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Show 2 BOX ELDER Utah Brigham" City October 10, 1,976 Sunday, NEWS, ' Letters to the Editor... Editorially Speaking The editor invites and welcomes letters for publication in these columns. However, contributions must be signed and also bear the writers adress and telephone number. It is suggested that letters not exceed 250 words in length. . Payments-in-lie- u is a fair concept Cites pumping advantages Editor: It almost seemed too good to be true, as the saying goes, that the payments-in-lieu-o- f taxes bill made it through the 94th Congress before adjournment. -- This is the legislation which, if given the Presidents signature, will reimburse counties for federal lands within their borders which cant be taxed. Although affecting mostly western states, the measure gained broad congressional support. The fact that it was rescued from the scrap heap n before adjournment, of testifies to this fact. Both of Utahs senators, Frank E. Moss and Jake Garn, worked for its passage. non-actio- the subject: Untaxable federally-owned land places an inordinon taxpayers who burden ately large own the remainder of a countys property. Utah is not the only state affected; more than 1,000 counties in 48 states are impacted by large holdings of tax exempt federally owned lands. TO QUOTE each on Senator Garn: If it is necessary for large parcels of land to be retained in federal ownership, it should be the obligation of the government to make certain that the burden of that policy is spread among all the people of the country and not borne soley by those in whose area the lands are located. After nearly 15 Senator Moss: we of effort, finally have years achieved some kind of equality for Utah and other western states with , large amounts of federal lands. The immunity enjoyed rby federal lands Mil the past from state and local government taxation placed an unfair burden on the taxpayers residing in those areas. The federal government has an obligation to make payments to . . . compensate for the tax immunity of these federal In reply to your editorial dated Oct. 3, 1976, 1 certainly agree that we have had enough delays and that action is needed on the Great Salt Lake level problem. The fluctuation of the lake is the principal driving force behind the success or failure of developments associated with the lake. The legislature recognised the lake level problem when it formulated the Great Salt Lake board and division, and gave it the power and duty to: Minimize the lands. To Box Elder county it will mean a sizeable amount of new revenue $730,000 annually, based on earlier reports. County Commission Chairman Don Chase tells us there are about 1.6 million federally-owne- d acres in this county. And this amounts to approximately 66 percent of the land area. Is it fair legislation or just another syphone on the federal treasury by local government unable to stand on 'v' 'tv, , fry'v , multi-millio- its own two feet? We suppose some will take an opposing view. Pint Amendment to the Constitution tzysrXon-mok- e no tow abridging tbo frcoddmM ' the -; press.! in ctpzzihorof WE FRANKLY BELIEVE ITS a great deal of money for this county. Commissioner Chase concedes it 1 received under the countys current mill levy were the federal lands taxable. The formula for determining the payments takes into consideration both number of federal acres and population within the county. However, we agree with Utahs senators and the Public Land law one-millio- PW envisioned himself making vast sums in this field. But how far can you go with a dynamic approach like this: You dont want to buy any of this, do you? Hey, how about politics? There seems to be plenty of money in that. But heck, I dont even take Playboy, PW thought. It occurred to me that many folks make a great deal of money writing. Nope, that was out. They have to know how to spell and everything. Why not become a highly-pai- d television newscaster like Barbara Walters? That prospect was pleas-- ; W;; realized quickly it ing. Bu work? He doesnt mumble wouldnt good enough. that u, Uncle Sam has an obligation to help share the tax burden. The concept is a fair one. With passage of the bill and anticipating President Fords signature, Box Elder porperty owners can look forward to a substantial reduction in the county property tax. And we believe few will oppose this. : , It was one of those autumn afternoons. 01 Pow Wow was about on his usual rounds. He suddenly wished to have. $4 million. Why? Because it would be more fun to go fishing than back to the office. sun-drench- Are political polls good or bad? Are political polls good or bad? This question or versions of it, has been bandied about in recent years. Some citizens just plain dont like pollsters telling them how an election will turn out in advance of the voting. Others question the validity of their findings. We suppose where politicians are concerned, it depends on whether the polls have them ahead or behind how they view this service. Polls have always been interesting to us. Their track record generally indicates a high degree of reliability, although Trumans upset of Dewey was a classic example of their fallibility. Pollsters sometimes are left with red faces. Like them or not, polls have become an integral part of modern Americana, not only in the field of politics but religion, morality, sports, crime, eating habits, consumer attitudes, and on and on. To the extent that they help us to better define public attitudes, measure the scope and intensity of social A person who doesnt have to has $4 million work unless he go to reached into his pocket and fished out a dime, two nickels and a He fect. Perhaps the next poll ought to assess public attitude about polls. While we wait the outcome of that opinion survey, may we comment on a related subject election projections, that electronic phenomenon which allows a computer to destroy the suspense of political contests by telling us who has won well in advance of the final ballot count. This has become a concern of major proportions. With a three-hou- r time lag between East and West coasts, projections based on easreturns from heavily-populate- d tern states are in before many westerners have voted. And as a result, some might not even bother to vote. We ought to take a poll on that, too. penny. Only $3,999,999.79 to go. Prospects for generating the balance of his wished-fo- r bonanza his like mind sheep passed through at bedtime. A lot of money is made playing golf. Johnny Miller is a millionaire. But the possibility of gaining fame and prosperity on the professional golf circuit faded in the memory of a the best shot PW ever made rock through the clubhouse window. What about the market? Nope, that wouldnt, do, either. He talked to a broker once who you bullish or bearish? And PW answered, I dont belond to any of those asked, "Are election. , Have you registered in the district where you live? If not, and youre otherwise qualified, better make it a point to sign up today. will acAgents in each district to 9 8 a.m. p.m. cept names from Those not properly registered on election day will be denied the privilege of voting. And this years ballot offers many choices for both political office in addition to four propositions. Did you know, for example, that Utah ballots will bear the names of eight candidates for president including a Communist? Its a fact. Heres another bit information which you may not be aware. A person who is 17 years old can of of register to vote if he or she will , Then the answer came. Why not find an envelope laying on the sidewalk containing $4 million with a note saying: Im a wealthy man who wants to share my good fortune. Whoever finds this money is entitled to keep it if he will go fishing today. P W began scanning the sidewalks . But without success. Arriving back at the office, he declared to one and all: You cant believe how close I came to finding $4 million today. No one every bothered to look up. I dont get no respect. And I didnt go fishing, either. But say, if you find an envelope with $4 million on the sidewalk, remember.. .it belongs to me. clubs. The guy closed up his briefcase and left. it be that my fortune lay in acting? Probably not. PW asked the Missus last week if she didnt think he looked like Robert "Redford. She couldnt answer.. ..not through that hysterical laughter, Theres a lot of money in selling. Editors Quote Book Could How many running for president? Were back with another reminder on the challenge accepted locally to compete with other US cities in registration and voter turnout. Saturday, Oct. 9, is one of three registration days designated in the various voting districts of Box Elder county prior to the Nov. 2 general My thoughts wandered to the more exotic. Why not sell camels to rich shieks in the Middle East? No, it would be a meager living. Shieks dont ride camels, they drive Cadillacs. wants to. issues, polls can be assessed as a positive factor in todays world. It may be suggested that polls exert an undue and possibly harmful influence on the very races or issues they attempt to gauge. Possibly they do, as what might be labeled the bandwagon syndrome takes af- m vJi X'' n et Review commission which recompayments-in-lie- 1:- w'V'k represents more than would be mended 4 V.. chance of the level of the lake exceeding an elevation of 4202 feet, and to protect the integrity of the lakes developments during low water years. The lake has already exceeded this level. The lake level fluctuations has concerned responsible citizens from the beginning. Brigham Young in 1876 concerned with the rising lake level, tried to control the water by using the Great Salt Lake desert as an overflow basin. Technology has advanced to where this is now a feasible approach. Since there is no outlet to the lake there are two means for effecting control: decrease the inflow or increase the evapdollar oration. Either solution will require even can do more to be nothing However, expenditures. expensive. The Great Salt Lake Advisory board has prepared damage estimates associated with various lake levels : 4203 feet $15 $250 $35 million; 4205 feet million damage; 4204 feet million damage. These figures are only a few feet away from becoming reality. solution will probably be a The ultimate long-tercombination of pumping for evaporation and storage. Now, to address some of the statements and questions n posed in your editorial. It is estimated that of water must be consumed each year to control the acre-felake level. storage would require that this water be consumed through irrigation. This would require the development of some 250,000 additional acres of irrigated land at an estimated cost of $1.25 billion. of storage would more than acre-feThe reservoirs on the exceed the sum of all current man-mad- e tributaries to the Great Salt lake which have a combined capacity of 600,000 acre-fee- t. It is inconceivable that the legislature of three states, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming acting in concern, could implement such a plan at such enormous expense within a reasonable length of time. On the other hand, if the Utah legislature acts responsibly during the next session, a pumping station to take advantage of the evaporative conditions in the Great Salt Lake desert could be operating soon enough to prevent major flooding. With a minimum of diking, sufficient area could be covered to consume the acre feet of water per year through evaporation. Preliminary capital cost estimates of $15 million for this system are not tremendously expensive when compared to potential losses through flooding, loss of jobs and reduction of tax base. Some of the advantages of this does not exclude later use, and pumping equipment may be utilized in future irrigation projects. I believe the advantages gained would more than justify the costs. As a resident of Box Elder county and as an employee of a firm whose livelihood depends upon mineral extraction from the Great Salt lake and whose firm expended more than $14 million in Utah during 1975, 1 am vitally concerned that our legislature receives realistic information, and makes the necessary decisions during the next session. have turned day. 18 on or i, ip m Sincerely, J.C. McLaughlin, 93 North Third West, Brigham City World has gained from UN Editor: The League of Women Voters has supported the work of the United Nations since its inception, as have Americans across our nation and as have the United States Congress and presidents. What has the United Nations accomplished? Most of the work of the UN is done through the activities of its specialized agencies. The general assembly is now meeting and hearing reports of the agencies, talking over problems and considering solutions in a peaceful manner. The efforts of the UN agencies, though seldom making the news headlines, contribute greatly to the cause of world peace. World Health organization has virtually eliminated smallpox from the world and has been instrumental in development of vaccines and drugs for measles, malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases. Food and Agricultural organization has initiated irrigation projects, developed disease-resistagrains, developed new of methods fertilization and has studied protein-ricfood sources. Our own Utah State university has participated in such studies and projects. International Labor organization has settled numerous conflicts concerning flow of laborers from one country to another and in policies. General agreement on treaties and trade, the world bank, the International Court of Justice and the Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization have each made contributions in its own sphere. Add UNICEF (supported by g private contributions) with its work with children. The world, including the United States, has benefitted from the work of all these arms of the United Nations. 4hf cost? The entire one-yebudget for these United Nations development programs equals what the US spends every 14 hours for military programs. Thats a bargain in any language . . .especially the language of peace. nt h labor-manageme- nt A todays district county clerks office in the county courthouse, Brigham City. Register-by-ma- il forms are available at banks, libraries, bookmobiles and post offices. ,f A list of registration agents can be - aDER NEWS- - nawipapvr grtabllitod In publlih.d avnry Sanity by Ht. wkly 1894, Box before election todays News. Alexander Pope one-millio- life-savin- registration, voters may sign up during regular business hours at the found in as having overcome them, that is an advantage to us. BOX Dont be a voter dropout, a spectator in this vital election year. Plan to register and vote. In addition to It is not so much the being exempt from faults, et n SS South Eldar First Wait, Brigham City, Utah, 84302 S.cond Class postaga paid at tha 14 South Flrtt Wait, post olflca, Brigham City, Utah, 84342. Chariot "Tuff" Claybaugh Publlshar Ganaral Managar Bruca T. Kayas, Managing Editor Mika Parry, Sports Editor Sarah Yates. Society, Editor,. Shlrlay Richardson, classifieds Betty Claybaugh, Circulation Arland Tlngey, Newtpapar Supr. Van Claybaugh, Photo-Pres- s Supr. H. E. Anderson, Commercial Printing Supr. rata advanca Subscription $10.00 ar Sincerely yours, League of Women Voters of Brigham City Marjorie Childs, president, and Sarah Yates, Beth Gurrister, Dot Bolieu, Manon Russell, Sue Michaels, board members par year pay. in connactlon with Elder Journal (published Thursdays) in Box Elder County. 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