Mrs Frances Schoen-Newspaper Poem
University of Oregon Library
Eugene, -Oregon 97403
Shipyard asbestos disease aired
PORTLAND
O B S E R /E R
Volume 8 No. 24
Roses in History
Thursday, June 8, 1978
10c per copy
D r. J.A . Merriman, Portland's second Black doctor, entered
this float in an early Rose Festival Parade.
Riding in the front seat with D r. Merriman is Gertrude
Bollen. In the back are Otherida Nichols, Jennie Grayson,
Barbara Hubbard, Leah Jackson and Edna Rutherford [From
Grayson Family Collection]
Foreign pressure tames Jamaica’s socialism
by Rirh Hayes
KINGSTON, JAMAICA [PNS] - “Its
bleak," said Dr. Carl Stone, head of the
political science department at the Uni
versity of the West Indies, in assessing
Jamaica's economic future. “In the hills
there's a return to subsistence farming,
so at least they'll be able to eat. The rest
don't realize what we re in for. Very soon
they will."
Beset by economic reverses and inter
nal division and flinching under the whip
of the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), the government of Prime Minister
Michael Manley is having to back-track
on much of its program for building
“democratic socialism" in Jamaica.
The economic situation has inflicted a
heavy political toll on both the “far left"
and the "Manley left" factions within the
governing Peoples' National Party
(PNP). Recent months have seen the
resignation of left-leaning cabinet mini
sters and other officials, and newly
appointed Finance Minister David Bell
recently called for expulsion of all "known
communists" from the PNP, a move
aimed particularly at the Marxist Leni
nist leadership within the party's Youth
Organization.
At the same time a new hard-line
stance is developing against the Rasta
farian influenced “I Man” culture, com
posed of the throngs of poor, urban
youth, who. with the rpral poor, have
helped constitute Manley's grass-roots
support. In February, army and police
units set up the “Green Bay Massacre."
an ambush in which five unarmed West
Kingston youth were left dead.
While denying prior knowledge of the
ambush, Security Minister Dudley
Thompson inflamed tensions between the
government and the street people with
statements regretting that “more of them
weren't killed" and pledges to "destroy
the mad dogs of society.”
Much of the current turmoil is the
result of the IMF's December 1977
decision to terminate a vital $74 million
loan agreement drawn up just six months
earlier. This threw the country’s de
velopment program into a shambles,
cutting hard into foreign exchange re
serves and -- of key importance - putting
a halt to aid from the other world
financial agencies that look to the IMF for
its "seal of approval."
Many of Manley's difficulties seem to
stem from an underestimation of the
middle classes' hostile reaction to his
leftist policies and an overestimation of
the speed with which a broad base of
popular unity and commitment could be
built.
asbestos have been announced by the
Secretary of Health, Education and
Welfare, Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
On April 25th an “advisory letter" on
asbestos was sent to 4,000 physicians
across the country. The letter suggested
the potential health risk posed by asbes
tos and described the steps doctors might
take in diagnosing and treating patients
affected by asbestos. The letter also
included an explanation to the doctors of
how more information on how asbestos
relates to disease. This letter was the
beginning of the initial phase of HEW's
program directly related to asbestos
generated diseases.
Asbestos is used in the construction
industry as a sealant. The majority of the
asbestos used in the United Slates finds
its way into the shipyards.
Eight to eleven million workers in
America have been exposed since the
beginning of World War II.
Beginning in 1940 approximately
20,000 Black people, as well as thousands
of whites, came into the Portland/Van-
Angelique Marie Blow graduated on
June 3rd from St. M ary’s Academy in
Inglewood, California. She was among
72 graduates. Miss Blow is the daughter
of M r. and Mrs. John T. Blow, Jr.
Among her honors were: CaMfornU
Scholarship Federation Seal Bear, Na
tional Honor Society, and Salutatorian
Nominee. She w ill major in Electrical
Engineering at Northrup University in
Inglewood on a full scholarship.
Despite repeated socialist declarations
the thrust of government action has been
comparatively tame. Many public enter- *
prises, such as the sugar estates, banks
by Joe McHenry
and hotels had been running in the red
before being nationalized, and such ex
A busy man in a busy world would be
treme measures as expropriation or
the label placed on Larry Jackson. At 31
renunciation of debt had never been
Jackson is a successful young business
seriously entertained by the government.
man with an eye to the future.
Nonetheless the middle classes were
dismayed at Manley's surprisingly strong
Born in Portland in 1947 Jackson
re-election victory in December 1976, and
received his education at Skyline Grade
panic set in after his angry “Not For
School. Lincoln High School and Portland
Sale" speech three months later, in which
State University. A degree in Mathema
he lambasted the IMF and appeared to
tics directed his attention to numbers and
burn his bridges with the West.
a career in accounting followed.
These people came from New York City
and from across the South and although
many stayed in Portland after the war
ended, many others returned to their
homes or elsewhere looking for employ
ment. It is these people whom HEW will
attempt to contact through a search of
employment and social security records.
Secretary Califano stated that it has
been quite a time lag between the discov
ery of asbestos related diseases and the
time that notification was given potential
victims of asbestos related diseases.
However, It had earlier been noted that
families of shipyard workers were sus
ceptible to diseases related to asbestos
inhalation.
Exposure to asbestos can increase the
risk of incurring lung cancer mesotheli
oma (cancer of the lining of the lungs or
abdominal cavities). Smoking significant
ly increases the chances of contracting
one of the asbestos related diseases. A
non-smoker who is exposed to asbestos is
four times as likely to contract one of the
diseases as one not exposed. An exposed
smoker is 90 times more likely to contract
the diseases than a non-smoker.
The symptoms of asbestosis follow:
shortness of breath upon exertion. It is a
chronic lung disease, incurable because it
changes the composition of the lung
tissue.
Lung cancer can be first recognized by
these simple rules: a cough or change in
coughing habits; chest pains; a small
amount of bleeding.
Mesothelioma symptoms are first a
shortness of breath, or pain in the wall of
the chest which becomes aggravated by
deep breathing. Second, abdominal p»'"
which may vary from mild to harsh.
Since from its earliest days, the City of
Portland has been involved heavily with
the construction of ships, anyone who has
worked for a ship building firm or who is
a family member of a former shipyard
member should contact the Office of
Workers Compensation Program, De
partment of Labor Employment Stand
ards Administrator, 200 Constitution
Avenue N.W., Room S 3524, Washington
D.C. 20210.
Currently the government is not taking
legal responsibility for asbestos disease
and Califano called the program to
identify persons who may contract dis
ease as “not a matter of legal obligation.
oui eimcai ana moral. Compensation for
workers who have contracted job related
asbestos disease is available through the
Federal Employees Compensation Act
for government employees and through
state workers’ compensation for persons
who worked for private shipyards. Cali
fano noted that estimates of the increased
risks associated with asbestos exposure
are based on the experience of workers
who were heavily exposed before the
government began to regulate asbestos
in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Current
workers without previous exposure, face
smaller risks.
Although the relationship between as
bestos exposure and disease has been
known since 1960 the government has
just now launched its notification pro
gram. Califano explained that the risk
was first brought to his attention in late
1977 by National Cancer Institute Direr
L°r Arthur Upton and that he does not
know why previous HEW officials did not
inform exposed workers.
Robert E. Branscomb was recent!
named branch banking officer at the U. {
Bank, Washington Square branch.
Branscomb was formerly an assistai
vice president and branch manager at Si
Joseph Valley Bank in Elkhart, Indians
He had previously served in the U.S
A ir Force.
Branscomb holds a basic certificat
from the America Institute of Banking
Larry Jackson: On the w ay to the top
Despite the economic turmoil, most
Jamaicans do give Manley credit for
putting them on the road toward building
a new society. “Manley made us know we
were Jamaicans." said a young library
worker. “We didn't know that before."
People proudly cite Jamaica's new
leadership role in world affairs, such as
its chairing of the “Group of 77” develop
ing nations in the United Nations. Im
provements in housing, education and
adult literacy are readily acknowledged.
Ar.d while government and unions may
quarrel over specifics of “worker partici
pation” and “cooperative management,"
few would suggest that the old planta
tions be restored.
From experience gained as an auditor
for Consolidated Freightways Jackson
began his own business, a retail operation
on Union and Church. After being forced
out of business by the aquisition o f the
property by the Burger Barn, Jackson
are the civic services in which Jackson is
returned to accounting. In 1974 he form involved. A strong commitment to Black
ed Larry Jackson and Associates, an
youth has lead to his involvement with
accounting firm that has grown to over a
the Lloyd Center Optimus Club. Jackson
hundred accounts. Now Jackson and
believes that the contact youth receive
Associates also brokers insurance for
when involved with the commercial world
their clients and others.
is of great benefit in character building
Jackson stated that "Jackson and Asso
and youth motivation. The Optimus Club
ciates are growing so rapidly that we're
program includes training in oratory,
looking for two more accountants. This is
sportsmanship and other related areas of
the type of business that grows from
mature growth that help in coping with
referrals and personal contact and now
the real world.
I'm beyond my own capacity to keep up.”
The fast paced schedule Larry Jackson
It’s no wonder that it's hard to keep up,
has set for himself keeps him constantly
because Jackson also owns a transporta on the move. From office to office or
tion rate service which is entirely sep
office to accounts this dynamic young
arate from the accounting firm.
man is on the way up to the top of his
Added to his business responsibilities
world.
Community Festival offers fun, food, art
Plans are well under way for the
opening of the first annual Community
Festival. This unique event is scheduled
for July 1 - 4 at Holiday Park. According
to its organizers, the festival will consist
of various arts and crafts displays, live
music by local jazz and soul groups and
other forms of live entertainment.
The event is sponsored by several
non-profit organizations working in con
cert with the City of Portland Bureau of
Parks and the Metropolitan Human Rela
tions Commission. At least eighty exhibit
booths are planned for construction to
accommodate vendors, governmental
agencies, and local civic and social organ
izations.
It is anticipated that a large variety of
food and other refreshments will be
provided by vendors specializing in a
cross-section of ethnic cuisine. Bar-b-que
ribs, chicken and other dishes will be
featured along with cakes, pies and other
delights. Booths are still available.
Members of the festival committee are
convinced that the festival will be among
the high points of the NAACP National
Convention, which will be held during the
same week. One member of the commit
tee stated, “it represents the most
feasible outlet for meaningful involve
ment by groups and individuals who wish
to provide goods and services for persons
visiting our city during the 4th of July
weekend.
An estimated ten thousand persons
from across the nation are expected to be
in Portland to attend the NAACP Con
vention. The importance of the festival is
that of providing a structure for the
maximal generation of minority business
potential during the convention. It will
also serve as an arena for artistic and.
creative expression.
Persons wishing to participate should
call Charles White at 238-2891.
Assembly meets
Members of the Community I* estival Committee prepare for an exciting and
beneficial affair.
The Oregon Assembly of Black Affairs
will hold its quarterly meeting on June
17th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Assembly president Calvin O.L. Henry
announced that the agenda will include a
look at the primary election and begin
preparation for the 1979 legislative ses
sion.
Also on the agenda were committee
reports and other business matters.
The meeting will be held at St.
Andrews Church. N.E. 8th ar.d Alberta in
Portland.
James William Reid, Boise artist, displays seme of Us pencil
drawings.
Boise artist takes his art 'on the road’
James William Reid, of Boise, Idaho,
artist with a special touch, believes that
his art should be shared with the world.
With his art tucked into a large
portfolio bag he set out from Boise to
personally spread his art in the Pacific
Northwest.
The eleven pencil drawings he has with
him have been painstakenly reproduced
and are representations of the seven
years of labor for love that he put into
creating these works of art.
Reid's belief in spreading his art is
reflected in the low cost he has placed on
his reproductions. From $5 for a single
print and $20 for a special double set,
while one limited edition print, of which
200 numbered and signed sets were
reproduced which sells for $25. Mass
producing my works, says Reid, will
spread my name around giving me the
exposure I want.
The works of Reid are painstakenly
done in pencil or special non erasable
paper. “Even though many artists can do
pencil drawings," stated Reid, “very few
have the shadings and technique to do
them well." This type of art work takes a
lot out of you, ar.d it takes a long time to
do well. I started pencil drawing fifteen
years ago and I have tried to improve my
technique over the years I choose pencil
because there weren’t many Black artists
doing pencil and I wanted to be one of the
best.
From Boise to Portland, Portland to
Seattle, portfolio in hand James Reid is
spreading his art work. He plans to
return to Portland July 2nd and may be
reached by calling the Portland Observer
283 2486 or by writing to him at 1962 W.
Boise Avenue #6, Boise, Idaho 83706.