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OPECsgot us by the throat Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Kuwait, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela. Put them all together and what have you got? OPEC. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries — a cartel designed to obtain for its member countries control over the supply and price of crude oil — has in less than 20 years become one of the most potent political forces in the world. This ragtag group of mostly backward na- tions now has the rest of the world by its oil- gulping throat. And we, the American con- sumer, have to take some of the blame. The Carter administration's plea for volun- tary conservation of oil is not working. De- mand continues to exceed expectations and has reached a record level of 21 million bar- rels a day. Another strategy that is popular in Congress is \oil proliferation\ — encouraging the discovery of new sources of oil as rapidly as possible. But it may be time for the administration to stop counting votes and get down to the issue at hand — and that's removal of price controls on domestically produced oil. In June the White House will be free to let existing controls lapse. The resulting price in- Viewpoint creases at the pump, we feel, could reduce consumption substantially. However, the political fallout of still higher prices for gasoline and home heating oil this year and next may be heavier than Congress and the administration want to bear. We're tiredtrf-bemg at the mercy of OPEC. Trying to predict OPEC's future course on oil prices is like a horse race — sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Cutbacks in supplies to consumers have already begun. Airlines have cancelled some flights because of aviation fuel shortages, Utilities up and down the East Coast are lining up in Washington for exemptions from clear- air regulations so they can burn high-sulfur oil to replace the low-sulfur variety they say is running out. Some filling stations have even had their deliveries curtailed. The current shortage is easily the most serious sinc^ that of early 1974. Let's do something about it. A mini-triumph for John Connolly INDIANAPOLIS — If Ronald Reagan ends up dissipating a seem- ingly insurmountable lead for the pr^fltfl^nt'ft* oonninft- tion, the decline may have started at last weekend's Midwest Republican Conference here when an absent Reagan left the stage open for a rampaging John B. Con- nally. Reagan's professed inability, because of \previously scheduled commitments/' to make the In* dianapolis date set six months ago did not sit well with Midwestern Republican leaders. They suspect Reagan's absence > was an inten- tional message that he holds himself aloof fFom lesser presidential Jhopefuls who turn up for such \cat- tle shows\ or \beauty contests.\ Since thejr^. suspicions are well grounded, events here provide two political truths: first, Reagan is not an incumbent with a claim on the nomination, and he will campaign as one at his own risk; second, with an unexpectedly sudden surge, Con- -naUyhas bounded out oi the pack to becorqe Reagan's principal challenger. The second truth, which.began emerging during Connally's recent visit to Washington, was confirmed as 500 Republican leaders listened patiently -here for four hours to six presidential aspirants. Connally was unquestionably the class of the field — by an even wider margin than his top ranking in the CBS poll By ROWLAND EVANS and ROBERT NOVAK of Republicans here. The former Democratic governor of Texas is not long on the conser- vative rhetoric usually needed tp_ titillate Republican audiences, but his ardent flag-waving was infec- tious. He roused the conference by promising to \rebuild a pride in ourselves/' adding that the U.S. has been \pushed around by third-rate countries'' and \the world perceives us as weak and vacillating and indecisive.\ His big- gest response came after his prescription for riotous Iranian students here: \Send 'em home, right quick.\ When Connally hit his high notes-, ta heavy applause, Reagan operatives in the audience admitted he was strong in the Midwest — but second to their man Reagan, of course. Consequently, they gulped when the CBS poll of those attending showed Connally a clear winner in all four categories: best speaker; most agreeable on the issues; best chance to win; personal choice. Over cocktails in the party suites that night, Reagan operatives labored to soften the poll's impact. They contended Connally's staff .probably organized the vote, which was palpably untrue. They claimed tried-and-true conservatives would, never associate themselves in any venture sponsored by CBS, which was truer but not decisive. Actually, it was Reagan's absence State hunt goes on %o for the eyes and To the Editor that generated some votes for Con- nally. There was grumbling that a paid, non-political speech to a business investment seminar in Miami was the conflict in Reagan's schedule keeping him from In- dianapolis. That stirred recollec- tions by party leaders of past Students are true, constant factors To the Editor: This letter is ad- dressed to the cretin- whose anonymous drivel polluted \Speak Out\ on March 14th. A Catholic education is Catholic but it is not necessarily catholic. Since Catholic education is chained small talk. If Reagan i$ considered remote. Connally is still an LBJ sound-alike to Republican faithful and a big government adherent of state capitalism to conservatives. Yet, these views are fading and are less threatening to Connally Lhan con- cerns about the ethics of the man in- dicted —• then exonerated — in the Watergate milk-fund scandal. The Republican national commit- teewoman from one big Great Lakes state told us that \there's a lot of skeletons in Connally's closet.\ The state chairman of one small prairie state was more blunt: \I think he's a crook. I know he beat the rap, but I still think he's a crook.\ Countering this is Connally's com- manding presence. \He really looks like a president/' was the common description here. The strongman iroase is Lightside By GENE BROWN Oklahoma Natural Gas Company taid if you want to save money on your fuel bill, the most economical setting for your thermostat is 68 degrees. It will cost you 3 percent more to set it at 69 degrees, or 6 per- cent more to set it at 70 degrees or 9 percent more to set it at 71 degrees. Yep, the utility company says you can count on your bill going up 3 per- cent for each degree you set the thermostat above 68. Ways to beat the cold and keep the thermostat low at the same time are putting on a sweater when you're just sitting around watching TV, or using a humidifier.or vaporizer or even placing pans of water near heat outlets A 15-year study of aging has shown job satisfaction to be the most important single factor deter- mining the longevity of the in- dividual American. It is more im- portant than his style of living, or his drinking, smoking or eating habits. (George. Doland in Fort Worth Stajr — Telegram) A lady was asked by a friend, \It your husband hard to please?\ \I don't kpow.\ said the wife, \I've never tried.\ Anybody who can swallow a pill at a water fountain deserves to get well. Press-Republican 443 Wednesday, Marcft 21, 1979 against the backdrop of President Carter's failing leadership as registered in polls. With Republicans coming to regard Sen. Edward M. Kennedy as the pro- bable Democratic nominee, many believe only Connally can defeat him. Reagan insiders respond that most party leaders enraptured by Connally here last weekend opposed Reagan in 1976. Support of the whole Indiana Republican hierarchy for Gerald Ford did not prevent a primary sweep here by Reagan. \Our strength is at the grass roots, not with people who spend their time at political conferences/' one Reagan lieutenant told us from Los Angeles. But the conservative grass roots are divided this time between Reagan, Rep. Philip Crane and — if he runs — Rep. Jack Kemp. That's why one experienced Midwestern operative of Re*gan tried hard to. get him here. \I tried/' he ex- plained to us, \but I couldn't get anywhere.\ The decision was made by the Reagan high command, tome of whom were scarcely aware anything at all was happening in In- dianapolis. That ignorance lends even more significance to Connal- ly's mini-triumph. Daily Devotion Peace I leave with you, my peace I five unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid John 14 27^ But ye. beloved building up yourselves on your mot holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost Jode 30. Since Catholic education is likely to be parochial, and is not likely to have the breadth and scope of public education, it does not, of course, get the public assistance that public schools get, nor should it. \Teacher's\ (sic) (in Catholic schools) aren't pa*d those high salaries\ becuase many of those -teachers do not have the education to warrant \those high salaries.\ If they did, most of those teachers would be teaching in public schools. Teachers in Catholic schools \have no teachers (sic) aides (sic) or lots (sic) of other staff members\ because they do not need them. After all, religious and lay teachers alike are wholly and holily dedicated to God and students. Mere mundane matters such as salaries and working conditions do not concern them. \There is not as (sic) much night* Jy^entertainment, as (sic) much money~spenTon sports, andTxavel- ing on buses, but more time spent on education\ (sic). One question: Which Catholic schools educate their students at night? \The proof of ability is always in the material turned out.\ Did God create you? Did He make you as you are? Do you blame Him for your ig- norance? \Many changes could be made in our public school system.\ If that statement is tni^. plg<|gg list th?m and your solutions. Does your biased statement mean that the Catholic schools are perfect and do not need changes? Public schools must Accept all students, even those disruptive students who punch their religious and lay teachers, who are truant, who are drug and/or alcohol ad- dicts, and who are expelled from their \perfect\ Catholic schools. That observation is the basic truth, not your mindless polemic. Disruptive students who are ex- pelled from Catholic schools become disruptive students in the public schools they enter. Schools, whether they are public or Catholic, should be neither denigrated nor elevated for their lack or surfeit of scholarship winners. The students and their attitudes, their scholarly bent, their ambitions, their goals are the true constant factors in achievement, not schools, not teachers, not parents. This letter is addressed par- ticularly to Catholic schools. It is in- tended to include all other Christian schools and ill private schools. In addition, it is intended to convey my love for my \imperfect\ school, my love for my district, my love for my students, and my love for the parents who send their children to me and to my school Joseph F. Cody AuSable Valley Central School By JIM PLATEAU Ottaway Newt Service ALBANY — The Inquisition ended a few hundred years ago and the Commission on Judicial Conduct should be abolished before it takes another step in its drive to revive and update that horror at the ex- pense of taxpayers. _ The commission's current wit- chhunt in Otsego County is but one reason why the state agency should not be allowed to continue on its course of justifying its extistence — and salaries — at the expense of local officials. The commission issued a five- page report March 15 supported by more than 300 pages of testimony and over 1,000 pages of documenta- tion. That august panel probably spent upwards of several thousands of dollars to show a 74-year-old Unadilla village judge failed to report fines over a four year period that totaled $1,555 — but even the commission's hearing officer agreed they were bookkeeping er- rors and no criminal intent was in- volved. If that's the case, why does the commission now feel it necessary to move for the removal of that judge — when he resigned from office last August? Here was a 34-year veteran of local government, having served as a police officer in a small communi- ty at a modest salary, acknowledg- ed he was then made acting chief because it was cheaper than naming him chief, and later was elected judge. The commission also had in hih of testimony which apparently did not read — informa- tion relating to serious health pro- blems affecting the judge and his wife. -, Here was a justice freely admit- ting his bookkeeping was terrible and willingly making up any and all cash differences out of his own pocket, and a state hearing officer emphasizing poor bookkeeping was his only — albeit major — shortcom- ing. Noting the commission didn't even have the common sentfe to ask if this man was a fair or honorable judge, they ignored the fact he had resigned, ignored more than a quarter-century of service to his community, ignored the absence of any criminal evidence, ignored his age and the physical health of the judge and his wife — and has asked the chief judge of the Court of Appeals to remove him from the of- fice he no longer holds. We submit it is the commission that is guilty of a breach of moral justice. ^ If nothing less, it is certainly guil- ty of the kind* of insensitivity that angered local officials Has\ Take all rights into ARC account To the Editor: I agree with the let- ter from Mr. and Mrs. Snell in regard to the ARC hostel. They do a tremendous service lor the people and their families who have this need. I am a west end homeowner and fail to understand part of the argument in regard to the Tremblay site. I was at the St. Johns cafeteria meeting with ARC. I saw the slide presentation and listened to the questions as well as asked my own. The one question that was repeated- ly raised and was not really answered was in regard to possible changes in the future use of the site. We were told not to worry but I still do. I have no worry about the men- tally retarded, but I do worry about future possible changes. A request for something, such as a covenant to the deed on the property, to toure that any future sale of the property protect the R-l zoning of the com- munity was made. This was sidestepped by ARC, and politely refuted. It would offer a lot of com- fort to many who now vehemently object to the whole sale to ARC, and tome protection to the people who plan on being in the west eod for many, many years. With all the harsh assaults upon the west eod people of late, I feel that the record must be set straight. We have to live by the laws that have been duly passed. Many people paid a premium to live in the R-l area. There are so many protectors of the rights of others. Have these same people stopped to think that our rights are also being infringed upon? And, in a humane vain, we have asked for a simple, legal docu- ment that would be court worthy and that this has been refused? If, as ARC says, the future is secure .and our wprry is in vain, then why do they refuse? It would pose no change whatsoever to their opera- tion. It is time to accept that alter- natives have been suggested, both to protect the west end and make the hostel a more acceptable situa- tion. There are more *\ ^o^rTthis issue and ARC is not as pure and in- nocent as they would have one believe. There are ways for all concerned to be happily satisfied. The future can be protected as much as possi- ble and this senseless mud slinging must stop. ARC'S halo is equally tip- ped to that of the west enders. We all have rights and it is time a solution that takes the rights of all into ac- count be sought. Paula F. Woolman Plattsburgh by Garry Trudeau *r *r*t »* > S «M> SJ> *r **>~* • *** **r m *£c- ana residents for years, and another ex- ample of the heavy-handed techni- ques of government agencies who have for years looked down their collective noses at local govern- ment. The commission contends removal will ensure he never holds a judicial post again, something not assured by resignation. If the com- mission read its own proceedings, it's hard to believe they really think this former judge has any intention of running again for anything. But maybe the real reason for the inquisition is to justify the existence of the commission and maintain its members' jobs. The commission has asked for a $1.6 million budget for next year, with a whopping $1,130,543 for salaries for a staff of 74. (We'd hate to accuse the commission of gall, but they lump 32 positions together as \others\ and ask for 1232.162.) Ponhe kind of work the commis- sion does, will it really need 13 at- torneys next year, along with eight law assistants, six investigators, six administrative assistants — plus the \others'? If it does, it should also receive its request for two budget officers, five secretaries, a librarian and three administrators to deal with that staff. And if the commission receives all of that, what will it do with it? Will it continue its head-hunting tactics of trying to build a brief for regional instead of local courts at the expense of local government? Local governments simply do not have the funds to operate courts at the standards by which the state chooses to judge them. Instead, they rely upon judges to be fair and uphold the Law. considering their abilities as accountants nice but not mandatory Is there a need for the commis- sion, given the existence of the state Department of Audit and Control, availability of special prosecutors, district attorneys grand juries and trial juries* The commission fans to reaiue a S1.5O&-a-year farmer-magistrate ac- cepts t-he awesome responsibility of administering the same quality of justice as ib* MS m-a-year state jodfe having eight years of legal trammf and a iw career behind him. pint a staff and a£ministration bodfet that may exceed a v*tl*fe or town's entire lax levy
