Nashua Telegraph from Nashua, New Hampshire • Page 4

Editorials SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 196S Congress Yields to Temptation Nashua telegraph Time for the Awakening It is one of those little oddities of history that the first two amendments to the Constitution submitted to the states for ratification were rejected. They were part of a bundle of 12 amend. ments passed by the First Congress in 1789. The states accepted numbers 3 through 12 (now numbered 1 to 10), which we know as the Bill of Rights. The first of the two that were turned down would have limited the size of the House of Representatives, the second would have forbidden both representatives and senators to raise their salaries.

How the nation's original congressmen came to place such a temptation as the latter amendment before the electorate and how the temptation could have been resisted must be story in itself. But resisted it was, and in the 169 years since then, congressmen have not hesitated--well, not very much-to raise their salaries a couple of times. The last time was in 1964, when the solons upped themselves from $22,500 to $30,000 a year. The rumor is that they would now like another hike but, according to some cynical observers, are too chicken to do it themselves. Instead, they have foisted the job off on a special commission they authorized at the end of the last session.

The commission, made up of nongovernmental leaders, has until Jan. 1, 1970, to make recommendations to the President, but it is expected that it will do so by the end of this year and that it will call for hefty increases not only for congressmen but cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and federal judges. For congressmen, the talked-about figure is $45,000, which would a neat 50 per cent increase over their present salaries and add up to a 360 per cent increase 1954, when they were paid modest $12,500. This is somewhat more than the rise in the cost of living in that period. Or maybe congressmen have just been underpaid all these years? Sen Frank Lausche, D-Ohlo, had an answer for that when the last pay boost was being debated, Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Wilson Hirschfeld reminds us.

Those congressmen who complained that they couldn't get along on their salaries couldn't be driven out of their seats with whips, he said. "For every senator In Congress, there are 100 persons who would like to displace him," said Lausche. "For every member of the House of Representatives, there are 500 who would like to have his job." Another Ohio Democrat, Stephen M. Young, had a comeback for the argument that the government must compete with the high salaries paid to the executives of private industry. "Private industry bases its pay on profits," said Young.

"Where profits are great, salaries, in many instances, are supercolossal." If congressmen could take care of the business of the nation and show a profit at the end of the year, the taxpayer wouldn't mind awarding them supercolossal salaries. But when was the last time the government came up with a profit? One wonders what could have possessed our ancestors to make them turn down that golden opportunity they were offered in 1789. Public Accepts Incredible Tht "credibility gap" may always with us, no matter who heads the next administration in Washington, if only because old stock phrases never die (or even fade away), if political commentators can help it. It is a bit of a shock to realize, however, that outside of governmental affairs at least, we are suffering from another form of gapitis. It's the reverse image of the credibility gap--the "credulity gap." It is especially operative in -that vast area of things and events that can be labeled with the word "science." Thanks to the amazing discoveries of science and the fantastic advances of technology, which no one can escape even if he dwells on top of a mountain like 'a hermit (that's where nuclear fallout is highest, remember), "we are how prepared to accept the fact that is impossible and the less we know about it the less impossible it Becomes." So alleges Ken Calkins in a recent Issue of Boeing Magazine, which he edits.

Americans are infected by the "They laughed at Thomas Edison" syndrome, he says. Consequently, we never laugh at anything remotely "scientific." Even scientists are not immune to the "credulity gap." Last year for instance, a saddle horse named Snippy was found dead in a Colorado pasture, his carcass seared by strange burns. owner immediately deduced that he had been done in by a flying saucer or its occupants and the mystery received nation-, wide attention. Six scientists from the University of Nevada Desert Research Institute were called in and soberly and seriously examined the unfortunate animal, analyzing hair, flesh and soil samples. They came to a "tentative" finding that Snippy might just possibly have been killed by lightning.

Nobody believed them, of course. It wouldn't have taken Daniel Boone 10 minutes to reach that conclusion, says Calkins. But then, old Dan'l never heard of flying saucers. The public has become accustomed to accepting the incredible with nary a shrug. It's the credible we find hard to believe.

"Ccr, Dad, really COOL-Just like homcl" David Lawrence Wage-Price Control Law WASHINGTON While the politicians occupy the public limelight, people generally are unfamiliar with the kind of economic conditions a new president probably will face. What is really happening is that the nation at last is beginning to feel the effects of an uncontrolled economy. For, despite the maladjustments due to a war that has reached i very high annual cost, the restraints which were necessary were not applied soon enough. Prominent in the news is the signing of a contract between the unions and the steel industry of more than one billion dollars over the next three years. Some of the leading companies involving an increased expense to producers promptly announced a rise in the prices of steel ranging up to 9.7 per cent on certain tin mill products.

The higher prices were applied across-the-board by some companies, but others maintained the selective system and augmented the prices of certain major items. President Johnson has criticized across-the-board increases, but hasn't commented on labor's bountiful contract. IF A WAGE-AND-PRICE-CONTROL law were in effect, there would be a limitation on labor's demands and on strikes. Wage increases would be granted only after an examination of the capacity of the companies to meet such demands and of whether any price rises could be sanctioned. Excess profits would be taxed to help pay war costs.

Many buyers had anticipated a possible strike and higher prices in steel, and had increased their Inventories. This gave the steel companies what appeared on the surface to boom, but a cutback in operations of about 33 per cent now is expected as the demand will drop off. These factors, which really produce what might be termed an erratic economy, are not the only phases of the problem. The government has just announced that the federal deficit for the fiscal year ending June 30 was 25.4 billion dollars, which is the largest since World War II. The President himself had forecast in January a deficit of 5.6 billion dollars less, and the treasury claims that delay In Congress in enacting the tax Increase, as well as unforeseen requirements in national defense due to the war in Vietnam, brought about the larger deficit.

Meanwhile, the cost of living has taken its biggest upward jump in more than two years. Goods and services which could be purchased for 10 dollars nine years ago now cost approximately 12 dollars. As the inflation has proceeded to its present level, there has been fear that sooner or later, when demand dropped, there would be an economic slowdown. Predictions of a recession early in 1969 are being made by some economists, and the unemployment figure has gone up to 3.8 per cent. There have been restrictions imposed on credit, Interest rates have been raised, and a relatively small hike in taxes has finally been voted.

But all these efforts have not been co-ordinated as they would have been under a system of wartime controls. ALREADY the rate of Increase in the gross national product has slowed. This reflects a weakening In the general economy. There can be no doubt that political considerations have had much to do with the failure of the incumbent administration and the majority in Congress to apply restrictive measures on the economy just as was during World War II and the Korean War. In those periods excess profits were taxed at high rates, and wage and price increases were permitted only within limitations.

On the business and financial side, there Is a great deal of uncertainty as to how long the economy can stand- some of the strains that have been imposed by rising costs. Nobody really can be sure what policies a new administration whether It be Democratic or Republican will adopt. So, during the months of September and October, there will be a tendency to hesitate In planning and a reluctance to authorize large expenditures. Whenever there is a change in administration, the period of transition breeds uncertainty. This time important decisions will havt to be made not only with respect to the large expenditures for the Vietnam war, but on whether additional tax measures will be necessary along with wage and price controls to keep the national economy on a stable basil.

A TEN YEARS AGO August 1958 With the election of Edmund Keefe as the new superintendent of Schools, Interest shifted today to the position of principal of the Senior High School which will be vacated September 1 when Keefe takes on his new assignment. Those reported interesled are Patrick Morcly. John Currnn, Leonard and Thomas Styliamis. One hundred thirty-five newsboys (if Ihe Nashua Telegraph from Mcrimack, Wilton, Hollls, Milford, Thorton's Ferry, Reeds Ferry. Hudson, and Nashua attended Iheir annual outing at Pine Island Park this afternoon.

Tho boys made their deliveries earlier than usual which enabled them In leave liy 1:30 for the park. The City Planning Board dismissed Hie Aldermen-referred pclition lo iut proposed city purchase of dm I'cnnichuck Waterworks on a referendum by ballot among other Items at its regular meeting. THIRTY YEARS AGO -August 3, 1938 State and Merimack police loday were pretty well convinced that a report of a drowning at Hialeah Park it Horseshoe Pond in Merrimack was without foundation. Sent to the Mayor's office this morning were specifications and plans for the foundation of the new City Hall. Work on the foundation Is scheduled to start soon as the successful bidder signs contract for Ihe work.

FORTY YEARS AGO August 3, The committee appointed by the Nashua Chamber of Commerce to sound out Ihe possibility of bringing new industry to the city mel at the Chamber today to discuss further phases of the Zoning and Traffic Chief Problems In Nashua Clly Planner Fred D. McCutchea reviews zoning and traffic problems sued cohun- Hint In the absence of Claudette Dumber, City Hall reporter, who li vacationing. ONE OF THE THINGS that caught my attention soon after arriving In Nashua last year was the Urge number of land use variance applications (seeking a use not permitted by the city's Zoning Ordinance) confronting the Zoning Board of Adjustment each month. Even more startling to a city planner was the high percentage ot thest which weit being granted. It was my feeling that the majority of: these cases did not even be.

long before the Zoning Board much less receive a favorable decision. I discussed this with the board at that lime and explained that, in my estimation, many of these variance applications were witho justification. True hardship, as defined In many court decisions, did not exist, or if there was a hardship which denied an individual a reasonable use of his property, the proper remedy was changing the Zoning Ordinance, not y- passing it. The Zoning Board members agreed that rezoning was often the proper solution since the City': zoning was badly outdated, but that this was not practical. They contended that the City was either too slow in acting to amend the Zoning Ordinance or else reluctant to do so.

In either case the petitioner stood to suffer. So the Zoning Board felt obligated to grant some relief from an out-dated, growth- stifling ordinance. Today a more conservative Zoning Board Is denying a higher percentage of variance applications. However, the volume of cases before the board has not diminished, there are undoubtedly an Increasing number of unhappy rejected petitioners, and the city's Zoning Ordinance has accumulated another year of obsolescence. OBVIOUSLY, the best answer to this problem is a major overhaul of the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map.

Early in January of this year the Federal government approved a $14,000 grant to match the city's $7,000 for the second phase of Nashua's "701" planning program. These funds are used to hire a planning consulting firm to conduct studies and surveys leading up to a comprehensive plan. The first phase, completed last year, dealt with the City's population economic base, and analysis of its neighborhoods. The second phase will deal with planning objectives, existing and future land use, and zoning. Contract negotiations between the State and consultant delayed a start on the second phase until recently.

A survey of existing land uses in the city is now underway and should be completed in August. Work on the future land use plan will follow. By next spring we should be well along towards developing recommended changes to the city's Zoning Ordinance and map. We can expect new zoning innovations and considerable refinement of our i zoning. Emphasis will probably be on greater flexibility to reduce the need for variances and future rezonings, and place greater stresi on performance standards through the application of pre-planned developments with functional and asthetic controls.

The main point Is that every attempt will be made to fashion zoning after the planning objectives and comprehensive plan adopted by the City. This will give zoning considerable more meaning and justification for Its existence. While the Planning Board will have the maior role of sifting through the consultant's findings and recommendations to Insure that the comprehensive plan and zoning is the most suited for Nashua, many individuals and groups will be asked to assist the board fa this Important job. Every opportunity will taken to inform the public of what is taking place, and informal public hearings will be held at various stages to allow everyone to express their views and ask questions. AKIN TO THE SAVING that everybodj talks about weather but nobody does anything about it, we may Include the subject of traffic.

Nashua has done a great deal of talking complaining about Its traflc problems but the end result always seems to be more traffic and increased congestion. We eouid wait until traffic comes to a complete standstill it has almost done in some larger cities, but this offers us no answer and prolongs the increasing costs and agony. The city is pursuing two objectives which it is believed can help alleviate the traffic problem. It is seeking outside professional as- (istance towards Improving traffic operations and safety through the utilization of more efficient traffic engineering methods. (Called TOPICS program) In effect, the aim is to get the maximum mileage out of our existing network of roads and streets with the least amount of changes during the immediate future.

The second objective is to establish a Transportation Commission which will have the direct responsibility of seeing that all traffic-related problems in Nashua are Bt- tenled to with promptness, efficiency, and professional competence. The commission would utilize local resources where appropriate, and consulting traffic engineers when necessary. A resolution establishing this commission has been introduced to the Board ol Aldermen and is now in committee. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE Department of Public Works and Highways has consented to assist the city to the extent that it can towardj satisfying basic traffic studies which are needed to qualify Nashua for federal funds under the TOPICS program. Hence the need for consulting services now as well as later under topics.

A meeting between start highway offlclali. city officials, a consulting flrm being considered for the job by the state, and a representative of the Bureau e-f Public Roadi was held this week to discuss local traffic problem areas. Some of the traffic consultant's assignment! will Include establishing the present and future demands on and capacities of existing streets, accidents, mass transit operations, traffic volumes at key locations, speed-time- delay data, off-street parking and truck facilities, etc. We recognize that the above program it, at best only stop-gap measure long Nashua continues to grow. However, when the 1970 U.S.

Census is taken, the Nashua- Hudson area population will easily txeteS 90,000. This means we, in cooperation with thi state, must initiate a long-range comprehensive transportation study for this area In order to qualify for future Federally-aided projects. The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1962 reads in part "After July 1,1965, the Secretary shall not approve under Section 105 of this Title any program for projects in any urban area of more than 50,000 population unless he finds that such projects are based on a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on cooperatively by States and local communities in conformance with the objectives of this section." Local, state, and federal funds would be involved In such transportation study similar to the Manchester Metropolitan study carried out in 1966-67. THE NASHUA-HUDSON transportation study would rely heavily on existing and future land use studies to determine the need for new highways, highway and street realignments and widening, new river crossings and other major, long-range transportation needs. It is from such a study that serious consideration will be given to additional bridges over the Nashua River, a circumferential highway around the west end of the City, and the balancing of private automobile usage with a modern mass transit system.

The costs of any of the studies mentioned above will be insignificant compared to the costs of implementing the plans. We must be prepared to pay these costs If we are sin- cerely desirous of transforming oar transportation system from a liability into an asset. Country Flavor Water Torches Ripening Time Is Here Time seems to slow Its pace in August. A red sun lifts into a pale blue sky and slanting rays strike jewels from drops of water on clover leaves. Heat and humidity blend even at dawn; at high noon fields and meadows drowse In the moist warmth.

On sun scorched uplands, stiff mullein stalks hold yellow blossoms above ripened grasses; along pasture lanes the light blut of chicory blends with the color of an August sky. Goldenrod weaves colorful necklaces around the fields and the royal hue of milk- week blossoms colors the waste places. It Is. the ripening time of year. No cnn say that any one week or any one month brings Hie must maturity.

There are small plants that grow, blossom, bear Iheir seeds and die before the summer solstice. Thert are others that develop slowly and wait until frost before reaching maturily. liul on these August days when the counlry- man walks his acres, he knows that year is working on. Acovns are filling their fllagreed saucers and npples are swelling on the bough. Com Insscls arc shedding showers of pollen nml tomatoes hang red on the vines.

Ripening Is a part of life. The process was ordained In ancient eras. Man may dislike to sei Year's ripening, but each turning year brings its Inexorable time of maturity. By Haydn Pearsoa NASHUA TELEGRAPH Published evenings except Sandiy by Telegraph Publishing Established 1832 Mala Street, Nashua, N. H.

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