Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 22

I i' I 'V -i i 'i I' i .1 1 1' (Hributte lEhitorial flag? Nixon's Bombs Plus Diplomacy Paying Off Now A RESPONSIBLE' METROPOLITAN NEWSPAPER HOME OWNED AND EDITED 22 FRIDAY, JULY 7, 1972 EDITORIALS New Challenges for Our Colleges and Universities No segment of our society perhaps is subject to closer scrutiny than our educational system, especially at the level of higher education. As much of that scrutiny comes from the colleges and universities themselves as from the public which supports them. Volumes have been written about the problems facing higher education in a rapidly' changing society.1' The issues and what is being done about them were summed up in a six-part Tribune series.which concludes today, by staff writ- er Larry Spears. -The problems facing higher education can be broken down into three financial, purpose and efficiency. "Most colleges and i i 1 1 are plagued by enormous financial troubles.

The Carnegie Commission estimates that 1,500 of the nations 2,430 private and public campus-toare operating in the red or soon will be. "Rising salaries, decreasing attendance, a tighter rein on the taxpayers dollars, shifting needs and increased building and maintenance costs, among other things, are putting the fiscal squeeze on the schools. are being raised as to the purpose of colleges and universities and wheth-etffhat purpose is being fulfilled. ''-Students are questioning the relevancy of the college curriculum. The educational program is in a continual state of flux in an attempt to meet student needs.

If the purpose of colleges and universities is not clear, most assuredly their efficiency must suffer. For example, it is questionable whether schools should continue to turn out the same number of teachers and engineers ICE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COfMfoK World Chess Championship By JOSEPH C.HARSCH President Nixon is gathering in dividends from his new diplomacy. He is giving his client, South Vietnam, far more effective military support than his predecessor dared provide. He can do it because he went to Peking first. Mr.

Nixon used diplomacy to isolate the battlefield. It is paying off. The big Item in the payoff is the vfact that today, three months after North Vietnam launched its massive triple offensive into South Vietnam, the offensive has still to score any notable success. True, the battle is by no means over. There are still large forces deployed to the northwest of Hue which could, at least in theory, mount a Editors note; The opinion offered by the signed eolumnittt are their own and are presented to gior readers a variety of viewpoints.

The Tribune's opinions are ed only in expressed only in editorials. heavy assault on that prestige prize in the war. There is still a North Vietnam lodgement on the coast which cuts the north-south supply line for the Saigon forces. The fighting continues at all contested points. But the offensive has still to capture any Important objective.

And neither Russia nor China is making any effort outside Its own borders to counter the things Mr. Nixon is doing to isolate the battlefield. That attempted isolation is not complete. Small quantities of supplies are reported coming in over the beaches along the coast. And a nearly normal flow of supplies is said to be coming down by rail from China to the point where American bombing has cut the rail lines.

At that point the materials are transferred to trucks. This imposes delay on the movement of supplies, although the tonnage that comes through is not believed to be very much. Probably the biggest difference caused by the mining of the harbors and the attack on the rail lines has been in petroleum products. Prior to Mr. Nixons mining and bombing campaign North Vietnam received its oil and fuel by sea from Russia.

The tankers unloaded at Haiphong. Few if any weapons came in by that route. Russian tanks and artillery have always come largely by rail through China. The main effect of the campaign has been to throw the entire supply load onto the Chinese rail system. This means that the flow of weapons and ammunition to the railheads is probably nearly normal but the flow of fuel and oil must be well down.

The Russians tried to unload some of their tankers intended for Haiphong at Chinese ports. The Chinese refused to let them in. China itself is an oil deficient country. Another way of saying all this is that Russia has allowed the naval blockade of the North Vietnam to go unchallenged, and China has faded, so far, to step up deliveries over the Chinese rail system to compensate for the blockade. This is diplomacy at work.

Mr. Nixon reopened American relations with China in mid-February. The Hanoi offensive was launched at the end of March. The blockade and the bombing of the rail lines came at once thereafter. But Moscow did not deny Mr.

Nixon the reception in Moscow which was the logical sequel to the trip to' Peking. American bombs in Lyndon Johnsons day did not influence bourse of the war in South Vietnam. If anything, they improved morale in North 'Vietnam ahdlactbd asa inagnet for-more Rus sian and Chinese supplies. But they were bombs all alone, unaccompanied by diplomacy. Richard Nixons bombs are twined with diplomacy as he made clear in his latest news conference.

They were used only after diplomacy had driven a wedge between North Vietnam and its main suppliers, Russia and China. Mr. Nixon is using bombs as a. supplement to his diplomacy rather than the other way around. Ilis primary reliance is on his diplomacy.

C-pyrfjM I rn. Dm OhMoii SdKt fvbliaMng Society the national nominating convention the adoption of a platform, ratification of the primary choice of a nominee and the selection of a vice preslden- In the primary would be the favorite for that spot This would involve an exercise in pure democracy not calculated to attract delegates from across the country nor to preserve the permanent form of party machinery. It would take a great deal of the fun and rewards out the ordinary citizens participation in politics. There has been what might be called a popular protest this year against the multiplication of, the cost and the exhaustion of state primaries. Muskie, for instance, concedes that he tried to take on too many of them too etoly and ran out of both steam and money.

If there had been a national primary, Muskie indeed might have won in a battle with Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey. He had national recognition and a fresh face at a time when McGovern was regarded as some kind of freak for running at all Since the national primary would be held on a single day and under uniform rules, there would have been no momentum-creating New Hampshire or Wisconsin to give the South Dakota senator progressive victories later. The opinion polls, despite their sometimes doubtful performances, might have been persuasively against him.

George Wallace, with a minimum organization and little intensive campaigning of the factory-gate type, might have surprised with a finish among the leaders. That gives the Democratic regulars something to think about, Estimates are that this years primaries cost the candidates around $15 million. But the cost of running in all 50 states obviously would be considerably higher. -If baseball this year could survive both the players strike and the Vida Blue cause celebre, perhaps chess will yet recover from the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky ordeal The temperamental geniuses of the two acknowledged chess masters have at last apparently been mollified and the oft-i postponed World Chess Championships are scheduled to get under way in Reykjavik, Iceland Tuesday. Fischer, New Yorks 29-year-old grandmaster, delayed the scheduled July 2 opening match by demanding more prize money.

When Fischer got what he wanted, it was Spasskys' turn. Claiming he had been insult--edrttie-35-j manded a postponement of his own. He got that plus a formal apology from Fischer. 'In the end, it was apparent the stakes Were too high the championship of the world and a $156,250 prize for either chess whiz to back off. Perhaps it was all no more than psychological warfare, but the preliminary battle of Wits did produce an extraordinary amount of for chess, a game not normally known for its international repercussiopsr- when there are already not enough Jobs in those fields to go around Are students getting the most from their education and are the schools utilizing the dollar to the best of their ability? These are serious questions which ate shaking higher education to its very ivy-covered walls.

Historic changes may be in the offing. Financial requirements have caused many schools especially private schools to raise tuition considerably. In some cases only low income students who receive grants and the well-to-do can afford to attend such institutions. Higher education should be within finan- cial reach of all who seek- it. But this is an elusive goal.

A redefinition of purpose may be needed by our colleges and universities In an effort to better meet the desires of a more varied and complex student population. -This is not to imply that the basic rudiments of education in the fields of science, English, the humanities or history should be ignored. That knowledge still is important to the makeup of a well-rounded individual One thing is certain: educators have a tough assignment in trying to balance the budget while turning out graduates who feel secure that they will find their rightful place in society. Colleges and universities have risen to the challenge before and we are confident that with the kind of introspection they are now going through the new challenges also will be equally met. That publicity, expected to last through the two months of play between Fischer and Spassky, promises to elevate chess to the levels of ping pong in world-wide interest and intrigue.

Simply because the two combatants are an American and a Russian, the match has taken on ideological proportions of a battle between the free world and the Communist world. This may have' been unavoidable, but to the dyed-in-the-wool chess fan the games are the long-awaited classic match between the two giants of the chess world. the games would actually start have returned to normal, new suspense over the actual outcome will keep all chess devotees on edge. Whatever the final results, play promises to be of the highest quality and filled with drama. Dont be too surprised, however, if that drama comes as much away from the chess board as on it as these two contestants continue their psychological game of oneups manship.

JACK BELL REPORTS THEKS GOT TO BE A BETTER Wtt states which choose nominating delegates, under the convention system. The senator claims sizeable blocs of delegates, for example, in such states as Colorado, Connecticut Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Texas and Virginia, among others. The evidence is rather impressive, however, that many ft these delegate votes were won by the numbers and the physical endurance of youthful delegates who packed caucuses and stayed with it until the early hours of the morning when tired adversaries went home to bed. Presumably a national primary would wipe out the state convention system. It would leave to 'THAf LIFERS PONY HAVE To Letters to Changing Educational Emphasis EDITOR: A current Tribune series discusses the financial problems facing hundreds of private colleges and universities throughout the country.

Are we not overlooking an important fact? As time progresses, and population increases, numbers of personnel required for the service industries will be in greater demand than heretofore. Maybe we are trying to make so called higher education available to too many people. There is a great need not being met, for people trained in suclf fields as auto mechanics, plumbing, electrical distribution systems, telephone systems, paramedics, nurses, dental assistants, and many more. The present state of training, and the available numbers, leaves much to be desired in many cases. For example, plumbers on a new home we occupied recently allowed two separate poorly brazed joints to dump gallons of water between the walls.

Every medical doctor or surgeon needs two or more qualified nurses in his office, yet nurses are in short supply. Every dentist needs one or more qualified dental assistants or hygienists, yet I have heard dentists complain that qualified assistants cannot be obtained. For every design engineer there are requirements for 10 to 20 draftsmen, constructors, or operators. This is but a partial list Training for many of these service type oc- cupations eouldbe obtainedirom.l High schools with properly oriented programs, without the rigid university entrance requirements for graduation. Trade schools with one or two year curricula.

Emphasis on two year service occupational courses in local area junior colleges. Rather than trying to fit every high school graduate into some college curriculum, a better analysis should be made of the students likes and capabilities, and then provide the training facilities to suit, in one or more of the schools mentioned above. We, the parents, are partly to blame, for we desire, and often force, our children to go to college. I am no exception, having urged, and paid for my son to obtain a bachelors degree, which he did not desire. Let ns take a sharp look at the need for so many educational institutions, with wide range tof curricula, and the need for so many graduates with masters and doctorate degrees.

We need -indus- tries, and I am sure that many of them would be a lot happier. E. W. MORRIS, Lafayette. De-Militarized Police EDITOR: While walking in downtown Oakland yesterday, I noticed something new about our citys police cars.

What I noticed was that the traditional Oakland Police Department triangular shield was missing from the doors of our police cruisers. Replacing it was a barely legible white strip on the cars front fender bearing the in-' scription Oakland Police Services. Upon returning home, I phoned the HaQ of Justice and inquired as to why the familiar and attractive shield was gone. The man on duty in- the small society 1 The Forum formed me that this was a new policy that was instituted by Chief of Police, Charles R. Gain to demilitarize the police units by making them look less like police cars and thereby less threatening.

This was the same reason, the man informed1! me, that the color of the police cars was changed to tan and white from black and white a few years back. Upon hearing this I became very angered and shocked. The prime directive of. a police force is to maintain law and order not make themselves look less threatening to criminals and hoodlums. With the recent controversy over police and firemens salaries, Chief Gain has the audacity to waste the citys money to'change the cars colors, emblems, instead of giving the money to his overworked men.

Without their symbol the patrol cars look naked, and by divesting the police of their symbol Chief Gain has demoralized his men. The shield of the O.P.D. should be reinstated on the now, and those rediculous signs removed. WALTER A. ADAMS, Oakland.

Life Is Sweet EDITOR: Our lives and theirs gave promises of flowers and sunsMeand1ainwe see is dark nights and shadows of an endless war that seetas to have no everlasting finish. Once and for all, lets be done with It "and bring what is left of our boys home, so they can resume their lives with their loved ones. They have a right to live and enjoy life to its fullest, not to be cut down in their youth. They duties to perform here as well, to carry on their own lives to the best of their ability. There has been so many boys and men throughout history who paid their lifes blood and lost When are we all going to learn that life is sweet to be at peace.

MRS. VIOLET DUFRENE, Hayward. Cite Dog Owners EDITOR: The California Highway Patrol is jeiyactive inciting ddvers-Whocarelessly throw litter out of their cars. When these are found guilty, they may be fined up to $50. A disgraceful situation exists today, with dog droppings everywhere on streets, sidewalks and gardens and in parks.

It is a common sight to see a dog on a leash, being directed to a public toilet. Most dog chaperones are very inconsiderate and careless in locating suitable areas. For this purpose dog owners should be cited. This is definitely a health and safety problem. At teast, the blind and the children should be protected.

More laws are useless unless they are to-forced. JOHN TOSO, Oakland. The Forum is always open to all reasonable opinion. Brief, legible letters receive preference. All must be tig by.

Brickman VfoULP I6LBEP IF I PI PHY u. 7-7 National Presidential Primary Needed WASHINGTON Sen. George McGovern, wins Democratic nomination but then is defeated jijward action to establish a national presidential primary. it cannot be established as a fact, Democratic regulars including those, in Congress believe that if there had been such a primary this year McGovern would not be on the brink of taking over the party machinery for a-campaign many of them fear will end in disaster. Their reasoning is that if he had been forced to run in all of the states instead of selecting those most favorable to his candidacy, McGovern might have been lost in the shuffle.

They cite the 'fact that while the South Dakota senator won 10 primaries, he was defeated In seven and didnt compete in five others. McGovern got his first real national attention by finishing a strong second to Sen. Edmund S. MjBskie, D-Maine, the winter book favorite, in NpW Hampshire. But he also lost in the Important $pjptoral vote states of Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Maryland.

For rea-spns of his own, he did not enter Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia and District of Columbia contests. statistics show that McGovern won -mostly by only a plurality of the minority of the partys registered voters who turned out in Estates with 139 electoral votes. He lost or did not in states with 177 electoral votes. 268 electoral votes.are needed to win the presidency, McGoverns primary showing was scarcely conducive to Democratic confidence that bp is the best available nominee to match against Nixon. None of this takes into account, of course, the McGovern showing in non-presidential primary WHY Vo YoD ALWAYS FALL L1 I I.