The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, May 04, 1978, Image 2

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    Viewpoint
The Battalion Thursday
Texas A&M University May 4, 1978
It’s time for paramutuels in Texas
Para-mutuel betting on racehorses is before Texas voters again for the
fourth time in recent years. But this time those voters should approve it.
It is now legal to wager on horse-races in 31 states. Virginia and Indiana
have legalized para-mutuel betting within the last year. And last year 79
million people went to the tracks in those states; that’s more spectators than
baseball, football, basketball or any other major sport by a wide margin.
Para-mutuel betting would be a major economic asset to the state. Five
percent of all bets would go straight to Texas in state taxes. In 1972 the
Senate Interim Committee on Horse Racing and Para-mutuel Betting esti
mated the state could expect at least $30 million annually from that five
percent cut.
Opponents of para-mutuel betting have argued the state tax it could gen
erate would be less than one percent of the state budget. But even one
percent of this year’s budget would be over $70 million. That’s not small
potatoes.
But that is small potatoes compared to the impact legalized betting would
have on the state’s economy. Horse-racing is a big business that generates
lots of other business and lots of jobs. Both the Senate Interim Committee
and horse-racing proponents conservatively estimated the state economy
would get a $300 million boost from para-mutuel betting.
Just keeping Texas racing fans from taking their money to New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana tracks would keep many millions of dol
lars in the state. Over half the race track spectators in all those states are
Texans.
Racing opponents have again and again warned that legalized gambling
will open Texas’ doors to organized crime. But nobody needs to open the
door — organized crime is already here. That does not mean race track
betting will let the Mafia go hog wild in Texas.
To quote the Senate Interim Committee in its final report: “Horse racing
is no more likely to fall victim to organized crime than any other industry.
Rather, it is a perfectly legitimate commercial enterprise that deserves the
same freedoms and protection that other businesses enjoy from government.
Its self-policing methods and its role as an outlet for individuals wanting to
wager within the law can actually provide a deterrent to organized crime.”
That’s exactly what has happened in states with well-written para-mutuel
betting laws which establish a strong alliance between racing authorities and
law-enforcement agencies. No state with para-mutuel betting has found any
link between it and any increase in organized crime.
Horse-racing, as it is practiced in states with para-mutuel betting, is the
most regulatedf major sport in the United States. Horse-racing as it is now
practiced in Texas is probably the least regulated sport anywhere. Most
thoroughbred horse owners and breeders refuse to race their animals in
"The. fteal Winner.
Texas because of rampant cheating and abuse of horses.
What makes the difference? Only with para-mutuel betting is it eco
nomically practical for owners to race horses that each take $10,000 a year in
care. Only para-mutuel betting makes maintaining quality tracks and polic
ing both participants and spectators possible.
Opponents have also argued that legalized gambling will turn half the
people in Texas into compulsive gamblers. Well, nobody denies that Texas
already has plenty of illegal gambling. So why would anvone bet away the
grocery money any quicker with para-mutuel betting than they can now
illegally? A compulsive gambler is going to gamble, whether it’s legal or not.
As in past para-mutuel betting referendums, opponents have used scare
tactics like threats of organized crime and tear-jerking stories of poor families
being sold into slavery to pay the gambling debts. But the cold, hard facts
just don’t support them.
Saturday’s referendum is not a binding one. The State Legislature does
not have to take any action, no matter what the outcome. But, as with the
liquor-by-the-drink referendum four years ago, the Legislature will be
hard-pressed to ignore a strong “yes” vote Saturday.
Texas can only win with para-mutuel betting.
L.R.L.
The Republic vs. the "Me Generation’
By DAVID S. BRODER
WASHINGTON — The voters of St.
Paul, Minn., now have joined those of
Miami in repealing, by referendum local
statutes designed to protect homosexuals
against legal discrimination.
In California, where voters years ago
used the initiative route to repeal the
state’s^ open housing law, the June ballot
will include a proposition to limit the
property tax so severly that local officials
believe severe cutbacks in public services
would result.
There is a fine irony in the initiative and
referendum — inventions of the Progres
sive movement — being exploited now by
those who are intent on narrowing the
range of civil liberties and reducing the
scope of governmental programs.
But undaunted by this experience, Sen.
James G. Abourezk, D.-S.D., who con
siders himself a part of that Progressive
tradition, has proposed a constitutional
amendment which would permit direct
legislation by popular referendum at the
national level.
The Abourezk amendment is going
nowhere in Congress this year. But — like
the recurrent proposals for a national pres
idential primary — it is a symptom of the
public impatience with the complexities
and compromises that are inherent in a
representative system of government,
where judgements are made and legisla
tion written by elected officials. Abourezk
himstdf is disillusioned enough with the
process of lawmaking that he is retiring
from the Senate at the end of his first term
this year.
In the last few weeks while I was on the
political trail in half-a-dozen states, the
question raised repeatedly was why some
senators from those states would support
the treaties with Panama which are op
posed by a majority of their constituents.
The questions came from sincere and
well-informed people, but they betray the
same distrust of representative govern
ment that underlies the Abourezk
amendment.
Why this impatience? Why the pressure
to dispense with delgated authority and
dip into the dubious pleasures of direct,
plebiscitary democracy?
The answer goes beyond a desire to
achieve a particular policy result. Liberal
Democrats were the ones who trans
formed the presidential nominating pro
cess into a series of popularity contests
through the proliferation of direct
primaries. Populist progressives like
Abourezk have always been the propo
nents of initiative and referendum.
But those who have seized on these
mechanisms are the candidates and the
causes of the right. Ronald Reagan used
the primaries the Democratic “reforms”
had created to come within and inch of
defeating Gerald Ford for nomination.
And Jimmy Carter exploited them to de
feat a half-dozen more liberal Democrats.
From Florida to California, the initiative
and referendum have become the play
things of the New Right.
So if their appeal is not to a particular
ideology, what is it? I think they represent
something deeper and more disquieting in
our political climate.
The underlying premise of a republic
like the United States is the delegation of
governmental decision-making to elected
officials, serving for limited times and with
a limited grant of powers.
But in today’s America, with its enor
mous cultural emphasis on the unique
qualities of the individual — “The Me
generation,” as it has been called — there
is a growing distaste for letting anyone act
or vote or legislate on our behalf.
The tendency is to say that the politi
cians in office do not live up to our
standards. But the truth may be that we
have come to esteem ourselves so highly
as individuals that we are unwilling to ac
cept anyone as our delegate or proxy in
governmental decision-making process.
The impulse is to brush away these in
termediaries and take power back into our
own hands through such devices as the in-
titiative, the referendum and the direct
primary for President. And anyone who is
watching how those devices are used has
to be worried about the results.
(c) 1978, The Washington Post Company
Letters to the editor
KAMU-FM is radio too good to lose
Editor:
How can we keep KAMU-FM on the
air?
President Miller may not enjoy the local
programs and NPR boradcasts presented
for our listening pleasure, but I do. My
husband and I listen to KAMU-FM at
home and in the car. We particularly enjoy
the classical music programs and the pro
grams dealing with national and interna
tional news. What a shame to give up
hours of listening enjoyment because this
well-endowed University can’t come up
with a minimal operating budget of
$80,000.
What about buying subscriptions?
—Gwen Elissalde, D.V.M.
Local vandals . . .
Editor:
This letter is directed towards the per
son or persons who scratched the hell
out of my car windows on Monday night
at the Arbor Square Apts.
I am a transfer student from a Univer
sity where this kind of thing was a common
occurrence. But did it happen to me
there? No, it didn’t. I had to come to a
school where everyone is called a Good Ag.
I would like to think that some high school
kid did it but I don’t.
Thanks to whomever did this; I will
have to get my windows polished, which
will cost me quite a bit.
I just wish one thing. That I could find
out who did it and do the same thing to
their face.
—Kevin Pyle, ’79
. . . and thieves
Editor:
I thought Aggies were honest. Well
some are not, at least one isn’t. Somebody
just ripped me off for $41 in books (two to
be exact). My room was locked and some
how they got in to steal my books.
Well that just angered me something
terrible; they better hope I don’t find
them, and they better hope I find my
books. Whoever did this act of pure (—•), if
you still have the books, and want to re
deem yourself, return the books to Room
110, Hotard Hall, and no charges will be
pressed and no harm will come to you.
Slide them under the door and leave. The
books were:
Modem Fruit Science — Norman Chil
ders
College Algebra — Lial and Miller
Please I need the Fruit Science book for
the second half of the course next semes
ter. —Ronald Wells,’79
Runners need room
Editor:
Collectively, Aggies are active in a vari
ety of sports. From fall football, to winter
basketball, to spring baseball, to year-
round intramurals, etc. Their participation
in some of these sports has necessitated
new facilities for their use, such as the new
tennis courts that are soon to be com
pleted, the new baseball stadium, and the
proposed 3rd level for Kyle Field. Rumor
even has it that a new basketball stadium is
being considered.
Certain sports, because of their popular
ity, require sufficient facilities to meet the
demand, such as the aforementioned ones.
Running has such a demand. It is appar
ent that running is here to stay. The suc
cessful 2nd annual Aggie Marathon this
past weekend exemplifies that fact by the
more than 1,000 runners who started the
race.
One might ask what sort of facility is
needed for the art of running? Actually,
one can run anywhere, anytime, with no
special equipment. But one facility that
mgiht help promote running and its bene
fits here at A&M is a “jogging” course.
Anyone who walks, jogs, or runs around
the perimeter of campus can clearly see
that it is well traversed. A likely area for
this course would be around the golf
course while also using the southeastern
quadrant of campus. This course could be
anywhere from 2-4 miles in length.
This “jogging” loop would definitely
promote running while benefitting the
novice jogger as well as the experienced
marathoner.
Runners are among the finest people in
the world. And some of the very finest are
here at Texas A&M. Running is a sport
that is here to stay. Over 1,000 people
proved that this past weekend at the 2nd
annual Aggie Marathon. And 1,000 people
can’t be wrong.
—Michael Fred, ’80
Give 'em a break
Editor:
It is unfortunate that the tear gas inci
dent occurred in Utay Hall and the exis
tence of such idiot people who do such
things.
However, what is as unfortunate are the
certain 4th floor Utay residents in all ap
parent wisdom, declare without a doubt
the perpetrator of the incident a C.T.
Maybe he is, but to henceforth denounce
by implication the entire Corps of Cadets,
the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the
Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard, and
God who perchance blesses these organi
zations, fills my eyes with tears.
I am sympathetic with you in that an
agitator disrupted your lifestyle unduly,
but your recourse to slur the Corps and
entire military was uncalled for.
I do have a suggestion though: being
such fine, upstanding individuals in which
infinitely wise people are; I am sure any of
the afore-mentioned entities would be
proud to be upgraded with your presence
in their ranks and such foolishness would
cease to occur.
—Jonathan D. Kin, ’79
A solution
Editor:
In response to V.S. Wolfon’s letter (Ap
ril 25). I am really surprised that a person
like Wolfson who obviously has no experi
ence in the field of aviation, claims to be
an expert on Federal Aviation Regulations
(FAR). Before you accuse anyone of being
an idiot wouldn’t it be a good idea if you
know what you are tallking about?
Wolfson seems to think that people are
deliberately flying low “circles” around
the City of College Station and surounding
apartment complexes just to annoy
people. I have been a flight instructor for
three years at Easterwood and have never
witnessed anyone intentionally flying in
close proximity to any part of the city or
apartments. The FAR’s state that the
minimum altitude for aircarft over a con
gested area other than for the purposes of
takeoff and landing is 1,000 feet above the
highest obstacle. The “circles” you speak
of are standard traffic patterns being flown
by pilots intending to land.
Of course, a solution to the problem
would be for the FAA to impose strict
noise abatement procedures at Easter
wood for all traffic including the small re
ciprocating engine aricraft which make up
90 percent of the operations. Better yet,
they could close down Easterwood and all
other city airports to insure that people
•would never Lave to listen to aircraft
icngines again.
— Mark Frnka ’77
‘Sooey Ducks'
Editor:
Re: The page one photograph concern
ing a certain yell made at the recent Ar
kansas baseball games (Tuesday, May 2).
Having been a student here at TAMU
for five years, and having participated in
many athletic events (in a supporting role),
I feel that I am familiar with the frustra
tion, enmity, and general bad blood that is
generated between rival schools. Much of
this hostility is undoubtedly brought about
by the actions of the spectators, band, etc.
I, personally, was particularly infuriated
by the actions of Rice University’s band a
few years ago, and by t.u.’s “spirit squad”
last fall.
The point is this: We as Aggies do not
appreciate anyone desecrating our ridicul
ing our school; why should any other
school be any different in their feelings?
Clearly, the yell “Sooey Ducks” can only
have been meant as ridicule.
I like to believe that students here at
A&M have pride and maturity far beyond
that possessed by students at other
schools. Let’s stop being hypocritical and
use the “traditional” yells that make our
university a step above the others.
—D.C. Hampton, ’77
Top of the News
State
n
Solar energy dish to be designed
More than 100 persons ventured out under overcast skies Wed
nesday at Crosbyton, Texas, to attend a reception in honor of Na
tional Sun Day, dedicated to the potential use of solar energy. Con
struction is expected to begin this summer on a 65-foot experimental
solar energy dish. The Energy Research and Development Agency
has signed a contract with Texas Tech University for design and
development of the device. Norton Barrett, city secretary of this rural
West Texas community, said, “What we’re trying to do is to impress
the people that solar is not the answer, but it’s going to help solve this
energy thing.” Barrett said development of solar energy might re
duce the high natural gas bills that farmers now pay to fuel their
irrigation wells.
Hebert claims police brutality
Linwood John Hebert, 51, who claims Texas City police beat and
tortured him breaking his arm, wrist and elbow, has filed a $3.25
million damage suit in federal court. Hebert and his wife, Daisetta
named Texas City Police Chief Rankin DeWalt, Sgt. John Ho-Gland,
Officer William Wilson and the city itself as defendants in the suit
filed Tuesday. Hebert claims he was arrested in a public rest room on
the Texas City dike on Jan. 10, 1977, and beaten by Ho-Gland. The
suit contends Hebert never was told why he was arrested.
Ford wins public tennis match
Former president Gerald Ford made his public tennis playing
debut Tuesday night in a political fund raising affair for Texas Attor
ney General candidate James Baker. Baker campaign officials said the
match should pump about $40,000 into the Republican’s primary
campaign treasury. Ford and his partner, international tennis star
John Newcombe, defeated Baker and tennis pro Dick Stockton.
Baker is unopposed in the Republican primary for the nomination but
faces strong opposition from Price Daniel Jr. or Mark White. An
estimated 5,000 $5 tickets were sold for the event, but a big turnout
was lacking.
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Canales withdraws charges
U.S. Attorney Tony Canales, freed with defense complaints that he
might become a witness or defendant in the case, Wednesday with
drew from prosecuting a former Houston police chief on obstruction
of justice charges. Canales announced his decision after a hearing in
which U.S. Magistrate H. Lingo Platter refused a defense request to
bar him from prosecuting Carrol M. Lynn. But Platter granted the
defense a one-week delay. During the hearing Wednesday, assistant
federal prosecutors said Canales had asked the Justice Department’s
public integrity section to verify his status. They said a decision was
expected within one week. The dispute over whether Canales should
prosecute arises from the FBI affidavit that accuses Lynn of offering
to fix a federal case through Canales in exchange for a bribe. Lynn, a
former chief and lately an assistant chief, was arrested April 10 out
side oilman John V. Holden’s home. Lynn had $25,000 on him. Heis
suspected of taking the money as payoff to fix a securities case against
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Henry Ford denies wrongdoing
Auto magnate Henry Ford II has denied allegations he accepted
$750,000 in illegal kickbacks and used company funds improperly.
The Ford Motor Co. chairman called a rare news conference Tuesday
to answer the charges contained in a $50 million lawsuit filed in New
York last week by a stockholder trustee. The suit charged that Ford
accepted kickbacks from the Canteen Corp., in exchange for lucrative
food and beverage concessions at Ford plants and offices. He was also
accused of wrongfully awarding contracts to his friends and relatives
without competitive bidding and illegally and improperly using corpo
rate assets for his own use, including the purchase and maintenance of
homes and apartments in New York and London.
World
Landing strips may be bombed
The Colombian Air Force will use bombs to destroy hundreds of
hidden landing strips used by illegal aircraft to transport marijuana
and cocaine to the United States, an official said Wednesday. Air
Force Commander Gen. Alfonso Lopez said the bombings would
begin following completion of an inventory of illegal landing fields.
Authorities discovered some 300 such fields last year. Colombia is
one of the major suppliers of illicit drugs to the United States. Last
weekend, authorities confiscated 647 tons of marijuana ready for ex
port with a value of $311 million.
Weather
Fair skies with warm temperatures today, tonight and Friday.
High today upper 70s, low tonight mid-50s. High tomorrow
low 80s. Winds from the north at 5-10 mph. becoming light
and variable tonight.
The Battalion
Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the
editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily
those of the University administration or the Board of Re
gents. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting
enterprise operated hy students as a university and com
munity newspaper. Editorial policy is determined hy the
editor.
LETTERS POLICY
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are
subject to being cut to that length or less if longer. The
editorial staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does
not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must be
signed, show the address of the writer and list a telephone
numlyer for verification.
Address correspondence to Letters to the Editor, The
Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College
Station, Texas 77843.
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September through May except during exam and holiday
periods and the summer, when it is publi hed on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per
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nished on request. Address: The Battalion, Rocc
Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas
United Press International is entitled exclusive!) 5
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Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 11
MEMBER
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Congress
Editor Kim’
Managing Editor Karen&
Sports Editor David ^
News Editors Carolyn Blosser, Debbie ft
City Editor Gar)*
Campus Editor bz^
Assistant Campus Editor Andy"*
Editorial Director Lee Roy Lesc^
Photo Editor J. Wagner
Staff Writers Mark Patterson, Paige ^
Andrea Vails, Michelle Scudder, Seas
Photographers Susan Webb,Ee
Cartoonist DougG*
Student Publications Board: Bob G. Rogers, Ch&
Joe Arredondo, Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. Charles McCt
Dr. Clinton A. Phillips, Rebel Rice. Director of l
Publications: Donald C. Johnson.