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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 1979)
I I I 1' 1C fc C s Jr it f. ! n c fc V c c it i Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Wednesday February 28, 1979 Sar-faliort Glernen-fs; -fhe teacKerS pet? False advertising Teachers are screaming at Gov. Bill Clements after his announcement Monday that he wants to eliminate a proposed 5.1 percent teacher pay raise from his budget recommendations. This is after inflation took a 9 percent bite out of their wages last year. Small wonder they’re mad. Back when Clements was campaigning in November, he paid for advertisements (that also appeared in The Battal ion) saying he considered improving Texas’ educational system his “number one priority.” To quote from his ad in The Battalion Nov. 3 (four days before the election): “Teachers should receive raises so they are on the same pay scale as other state employees. “We must cut back rampant growth in our state bureaucracies and redistribute these funds in our schools.” Clements’ ads said he’s “noted for his ability to streamline the bureau cracy and cut away fat.” Clements, however, has been pushing for improvements in the Gover nor’s Mansion — $2 million worth. One legislator was quoted as saying that you could build four governor’s mansions at $40 a square foot for that price. The larger matter concerns the never ending cycle of politicians spout ing off campaign promises, then not following through with action. Clements is now facing the hard reality of trying to own up to campaign promises — but who first? Education seems to be at the end of the long list of promises he made while running for office. Educators ought to sue for false advertising.— K.T. France leaps ahead in building nukes By ALAIN RAYMOND PARIS — Without much fanfare, but with a good deal of patience and persever ance, the French have been outpacing the rest of the world in the development of nuclear energy. Six or seven years from now, indeed, no less than half of France’s electricity will be generated by nuclear power. The French also expect to be a major supplier of nuclear installations to other countries in the decade ahead. Recently, for example, France won the approval of the Carter administration to sell two nu clear plants to China, and similar deals have been signed with Iran, Iraq, South Africa, Pakistan and Libya. A key to French success in the field has been technological innovation in three domains —- enrichment of uranium, re processing of nuclear spent fuel and the perfection of fast breeder reactors. And this scientific progress has been encouraged by three principle factors. First, France’s lack of oil and dwindling coal supplies spurred its government to move decisively into nuclear energy. Or as one senior French official has put it: “We virtually had no alternative.’’ Secondly, the highly centralized French administration has been able to overcome the kinds of obstacles that exist in federal systems such as those of the United States and West Germany, where the develop ment of nuclear energy has frequently been challenged by local authorities or re gional courts. And among other things, anti-nuclear protests by environmentalists have been relatively mild since a demonstration in July 1977 in which one person died. Sur veys show that most French favor nuclear power, even though a majority consider it risky. As a result, various nuclear facilities have been going up since the end of 1973, when the Yom Kippur war touched off a fourfold increase in oil prices, thus dramatizing the urgency of alternative sources of energy. By 1985, according to present estimates, a total of 40 nuclear power stations will be providing France with electricity. France already has 14 nuclear plants in operation, currently producing close to 30 billion kilowatts per hour, more than 10 percent of the country’s electricity. France also has the world’s largest commexqial nuclear $pent fuel reprocess ing complex, which separates plutonium from spent nuclear fuel. Located at Cap la Hague, near the English Channel, it is one of the two only working installations of its kind on earth. The other is British. But the most impressive of France’s nu clear advances have been fast breeder reactors, which convert burnt uranium into plutonium and can therefore fuel themselves for years without facing the problem of radioactive waste disposal. Breeder reactors also produce 70 times more energy than other nuclear plants. The most ambitious breeder reactor being built here is currently under con struction near the southeastern town of Creys-Melville, on a bank of the Rhone river between the cities of Lyons and Geneva, in a picturesque setting of pine- covered hills and medieval castles. Known as “Super-Phoenix,” the 1200- megawatt reactor will begin to operate in 1983, when it becomes the world’s first such nuclear facility generating electricity. Energy The $1.3 billion investment is being shared by France, Italy and West Ger many, which will all benefit from its power. France holds the majority interest, and the technology is exclusively French. The project had its origin in two ex perimental prototypes called “Rhapsody” and “Phoenix.” The second of these, a 250-megawatt reactor, performed so smoothly for two years that, by the spring of 1977, the French decided to initiate an installation five times bigger. Since the Rhine River is no longer navigable above Lyons, engineers had to revise their plan to build the components of the reactor elsewhere and transport them by barge to the site. As a consequence, the reactor is being constructed on the site itself, and the scene there resembles a futuristic fantasy. Two structures dominate the landscape — a workshop the size of a cathedral in which the reactor is being built, and the vault in which it will be eventually housed. Nobody here is blind to the potential dangers involved in fast breeder reactors, since the plutonium they produce can be used for nuclear weapons. Some French scientists have also warned that the speed with which “Super-Phoenix” is being as sembled could lead to serious accidents. But fast breeder reactors, when linked to reprocessing plants that ,• yield plutonium, arq economical sources of energy, and that prorhpted the French government to go ahead with their con struction. Letters to the Editor Late Fromholz show only a ‘rip Editor: This is an open letter of complaint. The complaint concerns the performance of Steve Fromholz at Grin’s on Sunday night. I realize that Grin’s paid good money to get Mr. Fromholz to appear. However, I am reasonably sure it was anticipated that he would appear in shape to perform. If he was in shape to perform, he sure fooled me (and many others there, too). To start things off with a bang, he arrived one hour and 15 minutes late. This was not so bad, except that he spent an additional 20 minutes giving an incoherent explanation of why he was late. My girlfriend was upset. However, she sat there patiently while I clung to the hope that something of value might sur face. During the first set (which consisted of four songs, each with 10 minute or longer introductions), Mr. Fromholz po litely asked the audience to quiet down. I realize that noise can disrupt a good performance, but after rejecting upon this matter, I feel that Mr. Fromholz’s per formance disrupted the various conversa tions within the audience. He acted as though he was doing the audience a favor by coming. Perhaps had he come for free it could have been a favor, but this was not the case. I must admit that I do slightly admire his candid honesty. He readily admitted that he was more drunk than most of the members of the audience. After three songs into the second set we decided to leave. Out of a guilty conscience (for not saying something then), I later returned to verbalize my complaint to the employees at Grin’s. Although the initial reaction to my com plaint was that they too were surprised at his behavior, I was ultimately given the explanation that these were some of the reasons Mr. Fromholz was famous. If this is fame, I want no part of it. Some may feel this is an unjustified opinion, but if more people spoke up about such things, we wouldn’t be ripped off so much. —Kenneth E. Hagin, ’79 Delay library move Editor: Since coming to Texas A&M in Jan. 1978, I have witnessed many interesting, odd and sometimes even archaic phenom enon involving the academic, administra tive, athletic and social affairs relating to this university and its traditions. I have refrained from comment in the past. How ever, I can no longer remain silent after reading the Feb. 22 Battalion article re garding the “new” plans for the library move. While the “new” library move scheme will leave the books on the shelves for the present time, the plan is still highly unre sponsive to the needs of the students. A great deal of inconvenience and confusion will be created still. Library users will have to locate their needed material then transport it into the new section for a place to study. However, once the material is in the new section it will be left there and not returned to the proper location. The li brary staff will not be able to keep all the books reshelved because it presently takes a long time for much of the library material to be properly reshelved. Therefore, the library user will be forced to spend extra time looking for needed books with a re duced chance of locating the material. This new plan will also greatly increase the chance of library materials becoming mis placed or lost. The library administration has acted ir responsibly in their decisions concerning the library move. TAMU is suppose to be an institution of higher learning. Our uni versity is one the country’s leading institu tions in areas in this regard. Therefore, the library’s primary role and concern should be aimed toward full cooperation in fulfilling the university’s goals of research and educational excel lence. The students and faculty’s needs should be given first priority, not the li brary’s concern for what is least inconve nient to them. Th library administration should delay the move until mid-May, as previously proposed, in order to fulfill its respon sibility to the students and faculty of this university. —J.P. Dean graduate student Wildlife and Fisheries Dept. Good job, SCON A Editor: During my recent visit to the Texas A&M campus, I derived two unequivocal gains: an invaluable experience from the 24th Student Conference on National Af fairs (SCONA), and a superior impression of the Aggie student body. My sincere thanks for the commendable program that your university provided. —Chuck Bentley Student Body President Baylor University Correction In the Tuesday, Feb. 26 Battalion an article about upcoming MSG Arts Com mittee film incorrectly stated that a short film, “Bridges Go Round,” will be shown later this semester. The film will be shown Monday, Mar. 5 at 8 p.m. in conjunction with a Luis Bunuel film “That Obscure Object of Desire” at Rudder Theatre. The Battalion regrets the error. Reader s Forum Solutions start at home - even at A&M By JOSEPH E. BEAUDETTE I would like to respond to an arti cle in The Battalion, Feb. 19, con cerning a speech by President Jarvis Miller to the 24th Student Confer ence on National Affairs. According to the article, Dr. Miller said that the attitudes and inspection proce dures of government agencies in areas such as safety and energy are killing the country. I think this at titude bears examination. The government has done poorly in regulating industry and the prod ucts of industry, but industry has done much worse. Government regulations and agencies usually come about because a problem has existed for a long time and the pri vate sector has been unable or un willing to respond to the problem. The voice of profit seldom asks for the effects of products on workers and the public at large —just if they will buy it. And notice that industries and in stitutions (whether IBM or Texas A&M) are selective in wanting gov ernment to stay out of their busi ness. Where is the industry that has re fused a government subsidy? Where is the university that has refused the tvr>e of special Government support typified by the Permanent Univer sity Fund? The forces opposing efforts by government to regulate industry are much better organized and financed than the general populace and are more successful in influencing legis lators and in restricting legislation. In an article in the Dallas Times Herald, Feb. 19, Adlene Harrison, Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator, spoke of the EPA’s efforts to reduce automobile and industrial pollution in Texas. She said the effort “has met with widespread opposition from indus try ... from citizens who have been reluctant to form carpools or take the bus.” She goes on to say that a concen trated effort by industry and lack of interest by environmentalists (oops, dirty word) and the population at large could lead to the clean air act being “gutted” in this session of Congress. Texas A&M is a reflection of this whole concept. We are an insular community with political and physi cal control concentrated within the University community. This provides an unusual opportunity to deal with the problems of this com munity, but we blow it, doing little except what is dictated by our im mediate self-interest. While decrying government in terference, we seek government fa vor. While selling our science and technology around the world, we seem incapable or unwilling to apply it to our city and campus. In the face of future certainties and common sense, our master planners talk of more parking lots, two story parking lots, as we struggle to get our two-ton, single passenger vehi cles within 20 feet of where we are going, every hour, 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. We study how to conserve energy, then throw our aluminum cans in the trash where maybe someone with a different value sys tem will pick them up. You spoke the truth. Dr. Miller, when you said, “We must develop real solutions to these problems.” The problems, however, aren’t with government agencies and regu lations in Washington, and neither need the solutions be. Both are right here if we are will ing to look beyond immediate con venience and self-interest to find them. Joseph E. Beaudette is a graduate student in building construction. CAMPUS Sound of Music' tickets on sale Town Hall will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound Of Music” Tuesday at 8.15 p.m. in the Rudder Auditorium. Tickets are on sale in the Rudder Box Office from 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and will be available at the door the night of the performance. Prices are $4.50, $5.75 and $7 for Texas A&M students and their dates. Show raises money for diabetes Charli Tight, owner of Charli’s Boutique, said approximately $700 was raised for the American Diabetes Association at a spring fashion show held Sunday at the Ramada Inn. Both professional models and Texas A&M students appeared in the show. Moody offers new program A new degree program in maritime adminstration will be offered this fall at Moody College, the marine and maritime resource unit of the Texas A&M University System. Dr. George Carter, coordinator of maritime administration, said the new program includes instruc tion in business and science fields in addition to an in-depth study administration and the maritime industry. Students plan to travel to Idaho A group of 12 Texas A&M University nuclear engineering seniors plan to go to the Idaho Falls Nuclear Engineering Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho March 8-16 for hands-on experience with research reactor simulators. Facidty adviser Dr. Rion Causey will accompany the students. The trip coincides with spring break. STATE Man arrested for pot planeload spoken f< executiv( leave ear original ! before T After Presiden quests. Like l asked for least kei fringe bt and reno He ah universit of the re budget i: Delco, sweet iti Universi The P least five altering fund sha from lett tion. Miller versity n After A. I. Tho He said come a through Follov i ooc lout Harris County sheriffs deputies arrested a Dallas man accused of flying a 500-pound planeload of marijuana into Lakeside Airport Sun day. Ernest Lee McComb, 47, was jailed on $150,0(X) bond Monday after deputies found $60,000 worth of marijuana aboard a single engine plane abandoned at the airport. NATION Mobil to ration gasoline supplies Mobil Oil Corp. officials announced in New York Tuesday that it will join the list of several other major oil companies — Exxon, Con tinental, Texaco, ARGO, Shell and Chevron among them — that have decided to allocate gasoline supplies to retailers because of high demand and the chaotic market situation created by the shutdown of Iranian oilfields. Another reason for the decision to keep gasoline deliveries at 1978 levels is a Department of Energy order forcing Mobil to give up 500,000 barrels of its own crude oil supply to smaller refineries. Ore carrier burns ojfN.C. coast By BONNIE Battalion imerican farn irfood outpul predicted pop le century, T( President j »sday night, h the next si rage time you going to have i in as much foo produce sine vider,” he tol Collegiate C Farmers of I Hie solution to demand ie to offer,” \ fit is so refre: young peo] M who still 1 know tha The “St. Chris,” a 729-foot bulk ore carrier with 40 people aboard, was reported on ffre. and m daager of sinking Tuesday off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C.*, the Coast Guard In Elizabeth Cith, N.C., re ported. A spokesman for the Coast Guard said there were no re ported injuries aboard the ship, which radioed a distress call at 9:30 a.m. A C-130 cargo plane was on the scene and a Coast Guard cutter was on its way to the boat. The St. Chris, believed to be of Liberian registery, reported that all holds were on fire and that the crew was on the aft section of the ship. N.J. pickets move to Houston Striking members of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union Local 8-638 moved their wandering picket line Tuesday from Texaco’s Port Arthur refinery to the company’s local headquarters in Houston. A spokesman for the New Jersey group said that the pickets were moved to maintain good will with Texas members of the OCAW. Texas OCAW members signed a new contract with Texaco several weeks ago, but honored the New Jersey picket line. After the picket lines were removed, the 4,200 refinery workers were allowed to return to work. The New Jersey workers planned to set up pickets at Texaco facilities in El Paso and Amarillo also. We must use 'iirce we ha id.” Idler said th: wide the leadi lire problem iromental sta ly of water bt iety now is t tare causing I think we 1 king attitude iety,” he said lat any facts, ■liller said th he had appe ipriations sul amittee f h Texas legisl las A&M. At Is from Praii led Texas Al ig of the Per WORLD 2 arrested in plane hijacking Police in Stockholm arrested a man and a woman after they threatened to blow up a hijacked Soviet Aeroflot jetliner in exchange for political asylum. Police Tuesday still were negotiating with two other hijackers on the plane who were believed to be accomplices of the two arrested. None of the 34 passengers or crewmembers of the TU-154 jet were injured in the hijacking. The plane was en route from Oslo, Norway, to Moscow when the hijacking occurred. The allegatio nhas prosper Jirie View A& These peopl did not wa led to accept a facts were, ” Iran cancels foreigners' permits Iran’s Revolutionary Council has ordered police not to renew the work or residency permits of foreigners still in the country in another attempt to purge the country of foreigners, diplomatic sources said Tuesday. The action followed the arrest and subsequent release of an American and three Britons seized by Moslem militiamen Monday. WEATHER Cloudy and cooler with a slight chance of showers. High today of 60 and a low of 50. Winds will be South Easterly at 10-15 mph and a 20% chance of rain. The Battalion: 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 number for verification. Address correspondence to Letters to the Editor, The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Represented nationally by National Educational Adver tising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday from September through May except during exam and holiday periods and the summer, when it is published on Tuesday through Thursday. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Kim Tyson Managing Editor .Liz Assistant Managing Editor . Andy Willi# Sports Editor David City Editor Scott PendleW Campus Editor Steve U* News Editors Debbie Parson!' Beth Calhoun Staff Writers Karen Rogers Patterson, Sean Petty, Di# Blake, Dillard Stone, Bragg, Lyle Lovett, Keith Taylor Cartoonist Doug Graha® Photo Editor Lee Roy Leschper Photographer Lynn Blantf Focus section editor Gary Wekh 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 Regents. The Battalion is a non-profit, supporting enterprise operated by stud?" 11 as a university and community newipapf Editorial policy is determined by the ediKf