Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1971)
1';. 1 'M : hi ' Frank I M - I 8' "I: .v' ;t'.. t ft.1,. Editor's note: This is the second of a weekly series on the problems of pollution in Nebraska. by BARBARA CLEARY and BEVERLY COYLE Instructors, Department of English Last week the State Air Pollution Control Council voted to adopt federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for Nebraska. When and if these minimal standards become finalized by EPA in April, all states will be required to establish compliance programs in order to meet the standards at the earliest possible date. But, of course, any state can establish more stringent standards if it so chooses, and it was reported to the council that at least 20 cities have adopted a standard of allowable air pollution far lower than the minimum federal requirements. These cities include the big polluters: Chicago, New York, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati and even "the nations's dirtiest city," Steubenville, Ohio. Clearly the regulatory councils in these locations have recognized that the federal government is not equipped to legislate appropriate standards. Pollutant combination Also it was pointed out at the council meeting by an observer from the University of Nebraska at Omaha that there is evidence to indicate that the federal report utilized data-gathering devices now believed to be inadequate by pollutant experts. A doctor prese.it stated that while federal minimal standards have set safety margins for individual pollutants, effects of the pollutants in combination have never been tested. Finally the very simple observation was made: EPA, after dear editor Discusses editorial Dear editor. Allow us to express our gratitude to Mick Moriarty for hit editorial of Feb. IS ("Target Right-wing!"). We were shocked to learn that some 200 students are involved with radical right-wing groups on this campus. We are appalled that such groups are given official sanction. As heads of two responsible conservative organizations with much greater constituencies, we think Mr. Moriarty would do a great service, both to the university community and to the conservative movement, if he would identify these groups, name their leaders, and document their subversive activities. In these days when the efficacy of the student newspaper is being called into question by many, such as expose would surely demonstrate to the capability of "B 'S'B - a polmuon all, has established the present standards for all SO states. Western Nebraska with some of the cleanest air in the country is already far below the federal standards. EPA levels of pollutants are not even applicable to over three-fourths of the state. But in proposing to accept the EPA minimal standards rather than establishing more stringent ones for Nebraska, the council went on record as saying, in the words of one council member, "The federal people know a lot more than we do about air pollution." And so, despite questions raised about the implications of adopting these standards, the council voted on a spineless set of prescriptions which will have no impact on current levels of air pollution in Nebraska. In other words, the council decided that we become a lot dirtier and still come off "clean" with EPA. How could such a decision have been reached? Why is the state council so suspicious of sources which might present them with certain data relevant to health protection? Industrial representatives The answer lies in the fact that we have an Air Pollution Control Council which is weighted in favor of industrial polluters. This fact is recognized by Sen. Henry F. Proud's bill LB529, which if adopted would reduce the number of industrial representatives on the council and replace them with specialists in fields of ecology, chemistry, and respiratory disease. Unfortunately when the bill was presented last week to the Public Works Committee a long debate ensued and no action was taken. At this crucial time, Nebraskans will have to make it clear to the appropriate Public Works Committee representatives and state senators just exactly what kind of air they want to maintain in this state. . dear editor . . dear the Daily Ntbrmskan of rendering meaningful service to the University. Thank you, Robert Vlasak, Chairman, CUE Thomas Siedell, Pres. IPA Criticizes Rpg Dear editor, I have long been a critic of the Daily Nebmkan, its content and staff. I'm still not convinced that the students of this University should be forced to subscribe to anything involuntarily, when its value is of questionable worth. It is also ironic that the same people who cry out against involuntary servitude, which exists in the draft system, try to defend this forced subscription which every student must pay for the "rag. But of course that's different, isn't it? If by some accident State Senator Carpenter's bill fails and we have the "rag" with us as our "student newspaper," Some changes should be in order. The feeble attempts to appease the thinking majority of students by printing William Buckley is a beginning toward this goal. However the Dally Nebrsskan should print his articles all the time not just when it doesn't have room for anything else, (sic) For example, immediately following the Regents decision on Rozman, I noticed it regressed into its former state of immature irresponsibility. It will take more than this weak effort of appeasement to change my mind about the "rag" and its usefulness to the University community. Griggs Bennett ASUN recruiting Dear editor, It occurs to me that the ASUN Senate took a step in the If Ed Muskie is going to catch fire cs the man to beat Richard Nixon in 1972, there is no sign of it in California. Indeed, in this state of Ponce de Leon politics where a good new face can always beat a good old face, a kind of Muskie malaise has set in. No prominent Calif ornian has spoken up on Muskie's behalf and the word among Democrats who might be expected to support the party's front runner is "stay loose!' It is arguable, of course, that a year and a half befoie a primary, staying loose makes common sense. But the Muskie malaise does not seem to have a counterpart. There is, for example, no George McGovern malaise. McGovern is the only candidate who has the nucleus of an organization team. It is based upon the leadership of the successful Wilson Riles' campaign for state superintendent of public instruction. It is headed by oilman Dorman Commons-and it is young, tough and able. McGovern is arousing enthusiasm among young Democrats because he speaks out on issues. There is also a good deal of leadership sentiment for John Lindsay whom California Democrats confidently expect to announce shortly. There is even a small cheering section for Birch Bayh whose performance at the recent Democratic state convention drew from McGovern the remarks that "Birch gave one of the best political speeches I've ever heard." Bayh has made some inroads among older financial backers in the party who think Muskie has ignored them. But for Muskie there is a general no-hum. Poor Press It is hard to define the Muskie malaise but his trouble with California Democratic leaders seems very close to his trouble with Washington reporters. It is that he doesn't say anything. As Washington reporters know, a visit to Muskie is frequently unrewarding. He puffs on his pipe, and he thinks about the question a reporter has just asked him. Then he answers slowly, often edit editor . aei wrong direction with their resolution calling for, in effect, more active recruiting of minority groups for students, faculty, and administrators than recruiting of majority groups so that there will be at least the correct percentage balance. First, if there is going to ever be an end to discrimination, we must start looking for people rather than minorities. There will be discrimination according to skin color as long as everybody, liberals and racial bigots alike keep classifying Gople that way. One cannot irn to ignore a difference as long as it is kept being pointed out. Second. I find the idea of "percentages" distasteful, Is half the administration going to run around with slide rules checking on racial balance? How would one like to be told their drop and add request was refused because their presence would destroy the proportional percentage of minority groups of a given class? FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1971 en Wc on be the coi the am lev im lea: tha the wc ad i frc pas bet pre hin dig anc ha bee pai suf re THE DAILY NEBRASKAN