PAGE 4, THE HERALD, Thursday, May 17, 1978

D ditorial | -

nN

In this day of computerized everything, when
an individual’s progress, health, schooling,
employment and government statistics charting
his birth, marriage, marriage history, death and
burial are recorded, filed and cross-indexed on
punch-cards for electronic read-outs, one would
hardly imagine the editorial desk of a city
newspaper would be one of the few very human
places left.

The computer and other electronic wizardry
have indeed taken over much of the printer's
task and will take over more during the coming
24 months, No longer is the type hand set, in
reverse (mirror writing) letter by letter.
Columns are not only automatically evened out
(justified), but words are split and hyphenated
by computer--and this is only a tiny sample of the
things electronic brain-like machinery is doing
in transferring the news as it happens around the
world to the hands of your news-carrier for
delivery to your front door.

interview and eye-

Sedatelatatebab tol Sob RO SbBaN NTR taNata ates

Crown Corporations face reform

by Tony MacGregor

VICTORIA - The newly established committee
on crown corporations launched into its first
-major task Wednesday and if it succeeds it may
launch the B.C. legislature on the road to reform.

The 14-member, all-party committee is in-
vestigating the inner workings of the largest
crown corporation west of Ontario - B.C. Hydro,
a mammoth business enterprise with tentacles
controlling businesses as diverse as sea buses
and natural gas. ,

Elwood Veitch, Socred-MLA from Burnaby-
Willingdon and chairman of the committee, said
what he wants to know is why British Colum-
bians are paying so much for their energy and he
thinks the committee can find out.

If it can expose inefficiencies and find ways.to
sharpen up Hydro’s performance - it will open
the way for the formation of other equally
powerful, all-party committees which will put
the MLAs to useful work.

Veitch says that the British parliamentary
system was never designed to deal with cor-
porations by the government and that over the
years the crown corporations have become
virtually accountable to no one,

“They've sometimes grown beyond the
legislation which conceived them,” he said.

The question is whether the all-party com-
mittee of MLAs whose occupations range from

restaurant proprietor to nurse to ‘logging con-.

tractor have the knowledge and skill to ask the
kind of questions which will give them the in-
formation they need.

Veitch says the committee has a top-quality

SSS

them to light.

witness, as well as mail, is a constant reminder
to even the most hard-boiled, deadline-conscious
editor that perhaps even more than ever, news is
“people”,

It ts an interesting, thrilling, sometimes soul-
Shaking experience to sit behind a desk and,
scissors in mind and scissors in hand, act in»
judgement upon the mass of news-copy, deciding
with every cut, what the reading public who

t

subscribe to that newspaper will be permitted to

read.

The decision has to be riade, not as a cen- =

sorship or intended news-slanting measure, but
because there are only so many column inches of
$pace in each issue allowed for news and photos
and the supply of general news is always in
excess of the space allowed.

What might appear contradictory, however, is
the truth that local news of real importance to
readers in a specific town, ethnic group, and
members of clubs, churches, as well as em-

ployees in individual trades--is usually in short
supply, and therefore there is always a constant
sear

to obtain _ this.

mnt!

sever: member staffand realms of consultants at
its eall.

That kind of backing wouldn’t be enough to
budge Hydro ifit really didn’t want to move, But
what the committee does have is some powerful
legislation which gives it the right to compel:
witnesses to appear and subpoena and materials
it wishes,

William Bonner, chairman of B.C. Hydro,
recognized and acquiesced to that power at
Wednesday’s meeting.

What the committee also has going for it are’
the recent political scandals in the United States
in which cover-ups and ~ stonewalling by
politicians and civil servants caused a string of
eruptions which burned a lot of rising stars.
Those lessons are not likely to be lost on the men
now facing the legislative committee.

And no one can accuse Robert Bomer,
chairman of Hydro and former attorney general
of B.C., of failing to learn his political lessons.
He put on a cunsummate performance at
Wednesday's meeting, showing all of the poise
and skill - with just the right dash of humor-
shich has made him a successful politician and
top corporate. executive.

The MLA committee, in comparison, came
across as lacklustre, disjointed and perhaps a
little bumbling- obviously ignorant of some of the
basic workings of Hydro.

But in the long run Hydro will probably learn,
if it hasn’t already, that you can’t beat city hall.
And if there is any wrong-doing or inefficiencies
in the corporation, the committee will bring

PTSD ehelee SSCNSN WMS SNS

_Non-smokers speak out

Dear Sir:

amount of space, can cause
My Jist is Non Smokers

harm to the innocent

few hours a week at local
-hospitels to help offset the

unlikely that all smokers will
decide to stop smoking and

The Human Side of the News

that five million residents along the banks of a
river in Bengal are in imminent danger of death
from floods and starvation and an item on a

local fire that claimed the lives of a family in
Prince Rupert the local item will hold far greater

a

degree of awareness wheeby people in other
provinces, other countries’ and other continents
become as real and as. important to them
through reporting items of human interest. -

Day. Why are Non Smokers
Clubs and Societies being
formed?
WHAT is the problem?

‘Over the last few years,
research has pointed out the
unquestionable tink between
tobacco smoking and
resultant health problems.
Recently the plight of the non

smoker has been focuse-

upon.
Tobacco smoke inhaled by
the smoker can result in poor

health, breathing problems |

and shortened life. That
being the case, what about
the person who has chosed to
not smoke cigarets, pipes or
cigars (because they cherish
their good health) yet find
themselves surrounded by
the ediferous and annoying
side stream smoke from
other people burning
acco?

IS this smoke harmful?
Common sense would in-
dicate that sucking the
smoke through the cigaret is
not the cause of ill effects
from the smoking practise,
Then we must examine the
smoke itself. What quan-
tities of smoke, in what

General Office - 635-6357
Circulation - 695-6357

“TERRACE/KITIMAT

daily herald

> PUBLISHER...Don Cromack
MANAGING EDITOR...Ernest Senlor
REPORTERS...Donna Vallieres (Terrace-Thornhill)
REPORTERS...Scott Browes (Kitimat-Kltamaat)
KITIMAT OFFICE...Pat ZelinskI « 632-2747
Published every weekday at 3212 Kalum St., Terrace,
B.C. A member of Varifled Circulation. Authorized as
‘second ciass mail. Registration number 1201, Postage
pald in cash, return postage guaranteed,

NOTE OF COPYRIGHT

The Herald retains full, complete and sole copyright
in any advertisement produced and-or any editorial or
phategraphic content published in the Herald.

Reproduction Is not permitted without the written
permission of the Publisher,

bystander?

Unfortunately for many
non or ex smokers, as little
as one or two pulfs of smoke
in a room will cause them
considerable discomfort.

Some. allergic individuals
have explained their severe
reaction to the chemicals
drifting-from a cigaret that
was carried through a room.

The cigaret was lit but was .

not puffed on during the 20 or
30 seconds of its travels.

Areal like meeting rooms,
cars, lomes or elevators can

‘carry the lingering fumes for

days after the last cigaret or
cigar Is smoked.
Loose particles are
present and are returned to
the air as a result of people
walking around and. being
seated, causing severe
discomfort to those sensitive

to one or more of the of- .

fending chemicals,

What can be done?

As over seven million
Canadians smoke tobacco
products, it is unlikely that
the smoking problem will
just go away as a result of
the tobacco companies
closing down. . It is equally

Publishedby “9
Sterling Publishers

* stay clean longer,
_ashtrays, scattered ashes
‘and burn holes would

end the problem. (It is not
only very difficult to stop
smoking, but also it seems
that most smokers don’t
believe that they will have
any of the smoking-related
diseases),

The only real solution to
this dilemma seems to be to
devise a method of
Segregation in order to
protect the non smoker fram
smoke, while allowing the
smoker to continue their
smoking practise. This is
easier to theorize than
arrange. Smokers seem to
smoke almost anywhere and
everywhere, ;

Could we revert back to a
time when smoking was done
in a “smoker” (a special
room) or at the Club? Would
places of business be willing
to duplicate services, one for
the smoker, one for the non
smoker? .

It starts to get complicated
doesn’t it?

And what about the em-
Ployees who are allowed to
smoke while they work?
Would ur civil ipiberties
people rfere a non
smoking estublishment hired
only non smoking staff, in
order to keep the airclean in
their establishment? There
could be some interesting
side effects as studies reveal
that non smoking zones or
services required less staff.
(We know non smokers have
fewer days of sick leave and
are not preoccupied with
searches for matches,
lighters and ashtrays),
Cleaning bills may drop,
light fixtures and windows
Dirty

disappear, saving lime snd
money. Also if increased
productivity is a. much
needed factor in our country,
who' knows what could be
started ‘by non smoking
establishments?

Of course we would catry

.the justice even further and

suggest that smokers could
be encouraged to volunteer a

mammoth medicat costs .

that are the direct result of
smoking. A spin-off value
could be a new awareness of
the nature of the health
problems resulting from
smoking.

Some smokers may even
decide to quit. By keeping
our teen population involved
in the hospitals, they might
decide they would rather
spend their time in
recreation and fitness ac-
tivities instead of pulmonary
wards, amidst oxygen tanks
and the coughing, wheezing
inhabitants of our hospitals.

This, of course, could then
resultina few hard feelings,
The Swedes ‘may think we
are trying to keep up with the
Jorgensons.

Written for the United Non
Smokers by Marie L Tracy,
Smoking Cessation Con-
sultant,

TODAY IN HISTORY
By THE CANADIAN PRESS

Josephine, empress of
France and former wife of
Napoleon, died 164 years ago
today—in 1814. She was born
in Martinique in 1763 and
married the Vicomte de
Beauharnais in 1779. In 1796,
two years after de
Beauharnais'’s execution,
she married Napaleon
Bonaparte and accompanied
him on his [talian campaign,
but soon returned to Paris
and gratified to the fuli her
pleasure-loving instincts.
She attracted the most
brilliant society of France
and contributed a good deal
to establishment of her
husband’s power. But the
marriage, being childness,
was dissolved Dec. 16, 1809,
Josephine retained the title
of empress, and, if allowed,
would have rejoined
Bonaparte after his fall,

1603—Samuel .de Cham-
plain arrived at Tadoussac,
Que,

1965—Chief, the last U.S.
Army Cavalry horse, died.

reader-interest, sad though this may be.

This then points up a continuing problem,
never likely to be solved, of the responsibility the
editor had to make or educate readers to a

Hore tatateMetattaataletetstre’

seTaaletolodetelecetabeceeCateletatesebeteitetanezetaneten totes

OCH NECKS ES

In other words, to convery through the news,
the real meaning behind the answer given twoo
thousand years ago to a question asked of a
Carpenter--'‘Who, then, IS my Neighbour?

See
ee
year.”

acele:

sofisaseeeeeanee

March Criminal Injuries Awards

Thirty-one award totalling
$68,199 were announced
during March under the
Criminal - Injuries Com-
pensation Act.: - oe

While attempting to make
a citizen’s arreest of a
driver, whom he suspected
was driving a stolen car, a
19-year-old man was crushed
between two-cars when the
suspect drove away. The
victim suffered fractures to
both: his legs including
multiple fractures to his left
leg which has resulted in a
shortening and a permanet
weakness in that leg, For
loss of wages incurred and
permanent injuries suffered
he was awarded $16,775.

During a domestic dispute
a 27-year-old Prince George
woman was attacked, beaten
and thrown down a flight of
stairs, She suffered a severe
fracture to her right leg
which required an extensive
period of rehabilitation. For
loss of wages and injuries
suffered she was awarded
$3,959.

A year-old man from
the B.C. Interior was at-
tacked and physically
abused by another man
following an argument over
the placement of animal
traps near the victim's
property, As a result of the
attack he suffered a
damaged knee joint which
required an extensive period
of rehabilitation, For loss of
wages and injuries suffered
he was awarded $3,962. -

While waiting for a taxi a
55-year-old Vancouver man
was attacked, beaten, and
robbed by. a group of men.
He suffered a fracture ta his
left eye socket and was
disabled for approximately
three months, For loss of
wages and injuries suffered
the victim was awarded
$2,855.

A 17-year-old = North.

Vancouver man was at-
tacked and struck on the
head hy a male youth
wielding a golf club. He
suffered a compound skull
fracture and was disabled

for approximately thre¢.
months. For loss of wages, |

(the victim was employed
part time) and injuries
suffered he was awarded
$3,632,

After trying to apprehend
A man, Whom he observed
attempting to rob a store, a
24-year-old Vancouver man
was stabbed in the right
thigh by the assailant. He
suffered internal lacerations
to an artery and a veln, He
was awarded $2,757.

For no apparent reason a
26-year-old woman from the
B.C, Interior was stabbed in
the back several times by a
niale assailant, Her injuries

resulted in an extensive
period of hospitalization and
approximately six weeks
disability. For loss of wages
and injuries suffered she was
awarded $3,684, -  «

After refusing to give two
men a ride in his car a 75-
year-old Vancouver man
was attacked and beaten by
the two assailants. He
suffered contusions of the
face and was awarded $252.

Following a dispute over a
motor vehicle aceldent the
driver of one of the vehicles,
& 21-year-old Burnaby man,
was attacked and punched in
the face by the operator of
the other car, He suffered a
fractured nose and was
awarded $991.

A 70-year-old Vancouver
man was attacked, beaten
and robbed by ‘a group of
unidentified assailants. He
suffered a minor fracture to
his right forearm and was
awarded $865.

In another incident in-
volving motor vehicles, a 23-
year-old Fraser Valley man
‘was attacked and punched In
the face by the operator of
the other vehicle involved in
a two car collision. He
suffered a fracture to his jaw
and cheekbone. For loss of
wages and injuries. suffered
the victim was awarded
$1,510,

The assailant threatened
the victim, an 18-year-old
Kelowna man, with a rifle
and then struck him in the
face. The assailant had
bumped a truck in which the
victim was a passenger. He
suffered'a minor cheekbone
fracture and was awarded:
$4.

After requesting amale
‘youth to leave her back yard
a 73-year-old Burnaby
woman was thrown to the
ground and kicked several
times by the assailant,- She
suffered a fractured right
wrist which has resulted in a
permanent disability. The.
victim was awarded $2,830.

While attempting to
escape from- her burning
home a 29-year-old Nanaimo

-woman suffered a minor

laceration to her foot and a
bruise to her right forearm.
The blaze had been ignited
by twa fire bombs which had
been thrown through the
window, The victim was
awarded $500,
Without provocation a 17-
year-old Coquitlam man was
attacked and kicked in the
face by a male assailant. He

‘suffered dental fractures

and an abrasion af the chin,
The victim was awarded
$553. .

For no apparent reason a
22-year-old Victoria man
was attacked and beaten by

three men while on the

premises of a night club. He
suffered dental fractures
and contusions of the face.
The: victim 1 -was::awarded
$588. WAT seth
“A 19-year-old North
Vancouver man attending a
houseparty was attacked
and struck on the head by a
male youth wielding a metal
pipe. The assailant was one
of a group of uninvited
youths who attempted to join
the houseparty. The victim
suffered a blood clot to his
scalp and was awarded
$1,006 for loss of wages and
injuries suffered.

For no apparent reason a
51-year-old Vancouver man
was attacked and struck on
the face by an unknown male
assailant. He suffered a
fractured nose and was
awarded $1,561,

A 19-year-old woman from
the B.C. Interior was at-

tacked and knocked to the -

ground by an unidentified
male assailant on a Van-
couver street. She suffered a
fracture to her left ankle and
was awarded $1,511,

While outside the premises
of a hotel beer parlour an 18-
year-old Vancouver man
was attacked and beaten by
an unidentified male
assailant, He suffered
dental damage, lacerations
of the lips and a mild con-
cussion. The victim was
awarded $1,190,

While he was walking on a
road a West Vancouver
youth was, for no apparent
reason, attacked and struck
repeatedly in the face by
another male youth, He
suffered a fractured nose
and was awarded $456,

After refusing to gi

man money. a 55-year-old
Vancouver man was struck
with a chair by the assailant.

: He-suffered a fracture to his

‘left .eyebone socket, scalp
lacerations and contusions of
the chest wall. He- wan
awarded $2,032.

A 34-year-old Lower
Mainland woman was’ at-

tacked, threatened with a -

gun and raped by a man who
forced his way into her
residence. For injuries
suffered and mental anxiety
incurred the victim was
awarded $2,500,

The widow of a 35-year-old
Surrey man was awarded
$1,105 for funeral and burial
expenses incurred asa result
of her husband's death. The
victim was fatally injured

when he was dttacked and —
beaten with a hammer .
a mentally |

wielded by
deranged man,
Under the Criminal In-
juries Compensation Act,
anyone who is a victim of

. time in B.C. may apply for ~

compensation, Application
forms are ayallable at any

office of the Workers’ .

Compensation Board, which
administers the Act, Upon

payment of compensation _

the Board is entitled to sue
the. party or

result ih recovering more
than the compensation

awarded plus costs, the -
excess or surplus is pald tc |

the claimant (s).

Released by:
Jack MacDonald ;
Information & Education
13”

Sosa:

73 per cent favour

capital punishment

METHOD SUMMARY

From April 27 to May 1, 1978, G.M.A. Research condue
the G.M.A. Poll inthe Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area. °
All interviews were conducted by telephone from G:M.A.
Research Corporation's central iocation phone bank in

Vancouver.

Respondents (394) 18 years of age and over were scien-
tifically selected for interviewing. :

The sample was evenly split between male and female

respondents,

The sample is representative both geographically and
demographically of the area surveyed.

1,) a), Do you favour or oppose the return of capital punish _

ment for first degree murder in Canada?

Favour 73.0 per cent
Oppose 15.6 per cent
Unsure 11.4 per cent

b). Do you favour or oppose the raturn of capital punish-
ment for first degreé murder for law enforcement officials in

Canada? .
Favour 61,3 per, cent
Oppose 10.8 per cent
Unsure 9.1 per cent

(Base -494)

parties: .
responsible for the victim’s —
injuries. If such proceedings |