THE MICHIGAN DAILY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1949



State.Finances To Suffer

IN THE forthcoming state election, Michigan
voters will be asked to decide on a constitu-
tional amendment which, if adopted, would ear-
mark 76 per cent of the proceeds of the retail
sales tax for the use of local units. The proposed
measure has been the subject of much discus-
sion, but it is still doubtful whether the voting
citizenry is well enough informed about the
effects of such an amendment to judge it on
its merits.
Prof. Robert Ford of the Bureau of Govern-
ment, in his excellent, objective analysis of the
proposed amendment, has summarized its pro-
visions as follows:
1. One-sixth of the present three cent sales
tax would be returned to cities, villages and'
townships on a population basis.
2. Another one-sixth would be apportioned
to school districts on the basis of the school
census, the same method used in distributing
the primary school interest fund.
3. In addition, the amendment would set
a minimum annual appropriation for schools,
which means, in effect, that in any year the
legislative appropriation from the state gen-
eral fund for the public schools could not be-
less than 42.64 per cent of sales tax collec-
tions for the preceding year.
Adding the percentages in these three pro-
visions shows that the state would be giving up
76 per. cent of the retail sales tax.
Supporters of the 1 amendment point to the
existence of a large state "surplus" as proof that
local units could receive more aid without en-
dangering the state's fiscal system. What they
do not, or will not, realize is that most of these
"surplus" funds have already been earmarked
by law for such specific purposes as highways,
aid to veterans, or essential construction pro-
jects (some, like that at this University already
begun).
The rosy prospect of increased state aid to
local units is apt to obscure the more far-reach-
ing effect which the amendment would have on
the state finances. Less than 30 per cent of
the total income from the sales tax would be
left to the state for other necessary expenditures.
Prof. Ford has estimated that if the sales tax
proceeds in 1946 amount, as expected, to $140,-
000,000, the state would uffer an annual loss
of about $42,000,0001 - 5per cent of the
$168,000,000 available for general purposes from
the state's general fund.
With such a loss of funds, the state would

be forced to adopt some alternative, such as
cutting operating expenses (a 58 per cent cut
would be necessary to absorb the full impact
of the loss), reducing other state aid to local
units, or levying new taxes.
Furthermore, a veterans' bonus amendment
will also come up for approval in the November
election. If it should be passed, the effect on the
state financial structure would be even more
disastrous.
SUPPORTERS of the amendment argue that
many municipalities and school districts are
in dire need of additional financial aid to per-
form their necessary services. However, as the
Ann Arbor Citizens' Council has pointed out,
the financial plight of many cities is caused
by their continued adherence to the 15 mill tax
limit, and their refusal to raise property valua-
tionsor increase their millage levy. And, more
important, the amendment simply ignores the
fact that all localities are not equally hard pres-
sed and some need no aid at all.
The townships, for instance, would receive 176
per cent of the property tax they now levy, the
cities 14 per cent, and the villages 32 per cent.
It is the opinion of many familiar with state
and local finance, according to Prof. Ford, that
the townships do not need this money; many of
their functions have been transferred to the
county, they are already receiving state aid on
other bases, and many are not even levying any
property tax at present.
Important as these considerations are,
there is another even more vital. Prof. Ford
has stated it 'thus: "It is a fundamental prin-
ciple of government that earmarking of gen-
eral revenues for specific purposes should be
avoided, and especially when it takes the
form of a provision in the constitution."
The legislature has the constitutional power
to tax and appropriate. It should be allowed,
to exercise this power with as little restriction
as possible, in order to meet changing conditions
and changing needs with a changing fiscal pro-
gram. With a constitutional amendment, it
would be a lengthy, difficult process to change
the state fiscal structure with regard to the sales
tax, if at any time in the future it should be-
come desirable. And one of the basic principles
of good government would be violated.
These are matters which Michigan voters
should consider very carefully before they go to
the polls November 5.
-Frances Paine

zLe (ten tGO the &kt0r

MAN TO MAN:
Big Inch
By HAROLD L. ICKES
WITH HOUSEHOLDERS paying practically
$20 a ton for coal, with higher prices in
prospect in view of Mr. John L. Lewis' present
threat of still another coal strike, the reluc-
tance of the War Assets Administration even
to consider selling the Big and Little Big Inch
pipe lines for useas pipe lines to carry natural
gas to the Eastern seaboard is, to put it mildly,
somewhat more than strange.
It is even more curious in view of the fact
that the best bids for the pipe lines run from
80 to 100 million dollars (cash), or even high-
er, for gas, as compared with smaller bids by
some 20 or 30 million dollars for oil. More-
over, the oil bids seem to be based on the
thoughtfully generous theory that the oil pro-
moters will pay these 20 or 30 million dollars
less if good old Uncle Sam will lend them
what they need at a negligible rate of interest.
There is a suspicion in some quarters of a
desire to sell these pipe lines to a certain bidder
who pretends that they would be used for oil.
There might be such a token use for a couple
of years followed by bankruptcy in order to wipe
out the debt to the Government and then a fren-
zied appeal to permit their use for gas.
With no profitable outlet for natural gas,
drillers for oil allow it to escape into the air,
or simply let it burn. Travellers through the
West and Southwest see these gigantic flares
lighting up the night skies for miles.
Nor is the gas that is lost insignificant in
amount. The Bureau of Mines estimates that
each year some 684,000,000,000 cubic feet are
lost. In the State of Texas alone, close to one
billion cubic feet are dissipated every day-the
equivalent of 150,000 barrels of oil a day.
Actually, enough gas is lost in the oil and
gas fields each year to heat from 3,000,000 to
5,000,000 homes. The use of the Big and Little
Big Inch lines for the transportation of natural
gas would make possible the saving of an ap-
preciable amount of this gas. This would mear
much to our oil reserves, already greatly re-
duced by the record-breaking demands of war.
Furthermore, the strange, self-imposed pol-
icy of 'the War Assets Administration that the
Big and Little Big Inch should be sold only
for the transportation of oil disregards the
fact that gas can be moved only through
pipe lines. Unlike oil, it cannot be moved in
tankers.
Another factor which appears to have es-
caped the consideration of WAA is the effect that
oil-use of the lines would have upon the em-
ployment of the existing large tanker fleets. The
use of the Big and Little Big Inch for oil, even
if it were not economically unsound, which it is,
would necessarily relegate a large number of
tankers to idleness and decay, thus undermin-
ing the Nation's security.
The self-flagellation indulged in by the
War Assets Administration in decreeing that
the Big and Little Big Inch shall only be sold
for oil disregards the concern of the Admini-
stration to find new uses for surplus property
so that it may be sold at a profit. The WAA
proposes to scrap this policy. In the case of
the Big and Little Big Inch, it curiously in-
sists that they cannot be used for anything
except oil, although they can be put to a
more economic, and therefore a higher and
more profitable use.
Only one man in these United States boasts
the power and has exhibited the disregard of
the public welfare that presumably would be
necessary to make the War Assets Administra-
tion and its able administrator, Mr. Littlejohn,
thus fly in the face of all logic and economic
realism. That man is John L. Lewis, the dic-
tatorial chief of the United Mine Workers, who
has no regard for the public, as proved by his
threat to call another strike. For all that 'he
cares, we may be charged $50 a ton for coal,
and even lose a war, just so long as he can
crack the whip from the driver's seat. Inci-
dentally, Mr. Lewis might explain to the Amer-
ican people just what his connections were with
Nazi Germany at the beginning of the war and
when he undertook to defeat President Roose-
velt in 1940.
Mr. Lewis and his railroad and power allies
are of course unwilling that coal should have

competition from natural gas, but why the
WAA should be willing to yield to the machina-
tions of the man who did not hesitate to sabo-
tage the war program is a question that re-
mains to be answered. Of course, it would not
be Mr. Lewis but the people who would have to
dig into their pockets to pay the enormous cost
of the waste involved.
(Copyright 1946, by the N.Y. Post Syndicate)
Dance Benefits Children
ASEMBLY Association, the organization of
independent women on campus, has chosen
for its annual project a campaign to raise funds
that will enable underprivileged children to at-
tend the Fresh Air Camp this summer.
The first step tot.ard this goal is the semi-
formal dance that has been planned for Nov. 9
to climax the events of the Michigan State
game week-end. Proceeds from the affair, which
is open to all students, will be used to improW;
the camp's facilities and to purchase equipment
that will turn it into a real haven for the un-
fortunate youngsters.
It is obvious that the extent of the benefits
that these children will derive must depend to a
large degree on the interest of University stu-
dents in making this dance and similar under-
takings in the future a success.
-Gloria Bendet

(Continued from Page 3)

Discrimination . . .
To the Editor:
YOUR EDITORIAL in reply to the letter I
wrote on discrimination in West Adams
Height, California, was interesting but still per-
sisted in clouding the issue. My idea was to
point out the fact that certain points can be
conveniently overlooked in presenting a case,
and to further present an aspect that was over-
looked. Mr. Hoffmann says that the real point
of the matter is that of writing a discrimina-.
tory regulation off , the books. I say that the
property owners of West Adams Height do not
care one way or another about the moral issues
of the regulation or whether or not it agrees
with the spirit of the Constitution. They want
to protect their property, an understandable re-
action if you have ever owned any. They know
very well that laws do not stop discrimination,
or crime. They know that guaranteeing Negroes
the right to vote in the Constitution did not
resolve into actual fact in the South. They
know it was public opinion that started the
change, and is continuing the trend now. The
North has never made an issue of Negroes vot-
ing and doubtless would have allowed the right
without any prodding of the law.
As to Mr. Hoffmann doubting that property
can depreciate under. the proper conditions, has
he ever had any first Band experience with the
situation? I don't have to be there to know the
situation, I've seen it enough. He also points
out that they are trying to evict rather than bar
the Negroes, which is supposed to prove some-
thing. I think in this particular case it shows
the residents gave the situation a try, before
they started proceedings. I think it is a good
sign things are getting more liberal. In most
cases, the action begins with the first attempt
to move in. Since the issue is the repeal of a
law, any action to resist the law constituted
hostilities. If the white property owners en-
acted the law ex post facto, then they started
things and the situation is reversed. However,
their. motive remains unchanged. There was
another letter published to answer mine, but
its theme was so far from mine that I feel that
I have no time to start a new discussion.
-James V. Grady
* * *
'Friendly Firmness'
To the Editor:
IN A LETTER on "Friendly Firmness" in your
issue of Oct. 23 appeared one sentence which
is a disgrace to its writer. In enumerating Rus-
sian titles to certain lands which she has re-
cently annexed, Natalie Bagrow states, appar-
ently with approval; "These lands ... were hers
by agreement with Germany." This can only
refer to the infamous Ribbentrop pact, which
Russia herself repudiated after Germany broke
it by attack on Russia, just as Britain and
France similarly repudiated the equally infam-
ous Munich agreement at an earlier period of
the war. It was the whole object of the late

stolen, but the thief gave it to me personally!"
Russia has many other claims to her an-
nexed territory than the cynical Ribbentrop
treaty; some are strong, some are weak. But
the Russians themselves do not advance the
"agreement with Germany"; they would be glad
to forget it. Why do their supposed friends
appeal to it? Is it advisable to be so pro-Com-
munist that one appeals to the decisions of the
Nazis? Are we STILL "appeasing" Hitler?
-Preston Slosson
* * *
Patience*...
To the Editor:
QUERY to Miss Natalie Bagrow: What con-
clusion is to be drawn from your closin
statement on "Friendly Firmness," "It is only a
matter of time until Russia's enormous patience
and forbearance gives out?"
-Glenn A. Young
* * *
Liberalism
To the Editor:
THE RECENT editorial policy of The Daily
exhorting the need for liberalism in Amer-
ica is indeed worthy of applause.
Of the student organizations which have de-
voted themselves to upholding the principles of
liberalism, the AVC ranks among the foremost.
The policy of the AVC toward the basic issues
in American political, economic and social life
are more than adequate testimony of the desire
and effort of the members of AVC to realize
their progress in the present and future Ameri-
ca. The AVC has backed up its stand by posi-
tive action. In the fight for adequate price con-
trol, the AVC was instrumental in the organi-
zation and execution of OPA rallies, our campus
chapter included. In regard to other issues, the
AVC stand bears repetition. This includes sup-
port of the Baruch-Lillienthal World Atomic
Control Plan, the Anti-Poll Tax Bill, the FEPC,
Terminal Leave Pay for Enlisted Men, the im-
provement of medical services in the Veterans
Administration and the Veterans Housing Bill.
On the campus, the AVC has urged a wider
program of social activities. They have spon-
sored the weekly Veterans Dance. At the mo-
ment, a "cost of living" survey is in progress,
the results of which can be used as a basis for
further recommendation toward improving stu-
dent facilities.
Might this letter be construed as an endorse-
ment for the AVC, with the added purpose of
encouraging membership? YES.
-Milton Feder

BILL MAULDIN
. .5
r--
f~-3O Copt. 1446 by Unted feature Syndicate, Inc.
1 ss.tss Tn), Reg, U. S. Pat. QNf.--Atl rights reserved
"Buy a paper, mister?"
DAILY OFFICIAL BULLETIN

for the spring semester will be given
the opportunity to apply for supple-
mentary housing through the Office
of the Dean of Women, beginning
Nov. 15, 1946.
(It is not possible to accept new
dormitory applications for the spring
semester, 1947, either from women
now on campus or from women ad-
mitted to the University.)
Women's Housing Applications for
the Fall Semester, 1947:
1. Women students living in dormi-
tories in the spring semester, 1947,
who wish to remain in the dormitor-
ies for the fall and spring semesters
of 1947-48, must file renewal forms
with Housing Directors during the
week of Mar. 3, 1947. No renewals
will be accepted after Mar. 10, 1947.
2. Women students on campus in
the spring semester, 1947, not living
in dormitories who would like to ap-
ply for dormitory accommodations
for the fall and spring semesters of
1947-48, may do so at the Office of
the Dean of Women on Apr. 1, 1947,
and will be accepted up to the number
of spaces reserved for non-freshmen.
3. Women tentatively admitted to
the University with advanced stand-
ing for the fall semester, 1947, may
apply for supplementary housing, be-
ginning Nov. 15, 1946, and will be re-
ferred for definite reservations after
Apr. 15, 1947.
4. Women tentatively admitted to
the University as freshmen for the
fall semester 1947, may apply for
dormitory accommodations beginning
Nov. 15, 1946, and will be accepted
up to the number of spaces reserved
for freshmen.
5. Women students on campus in
the spring semester, 1947, may apply
for supplementary housing for the
fall semester, 1947, at the Office of
the Dean of Women.
(Dormitory applications will be ac-
cepted only from those women stu-
dents whom the Office of the Dean
of Women expects to be able to ac-
commodate in dormitories. Others
will be instructed immediately to ap-
ply for supplementary housing. Stu-
dents may apply for only one type of
housing.)
Bus Schedule: Beginning Nov. 1,
one schedule will be added at 12:15
a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights
from Ann Arbor to Willow Run Vil-
lage and will be maintained for two
weeks to see if it is actually needed.
Job Registration material may be
obtained at the Bureau of Appoint-
ments, 201 Mason Hall, during office
hours(9:00 to 12:00 and 2:00 to 4:00)
on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
of this week and Monday and Tues-
day of next week. This applies to
February, June and August gradu-
ates, also to graduate students or
staff members who wish to register
and who will be available for posi-
tions within the next year. The Bu-
reau has two placement divisions:
Teacher Placement and General
Placement. The General Division in-
cludes service to people seeking po-
sitions in business, industry and pro-
fessions other than education. It is
important to register NOW because
employers are already asking for
February and June graduates. There
is no fee for registration at this time.

Choral Union Members whose rec-
ords of attendance are clear, please
call for courtesy passes admitting
you to the concert, by Eugene Isto-
min, on Wed., Oct. 30, between the
hours of 9:30 and 11:30 and 1:00 to
4:00 at the offices of the University
Musical Society in Burton Memorial
Tower.
Identification Cards will be distrib-
uted today outside Rm. 2, University
Hall. Those students who have not
as yet had their pictures taken must
do so today. Students who have had
pictures taken during the past three
weeks will be able to pick up their
identification cards at a future date
to be announced in the D.O.B.
Students, College of Literature,
Science and the Arts: Applications
for scholarships for the year, 1947-
48, should be made before Nov. 23.
Application forms may be obtained
at 1220 Angell Hall and should be
filed at that office.
College of Literature, Science and
the Arts, Schools of Education, Mu-
sic and Public Health: Students who
expect to receive degrees at the end
of the Fall Semester from the Col-
lege of Literature, Science, and the
Arts, School of Education, Music, or
Public Health must file a diploma
application in Rm. 4, University Hall,
by Nov. 1, if they have not already
done so.
February 1947 Graduates in Chem-
istry, Mechanical, Indistrial and
Chemical Engineering: Mr. A. W.
Larson of Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company, Akron, Ohio, will interview
for positions in that organization,
today in Rm. 218 W. Engineering
Bldg. Interview schedule is posted
on the bulletin board at Rim. 221 W.
Engr. Bldg.
The War Department is selecting
well qualified personnel to staff our
occupation forces in Japan. Indivi-
duals chosen for these assignments
should have a minimum of three
years teaching or school administra-
tion experience and should have a
Master's degree. Duties will involve
the actual guidance of the Japanese
in carrying out the policies estab-
lished by the Supreme Commander
for the rehabilitation and democrat-
ization of Japanese education. These
positions will be established at Civil
Service ratings of CAF-10 and CAF-
11. Further information is available
at the Bureau of Appointments, 201
Mason Hall.
Varsity Glee Club: Both sections
will meet on their respective days at
7:15 p.m. in Rm. 305, Union.
Debaters: There will be no meet-
ing today. All debaters are urged to
attend the Western Reserve-Michi-
gan debate on Friday, 3:30 p.m. in
the Ann Arbor High School.
WILLOW RUN VILLAGE
West Court Community Building:
Wed., Oct. 30, 8:00 p.m., Wednes-
day Night Lecture Series, Professor
Preston W. Slosson, "International
issues in the current election." Ste-
phens College Alumnae, hostesses.
Thurs., Oct. 31, 2:00 p.m., Open
class in Prenatal Care. Speaker, Miss
Fisher. Discussion of personal hy-
giene with emphasis on nutrition
needs of the mother. 8:00 p. in., Ex-
tension Class in Psychology. Stu-
dents still accepted for enrollment.
8:00 p. m. Bridge session for every-
body.
Fri., Nov. 1, 8:00 p. m., Classical
Recordings, Rm. 9. 8:00 p.m., FPHA
Staff Party, Rm. 3,

tioni in Physical Chemistry will be
held Nov. 1. Anyone wishing to take
this examination should consult with
a member of the Graduate Commit-
tee in Chemistry.
Biological Chemistry Seminar will
meet in Rm. 319 W. Medical Bldg.,
Fri., Nov. 1. at 3:00 p.m. The sub-
ject to be discussed, will be "Malig-
nant Tumors and D-Amino Acids."
The Botanical Seminar will meet
at 4:00 today in Rm. 1139 Natural
Science Bldg. Dr. L. E. Wehmeyer
will discuss "Studies in the Genus
Pleospora." All interested are in-
vited.
Seminar in Applied Mathematics:
At the meeting today at 3:00 in Rm.
317 W. Engineering, Dr. C. L. Dolph
speaks on "Optimum Current Dis-
tributions for Broadside Antenna
Arrays." Visitors are welcome.
Special Functions Seminar today
at 10:00 a.m. in Rm. 340 W. Eng.
Prof. Rainvill will talk on Contiguous
Functions Relations and on Kum-
mer's Transformations.
Mathematics Seminar on Stochas-
tic Processes will meet at 3:00 p.m.,
Thurs., Oct. 31., in 3018 Angell Hall.
The purpose of the meeting is to or-
ganize the seminar and review the
literature.
Concerts
Choral Union Concert: Eugene
Istomin, pianist, will give the second
concert in the Choral Union Series
at 8:30 this evening, taking the place
of Egon Petri,bwho is ill. Program:
compositions by Bach, Beethoven,
Brahms, Schubert, Busch, Debussy,
and Chopin. Tickets are on sale at
the offices of the University Musical
Society in Burton Tower.
Exhibitions
Art Exhibit: Non-objective, color
mono-types by Jeanne de Wolfe, Cal-
ifornia artist, and an extensive col-
lection of textiles from Guatemala
are now on exhibition in the ground
floor corridor of the College of Archi-
tecture and Design. The exhibit will
be current until Oct. 31.
Events Today
AVC University chapter will meet
at 7:30 tonight at the Michigan
Union. All members and persons in-
terested are urged to attend.
Russian Conversation Group will
meet at the League Grill at 3:30 to-
day.
The Michigan Christian Fellowship
will hold a Bible Study group at 8:00
tonight in Lane Hall.
Tea and Coffee Hour: The regular
Wednesday afternoon informal tea
and coffee hour of the Lutheran Stu-
dent Association will be held at the
Center from 4:00 to 5:30.
Association Halloween .party will
be held at 7:30 tonight at Lane Hall.
Coming Events .
Students, faculty, and members of
the Michigan Academy of Science
are cordially invited to the educa-
tional portion of the Convention of
the Michigan Junior Academy of
of Science, at 2:00 p.m., Nov. 2, Nat-
ural Science Auditorium. Technicol-
or movies and a liquid air demon-
stration will be presented. The busi-
ness meeting will convene at 1:00
p.m. for members.
A Social Seminar for Institute of
Public Administration Students is be-
ing held Thurs., Oct. 31, at 7:30 in
the W. Conference Room of the
Rackham Bldg. Mr. John Huss, di-
rector of the Michigan Municipal
League, will speak on "Leagues of
Municipalities and Their Work,"
Your attendance is invited.

Sigma Xi: The Michigan Chapter
(Continued on Page 6)
Fifty-Seventh Year
Edited and managed by students of the
University of Michigan under the author-
ity of the Board in Control of Student
Publications.
Editorial Staff
Robert Goldman........Managing Editor
Milton Freudenheim.....Editorial Director
Clayton Dickey................City Editor
Mary Brush...............Associate Editor
Ann Kutz.................Associate Editor
Paul Harsha...............Associate Editor
Clark Baker................Sports Editor
Des Howarth......Associate Sports Editor
Jack Martin......Associate Sports Editor
Joan Wilk.................women's Editor
Lynne Ford......Associate women's Editor
Business Staff
Robert E. Potter.......Business Manager
Evelyn Mills... Associate Business Manager
Janet Cork.... Associate Business Manager
Telephone 23-24-1


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U'Z ___L _

I

off

El I ---------------- -

What? That imaginary pixie is
disappointed . .. ? Because his
report wasn't accepted by the

. . 5. a . f
Hmm. His analysis was too
intellectual. Too advanced.'

John! Why encourage
Barnaby to believe
in that pink-winged-

Too intellectual? Of course.
That accounts for it. You see,'
m'boy, there's always a simple

I