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Idaho State Journal from Pocatello, Idaho • Page 4

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Pocatello, Idaho
Issue Date:
Page:
4
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IDAHO JOURNAL PAGE 4-SECTION A POCATElloNXlDAHO FRIDAY. MAY 21. Wo Signed columns are the opinions of their writers; unsigned editorials ate the journal's views. The Power Crunch Vs. Safety A I I Those Out-of-State Contributions There is a rising note of panic in warnings that the Northwest is facing an imminent shortage of power generation.

Don Hodel, head of the Bonneville Power Adminstration, says the BPA will sever contracts with 17 industrial customers in the 1980s because of predicted shortages. ROBERT FERRIE, president and general manager of Intake Aluminum says (his could have a disastrous economic consequences to both the Northwest and the nation. The region's aluminum industry, which employs 12,000 persons directly, could be virtually shut down. Another 15,000 workers are employed by other direct-service industrial customers, and over 123,000 persons are employed in major firms utilizing aluminum. Rep.

Mike McCormack, says unless planned nucelar energy plants are available on schedule, thousands of existing jobs will be lost. Further, he says, the 228 nuclear plants that can be on line in 1985 will provide the energy requirement for about 6 million permanent jobs for American workers. If this energy is not available, and from this source, these jobs will probably not be available either. The prestigious American Assembly, a forum of prominent citizens representing a broad range of experience, competence and leadership meeting under the aegis of Columbia University, closed with its No. 1 conclusion: "It is essential to provide for the expected growth rate in electric power is an urgent need for a comprehensive federal energy policy." THE ASSEMBLY'S collective opinion was that "chances of a reactor accident causing significant damage offsite are extremely small.

Should such an unlikely accident occur, there could be serious loss of life and property damage in the vicinity of the reactor, but the risk to an individual from nuclear accidents is "far less than that from risks commonly accepted, including those from other forms of energy generation." It is against this background that opponents of nuclear-generated power are carrying their battle to the voters. California residents will vote June 8 on Proposition 15, described as a nucelar shutdown initiative. Proposals will be on in Oregon and most likeFy in Washington in" November to prohibit the construction of nuclear plants. There is great apprehension that the shutdown initiatives will pass. Lt.

Gov. Mervyn M. Dymally says if that happens, California's unemployment could increase by one million workers in the 1980s. The Oceanside Blade-Tribune voices the fear that society will revert to the standard of living of the middle 1800's. The Los Angeles Herald Examiner likens the present wariness over radiation hazards to the unreasoning fear which followed introduction of electricity as a source of household lighting in the early 1880s.

THAT IS NOT a valid comparion, of course. Keith Miller, professor of mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, and consultant for the Advanced Code Review Group, argues convincingly that nuclear reactors have not been proved safe. Specifically, Prof. Miller states in a memo to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the emergency system designed to flood a reactor core in the case of loss of coolant might not work.

The problem, stated in simple language, is reactor designers failed to anticipate that water in the emergency core cooling systems would be flushed out with escaping steam, according to Prof. Miller. "The seriousness of the ECCS steam binding problem was never suspected, long after the systems were designed and installed," he says. "We have no assurance that it (ECCS) will work, other than 10 years of industry the results of some small scale systems experiments." PROF. MILLER DISAGREES with other assessments of the potential danger: "1 would like to point out that, when an ECCS system first becomes needed, tens of thousands of humsn lives and the preservation of large areas from long-term radioactive contamination may depend upon the adequacy of its functioning." Caustically assailing the reliance on computer simulation of complex phenomena as one of the weakest links in nuclear reactor safety, Prof.

Miller insists there should be large, full-scale testing. "Though large full-scale testing is expensive, there is ample precedent for it," he writes. "In fact, nearly all recent large complex systems where survivability has been important, from ballistic missiles to jet airliners, have been tested extensively in full scale (and frequently to destruction) to demonstrate their overall design conservatism." IF THERE WILL BE, in the next 30 years, more than 500 nuclear plants of approximately 1000 megawatts each in operation, it ought to be cost-effective to have ECCS testing for a large-scale system. If successful, the tests would remove the principal objection to moving forward with nuclear generating plants. If the tests did indeed reveal a fatal weakness in the cooling systems, then all the aluminum in the Northwest and all the jobs in California could not justify going forward until alternate safety designs are developed and proven.

JOURNAL COMMENTARY This week the Idaho State Journal presents the third and concluding part of a series examining the campaign linances of the five candidates for the Second District Congress seat. Part one questioned the circumstances under which a candidate should make public his private financial records, laying to rest any charges of po'ssible conflict of interest. Part two took a hard look at the federal law which allows candidates, to keep secret the source of all campaign contributions under S100. It raised the question of whether a candidate who receives large amounts of money in small contributions should go beyond the mere requirements of the law by listing all contributions, large and small. Part three focuses on out-of- state contributions.

FEW AREAS of politics excite as much heated oratory as the subject of out-of-state contributions to an Idao political campaign. In a closely contested election the charge is often heard that "big money" interests are trying to "buy" an Idaho Congressional or Senatorial seat. A little money goes a long way in a small state, the argument runs. Much of this is, of course, normal electioneering, and political hot air. Not surprisingly, the persons raising the charges are often those candidates unable to raise out- of-state funds.

BUT THE fact remains that money given to a candidate is often given for a specific reason. The larger the contribution the more likely that strings will be attached. The five Second District candidates take differing positions on out-of-state contributions. Coming down hardest against them is Republican challenger George Forschler, who told the Journal Wednesday he "will not accept" such contribution. Forschler said a candidate for an Idaho office should run his campaign on Idaho money.

Forschler added he had already turned down two offers of out-of- state money, "a $2,500 contribution from California and $1,500 from Washington, D.C." THE OFFERS were tempting, Forschler said, "but 1 turned them down. We made the pledge at the beginning that we would work with Idaho funds." Democrat Kelly Pearce has taken a somewhat similar pledge but only for the primary election. Pearce said he would not take out-of-state money for his primary battle against fellow Democrat Stan Kress. "I would like to be able to do it all the way through to the general election but it's financially impossible," he added. PEARCE SAID he had departed from his pledge only twice once when a cousin in California sent him $50 and once when a close friend in Denver, sent him the same amount.

According to Pearce's quarterly financial reports, filed with the Secretary of State in Boise, he received no other out-of-state contributions for the first three months of this year that totaled more than $100. Pearce received cam- campaign contributions totaling $7,489.67 during this period. GLEX WEGNER, another Republican seeking the Second District Congress Seat, entered the race after the first quarterly report was due. Thus he will not have to report his campaign contributions until the next reporting period, in July. But Wegner told the Journal he will try to finance his congressional campaign "as much as possible" from the Second District.

"We would want no corporate money or any money which did not meet with the legal and moral intent of the spending law," he said. BUT WEGNER added he would accept out-of-state contributions that met the above criteria. "1 have friends all over the world," he said. "If they think I'm a proper person to represent Idaho and the needs of the nation in Washington, D.C., then I'll accept their contributions." Wegner was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1972.

In that race he received substantial out-of-state support. DEMOCRAT Stan Kress took a different stand on non-Idaho contributions, contending that many out-of-state dollars actually originate in Idaho. "I don't really consider these out-of-state contributions," Kress told the Journal. "That money is routed through Washington but it came from local organizations." Kress mentioned as an example the $2,000 contribution he received from the Political Action Committee of the National Education HI Washington, D.C.. "There are 8 000 teachers in Idaho," Kress said.

"Most of them give $5 to their local organization. That money is routed through Washington, but it was the endorsement of the local organization that got me the money." THE NBA contributed to 11 congressional campaigns in January of this year. Most of the contributions were under $500. Only one other candidate received as large a contribution as did Kress. Kress received another $2,000 from the AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education.

The Firth candidate said this was also Idaho money, noting that "13,000 working men and women belong to the AFL-CIO in members give a $2 voluntary donation to their local labor organization, Kress said. Only when he received the endorsement of Idaho labor did he receive any money, Kress said. KRESS RECEIVED another $3,000 from the Committee for Thorough Agricultural Political Education, in San Antonio, Texas. Kress said this was an organization primarily concerned with dairy problems, but interested in other agriculture areas as well. Another $1,000 came into the Kress campaign coffers from the Agriculture and Dairy Education Trust, in Springfield, Mo.

During the first three months of 1976, Kress received campaign contributions totaling A Resign to Run? JOURNAL COMMENTARY There are several unraised issues in the Presidential election year that intrigue me. FOR INSTANCE, how about the First Lady of the First Man? Do they sway any votes? I can't recall their having been an issue since Andrew Jackson's day, when there seemed to be a question whether or not Rachel Donaldson Robard was his legal wife. She never went to the White House, but rather sat out the presidential terms of Old Hickory at the Hermitage in Tennessee. Jackson recruited a daughter of one of his Cabinet members to act as hostess, as I remember it. Betty Ford has done a good job.

From the looks of the wives of other viable candidates, the Republic has no great worries about the suitability of any of them. Bethine Church, for instance, would grace the White House with charm, wit and compassion. There is an exception to all this, however. What if Governor Jerry Brown of California is elected president' Brown is a bachelor who shuns most social amenities. He won't even live in the Governor's Mansion the citizens have built for him.

If he were President, he'd have to do what Jackson did; i.e., designate a hostess. How about an elected official? Like Representative Bella Abzug of New York. ISSUE that seems never to be mentioned is how much time, money and effort the campaign takes away from the real jobs of the applicants. Again, of all the viable candidates, Jimmy Carter is the only one who isn't taking off from his office. Ford is President, Brown and Wallace are governors, Udall a representative and Church is a senator.

Carter raises peanuts. It's the luck of the draw that permits a senator or governor to risk winning the Presidential nomination without having to give up his current office. Frank Church isn't up for re-election until 1980, so can run and lose this year and still be senator. Same was true of Sen. George McGovern in 1972.

Same is true of Gov. Jerry Brown, in office until 1978. I have a feeling that was one determining factor in Sen. Hubert Humphrey's decision not to be a real candidate for President. His term in Minnesota is up this year, and he couldn't run for both senator and President in November.

If he lost as President, he's out altogether. His experience between 1968 and 1370 when he was out altogether taught him that's not for him. YOU CAN'T HELP but wonder how many U.S. Senators would run for President if they were forced to resign their office in order to be eligible. And how about the President himself if he had to resign his office to be eligible for re-election? It would deprive him of a year's income and the tremendous advantage he has now as an incumbent; no more foreign trips with chief of state status, no more televised news conferences at the drop of a hat, no more dam or bridge ceremonies, no more Marine Corps bands playing "Hail To The Chief." It might be interesting if there were an amendment to our Constitution which says that any elected or appointed federal office holder or official who announces his intention of running for the Presidential nomination must resign his office as of January 1 of the Presidential election year.

That would test the sincerity of the candidates. That would give state governors the chance to appoint themselves U.S. senators. That would, at long last, give some real meaning to the election of a Vice President. $9 455 Of this amount, an even $9'ooo came from out-of-state contributors.

The remaining $455 came from contributors living within Idaho. INCUMBENT Congressman George Hansen collected contributions totaling $55,304.90 during the first three months of 1976. Of this, $51,379.90 was reported as unitemized contributions. This means every contribution making up the total amount was less than $100. A candidate need only list the aggregate total of such contributions; he is not required to list the names of individual contributors.

Contacted by the Journal in Washington, Hansen said he had talked with his campaign committee about out-of-state contributions. contributions should be no problem, Hansen said. "The large ones must be publicly listed and the small ones could not be an indication of anything except broad popularity or an effective solicitation effort." OF THE $3,925 which Hansen itemized, $3,375 came from out- of-state sources. Hansen received $1,000 from Barbara and John Newington, listed as a retired couple from Greenwich, Conn. They gave Hansen the $2,000 on Jan.

20, 1976. Under federal law, $1,000 is the maximum any one individual can contribute to a particular campaign during any calendar year. The Newingtons gave Hansen another $2,000 during the last week of 1975: ANOTHER $1,000 came to the Hansen campaign from -Dwight G. Vedder, of the Dwight G. Vedder Los Angeles.

Hansen also listed $200 from the Tobacco People's an organization based in Washington. The Congressman also received $250 from Gaylord Donnelley, chairman of thfe Board of R.R. Donnelley and Sons in Chicago. LAST WEEK Hansen told the Journal he would make a decision "within a week" on whether he would list the contributions and names of contributors making up his $51,379.90 of unitemized contributions. Wednesday afternoon Hansen issued the following statement to the Journal: "The federal election law stipulates disclosures when contributions total more thai; $100 per year per person.

The George Hansen for Congress Committee complied with this law in the past and will continue to do so. To arbitrarily set a different limit would be contrary to the spirit of the law as passed by Congress, would be confusing to the public, and would be a violation of the right to privacy of small donors. The George Hansen campaign committee will continue to comply with the law." A By The Associated Press Today is Friday, May 2lst, the 142nd day of 1976. There are 224 days left in the year. Today's highlight in history: On this date in 1956, the first hydrogen bomb was exploded.

The test by the United States took place "at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. On this date: In 1471, England's King Henry VI died in the Tower of London. In 1542, the Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, died while searching for gold and treasure along the Mississippi River. In 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh reached Paris, completing the first solo night across the Atlantic.

In 1948, President Harry Truman sent Congress a special message proposing statehood for Alaska. In 1967, more than 300 people died in a department store fire in Brussels, Belgium. the small society Ruffled by Auction Editor: I was glad to observe that the auction of last week was a success, that there was so much volunteer help, and that Channel ten made some money. As a donor of an item which was auctioned, 1 do have some comments. I was really distressed that the auction came off as something for bargain hunters.

Except for some of the dinners at local restaurants, I didn't see ONE item go for near its retail value. The item I donated went for less than it cost ME. Furthermore, I watched the item I donated being mentioned on the board four times, and not once was I credited. Of course, donors shouldn't expect terrific advertising from the auction, any more than buyers should expect great bargains. It WAS a fundraising campaign, and I was hoping to see community minded people bidding ABOVE retail values, simply in the interests of keeping public broadcasting going in Pocatello.

The result for me is that the other item I have in the store similar to the one I donated is devalued. It makes me angry and indignant to have a customer say (and two have! "I'll buy it it I can have it for the auction price." I would suggest that in future auctions, the moderators start the bids at half value, and let them go up from there. That way at least, most merchants will feel that they've donated their cost factor. And their pride in the quality of their donation won't be ruffled because somebody bid $5 on a $50 Another lime I would also expect that every auctioneer be as conscientious as Mickey Willey was about crediting the time the item is mentioned. Thanks for giving a ruffled merchant an open ear.

Sincerely yours, Helen P. Love Pocatello, Idaho God the Father Dear sir, I must comment on your editorial of May 11, 1976, "In God's Image." When I read your statement that churches in the U.S. tend to follow not lead, I thought how true that is and how sad. No wonder there are so many atheist and antagonist, so much confusion and misery in the world today. No leadership! Then reading on, I came to the statement "to argue God's sex would be to return to medieval debates." (You're kidding!) The scriptures are replete with reference to God the Father.

One outstanding example of this is given to us in St. Matthew, Chapt. 6, verse 9, in the Sermon on the Mount, when the Lord told us, "Afier this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, etc." We are his children. He loves IDAHO STATE JOURNAt Published encept Saturday ond continuing with the Idoho Sundoy Journol every Sunday by Idaho Slate journal, 305 South Arthur. Pursuant to Chapter 54, 1933 Session laws ol Idaho Tuesday is hereby designated as the day of week on which weekly legal notices will be published.

Second clots postage paid at Po- calello, Idaho 83201. Subscription rate by carrier is $4.00 per month, by mail 6 mo. S24.00, 1 yr. S48.00. Mail subscriptions must be paid in advance.

Thii newspaper reserves the right to alter the expiration dote ol ony paid in advance subscription should there be on adjustment in subscription rotes. us and wants us to come back to him. He has given-us the ten commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, his life, the articles of faith, the word of wisdom- all of this and more, as a beacon in the night to guide us back to him. If only we could forget our own selfish desires and lean not on the arm of flesh, but on Him our creator and as women, we could submit ourselves to our husbands or Priesthood as they submit themselves to God in righteousness--accept our role as women, mothers, helpmates, homemakers, yes, even breadwinners, working in the church, being spiritual leaders, sharing in the Priesthood--what powers we have as women. How can we ask for more? However, as in all things someone has to cast the last vote, be "boss" or the "dominate" one.

Please, let it be man. He has stated that his house is a house of order not confusion, so, in my opinion, it couldn't be any other way. Thank you, Lois Terry Aberdeen. Idaho Why Not Carburetors? The Honorable James A. (Jimmy) Carter a i Presidential Candidate, 1976 Dear Mr.

Carter, We are 9th grade Science students at Alamcda Junior High School. Besides our regular studies we are constantly doing research on new ideas, new discoveries, and new inventions. We have in our possession copies of patents on carburetors for automobiles that get from 60-100 miles a gallon. According to our sources these carburetors have been around since the 1920's and 30's. We are constantly being told that we must conserve energy.

And yet these carburetors are not on the market. Why not Mr. Carter? When you become President of the United States would you be prepared to launch an investigation into this matter? Other matters have come to our attention. On November 3, 1957, Dr. Wilhelm Reich died in a federal prison.

He was sent to prison for supposedly violating our Pure Food and Drug Laws. According to our sources this man's discoveries would have threatened the drug industry and the power companies. Our question, Mr. Carter, is not the legality of this man's imprisonment but why was all of his work destroyed? His so- called "Orgone Energy Accumulator" supposedly- cured many kinds of cancer and pulled energy from space. When you become President, Mr.

Carter, you will have access to this type of information. We feel as science students, this man's research should be made available to us. These are only a few of the questions that we would like answered for as students of science we don't feel that all of the scientific achievements of this country are being made available to us. Respectively, 9th Grade Earth Science Class Alameda Junior High 845 McKinely Ave. Pocatello, Idaho 83201 Not So Happy Day Dear Editor, Happy Mother's Day! Yes, indeed, happy Mother's Day! I opened my front door, as usual, to look at my flower garden.

There was something missing--my bird bath! Some mother's misguided offspring had not only stolen my bird bath but also tried to steal one of my bird feeders. The feeder was fastened too securely and broke. The base of the bird bath was too heavy and broke free from the top. The base was found down the street, by my newspaper boy, Kirk Fuger. So somewhere in this town someone has the bowl top of my bird bath.

I have the broken base and broken feeder. Yes, indeed, happy Motherls Day. I think anyone who would steal from little birds would steal candy from a baby. How proud his mother must be. Mrs.

V.F. Evans 757 W. Eldredge Rd. Pocatello, Idaho Teachers 'Shocked' Mr. Theron Miller, Chairman Board of Trustees 927 Cahoon Pocatello, Idaho 83201 Dear Mr.

Miller: The teachers of School District 25 were shocked anc disappointed at the total lack concern for human dignitj evidenced by the method usec by the board of Trustees ii notifying the 43 teachers wh( were fired Monday, May 10. T( find out by reading in thi newspaper that one has beet terminated from employment ii cruel in the extreme. Idaho Code requires tha teachers on annual contract notified of termination by Ma; 15. The usual method is a lette or a personal visit from th employer, prior to such ter mination. Losing one's means livelihood is painful at best; be so treated at the end of faith ful service is monstrous.

Sincerely, Annabelle Lerch President a a i Association.

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About Idaho State Journal Archive

Pages Available:
178,548
Years Available:
1949-1977