"Do not (ret about Communist China?Ûªs future, inflation vs. unemployment, whether to keep or can FBI Director Clarence Kelley, or who is better: Mr. Ford or Mr. Carter. These are issues amply aired and pondered. Better to consider what is really bothering the citizenry.</br></br>As anyone who has encountered it knows, the most perplexing question before the republic in 1970 is: Where do you put those two new tires, on the front or rear wheels?</br></br>A short while back, I bought two new steel-belted, radial tires. The tire man mounted them on the rear wheels, and I was away, 900 miles to Iowa from Washington, and 900 miles back again, No problems. Carefree motoring, as the man used to say.</br></br>A week after returning, I had my car in for servicing, and when I picked it up 1 noticed the new tires were on the front wheels. How come? I asked the service manager. ?ÛÏBecause that's where they belong,"" he replied firmly. ""Some damned fool put them on the rear wheels,""</br></br>So I went back to the tire man, reputed to be an expert. The steel in his look was not belted but rigid. ""New tires,?Û? he declared in a ringing policy statement, ""always belong on the rear wheels. The Department of Transportation says so. Look, here's a news clip which proves it."""