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Show tlli. mi lia-pl- x rr The Salt Lake Tribune. Friday, January 12 17 1ST! Economy Pure Confusion Just Ask Your Cabbie The Washington Post WASHINGTON Never try to explain anything to a cabbie Hell only drive you mad. This particular cabbie me to the Executive Office Building. where I was planning to make a pop call on Alfred E Kahn, White House comedian and inflation czar. I could have saved you the trip," said the driver, when he learned where I was going. "The reason we've got this inflation and all these other problems is because our leaders wont level with us They keep trying to feed us a bill of goods, with all their fancy charts and Mas taking predictions." Thats when to explain I made my big mistake. I tried to the cabbie why he was wrong. "Dont sneer at those fancy charts and told him. Thats the governments way of keeping us out of trouble You 1 predictions," remember when they tried to make us understand that energy was a limited resource and that if we didnt start conserving it, wed w ind up in terrible .shape? Resulted Trouble "Well, we didnt listen, and what we got was those awful lines at the gasoline stations, additions to our utility bills and a smack in the (ace from OPEC. Don't be a sucker, mister." he said. "The reason for those gas station lines was that the oil people wanted us to get so desperate that wed he willing to pay 75 cents a gallon for gas, just so Jong as there was gas to buy. Isn't there plenty of gasoline now Think about it. The oil "Same with the utility rip-ofcompanies feed us a bunch of junk so we wont holler too much w hen we have to pay those big bills You say you're a reporter and you dont understand something that simple?" I remained cool "No. my good man," 1 said. "The government tried to tell us to conserve energy so these things would not happen. You see, sometimes it is necessary for our leaders to predict that certain bad things will happen in order to prevent their happening. in f. Whos Confused? "Now youre getting confused, the cabbie said. That was civil defense you're talking about, not energy. I remember how they used to try to make us build bomb shelters and all that jive so the Russians would take our threats seriously. In other words, if we built bomb shelters, we wouldnt need them; if we didn't, we would That was so dumb, even the until government stopied talking about it recently , anyway "But thats got nothing to do with energy and, besides, we were supjxtsed to be talking about inflation." "Precisely," 1 said 1 was simply try ing to point out that you oversimplify when you pin everything on the governmental credibility "How can you not believe the president when he says that inflation is wrecking the economy ? And dont you understand him when he says the only thing that can lick inflation is an economic a recession, if you want to call it downturn that Mess Stops Mess? other "In words, the cabbie said, turning and looking me square in the eye, the way to stop messing up the economy is to mess up the economy. "That's not what 1 said," I retorted Look mister, he went on, "I had a no gentleman in my cab just the other day offense, but he seemed to he a lot smarter than and he was telling me that the economy you is getting better, not worse. In a recession, the GNP is supposed to go down, right ? Well, this man was telling me that for the last two quarters its been going up Doesnt that prove that Carter has been bluffing "Not at ail, I said. "The more the economy perks up now, the further it will have to fall when the trouble comes." This time he actually stopped the cab What are you. he demanded, Some kind of nut" Youre worried because things are getting . better? People Believed If you'll be good enough to continue driving Ill explain it to you, I said "The reason the upturn spells trouble is this: The people believed the president when he said things were going to get worse, so they decided they d better buy what they needed before things got worse. So they started buying houses, cars, refrigerators and television sets right away for fear that later on they wouldnt be able to afford them. And it is that selfish attitude that will bring on a bad recession. When people buy today the things they would have bought next year and the year after, w hat are they going to be buying in 1980 and 1981? Nothing, thats w'hat, and there goes the economy 1 see, he said. "The president warns me that hard times are coming at me like a runaway freight train, but Im not supposed to do any thing to try to get off the track. You sure you're a reporter? Of course Im sure. I said. "And if you dont believe me, you can take me right back to my newspaper office right now. After all, theres no point in talking to Alfred Kahn if cant even make a cab driver understand whats happening. (Copyright) . 1 M ike Ht k Solons Also Fly South iu Winter s Chicago The congressional aide, sitting behind his desk in Washington, was obviously irritated by the phone call and questions from Chicago. "Here we go again, he said with disgust. "You know, I think the way the press covers foreign travel (by congressmen) is highly irresponsible. How can a congressman do his job if he cant travel? These trips are necessary. Sun-Time- CHICAGO Well, I try not to be irresponsible, but it hap-jr pened that I was sitting in frozen Chicago. Millions of other Americans were in frozen Milwaukee or frozen Duluth or frozen somewhere else. Intrigued by Junket was intrigued by a fact finding junket just begun by nine or ten congressmen, a few wives and several of their aides. k The trip is taking them from So I two-wee- Washington to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic Haiti and Cuba. This, of course, is the best time of year to go to such places. If you can afford it, which most of you can't. But if you could go. the way to go would be in style which is the way the congressmen, the w ives and aides will be doing it No standing in line at airline ticket counters for them. No waiting around for the luggage Air Force Jet Transport They are going to be traveling in an Air Force jet transport that has been put at their disposal for the entire two weeks. So, despite the irritation and disgust of the congressional aide, I was curious and wanted to know two things: Why were they making the trip? How much is it costing us? These questions were put to the irritable Jack Brady, chief of staff for the House International Affairs Committee, which In. U up the junket. His answer as to why the trip was being made was a snappish sun-kisse- d "Didnt The Public Forum Tribune Readers' Opinions Black Box Myth would like to praise the Federal Aviation (FAAj for their role in aviation safety, bul 1 vehemently oppose their overall of a approach to preventing a San Diego type incident by increasing the amount of controlled air space. 1 further object to your editorial and the companion article written by Frank Brunsrnan in the Dec. 30 Tribune As a professional safety engineer, aircraft owner and instrument-rate- d pilot. I find both of these articles inaccurate First of all, in the editorial you tried to compare airline passenger tickets with the number of "private This comparison is like plane owners. bananas and apples are alike They are not common denominators. Secondly, many of the general population have the misconception that general aviation consists only of light airplanes. If one could afford it. he (and many other private pilots) could purchase any size airplane uptd Boeing 717 and still lc considered as general aviation Therefore, there is no relationship As long as weather conditions allow flight under visual flight rules (VFR), there is no requirement that any airplane including commercial airlines fly in controlled airspace. About three years ago I was returning to Salt Lake City from the Grand Canyon. 1 was on airways (controlled airspace), at the designated altitude for the direction of flight and in VFR conditions. As I was about to alter my course, I was almost run over by a Hughes Airwest jet at my altitude and off airways. I'm sure he never saw me. My airplane contains many black boxes, hut unfortunately all of these and radar tend to make some pilots complacent about seeing and avoiding other air traffic as was evidenced by the PSA pilot at San Diego. GEORGE J. BUTLER. P E Midvale I administration Disguised Rules Tlic Tribune has apparently abandoned its historic editorial policy of resisting excessive governmental interference with the private sector The Dec. SO, editorial regarding specious FAA air safety policies demonstrates a lack of journalistic investigation. H is asserted that the FAAs proposed action will provide the greatest good for the greatest number, but overlooks the fact that in 1977, 98 K percent of U S aircraft were privately owned, only t.2 percent were owned by domestic carriers, that general aviation flights totalled (It I percent of all aircraft miles flown in 1977 (mine than t.li billion miles', and 99 99916 percent of general, aviation and 99.9999-percent of airline flights were completed without a fatality The editor has jumped on the bureaucratic bandwagon and encourages the FAA to do something, even if its wrong. General aviation pilots are as concerned, if not more concerned, about safety as the general public. After all, their lives, as well as the lives of others, are on the line each time they fly But will the FAA proposal enhance safety? Consider the fact that, at the time of the San Diego disaster, both aircraft were in constant rudio contact with controllers, both wire on controlled landing approaches in accordance with regulatory procedures and instruction-- i both were exactly where controllers instructed them to be, and the radar screens (through conflict alert apparatus) screamed at the controllers that a collision was imminent. Thus, both aircraft were operated under the positive radar control" and used substantially the same equipment proposed by the FAA for 124 additional airports. Yet, even under this new" control, for reasons known only to the controllers, no timely warning was given the pilots Was it the lack of adequate equipment or a controller error that caused the disaster I think the latter similar disaster will not he averted merely TCAs at 124 airport-- . Other, more practical means of effecting aircraft A by establishing Forum Rules Public Forum letters must be submitted exclusively to The Tribune and bear writer s full name, signature and address. Names must be printed on political letters but may be withheld for good reasons on others. Writers are limited to one letter every 10 days. Preference will be given to short, typewritten double spaced) letters permitting use of the writer's true name. All letters are subject to condensation. Mall to the Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, Box 867, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84110. separation are available and, in fact, a dump truck of rules should not be imposed when only a spoonful is all thats needed The general public should lie as concerned as general aviation about the expense of sophisticated radio and radar equipment since tax dollars are being spent for ground facilities of questionable value. Most private aircraft flying in the vicinity of metropolitan airports are already equipped with the necessary equipment, voluntarily acquired to promote safety. We strenuously object to the imposition of flight restrictions under the guise of avoiding recurrence of the San Diego disaster when that disaster occurred notwithstanding the operation of all the fancy equipment. Give as something that will in fact promote flight safety and we will be the first to give our support. F ALAN FLETCHER Puzzling Cruelty In the news the past few months certain stories disturbed me One story reported that about 100 dogs were burned to find out whether a newly discovered salve was effective against bums. Another item told of a similar nttmlhT of dogs whose spines were broken to test a surgical procedure to enable the dogs to w alk again For the majority of the animals the surgery was not successful. Michael Kilian, a syndicated writer, reported in The Tribune on rabbit torture The rabbit was imprisoned in stocks, its eyes were held open, and experimental chemicals were poured into it Rabbits have no tear ducts, so they can't cry This made the testers happy because there were no tears to wash the chemicals away. The cosmetic people wanted to find out what harm It would do to a woman if some of the Irritant got into her eyes In the words of Mr. Kilian, is this cruelty justified His answer, in a world of any decency, should he no. In the local news it was reported that there were 3,200 cases of child abuse and neglect last year. However, these reported cases were only the tip of the iceberg because of the number of unreported cases, according to Mr. Walles, of the State Division of F amily Sendees. As a former member of the board of directors and executive secretary of the Humane Society, I knew animal cruelty cases that came to our attention each month. They often exceeded 100. And some of these cases bordered on extreme cruelty. Starving animals to death is slow torture. But more than one dying horse or dog or cow had to be put out of its misery by the Humane Society which now, because of lack of funds, mast curtail some of its activities. Those individuals who are inclined to be sadistic I guess will continue to be active, but I leave the answers to the professionals on human behavior. ALFRED JOHN CORDERY Investigate FT A Recently the general manager of the Utah Transit Authority announced a in service necessitated by a shortage of serviceable buses and inadequate maintenance facilities By so doing, the general manager admitted to a partial failure of the transit authority in achieving their purpose of reducing energy consumption, reducing pollution, and providing inexpensive and good public transportation to the citizens of Utah. It is possible that the present management of UTA is not to be blamed for the current problems of UTA. For the most part the management is relatively new to their job and inherited their problems from previous man agement. Llowever, there is one very important phase of management that has not changed and must accept final responsibility for the mess at UTA I refer to the chairman and members of the board of UTA. For reasons I don't understand, this group is receiving very little criticism for an obviously inadequate job. In announcing their k in service, the general manager of UTA suggested that floods of letters and telephone calls had led to the need to act. There were other pressures Petitions were being circulated calling for an investigation of UTA. The general managers announcement was perhaps less a courageous act than one forced upon him by a board who does not want their failure to be investigated At any rate, 1 for one hope that UTA's latest gambit does not defuse pressures for investiga tion. Failure in planning is obviois and the reasons for that failure should be made clear to a public that supports a system which has become inadequate. cut-bac- k you gef a press release" Food. Lodging Allowance And when asked how much it would cost, he said that each congressman received $75 a day for food and lodging. How much does the Air Force jet cost "1 dont know." he said, sounding as if he also didnt care. But 1 care, irresponsible as that may be We are in a time of belt tightening. The president and other leaders are urging us to do with less and to keep a stiff upper lip. But while doing with less, we must remember to pay our taxes. And if we dont remember, the federal government will come and feed us to a computer. Sci 1 find it curious that in such times, an Air Force jet would be chauffeuring politicians to various tropical playgrounds. Aides Also Get Paid When asked if the aides also got the $75 a day for food and lodging, Brady said: Yes, it is the same for them Listen, you seem to think that $75 a day is a lot." As a matter of fact, I do. But a helluva lot of people work hard and dont earn $75 a day, or $375 a week. And theyre supporting entire families on that amount or less. Well, when was the last time you traveled? Driving to work this morning "I mean foreign travel. Not for many years.- Lunch Getting Cold "I thought far." so Well, $75 a day doesn't go very Brady didn't have much more to say, besides complaining that "my lunch is getting cold " A colonel at the Pentagon provided a bit of information about the Air Force jet being used in the trip. He said it is comparable to a DC 9, would crew, and that two probably have a four-maAir Force "escort officers" would go along to smooth tilings out for the congressional group That means they will provide them with food, flunkies. liquor and act as How much does it qcst to operate the plane My chart shows that as $1,185 an hour. n How many hours w ill it be in the air during this trip? "We wont know that until the trip is over. And w hat does the crew do while it is on the" ground during these two weeks "Nothing. Theyre on their own. The colonel did not know how much it costs td, have a four-macrew, plus two escort officers and an airplane sitting around Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, waiting fpl the congressmen, their aides and wives to finish snapping up some facts. But we asked the Pentagon colonel why he didn't get himself assigned as an escort officer so he could be in Jamaica too. Europe, South Popular "Or Europe," he said "They like to go to Europe before Christmas and somewhere south when it is cold. Indeed they do A study made by Congressional Quarterly last year showed that in 1977 more than 400 foreign junkets were made by 255 congressmen. They went everywhere hut the land of 0? Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South and Central America. Africa, you name it. If it is on a map, you can bet that some congressman was there at our expense. Europe is the favorite. It was visited by 241 congressmen, plus aides and wives. Antarctica Least Liked Can you guess the least popular spot? Antarctica, of course Only two congressmen made that trip. y To show how many stops a in here is one make can year, congressman where Rep Edward Derwinski. R 111. went in 1977, according to the study Switzerland, Denmark Tahiti, American Samoa, New Zealand. Australia, Indonesiai Taiwan. Jordan, Syria, Bahrain, Sudan Egypt, n fact-hungr- . and Greece. Bulgaria (Derwinski was scheduled to go on the current Jamaica-ettrip, but he canceled out at the last minute, when the trip started receiving publicity.) Rep Henry Hyde. R 111., a very conservative fellow, isnt conservative about junketing That same year, he went to Thailand, Singapore, Yugoslavia, Romania, Hungary', Czechoslovakia and England. When winter came, he headed for Cuba. Colombia, Chile, C sta Rica, Argentina and Brazil. Slow Year for Solon s of Chicago, Dan Rostenkowski. Rep had a slow year. But he still dropped in on Poland, Israel. Egypt, Spain and Portugal Even Rep John Fary, D 111., a City Hall flunky from Chicagos Southwest Side, went somewhere France, for the Paris Air Show Hows that for looking out for the natiqnal e. interests? 1 interesting to hear what startling facts the congressmen pick up while in lotion works Jamaica, Haiti, etc. Which sun-ta- n best? Where to go for the best red snapper What's new1 in voodoo r had the At $1,185 an better lie good because for 50 cents they could travel on the L in Chicago, and 1 guarantee they would find that enlightening. (Copyright) It will lx- - fact-findin- g air-hou- Despite a changing world, popcorn is still everything it's cracked up to he If God meant man to live as a bachelor, He wouldnt have invented married friends The Wav It Was cut-bac- J. BLAIR STOiNE Paramedic Comfort again I had reason to call on the paramedics. Again, as before, they were with me within two minutes, to help and assist me with my husband How can I thank them emough To me, personally, they were so very kind, courteous and such comfort MRS BETTI E LOFSTROM Once Here are the briefs of news in The Salt Lake Tribune from 100, 50 and 25 years ago: January 12, 1879 FRISCO. Utah The town of Frisco, or the southeastern portion of it, had a narrow escape frqm being consumed by fire on Monday night last. At about 10 oclock a fire was discovered in a small board building used as a dwelling by Ervin Stoddard and his family. A strong wind was blowing from the north and the snow was falling quite heavily at the time, which likely prevented a further spread of the fire. The building, however, burned so rapidly that very few of the household effects were saved Fortunately this building stood alone, or else in spite of snow or rain the southeastern portion of this city would have been laid to ashes. January 12, 1929 Natural gas will be piped into Salt Lake early next fall. This prediction was freely made by high officials of the various gas Interests who arrived in Salt Lake Friday The officials from the cast, engaged in the enterprise of production, interstate transportation from Baxter basin field and distribution in Salt Lake and other cities from Ogden to Sandy, arrived to help push the work to completion. Beginning Friday morning a special train of fifty carloads of pipe consigned to the Uintah Pipe Line company arrived over the Denver-Ri- o Grande Western railroad , January 12, 1954 The mournful wail of yesterday s kcomotiv; whistle brings a trainload of sentimental memories to old timers. Ami many of them have protested in strong language to railroad officials against the "outrageous bawl of the modern Diesel engine horn We share the nostalgia for the train whistle At long last two railroad firms are going to do something about the public opposition to their "fog horn" locomotive whistles The New York Central announces it will install a new version of the steam whistle, and the Baltimore and Ohio plans to sound some giant chimes Old timers want the melancholy whistle back, but they are, after all, a diminishing minority. In a few years a generation attuned to the unsonorous honk of the Diesel even on toy trains may react to the unfamiliar shrill whistle with hostility . high-powere- d |