4
Wednesday, April 9, 1975
University Daily Kansan
KANSAN
materials, columns and letters published on this page reflect only the
comments of the writers.
Improving lectures
A university should be more than an institution that brings teachers and students together and grants degrees. A university should be a clearinghouse of ideas and opinions. One way to disseminate diverse views is to provide forums for speakers.
Compared with other area universities, KU has had a poor year of bringing in speakers to the University. It appears that no one is really to blame. SUA ran into budget problems and was forced to curtail its Forums series. The Vickers and Spencer lecture series trusts have enough money but they are once-a-year shots and have restrictions that cause problems in bringing in speakers.
The Humanities Lecture Series has done a fine job of presenting speakers prominent in the humanities. Speakers like C. Vann Woodward are impressive, but the Humanities Lectures are specialized, usually not of interest to the whole University.
Other schools and departments in the University have successful programs for presenting speakers. The School of Law brought in Justice William Rehquist of the Supreme Court. The School of Journalism invites professionals in residence and co-sponsored the appearance of
Erwin D. Canham, editor emeritus of the Christian Science Monitor.
But speakers of popular interest have been lacking. The students and staff of the University are the losers. Lectures are an excellent way to inform, entertain and inspire students.
It seems that the University, despite its tight budget, could free some money to endow another lecture series. Teresa would kick campers to campus each year would cost probably no more than $10,000.
Increases of the student activity fee are about as popular as term papers, but I think most students would be willing to pay the extra 50 cents each a semester that could provide for three prominent speakers we want the educational enrichment outside speakers can provide, they should be willing to lead the way by paying for them.
A good lecture can stimulate student thought and, in some cases, can leave a lasting impression. The paucity of general interest lectures at KU this year can't be remedied now. But with a push, money could be provided to start one or two lecture series to fill this gap.
Craig Stock
BY JOHN BROOKS Contributing Writer
Congress lacks austerity
Almost daily, congressional leaders tell the American people to practice austerity during the current recession. To do so, they sacrifice, endure hardships, unemployment and higher prices for practically everything, and perhaps accept
But what about these congressional leaders themselves? Are they pursuing and practicing austerity in the capital? Are they sacrificing luxuries and expenses of political office? Present indications are they aren't.
LIFE IN THE CAPITAL has never been easy, except perhaps for those congressional leaders who never produce anything anyway. However, now, most congressional leaders are virtually isolated from the costs of services, inflation and hardships that plague the vast maturity of their constituents
Besides the annual $42,500 salary and $10,000 expense account, a Congressman receives substantial fringe benefits and other trappings of political office subsidized by American taxpayers. This group represents a public approximately $1-million a year for each member of congress.
GOVERNMENT LEADERS don't have to contend with the high cost of gas, especially if
they have a chauffeur-driven car at their disposal, all expenses paid.
Most of these vehicles are used legally or as a courtesy service extended by another branch of the government. However, many of these cars are used illegally or for personal service because of inefficiency or lack of protection of the thousands of vehicles in the Washington motor pool. In the end, it's the taxpayer who picks up the tab for these gas-guzzling cars.
It's the same with the high cost of food. Government officials, especially congressmen, have a wide choice of places where they can eat, drink or have parties.
These places range from small staff cafeterias to fancy private dining rooms where dinners are catered by catered dinners. Government officials receive these meals at greatly reduced prices because the facilities are usually suburban by the American taxpayer.
And they don't have to worry about life insurance either—
Or how about health care? No problem for government officials. They receive free checks, prescription medicine, and prescription drugs in service. If they need medical consultation, surgery or hospitalization for medical treatment they can check into Bethesda Naval or Walter Reed hospitals, all expired fees.
President Ford's first impulse was to veto the tax reform bill. His second was to sign it. He righted the time.
Tax reduction bill 'a bummer'
This is a bad bill—bad in its parliamentary歧义,bad in its legislative offspring. In terms of combatting the recession, as various observers have commented, the act may prejudice voters too严重 by making significantly prospective deficits, the law may trigger new inflation. In brief: a bummer.
IF THE DEMOCRATS who control Congress had acted responsibly, a clean tax reduction bill could have been put together in January. Such a bill would have been strictly limited to a single antiecessionary shot in the arm. Every extraneous amendment passed would be fully included. It is conceivable, though quite uncertain, that two months ago such a straightforward enactment might have had a useful effect.
worked for a couple of weeks and then took a vacation. The Senate linger-langered. When it would be used as a vehicle for tax reform, lobbyists arrived by plane, train, and pachkore. In a freeway floor amendments, a number of companies and conference committee. The
The Democrats chose not to act responsibly. The House
the act—and one of the most politically appealing—provides a $40 bonus to every recipient of the act. The plan for Retirement. This provision of the act never was subjected to an up-or-down vote on the floor. It was approved by both parties in policy change of fundamental importance—the financing of
By James Kilpatrick
conferences madly slashed away. Then the bill went off at midnight to the White House and the exhausted lawmakers left on a bus.
"This is no way to legislate fundamental tax reforms," said the president, "and every member of Congress knows it."
One of the worst features of
Social Security benefits out of general fund revenues. Congress lives on precedents; this get a bad one.
The bonanza for home buyers is patently unfair. Under this scheme, the purchaser who buys a new house before next January I will be entitled to a tax credit—not a "deduct," but
a credit—of up to $2,000 on his 19th income tax. The provision discriminates against families who buy older houses. It is a bail-out, not nothing more or less, the builders and developers who have an estimated 600,000 unused houses on their lands.
IN THE CONFUSION that accompanied this midnight ride to tax reform, Senator Vance said he would strike a blow, only partly blocked against what he regards as the evil of multinational corporations. He estimated $300 million. If over a question had two sides, this is such a question—but the impatient lawmakers had no time to worry about complex and debatable issue.
THE MAJOR OIL companies took a beating. They lost their oil depletion allowance and a part of their credits for payment of foreign taxes. They are now denied investment tax credit for drilling rigs used outside the northern half of the
western hemisphere. As one result, the major companies will now find it all the more difficult to raise capital for new refineries and for energetic exploration.
Taking the bill by its four corners, one may ask whether the act will accomplish more good than ill. Ford thought it would, so he signed it. But ever since he did that, Secretary Simon's "patches of blue" were growing larger. Preliminary first-quarter indices were by no means uniformly bleak. But with this costly and uncertain measure, mounting deficits are likely to revive inflation and to play a role in the need for industrial capital. The Democrats haven't made bad matters better; with this bill they have made bad matters worse.
they receive a subsidized term life insurance coverage of $45,000.
IT SEEMS THAT high government officials don't have to worry about the high cost of living—at least for themselves. They don't have to accept a lower standard of living to acquire luxuries or sacrifice a few services and luxuries to "Whin Inflation Now."
They don't have to pay inflationary prices for food, gas or medical expenses and they receive a variety of other services either free, or subsidized by the taxpayer.
A member of Congress can get a $2 haircut at one of the seven government-operated barbershops if he's a representative, or free if he's a Senator.
OR HOW ABOUT new luggage, jewelry, leather goods, glassware and countless other personal gift items?
If you're a government official or staff member just drop by one of the many stationery stores located throughout the city for discount ranges up to 50 per cent of the best brand-name products.
Purchases in these stores can only be made through assigned accounts; no cash is accepted. In addition, each member of
Congress receives a $5,500 stationery allowance annually. If he doesn't spend all the money during the year, he can pocket what's left. Congressional leaders have access to office equipment, postage and envelopes.
Senators and congressmen also have free health clubs and gymnasiums complete with swimming pools and saunas. They can decorate their offices with free plants from the U.S. Botanic Garden or borrow reproductions of the National Gallery of Art.
Travel is another advantage of holding political office that can be abused for personal benefit and pleasure. Government officials can take their wives on government junkets and collect $75 a day spending in the office to account for) when they visit a foreign country on "official business."
Or how about the sophisticated telephone system in the nation's capital? Although it's supposed to be for public officials, it is uncommon for government officials and staff members to call friends and relatives throughout the country at the
Excessive parking privileges, pension funds, picture-framing services, photographic services, unbelieveable recording studies—the list of emoluments of office goes on and on.
Perhaps some of these benefits are necessary, but many of them aren't. Many of them are simply abused for personal gain. In the final analysis, it's the taxpayers who suffer, not the members of Congress.
Instead of lip service, empty promises and indecisiveness from government officials during the present economic crisis are the people of America need leaders and examples to follow.
Reciving and regulating a few of these benefits and privileges would only take a drop out of the bucket of nitrate inefficacy and waste. But at least it would be start.
It's disgusting to hear all the cheap, hypocritical doubletalk about sacrificing and austerity coming from congressional and local leaders in this country. They don't even follow their own advice.
So far, both have been noticeably lacking in the nation's capital.
'There are only 58 of us left in existence, too'
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAS
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Editor
Associate Editor John F. Kennedy
Campus Editor
Dr念剑华
Associate Campus Editor Carle Young
Assistant Campus Editors Alan Manager,
Kevin Schwartz
Chief Photographer George Milleren III
Spirit Sports Director Ken Smith
Entertainment Editor Kathy Plecket
Entertainment Boards Editor Ken Stephens
News Editor Ann Gardner, Donna
Copy Chief Debbie Gump, Roy Chevenger
Bunny Miller Smith, Kathy Plecket
Wire Editors Betty Hagenel, Rick Grabill
Contributing Writers John Brews, Stephen Bunor
Photographers Rod Mikulski, O'Brien, Ben Ponce
Business Manager Dave Reeve
Advertising Manager Assistant Business Manager
Deborah Ariones
Classified Advertising Manager Debby Lyaught
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Social Shaw
Whether prolonged recession or more inflation awaits us depends largely on where the economy will finance the federal deficit.
The U.S. Treasury, much like you and me, must borrow when it expects to spend more than it expects to take in funds. The treasury can borrow from three general sources: the 12 Federal Reserve Banks; the 14,000 commercial banks; and the public.
Government deficit looms
For example, many economists fear that the projected federal deficit will in fact prolong the recession because treasury borrowing will drain funds from the core of the economy in the corporate bond market dry up. interest rates will soar and corporations will be discouraged from expanding.
The statistics certainly are staggering. It's no wonder that many people, including President Ford, are uneasy. Their uneasiness lies in the fear that the huge deficit might be offset by a substantial increase or cause renewed double digit inflation.
To avoid this "crowding out" of corporate borrowers, the 12
The Federal government may incur a $125-billion deficit during fiscal years 1975 and 1976 in its attempt to reduce unemployment. This projected two-year deficit is greater than the total federal deficit of the previous 14 years.
Each source of borrowed funds portends a unique effect upon the economy.
By STEVEN LEWIS Contributing Writer
The Federal Reserve Banks will finance much of the deficit by purchasing U.S. government obligations in the bond market. Every time the Federal Reserve Banks purchase bonds, it is automatically expanded. These banks literally create new money every time they make purchases.
Many economists fear that the Federal Reserve may over expand the money supply and inflate it by return of double digit inflation.
Federal Reserve Banks, which make up the nation's central banking system, will almost certainly expand our money supply by financing a large portion of the treasury's deficit.
Their fears are probably exaggerated since the 14,000
The commercial banks, for all practical purposes, have been fully loaned out since World War II. The current recession, however, should provide the bank with an increased opportunity to invest in the bond market along with the Federal Reserve Banks.
commercial banks should have more uncommitted reserves with which to enter the bond market, thereby lessening the need for excessive buying by the Federal Reserve Banks.
Nevertheless, in the coming months we will walk a thin rope between prolonged recession and renewed inflation. There are countless variables, but if you think your stock plays its cards right, the $125 billion deficit can be financed without serious problems.
To the Editor:
Readers respond
Today I received a medium-sized envelope from the office of the registrar at the University of Kansas. On the envelope it stated: "Diploma—do not bend."
As is the case in many statements coming from Strong Hall, the statement on the envelope was deceptive.
Mailed diploma's worth questioned
What rested inside the envelope might appear to many to be a strange thing; someone who spent a few thousand dollars, a lot of time and a little sweat earning a little—it was a nasty little joke.
The paper was cheap. I have received scribbled little notes from the Strong Hall hierarchy on a good grade of paper. I shall frame them and cherish them always.
The signatures were printed
The state and University seals were not pressed into the paper. But the address label on the envelope was typed by hand.
along with the words intended to
assure me that I graduated.
And perhaps someday I can get
Annie's autograph at an art
展.
I am told that a bachelor's degree isn't worth much newadays and that the university has recently been shipped.
Granted, my diploma doesn't compare in quality to those that hang on the walls of those who graduated in earlier days. And the IBM machine that printed them seems as much to be a bit impersonal.
Jeffrey Stinson
But I know the University still remembers me, because a notice accompanies her. When I met her, the notice advised me I owe my
alma mater $9 for a parking ticket.
The author makes the seem to overlook when discussing abortions isn't the moral aspect at all. After all, every individual has his or her own moral code. The real issue is that sometimes wanting an abortion is going to obtain one—no matter where it is performed or by whom. Remember all the stories
December, 1974, Graduate
To the Editor:
Abortion logic
This letter is in response to the March 1 letter written by Patrick Murphy and to all of the people involved. We hope you or con.
whispered behind closed doors 10 years ago about the dirty little room at the top of the stairs where bad girls went for abortions when they got pregnant?
Remember hearing of all the girls who died because people with no medical training gave birth to babies, someone telling you that abortions cost $500 or more? Those weren't incidents dreamed up to put the fear of becoming pregnant into the mind of a mother to scare the little boys! Those were situations that did exist.
By legalizing abortion, we have eliminated one of the most dangerous criminals in this country: THE ABORTIONIST.
Don't argue morals—argue logic.
Judy Zook Lawrence