Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 18

'yp gFrifatttg Sfittotal ptgr Chinas 7. A RESPONSIBLE METROPOLITAN NEWSPAPER HOME OWNED AND EDITED 11, 1972 18 THURSDAY MAY EDITORIALS Mortons Challenge to Sierra Club Members The very fact that Rogers C. 6. Morton was invited- to address one of the Sierra Clubs more important quarterly meetings last weekend offers at least some hope the members will- harken to the -advice dispensed by the secretary of the interior. For if the directors and members attend-ing did not react with table-thumping and loud himahs to the secretarys" pragmatic cataloging of their major" failures and foi- bles, they most certainly listened respectful? ly.

and politely to both the praise and the censure he had for their unique organization. As the secretary pointed out, the dub is qualified to produce not just negative reactions but to offer positive alternative if Morton suggested some Sierra alsaswelL 1 Club shortcomings, then equally he challenged the members to make good use of their not inconsiderable assets and talents to the benefit of all Americans. The secretary deplored Sferra Club sloganeering that was overly simplistic, rash and one-dimensional in its approach to vironmental issues. Yet he noted a fair Share of the for a watchful "and articulate appraisal of the Federal Governments role in environmental matters would rest with the Sierra Club. Members were no doubt stung by Mortons charge of elitism, but the groups continuing failure discourage no- Ideological Chess The World Chess Championship between the young American grandmaster Bobby Fischer and the current champion Boris Spassky of Russia is taking on the aspects of an ideological duel between the two super powers.

After a six months search, the pair finally agreed on Reykjavik, Iceland as the site Of the 24-game match. Next thing well know is that they cant dedde on the shape of the chess table. While all of this has been going on, the participants and some of their fellow countrymen have engaged in the sort of name calling and propaganda long familiar to jj.S.-Russian lorays. The Soviet Union has' charged Fischer -with connivance and endless whims, and said he was only interested in capitals-V tic gain. Fischer said he would notjDlay'the -match unless it were held freeVorld.

How much of these exchanges before the start of the July 2 match is psychology in the form of oneupmanship is not easily de- i Vs "V-n i rkPk'' 6 Letters to Radiation Misconceptions EDITOR: The article on The Hazards of Radiation by Arnold Arnold (Tribune April 26) is such a mass of error concealing a few grains of truth that it is difficult to know where-to begin to discuss it. Consider some of the errors outside the technical area Pauling is a chemist, not a noted geneticist; Tamplin and Gofman are not former scientists in an AEC-supported laboratory but are still employed there. It is in the scientific and technical area, how-: ever, that his errors are important since misinformation can lead to unsound decisions by the public. Arnolds story about the friend who is supposedly a casualty of World War II because he was born with a defective hand is touching but scientifically unsound. Even if his mother had been exposed to large amounts of radiation during her pregnancy which no one working in a civilian force adjacent to a military installa-tion could have gotten from that, source without serious injury occurring among those working close to the source even then, not one scientist could determine whether a child of hers, bom defective, was made so by radiation.

On the average, about 20 to 30 children out of each 1,000 born have some defect visible at birth, not counting other defects not perceived until later, such as mental deficiency, many defects of internal organs, deafness, cataracts, and even, in many cases, mongolism. This has been the situation before the atomic age, since malformations arise from many causes. Even though we are all exposed to natural radiationof about125 millirems a year, the best estimates are that fewer than 2 per cent of naturally occurring defects at birth are due to that radiation, and no one can tell whether, in any individual case, radiation is the cause. Arnold confidently cites Sternglasss contention that extra fetal and infant deaths have occurred around nuclear energy plants. These and other of Sternglasss supposed findings have been publicly discredited when they were presented at scientific meetings.

'For example, it was shown that, out of a table of data on radioactivity emis- sions from one plant and fetal and infant deaths in the vicinity, he chose thejnly pair of numbers that supported his contention and ignored the many other pairs that contradicted it Repeatedly, he has used this selective process of ignoring data that refutes his preconceived belief, so that the scientific community has joined in denounc-, 'ing his methods and supposed results. i The hypotheses of Tamplin and Gofman, whom Arnold also as to the relation be- tween radiation exposure and cancer lead to the conclusion that present reactors and all those to be built in the next few decades 'might increase the cancer death rate of the nation by about 0.005 per "cent or less. Many other scientists estimate the risk as very much less than this 1 part in 20,000. Arnold seizes, upon a remark made by the newly appointed chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and misinterprets it Schlesinger said to a reporter that, among various studies on the small society HIS Ha lynilwli. Im.

Leaders Far From Unified By LUCIA MOUAT WASHINGTON If mainland Chinas leadership now appears unified, the appearance is So argue the Wests China watchers who carefully monitor leadership in Peking and the provinces. DespiteJhe relative quiet since the disappearance of former Defense Minister, Lin Piao last fall and the apparent firm hand of Premier Chon En-lal, the leadership situation In the Peoples Republic of China is being characterized here as farfrom unified. Latest 'evidence stems from the traditional May Day celebration on the mainland. Sources here consider tbe governments failure to publish the usual Joint editorial in the Peoples Daily, Red. Flag, and the Liberation Army Daily (an event occuring annually with only one exception since 1962) as a strong indicator that of unity prevails at the highest levelsTThe Editors note: The opinions offered bg the signed columnists are their own and are presented to give readers a variety of viewpoints, lhe Tribunes opinions are expressed only in editorials.

editorial, a type considered very important by Chairman Mao Tse-tung, is generally a bland, broad-brushed, score-taking effort on which it should be easy enough for Chinese officials to agree. Traditionally published in variations to mark National Day (Oct. 1) and New Years Day as well, it.also failed to run last October, observers here note. Using the same explanation of the need to economize as they did for cancellation of the traditional festivities surrounding that National Day, Chinese officials trimmed recent May Day activities to a modest level, omitting the usual fireworks display the leadership line-up. i While western analysts tend to regard the eco- nomic rationale as a convenient if consistent cov-erup for other reasons, they point out that with the exception of Chairman Mao and one or two others (a fact they do not consider too significant) all active Politburo members have been spotted in the course of, or shortly after, the limited celebration.

Other comparatively long-tenh indications that Pekings leadership situation is not stabilized include the fact that half the positions of the 25-member Politburo are vacant and have been so for some time." Only Chairman Mao and Premier Chou remain active on the five-member standing committee of the Politburo. Lin Piao, who was Chairman Maos designated successor, is, according to Pekings official story, accused of having plotted overthrow. Chen Po-ta, chairman of the Cultural Revolution Group, was presumably purged more than a year ago, and K'an Sheng, internal security chief, appears to be in good standing politically but is believed to be ilL While letting vacancies stand awhile is not-an-unprecedented practice, the fact remains that much of the military leadership has been devastated, both centrally and in the provinces. By most objective measures, top Peking officials must feel some necessity to get at the problem of replacement The question remains: can they? In a similar vein, it appears to sources here that the existing leadership in Peking is unable to agree on which relatively young officials should rise into prominence. Since as far back as the Cultural Revolution, which tapered off in 1969, there has been a dearth of new faces or potential top leaders observable in the ranks.

Christian Sotnw Monitor By NICK THIMMESCH Work Ethic or herself. His programs also service Spanish speaking, Indians and poor whites. In fact, he plans to open centers in Appalachia soon. "Ol6 is the best manpower trainer in the world, he says like a proud tycoon. By 1980, we could be training one million people a year.

It would cost $1 billion, but $30 billion would be put back into the economyTThats noTbIackpower," thats American power, green power. Candidate Richard Nixon visited Sullivan in the 1968 campaign and the two men discovered they shared belief in the work ethic. Since then Mr. Nixon has publicly praised Sullivan, had him into the Oval Office several times, and recommended that his OICs federal funding be increased. It has, from $18 million in 1969 to a current level of $33 million, but Sullivan still has mixed feelings about the Nixon Administration.

This Administration, he says has provided us and" others with more federal funds thah previous administrations. Mr. Nixon has the best record of black employment of any Administration before him, and it reaches to all levels. We must give credit where credit isliue. I can talk to his people, men tike Commerce Secretary Peter Peterson who is interested in my Appalachian project.

George Shultz (director of the Office of Management and the Budget) is one of the true statesmen in Washington. He knows that development of trained manpower is the measure of a nations worth. But I hope we have relationship with the Nixon Administration that will be better. But just when we think the President is moving the right Wcly he slips and slides. He can stand on his bands and twiddle his thumbs, but that doesnt let us know where he is.

4 He should let us know that he means business and that he isnt playing games. All were trying to say is that if a nation can make a massive effort to put a man on his feet on the moon, itj can also put a man on his feet in Mississippi 7 4 4 li'V The orum radioactive waste disposal, NASA was being encouraged to look into the cost of shooting these wastes into the sun. Far from being an admission that radioactive waste cannot be stored safe- ly on earth, it was probably intended to show that, no possibility is going unstudied. That solution is very unlikely to be used, but several more practical methods of storing such waste have been well studied and may be used to replace the method that has been temporarily and safely used for the last 30 years. Remember, the earth contains vast amounts of radioactivity by nature, and storage of what man adds is not so complex a problem as opponents of nuclear energy would have you believe.

Arnold adds a further touch of ignorance by referring to the irretrievable loss of precious fuel and metals if waste is shot into space, but there is essentially no fuel in the waste and certainly no usefully recoverable materials or they lould be reclaimed. Arnold is correct in cautioning against unnecessary exposure to radiation, but he is mistaken in implying that government agencies leave it up to you to protect yourself without their aid. Both the Federal Government and most state governments are doing a great deal to insure that unnecessary exposure is avoided and that the exposure which necessarily accompanies the desir- able uses of radiation, such as medical and dental X-ray and the generation of electricity by nuclear energy, is kept to the minimum. At that level, the risk is one of the smallest that the technological advances of civilization have ever incurred. ALEXANDER GRENDON; Consultant University of California," Berkeley Costly Flower Show EDITOR: In these days of exuberant prices and salaries, it is still desirable to receive what you pay for! Having a love for flowers, it was with great anticipation that we drove into Oakland last Saturday, to view the Flower Show, which was so widely advertised.

The individual arrangements were very 'nice, even unique in some instances. The outside displays were well arranged and there were some very beautiful flowers. However, with the exception of a very few exotic type bushes nothing was displayed that could not' be seen in Golden Gate Park which is free. The ridiculous price of $1.75 to view a flower garden that wa no more colorful than the average nursery, was obviously reflected in the very small attendance. It is unfortunate that responsible people cannot conceive that a reasonable price would induce more people, thus realizing as much, or probably better monetary value and certainly the intended commercial gain would be much greater through the additional public viewing.

R. E. TUCKER, Hayward. The Forum is always open to aU reasonable opinion. Brief, legible letters receive preference.

All must be signed. by Brickman I NATIVE LANP- WHETHER was The(2e HOT- S-H growth concepts will surely have the effect of depriving minority and low-income Americans many opportunities for social and economic advancement that have historically been an essential part of the American ethic. Yet the chances of a sound and workable environmental policy proving successful in this country will be considerably diminished if th Sierra Clubfails to contribute to the programs development. As a beginning, Secretary Morton asked for the dubs active support for some of the Administrations current legislative proposals in such critical areas as national land us policy, urban recreation centers and the. establishment of a single agency (the proposed Department of Natural Resources) to consolidate ah of the federal resource management functions.

Prestigious, dedicated and by every measure well-intentioned in its idealistic pursuit of the environmental utopia, the Sierra Club has the Inherent leadership capability to bring an accord between public opinion and government policy on key ecological issues. Duel? termined, but the battle of wits and steeled nerves is expected to last through all of the lengthy games. Fischer has been called a lot of things including. erratic, egocentric, a genius, a wizard, temperamental, sullen, unpredictable, patient, a prima donna, highly controversial and a machine. But one thing is certain, he represents the best chance of any challenger in the lust 10 years to wrest the title away from the Russians.

The chess match between the two probably will be as bitter as it Is brilliant as they pursue the most coveted title of best player in the world. As one observer put it, chess is absolutely living. Chess is a game that represents all the successes and failures of life. Perhaps thats why the Russians and the Americans place such value on winning the championship and why the match has 'taken on the added intrigue of exploiting ideological differences. Nawtday, Sullivan became a hit in Philadelphia, and his OIC system is now operating in 105 cities, including More than 125,000 men and women have been trained by OIC and two-thirds of them are still on the jobs where they were placed.

Many have become supervisors and foremen, some even promoted to executive lev? els. The average income of an OIC graduate has been doubled, and the Rev. Mr. Sullivan estimates that his system has saved taxpayers nearly $100 million in welfare payments. Cost per trainee ranges from $1,200 to $1,800, about half that of other federally funded manpower programs.

Currently, OIC has 20,000 trainees and a staff of 4,000. In recent testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee, Sullivan asked for federal funding of $100 million to expand his program to 100,000 trainees. Hes how recruiting relumed Vietnam veterans, ex-convicts, militant blacks and anyone elsewho hasnt found himself EYE- ON-THEPRESIDENCY- President and Pastor for PHILADELPHIA The Rev. Mr. Leon Sullivan, father of the republics most successful self-help plan for blacks, believes Americans are backsliding in the effort tp give all people a piece of the action, meaning a share of.our economic system.

So he prods President Nixon, pleads with Con-egress for $100 million to expand his manpower training programs, and wings it at GeneraTMo-tors Corp. where he is the" giant firms first black board member (at $7,200 a year), and occasional-Jly a dissident one at that. 'Theres an American says, grinning at his own pun. Whites are asking why put money in all these programs, theyre just waste. I didnt anticipate this kind of Slide.

But movement hasnt waned in the black community. Blacks want this system to work, they want to make a living. Blacks are moving. The Rev. Mr.

Sullivan, 6 ft. 5 and with commanding presence, is a boomer, an American enterpriser, a man who belongs in the same gallery with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, David Sarnoff and other Americans who stoutly believed in self-uplift and panted for hard work. As the pas-Tor and commander-in-chief of the Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia, he started Opportunities industrialization Center, in 1964 to give black people a better chance to earn the goodies "J6f our free enterprise system. His recruiters brought in people who hadnt made it in life yet, but wanted a last, first "chance. So Sullivans training first concerned -itself with building self-respect and motivation:" 'This is accomplished through an ingenious feeder class (since copied by other programs) Where personal development, 'mathematics, basic use of the language and some black history are taught.

Then the student begins training in one of several score skills including electronics, print ing, -power sawing, commercial cooking, mer- chandising, teletype, air conditioning, even 'air- port control-tower operations,.