Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Jan. 25, 1982, edition 1 / Page 4
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4fThe Daily Tar HeelMonday. January 25. 1982 Jim Hummel. ea Susan Mauney. Muuig Ediw Geoffrey Mock. Associate Edit BETH BURRELL. Associate Editor EDWINA RALSTON, Unwmity Editor Rachel Perry, cay Editor CHARLES HERNDON. State and National Editor Clifton Barnes, Sports Editor LEAH TALLEY, Arts Editor KEITH KING, Features Editor SCOTT SHARPE. Photography Editor Ann Peters, Spotlight Editor Chuck James, ombudsman Liberal fihwmp Bath 'DTBP seen as excluding conservatives' viewpoint By JIM HUMMEL 89th year of editorial freedom Migrant problem The conviction of two men Friday in Raleigh for conspiring to hold migrant workers as slaves in an incident that resulted in the death of one worker only brings to public attention a problem that has existed for a long time. The trial serves to show that migrant workers rank at the bot tom of the American social structure. Decades of reform movements have come and gone without significant improvement in the living con ditions of the workers. The case against Dennis Warren and John Lester Harris described how those men kidnapped migrant workers and prevented them from leaving their labor camp. The workers were regularly whipped to make them meet their daily harvesting quota and paid token wages that were quickly eaten up by exorbitant food and drink prices at the camp. One laborer, Robert Anderson, was forced to the field after spitting up blood in the morning. He then collapsed and died of heatstroke after receiving improper medical care. The conviction of Warren and Harris, while the first involving the death of a migrant worker, fell short of meeting the source of the pro blem. Warren and Harris are likely to be hit with stiff penalties, but the farm owner financing their activites was not prosecuted. The brutal conditions the migrant workers toil under in labor camps could not con tinue unless subsidized by big farm owners looking for a source of cheap labor. Part of the problem is also political. The migrant worker population is large but its political influence does not match its numbers. Reform efforts have by and large avoided their predicament. The opposition from planters has been too strong and the sentiment for reform too weak for effective change to be enacted. Little short of a dramatic shift of social relations in areas with migrant populations will bring about improvement in their lives. The government can aid that shift by an effective immigration policy and by challenging the control of the farmers in rural counties. The problem of migrant workers is particularly pertinent to North Carolina, which has one of the largest migrant populations in the na tion. The state must not think that its responsibility is finished with last week's trial. The migrant workers' need for reform is too strong to be ignored any longer. 7 Conservatives, beware- This column is for all of you out there who are convinced that your local campus fish wrap is run by bleeding-heart liberals out to suppress any point of view but their own and criticize anything . that even hints of being conservative. I am about to con firm all your fears about any editor who has ever worked for The Daily Tar Heel: that we all actually spend most of our time down here plotting to be biased and to never foster freedom of expression. I have wanted to write this column for a long time but figured it would be better to wait until the lame-duck period of my editorship and possibly offer a few tidbits of advice for the next person who will hold my position. Having worked for the DTH since the beginning of my freshman year, I have become accustomed to the standard critcism of what a liberal rag we are, how we don't mirror what the students really want to hear (whatever that is) and how we(have conspired to keep conservative writers from joining the newspaper staff. Well, my reply to that is: Where are ya, fellas? Apparently the situation has gotten so bad that a group of conservative people on campus, frustrated that they are being forced to subsidize with student fees a point of view they do not share, has decided to start its own newspaper. The whole tone implies that editors down here sit around and plot our every move against those wretched conservatives, just waiting to receive a letter to the editor so that we can throw it in a trash can designed specifically for that purpose. In a letter dated Jan. 5 that begins 'Dear Fellow con servative, the editor of the publication, Ray Warren, documents the extreme liberalism of Orange County, saying that (Heaven forbid!) we were one of only three . counties in North Carolina to vote George McGovern for president in 1972. "Professors, subsidized 'student newspapers ... all preach the liberal message," th$ letter reads. "The 'message' they promote never varies. It is always ANTI PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, ANTI-NATIONAL DE FENSE, and ANTI-JUDEO-CHRISTIAN VALUES. It is always PRO-COLLECTIV1ST, PRO-PACIFIST and PRO-SECULARISM. All student-funded groups V are controlled bv leftists." It goes on to state the newspaper's purpose and lisf a boaid of directors that would make William F. Bucklely and even ol' Jesse Helms proud. It also states that con- . servatives at UNC have routinely been denied access to the "student" newspaper's editorial page (I guess that's us) and that what scant coverage we give to conservative events is biased. All this criticism is not so surprising a newspaper should expect to be on the firing line every day. What is funny is the perception of the way the DTH operates, at least as expressed in the letter. The whole tone implies that editors down here sit around and plot our every move against those wretched conservatives, just waiting to receive a letter to the editor so that we can throw it in a trash can designed specifically for that purpose. Perhaps the most ironic thing is that Ray Warren first approached me about a job when he came to Chapel Hill as a first-year law student, wanting to write regularly for the editorial page. As state and national editor at the time, I suggested that he might have to start off as a staff writer and work his way up. Apparently this did not ap peal to him (understandaly so, given the workload of a first-year law student). But he apparently considered this denying the conservative point of view. This is not to deny that The Daily Tar Heel tradi tionally has been a liberal newspaper. Stories of past editors such as Charles Kuralt (one of the first to speak up for desegregation in 1954) are legend to anyone who has worked at the DTH, and the paper has frequently spoken out for liberal causes over the years. I am probably more conservative than many of the DTH's editors the past 10 years, but that never seemed to be an issue when I was running for editor last year. As a staff writer, editorial assistant and state and national editor during my first two and a half years at the DTH, editors at the paper were not concerned about whether I was liberal or conservative they wanted to know if I could write a .half-decent story on deadline, spend 40 hours a week down here and not flunk out. There has never been any plot in my four years here to deny conser vatives access to the paper; rather, it is more a case of conservatives rarely working their way up through the ranks. Apparently the situation has gotten so bad that a group of conservative people on campus, frustrated that they are being forced to sub sidize with student fees a point of view they do not share, has decided to start its own newspaper. It's time for liberal and conservatives alike to realize that they're not going to secure the so-called positions of power on campus by some stroke of luck. The old cliche about earning it on your own is true for anyone at this newspaper, whether he or she be a conservative, woman, black or even white male. Of course, this is easy for me to say because I am one of those white males who has not had to face the discrimination, direct or indirect, that many people on this campus have had to battle. But I doubt that I would be editor today if I had not put in the hundreds of hours as a freshman and sophomore that prepared me for the job. 1 wish Warren and Co. well in their new venture. Anybody who knows the costs of trying to start a new publication knows that the conservative group will need a lot of luck and support for the project to survive. In a way, I admire their devotion to what they believe in, which is more than you can say for millions of apathetic people in today's society. It is unfortunate, though, that their energy is being channeled into a medium that is likely to reach a limited readership and isolate the message they would like to espouse. ' . t Filling a newspaper like the DTH five times a week is not an easy venture. For the benefit of us and anyone else who believes in freedom of expression, let us hear from you; conservative or liberal, black or white. We promise to at least read your letter or column before conspiring to discredit it. Jim Hummel, a senior journalism and political science major from Grafton, Mass., is editor of The Daily Tar Heel. Letters to the editor Cheap construction only breeds ' problems ( I LOVE YOU KNOU HCV A BA5K.ETSAU. PlAYEK EAT5 A P016HNUT? POONESBURY by Garry Trudeau IZZiJti, YEAH. TW HELP YOU? f it. k l . BOY. I HAVEN'T VUNHO- THAT'S WHY t . T qj,,r Z IM CAWN6. I UNPeg- , w ,7SR dju, i' stand nerve got a L J you ntuA' BIT OF A J y?- THE Daily Crossword by Herbert E. Smith ACROSS 1 Artie orG.B. 5 Search group 10 Halt 14 Blood: comb, form 15 Bay window 16 Engage 17 Signifi cance 19 Space 20 Incorrect card dis tributions 21 Demure 23 Law degrees 24 Roric 25 Attack 29 32 28 Word on the wall Wander about From that place 33 High, in music 34 Czech city 35 Burdens Diamond "...unable to sit still in" 38 Weaponry 39 Vandal Grumble Piggery Sit for a picture 36 37 40 41 42 Saturday's Puzzle Solved: S IT I A IR F IS IN IA IG nS"P lA IR lEl H.U.G.1 BEn.0.0. llA!E.R ALA iLiPEALjTTTES WINN 7E LM A IN l D R l A j KJ E j "If A S T R Yt.lN 0 t OXTZl - ; aw o MyjE " rncT gTaTyTb i a o. ! srTTi I H.L 5. o llllJLAfLlIlAlill! WiA" R M It D fW 0 T E ftZT P,T1" 0 WjE SOT I T FU ILL AIL A B AM AN"1 I E PJN A 0. B 1 IJ I A i U. "TA B i E A.l.li.11 1A" P.O. 3 SIO R T MlElLlElEUNlAMliilMAjI 43 Declaims 44 Jumble 45 Thin nail 46 Forsake 49 Royal title 53 Peruvian 54 Ghost stories 56 Luminary 57 Plumlike fruits 58 Chair 59 Rope 60 Intelligent 61 Russian news agency DOWN 1 Tapered metal 2 Half:pref. 3 Elec. units 4 Forests 5 Good for drinking 6 Exams 7 Trespasses 8 Champagne word 9 Component 10 Disreputable 11 Jade 12 Mine products 13 Kind of fuel 12582 is Mementos 22 Be in debt 24 Farmer's place 25 Map collec tion 26 Curt 27 Sordid 28 Orono's state 29 Thin mortar 30 Win by 31 Cupolas 34 Make public 36 Fertile 37 Out-and-out 39 Party giver 40 Most blood curdling 42 Golf score 44 Learned 45 Pipe material 46 Record 47 Inner , comb, form 48 Cover for a wound 49 Malayan vessel 50 Zeno's town 51 Vast expanses 52 Certain ? lanes ree 1 12 13 R 15 6 17 8 fi 110 111 112 113 I - 7? Ta 19 21 22 """" """"" 23 24 "" 2526nir 2fT"" """" iririsT"' H 33 " 34 "" " 38 """" """" 39"" ' 140""" """"" . """"" """"" . . uf " """" " 43 .l!iPl-lll 1 nmw.m -..MrniBBin MMMH MMHa U mmi MM BH MH II Ml III! II ilf.Wll JIMIIIHJ 1 44 1 45 4iT47"T'4rJ " " 49"" " " 5Tn5T52" 53 54 IsT lii j 57 1 58 """" 59"" " " " " 60 1 .61 Mil L I I 1 I I I 1 I 1 LJ 1982 Tribune Company Syndicate, Inc. All Rights Reserved J2582 To the editor: Dean Foust and the DTH deserve credit for presenting well the issues of a very serious problem aluminum wiring in apartment complexes to the readers of the paper ("Recent fire draws atten tion to wiring in apartments," DTH Jan. 20). It should be mentioned, however, that aluminum wiring didn't go only into apartment complexes whose owners wanted to save money. It also went into private homes, some with apartments, to save money for the homeowner or con tractor. As someone who worked for 18 mon ths for a luxury complex in Carrboro, I saw many abuses of good sense in the policies of the management. We had aluminum wiring' in part of the complex, and it caused problems. Lights blinked in the apartments, and circuits got warm. This wasnt noticed much; mostly it was ignored by the residents, but when it was brought to our attention, the screws at the offending outlet were tightened, along with those at the circuit breaker, and that wax that. The problem with aluminum wiring was really no problem to the complex. Like a problem of raw sewage flowing in to a local stream, not enough complaints were heard and not enough outlets were scorched. 1 complained about the sewage, and the problem was eventually taken care of. The wiring was a different story, though. There were other worries of mine that were different stories at this particular complex: uncertain water quality in the pools, poor wall and ceiling insulation, poor structure integrity (some of the apartments were actually falling down), .recurring flooding in some apartments, uncertain exterior lighting, poor adherence to building code or existing structure guidelines (for example in the installation of fireplaces), untrained employees and generally making it work with a quick-and-dirty fix when care and forethought would do. In this list are no complaints that are out-and-out dangerous, but they occasionally made life miserable for the residents in the com- plex and had the potential for ruining the life of someone living there. The management of the complex was understanding and generally sincere to both residents and employees, but the real problem is with hidden economics. The management saw a very large penalty in the immediate cost of making some needed repairs or reconstruction or in do ing the necessary training. Like patriotic Americans today, they opted to keep pro fits trickling down by shipping them somewhere else, in this case to Charlotte, where the home office was.'. The hidden cost of not making im provements is borne unknowingly by the residents of the complex and of the general community. It comes in the form of increased power costs due to resistance of poorly terminated aluminum wiring to current flow and poorly insulated win dows and doors, resulting in the construc tion of incredibly expensive non-profit power plants or it comes in the form of increased insurance preminums because the number of claims increased or in the form of dropped work standards and production due, not necessarily to laziness or ignorance in the common worker, but to the lack of sensible long r range decisions at the top. The answer for residents is to talk with the management of their complex and tell them of important concerns. It is impor tant to strike a loud note for reason. They have been known to listen; the apartment dweller is their bread and butter. John Hoy Chapel Hill Abortion debute To the editor: The central issue in the question of abortion is not one of choice but one of life. Certainly, as Dr. Margaret Dorfman and Rev. Frank Perry said ("Individual choice the issue not abortion," DTH, Jan. 14), an unwanted pregnancy will disrupt a woman's plans and expecta tions. Nevertheless, because another human .life is involved, abortion is not the solu tion to the problem of an unwanted pregnancy, A child's life is of greater im portance than a woman's freedom to choose an abortion. : Ceclia Belk Slightly irregular letters from a few readers By RANDY WALKER Normally I use this space for hilarious satire. But this week my social conscience was bothering me, so I decided to donate this space to print some concerned readers' letters that we didn't have room for under "Letters to the Editor." I'll be back in the next few weeks with another uproarious column. R.W.) To the editor: Maybe you could help us with this little problem we have. It seems we bought these MX missies, but we've got nowhere to put them. Would you mind if we put a couple in your arboretum? We'll camouflage mem so well you'll hardly know they're there. V Caspar Weinberger Secretary of Defense To the editor: , Could you send somebody to turn off the air condi tioners? It's freezing up here. Football players Ehringhaus Residence Hall To the editor: Don't tell anyone, but I've got a solution to the hous ing shortage. Since I got closed out of Ehringhaus last year, I've been living in a 1961 Chevy Step-Van parked on Stadium Drive. The only rent I've paid is for the $54 S-5 sticker. I have a kerosene heater and take showers m Fetzer Gym. Pretty smart, huh? But keep this quiet; if Housing finds out, they'll probably evict me for having a zip cord. ' Barry Muldoone Parking Space Nd. 134, Stadium Drive To the editor: . I would like to bring to your attention a matter of ut most importance. I am. referring to the harassment of Latvian students on campus. The other day I was studying physical chemistry in my room in Ehringhaus when the phone rang. I picked it up and heard a most unpleasant chittering noise. An hour later it happend again. I believe you call this "chip munking." The next day someone stepped on the heel of my Adidas and gave me what we used to call in Latvia a "flat tire." You can imagine the constant state of terror I am forced to live in. I call on faculty, staff and students to recognize, confront and demand a stop to anti-' Latvian prejudice on this campus. . .Larry Ghzdnk President, Latvian Student Association To the editor: Could you tell me where the library is? Thank you. . A freshman P.S. Is B.S. Chemistry a hard major? To the editor: Please disregard the letter from my colleague Mr. Weinberger. It seems we're not going to have money for those MX missiles after all. Sorry to bother you. '': . . ' ' ..." David Stockman - X.; , Budget Director To the editor: i ". . We would like to announce the opening of Step-Van Dormitory on Stadium Drive. Students may sign up for it in the campus wide lottery this spring. Thank you. Department of Housing To the editor: I'm 6-foot-1, a good team player and have a pretty good outside shot. I started at guard for the East Rodan the High School Buzzards my junior and senior years. Could you tell me where to go to try out for the basket ball team here? I know I probably won't start right away, but I'm willing to work hard. Jimmy Burbank Muldoone-Doolittle - - 6th floor TV Lounge, Ehringhaus To the editor: I want to warn you about these damn Latvians. They've infiltrated our society, and they're planning to take over. But you can't tell who they are, they look just like everybody else. Who knows your roommate could be a Latvian. Then there's you, Mr. Larry Whoever. Just because we can't say your name you think you're better than us. Well, if I could find you I'd click you on the head. Earl-Bob McGee I Manny's Trailer Park ' ' Carrboro To the editor I'm in control here. Alexander Haig Secretary of State Randy Walker, a junior journalism major from Rich mond, Va., is a staff writer for The Daily Tar Heel.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Jan. 25, 1982, edition 1
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