The Public's Economic Program

To the Editors:

It is little wonder that we have failed in solving the inflation problem. Most people confuse high prices with inflation, and many others, more knowledgeable, simply do not want to face up to the problem. Unfortunately, both groups include many members of Congress and the news media.

There is only one way to stop inflation, and that is to reduce Government spending drastically and increase the production of goods. The ironic thing is that the real solution is far less painful than the fakery cures to which we are being subjected. Doling out Government money at the consumer level cannot provide the necessary capital to get more production. It only accelerates demand, fuels more inflation and continues unemployment.

Let's really give the free enterprise system a chance to work. Reduce corporate income taxes, encourage consumer saving rather than spending, concentrate on encouraging more capital investment so that we'll have the means to increase production greatly. This will provide both jobs and goods. You can't spend your way out by "priming the pump." You must produce your way out.

Harlan J. Bauer Wheaton, III.

Somewhere in the frazzled mass there must be people quietly working on sources of energy--the wind, the waves, the sun--far more permanent than our limited amounts of oil. I wish that my Government would take my tax refund and use it for my children's threatened future rather than their perhaps slightly uncomfortable 1975.

Ann A. Paulson Wilmington, Del.

We have to be aware that the Middle East oil price increases lower our standard of living, and there is nothing that President Ford or anyone else in this country can do to alter that fact. Even military intervention, unthinkable for other reasons, would have to be financed through higher taxes or deficit spending (read: inflation).

It would seem that President Ford's tariff is the least objectionable alternative. At least the taxes collected would be recycled within our own economy.

Tim Merker Menominee, Mich.

Even a numskull like me can see contradictory messages coming from those who propose solutions to economic problems. The President believes that the public will use tax rebate money to rush out and buy new cars and help rescue the ailing auto industry. At the same time, he proposes upping the price of gasoline to discourage the use thereof. Now why would I want to buy a new car just to take it home and put it in the garage? Demand for fuel is governed less by price adjustment than by the number of vehicles in operation. Rationing, either direct or indirect, makes sense only if there is a corresponding reduction of demand by reducing the number of vehicles.

If gasoline is truly in short supply, there is no excuse for the unlimited manufacture of cars to eat it up. If, however, shoring up a sagging industry is the prime objective, fuel must be easily available. We can't have it both ways.

Edwin A. Lucado Jr. San Diego

I don't know what you expect of President Ford. You must think he should be some superhero and be able to pull us out of our problems just like that. Give the man a chance.

You keep demanding solutions for a problem that no one has been able to solve. I think people ought to realize that the responsibility for solving these problems doesn't lie with the President alone. It's going to take all of us working together to stop this recession. Until people realize that and start to do something other than blame the President, nothing is going to be accomplished.

Kathy Vieregge Norwalk, Wis.

Recently, after I had made a purchase at a local store, the clerk offered to wrap it for me. I thought that they must have run out of paper bags. A day or so later, the gas-station attendant actually washed the windshield. Merchants are beginning to push common courtesy. I hadn't realized that things were so bad.

Edward Rogge Petersburg, III.

I welcome Ford's tax rebate. Now millions of us can buy new equipment for the corner apple stands.

John J. Lyons Chicago

Basic Stuff for Newsmen

The blame for the miserable record of economics journalism [Jan. 20] rests squarely on the shoulders of your intellectuals who "skillfully translate economic trends" into useless prose. The blame cannot be shifted to the shoulders of John Q. under the guise of public ignorance about economics.

Before you try to educate the public, take a healthy dose of that "basic stuff' you mention and heal thyself.

Charles R. Winfield Palacios, Texas

Your account of the dismal state of economics coverage reflected with great accuracy the concerns felt by professional economists (of whom I am one) as they read their daily newspapers or watch television.

Princeton University is seeking to be of at least some help in remedying the deficiency. We have just announced a fellowship program, to begin in the fall, carefully designed to provide eight journalists annually with a sophisticated knowledge of the tools and methods of economic analysis. The program, initiated and supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, will be housed at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. It will be a yearlong, highly structured program with much of the material particularly designed to meet journalistic requirements.

It is our hope that in a few years you will have a somewhat more cheerful story to tell.

William G. Bowen, President Princeton University Princeton, N.J.

Society's Advance Scouts

Mr. Griffith's Essay on what can rightfully be expected of politicians [Jan. 27] captured many of the frustrations I've felt and the lessons I've learned in 20 years of trying to lead.

Experience has taught me this: successful leaders are neither folk heroes nor mere managers. They carefully negotiate the void that separates the real from the ideal. They act as advance scouts for the wagon train of society without getting so far ahead that they are out of touch.

It takes some special qualities: the ability to laugh at oneself, the balance that allows one to enjoy great victories without being arrogant and suffer great defeats without crumbling. The job of society, rather than fitting aspirants into Superman's suit, is to pay close attention to the clothes they actually wear Rhetoric is no substitute for record, speechwriters for substance, charisma for character.

Aspiring leaders should remember that greatness is for history to judge. Their job is to stake out strong positions on the most difficult issues of their time.

Morris K. Udall Washington, D.C.

The writer, a Congressman from Arizona since 1961, is an announced candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

No automatic omniscience accrues to a new President the day after election to produce the superman sometimes expected by our citizens. But there is available a tremendous reservoir of knowledge and ability among our people. Effective decision-making experience and a long campaign help to teach the successful candidate how to tap this competent help.

As a prerequisite to superior performance, there must be a total commitment to demonstrable integrity. Frankness, openness, boldness, accessibility and maintenance of strict and publicly known ethical standards are necessary. Those good people who wish to maintain complete personal privacy should not seek public office. The only way for public officials to gain public trust is to be trustworthy.

Our basic problem is not so much that people have lost confidence in their Government, but that elected officials have underestimated the innate character and intelligence of their constituents. An increasingly skeptical public and reductions in paid advertising because of new spending ceilings should serve to reduce the appeal of the superficial media candidate.

Following the shame of Watergate and with the coming observance of our nation's 200th birthday, it is time to reject mediocrity in every aspect of national life. Why not the best?

Jimmy Carter Atlanta

Governor of Georgia until last month, the writer is another early Democratic presidential aspirant.

Bad Jokes for Spring

Here, here. None of this. I will not have you criticizing AM America [Jan. 20] in a magazine for which I pay good money. We have finally been given an alternative to Today, with its icehouse atmosphere and the reptilian Barbara Walters. Stephanie Edwards and Bill Beutel tell bad jokes and give us information about the state of the Coke bottle, Faye Dunaway's birthday and oryx farming. It's the difference between waking up in winter or in spring.

Rex Rowan Jacksonville

Come, come, Jay Cocks, you threw a heavy typewriter at a butterfly. No one in the audience seriously believed that funny little airship could get off the ground, much less fly. Island at the Top of the World [Jan. 13] was fun and fantasy, a world where no one got cold or hungry or tired or discouraged. We knew the good guys would solve their problems. We knew the bad guy would be overcome. All this without nudity, obscenity or promiscuity. Jay Cocks, you aren't young enough or old enough to review a Disney movie.

Robin Foster Ipswich, Mass.

Antioch in the '70s

I appreciate that TIME has once again singled out Antioch as an important institution in its own right and one that reflects the gains and problems of liberal arts education in the country.

Antioch has emerged from the turbulence of the past few years with its educational programs not only intact but strengthened. The work-study program, which affords the student a two-year advantage in employment upon graduation, is the strongest offered by any liberal arts college in the country. A current report ranks Antioch ninth in success in admittance of its graduates to medical schools. While our Yellow Springs campus--along with other private colleges--is accommodating a lower enrollment than it had in the '60s, we are approaching the challenges of the '70s with confidence.

Chancellor Francis X. Shea is providing strong and affirmative leadership. I deplore the possible inference that he came for other reasons, and you are grossly in error for labeling him an apostate. He is a duly laicized Jesuit priest granted permission to marry by the Holy See. In his own words he remains a "believing and practicing Catholic."

James P. Dixon, President Antioch College Yellow Springs, Ohio

A similar article could have been written at any given point in our history. Antioch College is on the brink of nothing more than another era of progressive education.

Constance Crockett Antioch, Class of '76

Carbines v. Rifles

In reporting the death of David M. ("Carbine") Williams [Jan. 20], you said that he invented the M-l rifle. Your writer is doubtless too young to have ever carried either, but veterans of World War II and Korea know the difference between Williams' M-l carbine and John Garand's more powerful M-l rifle. One difference is about 4 Ibs. in weight, as any dogface will remember.

Dan Real Houston

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.