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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 1972)
daily fmbff) monday, january 31, 1972 lincoln, nebraska vol. 95, no. 60 Spock launches People's Party by Sara Hinds v The belief that people should control their own lives, not just where they work, but in their schools, medical care and police departments, was stressed by well-known author and pediatrician, Dr. Benjamin Spock Friday. "It really turns my stomach to see politicians say, 'now we are getting somewhere,", Spock commented. "The People's Party believes the present major political parties do not represent the hopes of the people." Spock is seeking support for the People's Party and his presidential campaign on the People's Party ticket. The speech at UNL was only one of several stops in Nebraska to urge registered voters to sign petitions to get the People's Party on , the 1972 Nebraskan presidential ballot. "We ask not only for immediate withdrawal from Vietnam, but all of Indo-China," Spock said. "I used to think imperialism was justified, now I'm ready to recognize that we are the largest imperialistic country and buying the distortion of the foreign and domestic policies of other countries. "We failed to make any progress in Vietnam because the only Vietnamese with any patriotism are on the other side." When asked about amnesty for draft dodgers Spock replied, "Amnesty is not the right word, freed is better. Amnesty implies that something wrong was done. We need to say "you were right and we are ashamed of what we did." Spock said the People's Party favored legalization of marijuana. "We would repeal all laws which make crimes where there are no victims." Spock said he was also in favor of repealing all laws making untraditional sex illegal. The problem with the economy, Spock said was that industry is motivated only for maximum profits. Spock called this "imperialistic with a serious maldistribution. "We don't need more goods. We need to improve the quality of life for all people." He proposed a system of an elected local board of directors including workers, government representatives and consumers. "Workers must control their own lives. They must have a sense of creativity." "We are one of the most important countries the world has ever seen. Yet, 25 per cent of the American people live below the poverty level. The Scandanavian countries have legislated f UJ Photo by Bill QanMl poverty out. The United States is two or three times as well' off as the Scandanavian countries. It is our indifference that causes us to tolerate poverty." Spock noted that the People's Party would alleviate problems in racial and homosexual discrimination and medical aid. 'The FBI doesn't understand anything about the United States or the constitution," Spock quipped. After an hour of speaking, the sun-tanned man, once indicted and convicted for conspiracy to counsel evasion of the draft, said, "This isn't the time for a revolution, we haven't used enough of our political resources, that is why I'm running for President." 4,716 names of Nebraskans are needed .from 19 different counties in order to get on the Nebraska .ballot. This in the Union, there will be a People's Party booth where signatures will be collected. Aged ask equitable pension plans Editor's note-Today the Daily Nebraskan begins a series examining a generation gap that is often overlooked. The stories will examine the gap created between our society and its elderly. In addition, the stories will explore the way in which aging, something we all will face, is coped with. Joining blacks and women in the call for equal opportunity in employment, the aged contend that mandatory retirement at age 65 is discriminatory. The 1S71 White House Conference on Aging and the Nebraska Governor's Conference on Aging recommend that retirement be based on functional rather than chronological age. Although the younger generation may argue that,' in this age of high unemployment, the elderly must make way for the young, the aged argue that retirement at 65 may mean twenty years of forced inactivity for talented people. "If the product of a man has given his national reputation, no one wins by forcing him to retire if he's capable of going on," said Lloyd D. Teale, associate professor of Romance languages and counselor in the College of Arts and Sciences. However, Teale, 66, said he's happy with the University's retirement system. At 65, a professor loses his tenure and is eligible for a one-year special contract which can be renewed for a total of three years, or in some cases, over three years. The professor must be recommended by his department chairman, dean of college and administration and must want to continue on the staff, said Interim Chancellor C. Peter Magrath. The main consideration is whether the individual can really contribute something valuable to the staff, Magrath said. He estimated there were about 20-25 professors under special contract. "There should be a time toward the end of a person's life when he's not in this constant pressure," Teale said. "A person deserves to do some things he has created for retirement position." There have been many cases where professors retired by NU have been hired by other universities until age 72, according to information from the emeriti association of retired NU professors. In years after retirement, other professors have written books, worked for the government or foreign companies or have simply traveled. However, there are other professors who are spending the waning years of their lives in extreme poverty, due in part to meager pensions from the University, according to Harald Hoick, president of the emeriti association. Until the University's retirement system was changed in 1961, the maximum pension a professor could receive was $2,400 a year. Today there are some 55 professors or their survivors who retired under this old pension plan ana some are living in poverty. According to the emeriti association, a chemistry professor who taught at the University for 38 years receives $841 a year and a mathematics professor who taught for 44 years receives $969 a year. There are many other examples of professors who receive less than $1,000 a year and only two receive the full $2,400 allowed. Some professors have supplemented their incomes with royalties from publications and by investments. However, inflation and increasing property and medical costs eat away at savings once considered adequate. Many faculty have recognized the plight of their colleagues. An ad hoc committee formed by Magrath, two years ago identified two of the most needy emeriti and made available to them $2,100 from the Nebraska Foundation. Effective Jan. 1 an additional $4,400 from the Nebraska Foundation DeBord Fund was made available to provide assistance to needy emeriti. A Faculty Senate committee will determine guidelines for dividing the available funds. The emeriti aren't asking for charity but for legislation which will provide cost-of-living increases for those who retired under the old pension plan, according to Hoick. LB 1414, introduced by State Sen. Harold Moylan of Omaha would allow retirement benefits of retired public officers and employees to reflect changes in the cost of living. The Legislature's Constitutional Revision Committee will hold a hearing on the bill Feb. 3. The bill, if passed by the Legislature, must be submitted to the voters since it changes a constitutional Turn to Page 3 J