The La Crosse Tribune from La Crosse, Wisconsin • 6

6-La Crosse Tribune, Wednesday, March 12, 1975 legislators join tax revolt (Opinion By JOHN WYNGAARD The true-born bureaucrat has very little understanding of the problems of the elected politician. His is the truly significant role. The legislator is an inconvenient constitutional representative from Wisconsin Rapids, probably personifies the taxpayer revolt syndrome that is so conspicuous in the dialogues in the budget hearing room in the state Capitol. Day after day he puts the question to reluctant witnesses: Would you indicate your support for a tax increase to make possible the funding you ask? KENNETH 0. BLANCHARD, Publisher ROBERT S.

GALLAGHER Editor SANDERS HOOK General Manager SANFORD GOLTZ, Opinion Page Editor regard elective office as regular employment and, they hope, a career. State Sen. Dale McKenna, author Democrat, lives and practices law in Jefferson. He is ambitious. Moreover, a strategically sizeable part of his constituency is in Dane County and Madison, where the bureaucracy is the major industry and where the community is expertly aware of the vital relation of the Capitol and university payrolls to its health.

But McKenna typically follows the Schneider probing with examples of potential tax rate boosts that would follow if spending pressures are not arrested. Gov. Patrick Lucey has satisfied himself about the way the winds of public opinion are blowing. He stands for even sterner cutbacks if his estimates of revenue turn out to be wrong, as they almost surely will. But Lucey has no election to worry about until 1978.

Members of the legislature will bear the first brunt of the electoral reaction, whatever it may be. They want to follow his lead, but plainly they are not yet sure that they dare. MADISON A spectral theme dominates the deliberations of the legislatures budget writers. There is the vision of legions of disillusioned or angry voters next year racing to the polls to record their votes against re-election of the men whose difficult task it is today to put together a compromise budget. They must achieve a balance between those who favor generous support of essential state and local services and a contrary-minded constituency that has concluded that the tax cost-of-living is out of hand.

That is why members of the Joint Finance Committee, and notably its younger and visibly ambitious members, are relentlessly questioning witnesses who have concluded their anxious and often eloquent appeals for more money. Almost surely it cannot spare much more unless there is another tapping of the purses of two million income taxpayers, or perhaps a greater number of sales taxpayers. Young Marlin Schneider, Democratic state Why not jail? But there he is. Startled; uncertain; anxious to avoid offense, but aware of possibly damaging repercussions. Trying to get his bearings: Will he risk hostile public reaction if he endorses the idea of higher levies, or antagonize legislators by evasion? LEGISLATOR SCHNEIDER is the prototype of a phenomenon in politics that the professional bureaucrat has not yet quite understood.

Historically, state legislators were part-time politicians, hobbyists of a sort, who relied upon business or profession to make a living and regarded the legislature as strictly a sideline. Antagonizing the electorate was not as worrisome to those elders as to the youngsters today who IF SOME less-than-wealthy wrongdoers think theres one law for the rich and another for the poor, what happened the other day in an Oshkosh Circuit Court room may help explain their thinking. The man up for sentencing before Judge Edmund Ar-pin was Rocco Youse, president of Del Chemical Corp. and said to be worth a few million. He had been convicted of systematically bribing the former mayor of Men-jsha to buy city-used chemicals from Del.

Two Del sales- nen, caught and convicted earlier as a result of the 1 States John Doe investigation into municipal corruption, had been given jail terms of nine months and two months. Conservatives outraged Ford gains, but not with GOP I IT WAS A DIFFERENT deal for Rocco. He told the court that if he went to jail the firm and its employes would suffer. The judge decided that time behind bars wouldnt speed Rocco rehabilitation. So he fined Rocco 31,000 and put him on probation for three years.

For a Jrich man, this is punishment? I The states prosecutor had a different view. The only 4hing white-collar criminals understand is jail, he told Jthe judge. 'Whats good for the salesman is good for the loss. Most Americans would agree. True, a well known boss Washington avoided trial or jail time last year while diis hired hands went to the pokey, but that was an unusual case and many thought that was wrong.

The room tax MOST OF THE RANKING witnesses, holders of some of the most familiar names in the top layers of the state bureaucracy, pretend surprise at the query. It is not for them to wonder how their requests will be met, they seem to say with their startled stares; it is their responsibility to explain how their programs and services are indispensable to the health, safety, security and happiness of the commonwealth. Surely if there must be some pruning, it ought to be done elsewhere, in agencies run by wastrels. There is probably no more, adamant isolationist anywhere than the professional administrative office-holder. TVVMiUiM as a public park were when the citys present mayor tried to claim credit for same.

Some politicians, it seems, will say just about anything during an election campaign, but the neighbors of Old Central attended too many council meetings and hearings to be fooled by glib double-talk. While Mr. Gilbertson typically said one thing and did the opposite, during that marathon debate, there can be no doubt that he actually worked AGAINST a park on this site and did, in fact. VETO a public park zoning for the Old Central land, Oct. 17, 1972.

Ed Campfield, 426 S. 15th La Crosse. LA CROSSES MOTEL and hotel men evidently will Jget their way, after several tries, on a 3 per cent room tax Jo finance operations of a convention bureau to attract jhore visitors to the city. The Common Council, meeting in committee of the Jwhole last night, gave approval by a wide enough margin 14 to 6) so that adoption Thursday night seems assured. Jarlier, the Judiciary Committee had split evenly on the jsue, evidently reflecting some of the same reluctance demonstrated last night at the prospect of instituting a $iew tax at the local level.

BY DAVID S. BRODER WASHINGTON Gerald Fords effort to convert from the imperial presidency to the plebian presidency is producing serious strains in his party. Two incidents in the past fortnight have brought home to Republicans the risks that attend the self-imposed limitations of the Ford presidency. It has been evident for months now that Mr. Ford has adopted a concept of presidential leadership diametrically opposite that of his immediate predecessors, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon.

W'hereas those two men tried to dominate the entire governmental-political structure and dictate every critical decision, Mr. Ford has deliberately limited the presidential-agenda. Considering the unhappy end of those two previous presidents, forced to yield office by the adverse public reaction to their use or abuse of power, Mr. Fords course seems much wiser, or at least more in tune with the times. For the past three months, his words and actions have been concentrated almost exclusively on three issues: energy, the economy, and Americas international role.

The upturn in his political fortunes that is now generally perceived stems directly from the publics growing awareness that the President is working on the matters that matter most to them. In contrast to a Congress that takes time out for filibusters on the filibuster rule, investigations of CIA investigations, and interparliamentary union meetings in Ceylon, Mr. Ford is beginning to look good. BUT HIS TECHNIQUE has some costs, both for the President and his party. In the past two weeks, Mr.

Ford has failed to intervene in two fights that aggravated the severe tensions between progressives and conservatives inside the GOP. And in both cases, the result of inaction was defeat for the cause that Mr. Ford belatedly embraced. The first was the Senate battle over the filibuster rule and the role of Vice President Rockefeller, whose rulings aided the reformers victory in reducing from two-thirds to three-fifths the number of senators needed to cut off debate. From all available evidence, the rulings were Rockefellers own.

Mr. Ford said afterward he thought it would be inappropriate for him to advise Rockefeller on a legislative branch matter, and Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott, said the President told Rockefeller, Nelson, use your own judgment and follow your Guest editorial SOME PEOPLE WILL COLLECT ANYTHING. THE RELUCTANCE IS understandable, particularly year. The consumer is in a crochety mood already, 2pr obvious reasons; everywhere he turns hes nicked a 3it more. Many a traveler has been heard to complain of jflie room tax (6 per cent) imposed on visitors to Madison hd Milwaukee.

Yet those cities, and others with promotional bureaus financed by the room tax, are attracting a lot of conventions. When local efforts to do the job with voluntary contributions from within the industry failed, the next logi-al choice is the one the motel-hotel operators here wchose. If the council adopts the tax, however, it shouldnt be passed and forgotten. City Hall, as well as the industry, should assess the results periodically and expect results accountability. Is the tax too much, or too little? Is it discouraging visits by non-convention goers, who are the majority of motel-hotel customers? I These are questions the council should be asking after ia year or two, and acting on.

Readers write us Luceys vo-tech budget the Old Central site flabbergasted, recently, Weather memo conscience. I may have a different point of view from you. The upshot was, from Mr. Ford's point of view, a double setback. The step toward absolute majority rule in the Senate, he implied at his subsequent press conference, jarred his sense of constitutional principles.

His backers in the Senate certainly think it limits their ability to protect his interests against the big Democratic majorities. At the same time, Mr. Fords reticence encouraged Rockefeller to take actions which hardened conservative opposition to both of them and made it more difficult to achieve the Presidents apparent desire to keep the Ford-Rockefeller ticket intact in 1976. He can do so now, it appears, only at the cost of a bitter convention battle. Sen.

James McClure, R-Idaho, a leader of the Senate conservative bloc who had voted to confirm Rockefeller for vice president, signaled the change when he said, It would be very hard for me to support a ticket with Rockefeller on it Before, the suspicion was there, but now its animosity. THE SAME THING happened, in mirror image, at last weeks Republican National Committee meeting, when Mr. Ford gave White House representatives no signal to intervene in the divisive fight over the proposed positive action program to encourage participation by women, youths, minorities and others in GOP affairs. With the President on the sidelines, conservatives in the party were able, by a one-vote mar- gin, to kill vthe heart of the program: a review procedure which would hold state parties accountable for their efforts to broaden the partys base. That the White House did not lift a hand to help the party avert this costly political and public relations setback dismayed many progressives.

Once again, as in the Senate fight, Mr. Ford appeared on the scene after the battle was over, this time to lecture those who kept the Republican partys door closed while we give speeches about keeping it open. It may be that Mr. Fords strategy will be proved right. If he can successfully tackle the big things like energy, the economy and foreign affairs a huge if.

the little things, like the raging civil war inside the Republican party, may take care of themselves. But it's hard for politicians who remember the total presidencies of the last ten years to accept so restricted a definition of presidential leadership. not here? 000 in gross sales. At the end of the program year, the JA company prepares an annual stockholder report, a profit-and-loss statement, a liquidation report, and divides up all the assets in the form of returned dividends to each stockholder. Over 75 per cent of the companies are profitable, and normally would not liquidate if in the real business world.

Even the companies who end up in the red" have learned a great deal from their mistakes, besides getting a preview to possible vocational choices. Although the Achievers make the decisions in their company, they are not totally on their own. Over the 56 years Junior Achievement has been in existence, step-by-step manuals and record system books have been developed. Every JA company also has a team of three to four advisers. These are businessmen and women from the community who, with the express endorsement of their respective business firms, volunteer approximately three hours a week to assist high school students in developing an understanding of the American private enterprise system.

ADVLSERS ARE USUALLY executives representing the areas of administration, production and marketing. Advisers often comment on the two-way learning experience, along with the high enthusiasm and excitement generated by the Achievers. Eld uca tors are also recognizing the valuable leam-by-doing philosophy of JA; nearly 100 school systems offer academic credit to Achievers. Junior Achievement teaches young people the practical fundamentals of the American business system. Its members take the first steps toward becoming knowledgeable voters, consumers and decision makers.

The choice of whether or not La Crosse area high school students have JA involvement now rests with us, the residents of La Crosse. Don't our young people deserve the best over-all education available? Junior Achievement can be a valuable facet to that education. MEMO TO the National Weather Service: Help! Enough! Stop already! We know you can make snow. What else can you do, fellows? What else? VL Junior Achievers: why From Tribune files TWENTY YEARS AGO 1955 I Reds move up new jet air division to Formosa Straits; new MIGS reported joining assault force. dies; aged Negro actor, who played in noted role 1,652 times, succumbs to stroke.

Floodwaters to test new runoff system in the Mississippi River; thousands flee from homes in the valley. Greece returns to normal life after rebellion; government will exact stern penalties" on those guilty of disloyalty. Ore prospects in Southwestern Wisconsin good, according to University of Wisconsin La Crosse businessman James Brindley is spearheading a drive to establish a Junior Achievement program in the three local high schools next fail. The local Rotary Club board has agreed to back the venture with Rotarians and other businessmen volunteering as advisers. Six clubs will require 18 adults to advise; interested firms or executive can reach Brindley at W.

A. Roosevelt which he heads as president Sirs Your readers should be aware of the governors budget proposal recommending major changes that would greatly affect all who attend Wisconsin vocational-technical schools. The 12.5 per cent tuition included in the budget would amount to approximately $250 more per academic school year for a student enrolled in a full-time program, and approximately $40 per course for a student enrolled in a part-time or evening program. The tuition would be added to other program costs. When the Wisconsin Vocational, Technical and Adult Education system was reorganized in the late 1960s, the funding was to come from both the local district tax and state funds on approximately a 40-60 basis.

Now more than half the cost of educating a student in the system is paid by local funds. Adding tuition would not decrease the amount of local tax, but would only decrease the states portion of support. In other post-high-school institutions, all the funds come from the state, with no local funds used. This combined local and state funding gave local districts control of their schools, which is desirable. Studies show that vo-tech students come from lower economic groups who are not able, in many cases, to afford the extra cost of tuition.

These schools train for trades and occupations below the university level These surveys indicate many will be unable to attend school, will receive no training, and will be unable to find employment. Vo-tech schools are traditionally locally oriented and. during the past 60 years, have provided skilled workers to meet the needs of local employers. Another portion of this proposed budget would shift the state veterans funding to the Higher Education Aids Board, resulting in a substantial decrease of veterans education assistance. It would give the aids board authority to make all decisions, no authority would be left to the Veterans Administration or to the schooL Under the Wisconsin Vietnam Era Education Grant, it is estimated that 50 per cent of the married veterans now qualifying for full or partial grants will be entirely eliminated.

These grants would not be available to veterans who served after Jan. 27, 1973. Only veterans in a masters degree program who are no more than half-time students would be eligible for the part-time study grant which would eliminate all technical school students. It is quite plain that these portions of the governor's budget will penalize students who would and should attend schools. Rabn W.

Pischke, president. Student Coordinating Commission, Western Wisconsin Technical Institute, La Crosse. Glib double-talk Sirs Those of us who really did work to save 1 President Eisenhower ordered by his physician to go swimming daily for exercise, but 1Jie hates the idea, word that around. Part of Shelby area files petitions for annexation to the city; action referred to city attorney 'with instructions to draw up annexation ordinance. Soil erosion projects in La Crosse County must await government approval of proposed $5 billion relief bill.

FIFTY YEARS AGO 1925 Gov. Blaine signs new highway bill praised as the best in the provides revenue equal to present law without direct tax on citizens. THIRTY YEARS AGO 1945 Yanks nearing highway to industrial Ruhr area: rocket-firing planes give big assist" to American push. Nine Soviet divisions reported across the Oder River in massive drive on Berlin: Osaka hit by force of B-29s bent on (fetroying hidden factories; jfiit torch to Japan's second largest city. By JAMES M.

BRINDLEY THE TROUBLE WITH young people today is that not enough of them mind their own business except for those in Junior Achievement This year, over 185,000 high school students are organizing and managing their own small-scale companies under the guidance of adult advisers from business and industry. These students represent over 1.100 communities across the United States, and La Crosse now lias the opportunity of establishing a program to begin next fall. This nonprofit business-education program, known as JA. draws support from management. labor, educators and parents.

It helps many high school sophomores, juniors and seniors gain the experience to become responsible and constructive citizens. Students sign up for JA in September at school assembly presentations conducted by professional JA staff personnel. Each company of 15 to 20 students, or Achievers as they are called, chooser a name and a product to manufacture. They apply for a special JA operating charter. determine their initial capital needs, and sell stock certificates at $1 a share, one share a person Then they proceed with pricing the product, electing officers, negotiating a lease for the space, furniture and equipment they will be using, and start production and market-.

ing all within the first five weeks. Five weeks may seem like a long time, but these companies meet for only two hours, one evening a week, from October to May. The fifth meeting is each JA companys first monthly board meeting. Achievers serve not only as the board of directors, but also the manufacturing and marketing teams. The company's newly elected president, treasurer, secretary and vice presidents of manufacturing, sales and personnel decide on the to-scale monthly officers' salaries, production workers hourly wage and commission rates for Achievers sales.

THROUGHOUT THE 25-WEEK program year, officers are responsible for maintaining records on attendance, sales, inventories, balance sheets, profit-and-loss statements, sales and profits, tax payments, production flow charts, break-even graphs and safety cotn-plaince charts, all culminating in a monthly report to inform everyone of the company's progress. As production and marketing continue, it is not uncommon for a company to have over Common Council votes fund to finance committee attendance at hearing in Chicago to interview railroad managers on union depot issue. Automobile show, the first annual in La Crosse, opens with impressive display of shiny new models. Walter Camp, noted football coach and criUc, dies suddenly in New York hotel. I Bonn reports hasty" flight of Germans, leaving 8 million fiarks and large store of food in warehouse; find many home-owners had stocked their shelves with bountiful supplies." Bible verse The ways of men are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his doings.

Proverbs 5:21. FORTY' YEARS AGO 1935 Richard B. Harrison, De Lawd" of. Green Pastures, tf.