Must be able to handle emergencies
Today's firemen require skilled training
by JIM CZUPOR Kansan Staff Writer
The nostalgic tales of old firemen sitting around checker tables and stroking their handle-bar moustaches on hot, lazy afternoons have died out almost simultaneously with the horse-drawn firewagon. Today's firemen belongs to a different breed of man with a different image.
Today's fireman is a highly-skilled specialist able to combat and handle any emergency situation. Before the reckless, ax-brandishing firemen boldly met each situation headon, while today's firemen are expertly trained to cope with each situation coolheadedly.
Training for Lawrence firemen.
according to assistant fire chief, John Kasberger, consists of extensive physical and mental examinations. Kasberger stressed the importance of the men meeting certain, periodic standards.
The individual applying for the position must pass both the mental and physical aspects of the entrance examination. If
accepted, he then is placed on a six-month probationary period followed by monthly tests. If the person's record shows continuing signs of progress he is approved by the chief.
Once accepted, the firemen's classwork continues, Kasberger said. "A minimum of two hours testing, four days a week is required of the men. We keep the grades on record to assist us in making decisions toward promotions.
Nixon youth leader resigns
WASHINGTON (UPI) — Anthony J. "Toby" Moffett quit today as head of the Nixon administration's liaison office with young people, charging that President Nixon and his advisers sanctioned "the most vicious tactics" against political dissenters.
Moffett said his decision to resign was "based on what I fear is a very dangerous attitude in our country."
"The recent remarks by the President concerning student demonstrators were most instrumental in my decision," Moffett said in a statement at a news conference.
"For they confirmed what thousands of students have believed or suspected for some time; namely, that the President and his most trusted advisers do not view themselves as leaders
Agnew says guardsmen acted in heat of anger' at Kent
WASHINGTON (UPI)—In the heat of anger, National Guardsmen apparently "over-reacted" and may, in a sense, have been guilty of murder in the shooting deaths of the four Kent State University students, Vice-President Spiro T. Agnew said Thursday night.
of all the American people; that they do not have the best interests of youth in mind; and, most tragically, that they will sanction even the most vicious tactics against young people and other legitimate political dissenters."
Under questioning by Frost, Agnew said he had great sorrow over the tragedy in Ohio but added he felt the guardsmen, most of them no older than the students, acted in the heat of anger.
Agnew appeared on the taping of a television show with David Frost in a studio of KTTV in Los Angeles only a few hours after President Nixon assured college presidents that administration officials would mute hostile comments about college students.
Agnew said during the television program, which will be aired next Wednesday night but parts of which were made known in Washington, he felt there would have been no shooting had not militants hurled rocks and attacked the guardsmen.
Agnew replied that was possible but suggested certain elements were ready to riot over almost anything, including the length of haircuts.
Pursuing the question, Frost asked whether there might not have been any demonstration had not students been upset over the movement of U.S. troops into Cambodia.
Agnew was asked whether guardsmens might not be held responsible for "murder" if it was established that no shots were fired at them first.
"Yes, but not first degree murder," the vice-president replied. "There was no premeditation but apparently an over-reaction in the heat of anger."
Frost asked him about Interior Secretary Walter Hickel's letter to President Nixon suggesting Agnew's speeches had contributed to a lack of communication between the younger people and the administration.
Agnew said that it was his heartfelt opinion that "with the young people today rests the hope of the nation."
The vice-president said he did not believe his "old friend" Hickel had read his speeches and added that he belied the opinions of younger persons were being heard.
Agnew said he could not comprehend why there was not outrage at the stoning of guardsmen, the cutting of fire hoses and the burning of buildings by those who deplored his straight talk.
"But the fact that they are heard does not necessarily mean they must be heeded," he said.
Moffett had high praise for HEW Secretary Robert H. Finch and U.S. Commissioner of Education James E. Allen, his immediate boss. Moffett revealed he had talked with Finch Thursday morning and sensed "as I sensed before that he is very, very troubled, indeed, about what he is going to do."
Asked about his candid language, Agnew recalled that Sen. J. William Fulbright called him a "smart aleck" and Arthur Goldberg had termed him a "fourth-rate hack politician."
Agnew was asked how would he like to be remembered.
"As some one who did something and stood for something," he replied.
Anti-litter campaign instituted by farmer
HARRISBURG, Ore. (UPI) — When Robin died the day before she was to be entered at a state fair, Edgar Grimes decided personally to take up the battle against roadside litter in Oregon.
tween the starting salaries of larger and smaller cities in comparison to Lawrence. Another reason, I think that we had to hire more new men to staff the new number three fire station and we transferred some of our experienced men to the Department of Public Safety."
They died from internal bleeding when they scooped up broken glass along with their feed.
The death of his daughter's prize cow from internal bleeding was the last straw in 20 years of dairy farming that saw Grimes lose $50,000 worth of cattle, all senselessly.
He has spent more than $10,000 just in making a 28-minute color movie about the problems of litter. He has given the state of Oregon 26 copies for distribution among the state's schools.
The glass, Grimes says, came from bottles tossed along the
Now Grimes is spending as much money as he lost to litter to fight litter.
10 KANSAN May 8
1970
roadside adjoining his large dairy farm east of here, at the south end of the Willamette Valley.
While the firemen have more to do and more to worry about than our "old firemen" they still have time to sit around and relax.
There are 11 other members of the student liaison staff directed by Moffett. There were reports others planned to resign, but Moffett said he was the only one leaning at this time.
"It's true, firemen still do sit around and shine equipment," Kasberger said, "but the reason for that is we have to keep the equipment in top shape. The taxpayer is paying for protection and when the time comes that we are needed and something malfunctions, then it shows that we're not doing our job."
"I think the inflammatory language used by the President in the past 10 days and by the vicepresident and others over a period of months has served to divide the country, not bring the country together," the 26-year-old Syracuse University graduate said.
The dairyman prowled the legislative halls in Salem for six years before he succeeded in getting tougher anti-litter legislation.
If you've ever considered fulfilling a childhood dream, why not become a firemen? Consider these benefits: firemen retire at half-pay after 25 years of service or the age of 55 and after only two years of service, they are entitled to two weeks vacation with pay. "It's one of the best retirement systems around," Kasberger said, "with the exception of 'ole Uncle Sam's."
Grimes was making the pitch in the days before it became the fashionable thing to do. "I was all alone in those days," he recalled.
"I really did it—resigned because I believe the administration as a whole . . . is generally repressive toward students. I don't believe that they understand students or that they really want to communicate with students," he added.
Moffett was appointed head of the Office of Students and Youth in the office of Education when the post was created last fall.
"Before we can rate a first-class officer," Kasberger said, "he has to know where all the fire hydrants are." Although the requirement may sound dubious, it is not. According to Kasberger, there are approximately 1,000 fire hydrants in the city and knowledge of the location of each is mandatory of each man.
He lobbied for youth causes and provided better communication with students in high school and college. His office did not make policy but was intended to help student groups find government money for projects.
While today's firemen may be more skilled and better trained, he is also harder to keep on the force. The average turnover for men on the Lawrence staff, Kasberger said, was about one or two years.
Kasberger attributed the turnover to three prevalent reasons: "One is low pay. Starting salaries in Lawrence are $458. a month which is somewhere be-
BANQUET OF NATIONS and SCHEHERAZADE NIGHT
Sunday, May 10, 6 p.m.
Kansas Union Cafeteria
Tickets $2:00 at Union Information Desk, Raney's Downtown, 226 Strong
Sponsored by International Club