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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 1984)
Page 12/The Battalion/Thursday, Januaiy 26, 1984 U.S. farmers learning political 'ropes' United Press International Farmers who once called legislative offices to lodge mild complaints, almost apologetical ly, are turning into politically saavy amateur lobbyists who realize farm work in the 1980s demands personal political par ticipation. Both legislative aides and members of well-established farm groups say there is a new political aggressiveness among Midwestern farmers — a move ment that goes beyond the vot ing booth and tractor trips to Washington. “They used to be very apprehensive, and almost apo logetic,” said A1 Tank, agricul ture specialist for Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa. “Now they real ize the rules of the game. They’re not exactly demanding, but more confident and use a lot more personal contact.” Perhaps the best example of the emerging farm activist is the Drought ’83 Committee of southeastern Iowa, which fo cused national media and gov ernment attention on the subject that gave it its name. Committee spokesman Jerry Kincart started out seeking press coverage from a make shift headquarters in a down town real estate office. Now he regularly makes and receives phone calls from congressmen about national farm policy. “The change came when I realized the old cliche, ‘These guys put their pants on one leg at a timejust like the rest of us,”’ he said. “I used to feel kind of in timidated by these guys.” Government response fol lows media response, Kincart said. And the media response came when these smaller, special interest groups learned to talk in terms the press understood. “We have to stop talking like a bunch of farmers and talk in terms everybody can under stand,” said Wayne Cryts, who was catapulted into the national media after a confrontation with federal officials over a bankrupt grain elevator. “Instead of talking about in terest rates and debt consolida tion, we need to show how equipment prices have tripled and grain prices have dropped.” Cryts, who led a band of far mers past FBI agents to retrieve his soybeans from a bankrupt elevator, has pledged to raise $1 million this year for American Farmers Survival, another spe cial interest farm group formed to save family farms in the face of last year’s drought and declin ing land values. “What we’re saying is that political participation is as much of farming as planting and har vesting,” Cryts said. Established farm organiza tions like the American Farm Bureau agree wholeheartedly with that view. But Midwestern spokesmen for the Farm Bureau note history has not been kind to “ad hoc” or single-issue farm groups. “In only a few instances have single-issue, ad hoc groups lasted long enough to cause real change,’’ said Iowa Farm Bureau spokesman Gene Maahs. “In general, they can create a lot of media attention that is helpful in pointing out a pattern ot localized problems.” “The Wayne Cryts’ of the world have to understand you don’t get influence by getting your name on TV,” Illinois Farm Bureau spokesman De nnis Vercler said. “To their credit this group (Drought ’83) and others called national attention to a dramatic problem. But single issue ad hoc groups in general tend to over- simplify situations. Non- agricultural people think all the farmers are in the same boat and that doesn’t serve the farmers too well.” Cryts said a lesson he learned is to play by the rules of the game. He said those rules re volve around high-pressure, high-paid political action com mittees that wield campaign funds and votes. “PACs will open more doors than 100 tractors running around Washington,” Cryts said. ^ Fish Richards Restaurant SOI Wellborn Road College Station “A True Dining Experience In A Relaxed Atxnosphere“ Starting January 23rd ‘Casino* to open in Houston under legal gambling laws United Press International i Fisli Riehsurd’s is e sci-vini; IvBiueli 11:30 - 2:30 Monday - Friday G Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, Crepes, Quiche, Prime Rib Daily Special G HOUSTON — Houstonians who like to gamble will soon have their own “casino” to play in, and the operators say it’s all within the limits of Texas law. “What you do is you come in and pay 50 bucks and you get 10,000 “dollars” worth of chips and you get to play until your 10,000 is gone,” said Detwilder, a veteran Houston restaurant will be a real live bingo parlor that gives away $5,000 in prizes a day. We’re organizing five diffe rent charities and they’ll receive the proceeds from the bingo,” Detwilder said. The casino, to be called “Casi no,” is scheduled to open Feb. 21 and will include all the Las Vegas trappings, complete with scanti ly clad women, a Las Vegas show and, of course, blackjack, craps and some other gaming tables. The operators intend to com ply with Texas gambling laws, including limitations on gamb ling paraphernalia, said general manager Ken Detwilder. manager. “To gamble you’ve got to have a monetary reward. Here, you don’t win anything. You can win chips back, but you can’t cash them in. To gamble, you have to have a monetary reward. Here, you can’t win anything. “You use up your 10,000, you move on. Or you pay $50 and get 10,000 more.” 4*^ The essential difference be tween this casino and those in Las Vegas — and the reason it’s basically legal — is it doesn’t pay off, Detwilder said. Detwilder said the slot machines — which under an odd Texas law must be pre-1941 vintage, be registered with the sheriff and not pay rewards to gamblers — will cost a quarter a play and will pay only to charity. “Another part of the building “The only proceeds the casino will receive from the bingo (which Detwilder said is legal) will be food, beverage and parking.” The entire project, said attor ney Murray Lieberman, is a leg al part of a divorce settlement. Lieberman represents Norman Wells, developer of Norwell Weight Reduction Centers, who is divorcing his wife, Dorothy. After 22 years of marriage and five children, she deman ded that he set her up in busi ness. Wells agreed and they — in consultation with their lawyers — decided on the casino, which they believe is an innovation. Wheat pastures recovering 4^ United Press International 0lcoM Serving Luncheon Buffet Sandwich and Soup Bar Mezzanine Floor Sunday through Friday 11 a.m. to i :30 p.m. Milder temperatures over Texas at mid-week helped boost recovery of wheat pastures that were severely damaged by De cember’s record-shattering tem peratures, and aired out wet pasture roads that have hin dered ranchers in their livestock feeding operations. Although wheat fields are be ginning to show some signs of recovery, most Texas farmers and ranchers are upping their earlier estimates of winter-kill for their oat crops. In many areas, indications are that vir tually all of the crop will be lost, said the Texas Agricultural Ex tension Service here. Livestock owners also are continuing their heavy feeding schedules of protein and hay for their animals, but many cattle continue to suffer weight loss despite the accelerated feeding schedules. Hay supplies are being de- Delicious Food Beautiful View -m- Open to the Public | ^ “Quality First” Ip WHAT BETTER WAY TO SAY I PROMISE"? Three Styles, All New for That Special Someone Each new style of the EMBRACE™ Promise Ring Collection is available in rich white Valadium or 10K Yellow Gold. Your name on one side and his on the other. Both names bound together by a sparkling diamond. order now for Valentines Day! The Diamond Store Post Oak Mall Manor East Mall RESTAURANT FINE CHINESE CUISINE LOVELY RELAXED ATMOSPHERE QUALITY DINING AFFORDABLE PRICES OR SMALL PARTIES AND BANQUETS WELCOMED Serving wine and beer 846-8345 Mon. - Sun. Mon. - Sat. 11 am - 2 pm 5 pm - 10 pm Mon. - Sat. 5 pm - 10 pm 3805 TEXAS AV. - BRYAN pleted in many areas, and cattle men are attempting to locate new sources of hay. Marketing of cattle is reported to be “above average” in many areas despite lower prices as ranchers attempt to “hold the line” on soaring feed bills. The long periods of sub freezing temperatures also are resulting in respiratory and other animal health problems in many parts of the state. Death losses continue in Stocker cattle and newborn calves. Freeze damages to ornamen tals and the rose industry in Smith County have been esti mated by growers at approxi mately $10 million. Freeze dam age assessments for other crops are continuing across the state. A benefit of the record cold may be a reduction in some in sect pests this year, the Exten sion Service said. Cold tempera tures have destroyed many in sects that overwinter in trash and plant debris, but is not ex pected to affect insects that bur row into the soil. Rio Grande Valley growers are harvesting little processing fruit since the quality has de teriorated recently, and no fresh fruit is being shipped. The sugarcane harvest is continuing there, along with slow harvests of broccoli, cabbage and carrots. Onion replanting because of freeze damage has been com pleted in the Winter Garden area of Southwest Texas, and farmers are hand-harvesting carrots to take advantage of im proved prices. What’s up THURSDAY BUSINESS STUDENTS: Clayton W. Williams, Jr. will be 11 stud speaking at 8:30 p.m. in room 114 Blocker. All studenis are encouraged to come. CHI ALPHA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: A meet ing will be held at 7:00 p.m. in room 510 Rudder Tower /''> * tv ... i /''•: i l> a ti f.'in'-i-r Contact Paul Giles at 846-2777. CO-OP STUDENT ASSOCIATION: A meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in room 402 Rudder Tower. Elections will be held at that time. Contact Tom Thurmond at 764-0083 for more information. < DANCE ARTS SOCIETY: A meeting will be heldat7:(KI p.m. in room 268 East Kyle (dance room). Thedanceclass ill ■ and the spring show will be discussed. GERMAN CLUB: The first meeting of the semesterwi be held at 7:00 p.m. in room 504 Rudder Tower. Even- one welcome! Contact Beatrice Souroujon at 693-6792 for more information. LUTHERAN STUDENT MOVEMENT: All those who want to go to the Hall of Fame should meet at the Chape! at 7:30 p.m. Contact Cindy Beck at 779-3260 or Darrell Anderson at 260-4788 for more information. MSC CEPHEID VARIABLE: “A Boy and His Dog’ will be shown at 7:30 and 10:00 p.m. in Rudder Theatre, Tickets are $1.50. 7 in applications. Interviews will be held from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. Also, a reminder that the 5th Annual Miss Texas A&M Pageant is Feb. 25. Tickets are available at the MSC Box Office. Student tickets are $3.50 and non-student tickets are $6.00. For more information, contact Lorraine Christian at 260-3109 or the MSC Box Office at 845-1234, MSC INSIGHT STUDENT/FACULTY DISCUS SION SERIES: An organizational meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in room 216T of the MSC. Everyone is the lam< tied liam men lane Clay Willi V by C bool Fort Peco invited. METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY: A general meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in room 140A of the MSC. Possible speakers and lectures for the semester will be discussed. Contact Claudia Goebel at 764-0992 for more informa- E< lion. MEXICAN-AMERICAN PRE-HEALTH AGGIES:A presentation will be given by Amigos de las Americas at /:00 p.m. in room 502 Rudder Tower. The topic is sum mer public health projects in Latin America and the focus is on the Maverick Training Program. TAMU BICYCLE CLUB: A meeting will be held in room 704 Rudder Tower at 7:00 p.m. Ride calendar, century, and the spring break tour will be the main topics of discussion. All are welcome! For more information, con tact Jim at 696-2669. TAMU COLLEGE REPUBLIANS: The first spnng meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. in room 601 Rudder Tower. Former Bryan Mayor Richard Smith is the guest speaker. Call Douglas Jones at 696-9763 for more infor mation. B' C, | Tex; fessor 1 nasbeer era I Ad' lion Stai Educati K “I kr I hones chosen, body at cation r MSC ENDOWED LECTURE SERIES: The member ship drive will continue through Friday. Applications are available in room 216 of the MSC. Contact Keri Elisa nd re< retar Hairston at 693-5342 for more information. B “1 gt TAMU FENCING: The first meeting of the semesterwill B s / a ^’ be held at 7:00 p.m. in room 264 East Kyle. The equipt- I ment order has come in and will be distributed. For more information, call Mike at 260-1339. on grea TAMU ICE HOCKEY TEAM: A meeting to discuss this weekend’s game will be held at 8:00 p.m. in 204Cofthe library. Call Steve Mathiason at 260-6297 for more infor- m mation. TAMU MICROCOMPUTER CLUB: The hardware committee will hold its organizational meeting at 7:30 p.m. in room 105C Zachry. The plans for building a computer will be discussed. Contact Tom Rokicki at 260- 6266 for more information. TAMU ROADRUNNERS: A meeting will be held in room 604A&B Rudder Tower at 7:00 p.m. This semes ter’s activites will be discussed. For more information,call Mark Eddy at 696-3683. TAMU TENNIS CLUB: Membership and tournament sign-ups will continue through Friday in the MSC. Call Hank Kleespies at 764-8135 for more information. TAMU WOMEN’S CHORUS: Orders are being taken through Friday for submarine sandwiches. The sandwiches will be delivered Feb. 4. For more infor mation, contact Carol Ann Hartzog at 845-5974 or 260-0654. Reagan (continued from page 1) Just nine days after setting a new, more temperate tone in what had been a harsh war of words between Washington and Moscow, Reagan directed a mes sage to the Soviet people in tended to underscore a willing ness for improved relations. “People of the Soviet Union,” he said, “there is only one sane policy for your country Hi mine to preserve ourcivilizali”* in this modern age: a nucl war cannot be won and never be fought.” The overall theme ofll*( speech — “a nation revived’-'! the one Reagan is expected MSC RECREATION PRESENTS’. ACU-I QUALIFYING TABLE SOCCER TOURNAMENT JAN. 2 8,1984 $3.00 OPEN SIGNUP AT MSC BOWLING AND GAM E S FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 845-1515 use on the campaign traildur the coming months in hisqu to become the first two-ttf president since Dwi( Novol Layaiuay your Diamond for your Aggie Ring! Eisenhower. “There is renewed eneifl and optimism throughout > land,” the 72-year-old preside declared. “America is bach standing tall, looking to eighties with courage, cod dence and hope.” Tine jewelry) Reagan repeated his con"' lion that when he took office 1981, “We faced the worstcn;j in our post-war history”- result of excessive and intrusi 1 government, economic des| and weakness in internal^ affairs. r 30% off Diamonds for Aggie Rings Vie also buy scrap gold at highest prices. 415 University Dr. 846-5816 But he did not direct blame Democrats or Congress, as often has in the past, and “honest and open difference! did not “keep us fromjoinjd hands in bipartisan coopei# to stop a long decline that It* drained this nation’s spirit ad eroded its wealth.” The space station was d* most ambitious initiative cot tained in a speech devoted large part to what the admii tration has accomplished far and what a second Rea] term might hold. The space project, estimat 1 to cost $8 billion in all $150 million in the new budge