OCR Text |
Show TheDaihytHerald Dedicated to the Progress And Growth of Central Utah Wednesday. October THE HERALD, Provo, 1 tah—Pag Minimum Wage Caution Action by the U.S. House of Representatives to raise the federal minimum wage by 75 cents over the next three years, fromits present $2.30 an hour to $2.65 in 1978, $2.85in 1979 and $3.05 in 1980, has been called another setback for big labui If a certain school of economists is right, it was also another setback for economic common sense, though a smaller one than it might have been. According to this school, each rise in the minimum wage is directly translated into a rise in unemployment among unskilled youths, mostly minority youths, whotend to be the least skilled of the unskilled. Advocates of thé minimum wage say this is not true, or that anyincrease in unemployment is only temporary Yet in 1948, the unemployment rate among blacks aged 16-17 was actually less than among whites of the same age — 9.4 to 10.2. Beginning in the mid-1950s, the gap belween blacks and whiles began steadily widening until in 1976 the unemployment rates were 40.6 per cent and 19.7 per cent respectively. Between 1950 and 1976, the minimum wage was raised nine times. Whether its impact on the economy is beneficial or baneful, the minimum wageis too important for changes in it to be made routinely or automatically. Even if only every few years, it deserves renewed scrutiny and debate by Congress. Divorce, Soviet-Style One out of every three marriages now ends in divorce in the Soviet Union, which meansthatin at least one category the Russians have caught up to us. Drinking is said to be the leading cause of marital breakups. And while the reasons for widespread alcoholism are a matter of much debate in the U.S.S.R., according to one historian the connection between drinking and divorce is the fact that the modern Soviet womanis no longer willing to put up with the beatings and aggravationsof a drunken husband. “For ages, a woman hadto accept it quietly when her husband came home drunk,” says Igor Bestuzhev-Lada. ‘‘Sometimes she has to accept it now, but more often she says no.” Coincidentally, from Chicagoit is reported that last year for the first time more women than men killed their spouses in that city — by a score of 35 to 28. Police specialists in family services say that self-defense against abusive, violent or drunken husbands is frequently the cause of suchkillings. “With more handguns available today and women much moreindependent, it isn’t surprising we're seeing moreof this,’’ says a police department spokesman. You might call it instant divorce or do-it-yourself divorce, and the handgunless Russiansstill have a way to go to catch up to that. So They Say “Tax reform means don’t tax you, don’t tax me, tax that fellow under the tree.” — Sen. Russell Long (D-La.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Off the Beat South Africa Viewed Through Different Eyes By JERRY M. YOUNG Contrary to popular reports circulating in the United States South Africa’s problems center not in racial hatred but rather in cultural differences. So observes Dr. W. Cleon Skousen, BYU professor and noted lecturer and author Dr. Skousen recently spent a week in South Africa discussing the situation there with high ranking governmentleaders, educators, students and blacks. He said he found the South Africans irate over US.efforts to force their governmentto give in to one-man-one-vote rule and other concessions. “Our State Departmentis dealing with the most radical element in that country,’ Dr. Skousen said. ‘We couldn't be more wrong.” He told The Herald in an exclusive interview on his return that the newspapers in Johannesburgcalled it the “U.S. War Against South Africa. “We don't understand what is happening there,” Dr. Skousen reported. “Because of our own experience with blacks and because of what we read in the newspapers, we believe what is happening in South Africa is similar to what happened here.” Heexplainedthat in South Africa there is a mixture of nine tribes — eight black tribes and one whitetribe. Of the blacks the Zulu tribe is the largest and most feared by the other blacks Dr. Skousen said he asked a black cab driver if he wanted one-man-one-vote. The black said no. But the Utahn pressed with a second question in the spirit of “you can tel 1 me, I’mon your side.” 'No,” said the black, "We get one-man one-voteand that’s just what we would get — ‘one man with onevote. And he'd be a Zulu Wedon't want to be ruled bythe Zulus Dr, Skousen said all of the workers he talked with wererelatively happy with condi tions. They do not want the white man to Jeavebecauseheis the one that providesthe jobs 4 Nearly 250,000 blacks migrate into South Africa each year looking for jobs, Dr. Skousen said it costs $9,000 in capital invest ment to createa job for one black. Whitesare looked to for that investment. But all those migrants are anxious to get into the system. They wanttotake part in the prosperity of South Africa, Dr. Skousen said Then, if that is so, why then have there been riots and contentions,” Dr. Skousensaid that while he wastherehe saw no civil disobedience. Nothing happened during his visit. He said the riots were well planned and organized bystrong Marxist ele ments Given time I believe the South Africans will solve their differenc Dr Skousen said. They've gol schools and hospitals and housing for the blacks, trying to bring the low culture up to standards with the white Washington Window House Sneaks One by Quietly By GENE BERNHARDT WASHINGTON (UPI) — They've done it again, those Congressmen who are so concerned about Congress’ public image and complain that the press is alwaystaking a cheap shot at them. Forthefirst timein slighty more than a decadethat this observer has covered the House, a bill was introduced and called up minutes later and passed by voice. No reference to a committee for hearings, no debate, no explanation, no printed copies ofthe bill or an accompanying report, no record vote. Even the venerable Congressional Record, in reporting the previous day's activities, showed only that Rep. William Ford, D-Mich., asked and got unanimous consent‘‘for the immediate consideration of the bill H.R. It was done that way, with the obvious planning of the Democratic leadership and the silent acquiesence of the 70 or 80 members onthe floor at the time, becauseit gave a one shot increase in Congressmen’s pensions to encourage the older membersto retire and make room for younger blood It's the kind of thing that many members would say “the press would distort and not report objectively’ if there had beenpublic debate. The purpose of the bill had merit. Even Common Cause, the citizens’ lobbying group which haslittle favor among congressmen, supported the objective. It's doubtful, however, that it supported the method of passage. Just one of the problemshe pointed out was the high rate of disease among blacks. Dr, Skousen said that was one of the biggest reasons for Apartheid (South Africa's kind of segregation). Then he explained that manyof the country’s best hotels, churches and schools are freely integrated. Segregation still exists and is openlyevident in restrooms. But that, again, is a matter of health. Dr. Skousen saidit is and has been a difficult thing to bridge the cultural gap between a higher European type culture and the “jungle” culture of the blacks. Muchhas been done to accomplish that objective, he said. He reported talking with a girl who had graduated from college. A memberof the Zulu tribe and a social worker in Sotho (black community near Johannesburg), she also thought it would be a mistake for there to be black rule. In conversing with herit wasplain thattherestill remained residual fear of other tribes. A mine owner explained that two or three times each year there are major outbreaksof violence between various tribes working in the mines. Zulus will fight against the Swazis and so forth. Often between 15 and 20 areleft dead Complications result when a skilled black is assigned to direct members of another tribe. Without the influence of white tribe members there is conflict, Dr, Skousen pointed out The other tribe will not work. So what is the solution? He stressed that Paul Harvey Whatit did was allow pensions for those retiring next year to be figured from the current salary base, rather than determining the base from the averageof the three highest year's salaries, which is now in law and which will resume in January, 1979 For any House or Senate member retiring with the maximum pension, it means a one-time $3,426 a year in- crease in his pension over what he would get under the regular system. At last count, six Senators and 11 House members plan to retire next year and another nine are seeking otheroffices and could comeunder the pension if theylose. DanGlickman, a freshman Democrat from Kansas, said he wasn't aware of what happened until he read about it the next day in his hometown newspaper I wasabsolutely disgusted when I found out,” said Glickman. So were Reps. AndyJacobs, D-Ind., and Martha Keys, DKan. The three immediately introduced a resolution to amend the rules of the House “to require that measuresaffecting the salaries, freebies Next “‘show’’ wasin a tent on First North and University Avenue, present site of the bus station. No seats, you stood and watched a succession of one-reelers, some hand-colored in France When you tired of standing, youleft Then two theatres side by side where Hales’ and Wakefield’s are now. They were called the ‘‘Majestic’’ and ‘‘Grand,"’ featuring movies and vaudeville, with free candy and a drawing on prizes,all for a dime Next was the “Rex,” First West and Center, where the Fabricstoreis, featuring fulllength movies with solo interlude by owner Kent Cobb and sometimesanoldretired opera singer Louis Fenz These solos wereillustrated with colored slides About this time there was the ‘Bijou’, about 220 West Center; also the ‘Provo,’ site of the present Mary's BeautySalon. Then a Mr. J.B. Ashton came to Provo and started the “Ellen,” named after his younger daughter. Later on this theatre was taken over by the Epperson family of local musicians. It was renamed “Strand,” then later on it was owned by Ray Sutton, fetauring “Baby Grand Orchestra.” Mr. Ashton has by then openedthe ‘Princess,’ later known as the ‘Crest’ and certainly not instant establishment of black We need to demand of our leaders that they begin treating South Africa as an ally, he said. “It is in our enlightened self-interest to prevent Marxist forces fromtaking any additional territoryin Africa, especially South Africa Dr. Skousen said we must absolutely stop meddling in the domestic affairs of that nation. Forall that accomplishesis the creation of a hostile attitude toward the United States. Finally, he said there should be encouragement to invest in South Africa. He pointed out that there are some 26 minerals mined there, someof whichare strategically important to the United States Dr. Skousen said the State Department should exercise patience and understanding in dealing with South Africa “They want to be our friends. In contemplatinghis advice, would it nol be better to maintain a friendat the tip of South Africa where26,000ships pass each year — and where 20 percentof all Arabian oil bound for the US. passes by? Or should the State Department continue to we force South Africainto the hands of the Marx ists so that the Cape of Good Hope is in their hands” Congiess, they also kill “TM HIS AGENT” “Uinta” as managers changed Mr. Ashton then built the “Columbia’’ as a movie theatre, featuing vaudeville once a week from the Pantages circuit, during the World War I period. This theater later became the “Paramount.” Also in early days, movies were shown in the ‘Opera House,’ 50 North 100 West, later converted into the Armory. These shows offered “talkies” with a phonograph ‘on stage which more or less matchedaction on the screen (mostly less) Your No. 5 question regarding grocery stores on Center Street: Myfirst recollection was Howe's, about 40 W. Center. I was impressed because my dad bought me a coaster wagon there Next Sutton's Market about 70 W. Center, having moved there from about 20 N. University. While on Univer- sity Avenue we should mention Provo Meat and Packing which was “‘the”’ elite store of the era about 50 N. University; and later on across the street “‘Piggly Wiggly.” Sutton’s later on became Henroid's. Skip one store from Sutton Market to Speckart's Meat Market. Skip Another to Peterson's Grocery Next block: On Retirement Mostevery fast food restaurant in Chicago hasa sign out front: ‘HIRING’or ‘WAITERS WANTED’ or ‘IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY’. Yet the governmentcontinuesto pay 82,471 Chicagoans for not vere, If Congress will abolish the mandatory retirement age, many of those unfilled jobs will provide extra incomeforthe able elderly On Provo’s Theatres rule, which is what current U.S. foreign policies demand of South Africa not an enemy,” Glickman, in his freshman naiveness, said, ‘'As far as other members agreeing with this position, I think it would be very embarrassing if they don't go along with it.” What they pass so quietlyin Here’s a Rundown Train Robbery.” Of Our Laws former members of Congre be adopted byroll call vote.” Letters to Editor Editor Herald Enjoyed your ‘‘Old-Timer’’ column a few weeks ago. In regard to your No. 3 question about theaters First movie shown in Provo wasin a railroad Pulman car “parked"’ at Sixth South and University Ave. Customers went in one end, saw the show, and left at the other end as new viewersfiled in. The show was the “Great Modification or emoluments of members John T Taylor's 150 W. Center. Next block, Bailey's Market, 260 W. Center and Sutherland Brothers, 280 W. Center. Next block, Perry's Seed and Grocery (Mary's Hair-Do) And the next block: Kimber's Market, 418 W. Center; Sam Kopp's, 450 W. Center; Ralph Poulton’s Market, 470 W Center, andthis later became Redden's Maybe some other “‘oldtimer’ can add tothelist Karl W. Scherer Without waiting for the federal government to act, somestates are proceeding to abolish mandatory retirement at 65; California, Alaska, Maine. Since the advent of Social Security in the 1930s it has been the custom and has become the law — that every worker should have to stop work at age 65. Most unions and most businesseslikeit like that. Yet for those who want to keep working, the idea of forced retirementis a violation of their rights. George Sherman, personnel director for Midland - Ross in Cleveland, says, ‘Mandatory retirement is a terrible waste of human resources. Someof our best, most experienced people are forced out."” His company makesexceptions to the sixty - five - and - outrule. Nonetheless, most corporations want employees to retire at 65 or sooner and they fearthat legally to protect the employee's job past that age would makeit difficult for an employer to dismiss an inefficient worker. CBS finds thatit is having to relax its mandatory retirementrule in its Steinway unit because there are not enough younger piano makers. The Wall Street Journal's survey on this subject revealed that many industries are enforcing retirementat 65 “with exceptions.” A Ropersurvey reveals that two- thirds of working Americans want to retire early, however, when Roperasked peopleclosest to retirement, those sixty and older, only onethird wanted early retirement. Roper analysts infer from their findings that what most workers really want is the freedom to makethe retirement decision for themselves. The sense of the Congress now seems to favor some modification of the mandatory retirement laws The results will be economically significant Would reduce the burden on overburdened Social Security Would add to the economic powerof people in their sixties Would require companies which wantto encourage earlier retirement to fatten their pensions One of the factors encouraging elderly workers to keep working is inflation. What might have been a comfortable retirementincome ten years ago no longeris. And there is still a ‘joy in working’’ for some persons — fulfillment of the need to be needed — a reasonto get up in the morning which many younger persons have not yet experienced |