Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 1978)
nebraskan Wednesday, October 1 1, 1978 lincoln, nebraska vol. 102 no. 26 daily Too much carbon monoxide could cost9 Lincoln citizens By Randy Essex Unless carbon monoxide levels in Lincoln are lowered to meet Environmen tal Protection Agency requirements by 1982, local motorists will have to pay to have their exhaust systems inspected annually for unlawful emissions. The state Department of Environmental Control will ask the Nebraska Legislature next year to authorize the inspection pro gram if it is needed, according to Gene Robinson, director of environmental control. Carbon monoxide levels measured at 22nd and 0 streets are the highest in the state, Robinson said. In 1977, Lincoln had 11 violations of EPA standards, according to Gary Walsh, supervisor of air pollution control for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Board of Health. Readings over nine parts of carbon monoxide per million parts of air constit ute a safety hazard. Walsh said each reading after the first above that level in one year is considered a violation. Looking to 1982 Walsh said the city is working to lower the levels by 1982 so vehicle inspection will not be required. He said a new analytical approach to the matter may produce a method to lower carbon monoxide levels. He said it would be premature to say what the levels will be in 1982. But Robinson siad he does not think Lincoln will be able to meet the standards by 1982, and will be forced to inspect exhaust systems. However, Robinson said he thinks Omaha will meet the requirements because carbon monoxide level violations there have not been as high or as frequent as in Lincoln. "Omaha has a better overall transporta tion system. There is more than one major street to get east to west on, and they probably have a better bus service," Robinson said. Photo by Ted Kirk A motorcyclist puts his bike through the test during a motocross race at Denton. For a story and more photos, see Page 6. Vietnam military figure will speak By Scott Nelson Gen. William Westmoreland, considered by some to be one of modern history's most controversial military figures, will give a public lecture entitled "Vietnam in Perspective" at 2 p.m. Friday in the Neb raska Union Ballroom. The last time Westmoreland visited Lincoln was in September, 1970 when he was greeted by about 250 students protesting the Vietnam War. The slogans in what then Gov. Norbert Tiemann called "a shameful way to treat a U.S. dignitary," according to September 1970 issues of the Daily Nebraskan. People on campus still have mixed op inions of Westmoreland and his involve ment in the Vietnam War, but most admit they want to hear him speak and especially answer questions. Bibliography Westmoreland served as commander of U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam from 1964 to 1968, during the height of U.S. involve ment in the war, and later became Army chief of staff. He retired from the Army in 1972 and now is chairman of a task force for economic growth in his native state of South Carolina. "It's not every day that you can hear someone of this caliber who has been a commander at war and chief of staff of the Army," said Pete Maslowski, a UNL assistant professor who teaches military history. "The man was in a unique position to gain a reasonable perspective on the Vietnam War, and I think he'll come right out and say what he thinks," Maslowski said. According to Maslowki, Westmoreland will speak to one and possibly two mili tary history classes about the media's coverage of the Vietnam War. Press not favored "After finishings his book, (A Soldier Reports) I think I can safely predict his feeling will, perhaps justifiably, be un favorable towards the press," Maslowski said. "The general assured me that after each session and the lecture there will be a question and answer session 'no holds barred.' " Dick Fleming, assistant to the chancellor, said the university discovered that Westmoreland was coming to Lin coln for the 33-year reunion of the 60th infantry staff he commanded during the second world war, and the general was asked to talk with UNL students. Fleming said Westmoreland will be paid $1,000 for his UNL appearances. Students didn't pay He said the money will come from the Avery Lecture Series fun'1 not student fees. The UNL history fbpartment, military science department and the Uni versity Program Council Talks and Topics Committee are co-sponsoring the lecture. A small group called the Committee for Facts About Vietnam is planning to dis tribute pamphlets and information about the Vietnam War before Westmoreland speaks at the union, said Bruce Erlich, UNL associate professor of English. "It's not our intention to disrupt or deny him his freedom of speech, but it is our opinion that he should never have been invited to campus in the first place. Not defend "We should not be honoring a speaker who comes not to disseminate information but to defend his position," Erlich said. John Two Birds Arbuckle, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a leader of Lincoln's American Indian Movement, said he is happy about the appearance, and would like to ask Westmoreland a few "It is unusual for a city the size of Lincoln to have such high readings," he added. Lincoln City Council member Joe Hampton said the violations represent statistics taken out of context. He said the O Street location was poorly chosen by the health department, and levels there do not reflect the overall situation in Lincoln. Abnormal "The health department admits that it is an abnormal condition," Hampton said. "Any time there is a buildup of traffic, with cars idling at a stoplight, there will be a drift of carbon monoxide from major streets besides O. "There have been violations when there was a parallel wind (to O Street), meaning the levels were created by O Street traffic, but most of our high readings have come when there is a light southeasterly breeze," Walsh said. He explained that the highest readings have come around 9 p.m. He said he thinks carbon monoxide from 27th Street and Capital Parkway may gather in the Ante lope Creek basin and be carried by a light breeze to the testing location later in the evening. Second device To test that theory, Walsh said, a second monitoring device will be located near 31st and Arlington streets. The new location will monitor the buildup of carbon monoxide in the upper region of the basin. Walsh said the testing station will be temporary. It is being put there now because carbon monoxide levels are the highest in fall and winter months, he explained. The health department is looking for a second permanent testing site away from the O Street location, he said. The second location probably will be in northeast Lincoln, Walsh said, but he does not know exactly where. He said by testing a residential area, it could be determined if levels throughout the city violate EPA standards. No out But even if that location does not show violations, the city would not get out of inspecting auto exhaust systems, Robinson said. He said such results would only serve to redefine the problem area. Continued on Page 3 mmj I ' - - o il o Daily Nebraskan photo General William Westmoreland, former Army commander in Vietnam will speak here Friday. inside Wednesday questions. Continued on page 3 Return Flight: Monty Python's Fly ing Circus is back on ETV .page 1 2 Small-town girl makes good. A Palmyra, Neb., woman is playing on the United States volleyball team page 14 Keep Nebraska Beautiful: Bottle bill supporters and opponents battle it out page 7