Milford chronicle., 1959-12-11
FOOTBALL FAREWELL

We now come to the time of the year
when football, as far as weekly college games,
passes out of the sports picture to a large
degree. True some college games will con-
tinue as will the pros for while longer, and
we can look forward to New Years Day.
However, in general the college football
season is over. Since football is game of
American original least in the form we
play it-interest and activity concerning it
each Fall is also typically American.
AS far as the Bowl games CO. New Years
Day will probably present more major Bowl
games than any in the history of our coun-
try. In 1859 the Bowl picture is beginning to
expand, as interest continues to rise in pro-
fessional football This latter trend has been
in evidence for a number of years, but pro
officials think they are on their way to TAX
ing over the No. place in the hearts of most
football fans.
We are inclined to disagree. The Ameri-
can sports fan has long since looked upon
college football as No. I, in the sport. 1t
probably will remain so, even though the pro
teams play better brand of football. But,
in our way of thinking, college football has
a lot to do with campus connections, school,
and the so-called amateur aspects of the game.
1t will probably be some time, then, before
professional football takes the play away
from the college game-and one reason for
this is, alas, that the college game is almost
professional itself.
~Se&<
DECEMBER 7TH
December 7th should never come and go
without bringing back memories to every
American. How many times have people
asked you. Where were you that Sunday
morning in I 941ADecenfber 7th?' isA-t =
1t was one of the great tragic and testing
moments for the American people. Fortu-
nately, in that surprise attack there were no
nuclear weapons and we were given chance
to recover from our surprise and defeat and
come back, to win.
Today we face an enemy and a weapon
from which there may be no such OppOrtun-
ity-in new crisis. 1t is sobering thought
much talked about, but nonetheless we re-
main badly unprepared.
Our cities are vulnerable We lag in the
missiles and rockets race Our conventional
military strength is dangerously low. Yet
our defense expenditures are high and infia-
tion threatens the stability of the dollar. 1t
all gives rise to disturbing thought
December 7th is a time to survey and as
sess our controversial military posture. The
budget writer's, the Administration leaders
affected, as we'll as all Americans, should stop
and think. 1t seems incredible that we are
forgetting Pearl Harbor (Which so many pa
triotic young boys remembered going into
battle in World War ID but many of us are
forgetting!
SHOP EARLY
Every year about this time, housewives,
and all those who must do Christmas shop
ping, are faced with the problem of buying
innumerable presents for members of the
family and friends for the children, and
for various acquaintance Usually, the
greater part of this Christmas shopping is
concentrated in the final two weeks before
Christmas, at which time there is what
might be described as general bedlam in the
larger stores in most of the cities.
Even in the smaller communities, the
choice of goods is much better early in De-
cen1ber than it is later in the month. More
over, one gets better service, in addition to
this better selection, and can, therefore,
save time and trouble in shopping.
We would, then, suggest that you do your
Christmas shopping this week or next, and
not wait until the last days before Christ
mas. We would also suggest that, where poss-
ible, shoppers buy at home-for the dollar
you spend at home may eventually come back
to you.
WORD TO THE WISE
Holidays, generally speaking, are pleas
ant occasions. Holidays also are times when
death and tragedy stalk the celebrants. This
is especially true during long Christmas and
New Years week-ends such as most Ameri-
cans will have this year.
The other day the American Association
of Motor Vehicle Administrators sent out
few remarks on the subject. Its release con-
tanned these chilling sentences: indications
are that the year 1859 may become the most
grisly year in the history of u. S. traffic fa-
talities. toll of nearly 10000 is consider
ed to be a strong possibility by safety Off
cials."
Whether or not the nation sets new rec
ord in traffic deaths will depend, obviously,
on what happens in December. Most partic-