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Show Che BaihysMUerald Wednesday. June 27. 1979 THE HERALD. Prov NAN ENN VI ISTEN HON TA BRINGING RU THE LAST MINUTE \ THE BIG ENCHILAPA HOME AGAIN, You TELL ME / S FOR DINNER TON|GHT Utah—Page 39 1 tite The Refugee Emergency You've probably heard it before, something to the effect that the accidental death of one American can make headlines while the perishing of millions of Chinese by flood or famine may be noted in a paragraphontheinside pages. That old — andit is — observation is less a criticism of callousness on the part of Americans, or distorted news judgment on the part of the American press, than a comment on a basic truth about human reaction to human misery: Distance lends disinterest. Americans’ awareness of the world theyshare has changed considerably, however, since World War II. That conflict awakened them to the influence of distant peoples upontheir own affairs and to the need, as a matter of both conscienceand self-interest, to involve themselves in the relief of human distress where possible and wherever it occurs on the globe. Considerably but not completely. Southeast Asia is witnessing a humantragedy that may exceed anything in modern history with the exception of the genocidal devastation wrought by Nazi Germany and that already far exceeds measures taken to date to cope with it. It is not that the refugees flooding out of Vietnam and Cambodia go unreported. The compulsory exodus makes headlines daily on American front pages. But they have yet to arouse a response commensurate with the magnitude of the disaster. Vietnamhas madeit clear that it intends to expel all ethnic Chinese remaining in the country — possibly more than a million. At least half a million already have been forced out, with an appalling proportion dying at sea in the attempt to reach dubious haven in neighboring countries. A recent New York Times report cited a Red Cross estimate that deaths from drowning, exposure, hunger and thirst have risen recently from 50 to 70 percentof expelees. A primary reason being the use of unseaworthy boats. Meanwhile, Thailand, which has been receiving the bulk of refugees from the CambodianVietnamese war, has drawn the line. Troops are forcing tens of thousandsbackacrossthe border. To give the Thais their due, they have previously taken in refugees to the point where their capabilities to absorb more are Virtually exhausted. There are at least 150,000 now in campsin the country In comparison to national populations, that is the equivalent of the United Statesaccepting some one million Indochinese refugees, about four timesthe numberactually admitted to date Washington sees the situation aS a ‘massive disaster’ and ‘'calls upon” — State Department spokesman Hodding Carter 3rd's words — Hanoito cease compelling people to flee. Considering recent history, there is no reason to expect Hana: to respond in any fashion to a call issued from Washington, let alone in a cooperative fashion. There is also talk of seeking Soviet aid in interceding with the Vietnamese. But there would appear to be no advantage to the Kremlin in taking a hand in resolving a crisis that affects and embarrasses primarly the West. There is more to the U.S. response to the situation, however, than words and detentebased hopes. Some7,000 refugees per month are being admitted to the country. But this fall far short of meeting the need. Other Western countries are also assisting in resettlement, in particular France, Australia and Canada. The Red Cross, the International Rescue Committee and other nongovernment groups are deeply committed to alleviating the agony. But the problem is now of a scale that exceeds the efforts of individual countries or agencies to respondeffectively. Action on a muchbroaderbasis is urgently needed. The U.S. and British governments are reported to have reached this conclusion and to be preparing to press for an international response, mostlikely to be implemented througi. the United Nations. It is to be hoped that that faction-ridden organization is capable of rising to the occasion. Help can’t come too soon. So They Say ‘Waistlines stretching the front of an otherwise well - fitting blouse or shirt ... or pot bellies detract from good military appearance.” Lt. Joey Keefe of the U.S. Navy Military Personnel Command,explaining the reason for a new military weight control program. Off the Beat ing and obviously in serious distress. The next evening he was observed in the neighborhood in nearly the same condition Aboutthat timeothercitizens were noticed doing the same thing. There were manyin- volved but the movement hv4not yet reached epidemicproportions. | Today the condition can no longer be ignored . “T can’t. imagine anyone doing such a thing,’ said one womanin the neighborhood “Hewill surely kill himself.’ In discussions with other friends it was shocking to learn others wereparticipating in the sameanticsonly they were morediscreet about when theydid it “Heck,” one prominent educator confessed, ‘Dean and doit every morning. Come on and join us,” he solicited Not willing to commit to something that might compromisetheintegrityof a possible news story, this journalist smiled, thanked him for the invitation andleft in wonder at the powerful influence this new movement was having over so manypeople. Butin studying the conditionit became obvious that the practice wasnotatall new. People have been involved with such things since back in the days of ancient Greece. As a college student this writer can recall meeting some strange young men who had takenup the practice in high school and were still addicted decent pair of shoes. “And slow down,” one of them said. “It doesn't really make anydifference how fast you run.” Thefirst time out it seemed like a snail's pace. The second timeout it was even harder to finish a full mile Soon came the announcement. “'I like it And I'm going to keep on running just as long as I can.” Since that time personal goals and outside incentives have pushed participation to proportions that three months ago seemed unattainable — really impossible. Butit’s true. You feel better when you run. Yousleep better. You won't keel over with a heart attack if you watch how youbuild up — even if you push yourself. (Naturally, of course, you should seek medical advice if there are any questions.) You feel stronger throughout the day. You are morealert. Your digestive system worksbetter. You want to eat less — you can't eat sweet things. And a lot of other things O course there are the problemstoo — like the other day when three dogs camechasing this runner. And when a lady was driving down Columbia Lane at 5:30 a.m. — heading straightfor this runner, causing him to jump out of the way. And whenfriends makefun of the red beret he wears. And that brings us to whypeople run early in the morning. But that's another expose. ‘ NG; Letters to Editor Repealing Davis-Bacon WASHINGTON Exam, ples of government programs that generate problems in Stead of curing them are legion. Few. however. are so obviously counterproductive as the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 This is a piece of labor legislation adopted in the trough of the Depression for the purpose of deciding wage rates on Federal construction projects It requires the Secretary of Labor to determine that workers on such projects arepaid the ‘‘prevailing” wage of laborers in the vicinity — on its face. a seemingly innocuous idea. In practice. however, Davis: Bacon has been a chronic source of economictrouble. and thus a perennial candidate for repeal or reformation. Al ot which has prompted Sen Orrin and Rep Hateh R-Utah Thomas Hagedorn R-Minn to press for repeal of Davis-Bacon. Their legisla tion to this effect (S29. H.R 1900 which has attracted eight co-sponsors House — 1s simplicityitself declaring the law of 1931. and some 77 other legal provisos related to it, null and void And whileit ts doubtful at this point whether sufficient sentiment exists for outright repeal. support for the proposal could help to muscle through substantial revisions in connected areas. Preliminary skirmishes on such points have been inconclusive. Two weeks ago, power of the government in supportof the highest possible union wagerates. Thepoint is driven home in a recentreport of the General Accounting Office, citing numerous instances in which “prevailing” wages determined by the Federal govern- mentwere vastly higher than the general wages of the area —contrary to the stated intention of the law. In one Tennessee construction project, the wages paid federally employed construction workers were $8.75 an hour. compared to $4.25 for comparable labor in the local ‘‘prevailing™ resulted in ‘‘significant in creased costs to the Federal government.” and deplored “the impact excessive wage determinations have on in flating construction costs and disturbing local wagescales Among the devices usedto arrive at such determinations are such things as the cent rule’ — "30per permitting wages paid this many workers in a given area to be defined as ‘‘prevailing.’’ and stretching the area covered for comparison to connect up with heavily unionized locations. This has the effect not only of increasing costs, but of discriminating against job seekers in the local area — again contrary to the intent of the law. Among those injured by this procedure are small contractors, non-union job- seekers, and minority workers priced out of the market Barbs The number of trial balloons sent up is directly proportionate to the amount of hot air possessed by those who launch them pessimist is a fellow who refers to the country's “foundering” fathers. The boss grumpsthat, if it could be patented, we'd hold the rights to the original booboo machine. ’ Steelworkers? repeal proponents won one battle. but lost another. The Senate Armed Services Com mittee, at the urging of Sen John Tower (R-Tex), adopted an amendment which would eliminate Davis-Bacon provi- sions from military construction projects. On the other hand, the House of Representatives voted down a motion to do the same in poverty neighborhoods and Indian reservations. The GAO estimates that Davis-Baconrestrictions add $715 million to government costs each year — which adds to Federal deficits and inflation. All in all, a persuasive bundle of reasons for repeal (c) 1979, Los Angeles Times Syndicate WHO IS THE STEELWORKER? Is he as many people think. a lowclass stupid type? Doeshe get paid too much money fortoolittle work? Does he have too manybenefits too nice a home, carete.” As a steelworker I have been confronted withthis type of opinion many times. Yes, we have jobs that pay well, with good benefits But for this manyof us work odd hourson hot. dirty jobs that people whodislike us wouldn't take for twice the money. Many of us work , around the clock. Manyofourjobs require us to work on weekendsandholidays. Wesend ourchildrentolocal colleges like BYU or Trade Tech. We coach and support Little League, T-Ball. soccer teams. We support and enjoy high school and college sports programs Wepaytaxes and support local American businesses. Some of us even own and operate small businesses We have families with hopes and ¢reams Many of us .re membersof local churches. clui. act ve poliucial parties. and all manner of state and local organizations Lighter Side decided by the market. Davis- fect has been to deploy the Who Are The and problems. Becauseit tries to regulate Bacon is flawed in concept Butit is even more erroneous in application. Since the Department of Labor is notoriously susceptible to the interests of the unions, the provisions of the law have been construed almostentirely to the satisfaction of organized labor. The net ef in the Senate and more than 80 in the matters that would be better wages, almost always in the direction of union-dictated wage rates. Comptroller General Elmer Staats con. cluded that Davis-Bacon At least two participants advised to get a THAW |.stanton Evans ly determined Oddly enough those who had departed from normal behaviorto practice this thing kept a certain look about them. It was a wonderpeople didn’t try to keep them outof restaurants or other public places. Curiosity heightened, three months agothis writer decided to sacrifice himself for the good of mankind. To get thereal inside story it was obvious that whoeverdid the expose would have to lower himself and participate WHY DIPN'T ? ty ENTA HULME ET Wok SHR TECECRAM Over-all, GAO evaluated 73 cases in which the Departmentof Labor had inaccurate- Addicted Beyond Hope .) 2 GAS STATION rea Thousands of Residents By JERRY M. YOUNG Herald City Editor It has to be appropriateat this time and in this city to conduct an in-depth investigation into a movement which obviously has addicted thousands of Central Utah citizens ‘This writerfirst became aware of such an insidious situation when his highly respected back-fence neighbor could be seen practicing the fad well over a year ago. He wasred faced, breathing hard. perspir- T'S THE MANAGER OF THE CORNER WHOIS THE STEELWORKER? Verylikely he is the person next door your friend and The Economics Of the Hemline neighbor, wholoves his family. church and country just like you do. Please. remember these things next time you ask yourself, who is the steel worker? Sincerely Dennis F. Holdaw 260 N. 500 E By DICK WEST WASHINGTON (UPI) — Hemlines, according to Wall Street folk lore, make fairly reliable economicindicators. Historically, skirt lengths have gone up and down with the Dow Jones Average. ris- ing in boom times and dropping when the economy was faltering These parallel fluctuations may havebeenentirely coin- cidental. but assuming there is something to the hemline theory. what does one make of the currentslit skirt vogue? The s‘irts themselves are long enough to signal a haircurling recession. Yet enough leg is revealed to presage two chickens in everypot. I figured this apparent contradiction, duality or ambiguity could best be ex- plained by a_ professional economist, so I solicited an interpretation from Prof. John Kenneth Turnipblood. author ot The Pants Suit Syndrome and other text books What vou are seeing in slit skirts is President Carter's wage-price guidelines.” he said The low hemline corres- ponds to the antrintlationary aspects of his economy policies. The open space up the sideis caused by the consumer price index and recent union contracts I said. “That seems a well thought out analogy What skirt style would be most helptul for the economy at this time? “The president's economic advisors would like hemlines no higher than the bottom of the knee and perhaps a bit below. Buy making that length fashionable is nearly impossible The teamster contract signedin the spring took skirt slits almost to mid-thigh. and the new rubber workers wage scale may provide a glimpse of the area where the thigh bone connecta to the hip bone Hoo bev'™ 1 exclaimed Alfred Kahn is going to lose his mind What do you anticipate will emerge fashionwise. from the auto in dustry negotiations coming up. later this year? Turnipblood bared his teeth inalustful grin “Itis my best judgment that the price of labor peace in the auto in dustry will be a skirt that is slit to the waist I gave a low whistle. “I neverrealized economics was such a fascinating subject. No wonder Treasury Secretary Blumenthal always has a gleam in his eye. Drawing on your great storehouse of expertise in this field, could you possiblyforetell the impactof the next OPEC meeting?” “Tryto picture in your mind a tight-fitting dress whose hemline falls almost to the floor but which has a slit one one side that runs all the way to the armpit,” Turnipblood replied. ‘That will give you some idea of the upcomingoil price increase. Although the economicoutlookis highly provocative. I'm not overly worried. Any economy that was robust enough to withstand the miniskirt surely can survive the Suzie Wong syndrome. Thoughts Crem Parade Without A Color Guard? I suppose as people getolder, nostalgia for the past becomesan occasional part of their life — parades no exception. I must admit that I rememberparadesin a different era — paradeswith beautifully groomed horses and fancy riding. Parades with clever clowns who could bring a smile to any cherub along the toure. Parades with hay wagons, modelT's, covered wagons and old pipe organs — all relics even in that day. Parades with bands, yes, manybandsall trying their bestto out-do the others with their marching techniques and perky music. Parades with bag pipes and kilts. indians and cowboys. veterans of the past and service men of the present — all proud to represent the part they or their ancestors played in our great land. Parades where the city elect walked orrode in vehicles that allowed them to personally shake hands and pat heads — uniquely becoming part of the crowd and its enthusiasm. To Inspire “Onthe knees of the gods” meaning at the disposal of the gods, or beyond human control, can be traced back to the ancient custom of laying children on the knees of father or grandfather as a recognition symbol that the children were legitimate membersof the family ‘And Joseph saw I suppose that change in a modern innovative community1s justified by reasonsof time, people. events and circumstances. In what category. however, dearly, I am truely ashamed. Have we come so far in our modern wayof thinking. which bans anything of a religious nature, that we are nowgoing to phaseout patriotismandthe American Flag also I may only be “one” but I'ma very shocked ‘‘one™ who can’t believe it ever happened either by design or accident Betty Richardson Ephraim’s children of the third generation were brought up upon Joseph's knees.” — Gen. 50:23 Diplomatese. The talks were very frank Translation: The negotiators are teed-off at each other I'm strictly impartial; you just won't commit yourself. do we ever justify leaving out the color guard and the American Flag in a city parade. For a town I love so. Orem Berry's World { f f People whosmile constant ly whiie at work are either supremely confident or completelyqualified for a nervous breakdown Front-office chill is guaranteed to make most any wageserf have more cool than he could possibly care to keep. The Mosaiclaw on divorce wasthe first to give the wife consideration and justice. Before Moses a_ divorced wife was practically an outcast. “When a manhath taken a wife...and it come to pass that she find no favor in his eyes...then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand...and when she is departed...she may go and be another man’s wife.” — Deut. 24:1-2 4 [usar thar ths | THIS SUNDAY: NEXT SUNDAY: EVEN |