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Show Editorials. SALT FLAT NEWS, NOVEMBER, 1970 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The News regrets to learn that a recent article by myself about Earl Baker, a Goshute Indian, has been by its suband ject interpreted, as a slur the Goshute people. Such against was not the intention of the ed article. The tone of levity which Mr. Baker rinds offensive was not intended to make light of the very real circumstances of the Indians life today, with which I am in full sympathy. During my stay at Mr. Bakers home I was treated with hospitality and generosity, and my personal impression of Mr. Baker is that he is a gentleman deeply concerned about the welfare and future of the tribe he represents. If I have rendered him otherwise I have erred. Richard Menzies Dear Editor: Press Poor Efforts Last summer my husband bought a copy of your newspaper at the University of Utah. I thought you might like to know that we found it very interesting as well as humorous and informative. We are native Utahns, but there were several items con- Inquiring What is the sound of the salt flats? One would be led by journalists to 'believe it is barely a whisper. The establishment of a world land speed record this month resulted in a new. level of incompetency for many journalists, particularly local members of the electronic media. The major wire services stayed with the story throughout the lengthening, weeks with men on the scene and accompanying photographs (one sent in a photographer from the West Coast). The Natural Gas Industrys public relations were excellent, thanks to Dick Ralstin of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. Locally, it was another ball game. Local radio and television stations, responsible for feeding stories from this area to national networks, decided to cover the record run as a vicarious experience relying on wire service stories instead of their own, using footage of white salt which could have been shot in 1949 or three days before the run, and ending with a telephone interview with the driver using a mimeographed list of questions beginning with, "How does it feel . . . and ending with, "What is planned next. Radio reports from the scene? Virtually nonexistent. One Salt Lake City newspaper treated the story only slightly better than a basketball game from Nova Scotia. Another displayed it on the front page of its final edition. However, that newspaper showed the driver in a picture taken a decade ago, with hair. In reality, the driver is a warm, baby face and ultra-shor- t who greatly resembles the TV character handsome thirty-year-ol-d Bronson. In contrast to the wholesome event at Bonneville was reporting of the slaying of a family, a robbery and fatal traffic accidents during the Flames stay on the salt. One could be led to believe reports are limited to those events within walking distance of the studio. - News begins at home. Good news requires those newsmen with a sense of responsibility and dedication. In this "at home news event which resulted in at least two appearances before national audiences by the driver, film used was that taken by a freelance cameraman working out of California. In addition, even those newsmen who constantly covered the story chose primarily to use packaged facts and offered little in human interest or individuality. Coverage of the Blue Flame at the salt flats, population zero, reflects a growing problem of journalism overall a need to produce news in quantity instead of quality, which would allow the inclusion of warmth, human interest and the perspective. The salt flats is not merely part of a state nor merely part of a nation. We are part of a world and offer the only such salt in the world, for which Australians and Russians are reportedly readying a car. Unless and until journalists provide world news reports, regardless of the location of a story, and unless and until local newsmen stumble onto their position in such a changing world, the sound of the salt flats will continue to be barely a whisper. cerning Wendover that were "news to us. Our best wishes are sent to you for a successful enterprise. I would suggest however, that Photographer THE QUESTION THE SALT FLAT NEWS is published twelve times a year by the Salt Flats Publishing Corporation, a Utah corporation. It's Copyrighted! record affect you? WHERE ASKED Wendover THE ANSWERS NEWS photos by R. Goldberger Mike Hopkins, Goodyear tire engineer who helped design the tires used on the. Blue Flame record setter: It pretty much pumps it up. Were really cele- brating tonight. Managing Editor Feature Editor Senior Editor Contributors Herbert B. Laughner Richard Menzies Richard Goldberger Will Lucas Ed Greenwood Lynne Athay. : -- . would race today (the day of the record), however, since it was wet. W eather Ray Patience, gas station and construction business: It doesnt affect my life. Im not particularly interested in racing. Kenny McCarthy, Reaction Dynamics, builders of the Blue g Flame: "The run record-breakin- Listen to it isnt it marve lous? Its the silence. The election is over. The frantic frenetic screeching is gone. From name calling and mud, we are back to the sunlight. Maybe compassion, will be restored. ' Prior to this election (off year at that) the worlds most printed words were "dose cover before striking . . . but Ive got to believe that that phrase was totally eclipsed by "A paid political' another announcement! What does it all mean?. For any intelligent man to subjugate himself to the humiliation ; . . the exhaustion then win or lose . . . you wonder which is the greater prize. But its over for a couple of years . . . and maybe well have some changes in the whole scene. I propose that thorugh the miracle of Mother Bells electronic genius we should in: stitute simplidty to the polls. How about you walk into the booth and hit a button and every candidate appears on a large screen and is given 30 seconds to sell you. Thats it. Thirty ... ' Virginia Laughner Marlon Udell Stones Business Manager E. Paul Wood Advertising Director . Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cousins, Evanston, Wyoming: "We have been following the race and are interested in how they were doing. We didnt think they ... m . - Business Office: 344 East First South, Salt Lake City, Utah Editorial offices: Wendover and Salt Lake City, Utah - Editorial assignments or contributions are directed only through for the managing. editor; The SALT. FLAT NEWS is not responsible ' , unsolicited or unassighed material.' ... 1 . Gwen Oliver New York City affected my life personally and will be tremendous for our company. Were celebrating for the next three weeks. How does the setting of a world land speed .. PICTURElPAPER wide. of the Blue Flame has greatly ne WEIMDOVERS Dear Editor: The Salt Flat News is definitely a groovy little paper. It aroused frequent chuckles, and I dont chuckle easily. Dare I compare an issue of the Salt Flat News with a really good meal complete with just the right wine? Well, it left me with an agreeable and pleasant feeling. It is definitely not more of the same. Youve got something there, and its not quite as simple as it may seem at first glance. I was discussing the paper with a cab driver who happened to be taking me uptown yesterday, and he said, "It sounds like the antithesis of all this, meaning Manhattan, and hes right. The Salt Flat News is a celebration of the small in a world where its make it big or not at all, and the extremes range far and . ne SMST i?y5Sff BSPS e cents is a little high for a newspaper even as unique as yours. Sincerely, Claudia A. Nislen Millbrae, California (But our subscription rates are low -- Ed.) twenty-riv- . November: Cooler with a chance of precipitation. seconds. Think of the money saved. Think of the time saved. We could have Wendover as the test city. Work on it. Incidentally . . . what ever happened to Neil Abercrombie? He was the at last youth has a candidate candidate in Hawaii. His entire platform was Captain America . . . The Tyrants Foe . . . the peoples friend . . . kids, get your parents to give me their vote. He campaigned in his Captain America costume . . . cape and beard. I dont know how it came out . . . Im sure he got the Tutu vote . . . and- in Hawaii I dont know whether thats a minority appeal or not. And another thing . . . they set up voting booths in Naked City, Indiana, for the permanent members of the colony there. The candidates who campaigned there could hide absolutely nothing I think all candidates should campaign naked. Voting would be so much more easy . . . Lets work on that too. - ... |
