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Tuesday, December 6, 1977
University Daily Kansan
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN-
Comment
Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Kansas editorial staff. Signed columns represent only the views of the writers.
Now we know for sure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was on the campus in Kansas campus during the late 1980s and early 1970s, spying on leftist student groups.
The reaction from most KU students, past and present has been remarkably subdued. The reason for the reaction seems to be: We knew it all along.
The question of federal power, however, remains unresolved by the lack of outrage that has greeted the recent disclosure of FBI abuses. J. Edgar Hoover, former FBI director, reached out his long arm of power and touched Lawrence. He had no legal right, no Constitutional right, no moral right to do so.
William Albott, director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, has pooh-poohed the newly released FBI documents that reveal its infiltration tactics. Surely, Albott should be prosecuted for distinguished law enforcement officials in Kansas about illegal FBI activities.
NONSENSE. AT THE KBI, Col. Albott, was in the minor leagues a few years ago. State law enforcement inevitably takes a back seat to men like Hoover. It's not smart to deny what actually happened; it would be wiser by far to admit that the KBI, like so, state law enforcement matters, was left in the dark about Hoover's machinations.
What really happened? According to the recently released documents, the FBI tried to create divisions among New Left groups at the University. The dirty tricks included, for example, writing anonymous letters to create dissension among competing leftist groups.
Dirty tricks included letters to parents of students involved in radical activities, to various publications, such as campus newspapers, and to one leftist organization in an attempt to disrupt the activities of another. This is democracy?
HEAR ALBOTT'S version. "People are trying to make something big out of something that happened eight or nine years ago," he said last week. Perhaps so. Or maybe it's "left off" "paranoid" was based on reality. Perhaps even radicals have civil rights.
Interestingly enough, David Awbrey, student body president at KU from 1969-1970, said that "we were a lot more aware of the KBI" in comparison to the FBI. Maybe Washington doesn't have the monopoly on siving.
Law enforcement agencies exist to enforce state and federal laws. They do not exist to break them. Albott might stop trying to play down what happened during the Nixon-Hoover years. He and FBI officials might, at the very least, have the decency to give a token promise that it won't happen again.
Once upon a time, Christmas was a time of magic. There was a delicious air of mystery to the occasion, as beautifully wrapped gifts, appeared on display, with fairy tales and a world of wonder and fantasy, of dreams fulfilled for children and grownups.
Even Christmas has rat race
No more. The modern Christmas, 1977 version, is an introduction to the realities of life in the cold, cruel world. Take a look at life as it is, reflected in the new gifts that are being hawked for Christmas giving this year.
Even in the age of non-exist playhouses, little girls still put dolls on their "wish lists" for Santa to place under the tree. For older kids, the old days dolls were just dolls. Now they're performers.
THE MODERN doll can't just look pretty, close her eyes or say "Mama." Today there are dogs that walk alone, feed themselves and recite a variety of phrases at the pull of a string.
And, for the ultimate in realism, there's a new doll that comes with a miniature stethoscope that enables her proud owner to listen to the 'beating' of her battery-operated imximu imximu and told the little one when the batteries run down is probably not explained by the toy manufacturer.
But the winner in the "realistic" toy competition has to be a new game called "Ratrace." The game
Individual investors headed for extinction
By JAMES W. DAVANT
N.Y.Times Features
N. Y. Times Features
Seeing themselves as outsiders with little power over events or institutions, more and more young people are seeking training.
Political noninvolvement is evidenced at the polls by lower and lower levels of voter turnout. "Don't blame me," the bumper stickers say, "I didn't vote."
Economic noninvolvement is showing up as a decline in the direct ownership of shares. Individuals with only a few shares feel powerless to affect the affairs of corporations.
A long-time trend toward increased involvement has reversed. The individual investor-like environment has become
Here is a simple, telling fact: In 1970, 31 million people owned stocks; now only 25 million
AND MANY individuals who have not dropped on allow financial intermediaries to do the work.
In 1949, institutions owned 14.5 per cent by value of all common stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Now, institutional holdings are over 33 per cent. Last year, financial institutions held a third-place share value of all shares traded on the Exchange. Individuals were responsible for only 23.1 per cent.
Today, the great bulk of new financing is being routed through deposit and savings institutions, insurance companies, pension funds and investment firms. Of the $230.4 billion of primary debt and equity issued in 1976, five out of every six invested dollars were institutional.
THE INDIVIDUAL'S withdrawal from the equity market has alarming implications. The American economy will need about $4.8 trillion in new capital to support only a modest annual growth rate of 5.8 per cent over the next decade. Companies that are willing to cearn are expected to supply only $4 trillion.
This leaves a shortfall of $600 billion. Of this, it is estimated that about $230 billion - $25 million a year – will have to be met by new equity financing. Even if institutions invest as much in new debt as they did in the peak year of 1971 - $19.3 billion - Individuals will have to invest $ or $7 billion a year.
That would require a fantastic turnaround. Individuals have been net sellers of equity at the company for years, but not in a way that works.
NO LONG AGO, the Development Foundation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
compared job formation in 16 companies from 1969 to 1974. Six of the companies were giants, with sales in the billions five were larger companies than the smaller ones and smaller companies built on new technologies.
Even though their total sales were less than a 30th of those in the largest group, the five small companies accounted for about 60% compared with a total of 25,000 for the six giants—10,000 more jobs were created despite the difference in size. According to the Comprehensive Index they will need 1.5 million jobs a year until 1985.
So now, perhaps more than ever, we need new businesses. The most pressing need of smaller companies such as these is for capital. If we don't find the capital we need, we can expect higher rates of unemployment or inflation, or both.
SOME MAJOR new incentives are necessary to attract individuals back into the equity market.
In the past, we on Wall Street have tried to alter our poor public image through education. I believe that the public is smart enough already. The Americans we speak to in the 1970s aren't the same people that a century ago were taken in by shell games and snake-oil salesmen.
The government can help simply by eliminating the disincentives that discourage direct investment. But the individual isn't going to be attracted to the market, he will have to be attracted to it.
WE ON Wall Street are going to have to modernize our marketing and merchandising. We're going to have to become more innovative and agile in packaging and packaging products for the individual.
Americans are not only the richest people in the world, they're the best educated and best informed. There is, according to Leonard Neal, industrial-relations expert, "a shortage of morons." Yet our communications still tend to be patronizing, condescending and simplistic.
As the key bridge between savers and users of capital, we in the financial community must take a more active vote on behalf of the individual investor. If we don't, not just Wall Street but the whole idea of a free society could be in trouble.
We must find ways to get individuals re-involved in the stock market.
James W. Davant is chairman and chief executive of Paine Webber Inc.
originated in Canada but it's as American as deficit spending.
"Rattace" gives players a chance to play the everyday game of life. The player starts with an account, he gains a small business, a credit card and $200 in cash. The object of the game is to develop his assets into all that represent the "good life."
Lynn Kirkman Editorial Writer
"RATRACE" offers the player a chance to move out of the working class, into the middle class. As the sky's limit. He can wind up in High Society—and enjoy the benefits of early retirement, where he presumably can reap benefits of his advantageous moves.
cumulate money, education,
club memberships, jewelry,
mink coats and big bogs. He'll
be in the real world.
What a great idea for Christmas. It's got to be the perfect gift for the whole family. Everyone can join the madness, and everyone can help social ladder and participate in the fight to stay there. A player will learn how to run a business, buy on credit, pay taxes and know about it. It's the perfect way to prepare for life—and have fun doing it.
high taxes and divorce, things that take his hard-earned money.
A skilled player can ac-
But it doesn't happen all that easily. Just as in real life, there are details along the way. A roll of a penny might be fortunate for player money to bankruptcy.
THE GAME apparently has proved to be a financial success for its manufacturer. House of Owen was moved into the toy business moved into the toy business
with games called "Ulcers," "Face Off" and "Land Grab."
Games aren't games to these people. And they've obviously discovered a way to please the public by giving us games that reflect our needs and values. Fun. Now they're meaningful.
But "meaningful" at Christmas is about as much fun as a new tie or a steamed iron. It's important to try to fulfill some of that promise of magic the season, and the most heart-beard realist.
"Ratrace" may be an accurate description of the other 364 days of the year—but let's forget it on Christmas morning.
They cursed it partly because they had to suffer through ads to watch their favorite shows
Ever since huge hands first bursted from washing machines, and Mrs. Folgers, the coffee-pedaling old bag, began to watch television. The spiel, TV viewers have begun to curse the advertising system.
A CUTE IDEA, but still a commercial. And, let's face it, Americans are about commercialized-out.
Ads add offensiveness to movies
It was bound to happen national commercial advertisements being shown in movie theatres.
Fortunately, Lawrence theaters will not participate. For such a decision, Lawrence Commonwealth Theatres manager Eldon Harwood should receive a standing ovation.
In order to recover money lost because of a shortage of films, about 5,000 of the nation's 16,000 theatre are expected by January and being national product advertisements with screen attractions.
A spokesman for a theater chain showing the commercials said the commercials weren't as obnoxious as television advertisements. He gave an ex-actor, who was a skydivers falling through the sky and landing into logs of soft drinks."
The "made-for-theater" commercials already have begun to appear before movies on about 1,800 theater screens across the country. Up to three minutes of merchandise have been shown so far.
Iranian protesters have no right to riot
presence of a contrary body of opinion! What sort of Fascistic movement are you fronting for? Is it violence different from whatever "crowd control" measures the Shah has been pursuing in Iran? Or is it of their underdog position?
As I began to read Laurene Bretz' impassioned column Wednesday, I came across the phrase "reasons (that) might give some justification for the abuse of students in Washington recently. I went right to the end of her column, because I'd read far too many like it in the late 1980s." The answer it was: "We, the American
Publisher
David Dary
Since I live in this country and pay my own way, I feel as if whoever is trying to manipulate our foreign policy had better play by our rules. I also expect our government to clean out the foreign secret police information so seem to be presently plagued, so I'm not discounting the claims of Iranian students. I
Rick
Tbaemert
Editorial Writer
people, should not hinder these people from reaching their goals. This is so gaceh as to inquire: "To successfully co-opt the potential student radicals and other noncontents across the country?"
Please note: There were two competing groups of demonstrators in D.C. that day. And it was the Iranian student group that attacked the pro-Shah group, provoked only by the
and partly because their priva-
thy had been invaded by unin-
vited deodorant pushers and diaper con men.
KANSAN Letters
Editor Jerry Selb
To the editor:
Published at the University of Kansas daily August May and Monday through March during Thursday in print. Published on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, second-class postage paid at Lawrence, Kan., a year in Douglas County and $100 at a member or a year in Douglas County and $100 at a member or a year outside the county. Student subscriptions are not accepted through the student door.
Editor
For those reasons, theaters were a relief. Despite the ever-increasing admission price, they were less attractive in movie without interruptions and unpleasantties, save for an occasional snack bar advertisement, which, if anything, added value to movie attendance at atmosphere of movie outings.
Coming attraction previews also added to that atmosphere and gave the viewer the feeling that he was getting bits and pieces of many movies in addition to the main feature. The in-
REGARDLESS OF commercial content, movie-goers around the country probably won't be tickled to see the beginning of their anticipated movie prolonged by a few commercials. In fact, they'll probably be disgusted.
COMMERCIAL proponents say their adls will be aesthetically nice and nonoffensive. But the adlns are especially from the people who brought us TV ads for tampons, douches and jock-itch remedies! ! doubt it. A sky-diving man did a test for and for a diarrhea remedy in 1978.
Moreover, there are fewer restrictions on theaters. An auteur's movie is a much different market from one watching a primetime TV program. Imagine the director's before an X-rated flick flesh
Fortunately, Lawrence movie managers thought ahead. And, although the Lawrence Company had been painfully boring local automobile dealer advertisement, at least they nipped what could have been a big bud. They gave the money and they're not allowing a mile.
pleasing, or at least tolerable, it wouldn't matter. They're still adams, and ada are an attempt to keep people safe, but shouldn't have to pay money to be media ducks. They get paid for their own homes and cars.
With national commercials,
however, the customer's entertainment isn't involved. For $2.50 a head, it should be.
crease in coming attraction previews by many theaters helped ease the pain of losing wonderful, traditional cartoons.
simply want our house guests to keep from tearing the place up. And I resent visitors to this country telling me what to think and do. Good heavens, I don't know what I'm going in this country that patriarchy!
I have encountered many cyclists, the majority of whom are inconsiderate, while walking on the KU campus. They very rarely stop at stop signs, choosing to merely slow down a
Bikers conceal their manners
To the editor:
Having been nearly run down several times by careless cyclists, I totally agree with Haemert's Nov. 16 editorial.
Even if the commercials were
Topeka senior
Clint Laing
woe bit from their normal extremely fast pace.
Cars, however, almost always come to a complete halt at stop signs and, upon approaching pedestrian crossings, slow down and often stop. They then slowly proceed after making sure the way is clear. They walk across the street, even outside of the crosswalks, by motorists but never by a bicycle rider.
What is wrong with making bicyclists purchase a parking permit or better yet, not allowing them on campus? My answer is, nothing. After all, the majority of students walk to class organized by coordinated by the careless bicyclists who, for all practical purposes, are probably just too lazy to walk?
Monne Andersen Salina freshman
★ ★
Movie award winners deserve reconsideration
Do we have to be deluged constantly with lists of the best and the near-best? The American Film Institute (AFI) apparently is trying to continue in the footsteps of those now-interable yearly awards—the Emmy, the Oscar and the Tony—so—and give us a list of its choices for best movies.
Such awards have become meaningless and are nothing more than public relations ploys. The Institute is following in this tradition. Recently, in honor if its 10th year, the Institute held a ceremony to pay tribute to the 10 best movies ever made. They were, in descending order: "Gone with the Wind," "Titanic," "African Queen," "The Grapes of Wrath," "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Singin' in the Rain," "Star Wars," "2001: A Space Odyssey," and "The Wizard of Oz."
The list was selected by the AFI's members, but the manner of selection deserves reconsideration. Last July, the Institute mailed members a list of 1,100 names for whom they replied, and their selections were so random that 1,100 movies were nominated. AFI selected those, and another vote was over the top.
But is it really necessary to exploit the name of
the book, giving America one more list of
the 19 best movies?
TO GIVE the Institute proper attention, the ceremony was televised. Few people had heard of the Institute before this national coverage, but now the whole country knows about it. Even President Jimmy Carter was on hand to make a speech.
One problem with this list is that it is not representative of the movies of the past. Silent movies at least should have been accorded mention, even if they were placed in a separate
Not that the Institute does not accomplish good work. One of the purposes of its organization was to protect old movies from destruction, and it has done a very good job of that.
Mary Mitchell Editorial Writer
category. Perhaps Institute members have forgotten about such films as "Birth of a Nation" or "Greed" - or maybe they never knew about them at all.
NOT ONLY were silent movies left out, but so were Westerns and comedies of the sort that Cary Grant, or Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, made popular.
Equally suspect are the inclusions of "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Star Wars," which appear in the movie, each in a list of classics. "Star Wars" is great fun, but it is doubtful that this movie will hold up 10 years from now when its special effects and technological advances are important. Time is one sure indicator of a film's importance.
If we are going to have a list, it should be updated every five years. Even better, the AFI should have called the awards a Hall of Fame or used some other designation. The problem is that one cannot draw up a list of the 10 best anything. It's all a matter of personal choice.
THE LIST is also a euphmerism for a popularity contest. It broadly emphasized frequently re-released old films and popular new favorites. Many of these movies were not acclaimed or even noticed when they were originally released, but living on popularity the second or third time around.
Awards used to mean something. The AFI list is no better than the once-respected Oscar, which has degenerated in recent years. Let the AFI dispense with such tactics and get along with the business of preserving the past for future generations of movie lovers.