Daily Independent Journal from San Rafael, California • Page 4

i il vine AU Of A I CO EDITORIAL PAGE Monday, Feb. 4, 1957 TODAY'S EDITORIAL HENRY MacARTHUR State Trading Stamps Ban ZOO PARADE Marin City Muddle Needs SACRAMENTO iCNS) Full Airing For Everyone Reporter Ross carefully backgrounded series on the redevelopment of Marin City, which ended Saturday, must have caused a great many people to wonder just what is going on, anyway! It appears that the redevelopment program, so blithely left in the hands of the Marin Housing Authority and its Marin City Redevelopment the supervisors, is running into a hard fact of life, i.e., redevelopment of Marin City is going to cost somebody some money. The supervisors have insisted that Marin taxpayers will not be charged a cent for the redevelopment. They may have to ponder whether they can keep this pledge. But what mostly has seemed is that there has been so little consultation between the agencies involved that many misunderstandings have developed.

Most serious of these, of course, is between the Redevelopment Agency and the Tamalpais Union High School District. Last year the agency was going ahead with its redevelopment of the whole Marin City area when the high school district stepped in and asked that the major portion of the flat area be reserved for a high school. This caused a frenzied reshuffling of planning, cost estimates and financial maneuverings. But one thing was not made clear. Nobody thought to ask the school district when they planned to build this school.

And the district certainly didn't bother to volunteer the information. Lacking any kind of inter-agency in- HAL BOYLE'S COLUMN formation exchange, the redevelopers went ahead believing the school district was going to take over the school site immediately, and the school district had no such intention at all. So now, for the second time, the redevelopment plans detailed by the agency have been knocked into a cocked hat. And this time it is serious. Time is fast running out on the decrepit houses and apartments of Marin City.

They have to be torn down before too long, if not for a redevelopment program then for public sale. That's the Tonight the high school trustees are meeting in regular session and we understand representatives of the redevelopment agency have been invited to attend. We hope they can get somewhere. But it seems to us that gone too far in this piece-meal method of reaching agreement. The supervisors should call for a full dress review of the hole situation.

The housing authority, redevelopment agency, school trustees, federal government representatives, residents of Marin City, county planners, citizens advisory committee and the supervisors should all sit down together in one big meeting. The situation should be laid out on the table for everyone to see in all its complicated interweavings. Then maybe a way can be seen where, with all agencies working together for a change, the program can be carried through to a successful living conditions for the residents of Marin City present and future. Sinclair Lewis, If Alive, Would Delight In Yale Alumni Magazine By SAUL PETT For Hal Boyle NEW YORK UB People die. People are born.

Things change. But not Yale men, not basically. I have in hand the latest issue of the Yale alumni magazine, a journal normally seen only by the white buckskin sons of Eli. whose hearts still turn every sundown toward New Haven with the eternal sigh. God.

for country and for THE MAGAZINE is Interesting not because of its surprises but because of its relative lack of surprises. Now-, I do not claim that it reflects or suggests a Yale stereotype but I do submit that Sinclair Lewis, were he still alive, might vastly relish the contents of this alumni journal, known to the faithful as YAM. Of the first four ads in the magazine, one is devoted to the problems of the family estate through a distinguished New York bank, one suggests the advancement opportunities at an aircraft company, one by another distinguished New York bank poses the question of do you select And the fourth is a testimonial to the naturalistic taste and of Brooks Brothers, tailors, by to the Ivy League. THE INDIVIDUAL class notes reflect a certain amount of poignancy. The classes immediately before and after the turn of the century sadly report the passing of old chums.

Later we get the news of so-and-so becoming a grandfather for the second time. More recently, of course, there are the marriage and birth announcements. I was particularly taken by the report by a member of the class of '35, who w'rites in a breezy, open handed style that might be typical of backslapping old grads. It began: WITH one thing and another we failed to get around to dictating these notes to our good and willing secretary during working hours, and to our horror we find ourselves pecking away at our Royal portable that we bought freshman year. We hope that ye editor of YAM is on his toes and catches all grotesque and comical errors in spelling and typing as we find that we have only about one-third the ability to type we had freshman year.

By a strange chain of THE CYNICS CORNER By Interlandi hope we don't make the same mistakes the British did, now that we re in the Middle circumstances we happened to be sipping a third scotch and soda in the lounge of the Dorchester in London last week when who should appear out of the foggy corners of the room but Jim Fulton. Jim is, as you probably recall, one of the legal eagles and bright hopes of Merck and Co. in Rahway, N.J. It appeared that he was in London to earn a few million for Merck by closing a spectacular deal with THE CLASS notes were devoted largely to a survey of the current status of its graduates. Most members, it may be presumed, are now in their early 30s, having been delayed in the college work by military service.

Still said the survey, of our class is earning between $7,000 and about 18 per cent between $5,000 and 16 per cent between $9,000 and and 12 per cent between $3,000 and $5,000 per of the responding claimed incomes exceeding $25,000 a year. About 4 per cent of our class have wives who work full time at an income producing job. Twenty-two per cent have wives with a separate income It seemed that most of the respondents claiming $25,000 a year and over also were married to wives who have separate THE SURVEY also showed that 64 per cent own one car; 27 per cent, two cars; 1 per cent, three or more cars, and about 8 per cent, no cars. Among 420 responses, were only two airplane owners as against 47 boat owners. Politically, 63 per cent consider themselves Republicans, 15 per cent Democrats, and 22 per cent, independents.

But the most reassuring single item, as a graduate of a humble midwestern university found, was this: per cent have bought appliances, at a discount house within the last nice to know that Yale men. too, are scurrying around in that magical land between wholesale and retail prices. SACRAMENTO (CNS) Californians will enjoy a nice little drama when the 1957 Legislature resumes its sessions here next March, to determine whether the housewives of the state are going to permit the law makers to take away their trading stamps. The trading stamp business is big business now-a-days, and the women collect them avidly. In alone, there are five different concerns giving away premiums for trading stamp books, which means that Mrs.

Housewife has to keep five different books in the kitchen drawer. if she intends to benefit from all of the stamps. ALMOST EVERY type of store gives away trading stamps, one to each 10 cent purchase, but none are obtainable upon purchases of liquor or cigarettes. And the reason, there are laws which prevent stores from giving premiums with liquor purchases. These laws are called the Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Now, instead of introducing a bill which would outlaw trading stamps as such, the anti-stamp promoters merely plan to extend the Unfair Trade Practices Act as it applies to liquor, to all other commodities, and make it illegal for any retailer to give away any kind of a premium in consideration of the sale of goods. SUCH AN AMENDMENT would ring the death knell for the trading stamp but fast, for the stamp definitely is a premium, and thus would be illegal. But those who would outlaw the stamps have a long row to hoe before they get to the final objective, if they ever do reach it. The American public resents regulatory laws of this type, which prevents the public from getting, as is commonly thought, something for nothing. Actually, the public gets nothing for nothing, in trading stamps as in anything else, but the illusion is there.

A housewife is fundamentally happy if she goes to the trading stamp center and comes home with a new steam iron or any of the other thousands of items that are offered SO WHO WOULD the legislators be to destroy the illusion? Perhaps the same type of legislators who singled out liquor as one commodity which couldn't put on a give-away program, and who say, in a state supposedly of free enterprise, that a businessman cannot do business in the manner he chooses. But the possibility is remote there will be enough of this type of legislator, especially during this session, to brave the wrath of the California housewife, and take away her trading stamps. Already, some legislators report the mails are getting heavy with protests against the bill, and frankly wish the authors, Sen. Charles Brown of Shoshone and Assemblyman Myron H. Frew of Dinuba, had avoided the subject.

DOUBLE-TAKE By BOB BARNES 0t hove a new table. WHAT OUR READERS SAY Plane Testing Must Be Curbed EDITOR, Independent-Journal: The radio, TV and newspapers have conveyed the shocking, heart-breaking account of the Pacoima School and air tragedy. A fear and terror grips the hearts of all parents who realize that a similar horror could descend on their own beloved children. With this in mind, as a parent, ask if something can be done to prevent a tion elsewhere in our state? Perhaps a dedicated crusade of mothers and fathers banded together (as in 4he March on Polio) would bring about state legislation to regulate and prohibit jet and aerial experiments over populated areas. Surely, with the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean adjacent to California, plane tests can be made there instead of above the heads of the populace.

It is well for us to remember that such tragic occurrences do not happen only to others. The desperate knowl- TODAY'S BUSINESS MIRROR February May On Future Of Bv SAM DAWSON NEW YORK UP) Businessmen are hoping today that February will come up w-ith the clue they waited for in vain in January. The clue they seek is to the biggest question of the day: Is the boom topping out? January offered a few signs that the boom is getting tired. Businessmen hope that February may prove these signs wrong. But they may have to wait till March to be sure.

A five-man group of government and private economists has just told Congress that a few small gains here and there should pull the economy as a whole a little higher this year. SOME OF THEM put their faith in increasing spending this year by the federal, state and local governments to offset the leveling off of private spending. How the taxpayers will feel about that being stressed. February could furnish a clue to the big factor: consumer spending. Merchants did pretty well with their clearance sales in January.

In February consumer spending will be on a more normal basis. Also to be watched this month is the trend in business spending for expansion of plant and new equipment. January saw a handful of the biggest corporations draw in their horns a move that some stock traders were quick to consider bearish. Announced plans call for big spending in the first half of this year on corporate expansion programs. What businessmen are wondering: Will there be still more of these announced soon? Or has the post-Korean peak been reached? THE TREND IN prices may become clearer, too, this month.

Commodity dealers have a superstition that there is usually a commodity price break in February. Often there not always. Particularly nervous right now are the prices for steel Bring Clue The Boom scrap and for copper. There is a strong belief in the industrial world that price trends in these, particularly in the case of scrap, foretell the future for metal production. There is also much uncertainty as to what kind of a year the home builder will have.

Applications this month for federal guarantees on mortgages should give a clue. Easting of the tight money situation in January led some to think that a turn had come in the big investment boom. February should be a much better test of that. The money market eases in January seasonally as businessmen repay their pre-Christmas loans and individuals pay their Christmas bills. Last month the easing seemed larger than If money stays easier this month it could indicate business thinking on expansion, on buying for inventory, even on production plans.

The trend of retail prices distinct from commodity get its testing this month too. Government officials say they be sure where retail prices are going just now. edge that we could have a precious child killed or maimed should awaken us and Gov. Knight to the urgent fact that something MUST BE DONE BY LAW' NOW to prevent this. Meanwhile, our fervent prayers are in order for the grief stricken families and the broken, suffering bodies of innocent little victims.

MRS. ANTHONYV. GRAHAM Mill Valley Leave Tam Valley Just As It Is EDITOR, Independent-Journal: Last I-J (Jan. 28) had a fine letter in the editorial section from a lady in Tam Valley complaining of flood control matters. I want to thank her, and the many other fine people in Tamalpais Valley, who are satisfied with the valley as it is.

It is high time these do-good minute committees, formed by a very small group of valley people, were told to stop their actions. The flood control business was started by half a dozen creek bottom home owners, the rest of the valley had no desire to change the coptour of hill and valley. Water must go down hill and folks who live in the bottom of the creek cannot expect the whole valley to pay for their feet getting wet. This same small group is now trying to form a city in Tam Valley, they have cost every house and vacant lot from $230 to $1,100 for sewers that are not completed and no promise of ever being finished. Seems to me this group should finish one job of raising our taxes before they start in on two other projects.

And, while we are on the subject, just who in heck are thgy to be making decisions in the first place. R. R. BAKER Tamalpais Valley TRY AND STOP ME BENNETT CERF Art Ryan tells about a Californian who took his 14-year- old daughter to a new restaurant, and was embarrassed to discover that the floor show consisted of a line of lively maidens clad only in wisps of gold and black satin. Pa, do you see what I exclaimed the daughter ecstatically.

While the father choked on a glass of water, she chortled, wearing our school A Yale graduate, perusing the want ads in a metropolitan journal, saw one that seemed promising. it read. bright Harvard man, or The Yale man wrote to the Box indicated, inquiring, you say you desire a Harvard man or equivalent, do you mean two Princeton men, or a Yale man working half Sign in an expensive furnishings shop on Park Avenue: SPOKEN WALTER UPPMANN Revival Of Europe Is Great Need In the backwash of the aster in the Middle East are many in Britain and France who have turned toward the idea that their best hope for the future lies in the unification of Europe. Mr. Macmillan and his new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr.

Thornycroft, are both supporters of British participation in the project to establish a limited free trade area in Western Europe. Within the free trade area, which Britain and the Scandinavian countries may. join, there may soon be ready treaties to establish a stiil more intimate economic union consisting of France, West Germany, Italy and the three Low Countries. These treaties would create what is called a common market and would provide also for collaboration in the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy. THE FRENCH Prime Minister.

M. Mollet, has long been an advocate of projects which go even further than that, and reach out towards certain tentative experiments in political confederation. All these projects have been under negotiation for a considerable period of time. But they have acquired very considerable popular and political support since the Suez crisis in the autumn. It had long been argued that while Western Europe was sdb-di- vided into a large number of small national economies, none of these separate nations would be able to compete successfully with big countries like the United States and Russia where a very large market sustains mass production.

THIS ECONOMIC argument for greater European unity has been making some headway, although the resistance of the sheltered national vested interests is very powerful. The autumn crisis over Suez has provided a powerful political which appeals to the pride and the patriotism of the European nations. What happened at Suez and in the United Nations provided a spectacular demonstration that in Europe, which was for so long the political center of the world, there are no longer any world powers. Yet there are in Western Europe some 250,000,000 people, more than there are in either the Soviet Union or the United States. Their level of education is the highest in the world.

Were they given a modernized large scale economy, there is no mass of people anywhere who would surpass them in capacity to work. IT IS PLAIN that their economics are weak and their political influence is low because of their disunity. What else can explain the fact that on the great international issues of life and death neither Europe as such nor any nation in Europe is treated a principal power? The question which troubles me does not come from any doubt that the case for greater unity is a good one, or that the projects for a common market, for a larger free trade area, and for atomic energy deserve encouragement and support by all men of good will. The question in my mind is whether Western Europe can be unified while Germany remains divided. Until the German question is resolved, Western Europe alone cannot be politically stable.

If Western Europe is not politically stable, it cannot have power and influence in world affairs. If this is correct, then what Western Europe needs in addition to a common market and the like is a common policy for a settlement with Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. It is not mere fantasy to imagine that Britain, which is withdrawing and reducing its global commitments, may find a new field for the exercise of its political genius in the unification of Europe through a settlement with Eastern Europe. If that were to happen, something great and good for all the world will come out of the self-examination through which Great Britain is now passing..