PAGING THROUGH H
RECORD REVIEW THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1977
UW-Stevens Point professor argues for shift in energy use A chemistry professor at the Universty of Wisconsin-Stevens Point warns the public about being optomistic the new breakthroughs in technology will rescue presently used transportation modes from doom.
History isn’t on their side, argues Dr. Roland Thurmaier, an 11-year teaching veteran here and a member of the Governor’s Study Committee on Urban Mass Transit. “We shouldn’t rule out breakthroughs,” he advised “but to rely on them is so chancy,” he said.
A current crisis is the wrong time to depend upon technological breakthroughs. Good examples of that, he cited were Hitler’s hopes that technology would save the Third Reich and the American hope that a new scientific advancement would solve the Vietnam insurrection.
Thurmaier, an early proponent in this area for new mass transit systems, agrues that the only alternatives remaining in transportation are massive shifts to energy lean modes, or in other words, from air, auto and truck to bicycling, walking, bus, railroad and water.
Though he knows he is in a small minority, he has nonetheless given some recommendations to the Office of Energy and Planning and Wisconsin Transportation Plan Advisory Committee for implementation in the state.
THE STRATFORD JOURNAL THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1977 Frugality vs. Easy Livin’ I wonder if any one in the country has any idea of the total percentage of the country’s income - municipality, county, state and nation - that goes for relief. Or if anyone has any idea of the total percentage of the population of our country which is living off government relief.
Many might say that social security is a form of relief, and I presume it is. But there is one big difference: Everyone who is drawing social security paid in month by month for that money. It is true that some, because of injury or mental or physical disabillity, are drawing “rocking chair” money early, but most recipients of social security checks started paying into the fund back in the 1930’s.
You and I want to help those who are actually needing help, but all of us dislike very much helping those who are able to take care of themselves and their families, and won’t.
I wonder how many families are using food stamps so they can afford a new car or a colored television set. Those who are, are asking the rest of us to help pay for their luxuries.
I cannot help but remember the story of one very successful businessman. His father died when he was a young boy, and his fiercely-independent mother brought up her family by doing the laundry for betteroff families.
One Christmas, the Methodist Sunday school pupils of the community made candy and distributed to the less well to do families. Much against her will, the mother accepted a box of the candy.
The son awakened in the night and heard his mother crying in her bed in the next room. He knew why. She accepted something for which she not labored or paid.
