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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
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