The Salt Lake Tribune from Salt Lake City, Utah • 14

illiam Kaplx-m Salt Cake (Tribune 4 Ja i JK. 1 I irst Nectioii Tuesday Morning, Whats to Do For Retiree? Panama Chiefs Threat Provides Added Reason to Rejeet Paet Solid support for the Panama Canal Treaties with the United States was voiced Sunday by Panamanian voters. That was expected. How, it should now be asked, would a similar vote in the United States turn out? Public opinion polls suggest that a comfortable majority of Americans oppose the treaties. Their reasons vary but the sum of their objections is a compelling factor in sustaining Senate opposition to ratification.

In one sense, the pro-treaty vote in Panama could increase anti-treaty feeling in the United States. If so many Panamanians view the treaties as a good deal for their country, might not Americans see this as confirmation that the United States must be giving up too much? Remarks by Gen. Omar Torrijos, the Panamanian strongman who signed the treaties with President Carter, did nothing to convert American rank and file treaty opponents Asked what the effect would be in Panama if the U.S. Senate rejected Flair Raisin" in the The Public Forum Belated Nuclear Waste Plan The Washington Post WASHINGTON Define the problem as what to do about old folks, and a number of possibilities are legitimate for discussion Define it as what to do about discrimination against old folks, and you have hardly any options at all. Nobxly is in favor philosophically, at least of Hicriminatin against anybody.

As a result, defining the problem as discrimination curtails the discussion. It also falsifies it to a major degree. Mr. Raipberry It is not my purpose to question the wisdom of the current proposal to raise the age for mandatory retirement from 65 to 70. But a good deal of the debate over that question is premised on the assumption that mandatory retirement at any age is wrong, immoral and discriminatory.

Deny Certain Work Well, it is discriminatory in the non-pejoraBve cene of the word, lust as it is discriminatory to deny certain work opportunities to fully capable 12-year-olds. But the question of whether it is wrong is not nearly so easy as some in the debate make it out to be. The problem usually is cast in terms of the bright, alert, thoroughly competent worker who is put out to pasture simply because he is now at the mandatory retirement age. It sounds so absurdly arbitrary when it is put that way. Columnist Ellen Goodman suggested recently that the only principal reason for mandatory retirement is that it makes life easier for the middle managers who, otherwise, would have to decide which workers to keep on the basis of their competency and productivity, rather than their age.

Middle Managers Its easier she said, to let the calendar do the dirty work. Shes right, of course, so far as the middle uTC CimfTi iiC-mi Dwt the thing from the other side. Advertising copy writers sometimes lose a bit of their creative edge with the passage of years. Teachers sometimes get to be a little cranky with age. Editors may have a greater tendency te miss errors that they would have caught a few years back.

Now, as Goodman suggests, it is difficult for a supervisor to single out for involuntary retirement those whove lost their edge. But its also hard on those singled out. Here is a guy who has devoted his life to the company, whose contributions are unquestioned. But while hes not yet ready for Golden Years Manor, hes clearly not as sharp as he once was perhaps not as sharp as the eager 22-year-old who wants his job (at perhaps half his salary). Face Saver Mandatory retirement (assuming his financial needs are taken care of) may be an important face saver for him.

I seem to recall reading that somewhere in Scandinavia, old people, when they reach a certain age, go automatically to retirement homes. The idea has a certain appeal. One of the toughest things about sending the old folks to nursing homes in America is the fact that not everyone does it. If the people down the street have their elderly parents in their home, and if your elderly parents are aware of that fact, its hard for you to pack your folks off to Sunny Dale, no matter how excellent or costly the care they provide at Sunny Dale. Youll feel guilt-ridden and awful, and they might wonder whether you simply wish to avoid the inconvenience of having them around.

Its a heart-rending thing to talk to nursing home residents who are convinced that their children have just thrown them away. But suppose everybody did it. Bend Roles Even so, thered be the occasional grandma or grandpa so chipper and alert, so good with the grandkids, or just so delightful to have around, that someone would bend the rules to see to it that they could postpone moving to the nursing home. And why wouldnt a similar approach make sense for mandatory retirement? Set a retirement age at some point that makes general sense, then provide for exceptions in the case of truly exceptional workers. Obviously, there would be no debate if there were plenty of useful work for all who want it.

There isnt. It makes social sense to phase young people in and old people out of the labor force, leaving the bulk of the jobs for people in their middle years. To call that age discrimination may be technically accurate, but it doesnt provide much illumination. Copyright Paragraph When a TV set is advertised as "portable," it usually means it can easily be carried by the average bionic man Rage I I the treaties alter the favorable Panamanian vote, the general replied that "I dont believe they could be that irresponsible." Later he observed that "We are a smali country and we dont have the military strength to defend the canal alno'V But we can stop its operations because we control the water (necessary to operate canal locks) Threats such as this wont help the treaties cause in the United States. It is precisely the fear of such disruptive actions once Panama got control of the canal that fuels much of the American opposition to the ti CntiCS.

There are good reasons the United Stales should 1 eject the tieaties. We believe they outweigh arguments in favor of gradually turning the canal over to Panama. Gen. Torrijos off the cuff threats give timely substance to the claims of treaty foes. A leader who would, close down the canal in pique cannot be trusted to operate it in a dependable and impartial fashion if the United States pulled out.

waste without serious mishap although there have been errors and some leaking tanks. Much of the fear about waste storage centers on plutonium. Plutonium is a radiological poison because of its high level of alpha emissions and their specific absorption in bone marrow. The maximum amount of plutonium 239 (the type contained in spent reactor fuels) which can be indefinitely maintained in an adult human without significant body injury is 0.0005 micrograms (one gram equals 0.035 ounce. A microgram is one-millionth of a gram).

This scary statistic notwithstanding, plutonium 239 is handled daily without incident. According to General Electrics Dr. Bertram Wolfe, "The claims made about toxicity of plutonium are misleading. Plutonium is not highly toxic in a chemical sense. Its principal radiation is not penetrating; a piece of writing paper can serve as an effective shield.

But it is a radioactive substance and toxic if it is lodged in the body so proper precautions must be taken to prevent exposure to it." The United States, in this scientists view, can "manage the handling (and disposal) of plutonium as it now routinely handles other toxic substances." Since plutonium 239 has a half life of 24,300 years it will require considerable storage. The administration's disposal program requires amplification so that its details can be thoroughly studied. But the simple fact that a government program to dispose of this and other nations nuclear wastes has finally been formulated is significant. It is a major step toward facing up to an awesome and too long neglected challenge. underground in 1971 Meanwhile, the Marxist Leninist ERP (People's Revolutionary Army), with an estimated 8.1RR) fighters, tried to "Liberate" an entire Argentine province in Che Guevara style by building Viet Cong like tunnels in the torrid mountain jungles of Tucumnn and challenging the Argentine army By 1975, the ransom-rich Montoneros had launched their own political party, the so-called Authentic Peronists, fronted by left-wing leaders and financed by kidnaping Its aim was to win the next "democratic" elections scheduled for 1979.

According to documents captuied by the army, the Montoneros1 budget for 1976 (a bad year) was $10 7 million. They had bought 603 "safe houses" at an estimated cost of apiece with $8(H) extra for "decoration." Their monthly budget for military purposes (anils, ammunition), organization, $55,000, politics, $23,000, press and propaganda, $45,000, and international (human rights lobbying), $25, (HR). Biggest Industry Terrorism had become Argentina's biggest and most successful industry. Under Peron the army had been oidered to intervene against only the ERP in Tucuman Draftees reported that their captured comrades were often found dead with their eyes poked out tmy grenades were sabotaged to explode the second the pm was removed Army casualty figures were secret Before the March 24, 197b, coup which removed Mrs Peron, the Argentine military repeatedly warned the terrorists that they would suffer total annihilation if we are October 25, 1977 Radioactive waste disposal poses a stubborn threat to greater utilization of nuclear energy. Pro-nuclear power scientists believe that waste disposal can be accomplished without undue danger to the public, now or years into the future.

Whats needed, they say, is a well-defined, well thought out government policy. Tuesday the Carter Administration unveiled what could be the beginning of such a policy. Under the Carter plan the government would take over responsibility for storing and eventual disposal of spent nuclear fuel from atomic reactors in this country and abroad. Presumably, the plan would also provide for disposal of nuclear reactors when replacement of such, facilities becomes necessary after about 50 years operation. Spent fuel would not be reprocessed to recover usable uranium and plutonium as that would be contrary to the Carter plan for curbing spread of plutonium, a prime ingredient of nuclear bombs.

Instead, spent fuel from commercial reactors would, for a fee. be stored in large pools on government reservations until such time as underground storage vaults can be readied, probably in bedrock or in salt formations. Whether the proposed burial of long-dangerous radioactive material is indeed foolproof remains a matter of controversy. But there is reason to believe the government is capable of carrying out a largescale storage operation without dangei tu people. In connection with its own weapons program the federal government has for more than 25 years reprocessed fuel and stored atomic Panama Canal Zone States.

These areas are not private preserves for the rich, for the able and for the carefree. These areas belong to all of the people of these United States. They belong to the old, to the handicapped, to the harried who cannot take the time nor suffer the hardships to trek on foot or horseback into these areas of pristine beauty. Great White Throne in Zion, Thors Hammer in Bryce and all of the areas of the Grand Canyon have been made accessible to the general public. They have not suffered adversely.

These works of wonder, these natural manifestiations of the hand of God can stand the impact of being seen. Ms. Smith says Save Canyonlands. I ask from what? for what? for whom? I say save Canyonlands from being locked up from being buried from being set aside as a private preserve of the one per cent of the American people that have the time, can take the -trouble and have the money to afford the luxury of an extended hike or a horseback ride into Canyonlands or any of the other anticipated wilderness areas that are being foisted upon the people of Utah and the nation as a whole. Yes, lets save Canyonland for everyone.

Lets keep Canyonlands open for all. Lets help everyone to enjoy and appreciate the beauty that God has created for us here in the western United States. Only in this wise can we, our children and our childrens children and all other who will come after be able to appreciate and enjoy this legacy that we have left them. STERLING GRIFFITHS Kane County Commissioner Don't Run to WaiJiinton Editor, Tribune: Recently I received an unsolicited long distance telephone call from Motorola Corp. The pleasant voice on the other end of the telephone was explaining to me the advantages of their new automobile telephone and asked to arrange for an appointment for a local salesman.

As soon as she had finished her initial statement, I told her I had no interest in such a device and tried to politely terminate the conversation. I would not like to receive a great number of these telephone calls each day. However, I read Oct. 19 in Another Viewpoint on your editorial page, that we should advocate new legislation in the House and Senate to limit those nuisance calls When are we going to stop running to Washington and asking for more and more laws requiring more and more people to administer them? Isnt one Ralph Nader enough? Dont we have enough people and enough administrators in government now? Lets leave bad enough alone. JAMES L.

NEVILLE Brigham Must Move Editor, Tribune: With the likely advent of the Crossroads Center and high-rise office building and other welcome downtown development, it is time that we re-think the intersection of South Temple and Main Street. Brigham Young has been there all of my life and it certainly would not be the same not seeing him watching over the Mam Street merchants. With traffic what it is and what its going to become. Brigham Young has got to consider moving somewhere else or modifying the base upon which he stands to allow a free flow of traffic. With the LDS Church Office Building, the ZCMI Center in a few years the Crossroads Center all creating and discharging traffic in the same three block arcu, wise and prudent planning is necessary now.

JOHN PRESTON CREEK Iut Them lo Work. Editor, Tribune: For once I agree with our President of Peanuts Carter. Maybe those who say he is smarter than he looks are correct. Im speaking of his statement that all able welfare people should be put to work Hallelujah! I would like to suggest that they be put to work policing the roads of America for litter eight hours per day. This would be a good job from early spring until late fall.

If they got them all cleaned up, they could use any extra time cutting weeds. Think of the beauty they would create cutting all those ugly weeds both town and country! Then in the wintertime they could shovel snow up North and down South they could hoe peanuts and that would help Jimmy. If these orum Rule Public Forum letters must be submitted exclusively to The Tribune and bear writer's full name, signature and address. Names must be printed on political letters but may be withheld for good reasons on others. Writers are limited to one letter every 10 days.

Reference will be given to short, typewritten (double spaced) letters permitting use of the writer's true name. All letters are subject to condensation. Mail to the Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, Box 867, Salt Lake City, Ltah. 84110. werent available, we could create a work where they could move rock or shale with a wheelbarrow or by hand.

You see all those people lack is a chance. They are just dying to prove that all they want is a chance to work eight hours of labor five days a week! It would give them the chance to show the people that this was the chance that they sought! Think of the mighty work force! Also think of the healthy bodies and happy attitudes this would create. Everyone would want to vote for Jimmy and the Democrats, and votes is the name of the game as far as welfare is concerned. Hooray, for Mr. Carters plan tor jobs for all able-bodied welfare people.

DICK MADER Gillette, Wyo. Sate For All Editor, Tribune: In response to Ms. Elizabeth S. Smith (Forum. Oct.

131 I disagree totally and completely with her plulosoplueal underpinnings in relationship to the concept of recreation areas and national parks. National parks and recreation areas are set aside for their intrinsic worth and merit for the edification of the entire people of the United forced to act In 18 months, terrorism in Argentina has been greatly reduced The famous "dirty war" has been modeled on French methods used during the Algerian war with perhaps as many innocent victims. "You need to torture ll) people to know that five are terrorists," a military man told a civil rights leader. Privately, the army calculates that 20 per dent of its arrests involve innocent people. Paramilitary death squads, disguised in eivilan clothes, have been given total freedom to exterminate terrorism, apparently without interference from the government.

According to official statistics, (here have been 8. (HR) left wing casualties, 5,000 to 6,000 prisoners taken, and 3,000 soldiers, policemen, and others killed But there are at least 10,000 unexplained disappeai antes, according to local human rights groups, who say that the level of violence has not diminished. They claim to receive between 2(H) and 400 reports of new disappearances each month. Though there has been a seeming reduction guerrilla activity here, there is no way of knowing whether terrorist survivors have deserted, died in shoutouts, committed suicide (via guerrilla-issue cyanide pills), or decided to he low Increasingly Argentines are beginning to wonder when it will all end "It's like (he so ru-re apprentice story," said a human rights representative here "They've set these men loose, now the problem is whether they ean stop them 'Copy right (imiiam Japan Current Terrorism Pales Next to Argentinas Bn Vsabel Trujillo Chicago Tribune B' 'ENOS AIRES Compared to the terrorists wlm have rampaged Argentina, the West German Baader-Meinhof gang and the Japanese Red Army are a bunch of kids in short pants Terrorists in Argentina had their heyday under the democratically elected government of Isa Ik-1 Peron, whose husband Juan Domingo Peron originally opened the door to trouble From exile, he encouraged terrorist "exploits." called the guerrillas "my marvel ous youth," and returned to win the 1973 elei tiuiis on a left wing populist ticket. By 1974.

1.500 foreign and Argentine com panics (almost everybody were paying guerrillas monthly extortion money to avert the murder of their executives and the blowing up of their factories. There were 170 kidnapings whose victims ranged from a 2-month-old baby to Esso executive Victor Samuelson, for whom $14 million ransom was paid, to the Bom brothers million) for an estimated total of $470 million in ransom money. 500 Americans Flee More than 500 American executives and their families fled the country Enrollment at the American community school fell from 1,000 to 360 IBM whisked its 30 top executives to Brazil, and left its Buenos Aires office empty Virtually every major United States company followed suit, and all foreign investment stopped "Those who think they can stand to liie middle had better move to one side when the shooting begins. said Mario Firmmich, 32, chieftain of the Montoneros guerrillas, when he announced his group was going Another IVt Sacrificed Editor, Tribune: The squeal of tires and another life is ruined. To whom it may concern Your bouncing black puppy with cropjied ears and sad eyes is dead.

He had no collar, no leash, and obviously no one to tram or protect him cn the streets he roamed so freely until today. I saw him get hit and saw the cars driver cry at her accident. But it was not her fault. It was an irresponsible owner who killed this dog We who waited for Animal Control with the dying pup arc saddened and angered Control of your pet is the only way to share that animals Ioiir. rewardmg companionship.

Care enough about him to teach him the rules of the road And keep him with you. He depends on you MARGARET PETTIS.