Rockefeller family influences
$640 billion, asserts Domhoff
By DAVE LUDWIG
Of the Emerald
The Rockefeller family and its associates have direct
and indirect control of economic interests totaling $640
billion, said William Domhoff, professor of sociology at the
University of California at Santa Cruz, Friday afternoon at
the University.
Domhoff said when he and his supporters presented
this figure in a report at Vice-Pres. Nelson Rockefeller’s
confirmation hearings last December, it even “blew the
minds of the Rockefellers."
They have economic interests in six out of the largest
ten corporations Fortune magazine lists, six out of the
largest ten banks and five out of the largest ten insurance
companies, he declared.
“They're related to just about everything that’s any
thing,’’ said Domhoff.
Domhoff, who has authored several books including
"Who Rules America,” said he and his supporters had no
illusions that they would affect Rockefeller’s nomination
-ideologically or politically — but the hearings before
the House Judiciary Committee provided “an occasion to
learn.’’
He said a good starting point for understanding
Rockefeller economic power is to look at “the Office’’ or
“Room 5600.” This office, with a staff of 15 employes,
provides financial advice and assistance to the family's 84
descendants and makes the family work as a unit.
‘They practically buy their toothpaste through this
office,” added Domhoff jokingly.
Domhoff said he and his supporters claimed there
was reason to believe these employes watched out for the
Rockefeller family.
Rockefeller, he continued, questioned their report in
the hearings. The vice-president said he and his suppor
ters weren’t economists and thus lacked the expertise to
evaluate the Rockefeller fortune. Rockefeller charged
that all they said was old hat. Americans fail to under
stand how corporations interrelate, Rockefeller added.
For Rockefeller to say these things, Domhoff said, he
had to reveal the extent of his wealth.
“It was a great view of the American power struc
ture,” said Domhoff.
Domhoff said an interesting aspect the hearings pre
sented was the “ideological stonewall” he and his suppor
ters confronted.
“We wanted to talk about the family,” he said. “The
House Judiciary Committee wanted to know about
Rockefeller’s individual honesty and integrity.”
"We think it was legitimate to talk about him as part of
a family," Domhoff said, “but these people restricted
that."
r~-'n
Committee votes
music school funds
SALEM — The Joint Ways and Means Commit
tee voted Monday to send the State System of Higher
Education’s $16.5 million capital construction pro
jects budget (HB - 5016) to the House floor.
The budget earmarks some $3.5 million for Uni
versity construction projects, including $2 million to
the University Music School for additions and altera
tions.
The bill also increases student building fees
from $10 per term to $12.50 per term.
The bill also earmarks $1.43 for “various re
modeling projects” at the University.
The Music School expenditure was ranking
tenth on the state system’s priority list and Gov. Bob
Straub had recommended that the project not be
funded.
Sen. Edward Fadeley, D-Eugene, however,
convinced a ways and means subcommittee ten
days ago to move the music school appropriation up
on the priority list and to fund it.
-—.-J
Coos Bay pays final tribute to Steve Prefontaine
By DAVE BUSHNELL
Of the Emerald
COOS BAY — Many of the
people who had cheered wildly for
him as he ran around the oval
track, sat in reflective silence and
and paid a final tribute to Steven
Roland Prefontaine here Thurs
day afternoon.
The man who had put this town
on the map was welcomed back
for the final time by a crowd of
2,500 at Marshfield High School’s
Pirate Stadium. As a salute to
the one they called 'Pre,' the flags
flew at half mast and all the
schools were dismissed at noon.
It was on the infield of the black
asphalt track—where Pre started
his track career some ten years
ago —that the “Service of Thanks
giving for the life of Steven Ro
land Prefontaine’ was held.
With the serene crowd stand
ing, a 12 car processional entered
the east end of the stadium and
traveled down the track in front of
the North grandstands.
The casket was carried by six
pallbearers — John Anderson,
Frank Shorter, Bob Williams,
Geoff Holister, Brett Williams and
Jim Seymour — to a small plat
form, located on the grassy infield
at the west end of the field.
The Rev. Thomas Murdoc'; led
the gathering in prayer, while two
of Pre’s former coaches, Walter
McClure of Marshfield High and
Bill Bowerman, retired Oregon
coach delivered tributes.
As a brisk ocean breeze
pounded at his back, McClure
spoke of Prefontaine’s personal
drive to achieve.
"Greatness is for only a few.
The accomplishments of such an
individual are often recognized
years after the deed, the act.
Steve Prefontaine achieved this
level during his brief lifetime. He
was always in a hurry, his destiny
could not allow for a wasted ef
fort.”
It was McClure who first noticed
Steve’s potential as a freshman at
Marshfield and later remarked to
then Orgon coach Bowerman
“Watch this freshman — he’s
tough and will be a good one.”
Bowerman, who also coached
Pre at the 1972 Olympics in
Munich spoke not only of Pre the
(Continued on Page 6)
Sunday
monday
tuesday Wednesday thursday
friday
Saturday
1
What are ya’ doin’ on this date?
13
14
Flag Day
That’s the date for the L. C. C
and 4-J budget election.
Remember to vote.
Or if you’re planning to be out of town,
file for an Absentee ballot — look for
the booth in the E. M. U. and in the
dining commons today
and Wednesday.
28
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THE L.C.C. EDUCATION ASSOCIATION* AND THE L.C.C. EMPLOYEES FEDERATION* UNDER THE ORGANIZATION OE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY INFORMATION* JOHN ELLIOTT* CHAIRMAN.