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Show I . V ' v'? i t'Z ' ' f T , T. S. f. 7 . , ft - 1 .. W ' m ,5! , t. fit- - fev b . 4 si . , t .. S e , 4 ' V ' "W ,..fvtfrrLn,V7 y - :.V.y.,.' t " DESERET NEWS. THURSDAY, OCTOBER A study conducted by the governmental reform lobbying group during the past three months showed that 39 percent of 591 federal agency meetings were entirely closed to the public. Closed meetings are permitted under the law to protect certain financial information, but many agencies are using that as an excuse for secret sessions. One such closed meeting dealt with the purchase of office furniture, said Peggy Fitzgerald-Bare- , a regional director for Common Cause. She said the lobbying group will ask Congress to .conduct oversight hearings to see if the closed meeting exemptions allowed under the law are being abused. Ms. Fitzgerald Bare was in Utah to confer with local Common Cause leaders on efforts to get the Puhlic Sendee Commission deliberations opened to the public. Atty. Gen. Robert Hansen has issued an opinion saying the states Sunshine Act doesnt require PSC deliberations to be public because they are in nature. Common Cause has filed a lawsuit to test that opinion. Efforts to open up meetings like the PSC cause on the part of some public "almost hysteria said. They claim the officials, Ms. Fitzgerald-Bar- e agency wont be able to conduct its business properly , or there wont be a frank exchange of ideas, or it will result in pobtieni grandstanding, she said. But experience shows that it just isnt so, she declared. Some opponents have changed their minds after seeing open meetings in action, she added. Not only does it Instill greater confidence in government, but it also makes for better business by government, accordmg to one former opponent, she said. We feel open meetings result In better government, as well as more responsible and accountable quasi-judici- officials. Ms. Fitzgerald Bare explained. Utahns may be able to conduct business better and produce greater public confidence. Thats why the PSC is heavily criticized because its essential deliberations are not conducted in the open, she said. When meetings are open to the public, then the public can be sure that what is done is m the public interest mstead of private she said. A major issue being pushed now by Common Cause is to get Congress to adopt a public campaign financing law like the one passed for presidential races, thus taking much influence out of the hands of a few financial backers. While Congress was willing to take big money out of politics for the President, it hasnt been that willing when it comes down to congressional elections," she said. Te impact of the public financing law on presidential polities can be illustraed by the fact that in 1972 a total of 153 individuals gave $20 million to President Nixons campaign. In 1976, some 32 million ir.L-rest- 5 Summit meeting on roads Oct. 20 Law doesn't stop closed meetings, lobbyist say o Despite passage of a national Sunshine Act iopen meeting law) thret months ago, many government agencies are still doing business in secret, a Common Cause official said Thursday. B 6, 1977 Residents of KAMAS people each gave $1, Ms. Fitzgerald Bare said We think the linkage between campaign funds and the political outcome of legislation Is unhealthy," she said. The Common Cause official pointed to the present cargo preference bill before Congress as an example and said backers of the bill are those who have received campaign financing from the maritime industry. As a result, the proposal is getting heavy support from key members of Congress, despite the fact that the bill mav cost U.S. taxpayers an unnecessary $600 million, she said. Public financing of Congressional elections would "inject some competition into a system which clearly doesn't have any now, she said. Because of the costs of running for office, many people are eliminated before they start ami incumbents have a heavy advantage. More than 90 percent of all incumbents get reelected, Ms. Fitzgernid-Bar- e said. Summit and Wasatch counties will meet with representatives of the Utah Transportation Commission Ck't. 20, 7.30 p m., in South Summit High School auditorium. The meeting is one of several scheduled in regions to multi-count- y discuss transportation problems and projects. Stolen Just like stealing when you buy a new Kirby for $209.00, in factory cartons from . . . TOTEM Sewing 206-088- 4175 . 1 a Redwood RL YEARS.. AND JUST BEGINNING 113 SALT LAKE FASHION PLACE COTTONWOOD MALL C OGDEN COPCO COOKWARE all items S RIVAL CROCK-PO- T reg. 29.S5 now In stock, reg. 27.00 to 64.00 20 off 15.88 Anniversary Sale savings on Copco Gourmet cookware. All in durable cast iron with rich porcelain exterior in red, yellow, brown or blue. 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