Fraternity-Testvériség, 1965 (43. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1965-02-01 / 2. szám

6

FRATERNITY

the cool, cool, cool of the compressor doesn’t have to fight hard to do a good job. When the heater is on, little of cozy warmth gets through the Twindow.

With picture windows, enclosed porches and sliding terrace doors, almost everyone lives in some kind of a glass house. And people who live in glass houses often throw fits — when they see their fuel bills! This tiny fraction of an inch of air, amazingly enough, can help cut fuel costs — for cold-weather Yankees or hot-weather belles. Or, perhaps, just enough to start you on your way to that mink status symbol.

Of course, people who have nary a window for watching the world go by, simply insulate their walls and ceiling. Home owners in Ancient Greece, for example, were hardly a curious bunch. Their houses were built around a central court without any opening in the outer wall, except an arch. The Romans relented a bit and built lunettes, or small semi-circular openings at the top of their walls. These were covered with metal gratings. Aristocratic Romans, who really wanted to show off, had very small panes of window glass in their homes.

Through the ages, shutters and lattices, linen, mica, gypsum and oiled paper have been used as windows. By the 1500s, window panes as we know them were prevalent. In fact, by 1696, William IH of

England put a tax on all houses having more than six windows. This

law, by the way, wasn’t revoked for 150 years.

Today, architects are designing buildings that are just about the

opposite of our Greek predecessors. Thanks to tints that eliminate glare and insulation like Twindow, many people live, work or study inside a “curtain wall”.

Without consulting the local witch, looking for a red sunset, or

chasing a groundhog about, they can determine what the weather is like outside. Not to mention that with the flick of a dial, the Weather Bureau will give forecasts, gathered from some ten thousand reporting stations.

And, P. S., if your corns hurt, it probably WILL rain!

E. D.

SOCIAL SECURITY PROBLEMS

Question: If a single person dies and both parents are dead, can a sister, brother, nephew or niece draw this person’s Social Security?

Answer: The Social Security lump sum death benefit will be paid to whomever pays the funeral bill.

Question: I was in Social Security from its beginning until July 7, 1942. Then I went into government work and Civil Service. I am 58 years old, plan to retire at age 62. Will I receive any Social Security benefits as well as my Civil Service retirement?

Answer: It appears that you may have 21 quarters of coverage. This will keep you fully insured until 1972. Since you are a male worker, if you reach age 65 in 1971, you will need 20 quarters; if you reach age 65 in 1972, you will need 21 quarters of coverage.