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Bridge ramps decision near
PORTLAND
;
OBSERVER
7 N«. 1
Thursday,
18th, 197« 10*
«*97
EEOC supports Civil Rights División termination
The Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) has supported the
Oregon Bureau of Labor, Civil Right
Division, in its firing of W alter P.
Williams.
Williams had alleged that he was fired
because of race and because he filed a
complaint with EEOC.
The Civil Rights Division denied the
allegations, stating that Williams was
terminated for misconduct, insubordina­
tion and other unfitness to render effec­
tive services.
Williams had requested a month's
leave of abeense because of physical
disability, but did not provide medical
evidence to the Division's satisfaction.
Williams was allowed to take one day off
until a decision could be made, but stayed
away for a month without permission.
According to the record, his supervisors
were unable to reach Williams by tele­
phone or by mail. A fter his return to
work on March 1st, Williams failed to
promote requusted medical reports.
The CRD later learned that during the
time he was not working because of
alleged disability. Williams had taken a
three-day written Bar Exam in Califor
i*
nia. Therefore a hearing was held on
April 9th and 10th and Williams was
discharged on May ISth, 1976.
EEOC also found that Williams couk*
not change termination because of race
because he had been absent more than
any other employee during the period
February 1st, 1975 to February 1st, 197«,
525 hours.
Regarding the change that termination
was in retaliation for his filing a com­
plaint, EEOC found that the termination
took place before the C RD was aware of
Williams' charges.
Publisher
promotes
scholarships
D r. Carlton B. Goodlett, publisher of
the San Francisco Sun Reporter, will visit
Portland on behalf of the M artin Luther
King Scholarship Fund of Oregon.
D r. Goodlett is the president of the
National Newspaper Publisher's Associ­
ation, the organization of Black news­
papers. D r. Goodlett is a contributor to
"Black Scholar,” his most recent article
being an analysis of Black representation
in the major radio and television net­
works.
D r. Goodlett will speak at a luncheon at
12:00 noon on November 24th at the
Benson Hotel. A reception w ill be held at
Portland State University from 2:30 to
3:30 p.m.
Executive Director of the M L K Scholar
larship Fund is Macceo Pettis. Officrs of
the board of directors are: Conrad Ros­
ing, president; D r. Lee P. Brown, vice
president; and Charles Crews, secretary/
treasurer.
DR. CARLTON GOODLETT
Computer sale signals China m ilitary aid
Garrett
(PNS) In perhaps jts last foreign policy
initiative, the Ford administration has
quietly decided to sell military related
technology to Peking - a significant step
toward military ties with the People's
Republic. And with two of Jimmy Car­
ter's top China advisors on record favor­
ing similar sales, the new administration
is likely to continue the policy.
The issue of stepped-up military ties
with the Chinese, with its potentially
great impact on the delicate triangular
balance between Washington, Peking and
Moscow, is extremely sensitive. There is
no quicker wsy to get s "no comment” in
Washington today than to inquire about
it.
President Ford, forced to comment on
what was to have been a secret decision
to sell two advanced Control Data Corp.
Cyber 172 computers to China after it
was leaked in Aviation Week, denied the
computers have any relationship to de­
fense. They were ostensibly intended for
use by China in oil exploration.
But well-informed sources in the de­
fense and intelligence establishments
insist that the computers have wellknown
military uses, including the control of
over-the-horizon radars for detecting in­
coming ICBM missiles. The Pentagon
itself has used the Cyber 172 computer
for nuclear weapons calculations.
These sources also say the decision to
sell the computers marked a distinct
policy shift and came after a year of
high level and sometimes bitter debate
within the administration. They add that
the computers were seen from the begin­
ning as a way of bolstering China's
defenses against the Soviets.
The Carter administration could re­
verse the policy - though probably not
the specific computer sale - afte January
20th. But Carter's top China advisors.
Harvard professor Jerome Cohen and the
University of Michigan's Michael Oksen-
berg, have both taken public stands for a
subtle tilt toward Peking with sales of
military-related technology..
Before the recent computer sale, the
US had permitted China to buy military
equipment - including je t engines and
helicopters - from US allies like Britain.
West Germany and France. The sales
could have been vetoed by the US
through a western committee to control
export of strategic items to communist
countries - called COCOM.
But China wanted some military tech­
nology available only from the US, and in
October 1975 “low-key" Chinese feelers
to US corporatins were reported in a C IA
document obtained by the press. The
Chinese were reportedly shopping for
such items as Lockheed's C-141 cargo
transport aircraft, Itek's satellite cam-
eiks and RCA's radar and communica­
tions equipment, as well as the Cyber 172
computer.
Last April former defense secretary
Schlesinger revealed that top officials
informally ha^ discussed military aid to
China while he was in the administration.
And in May Secretary of Commerce
Elliot Richardson fueled speculation of
American action by stating publicly in
Tokyo that the US would be willing to
discuss arms sales to China if Peking
raised the issue.
Leaks appeared again in June 1970
when Forbes magazine reported that
according to a "high-ranking US intelli­
gence officer”, the Chinese were trying to
buy American helicopters, anti-submar­
ine warfare equipment and anti-tank
weapons.
Well-informed sources report that in
July China expert Richard Solomon left
the National Security Council staff in
opposition to the evolving military tilt
toward China.
When the decision to okay the comput­
er sales was leaked to Aviation Week this
October, the administration not only
denied the possible military use of the
computers but also announced it was
selling a similar computer to the USSR.
The tilt toward China is also indicated
by the fact that the National Security
Council recommended less than normally
stringent safeguards over the use of the
computers in China. Aviation Wook re­
ported that the exception was made
because the secretary of state had con­
cluded the sale was in the foreign policy
interest of the US.
In addition, the decision to sell the
computers was highly classified - another
indication that it was not a routine
commercial sale.
Kissinger further signalled a tilt to­
ward China when in October he twice
announced that the US would “take an
extremely dim view of a military attack
or even military pressure" on China.
The City Council will soon determine
the use of the Fremont Bridge ramps. A
public hearing will be held on December
14th to be followed shortly by a City
Council decision.
The State Highway Administration’s
environmental impact statement anal­
yzes four alternatives. These are “No
Build," “Short Cook.” “Cook Fiemont”
and “Fremont Boulevard.”
No Build has four possible alternatives:
1) ramp removal (not federally funded);
2) permanent closure, with possible use
for emergency vehicles; 8) limited access
with the on-ramp open to give access
from Emanuel and Stanton Yards; 4)
Hospital and Stanton yards only.
The Short Cook alternative would
connect the bridge ramps with Williams
and Vancouver Avenues, with no direct
access to Fremont. Turn restrictions
would prevent traffic turning into Fre­
mont.
The Cook-Fremont alternative would
provide a connection between the bridge
ramps and Union Avenue via Williams-
Vancouver and Fremont. Fremont would
be four lane, with no parking between
Vancouver and Union. Signals would be
timed to limit traffic flow and intersection
design would discourage the flow of
traffic east on Fremont. The only pro­
perty to be acquired is McDonalds.
The Fremont Boulevard alternative
would provide a connection between the
bridge ramps and Union Avenue by way
of Fremont. A direct line between the
ramps and Fremont is provided. Flow
east on Fremont would be discouraged.
Houses and Immanuel Free Methodist
Church, located between the ramps and
Fremont, and all buildings adjoining
Fremont on the north side between
Williams and 6th Avenue. Roy Fleming
Auto Parts, the building on the Northeast
corner of Fremont and Union and
McDonalds would be acquired.
The study finds the Fremont Boule­
vard the most favorable alternative,
followed closely by Permanent Closure
and Limited Bridge access.
Costs vary from limited bridge acess at
$15,000 to Fremont Boulevard alterna­
tives at $2,646,000
More than one-half of Portland’s Black
population live within a mile of the bridge
ramps. According to the study, "The
homes that are taken by the Fremont
Boulevard alternative are of generally
poor quality and are already subjected to
fairly heavy traffic.
"The people living in the immediate
vicinity of the build alternatives are
mostly poor and Black, and are compara­
tively vulnerable to public intervention
that is disruptive to their every day
lives.”
The study projects that opening the
ramps will increase traffic in the immedi­
ate area - Vancouver, Williams, Union
and Fremont west of Union. Traffic in 1-5,
Alberta and Killingsworth between 1-5
and Union, and on Williams, Vancouver,
and Union south of Fremont will de­
crease.
I t indicates that use of Fremont and
other streets east of Union will not
increase significantly.
The Fremont Boulevard alternative
causes the most displacement of homes
(20) and will effect more homes with
increased noise level. I t would also
provide the beet access to Union Avenue.
The study projects no decided change
in land use or economic development.
, ■ 1
Opening the ramps would encourage
commercial and ligfct industry growth in
the Eliot neighborhood, which is zoned
for residential business in the Boise
neighborhood will be receiving the most
benefit, but retail sales and services
business In Elio will be adversely affect­
ed.
A formal public hearing will be held at
700 p.m., December 14th, 1976 in the
Portland Community College Auditorium
at Cascade Campus, 706 N. Killings­
worth. An informal session with draw­
ings of the proposals and staff available to
answer questions will be held the same
date from 100 p.m. to 600 p.m. at the
North Portland Branch Library Auditor
ium, 512 N. Killingsworth.
FREMONT
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SHORT COOK
FREMONT
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C O O K -F R E M O N T
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FREMONT BOULEVARD
South African representative speaks here
Thami Mlsmbiso, representative to the
United Nations from the African National
Congress of South Africa (ANC) will
speak in Portland on November 20th.
The African National Congress is the
major liberation movement in South
Africa. Formed in 1912, its purpose is to
unite Africans as a nation and to forge on
instrument for liberation.
In the early 1950's, the ANC saw the
need for a clear statement on the future
of South Africa, to incorporate the
demands of the people into Congress of
the People Campaign.
A Freedom Charter was adopted by
the Congress of the People, representa­
tives of all the people of South Africa,
who met in Kliptown, Johannesburg in
June of 1966. The three thousand dele­
gates included workers, miners, pea­
sants, housewives, domestic workers,
trade unionists, clerks, as well as yoath
and students of all races.
The Freedom Charter says:
“South Africa belongs to all who live in
it, Black and white. No government can
justly claim authority unless it is based
on the will of all the people . . .
“The people shall govern.”
“A ll national groups shall have equal
rights," “The People shall share in the
country's wealth,” “The land shall be
shared among those who work it,” "All
shall be equal before the law,” “A ll shall
enjoy equal human rights," “There shall
be work and security," “The doors of
learning and culture shall be opened,"
“There shall be houses, security, and
comfort," “There shall be peace and
friendship.”
Thami Mhlambiso w ill speak Saturday,
November 20th at 780 p.m. in the Mallory
Church located at 126 N .E. Alberta. A
donation of $1.00 will be asked. For more
information call 284-9537.
Industrialization Center (O.I.C.) in Hunt­
ington, West Virginia, Smith has had an
opportunity to work with Leon Sullivan,
originator of the international O.I.C.
concept, which is a comprehensive man­
power training program designed to train
and hire the unemployed. The Tri-State
O.I.C., which serves an area composed of
96% Appalachian whites and 5% Blacks,
offers courses in repair work, clerical
skills, health care skills, upholstery and
graphic arts. I t has been rated among the
top manpower training programs in
America. Smith has also participated in a
number of management training courses
sponsored by top industries, and has had
experience running his own profit-mak
ing business which sells fish, both whole
sale and retail, throughout the world.
In addition, in his year long television
series entitled, "Thinking in the Black,”
he has used the media as a tool for
economic education in an effort to make
Black Americans more aware of how
economic issues affect their daily lives.
The program was broadcast in the West
Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio region.
Smith also authored the “Mississippi
Food Release Program,” which was later
used as the basis for the National Food
Stamp Program, and he co-authored the
NAACP Handbook on Housing and
Construction. His other activities include
directing nationwide music and drama
groups for young people, and conducting
speaking tours throughout the United
States. As minister of the Historic First
Baptist Church of Huntington, West
Virginia, Smith operates on a budget in
excess of one million dollars, which
includes a 150-unit apartment complex
for low income residenU, a cooperative
grocery store, a Child Development Cen­
ter, and an Outreach Center with cultur­
al, educational and social support pro­
grams.
Economics. The NAACP’s new thrust
The NAACP, best known for its work
is the courts, education, housing and
labor, has recently entered another area
of vital concern - the economic arena. In
recognition of the need to formulate
programs and strategies to meet the
increasingly complex economic issues
confronting Blacks, the NAACP's Na­
tional Economic Development Commit­
tee, under the leadership of Charles H.
Smith, recently concluded a special meet­
ing of its economic advisors in New York.
Smith, the Committee's Chairperson and
a member of the National Board of the
NAACP, was chosen by the late Stephen
G. Spotswood, former Chairperson of the
National Board, to lead the NAACP's
new economic thrust. He continues to
serve under the present Chairperson,
Margaret Bush Wilson.
The Committee's national economic
advisors attending the conference all
stressed the importance of the NAACP
becoming actively involved in the econo­
mic issues which affect Blacks. Advisors
making presentations at the meeting
included Earl Graves, publisher of “Black
Enterprise." OUen B. Hinnant, Assistant
General Counsel, Prudential Insurance
Company, Darwin Bolden, economist,
Samuel Jackson, former deputy director
of H UD , and Jerry Jones, President,
Black Manufacturers' Association. The
National Economic Development Com­
mittee members, in addition to Smith,
include: Ben Andrews, C. R. DarJen,
Robert Easley, Wendell Erwin, Kenneth
Guscott, Ira Haupt, I I I , Herbert Hill,
Hinton King, Thomas Malone, William
Morris, Vernon K. Sport, James E.
Stewart, Sr., Jeanette Strong, Jessie H.
Turner, George E. Twine, and Leonard
Woodcock.
In discussing the objectives for pro­
gram development, the Committee fo­
cused on several critical areas including:
• Creation of a Black data bank
designed to provide economic expertise
to be used in developing legislative
programs and in advising business and
governmental leaders.
• Motivation of Blacks toward business
careers.
e Training programs for Blacks in
business, management and economics.
• Monitoring of programs, policies and
practices which have a substantial, nega­
tive impact on Black Americans, such as
unemployment, discriminatory hiring and
seniority practices, and lending policies of
financial institutions.
• Development of Black businesses.
One of Smith's key programs, known as
Project Rural, is aimed at protecting the
rights of Black landowners, primarily in
Vie South, by providing information,
education, and legal assistance to help the
owners, first, to retain their land, and
second, to maximize the economic poten­
tial of the land.
To assist the Economic Development
Committee in its efforts, Charles Smith
has recommended that the NAACP add a
separate economic program department
to its present organizational structure
which would implement the policy re­
commended by the Committee and
adopted by the Board. Besides serving as
a member of the National Board and of
the Executive Committee of the NAACP
for a number of years, Charles Smith has
assisted Roy Wilkins, the Executive
Director, in a number of key projects
across the country and has also worked
closely with the Board's Chairperson,
Margaret Bush Wilson, and with Glouster
Current, the present Administrator. As
the local organizer and present Executive
Director o flh e Tri-State Opportunities