Greeley Daily Tribune from Greeley, Colorado • Page 4

Tribune Editorial Page Opinion Analysis Interpretation The Gnarly Trombone' July 31,1976 Page 4 Pause and Ponder Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting Thou art 90:2 Colorado's 100th birthday By Mike Peters M1171 ClMlMlU riM IM THtaM'i MM I Hn G. Trombone presents: One hundred years ago this Sunday, Colorado became the 38th state in the United States of America, but its prominence had been recognized several years earlier. Rich in minerals, coal, mountain peaks, and transplanted Easterners who found the climate to their liking, the state probably was the most publicized of any state in the union before it became a state. Discovery of gold brought thousands looking to get rich quick. Horace Greeley, duped by unscrupulous gold claim promoters, wrote home to New York praising the possibilities and opportunities to be found in the gold fields.

One inadvertent benefit of Greeley's writings came when Nathan Meeker became interested in Colorado as an agricultural area. His columns in Greeley's New York Tribune focused interest of a few hundred families who were dissatisfied with life in the east on the benefits to be had by joining forces to create a new community in Colorado. When the Union Colony landed on the eastern plains of Colorado, irrigation in the state got its start, turning a burning desert into a flourishing oasis. Denver had already gotten a good start by the time Greeley was founded, but the new city to the north had grand ideas of taking away the power of its southern neighbor. Education and culture flourished, but the trade with the gold fields gave Denver the edge in growth, especially after it became the terminal of two railroads from the east.

Greeley became content to be the center of agriculture, although it was largely ignored by the-miners and financiers. Cattlemen took over the rangeland of eastern Colorado, and importing Texas cattle to fatten on the native grasses. Finished beef was shipped to eastern markets until the range refused to support the thousands of head of cattle moved to the state by speculators, many of them from Europe. Colorado's fortunes have been closely tied to the economy of eastern markets most of its life. When gold lost favor in the capital, silver mines were established.

Tight money in the east caused a shuffling of the railroads, a loss of markets for farm and mine products and Coloradans felt the pinch as did Europe and the rest of the U.S. When the grass was gone, farmers came to claim the land and tried to scratch living from the drylands. Many failed and left. Others came to take their place; more efficient methods of farming were discovered and the drylands began producing wheat: The great depression caught Coloradans with no market. At the same time drought struck, the winds came and much of the drylands were whipped into raging dust storms.

Eventually rains returned, more stringent farming practices were put 1 to use and Colorado once more regained its position as a farm and livestock producing area. In more recent years the mountains have attracted hundreds of recreation-minded persons from all states. During the world wars, thousands of servicemen saw Colorado for the first time. Many vowed to return, and they did. Through all of the pioneering, developing and hard times" suffered by Colorado, its people have maintained a zeal for bouncing back to their feet -the same spirit that led the United States to its leading position among nations.

Today, one of Colorado's big problems is its attractive climate, its active business community and its recreational facilities. In short, too many people prefer Colorado; too many would move here for its benefits. Once thought of as a desert that would support only spaTse life, Colorado grew into an attractive place for all sorts. Still it is growing faster than most places in the United States. Consequently in recent years officials have been forced to look at the state's resources and to plan ways to stretch them for the benefit of all who would be residents.

Ways are being sought to mine the state's minerals and fuels without causing irreparable harm. Fortunately, with wise planning and conservation, Colorado can retain attractiveness, productiveness and reputation as a nice place to live. The next decade will determine what course the state must take to protect these assets. And the next 100 years may see a better life all over the U.S., led by the example set by one of the nation's most beautiful and productive states -Colorado. Letters to the Tribune Causes of alienation should be discussed To The Tribune: In response to the article about the possible rise of vigilante groups, I would question why an article of such an inflammatory nature should appear on the front page of the Greeley Tribune: A story surrounding a woman's anonymous phone call, which serves only to incite hatred and racial divisions, does not belong on the front page of a daily newspaper.

To publish such statements as "an element that belongs somewhere else" can only be interpreted by the Chicano community as implying that those of Mexican descent should go back tc Mexico. To publish threats of a proposed vigilante committee is also a serious issue. The Ku Klux Han are modern day vigilantes (terrorists) who openly advocate racism and the extermination of black people. Such groups are motivated by racist and fascist tendencies which should be condemned in the most emphatic way by the local press. Regarding the incident between youths and the police that sparked the incriminatory article, would it not be of greater social value for the Tribune to shed light on the causes of the economic, social and cultural alienation of today's young people.

There is need to clarify the kinds of values inculcated in young people who are products of a society governed by the profit motive and a free enterprise system that is neither free nor enterprising. There is need to analyze a system that feeds children a constant diet of television and film violence and crime and then mourns the fact that juvenile crime has increased. It is a system that convinces young people through millions of dollars worth of sophisticated advertising messages to consume products they do not need in order to achieve success or happiness and then questions why Juveniles shoplift and steal. It is a system that stresses the work ethic and yet there are few jobs to be found by young people not to mention the millions of workers that have been thrown out of meaningful employment. It is a society that kills a child's innocence through pornography and drugs and leaves the child a very confused and distorted impression of the adult world.

Is it surprising that young people turn against this alienating and destructive society or that they become part of the violent nature of this system. I would challenge the Tribune to open constructive discussion around issues involving youth rather than print anonymous phone calls to police departments that contain threats and accusations against the Chicano community. Keith McNeill 510 llth St. Promised picnic area; got odors and weeds To The Tribune: There have been recent articles in the Greeley Tribune slating the City of Greeley is in compliance and requesting the final $42,000 payment from the Environmental Protection Agency on the Lone Tree Sewage facility east of Greeley. We feel if they receive final payment at this time, the City may not be impelled to meet standards the State has established and has assured protection to as residents in the area.

The odor improved but frequently it is still quite strong. One of the biggest concerns is the lawsuit the City of Greeley hit brought against the State Health Air Pollution Control Board requesting a change in minimum standards from a 15:1 dilution to a 127:1. The City of Greeley received money from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency with the stipulation the facility would stay within a 15:1 odor dilution standard. If the above change were granted, it would be a great detriment to the peoples' health who live in the area and also greatly depreciate our land values. The City of Greeley in their proposed budget were willing to spend over $300,000 for golf course improvements.

Shouldn't ineffective sewage systems receive priority over.golf courses? This wasn't even considered. How many readers have been out to see the general condition of the grounds at the facility A picnic area was promised; instead we have odor, weeds and trash. James E. Whitmore, 25550 Road 6214, Mrs. Helen StoUe, 31370 Road Charles L.

Achiiger, Route 1, Greeley, Mrs. Betty Ehrlich, 24145 Rd. Greeley From what I've heard, I now know that many of you who read this Saturday morning garble sometimes don't believe it's true. I don't blame you. But this week, It's different.

I want to assure you that the following story is true, and it happened to a friend of mine. As you read it, you'll know it has to be the truth, because even my warped sense of humor couldn't concoct something like this. Anyway, it concerns what my friend Alice told me about her adventures in the Wonderland of the County Services Building. My friend Alice and her hiuband recently purchased a car, and of course, received a temporary license plate. So--hoping to be a responsible citizen, my friend Alice marched down to the County Clerk's offices in the new 14,500,000 county complex to pick up her real license plates.

She thought she would drop in, pick up the plates and be out again within 10 minutes. After all, in a building which is built with exclusive modem-medieval architectural design, they should be able to speed through the customers without much trouble. It didn't work that way. After waiting two hours in line, my friend Alice was told by a lady "Whoever made this thing out, put in the wrong account number. We can't give you a license plate if you have the wrong account number." My friend Alice said "Can't you call them?" The lady said "I don't know I'll have to check in the back room." After the lady spent a few minutes in the back room, she returned and today the last day of your temporary license?" My friend Alice said "No I have another 10 days." "In that case," said the lady, "you can't get it today.

If it was due today, then we could fix it for you, but since it's ''not due for 10 days, we want you to go have the proper account number put on it, then come back the day of the deadline." my friend Alice began to ask "Why," but before she could say anything, the lady disappeared into the back room. Confused, but not discouraged, my friend Alice went to her dealer, made the necessary corrections in the account number, then returned 10 days later to pick up her license plates. She thought she would drop in, pick up the plates, and then be out again in about 10 minutes. It just didn't work that way. Her second trip involved another two; hour wait in line, but this time, there was a little more action.

Standing two spaces in front of my friend Alice in the line was a tall gentleman who appealed relatively calm. Until he talked to a license plate lady. She told him that his signature on his title didn't match the signature on his check. Even though the man produced numerous items of Identification, the woman still didn't seem to trust him. When she told him to have a seat and she would check in the back, the man came apart.

"Where's Thomas Jefferson?" His "Alice in Blunderiand" screams shook the rafters of the 14,500,000 building. "Thomas Jefferson said we should have a revolution every 200 years to clean out the messes in government! Where's Thomas Jefferson?" The tall gentleman was still screaming for Thomas Jefferson when he sat down. After one hour and 45 minutes in line, my friend Alice noticed a man standing behind her. Unlike all of the other tired and disgusted people in line he had a broad smile on his face. When he saw my friend Alice looking at him, he said, "I don't care how long I 'stand In line I'm the janitor for this building, and they're paying me while I stand here.

Standing just in front of my friend Alice was a farmer. He told a clerk lady that he had built a car from spare car parts on his property, and he needed to move it to another part of his property. He said he had to take it on a public highway to move it, and he wanted to do the legal thing and get a one-day permit. The woman said she had to check in the back room. "There must be something all- powerful in that back room," my friend Alice thought to herself, "or the pop machine." When the lady returned, she told the farmer he would have to title the vehicle and get a license.

But I'm only going to tow it on a public road for a few miles," he explained, "and then never take it off my property again." "But you must have a title for it," the lady said. "Tell her what she can do with her title!" shouted a voice from the back of the room. It was Thomas Jefferson's friend. The farmer walked away, mumbling "I tried to do it the legal way, and now I'm just going to have to pull it without a permit." The lady shouted after him "If you do, you're going to get a ticket!" Then it was my friend Alice's turn. She explained to the lady that she was coming back a second time to get her car title, and the first time the account number was incorrect.

"But now everything is ok," my friend Alice said. But she was wrong. "I'm afraid we can't give you your license plates the, lady "But let me check in the back room." After a brief visit to whoever (or whatever) was in the back room, the lady returned and told my friend Alice there was no dealer signature on the title, and she would have to take it back to the dealer. And she would have to pay 11.25 for an extended permit. My friend Alice staggered from the room and stumbled out tc her car, her head reeling with confusion.

But she would not give up. Early last week, my friend Alice returned to the County Clerk's office, confident she would letp in, pick up her license plates, and then be out again in 10 minutes. She wai wrong The lady told her "No you can't have UK plates yet, because the signed title hasn't come back from the dealer yet." "Aren't you going to check in the back room?" my friend Alice said. "No" the lady said. "You're going to have to pay another (1.25 for an extended permit.

Then come back again next week." My friend Alice asked me not to use her real name in this story, became she was afraid the license plate people would retaliate. I don't know what she could be worried about. They couldn't do anything to her that they haven't done already. I told my friend Alice that things might change soon, because a new county clerk takes over the reins Monday. They couldn't do anything to her that smile.

"I have only one request of her." "What is that?" I asked. "Faster service? More efficient service? Less rigid rules and ckrks?" "No," she uid. "Just tell me what's in that back room." Today In History By The Associated Press Today is Saturday, July 31, the 213th day of 1978. There are' 153 days left in the year. Today's highlight in hlsjory: On this date in'1777, the Marquis de Lafayette offered his service to rebelling Americans and was commissioned a Editorial samplings By United Press Internsttail Raleigh News Observer "The United States is taking a gamble by exporting more nuclear fuel to India for electric power generation.

Earlier, this month, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the sale of more than 10 tons of enriched uranium to the Indian government, and this week, the NRC concluded hearings into another, larger sale. The transaction will be a vital test for the new international rules that now govern nuclear fuel sales. In the past, India proved to be a devious customer. It used atomic fuel supplied by the U.S. for peaceful purposes to build India's first vtomic bomb, exploded in 1974.

The misuse was confirmed in this week's hearings by state department officials. The testimony adds to the fear that nuclear power, no matter how food its purposes, couH tenm Frankenstein's an uncontrollable monster. Since the Indian nuclear explosion of 1974, however, world suppliers have agreed on ground rules for future atomic fuel sales. The agreement was concluded In February, and It requires sellers and customers to follow International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards in transportation and use. For example, recipients from India must agree not to convert fuel to explosives.

They also are prohibited from selling to third parties not bound by the IAEA regulations. The treaty carries weight because it was signed by the world's major nuclear exporters: the U.S., Soviet Russia, Britain, France, West Germany, Japan and Canada. Whether the rules can be enforced remains to be seen. The Indian would be only one test." major general in the Continental Army. On this date: In '1498, Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Trinidad.

In'lTSO, the U.S. government issued its first patent to Samuel Hopkins of Vermont for a process in making potash. In 1877, Thomas Edison took out an early patent leading to his development of the phonograph. In the World War I battle of Flanders began. In IMS, a French leader during the World War II German occupation of France, Pierre Laval, surrendered to Allied authorities In Austria.

In '19M, The U.S. Ranger 7 spacecraft transmitted to earth the first ckwnip pictures of the moon. Ten years ago: The military government in Argentina suspended all classes In national universities and high schools in an effort to keep a lid on opposition. Five years ago: U.S. Apollo '15 astronauts David Scott and James twin spent six andone-half noun exploring the moon In an electric car.

One year ago: Turkey rejected a plea from President Ford to reopen American military bases which had been closed In a dispute over U.S. military aid. Today's birthday: Former big league baseball manager Hank Bauer la yean ok). Bicentennial footnote: Two hundred years ago today, at Halifax, N.C., salt was ordered apportioned among soldiers and officers who had taken part in the recent Moore's Creek military action. Salt was as important as currency to 11th-century Americans.

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