El Paso Times from El Paso, Texas • 6

-Stye SI J3asr Eiuwa- (DrotofioDini Page 6-A Sunday, September 19, 1976 Published Every Day Of The Year By El Paso Times, Inc. A Member Of The Gannett Group Frtnk Feuille III, President nd Publisher Robert Bentley, Editor Newspapers Face Readership Problems DorranceH. Guy, Associate Editor Friti Wirt, Managing Editor The editorials below are the position of The El Paso Times on matters of public interest as decided upon by the Times Editorial Board, which consists of the publisher, the editor, the managing editor and the associate editor. Signed columns are the opinions of the authors. The opinions of readers are encouraged through Letters to the Editors.

Editor's Note By Robert Bentley Times Editor i in ii i I I arnifii low, one of the nation's more astute and innovative journalists who recently became editor to spearhead salvage efforts by The Washington Star, the Capital second newspaper that had been plagued with declining circulation and other financial crisis for more than the past two decades. Bellows offers these observations: "Newspapers must commit themselves to three goals, to continue to fulfill our responsibility of informing the reader, but also to become more essential to their needs and more appealing to their interest. "We're not reaching the young readers because we are not trying to understand much less reflect what they want. "We are trying to report by looking out of our newsroom windows rather than getting out among our readers so we can know them." The last Bellows' analogy especially bothered this editor, whose office does not even have an outside window. However, Lord and carpenters willing this problem shall be resolved with considerably more ease and expedition than the literal ones being addressed more seriously.

How? If I and the other newspaper people here knew all of the methods, we'd adjourn this seminar early and concern ourselves more with the combined delights of mint and julep. Also, even general professional altruism has limitations placed on it by local newspaper competition. If 1 revealed a few of the better ideas gleaned from this session, another El Paso newspaper might implement them before The Times is able and determined to do so. Besides, it's more effective to demonstrate rather than to write about them. ATLANTA What misery, newspaper people with problems love company.

Or at least it makes them feel a little better to collectively define their problems and pursue solutions. That appears to be the theme as 42 editors, publishers and circulation and marketing executives are gathered in this bustling city to exchange ideas on industry wide "challenges" as they are occasionally and euphemistically described within the profession. Today's overriding newspaper challenge is posed by a situation that sounds like a good news-bad news joke: The good news is that more people than ever are reading newspapers. The bad news is that more people than ever are not. A study reported in the Wall Street Journal this year revealed that while U.S.

newspaper readers are increasing, the number is not growing nearly as fast as the country's population. And to illustrate how Johnny-on-the-spot newspapers are in uncovering internal shortcomings, the population-circulation numbers have been widening for at least 15 years. The declining percentage of newspaper readers means that more people believe they can fare effectivelyand happily without a newspaper. This may be viewed as a problematical challenge by some newspaper people, but it aiarms others, not only for the sake of the profession itself but for our governmental system in which newspapers play an essential role. Related revelations by the country's papers, gathered and polled on a near crash basis, offers important information but little consolation.

Newspaper people learned who the readers are to which we are not appealing. The 50 and over age group members, God bless them, comprise our largest readership of any age group. The figure diminishes significantly among those readers from 34-49, and dramatically among the younger population, The peril of this trend is obvious: newspapers will not be replenishing their readership unless age is accompanied by a significantly increased need or desire for our products. And this is a gamble newspapers would be foolish to taxe. Among the other category of readers that newspapers are failing to reach: minorities, newcomers, temporary residents and transients.

Recent preliminary studies by The Times indicate this problem may be even more acute in El Paso where: The traditional "minorities" may actually constitute a majority of our population; The population expansion of the 1960s provided us with about 50 per cent "newcomers;" Military installations assure us of great number of temporary residents; and A designed wave of the future is tourism, or transient readers. Among those addressing the problems was James Bel 'When Does It Start Ex-Jockey Questions Evesieht At Ruidoso Juarez Election VARIOUS GROUPS and organizations in Juarez a will vote Tuesday on whether the resump-tion of streetcar service between that city and El Paso is to be allowed. The results of the election will be presented to Mexican President Luis Echeverria Sept. 30 and he has said he would abide by the majority. El Paso, under the leadership of Mayor Don Henderson, has been pushing to restore the service.

He has been fought by elements of the Juarez Chamber of Commerce. Nestor Valencia, executive assistant to the mayor, has released an eight-page "fact sheet" to explain the situation. It has been distributed in both El Paso and Juarez. Valencia said the sheet was not designed to affect the Juarez election, only to clear up misunderstandings concerning the issue. Henderson, wisely, has not made open threats to Juarez officials.

Instead, he has maintained that the streetcars will either be sold at a profit or used only in El Paso as a part of the mass transit plan. However, he has worked and worked hard to get an international agreement whereby the service could be resumed. Plans have been made on the part of El Paso to promote the streetcars internationally as a tourist attraction, While tourists have used the cars during past years, the promotion has never been as extensive as now planned. The streetcars, an economical form of transportation, have been used to the advantage of both cities. Tourists have used them to go to Juarez and Mexican nationals have used them to gain access to downtown El Paso.

While it is understandable that some members cf the Juarez Chamber of Commerce and members of the taxi-cab union would oppose the streetcars, it is difficult to understand that the resumption of service would not be of benefit to Juarez as a whole. It is true that other forms of transportation between the two cities currently are available private automobiles buses and cabs. But they do not perform the same service at the same price as the streetcars. Nor are they as "romantic." Hopefully, th' who participate in the Juarez election will ize the value of streetcar service to all com Editor, The El Paso Times Letters Weed Problem "UT Criminal Complex SHERIFF MIKE Sullivan and County Judge T. Udell Moore have announced plans for a 0 bond issue election to build a new county criminal complex.

It will be held in December. I am an ex-jockey. I have ridden for the best stables in the U.S. in my day: Father Bill Daly, Tom Tolt, James E. Fitsim-mons, the Belair Stud Farm, Wheatley Stable and C.

V. Whitney. I have ridden the horses Omaha, Fighting Fox, Nashua, Johnstown, Merry Lassie, Farieno and thousands more of the big stake horses, including Blenhiem and Seabiscuit. The most sorry race I have seen on television was the Rainbow Futurity. The rider, Jeff Fair, deliberately swung his mount, Real Wind, out blocking Richard Bickel on the colt My Easy Credit a few yards out of the starting gate.

About 100 yards farther on, he did the same thing; this time almost carrying him into the outside rail. This ruined any chances My Easy Credit had of winning. He, however, finished a stout fourth place. The sign of inquiry was flashed on the board but Richard Bickel's claim of foul and interference was turned down. I had no money on the race but hate to see the best horse in the race knocked around and deliberately fouled.

Bickel is a fine, honest jockey and a good rider. I think the stewards and management of Ruidoso Downs are tin horns. I am sure Bickel will continue to win his share of races and not again let himself get shut off twice in a race by a swinging jock like Fair. The stewards need strong field glasses to see what is going on and to stop a lot of the dirty work at both Sunland and Ruidoso tracks. Tom J.

Connolly El Paso Backs Friend Editor, The El Paso Times: I'm writing to you in regard to Mrs. Quenon's remarks about the recreational directors qualifications especially about Frank Dominguez. I've known Frank for about 20 years when we were volunteers at Our Lady's Youth Center for the late Tula Irrobali. During the summer our day started at about 7 a.m. to get four baseball fields ready for games that lasted all day.

Between games we had to go bring and take home the kids. Leter, in the afternoon we had club meetings which included about 20 clubs. We did this plus other duties around the center as other persons did for the love of it and respect for Tula. Each of the volunteers went their separate ways but Frank kept on with it for the love of kids and to try to better the Barrio's Recreational programs. Frank has more than 10 years education.

But, more than that he has the experience and the heart to work with kids. Which you can't learn in school or by being elected parks and recreational director. One of these days go visit Frank and try to keep up with him but you'll have to get up pretty early. See you at the next election. Jesus R.

Reyes El Paso Editor, The El Paso Times: Your weed article Aug. 20 has long been a nose problem in EP. Paul Berry will take care of his weeds, he is a man of hi? word. Not so Sanitation, City Zoning and City Government. My neighbor and I have long tried to remove the weeil and fire trap, commercial in a residential zone, next door.

Cry your hearts out and let your nose continue to run because we are going to suffer only the personal interests of Don Henderson and Company. Achew! Mrs. Marjorie K. Brieden El Paso Wants Demo Editor, The El Paso Times: The political die is cast giving the voters' a choice between Ford and Carter for President the next four years. I would like to remind the voters that to elect a divided government would be our greatest mistake.

Unless a Republican Congress can be elected it would be a mistake to elect Ford as we would then have another stalemate government just drifting along without the needed reforms in our government that are so badly needed and long overdue. Carter is proposing to restructure our government agencies and make them work more efficient I doubt very much if a Republican Congress can be elected therefore Carter should be given a chance to try his proposed plan as the vetoes approach that Ford has used will not get the job done. We need to elect a strong leader. Only time and a trial can tell if Carter is such a man, but we know that as leader Ford has fallen short. A man that has to have all his speeches written by others and be rehearsed by expert staff members as to how he will debate Carter, does not set him up as a great leader, even though he is a good decent fellow.

I suggest if they each want to debate as they indicate and which would be good for the country, that they meet on the public platforms around the country and debate the issues as Douglas and Lincoln did in way we then could see the ability of each man in true sense without all the cosmetics of TV "hypocrisy. We could then better judge each man's qualification for this high office. -R. W. Turquette El Paso There's Harmony In Work Originally, the complex was to be built in the downtown area jointly by the city and the county, However, the city has decided not to participate.

Now plans are to build the complex on land adjacent to Ascarate Park. The land already is owned by the county and Moore said this would save approximatley $5 million, Sullivan says the construction will give that area of the city an economic shot in the arm. No figure has been announced as to the tot.il bond issue. Included in the project will be a new jail, a new juvenile home, facilities for nine criminal courts, the sheriff's department and parking. El Paso County currently is under court order to rectify jail conditions.

There appears to be no way the jail can be brought up to minimum standards through remodeling. That is the reason for the bond election and new facilities. Whether county voters will be in the mood to pass a bond issue is, of course, not known. However, those who are familiar with the conditions in the juvenile detention home or in the jail certainly would not quarrel with voting in favor of the complex. ormanV.Peale Syndicated Columnist Do you know how to work well easily? This is an important question, for the person who does his work the easiest does it the best.

There is a basic harmony in both this world and in people. If you are in tune with this harmony, you are, "in the groove," "on the beam." So, each of us should learn to practice one of the greatest of all skills, namely, that of "easy does it." Recently, on a university campus, I saw workmen laying up a beautiful brick wall. Attached to the wall was a large sign which the contractor, a firm by the name of Lehr, had placed there. It read "Swing and sway the Lehr way for better brick work." Being interested I asked the foreman, a friendly sort of fellow, to explain the sign. He said that, to be a good bricklayer, the workman had to get into the rhythm of the job pick up a brick, lay a brick, pick up a brick, lay a brick and to do it without jerking qpwaste motion and in a smooth, flowing and rhythmic manner.

Then he said, "The workman who is able to harmonize himself to an easy flow in his operation not only lays brick well, but he can lay more brick and is not tired at the end of the day. He has energy to spare. On the other hand, the workman who fights the job, who does not get into the easy flow, expends unnecessary energy, wears himself out, and is tired at the end of the day. And his work is likely to be on an inferior grade." Meditation Election Day To Decide Who Won Debates lfX icobserv nfiorb, The effectual prayer of a righteous man avai-leth much. James We have shared many thoughts on the responsibilities of Christians.

Why not take just a few moments and look into one of the many privileges you have. There is a well-known hymn which, in part, says, "What a privilege to" carry everything to God in prayer." This is your privilege! You have the right to pray to your Heavenly Father any time of the day or night, knowing you will not be persecuted, knowing He will listen. God doesn't care where you are when you pray to Him walking along, sitting or kneeling. Just believe that He is there and it will be like talking to a dear friend. He will understand.

This privilege has a far reaching power! When others see that your prayers are a necessary part of your life, they will turn to you when they feel the need for their prayers to be strengthened. They admire your connection with God! Say it! "My connection with God!" Has a nice ring to it, hasn't it? This is where humbleness should enter. Bow your head before your Heavenly Father and thank Him for this privilege. Remember this The value of prayer is likened to friendship. It is priceless.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, there is nothing we have to ask tor in our prayer today. We Juat want to thank You tor all You have done for In Jeaua' name. Amen. Upr aw inMirtlil It It wrtHw It Pimm ImU Mfanfa By HAROLD F. HARDING AND JOSEPH M.

RAY Even Jimmy Carter is saying he'll be lucky to come out even in the television debates. That is not a modest statement. He is facing a man who has facts. Ford knows much more about Congress than does Carter. Domestic issues are so complex that it's going to be hard for both men to explain them thoroughly in the allotted time.

The result may be a Carter who appears to know not nearly as much as Ford about the problems and even less about the solutions. President Ford simply has to say from time to time: "I'm sorry, you don't know all the facts." We will soon know the full "rules" of the 1976 debates. We know that the first and second debates will deal with one issue each. Sen. Dole and Sen.

Mondale will have a go in the third contest. The fourth will be open to several subjects, perhaps to questions from a panel. The most important detail will be unanswered. That is the official decision who or who performed or who gave the best rebuttal? You will hear lots of private opinions and some from the parties and the newspapers. Some persons will decide on the basis of delivery alone how each man spoke.

Still others on the basis of charisma "a rare quality of power attributed to those persons who have demonstrated an exceptionable quality of lead- Delivery. Did the candidate speak his comM-iitmn with good effect? We mean by voice and gesture EpaT Some brief estimates about the two speakers as of now Fw in6 material weU worked over by others. We do not believe he contributes much originalit? and he fails to show a full grasp of the position dent The nomination acceptance speech was a notable exception to a long line of disasters ex Carter: He has more good-speaking traits to learn His delivery lacks variety and strength but his coiK-bov image comes through. He is believable even with hfvVcha 8lready ta- debates, may ulUmately tiiSSJ Mondale: He will probably improve as he geU? better known. He knows the elements of good rhetoric the ability to make good replies.

HimSSSP' speakers at delivering up votes from SSff AS?" ui Imfk Ujr, Mt nfefcM lutton ui rntmot MMriM il tt MrmHj 4 Tuai Put, wtfck Or. Bay vat triiili tar ership and for securing the devotion of large numbers of people," as the American Heritage Dictionary defines it. The American voter is a very enigmatic person. You will get his final decision on the debates only on election day. There is no one American voter stereotype.

Each section of the country breeds its own variety. When you listen to the TV debates, you can judge each speaker with questions such as these: Content. Did the speaker reveal by his arguments a thorough knowledge of the issue? Arrangement. Did the speaker reveal a good organization of the material? A.