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Texas A&M University ,
Carter against windfall tax plowback
By HELEN THOMAS
WASHINGTON — President Carter be
lieves his message on the need for socking it
to the oil industry with a windfall profits tax
on revenues from the decontrol of oil is
hitting home with the public.
But he also believes the fix may be in
with Congress to take care of the big oil
companies.
The people who are paying higher prices
at the gas pumps are unhappy. Many ques
tion whether Carter’s thesis that high
prices will reduce oil consumption is valid
in today’s society. There will be growing
pressure on oil companies such as Standard
Oil and Exxon, which this week reported
whopping increases in their profits, to pay
their fair share of the new bonanza.
Speaking to the National Academy of
Sciences, Carter said the industry has
given up the battle to kill the tax and has
adopted a new strategy -— to get their
many, and powerful, friends on Capitol
Hill to draft legislation with loopholes
providing kickbacks to the tune of billions
of dollars.
“Many of those who only a few weeks ago
were dedicated to killing outright the
windfall profits tax have now given up on
that fight,” Carter said. “But the battle is
far from over. Their new strategy seems to
be to try to hoodwink the American people
by passing a windfall profits tax that is in
fact a charade — a tax designed primarily to
provide loopholes so the oil companies will
get another $4 or $5 billion in unearned
profits on top of the $6 billion they would
get under decontrol with an honest windfall
profits tax.”
The fight centers on the proposal to in
clude a “plowback” provision in the bill that
would allow the oil companies to deduct
from their taxes any profits that are rein
vested in exploration and production.
In announcing that he would allow oil
prices to rise as of June 1, Carter also pro
posed new taxes that would recapture 50
percent of the resulting revenues. He said
the revenues would be put in an Energy
Security Fund to subsidize the search for
new sources of energy.
Speaking of the plowback provision. Car
ter said, “They will try to pass this charade
off on the American people,” and allowed
that in reality it is a “kick back” to the oil
companies.
Although the president did not mention
oil companies in his speech, press secertary
Jody Powell later told reporters the presi
dent’s remarks were directed against the
industry.
There is some suspicion that Carter may
have already thrown in the towel by show
ing too much flexibility by deciding to send
to Congress only the “specifications” that
outline a windfall profits tax bill and letting
the lawmakers write their own legislation.
Veteran reporters say that is not an un
usual way of doing business, but it does
appear to give a heavily lobbied Congress
broad leeway in writing its own ticket. The
administration cannot complain as much
when it did not detail its own demands.
A key figure in the battle will be Sen.
Russell Long, D-La., chairman of the Se
nate Finance Committee, and strong sup
porter of the oil industry. Long is on record
as favoring more “incentives” for the indus
try to develop new oil resources. He has a
lot of clout in Congress, and the awe of the
White House. Other Democrats in leader
ship positio s feel the same way as Long.
All of which puts Carter in the position of
having to decide whether at some point he
is ready to take on his own party members.
He has been very reluctant to do that in the
past.
With the re-election campaign coming
up, there is a question of whether Carter is
willing to alienate the men whose political
support he needs. Therefore, if the public
is willing to buy Carter’s argument about
“charade” legislation, is he prepared to
take on the real perpetrators?
Helen Thomas is the UPI White House
correspondant
TV, radio interfere with court decorum
By CHERYL ARVIDSON
WASHINGTON — The Senate begins its discipli
nary hearings of veteran Sen. Herman Talmadge,
D-Ga., next week, but it’s still up in the air whether the
public will be able see and hear the proceedings or
merely read about them.
The action against Talmadge marks the first time in 12
years that a sitting senator has faced the prospect of
discipline by the Senate for wrongdoing. Like the 1967
investigation and subsequent censure of the late Sen.
Thomas Dodd, D-Conn., Talmadge’s case involves
charges of financial malfeasance.
The ethics investigation of Talmadge has been going
on for a year, but only recently have the television
networks shown any interest whatsoever in joining the
print journalists who have been covering each step of
the probe.
The committee last week made a wise preliminary
decision that television and radio coverage of the hear
ings would be inappropriate r Bu6after»shouts, of protest
from the networks, the members have now decided to
review — and possibly reconsider — the decision.
The networks argue that if the hearings are open to
the press, they should be open to every type of media.
However, it is only cameras and recording devices that
are affected by the original ruling. Nothing would stop
the television correspondents from sitting through the
hearings and covering them as every other reporter will
be doing.
The major reason for prohibiting television and radio
coverage is the court-like nature of the Talmadge hear
ings. In most courtrooms, the television cameras and
recording devices are banned but their correspondents
can still be present.
The ethics committee essentially will be sitting as
judges of Talmadge, and the hearings will resemble a
trial. The case against Talmadge will be presented by
two lawyers who have conducted the committee’s inves
tigation and will be calling various witnesses to give
testimony.
Ethics chairman Sen. Adlai Stevenson, D-Ill., said
the decision to keep the cameras and tape recorders out
of the Talmadge hearings was made in an effort to pre
serve “decorum” of the proceedings. Even those com
mittee members who favor television cameras agree that
their presence can frequently cause a “disturbance-
Sen. Robert Morgan, D-N.C., said if the Talmadge
hearings go on “nationwide television, every person will
be worrying about the image they project.”
But Sen. Jesse Helms, RN.C., a former television
commentator, says, “If you have any media, you ought
to have all media.” The “fundamental, overriding con
sideration is fairness” to Talmadge and the other indi
viduals who will be party to the proceedings, he said.
“What I’m concerned about is the effect of a large
television exposure on the witnesses,” said Special
Counsel Carl Eardley. “A lot of the witnesses are al
ready nervous when they get here and when they see
the television cameras, they become so worried about
the camera that they start forgetting.”
There’s a lot of logic in Eardley’s comment. Anyone
who has been present at a televised proceeding of any
sort can’t help but notice the incredible glare of bright
lights. And there s something tremendously disconcert
ing about a television camera when suddenly it is you
that is being filmed.
The six senators on the committee — and Talmadge
himself— are all public figures who are used to publicity
and used to the cameras. But most of the would-be
witnesses are private citizens who naturally might shy
away from that sort of exposure.
And if the television reporters ne6d some illustration
of the Talmadge proceedings, they can employ artists to
sketch the main figures and capture the flavor of the
proceedings. This is not a revolutionary idea. The net
works employ artists specifically for this sort ofwork and
they use them almost every day in courtrooms across the
country.
Letters to the Editor
Middle East facts ignored, twisted
Editor:
After reading Mr. Tal Nahir’s April 24
letter to the Battalion, I feel the obligation
to point out several facts about the Middle
East crisis which he tried to ignore.
Mr. Tal claimed that the U.N. Security
Council’s resolution 242 did not call for
“complete” withdrawal of Israeli forces
from the Arab occupied territories. He
quoted the English version of the
aforementioned resolution which said
“withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from
occupied territories in the present con
flict”, but ignored that the official French
version of the same resolution said “retrait
des forces armees Israeliennes de tout ter-
ritoires occupes”, and the translation of this
version means “all occupied territories.”
Furthermore, Mr. Tal claims that if the
Arab countries follow the example of Egypt
by signing a peace treaty with Israel, then
Israel “would gladly give the money and
return occupied territories.” I wish to re
mind Mr. Tal of hundreds of Israeli official
statements which categorically refuse even
to consider such withdrawal. Mr. Begin
even says that these are not occupied ter
ritories but “liberated territories. ” The fact
is that Israel has already established hun
dreds of settlements on these occupied ter
ritories since 1967 in a systematic coloniza
tion process, and the last two of these col
onies were only approved by the Israeli
Cabinet on April 22.
Finally, Mr. Tal claims that Palestinians
enjoy the right of free expression under
Israel’s democracy, but violent movements
like the PLO can never be trusted or dealt
with. He seems to forget the excessive
cruelty with which Israeli forces broke
down Palestinian protests in the occupied
territories, in which tens of thousands of
unarmed civilians were shot to death in
cold blood. He ignores the fact that 25,000
Palestinian homes have been blown up
since 1967 by Israel’s army to make way for
Jewish immigrants from Russia and various
places. And what about all the reports on
cruel tortures in Israeli jails?
Israel is a state that was achieved through
terrorism (Menachem Begin was the leader
the Irgun, a terrorist group), and it was
maintained through state terrorism which
led to the death of thousands of Palestini-
nans in Israeli air raids against their refugee
camps. Israel’s condemnation of terrorism
is hypocritical and senseless. Didn’t Mr.
Tal ever hear of the prophecy which said
“he who lives by the sword will die by the
sword?”
—Maher Awwad
A&M no different
Editor:
This letter is in response to Mr. Bar
nard’s letter of April 23 in which he states
he is fed up with TAMU and is going to
leave. Since you took it upon yourself to
write in and pass judgement on something I
Thotz
By Doug Graham
He used -ftae Word P_
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at T.u. censored a cartoon by its
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cherish, I decided to pay you the same
courtesy. Although I don’t know you Mr.
Barnard, I can sympathize with you in
many ways. I too have had car problems. I
too have had umbrellas stolen. I too have
been misplaced by the University records.
I’ve had a professor stand up and tell the
entire class they ought to switch majors.
Many was the night I went to Huntsville
looking for something to do that College
Station did not offer. I’ve griped about the
town, the profs, the lines and the parking.
Sure, it’s very disillusioning to find out that
not everybody says “Howdy” on campus
anymore.. Believe me, they used to.
But not all of your college education is
obtained in a classroom. Part of it is coming
to the realization that life isn’t a bowl of
cherries. It’s a rocky road. Sure A&M isn’t
perfect, but do you expect anything differ
ent in the rest of the world? With 30,000
people in one place you’re going to have
mishaps and people who steal umbrellas
and don’t have insurance.
Please don’t take this as a “Highway 6
runs both ways” letter because it’s exactly
the opposite. I wish you would stay. I’ve
been around to different schools and I chal
lenge you to show me one that has the
facilities, organzation of procedures (regis
tration, for example) and staff that can be
found here.
In June I’ll be starting a fantastic job
made possible because of my education at
Texas A&M. Yeah I’m proud I’m an Aggie.
I’m also proud I’m not a quitter.
— Mike Sellers, ’79
Correction
The professions of Alton J. Banks and
William Rundell were reversed in the
Campus Names section of Wednesday’s
Battalion. Banks is an assistant professor of
chemistry. Rundell is a mathematics lec
turer. The Battalion regrets the error.
Readers’ Forum
Guest viewpoints, in addition to
Letters to the Editor, are welcome.
All pieces submitted to Readers’
forum should be:
• Typed triple space
• Limited to 60 characters per
line
• Limited to 100 lines
Top of the News
CAMPUS
Dees picked as new drum major
James Dees of Houston has been selected as head drum major for
the 1979-80 Texas Aggie Band. Dees will be responsible for conduct
ing the band at all drills and performances, and will hold the rank of
cadet lieutenant colonel. The size of the band requires two additional
drum majors: Phil Gougler of College Station will be Artillery Band
drum major, and William Byers of El Paso will be Infantry Band
drum major. The senior-booted bugle rank for the band has also been
selected. Bugle rank members are Greg Dew, Tom Rheinlander, Jeff
Presnal, Rob Ferguson, Michael Harp, Bruce Fain, Greg Brewer,
Kim Taniguehi, Bruce Cummings, Paul Preslar, Wig Graves, and
David Vanderbilt.
Hart Hall wins RHA award
The Residence Hall Association awarded its first “Hall of the Year
Award” to Hart Hall for most outstanding programs and leadership
Tuesday at the RHA awards banquet. Hart Hall won national recogni
tion for its Halloween haunted house for children, its Christmas tree
and its educational programs.
3 get Outstanding Senior Award
The Liberal Arts Council chose three students Tuesday to receive
the Outstanding Senior Award. Dr. Diane Strommer, associate dean
of liberal arts, said the winners were Jamie Aitken, a journalism
major, Roberta Fay, a sociology major, and Elaine McClurkan, an
anthropology major. She said they were chosen on the basis of their
contributions to the University.
STATE
Murder conviction reversed
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Wednesday reversed a
seven-year sentence against Judith A. Lindsay, convicted of conspir
ing with three others to have her husband murdered. The court said
the indictment failed to adequately inform her of the particular acts
for which she was tried. Evidence at the trial indicated the Arlington
woman wanted to collect on her husband’s $15,(X)0 insurance policy.
Priscilla not satisfied with divorce
Priscilla Davis, former wife of one of the state’s richest men, may
appeal her recent divorce. “It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her
mind,” Mrs. Davis said. Late last week the Davis’ divorce court judge
awarded her $3.4 million in cash, property and stock. Texas indus
trialist T. Cullen Davis received the $6 million mansion Mrs. Davis
had been living in since the couple’s estrangement five years ago.
“Really, my mind hasn’t changed per se. We just want to go over
everything,’’she said. “I feel real good about things. There are some
minor details we re going to take a look-see.”
McConn denies extortion charge
Houston Mayor Jim McConn has denied he had anything to do
with an alleged extortion request made to a tire-repair contractor by a
city official. Suspended city purchasing director Jack Key has been
charged with violating federal extortion laws.
NATION
Cronkite says readership down
Broadcaster Walter Cronkite Wednesday warned the nations
newspaper publishers that they are continuing to lose readers to
television. Cronkite told the annual convention of the American
Newspaper Publishers Association that, according to AN PA studies,
newspapers were read by 86 percent of the population in 1971, but
only 69 percent in 1977. The reason the young aren’t reading news
papers, he said, was that “people aren’t being taught very well —
either to read or to think.” Also, he said television news is only a
headline service. “You are going to have to flush-out the news/he
said. “The job isn’t quite getting done.
‘Police’ robbers take $100
it was embarrassing enough for New Orleans police to have a
department car stolen right outside headquarters, but it was even
worse when they found out two gunmen “playing police” used it in a
robbery. Police spokesman Gus Krinke said two men pulled up to a
pedestrian near the French Quarter Monday night with the siren
blaring and the blue light flashing. They robbed him of $100. If we
ever catch these son-of-a-guns, we re going to hang ’em for all the
world to see,’’Krinke said.
WORLD
Mexican gas smuggling suspected
Mexican customs officials were ordered to keep a close watch on
fuel smuggling along the U.S. border Wednesday in the wake of
rising prices at American gas pumps. Customs chief Oscar Reyes
Retana said checkpoints near and along the U.S. frontier were in
structed to inspect all vehicles.
Former ambassador sentenced
A Jordanian military court has sentenced Jordan’s former ambas
sador to Britain to six months in prison at hard labor for selling the
embassy’s furniture and pocketing the money, the Jordan news
agency reported.
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The Battalion
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Southwest Journalism Congress
Editor Liz Nettfr
Managing Editor Andy WilMj
Asst. Managing Editor Dillard Sto#
Sports Editor Sean Pet?
City Editor RoyBrti!
Campus Editor Keith Tadu
News Editors Michelle Burrov*
Karen Cornelis*
Staff Writers Doug Grata*’
Mark Patterson, Kurt Abraham, Carol) 11
Blosser, Richard Oliver, Diane Blah
Meril Edwards, Lyle Lovett
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Clay Cocktil
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Editorial policy is determined by the edihr