UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN editorials
Unsigned editorists represent the opinion of the Kansan editorial staff. Signed columns represent the views of the editorial staff.
April 1, 1980
Political winds blow
Whatever they are cawe-
independents, unaffiliated, fences-
riders—the those persons who choose,
for one reason or another, not to be
occupied by the government.
Democrats, are often ribbed for their
indecision and lack of commitment.
But today, in the first Kansas presidential primary, the unaffiliated voters of the state will have an opportunity to shine—and to determine which way the winds of Kansas will blow when the Republican and Democratic national conventions are held later this year.
Although a presidential poll conducted by the KU Center of Public Affairs produced results that showed President Carter and Ronald Reagan as overwhelming favorables among Kansans, an oversight by the poll results led to an overcurrent predication of the primary results up in the air—they forgot to account for the fact that unaffiliated voters can vote in the primary.
More than a third of the state's registered voters are unaffiliated. They can vote in whichever primary they choose by declaring a party affiliation at the polls today. Polsters asked Republicans, Democrats and independents who they favor in each primary race but failed to ask independents who they favor among ALL the candidates.
Kansas has a long-standing conservative reputation and political history. The inconclusive evidence of the poll supporting Reagan is not surprising. However, there was more consequenceal number of independent candidates in Hoeck Auditorium last week to hear Rep John B. Anderson, R-III.
If their enthusiastically supportive sentiments are representative of the sentiments of independents, the political winds of Kansas could turn as gusty and changeable as the meteorological ones.
Secondhand smoke
Where there's smoke, there's possible lung tissue damage—whether you are the cause or an innocent, breathing bystander.
Researchers at the University of California at San Diego reported in the New England Journal of Medicine last week that breathing smoke from someone else's cigarettes, pipes and cigars did cause actual damage to the tiny air tubes and sacs that line the mouths of smokers. These small passageways can be scarred and irreparably damaged by constant exposure to smoke air.
physiological damage, according to Steve Bernden, program director for the Kansas Lang Association, but others have shown that secondhand smoke can make the carbon dioxide level in the blood higher.
The researchers studied 2,700 people and measured the effects of their smoking coming from other people's hands. The research is the first to show apparent
Although the report did not contend that the lung damage caused by secondhand smoke necessarily leads to more serious problems, such as ¢-mphysema, the researchers did point out that most cases of this disease are preceded by damage to the air tubes.
KU smokers, have a heart. The next time a non-smoker politely asks you to put out your cigarette, don't glaze at what he can do and then blow puff of smoke in his face. He is just trying to protect his lungs from your habit.
Utilities illuminated by Edison's ideas
BY CHINESE LUCE
New York Times Special Features
By CHARLES F. LUCE
NEW YORK-It is said that when Thomas Eden invention the incandescent light 100 years ago, his idea of an electric utility was a company that would supply not only electricity but also the necessary service. Instead of selling only kilowatt hours of electricity delivered to the customer, Eden's illumination service installed on the customer's premises. Such a utility company, of course, would have had a direct connection with the efficiency of the illumination system.
But as the electric-utility industry evolved, it supplied only electricity, and its facilities stopped at the customer's property. Because electricity delivered to his property was not regarded as the utility's concern. Indeed, it was widely believed (and not just in utility circles) that the higher the customer's electricity, the better the job the utility was doing.
Today, the utility industry is moving back to Edison's idea, not thus far, as a supplier of electricity. The idea was an act of vital concern with how closely customers use energy on their premises. This return to the idea of a complete energy supply has allowed companies to sell only electric energy, can be traced to the early 1970s when companies such as ConocoPhillips used philosophy from selling to conserving.
TODAY, ELECTRIC utilities encourage the conservation of all forms of energy by offering "energy audits" that advise customers how most efficiently to insulate buildings or businesses. If a customer needs credit for its savings improving the utility will arrange it. As soon as the law permits, many utilities, including Con Edison, will install such improvements on the premises of customers who desire such a service.
In the future, I am certain the services offered by a utility on a customer's premises will extend beyond those that are energy saving. For example, when small solar- or fuel-cell generators become economic as supplements to, or even suburban solar- or fuel-cell generated energy, electric utilities will offer to install and maintain such generators.
As the electric-utility industry enters its second century, its concept of its proper role in society is changing. That these changes move the industry closer to a role its leaders should be expected to fostering confidence. What is really significant is that these changes reflect the utility industry's response to the needs of a nation faced with resource shortages, enveniority problems, and inflatation pressures the eleven Thomas Edison could have foreseen.
Charles F. Luce is chairman of the board of Consolidated Edison of New York.
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Candidates ignore Kansan concerns
For the last week, Kansans have been treated to the amusing spectacle of big politics as presidential candidates have come and go each other in the fight for primary votes.
Sputting opinions and shaking the hands of supporters, each candidate has tried to win by arguing against his than his opponents. None of them have been very successful. Every candidate who visited the state sat impatiently mouthed new ideas about the campaign used during the entire campaign. They have repeated issues and their stands without even a moment of respite in Kansans and the problems the state faces.
kate COLUMNIST pound
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY, a Democratic candidate, did briefly address farm problems in a Wichita campaign appearance on Saturday. He did not,
By not addressing the specific problems of the Midwest, the candidates showed either a lack of concern, or a lack of knowledge. If they lacked potential constituents that they will not win for them, voters are concerned enough to vote for them? And if they don't know enough about Kanasan's problems to speak about them, then they are likely an intelligent, informed national leadership?
THE CANDIDATES have spoken only about national issues, and have neglected to relate their positions to the daily lives of Kansans. Energy programs, anti-inflation policies, defense plans and a half dozen other programs have been outlined by the president but not a single man has explained what their programs mean to Kansas voters.
Republican candidate George Bush failed to explain to his Wichita audience what will be the effects of his plan to cut the federal budget while increasing defense spending. He did not say where his budget cuts would be, and Kansas need to know if farm price would remain stable and if there would be money for health and education programs.
however, explain how his proposed freeze on prices, wages and interest rates would help farmers attain farm price parity.
Rep. John Anderson, the Republican candidate who was greeted by an adoring crowd at the University of Kansas last week, said he would propose 50 cents-a-gallon gasoline tax would mean to Kansans. He did not say how the tax would affect students who must commute to classes or how his tax would reduce fuel costs or diesel fuel for tractors and combines.
Kennedy also neglected to say how his national health insurance account was funded. Kansas who desperately need it. He did not explain how he would keep the insurance proposal non-compliant.
Ronald Reagan, Republican candidate, spoke before a group of farmers in Wichita last Sunday, and told them he didn't know much about farm parity. Woward news trial on the farm is a leading candidate doesn't know much about agriculture's most important issue.
REAGAN DENOUNCED President Jimmy Carter's embargo on grain shipments to the Soviet Union, but he did not say why. But Mr. Reagan appears to have spoken of the top of his head to the farmers, without understanding their problems. His lack of preparation may be indicative of the type of problems he might implement if he were President.
President Carter, the leading Democratic candidate, has not ventured into Kansas. His campaign has been done by Vice President Walter Mondale and by family members in the future to appear might be excused in view of the international situation. However, it is not so easy to excuse the fact that only one of Carter's surrogates will visit Kansas before January, and then only very briefly. Carter appears to be ignoring the Kansas primary.
NONE OF THE Candidates have told kansas their other stands will affect the state. But Kanye neglected to explain how much money and how many Kansas youths will be needed to win the nomination.
Kennedy did not explain how he wu-
protect current social welfare and education programs. How would he help maintain
these resources? He asked aid to the impoverished elderly?
Anderson did not explain how his energy plan would help find new energy sources to
power future economic grth w. He did not explain how his gasoline tax, 'tional would help the farmers who are dependent on diesel fuel to harvest their crops.
CARER HAS YET to tell anyone, no less Kansas, how he would protect existing agriculture and social welfare programs that have been threatened or not assured health agencies that federal funds they depend on will be available. He has not told the public how his plan for the registration and possible draft of young workers would be developed and industries dependent on youth labor.
The presidential candidates have given their votes to vote on the issues of them made aides say, and have been campaigning for the Kansas primary. None of them addressed the issues that affect them.
So today, as Kansans go to the polls to vote in the state's first presidential primary, Kansans are encouraged to show any respect for Kansans or any knowledge of their problems. Some choice, some worry.
Librarian defends new loan policy
To the Editor:
I have had it with the uncairances and exaggerations that some KU graduate students seem to see as substitutes for those who have done a minimum of research, he would have discovered current KU library policy rather than the hallucination he seems to suffer from.
Under the new policy, in effect since February, ANY KU student with 80 or more graduate credit hours automatically earns a Master's degree. Master's candidates working on a terminal degree also may receive extended loans with a letter from their department. This applies to PhD students who are loaned to any PhD student, has been in effect since October. This policy grants extended privileges to countenance additional numbers should. The library apologize for this?
Granted, it may be that overnight is too short a time to borrow science periodicals. It may be that the library has changed its periodical lending policy rather than complain that the entire library system is incompetent and inefficient. For most libraries, this would be a day grace period could hardly be construed
as overnight. However the new regular student borrowing period is—and has been since August-four weeks with a 30 day grace period. is McDowell claiming that an amount of borrowing time (not counting renewals) from 25 to 34 days is unfair to the student.
He also didn't see fit to acknowledge that a student can renew infinitely unless someone else wants the books, which seems fair. Under the old system, one had to bring the book back for renewal. Under the new, from the overdue notice alone for a maximum of times before the books have to be brought in, which may merely an attempt to verify actual possession of the book as a safeguard for the patron. Most students have to renew every six months instead of every four months. Gee, too bad, Ron.
For as abuses of the policy, McDowell ought to be delighted by the changes. It used to infidelity—a professor could keep a book out indefinitely—and professors respond to recalls. etc. The new policy treats faculty and students alike ... abuse in colleges and those privilges will be withdrawn.
The overall benefit to students from this
new lending policy seems obvious. It's unfortunate that McDewell has spread misinformation and bad feelings about the KU libraries, through the Kansas. Man, it feels like he should than be read anything else about the library system. Hopefully, the Kansan will get its act together and present the current lending policies, but they may avail themselves of it. Indeed, if anyone else sees they qualify for extended loan under this new policy, they should come to Watson circulation to pick up an offer and that is also good in all branch libraries.
Kendall Simmons
Rachan Shimras
Watson Library, stack supervisor
Librarian comments on grad privileges
To the Editor
**10. Your Elemor.**
Concerning Ron McDowell's letter on graduate students' extended library loan orvleges; Wex, exummuususe me.
Cliff Haka
Circulation librarian
Reagan poor choice for GOP, country
To the Editor:
Now that those columnists still living in New York are no longer only is Ronald Reagan electable November, but also is the only Republican that can beat Jim Carter, a few questions about him.
Reagan believed that military might will restore the United States to greatness. He also emphasized the importance of diplomatic problems? By drumming resources away from economic development to build more arms that, God willing, would be used for war in a crisis? By proving to the world that the United States will go to war to protect the country, he widely called "vital interests—i.e., oil."
Reagan supports massive tax cuts. This, at the same time he is increasing the defense budget. Where will the difference be in funding for education? Education? Employment programs? Mass transit? Interesting; the rich won't suffer from the costs of school, the elderly, and the lower middle class.
Reagan believes that free market conditions can effectively solve the energy crisis. Where is "more oil (that has) yet to be found in America or we have already been driven out," March 31, p. 27). Wheat producers are actually expanding sources, given free market conditions (decontrolled oil and gas prices), or will they sit on their expanded profits, while a static supply pushes upsideward even further? Who would see this happen? Certainly not the poor and elderly, who already have trouble heating their homes in winter.
Reagan favors a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion on demand, which would effectively extend government control to the most intimate and personal affairs of women. It would be consistent with his philosophy of less government? And once again, who suffers? Only those who can't afford a short pregnancy can be excluded. Are legal—the poor and lower middle class.
Reagan has yet to prove that he is the candidate for anyone except the well off, who stand to gain a great deal from him. He will need to win against (and the country’s) peril that it should reject an intelligent, informed, articulate candidate like John Anderson for a former president. The second one who assails the incumbent while offering no specific alternatives, and who says, “Trust me and I’ll make everything wonderful.” That route in 1976. We can’t afford to do so again.
Jim Cartwright St. Louis senior