al Page 2 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 6, 1985 Fire is important to ecology, =RENO, Nev. (AP) - The managers of America's national parks and forests are gradually accepting forest and range fires, once viewed as a nMajor threat, as a vital part of the ecological cycle. The fires that have raged through the West might not have been so damaging had man not spent decades quenching every blaze, the experts say. Without occasional fires, they maintain, forests and ranges become choked with overabundant vegetation that can provide too much fuel when fire does occur. SO FAR this year, more than 81,000 fires have burned almost 3 million acres in the United States, Arnold Hartigan, public affairs officer for the Boise Inter-Agency Fire Center in idaho, said yesterday. As many as 1.7 imillion acres of that total have been burned in the West alone since June 27, he estimated. By comparison, some 35,500 fires that burned 1.3 million acres were reported in all of 1984 in the United States, Hartigan said, adding that 1985 is probably the worst year for fires in the last 25 years. In canada, 8,580 fires have scorched approximately 1.66 million acres this year, most of them in the country's western provinces, Hartigan said. ALTHOUGH the fire season generally runs from June to mid- October, it can continue into Decem- ber in warmer areas like California. Recognizing that fires near inhabited areas are unacceptable, the experts say fires are desirable under controlled conditions in more remote areas. "Fires actually rejuvenate forests," says John Swanson. "They've shaped the forests we see today." Swanson is the fire management of- ficer for the U.S. Forest Service's Carson Ranger District, in Carson City, Nev., one of five districts responsible for the sprawling Toiyabe National Forest. With more than 4 million acres, it is the largest national forest in the lower 48 states. Ironically, Swanson is also paid to set forest fires. Research using fire scars from petrified wood and ancient timber along with pollen and charcoal deposits on pond bottoms shows fires in forests and ranges have been around for a long time, he said. OVER THE centuries, vegetation as well as wildlife has adapted to fire. The Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines that prevail in the Sierra Nevada range running north-south along California's eastern border were nature's choice to endure searing fires, Swanson said. The trees survived because of deep tap roots sucking water below the forest floor, a thick, corky bark to protect its living interior and quick production of cones and seeds. ingers say "THERE'S A whole list of brush species and tree species that have adaptation that allow them to survive fires," he said. Fire promotes decomposition of debris, returning nutrients to the soil for the next generation of vegetation, Swanson said. On the range, fires help maintain the balance between woody plants, such as sagebrush, and grasses. The Indians used fire to hunt game, to clear farming lands and to defeat their foes. When the Western lands eventually became a resource for timber, mining and agriculture, fire turned into the settler's enemy. The park and forest services continued that way of thinking in the 19th century. "A few heretics" in forest management began questioning con- tinual fire suppression a few decades ago, Swanson said. Their viewpoint has gradually gained support among those responsible for managing forests. "To say 'All fire is bad, so let's eliminate it,' is along the same lines as saying, 'You'll eliminate floods by getting rid of all water,' " Swanson said. IN BRIEF Compiled from Associated Press and United Press International reports Car sales skyrocket DETROIT - The cut-rate financing war among domestic automakers pushed car sales in late August to 71 percent above the rate for a year ago, shattering all records for the period, according to company reports - yesterday. The Big Three posted spectacular gains over last year's Aug. 21-31 per formance, with Ford Motor Co.'s sales up 79.6 percent, General Motors Corp.'s up 73.6 percent and Chrysler Corp.'s up 76.1 percent. "They're a boomer. I don't think anybody was predicting this. It's amazing," said Gary Glaser, an automotive industry analyst with First Boston Corp. in New York. The performance put sales for the month fo August at 23.4 percent. ahead of a year ago. Showroom traffic had been falling this summer and a Teamsters Union car haulers strike cut deliveries to dealers for three weeks. But on Aug. 15, GM offered a fixed 7.7 percent interest rate on leftover 1985 models, sparking the financing war. Farm Credit System faces severe crisis WASHINGTON - The Farm Credit System, the nation's largest farm lender is facing its most severe crisis since the Depression and could be forced to begin liquidating within two years unless the federal gover-.; nment comes to the rescue, the system's top regulatory official saidr yesterday. Donald Wilkinson, governor of the Farm Credit Administration, said increased losses in the system's mortgage lending arm will result this year in the first operating loss since the 1930s for the 37-bank, $74 billion system. Wilkinson said at a news conference that he will begin exploring with Congress and the Reagan administration ways in which the government. can help the system survive a severe crunch expected to hit within 18 to 24 months. Public Forum Students and Computers at The University of Michigan MEETING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Anderson Room - First Floor Michigan Union VETERAN USHERS - people who have worked past concerts 7:00 - 7:30 NEW USHERS - people who would like to work 7:45 - 8:30 n Chicago strike ends; local talks continue R N i Monday, September 9 7 pm to 9 pm Angell Hall - Auditorium B Sponsored by the Michigan Student Assembly (MSA), the Office of the Vice President for Student Services and the Information Technology Division - Paul Josephson, President, Michigan Student Assembly " Henry Johnson, Vice President for Student Services " Douglas Van Houweling, Vice Provost for Information Technology . Carl Berger, Dean, School of Education " Jeff Ogden, Associate Director, Computing Center " Jill Joseph, Professor, School of Public Health " Jeffery Bass, Visiting Professor, School of Music Say..DISCOUNT MUFFLERS AMERICAN AND FOREIGN CAR SPECIALIST FROM AS * FITS MANY Installed by LOW AS SMALL CARS * Trained 1 9 **A PARTICIPATING SpecialistsDELR DE ALERS nstalled Featuring... -One of the finest names YPSILANTI in automotive parts!. 2606 Washtenaw Avenue (1 Mi. E. of US 23)......................572-9177 TAYLOR 14250 S. Telegraph Rd. (1 Bik. N. of Eureka Rd.)....................946-8470 Individually Owned & Operated IN AND OUT IN 30 MINUTES IN MOST CASES OPEN DAILY AND SAT8-6 PM Copyright C1985 Meineke THIS WEEKEND AT 1429 Hill Street at Lincoln just this side of Washtenaw SATURDAY The dynamic duo battle Gotham City'sj arch rivals in BATMAN STARRING Adam West and Burt Ward ADMISSION $2.50 9:00 and Midnight SUNDAY George Burns and Walter Mathau are The Sunshine Boys Shows 7:30 and 9:30 ADMISSION $2.00 Popcorn and soft drinks ONLY 254 // Learn about computer applications part of the computer information network / Find out how you can become // Get questions answered Classes began yesterday for Chicago's 431,000 public school students following a two-day teachers strike, but walkouts in seven states prolonged summer vacations for 140,000 other students, including 50,000 in Michigan. In Chicago, the nation's third largest district, teachers and parents were relieved and students resigned at the news of a contract settlement. The walkout, which cost students one day of classes, was the third in as many years. "I think everyone realizes it's time to get, serious and get going," said first-grade teacher Joyce Shalette. A tentative agreement between the Chicago Teachers Union and school board officials came Wednesday after a 30-hour bargaining session mediated by James Reilly, chief of staff for Gov. James Thompson. Reagan resumes tax reform push RALEIGH, N.C. - President Reagan resumed his campaign for an overhaul of the income tax system yesterday, playing the underdog challenging the vested interests he says are the enemies of change. "The special interests may think they have this one locked up tight, and we may be starting this battle for tax fairness as underdogs," Reagan told more than 13,000 students and faculty members at North Carolina State University. But Reagan said he wanted to remind "the nay sayers, people who tell you it can't be done. .. that this is America, and there are no limits ex- cept those we put on ourselves." "A lot of cynics in Washington are laying odds against our fair share tax plan," Reagan said. "Our plan has too many enemies, they say, enemies among those with a vested interest in the status quo - 'status quo,' that's-Latin for the mess we call the present income tax." Artificial heart patient suffers minor strokes TUCSON, Ariz. - Michael Drummond, the world's latest and youngest artificial heart recipient, has suffered a series of tiny strokes, and: surgeons have begun searching for a human heart to give him, it was an-' nounced yesterday. Dr. Jack Copeland said it appeared that Drummond suffered no per- manent brain damage from the strokes and said he was listed in critical' and unstable condition. Several other recipients of the Jarvik-7 heart have suffered strokes as" well. About 7 a.m. yesterday, surgeons noticed that Drummond was slurring his words and stuttering. A neurological exam showed that his motor" ability had been affected. Drummond appeared to have suffered "multiple tiny strokes" yesterday morning, Copeland said. Copeland said they have begun a nationwide search for a donor heart- and hope to locate one within a few days. Drummond, 25, received the artificial heart in implant surgery Aug. 29, at University Medical Center. Copeland, who headed the surgical team, has said the device would be used a bridge to sustain Drummond's life until he underwent human heart transplant surgery. 01heMIibigan 1 aE Hig Vol XCVI- No. 2 The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967 X) is published Monday through Friday during the Fall and Winter terms and Tuesday through Saturday during the Spring and Summer terms by students at the University of Michigan. Subscription rates: through April - $10.00 in Ann Arbor; $20.00 outside the city. The Michigan Daily is a member of The Associated Press and Sub- scribes to United Press International, Pacific News Service, Los Angeles Times Syndicate, and College Press Service. n VAUINAL TINVENTORYIA LEARANCE .- o/ Further Reductions up to /O off. 10 Days Only-Starting Wed., Sept. 4 through Sat., Sept 14. A H N"- A R Q O R The Finest Clothing Shoes & Accessories for Ladies & Gentlemen 336 Maynard Ann Arbor 769-8511, M-TH 10-7, Fri. 10-9 Sat. 10-6 ip 5000 valueBring this nearest Sagebrush@ store & receive $5 Off * any one regular riced item ~" T $19.99 an dup. y JORDACHE G1n99rraa U N i o N . 8 A BRITTAKIA Editor in Chief....................NEIL CHASE Opinion Page Editor..........JOSEPH KRAUS Managing Editors........GEORGEA KOVANIS JACKIE YOUNG News Editor ................. THOMAS MILLER Features Editor............LAURIE DELATER City Editor ................. ANDREW ERIKSEN Personnel Editor............TRACEY MILLER NEWS STAFF: Jody Becker, Laura Bischoff, Nancy Driscoli, Carla Folz, Rachel Gottlieb, Sean Jackson, David Klapman, Vibeke Laroi, Carrie Levine, Jerry Markon, Eric Mattson, Amy Mindell, Kery Mura- kami, Christy Reidel, Stacey Shonk, Katie Wilcox. Magazine Editor ............. RANDALL STONE Arts Editor .................. CHRIS LAUER Associate Arts Editors ............. JOHN LOGIE Movies .....................BYRON L. BULL Records...................BETH FERTIG Boos ...............RON SCHECHTER Sports Editor....................TOM KEANEY Associate Sports Editors.............JOE EWING BARB McQUADE ADAM MARTIN PHIL NUSSEL STEVE WISE SPORTS STAFF: Dave Aretha, Eda Benjakul, Mark Borowsky, Emily Bridgham, David Broser, Debbie deFrances, Joe Devyak, Rachel Goldman, Skip Goodman, Joh Hartmann, Steve Herz, Rich Kaplan, Mark Kovinsky, John Laherty, Scott Miller, Brad Morgan, Jerry Muth, Adam Ochlis, Mike Redstone, Scott Shaffer, Howard Solomon. Business Manager .......... DAWN WILLACKER Sales Manager ............ MARY ANNE HOGAN Assistant Sales Manager ............YUNA LEE Marketing Manager ...........CYNTHIA NIXON Finance Manager,.............DAVID JELINEK DISPLAY STAFF- Sheryl R.ieman_ fiane Rlnm Wh I