St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 4

ST. LOUIS POST" DISPATCH A Matter of Decency hJosuHKimn jj. in 3 ra pofT4spArai ruiraoi WOW THAT MY UmUMBNT WW uua wo wiwmncs camxnal ruNauus. that, rr wni alwayi fWKT KsV PROGRESS AND REFORM, NIV1R. TOLBKATS INJUSTICI OR 00 MOTION, ALWAYS FIOHT DEMAOOOUtt Of AU FAKTIBS.

NEVER IEL0NO TO ANY Vamt. aiwajti oppose nuvatoED 'OANEI AND rUBLIC IWNOBMR1 NEVER UCK WITH THE POOR, ALWAYI REMAIN DEVOTED TO THE PUBUC WELFARE, NEVER EC SATO PIED WITH MERELY PR1NTIN0 NEW! ALWAYI BE DRASTICALLY INOBPEND ENT. NEVER B8 AFRAID TO ATTACK jWRONO. WHETHER BY PREDATORY OR PREDATORY POVERTY. i wj.

J08BFH FUUTXER Awt to. iwr pared with 30 per cent today, a study made for the Senate Committee on Aging predicted. As grim as the statistics are, they cannot communicate the extent of the scandal of our neglect of the elderly. By allowing the elderly to slip into want once they become economically unproductive, by denying them a decent standard of living, by depriving them of their dignity in the process, we are engaging in the industrial age's version of setting old folks adrift on a piece of ice, as Eskimos once did during periods of food shortage. But if there Is a shortage of anything in this country it can only be compassion.

Measured against the massive kind of Social Security improvement that must be made if the retired are to be rescued from poverty and near poverty, President Nixon's campaign pledge to seek automatic cost-of-living Increases for Social Security recipients and to enlarge widows' benefits is grossly inadequate. The Senate Committee on Aging plans to begin hearings later this month on the economic plight of the elderly. We hope these will lead quickly to legislation reflecting the more generous and humane treatment of the retired that they deserve and the nation can so well afford. Although the average Social Security benefit for a retired worker and his wife has risen from 975 a month in 1950 to 9118 month this year, the 943 increase has barely kept pact with the increase in consumer prices over the 19-year period. It would be a mistake to conclude, though, that by staying abreast of consumer price rises the elderly are as well off at they were in 1950, or, to phrase It more aptly, no worse off.

What that conclusion overlooks that in the intervening 19 years the American standard of living has gone up appreciably and the disparity between the incomes of the working population and the retired population has intensified. The net result is that the elderly's economic condition has deteriorated, as is illustrated by a Government survey which found that whereas in 1950 Social Security benefits paid half of the cost of a moderate standard of living for a retired urban couple, today they finance only one third of such a budget. Futhermore, even a 4 per cent annual increase in Social Security benefits from now until 1980 would not prevent a worsening of the elderly's plight. By that date, a 4 per cent rise in benefits notwithstanding, 50 per cent of the persons over 65 will live in poverty, com Saturday, April 12, 1969 h. Letters from the People Sham and a Fraud Senator Russell asks why we should be concerned about irritating the Russians With an ABM system when we weren't concerned about their irritation when we built the Polaris, Minutemen and other offensive weapons.

This is a specious argument in favor of the ABM and fools no one, including Mr. Russell. The real argument against the ABMrsystem is that it will increase the ams race and that it is of small deterrent value, Unless It is absolute, no defense system is worth considering when you think of the power of one large nuclear device. The world is in a highly unstable condition today. Can you imagine what it would be after a nuclear exchange? meaning would democracy or communism have with millions of bodies rotting all over the world? No political system can justify its existence by killing iflillioBS of people.

The ABM system is a sham and a fraud. It is like handing a man a wooden shield to ward off machine gun bullets. 5r: Harry Schulte The Faster the Safer 'Your April 3 editorial, "Where's implies that if interstate highway speeds, ere raised in Missouri as proposed, the accident rate will go up. Researchers fot the Highway Research Board of the rational Academy of Sciences have dem-s t'r a time after time that higher 'Wherever Vou Go These Days, It's Bumper-to-Bumper 'OK, I'm Listening to KSLH' Board of Education's In-School FM Radio Programs Carry Over to the Home iVo Missouri Compromise Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Robert H. Finch's designation at long last of the boundaries of the St.

Louis Air Quality Control Region carries with it both a promise and a danger. The promise is that there will be a pollution control program for the entire metropolitan St. Louis airshed, which of course is the purpose of the regional concept. The danger is that the uniform controls for the bl-state region will be less effective than the partial controls already in force. Under the Clean Air Act of 1967, Missouri and Illinois are to agree on standards for pollutants in the newly designated region, which consists of the City of St.

Louis and St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles, Madison, St. Clair and Monroe counties. We imagine agreement will be quite difficult, for the two states have from the first differed over pollution controls, especially sulfur oxide emissions.

Illinois has favored a lenient approach, Missouri a stringent one. We see no reason why Missouri should be expected to accept, for the sake of reaching agreement, weaker controls than it has already adopted for St. Louis. The reasonableness and necessity of the regulations have been demonstrated through technical studies and public hearings, so a retreat would be tantamount to an admission by the State Air Conservation Commission that it had followed an unwise course in the first place. If there must be compromise, let Illinois compromise upward, not Missouri downward.

And if agreement cannot be reached, Secretary Finch will have to impose the standards on the region. Presumably he would side with Missouri. If he did not, St. Louis would lose ground as a result of the federal pollution control program. That surely is not the objective of the Clean Air Act.

Whose Betterment? If the response to the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's announcement of the formation of Task Force East is one of cautious welcome, the chamber ought not to be puzzled. Its declaration of concern for East St. Louis, which is awash in social problems because of years of indifference, is welcome indeed. But to select the releasing of federal highway construction funds as the first objective of a task force representing Industries with a high degree of self-interest in highway building calls into question the breadth of its public concern. Even if there is a genuine belief that unfreezing the highway money is the best service Task Force East can perform for the community, the method chosen to achieve its goal hardly makes that argument more persuasive.

The highway money is being withheld because of racial discrimination in highway construction jobs and Inordinately high construction costs. Does Task Force East therefore plan to visit the presumed sources of the bias, the contractors and the unions? Apparently not. It Intends instead to meet with Gov. Richard Ogilvie, who might have enough connections in Washington to free the highway money. If Task Force East succeeds in releasing the highway funds without solving the problems that caused them to be withheld In the first place, the betterment that would result would be dubious.

If it has a genuine concern for the community, it will direct Its energies not to the consequences but to the causes of the community's problems. That Is where a Task Force East should be useful indeed. rather more of an International whisky than anything else, but we are willing to call it Japanese so long as its producers see that it Is made available at the friendly neighborhood bar. The 'Impacted9 Projects Senator Eagleton believes the Federal Government should help pay the cost of educating children living in public housing projects. He would broaden the 1950 act authorizing federal payments in lieu of taxes to school districts containing "impacted areas" like tax-exempt military installations.

We think he has a point. The poor of the projects (which were built with federal funds) can no longer afford rents sufficient to maintain and operate those facilities, much less even the nominal payments in lieu of real estate taxes that come out of rents. Nor can private property owners In the financially hard-pressed core cities where most housing projects are located. If the "impacted areas" formula were applied -to St. Louis where 10,000 children live in public housing, federal payments to the School Board on that account would run about 91,800,000 a year, or the equivalent of the yield of a 12-cent levy on city property.

As the Senator says, "time and the realities of urban life and urban education have made the addition of public housing to the impacted areas program a vital necessity." Those Ads Again Roughly since President Johnson said that he would not run for re-election, there have been few of those advertisements which may have had a good deal to do with his decision. Generally they were addressed to only one man, the one in the White House, but they carried the names of hundreds of men calling for '( They, were at. once a cry of despair democracy and an expression of faith in it, being sponsored by those who felt the popular will was being ignored and yet sure that the people would be effective if enough of them made themselves heard. And when the peace talks began, it seemed that they had been vindicated. But the advertisements are appearing again.

Now the theme most often is the Nixon Administration's anti-missile system. This gives point to the observation that the ABM may become Mr. Nixon's Vietnam. Indeed it suggests that he may be haunted by his nuclear policy and by the war, too, since those who oppose the one generally also oppose the other. To Mr.

Nixon, the advertisements ought to be a hint of the trouble in the making when those who believe In the voice of the people begin to fear that it is not being heeded. Enlarging by Retrenchment Secretary Romney has recommended to Presi-. dent Nixon's Council on Urban Affairs that Model Cities be broadened to Include all urban slums, not just selected slum neighborhoods in 150 cities, as is presently the case. What is being advertised as an enlargement begins to sound more like a thinning out when one recalls that Mr. Romney also said he would not resist a 4 per cent cut in the $750,000,000 budget proposed for Model Cities for fiscal 1970.

Furthermore the HUD Secretary has warned the cities against "thinking in the grandiose terms they have been" regarding federal programs. Strange talk from a man who wants to enlarge Model Cities. Like all men of virtue in all new administrations, Mr. Romney speaks earnestly about better planning and co-ordination in Model Cities. No one can quarrel with that objective, for the pulling together of a vast array of federal urban aid programs is what Model Cities is all about.

It is also all about neighborhood control of the planning and the projects, and we are Harry Cargas in the St. Louis Review I was listening to Jack and the Beanstalk on the radio the other day when a friend walked in with a puzzled look. Trying to cover my juvenile joy, I thought I'd be profound. "You know," I observed wisely, "the cow got a bad deal. She got traded for the beans and nobody ever hears about her anymore.

It's sort of like Ray Sadeckl. All we recall about his trade is Orlando Cepeda." But my friend wasn't fooled. "OK," I confessed, "I'm listening to KSLH." Again he was puzzled. So I told him. It is a St.

Louis Board of Education outlet, the purpose Th of i is to supplement teaching in the classroom. It's tin the air weekdays from 8:40 to 4: 15 and provides in-Fublle Opinion struction for thousands of school children. Pre-schoolers can also enjoy the benefits of KSLH as can adults who tune in at 91.5 on the FM band. Programs like Just Why Stories, Pocketful of Tales and Children's Hour can supplement video's Captain Kangaroo and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood during the week for those who don't attend classes. For those home, sick, from school there's a whole schedule of vital programs including It's Time for Music, World Tour and Exploring Books.

Primarily, however, the station Is geared for in-school instruction. Watch That Word, Exploring Science, Fun from the Dictionary and Creative Writing are designed to assist teachers in stimulating their classes. Affiliated with the National Association of Educational Broadcasters, KSLH attempts to present the most relevant programs to the greatest number of youngsters. Bob Winters of KSLH points to several specific "courses" that have been designed for particular needs. Two are Mr.

Achiever and Project U. These are aimed toward assisting children in obtaining a clear and happy image of themselves along with motivating them through achievement. This might be construed as picking up where Headstart projects leave off. The station manager is Mrs. Gertrude Hoffsten, who has been with KSLH since it started in 1950.

She tells me that they have a staff of 12, that most of their programs originate with the station and are scripted and co-ordinated there. The principal coordinators, in addition to Mrs. Hoffsten, are Ruth Dockery and Ruth Cornelius (proving KSLH is not "ruthless," one of them told me I dare not claim that as my own). They are responsible for producing various segments of the station's format, usually after teachers in schools have recommended certain types of needs. Miss Cornelius had a Marshall McLuhan book on her busy desk when I walked in unexpectedly, and this illustrates the kind of "keep up with the world, or even a little ahead" aura that covers the offices at the old site of Harris Teachers' College on South Theresa Ave.

The St. Louis Public Schools and" all Title I Schools (whether they are public or parochial) are supplied teacher's manuals of KSLH programs free of charge. Other schools may secure manuals at a minimal fee. After-school offerings may be of special Interest to adults. American Folk Tales, Negro Music in America, The Comic Arts and French Music and Musicians are among the most popular features.

Four times weekly (except Friday) Chapter-A-Day may be heard containing stories for youngsters. This was begun at the request of the Missouri School for the Blind but is enjoyed in many homes as well. Mrs. Hoffsten indicated that last year, more than 1 16,000 teachers' manuals for program series were distributed by KSLH. This year that number is up, -so it's obvious that the station is providing an important service.

-At 12,500 watts, KSLH is one of the most powerful school stations in America. It Is off during the sum- mer and on weekends. The most recent count shows 85 original KSLH series being presented and 18 given from outside sources. All projected seriea are discussed by committees of teachers, principals i-, and consultants who work with the station's coordinators. Specialists in the community also as-sist where necessary.

So successful has KSLH programming been that more than a thousand of its programs have been distributed through the National Association of Ed-ucational Broadcasters by use of member stations. You can tell junior, then, that when he stays home from school he won't have to be disappointed he can listen to school on the radio. Undoubtedly ,1 he'll appreciate the suggestion. In the meantime, I hope I can hear Cinderella soon on KSLH. I have a great theory about the meaning of shoes that don't fit.

speed on a properly designed and maintained highway will reduce the accident rate. In Nebraska, increasing the speeds from 5 -to 20 mph dropped accidents 34 per cent. In Illinois, raising the speed limit an unspecified amount dropped accidents 36 per cent. In Missouri, which had no highway speed limits until late in 1957, the fatality rate, cost of property damage, cost of injuries, and total injuries dropped each year from 1955 to 1957. From 1958 to 1960, the fatality rate ceased its decline, and the cost of property damage, cost of injuries, and total injuries went up right along with traffic control expenditures.

can conclude that with the advent of Missouri's highway speed limits, the drivers began to. enjoy less safety for more-money expended. I applaud Senator Ryan's efforts for more realistic traffic laws in Missouri. Dan Landiss Clayton Racism in Kirkwood Th recent up-dating of the Kerner Commission report with regard to the racism that exists in this nation stated that "we must 'begin a massive and sustained national educational campaign to achieve an end to racism, the number one mental-health problem in America." And yet, how can we campaign against racism when whites continually refuse to accept responsibility for racism or its effects? We make use of subtle and not-so-subtle excuses, usually disguised by elaborate wording. Police are given and use excessive power In black communities not to deny constitutional rights to black people but to.

stop "crime in the streets." Blacks are refused employment not because of their skin color but because they are not "qualified." The integration of housing is riot opposed because its opponents do not wish to live next door to Negroes but because black people "lower property val-ues." Black students do not learn in ghetto schools not because the schools are inferior but because the students are inferior by virtue of being "culturally disadvantaged." Kirkwood April 1 two school board candidates were elected not to keep blacks separate but to "preserve the neighborhood; school concept." For every act of discrimination, we find an excuse to disguise it. I knelt at the foot of a cross Good Friday, these words came to my mind, "at you do it to the least of these my black brethren, you do it unto me." Kirkwood Garnet A. Thiet VL hen Concern Comes Cheap The NBC television program "Laugh is number one as. far as audi-attce jize is concerned. The "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" usually does no RtteTthaa twentieth place in the ratings.

Great Lakes Fishing: 'Pretty Kettle of Fish' commission indicated Hamprey scarring was Increasing. Lake trout were hit hardest because they are in northern waters when lampreys do their most vigorous eating, before moving to spawning streams. The lamprey control program, financed Jointly by United States and Canada, needs 'more than the $1.5 million now available to beef up an appraisal staff, which surveys lamprey spawning beds and directs poisoning crews. More funds should be sought. Further to complicate problems, there is a decline in alewives.

This will bring joy to persons sick of stinking beaches but will reduce the coho's food supply. It could mean smaller salmon at the end of the line. Smelt and say the experts, may "bounce back" to fill the gap. It's a not so pretty kettle of fish. It's going to take more than the fisherman's traditional optimism to save the Great Lakes' fishing.

How's That Again? The Charleston News and Courier Daniel P. Moynihan, President Nixon's urban af-. fairs adviser, appearing on a television Interview program the other day, was discussing the problem of poverty. "I feel the problem of the poor," he said, "is they don't have enough money We are reminded of Calvin Coolidge's celebrated comment on unemployment: "When large numbers of people are thrown out of work, unemployment re-' suits." From The Milwaukee Journal Great Lakes sports fishing has been jolted recently by bad news. The lamprey is renewing its attacks on fish.

Another shipment of coho salmon has been seized because of pesticide residue; this time the action came from the Food and Drug Administration. Earlier the Michigan Agriculture Department put a "hold order" on canned salmon suspected of containing dieldrin; that shipment has been cleared and released. The newest developments could jeopardize some grand plans for rebuilding sport fishing. Michigan was in the midst of planting three million coho fingerlings in streams feeding Lake Michigan when -the FDA cracked down. Halted temporarily, plantings now have been resumed.

Michigan concluded that the contaminated fish, surplus taken at weirs during spawning, probably had higher residues than those in open waters where sports fishing is done, so no public health hazard was involved. However, the state may not be able to commercialize its surplus, and along with Wisconsin is urging the FDA to set tolerances sports fishing "can live with." Wisconsin is operating a complex, stocking program for Lake Michigan, involving lake, rainbow and brown trout, coho and the still bigger king or Chinook salmon. Each species complements the others to provide seasonal and geographic distribution of catches. The program was predicated on control of the lamprey. A recent report tp the Great Lakes fisheries 1 Pt.

Japanese Whisky Any day now a liquids gourmet might be able to put his foot right on the rail, throw a pretty sorry substitute for a silver dollar down on the bar, and say succinctly, "Japanese whisky on the rocks." And get it, what's more to the point. For just as Scotland has its Scotch whisky and Canada has its Canadian whisky, Japan now has its Japanese whisky. (The United States' national whisky is not called American but bourbon, which is better.) As explained by Tadeo Onishi, plant manager for Suntory Ltd. of Yamasaki, Japanese whisky is a late bloomer. The Suntory distillery people first tried long and hard to Imitate Scotch, he said, going to considerable lengths.

Even went so far as to Import sherry barrels from Spain, all to no avail. After some years of that sort of thing Suntory decided to develop a distinctively Japanese whisky and it has been so successful that the new brew is rapidly replacing sake, a rice beer served hot, which was the country's favorite drink. To produce this concoction the distillers import peat from Scotland, malt from Germany, Australia and Czechoslovakia, and barrel staves from the United States. To our ears it sounds suspicious that that concept will be significantly diluted in such high sounding phrases as "greater efficiency," "comprehensive planning" and "improved co-ordination." Suspicion is reinforced by Mr. Romney's suggestion that state governments be assigned a bigger role in Model Cities.

In Missouri a typical state, we fear the attitude of the state government toward the urban poor, particularly the black urban poor, has traditionally ranged from indifference to hostility, a posture that hardly justifies more state involvement in the selection of projects or the disposition of funds. If Mr. Romney's rhetoric is a bit puzzling, using words like "charge" when he appears to mean "retreat," at least he has established himself as something of an advocate of Model Cities. That, in turn, ought to make it a good deal easier for President Nixon to disregard the counsel of those in his official family who want to abandon the program. Fumy, isn't it, how CBS television -dies1 down hard on a (how that isn't.

f. 'Z I 1 IrtWUlg tne nuge munDere viewer nec- sarv to satisfy the sponsors. Would they lave done the same if Smothers was num- er one? Robert S. Lieberman.