4 Ae £rIdti an Dai uf Eighty-Five Years of Editorial Freedom Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan Bengalis take coup in stride Friday, September 19, 1975 News Phone: 764-0552 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Mi. 48104 Faculty salary hike valid THE UNIVERSITY faculty has asked for a 12.4 per cent salary increase this year. Considering the current rate of inflation, past increases given the faculty, and the need to main- tain a quality teaching staff, that is a perfectly reasonable request. At the same time, however, the University has an obligation to the taxpayers -- who will ultimately foot the bill - to tell them how that money is being spent. Therefore, it is incumbent on the University to release faculty salaries by name and position. In the past the administration has resisted efforts to pry loose such information, and the faculty has made no attempt to force disclosure. Precedent for salary disclosure is heavy -- Michigan State University has already done so, and Atty. Gen. Frank Kelley stated in a 1973 opinion that the data should be public infor- mation. Despite the lack of public salary lists at this point, there are many compelling arguments in favor of the faculty pay increase. FIRST, AND FOREMOST, is the need to keep high-caliber professors at the University. The best way to do that is by paying a salary that is competitive with that offered else- where. Unfortunately, at the professorial salary level, the University.has slipped nationally during the past several years, and if the trend continues, fac- ulty members will leave for greener pastures. In addition, a 12 per cent hike is not actually much of a gain consid- ering the run-away inflation that has stricken the entire economy. It will barely keep pace. A year ago, the faculty requested a sizable increase and ultimately re- ceived a seven per cent wage hike. But with double-digit inflation, they ac- tually lost buying power - a situa- tion that should be improved. Of course, some will argue - with justification - that a few professors here are dearly over paid. It's quite true that prominent colleges shell out huge amounts to attract big name scholars and those persons engaged in prestigious research., BUT, MOST faculty members do not fall in that category, and there is no valid reason to deprive them of an increase they have earned. In the face of the 12 per cent re- quest, the University administration will cry dire poverty and point to the empty coffers. The state, however, could come up with the additional $6 million required to meet the salary demand, if it regards education as a top priority. On balance, the case made by the faculty is compelling and should not, or rather, cannot be ignored. By RANDOLPH CONTI DACCA, Bangladesh, Sept. 15 (PNS) - One month after the lightning-quick coup that killed Bangladesh President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the popular mood of elation has subsided. While the people of Bangla- desh have been liberated from the personal despotism of Sheikh Mujib and his one-party poli- tics, serious curtailment of the press and suspension of civil liberties continue as before. The aims of those who execut- ed the coup - a group of young army officers - appear to have been far from revolutionary. Personal rancor was the domin- ant motive. Some of the officers captured and held as prisoners of war in Pakistan, had been fired from the army by Mujib upon their return. Others had lost Mujib's favor when they openly criticized the govern- ment. Then too, the entire army had been displeased by itslow status in the armed forces hier- archy since Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. BEYOND VENTING pent-up frustrations however, these of- ficers had no set plan of action -no specific political goals. Shortly after directing the at- tack on President Mujib's pal- ace, they nervously roamed the streets in their bloodstained shirts - uncertain what t'o do next, asking outsiders for politi- cal advice. In contrast, the man who was soon to be president, Khondokar Mustaque Ahmed, sat in a spotless white suit in the central control room of Dac- ca's radio station, negotiating with the highest military com- mand. Indeed, the whole pattern of events - the lack of resistance, and the surgically precise re- moval of the sheikh, his rela- tives and a few confidantes - suggest that the coup was a model of efficiency. But who orchestrated it remain in dis- pute. Certainly it was not the top military men. Within hours of the coup, the chiefs of the army, navy and air force were required to pledge loyalty to the new government, rather than taking power themselves. THE NEW president is con- spicuously pro-Western, with distinct rightist and anti-Soviet leanings, despite the fact that the most important hardware used in the coup were Russian- supplied tanks. Soviet advisors who had been sheikh, his and a few c - suggest coup was a efficiency. , chestated h in dispute." .:'. . .. : "' : := . . . . :. . .... .. . "" "Indeed, pattern of the lach of and the surd case remov the Soviet Union will react is still a question-mark-and may the whole play a major role in Big Power politics on the subcontinent. events -- The government is also shor- ing up its ties with remnants resistance, of the Mujib regime. Several former ministers have already gically pre. been taken into the new cabin- c et, and- many of the armed l of th gangsters who formed part of lf } the the power base of the Mujib dy- nasty have returned to their 9 relatives homes after temporarily flee- ing. onfidantes YET THE situation in Bangla- desh is still unstable. In the that the countryside, clashes continue between the mostly paramilitary model of government troops (the Rakkhi Bahini) and armed guerrillas. But wo or-Rumors of a second coup are But who or- circulating, and a power strug- gle may be brewing between t remains the two armed elements of the government, the army and the paramilitary Rakkhi Bahini. Meanwhile, the army has taken .:sMim steps to secure the country's borders from outside invasion. government is to Muslim sen- Ralph Conti is an American was the first who has lived in Ban gladesh for nd it recogni- t e a c r t o r osely by Saudi two years and covers that coun- er Mid-Eastern try for Pacific News. Copyright How India and Pacific News Service, 1975. Ru jib ,aa.: ry vf hG:t7 i?:rf~a.'' ' 5 :"'i fr . x. f .? t&. posted with the Bangladesh ar- my and air force were with- drawn immediately after the coup. The U.S. State Depart- ment quickly released a state- ment of support for the new government. Today, the new appealing chiefly timent. Pakistan country to exte tion, followed cl Arabia and othe Muslim nations.I Letters: Clericals To The Daily: AS A UNIVERSITY clerical and member of Local 2001 since its inception in November of 1974, I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the letter in The Daily signed Rose Kronsperger and dated Septem- ber 11. I must take issue with many of the points Ms. Kronsperger has raised. Firstly, quoting from her letter, "We didn't want to get involved or be bothered with weekly meetings and so the bar- gaining committee went it alone . . ." You know it. It galls me to read this, only because it is so true. And it is those peopl who do not want to get involved that scream and complain the loudest about the lack of com munication and lack of involve ment. SECONDLY, she states, "At the first ratification meeting a raise of $52,50 was offered by POST-A LLENDE CHILE Pinochet squashes reform By PAUL O'DONNELL> AR L A E Is e iece 'C":i}.W..f :%%:i. ..t:. . ;i: