bound by that contract unless you do not receive the goods or services. Always bear in mind that any purchase exceeding $25, or as a if sold result of a telephone call or materials received through the mails with free offers, recision must offer a right and the time period is midnight of the day purchased to midnight of the third day. this should be stated on the contract or on a separate sheet with full instructions on how to cancel, name and address of the salesperson and date of the sale. At this time of year a knock at the door may mean a visit from someone asking for money for some charitable cause or another. Be sure the organization and receives not those who are doing the door-to-do- our-donation collection. Before giving, these consider asking questions: Does the solicitor have identification including the name and address of the benefiting organization? Will the solicitor accept a check made out to the organization instead of an induvidual? And finally, will the solicitor provide a source for obtaining further information? $5. With us, One Year people count $g).G8 fir Charitable especially callers often for donations request merchandise made by the magazine handicapped, with the subscriptions a proceeds benefiting charity, and many other SUBSCRIPTIOfT" causes. Before promising to give money, prospective I NAME request .ZIP STATE I AMOUNT B Thats why we concentrate on people in our newSPPer- - Peopl who lead the community, people who have special abilities, people who have something to say. We like to tell you what the people of are doing because we think you would like 5388 So. 1900 West, Roy 825-166- Year 2 Years B i r"GIFT SUBSCRIPTION ADDRESS .ZIP B AMOUNT. B 1 Year 6 TDthb in before anyone electrical CITY Bstate iden- provide tification including the name of the sponsoring fered. These types of products are finding their way to the market in great quantity. There are those that do work and the future is very promising for these devices. However, many are in their infancy and should be given careful scrutiny invests. Because of the great emphasis placed on conserving energy, heat saving devices, NAME to know. Beacon 1 the ask following questions: Does the caller immediately or on I CITY L should donors ADDRESS B organizations may also solicit funds over the telephone. At time Christmas Two years YOUR The 15 December 21, 1978 Page There's sometimes a bad side f o Christmas season too! Times fawe By Cecil D. Andrus Secretary of the Interior public interest is a thing, everybody loves it, and sometimes it seems everyone has a afferent impression of what it is and where to find it. That thought hit me rather hard one day recently as I aced a national group meeting in a Southwestern state. The irgamzation is dedicated to water resources and development. Its members are g and sincere about their particular point of view. They were also angry- -at me, and at what they believed hey knew of the Presidents water policy. And as they glared at me a funny thing happened. I got the feeling that I had been there before. Almost instantly, I began to understand why; many of the faces were familiar. Id seen them all at similar meetings in Idaho, in California, in Washington and other places as well. . As I paused to size up the group, it dawned on me that faces belonged not to the ranks of those working farmers, but to federal, State and local water agency officials and other White-colla- r professionals of the water development bureacracy. I realized then that instead of explaining our policies to the hundreds of thousands of (genuine farmers and other water users, I was trying, once again, to persuade the people whose very jobs hinged on defending every water project that comes down the pike, regardless of whether its good for the greatest number of Americans. Understandably, these folks have come to equate their own interest with the public interest. So I put aside my prepared speech and tried instead to talk straight from the shoulder to the real farmers in the audience. I can tell you it was a frustrating experience, because frankly, I didnt see all that many farmers, with calluses on their hands or broken fingernails or sunburned faces and pale foreheads. But I tried to get through to them, just as Im trying to get through now. The essence of my message was that we stand at a crossroads today. Either we can continue to waste time fighting over the dogs that arent worth building, or we can work together to determine where we are going to build the worthwhile projects. If we adopt this positive approach, we can also decide whats happening to the quality and amount of our underground water supplies. We can devote the time and effort necessary to working with the Congress, and to consulting with the States and local interests to determine what their real needs are, and to ensure sound planning of water resource projects. We can do all this if and its a critical if we dont continue to let ourselves get bogged down in endless debates fiascos that would return only fifty cents in over pork-barrbenefits for every dollar spent, or that waste millions of hard-earne- d taxpayer dollars on projects that benefit a relative LOMOND BEACON Lmotnid savers, gas Submit Sports and scouting news Read and use the want ads 825-166- 6 savers, water savers, air purifiers, conditioners, keep out the cold - keep in the heat aevices, have suddenly come out is mass. Some do what they say. Some do a little of what they say. And some do nothing. Even instances of damage in some cases. Investigate the business and know they are in good standing. How many of the same type of device are in use and where. At this time of yearoffersof moneymaking schemes are forever in the business opportunity ads. Make easy money stuffing envelopes, invest in this, invest in that, double you money overnight, become a millionaire. STOP1 There are tens of organization and the purpose of the call? Will the solicitor give information on how to obtain more details on the charitdDle organization? Is the solicitor sufficiently and willing to well-inform- reasonable answer questions? Is the solicitor willing to put the request in writing? If the charitable organization makes its appeal for charity through the mails, be sure to check the following: Does the appeal make a clear statement; purpose and need? Is it easily understood and not disguised as a bill or invoice? Does it make it clear that there is no obligation to pay for or to return any enclosed unordered items such as stamps, key rings, etc? Does it include an address to write for further information? Does it indicate that donations are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes? In connection with your salespeople caution should be exercised. If you are contemplating house repairs or house door-to-do- cleaning experts, you should make certain that they are licensed either as a DBA with the Secretary of States Office, have a local business license or have a contractors license in the event they are doing repair or installation work.Ask the individual for references of others who have used their services and check them out. You have a right to thoroughly investigate those people who are approaching you. If you pay in advance, there is always the chance you will never receive the merchandise or the service. If considerable time goes on after you have paid, and you find the telephone discon- nected or the address vacated, you will know immediately that your money has gone with them. There is very little chance for recovery unless those individuals are found and then they may not have the money with them. One should exercise caution when an energy saving device is being of conartists selling work-at-hom- e schemes. Many are the mail order variety. Most are a ripoff in one way or another and 99 per cent operate out of the mail box. A business that can run itself and requires no experience on the part of the owner. Requires only a few hours a day, and offers large returns is so rare and unknown so as to be on the endangered species list. If the offer is to make money but requires you to send a few dollars to show you how it is done, the offer is probably worthless. Investment that requires a large downpayment. Many are operating on your money and may constitute a security. Check to see of they are registered as a security. Note the base of operation, and if they have a history of good performance. How long have they been in business? Have others invested? If so, get names and addresses. Check carefully the contract terms and the protection it affords you. How much time will elapse before you realize an investment return? It may be long enough to collect and be gone. Call Consumer Affairs for a report on any known operations under the guise of a potential investment. Investigate fully any initial and may contitute a security. Check to see if they are registered as a security. Note the base of operation, and if they have a history of good performance. How long have they been in business? Have others Invested? If so, get names and addresses. Check carefully the contract terms and the protection it affords you. How much time will elapse before you realize an investment return? It may be long enough to collect and be gone. Call Consumer Affairs for a report on any known operations under the guise of a potential investment. The legitimate business with which most of us have dealings within our own individual communities are in the vast majority. Only a few are not honest Some may exagerate more than others. But in this area a consumer would do well to acquaint himself-hersel- f with protective measures. Most businessmen are honest, only a few are not. In this, one of the greatest consumer markets of the world, it is inevitable that while few in number the snake oil vendor of another era is still in our midst. Prevention is the best medicine. A quick look at some of the elements of a ripoff cannot be done often enough. The dishonest seller, merchant or ripoff artist succeeds so easily because he knows one thing - that the average person cannot resist the lure of a bargain or something for nothing. The stage one sets will always catch the uninformed consumer. The following catch phrases should be a warning to the open-eye- d consumer You have been especially selected, Buy now or lose the chance, Just a few Yours abeasy lessons, You can solutely free, save up to . . . . The consumer who expects to get something for nothing is his own worst enemy. Even the informed, open-eye- d consumer will oc- casionally discover that he has purchased a product or service that is defective or inferior. It may be a TV that watches you, a car that rattles and groans, or a soggy basement. When you find yourself in this type of a situation you have an obligation to yourself and to other consumers as well to complaint. Complaining in an efficient, effective manner will make it more difficult for the unethical or irresponsible manufacturer businessman Complaints legitimate or to operate. also help the businessman know when and in what way their product and-o- r service is failing to please the consumer. Too many people shrug off a bad product or poor service by saying, Thats just my luck, or they are embarrassed to admit someone got the the better of them. At all times, particularly at Christmas, watch for quality merchandise. There are those who bring merchandise out from a decade ago and use it as bait sales. If it fits your needs this is fine, but it may be faulty, deteriorating or obsolete. Note in buying clothing whether it is to be dry cleaned or can be washed. Upkeep means money. Always bear in mind the consumer shares responsibility in knowing the store policy. You should observe the following: Is a cash refund allowed and can merchandise be returned? Is there a restocking charge? What are the termsof the layaway? Do you receive a credit only on returns of merchandise? What guarantee do you have, instore or factory? What does it cover; labor and parts, return labor, or just parts? Is a sales receipt necessary for reutm? Is the merchandise new or used and is it in writing? Usually you buy any used as is" which merchandise means you inherit ail defects A recourse. no with business has a right to establish store policy but a consumer is entitled to know what that store policy is and it must be posted conspicuously. A business cannot profess that it has sponsorship, approval, performance characteristics, accessories, uses or benefits if it has not. A business cannot maintain that a consumer transaction is of a particular standard, quality, grade, style or model if it is not or has been used to an extent that it is marerially different from the fact. A business cannot state that a consumer transaction is available to the consumer for a reason that does not exist. A business cannot state that a consumer transaction has been sup- plied in accordance with the previous representation if it has not. A business cannot state that a consumer transaction will be supplied in greater quantity than the supplier intends. A business state cannot that replacement or repair is needed if it is not. A business cannot maintain that a specific price advantage exists if it does not. In selecting toys for the children this Christmas, give thought to the safety of the child when e plays with the toy by using the following guidelines. First, hazardous toys are those which pinch, puncture, suffocate, burn, shock or kill. Among such toys are stuffed animals w'ith glass eyes, toys with small removable parts that can be he-sh- swallowed, pencils and paints that contain lead, certain dyes used in some of the toys that could be hazardous to small children. Second, consider a childs age, size, abilities and whether or not the toy if it falls into the hands of a younger brother or sister could be hazardous. Thirdly, avoid excessively noisey toys. They could damage a childs hearing. Fourth, look for labels indicating on fabric toys and clothing. Always adhere to age recommendations showing on the labels on such toys as chemistry sets and toys with sharp edges or cutting edges. A special warning to home owners who will not be at their homes during the Christmas season or who may be gone during the day and evening Christmas shopping. Remember, there are those individuals who make it a habit of knowing who is gone, when they are gone, and how long they will be away from their homes and when the door is unanswered or when the telephone rings indicating no one at home. Thoughts should be given for deferents for burglaries. Following are suggestive measures: (1) If you have wooden sash windows, the kind that slide up and down, drill a hole at the downward angle through the sliding part and into the frame at any point. When you insert a pin or nail into the hole, it will keep the window from being raised any further. (2) If you have sliding glass windows or doors, install special locks, available at most hardware stores, that allow you to open the window or door slightly, then turn the lock to hold it fast. Dead bolt locks that lock with a key from both inside and out are most advisable. They take a little extra time, but they are well worth i. (3) Engrave your valuable possessions with your social security number or drivers license number, then put up a decal on your windows announcing the fact. (4) Put decals on windows stating that your home is protected by an alarm company, even though it may not be. These decals can be obtained free for a minimal charge many security from alarm firms because it is a source of advertising for them. The thief will go nuts trying to find the alarm system so he can disconnect it. If you can afford it, an aiarm system that connects directly to a switchboard that in turn notifies the police is very advisable. (5) Make your house look lived in at ail times. If you go away, leave on a radio, TV or light. (6) Turn your phone bell down to its lowest level when you are away. An unanswered, ringing telephone is a dead giveaway that no one is at home. (7) If you have doors or screened windows by shrubbery behind which a burglar might lurk, use inexpensive burglar alarms to protect them. (8) Make sure all tools and ladders are locked away or put out of sight. Why give a burglar just what he needs to break in? If you have a question on a consumer matter or a complaint you cant resolve or if you need consumer information, please contact the State Division of Con- sumer Affairs, 330 East Fourth South, Salt Lake City, Utah Mill, telephone |