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Show THE SALT LAKE TIMES Combined uith Te Salt Lake Mining & Legal Neva Published Every Friday at Salt Lake City, Utah Second Gass Postage Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah 711 South "Vlaa THE SALT LAKE TIMES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1976 Page Two We. Temple Telephone Salt Lake Gty, Utah .84101 GLENN BJORNN, Publisher 364-846- 4 jmb&xtiimu not nuned or controlled by my party, dan, clique, faction or corporation." Number 33 Volume 56 10 We Have Our Freedom, If We Can Keep It (continued from page 1) Alexis de Tocqueville observed in the 1830s that an independent press constituted the chief element of freedom in the modern world. A nation which is determined to remain free is therefore right in demanding the unrestrained exercise of this independence. In this schizophrenic, nuclear area the spokesmen for sanity should be the calm journalistic voices, but in spite of the unhappiness with our society the press owes the people absolute intellectual honesty. It must continue to tell them how it is, painful as it may be for them as well as the press. If given the truth the people can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the truth. Public opinion based on our misinformation will put our country into great trouble. The truth can be like a sleeping giant, slow to rouse, but maginificent in its strength. In arriving at the truth, the press should not inflame the public purposely, but neither should it lull the public into a false sense of security. Our press is not a tenant of political power and that is why almost nothing goes on in government that' is not examined, plumbed, analyzed, guessed about, criticized and caricatured by the media. All this affects the American people, as it should. But that doesn't mean that they necessarily accept it as revealed truth. The virtue of liberty, and the ground on which we may best justify our belief in it, is that it will tolerate Utah Taxpayers May Receive Tax Cut In 1977 Utah should be able to balance its state budget during the forthcoming 1977-7- 8 fiscal year without any major increase in general fund and school fund taxes. In fact, there is a possibility that some tax reduction could be considered for next year. This was the conclusion reached by Utah Foundation, the nonprofit tax research organization, in its annual analysis of the condition of Utah state finances. Among the taxes that might be reduced by the 1977 Utah Legislature are the inheritance tax (which was actually cut by the 1976 Budget Session but later vetoed by the Governor for fiscal reasons) and the individual income tax (which was raised by the 1975 Legislature but trimmed back slightly by the 1976 Budget Session). In addition, special exemptions for the sales tax andor the property tax are other areas of tax reduction that might be considered. On the other hand, there is a possibility that the motor fuel tax could be increased if it is decided to finance highway operations entirely revenues. The from highway-use- r Foundation report notes that the unresolved problem of financing the state highway program is one dark cloud in an otherwise bright state financial picture. According to the Foundation analysis, Utah should conclude the fiscal year with a present (1976-7of million based on $26.8 surplus e revenue estimates and the presently authorized level of state spending. This is a marked improvement over the prospects at the close of the 1976 Budget Session when the Governor vetoed five appropriation items along with an inheritance tax reduction in order to bring the budget into balance with his revenue 7) mid-rang- re-examin- ed, errors in order to serve the truth. The press naturally wants to report all the news that is fit to print, and at times its concern with the rights of the accused to a fair and impartial trial may appear secondary. On the other hand, individual judges, overly concerned with a fair trial, may underrate the right of the people to be fully informed. Judges need to better understand the journalist's point of view. Newsmen are not enemies of the judicial system. They are not necessarily out to sell papers or boost ratings. Journalista are, on the contrary, usually characterized by, even obsessed by, a powerful sense of justice. Recognition of this by the courts is essential. A juror may be unable to form an independent judgment because of his own prejudices. That is why prospective jurors can be challenged. And, if publicity is thought to be a factor, trials can be postponed, venues changed, jurors sequestered. The newspapers are the custodians of the freedom of the press, once they begin to use that freedom to their own advantage they place it in jeopardy. Lest we forget, the liberty exercised by the press belongs to all the people and not the press alone. The press, whose livelihood is in the furnishing of information and opinion to others, therefore have both the privilege of freedom and the duty to make it worth keeping. The people can make freedom of the press worth keeping by writing their Senators and Congressmen to see that their freedom is never curtailed y legislation. To paraphrase Ben Franklin, we have our freedom, if we can keep it. th- eLEASED The fiscal outlook for 1977-7- 8 also appears to be quite encouraging. If per capita and per student costs are to reflect the increse raised 5Yt cost-of the in. living that has occured during the past year, present revenue sources should be sufficient to meet all general fund and uniform school fund costs and still leave $64.1 million for tax items such as reduction, one-tim- e amounts for new probuildings, and activities, and to supplegrams ment amounts provided for regular programs. Foundation analysts warn, however, that part of the balance remaining after providing for basic general fund and school fund requirements represents nonrecurfunds ring funds. If such one-tim- e are used to expand existing programs or createnew ones, financial problems could occur in future years when these non-recurri- GRAPEVINE Much of the credit was given this week to a University of Utah professor for the release of two Chilean political prisoners jailed in their own country. Dean of the U. of U. Graduate School, Dr. Sterling McMurrin, interceded on behalf of two physics students arrested in Chile Dec. 31, 1975, for alleged subversive activities. Dr. McMurrin interceded on their behalf with the U.S. and Chilean governments, as well as the Human Rights Commission of the Organization of American States. The University of Utah will have to ask the 1977 Legislature for a $427,000 deficit approriation to finish the 1976-7- 7 year in the black, moratoriums and cuts, despite freezes. U. of U. President, Dr. David P. Gardner, said this week that the university "lost $870,000 in expected tuition revenue when 1976 fall enrollment dropped more than 900 below last years level. Gardner announced these actions to help meet the deficit. Take $65,000 from the schools contigency fund, freeze coal purchases and use from stockpile to save $190,000, declare moratorium on employa ment of any new personnel to fill vacancies, saving $120,000, and cut budgeted expenditures and supplies, other than fixed costs, by one percent. ng funds are spent and revenue growth slows down. Included among the long-rang- e fiscal problems facing the state are the following: (1) school enrollments once again are beginning to rise resulting in increased costs, (2) the state ' retirement system will require continuing enlarged state contributions in the years ahead, and (3) the unresolved problem of financing Utah's highway program will place added burdens on state revenue sources. Finally, the Foundation report observes that state revenues in Utah have expanded during recent years primarily because of (1) economic growth within the state and (2) inflation. With the rate of inflation subsiding somewhat, state An Ogden attorney, Richard revenues may not continue to grow Richards, State Republican Chairat the same rate in the future as man, was in Denver this week they have in the past. discussing with regional party leaders the advisability of his seeking the national GOP chairmanship. Richards said several factors must be worked out before he makes a decision to pursue the position Mrs. Agnes Beaton, whose being vacated by Mary Louise nephew was knocked off his bicycle Smith, the first woman GOP chairby a hit and run driver when the man. Richards, a former deputy boy was nine, is the executive national chairman, said he expects director. Her nephew recovered, is to announce his decision within a now a college professor. week. "Since alcohol is such a major factor in the traffic picture, it is one Sixteen western states of. our major programs," Mrs. are scheduled to meet ingovernors Denver Beaton told the Automotive Infor- Dec. 10 to decide if they should mation Council. "We worked to establish a to deal single agency pass implied consent legislation with energy-relate- d matters in the (requiring arrested motorists to area. The governors will hear submit to an alcohol test) in every about a possible single state plus Washington, D.C., and suggestions regional energy agency from a task we have provided volunteers for force that has also considered the Federal Government's Alcohol whether the number of multi-stat- e Safety Action Program (ASAP)." in the area should be ASAP is a funded program in organizations reduced. which local governments are encouraged to rid their roads of The Utah Transit Authoritys drivers who drink. counsel wants to meet this The women's group draws heav- legal week with officials of Division 382, even for ily on volunteers Analgamated Transit Union, to and and mailing typing, publishing leam why the union bus drivers a newsletter, "Tempest." rejetted a contract proposal offered NAWHSL, financially supported by CTA last week. William D. by insurance, petroleum and other Oswald, UTA said for the attorney safety groups favors the air bag but the move by the union this week to believes seat and shoulder belts tie proposal was voted on by should now e required wearing in reject less than 50 percent of the unions every state. 500 menses. Division President Marvin Tanner said the vote was 142 to 75 against acceptance of the contract. UTA. Director John Rankin said this wtek that union officials have assured him they will work for a peaceful settlement of the issues. six-we- ek 3 Million Women Strong down Washingtonians strolling Connecticut Avenue any Christmas season are apt to meet some friendly women wearing red skirts and tasseled red and white caps. And they are likely to be asked: "Would you please step on our scale? We will tell you how much alcohol you can consume, according to your weight, and maintain your normal mental faculties." These women, who call themselves "Santas Helpers," are members of what undoubtedly is the largest feminine motor vehicle safety group in the world. Incredibly, they are three million strong and boast chapters in all 50 states. They are dedicated, demonstrative, ambitious, vocal. About all they lack is an acronym. The organization is named the National Association of Highway Safety Leaders, Inc. NAWHSL will mark its tenth anniversary next year. The founder is Mrs. John Sugg, of Albermarle, N.C. Her son was killed by a drunken driver and her story in a national magazine prompted response from across the country. easy-to-rememb- er . dial A task force on Where thousands of listeners enjoy concert music and news every dayI multi-purpos- e centers has recommended that Salt Lake City and County maintain separate operations of such facilities. At this time merging administrative duties would create more problems than t would solve, the task force said. Tie recommendation was made h a report furnished city comnissioners by e Stephanie Peterson ol the Center Task Force. - Multi-Purpos- . |