The United States could pay off one-tenth of our national debt if we could collect upwards of $60 billion which 113 countries owe this nation. The Herald believes efforts to collect debts owing us by other countries should be redoubled. We spend billions to aid other nations. Indeed just last Thursday the House passed a $5.3 billion money bill for foreign aid, about half of it for the Mideast. Possibly money from debts repaid could be earmarked toward reducing the national debt, But other steps are necessary, of course, to make a dent in the debt, which can only be regarded a national scandal and something of which this relatively rich nation should be ashamed. In 1915, the United States owed only $1,191,264,068, and in 1930 when Herbert Hoover was president the debt stood at $16,185,309,831. By 1940 it was $42,967,531; 038 and it’s been soaring since, with astronomical figures that stagger the imagination. Generally the debt has gone up in peacetime as well as wartime, in Republican as well as Democratic administrations. In only two of the past 17 years has the government taken in more money than it has spent, Speaking of the $60 billionplus owed the United States by 113 countries, Sen. Harry Byrd, Ind,-Va. declared this “is in addition to the untold billions we have given outright to foreign coimtries – in most instances with no thanks or any other manifestation of appreciation. In all frankness I feel the time has come to give some consideration to the American taxpayer and for our country to cease being a world Santa Claus and a world banker.” What the Senator from Virginia said makes a lot of sense. But a great many people obviously need convincing, including the State Department, Congress in general, and even the . President. So They Say “Short of banning the machines altogether. there is precious little society can do, at the present state of technologl’- to protect rmtorcyclists from death and injury in the accidents that we know are going to happen. I-helmets are one of the few safety measures available to ns, and it will be tragic if we are anything but forceful in requiring all riders to wear them.” -MyronDuBain,chairmanof Flrumn’s Rand American Irsuranoe Companies, on a poposed Senate bill that would eliminate the federal requirement that states adopt mrtorcycle helmet laws or face possible loss of highway funk. Y “I don’t believe in beating anyone unnecessarily ”’l I think the force used by the officers was legal at the time.” -Sgt. James Stewart ofthe New York Police Department after a fellow officer was indicted for fatally punching; kicking and clubbing a handcuffedsuspect.