The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 6

THE ENQUIRER mm- CAKLH. LINDNF.R l'ublislier WILLIAM J. KEATING President BRADY BLACK Editor and Vice President THE ENQUIRER'S DECLARATION OF FAITH. APRIL 10. 1S-I1 If ue fail, that failure shall not arise from a want of strict adherence to principle or attention and fidelity tn the trust tie assume." Thursday, March 7, 1974 Vv Vis Mr.

Luken Goes To Congress THE SPECIAL ELECTION for the congressional seat in Ohio's First District was the culmination of a good contest, a hard, to-the-wire fight between two candidates who demonstrated keen interest in winning the chance to serve the district's constituency. Both can be rightly proud of their efforts. And the winner, Democrat Thomas A. Luken, can take satisfaction in the acceptance of his positions on the issues by the electorate. Mr.

Luken's victory is the sweeter in that he has become only the fourth Democrat elected to Congress from the First District in this century. Certainly this seeming reversal of popular leanings will cause a great deal of analysis of this election by both sides in the weeks ahead. The same seat, after all, will be up for election again in November. But early statistical analysis performed by The Enquirer indicates very few surprises in the How Does He Do It? issues and the composition of the voter turnout The winning margin was 52, certainly not an overwhelming spread in light of the predicted turnout of large numbers of urban Independents. There appears to be little evidence of defections among voters with strong party affiliations.

The Enquirer poll showed that 92.4 of the voting Republicans backed Willis D. Gradison Jr. and 95.4 of the Democrats voted for Mr. Luken. This suggests that the election was decided on the strength of the Issues as they were understood by the Independent voters.

A great deal of pre-election attention was given to the effects of Watergate and Mr. Nixon's conduct of the presidency on the race. The Enquirer survey showed clearly that these questions, and the related Issues of energy and cost of living, produced the largest preferential majorities for the winner. Analyses aside, there were other, more on the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Practices hoped to see the committee Investigate. Even though the committee Is charged with delving Into every aspect of the 1972 presidential campaign, not simply the Watergate there seems little chance that union politics will get any more than passing attention.

The role of unions In the political process, nonetheless, needs to be an Integral part of any systematic examination of how political campaigns are financed in the United States. What came to light In Los Angeles only underscores that fact. general considerations that certainly had a bearing on the outcome. The First District has been considered "Republican territory" to the extent that truly strong Democratic candidates have not been attracted to run there. This race was, as stated earlier, a true contest between two strong candidates with markedly successful political records.

That fact, together with the prevailing state of voter unrest and disaffection with government generally, seems sufficient In itself to swing the election. There Is a definite and understandable uneasiness about continuing shortages of consumer goods and the dwindling purchasing power of the dollar. Accordingly, it is natural that support would build for the candidate who campaigns on the promise to "turn things around." And that was the major theme of Mr. Luken's campaign. His appeal was geared to voter dissatisfaction.

He stumped in the supermarkets where he decried rising prices. He attacked the oil companies as the causes of the nation's gasoline shortages and he asked the voters for a chance to serve in Congress to do something to clear up these dinner-table concerns. In so doing, Mr. Luken obviously touched a public nerve and won the opportunity to take his methods and ideas to Washington. He has staked out a great task for himself and we wish him success in the undertaking.

The eight months ahead will be a critical period, not only in determining the workability of Mr. Lunken's campaign promises, but In the course of American government in general. Labor And Politics I leaders Vi trs Campaign Costs Share The Wealth, But Not Mine A FEDERAL COURT in Los Angeles, acting in response to a group of union dissidents, has asked the International Association of Machinists (IAM) to submit thousands of documents related to the union's activity on the political front. The court's requirement has been significant for several reasons. For one thing, the IAM has been one of the most politically active unions in the country.

For another, the papers made available to the court point to the union's indirect contributions to favored candidates that considerably overshadow its direct contributions. The role of one union on the political scene assumes particular relevance as Congressand state legislatures like Ohio's debate the merits of restricting contributions to political campaigns. It is unlawful for labor unions as it is for corporations to make direct contributions from union funds to political candidates. But the IAM, like most other unions, maintains the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League, which is endowed by supposedly voluntary contributions from union members. Hence, the IAM's political arm contributed $15,200 directly to John J.

Gilligan's unsuccessful campaign U.S. senator from Ohio In 1968, but contributed another $15,500 indirectly through union services. Indirect assistance takes many forms-polls, printing service, transportation for congressional incumbents, use of union computers, union leadership in voter-registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns. The whole issue of union contributions to political parties Is one that Republicans DAILY THOUGHT Some people regard free enterprise as a tiger to shot. Others look at it as a cow they can milk.

Sot enough people see it as a healthy horse pulling a sturdy agon. I im-lon Ch archill. TO THE EDITOR: In jour editorial (February 14) you criticize the Congress tor a "headlong rush" Into passage of legislation, providing public financing of elections. However, on this subject like so many others Congress Is not moving too fast. The Issue of public financing was first proposed to Congress by President Theodore Roosevelt in his State of the Union address In 1907; Henry Cabot Lodge Introduced a bill in the Senate in 1949; Lyndon Johnson sent proposals to Congress In 1967.

More than 150 members of the two houses have Introduced legislation, and presumably most of them have studied the subject. The Senate had lengthy debate on public financing last summer and again before Christmas, when the Issue was filibustered to death. Extensive hearings were held before the two appropriate committees House Letters submitted for publication should be addressed to Readers' Views, Cincinnati Enquirer, 617 Vine Cincinnati 45201. For the sake of public Interest, good taste and fairness to the greatest number, the editors reserve the right to condense or reject any letter and to limit the appearance of each writer to once in 30 days. Administration and Senate Rules.

The volume of Senate hearings, hich have been printed and are available to ttV public, runs 574 pages; the House hearings jr 193 pages long. All the pros and cons of tv- issue are thoroughly covered. The Senate Rules Committee has reported a bill by a vote of eight to one. A bill is expected from the House committee within the month. The measures will be thoroughly debated on the floor.

The Watergate committee while charged with conducting an investigation Is not a legislative committee; It can only make recommendations. For more than a year, the charges of campaign financing irregularities have tumbled forth Illegal corporate contributions, misuse of union funds, illicit cash transactions. We could wait for a formal report from the Watergate committee, but the evidence is in: We need a better system of financing political campaigns that eliminates big money from special Interests. One can argue against the principle of public financing and debate the merits of changing the way we fund campaigns. But there is no need for further delay on the grounds that additional "extensive, exhaustive Inquiry" Is needed.

U.S. Ties If Chou and "Western Influences" are the targets, Is It the decision of Chairman Mao Tse-turtg to allow the prime minister's leftist rivals to attack? DOES MAO PERHAPS fear allowing any one other man to gain sufficient power to be able to challenge his predominance? Mao Is old. He Is now 80. Lin Piao, the defense minister who made himself Mao's designated crown prince and heir, sought to topple the leader of the Chinese Communist revolution. Instead, Lin was toppled and Is dead.

Other "comrades-in-arms" who became too ambitious have similarly fallen from power. Is It now Chou's turn?" CHIANG CHING, MAO'S wife, has led the leftist opposition. That opposition would have a permanent revolution. In concrete terms, Its policy Is autarky for China, enmity toward all competing foreign powers such as the Soviet Union, the United States and Japan, and a severing of all the deep roots of the Chinese people in their four-millenia-old civilization. It could be a hostile China, a rogue elephant In world affairs.

It Is the apprehension over China's possibly taking on that role which makes the outside world watch what is happening within China today most closely. The Center for Public Financing of Elections has Just released a study showing that candidates already have S24 million In cash on hand for future elections. The longer Congress delays, the worse the situation becomes. The time for action Is now. NEAL GREGORY, Codirector.

Center for Public Financing of Elections. 201 Massachusetts NE, Washington C. 'Poor Image'' The best editorial I have found In your paper recently was "A Selfish Act" (F ebruary 24) criticizing the U.S. House of Representatives for rejecting the proposal to donate SoOO million a year to the International Development Association. Neither the efforts of our State Department tn Its diplomacy nor those of our many humanitarian groups seeking peace and development can counteract the Image of our elected representatives voting against hat Is probably the most effective International aid fund.

HOWARD RKYNOLDS, 610 Nelson Place, Newport. 'Senior Citizens At I'C Maurice Schapiro (February 24) challenged the University of Cincinnati and Xavler University to emulate Ohio State University's "Program 65." Instituted during the 1974 winter quarter. This plan auows citizens over 65 to audit some university classes at Ohio State. Those students do not pay fees, take tests or receive credit for the course. Since September, 19i9, the UC Evening College has offered such a program to area senior citizens.

Last fall, 67 students 62 years of age and older attended classes at the evening college for only $5 each. Although they received no academic credit for the classes, they completed assignments and took exams Just as any student would. We agree with Mr. Schapiro's thinking, and we value the contribution of students 62 and older. Their experiences add Immeasurably to our classrooms, and we think our program Is one way of saying thanks.

NANCY MACENKO. Assistant to the Dean, University of Cincinnati Evening College. I Altar Stairs I I I I II Ilr. K. II.

HuIm I The event of death In the family can be so shattering that we feel helpless before It. In our shock and confusion, we may feel powerless to do anything about our feelings or our loss. Whether your loss cripples you or furthers your creative growth and understanding is largely up to you. i Every time I sit In an airplane on a wet runaway with clouds overhead, I get apprehensive, even though I am a pilot. But, when the captain pours on that power and thrust and I feel that lift, and we climb up through the clouds where the Sun Is shining, I get a great thrill and feel God must be near.

But, If we had remained on the runway, we would never have seen the Sun. You may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but you do not have to remain In the valley. With God's help, you can get out of the valley, and back to life. THE KNQL1RKR 6 I 7 V.n St Oncmnoli Oti.O 4S70? MAIL OUTSIDE Of CARRIER DELIVERY DISTRICTS IN ZONES 3 AND BEYOND Dtlly ono J3 Swdavww yt IJ6.04 Stcond ciott pottoqt potdot Cincinnati, Ohio Tho Auocialed P'f it nfitlcd clwit'vly to th uto or publication sf oil tho local now printed in Ihn ntwipopttr 01 woll 01 oil nowt gSt- potcHct, RIWI IWUiU. Wnihinqtofi.

D. C. 1 317 Notional rV. ftldq. Colymbul Ohio 4 II IS 614 loqqi Bdq Bala.io Partem lldq.

Covmqton 600 Grnenup St. Hom.ltoft. Ohio4S0l I HON. Third St. Ohio 4S047.

HI Cnfrol Avi lowrf.ncr.buro, Ind 4 7025 605 Wilion Crk Rd Lebanon. Ohio 450)6 Am. 304 lank Hdq SAWYER FERGUSON WALKER CO. INC. GENERAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE THE SHAH OF IRAN not only wants to have his people enjoy a standard of living equal to that of Americans, but he proposes to adopt American, West European and Japanese standards for dealing with the world's developing nations.

That is a long way round to saying that Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavl Is stingy in offering to share the wealth Iran Is raking In from the tripling of crude oil prices. The shah has proposed setting up a development fund of $1 billion. Iran's windfall from the new crude-oil prices could be as much, however, as $16 billion a year. While attention in this country has focused, naturally, upon the Arab nations' embargo against exporting their crude oil to the United States, we are less badly off than some. We produce still some 80 of the energy we use and we can, given time, do even better.

While the West Europeans and the Japanese have been worrying about the ransom-high price of crude oil, they do have the funds to pay for It and the economies to produce the funds, although economic dislocations for them will result. The real losers as Iran, Nigeria, Vene By Scott THIS. TOO, IS NOT all that extraordinary. It does, however, recall the withdrawal of almost all China's ambassadors around the world during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution from 1905 on. There Is another fact that might be a small bit of evidence the new "cultural revolution" Is affecting China's relations with the outside world.

Ambassador David K.E. Bruce, the head the U.S. liaison mission In Peking, has also been recalled. He arrived In Washington several weeks ago. Secretary of State Kiss-' Inger has said he wanted Bruce to help work on U.S.

relations with West Europe for a time. THE AMBASSADOR HAS the experience. He has been ambassador In the past to France, West Germany and the Court of St. James' Britain. He was chief of the Economic Co-operation Administration to France after World War II, has been undersecretary of state and held numerous other diplomatic posts.

Yet there are other career diplomats who have broad experience In West Europe and have the trust of the West European governments. Even the pressing problem of crude oil prices, the political floundering of Britain, monetary uncertainties, impending trade negotiations and continuing negotiations, with the Soviet Union over arms do not outweigh the importance of keeping Bruce In Peking. are It zuela, Indonesia and the Arab nations raise oil prices are the energy-poor developing nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Secretary of State Kissinger has estimated that the increase in their petroleum bill in 1974 alone could be $30 billion. The Moslem nations, including Iran, discussed the Idea of helping their oil-poor coreligionists and other developing nations during a summit conference in Lahore, Pakistan.

There did not seem to be any great desire among the Arab sheikhs and King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to disburse their oil monies either to other Moslem nations or to developing nations in general. Perhaps we should take the shah's gesture of a $1 billlon-a-year development fund as a good sign. It is comparable to the generosity of the United States in recent years In using Its wealth to build up the economies of developing nations and to the generosity overall of most other prosperous, developed nations. But it is interesting to see that for all the talk of the sheikhs and the shahs about the right of developing nations to share the wealth they really mean share somebody else's, not mine. Aiken AFTER ALL, HE ARRIVED there only late last spring.

The U.S. liaison office opened only 11 months ago. The secretary of state and President Nixon both made it clear they viewed this as a very important, concrete result of their policy of improving relations. The evidence Is circumstantial, but It Indicates that perhaps Kissinger's explanation Is primarily an excuse to divert attention from another, real cause of Bruce's coming back to Washington at this time. The State Department has been very cautious in talking about Bruce's mission in Washington.

It seems fair to conclude that Kissinger fears stirring up criticism by the Chinese government If American diplomats begin to speculate, or seem to speculate, about the new "cultural revolution." THAT "REVOLUTION" IS a puzzling affair. Some Western analysts think that the target of the criticism of Confucius is Chinese Prime Minister Chou En-lal. Commonly, In China as In the Soviet Union, Important Issues of policy or of personality fought over apparently unrelated, even Insignificant matters. If Chou were the target of the campaign, could relate to his own policy of seeking to take the People's Republic out of diplomatic Isolation and to use better relations with the Western developed nations, especially the United States, to help Industrialize China. China's 'Revolution' May Affect Sino THE CHINESE COMMUNIST regime has begun another "cultural revolution" that Is already perturbing Its relations with other countries, Including the United States.

There have been some reports In the U.S. press about the officially sponsored campaign of criticism of the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. Together with the Mr. Aiken Is The Enquirer's Foreign News Analyst attacks on Confucius as an aristocrat and a public-relations man for the emperors, the new campaign attacks Western culture. BEETHOVEN HAS BEEN a target.

A French movie satire about conformity In French society which happens to use Chinese Communist Ideas and not in an unsympathetic way has roused an official Peking protest to Paris. An Italian movie director who made a film on the People's Republic of China with official blessing Is now accused of having held China up to scorn and ridicule. The head of the Chinese liaison office In Washington, Huang Chen, has been called back to Peking for consultations. That Is a normal diplomatic procedure. But he has been gone for some time, and there Is no word when he will return..