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'Brain tax' designed to stop emigration of Russian Jews A growing fear of adverse publicity has caused the Soviet Union to reassess the release of more than a thin trickle of the hundred thousand Russian-Jews waiting to emigrate to Israel. The image of their social Utopia shown to the world may fade if exposed to too much light. Taking advantage of the fact that a majority of the Jews are highly educated, they recently devised a new method of controlling- Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union. The ruling compels each degree-holder who wishes to leav«e Russia to pay exorbitant fees, ostensibly to l'eimburse the state for his education according to this scale: Graduates of Teachers Colleges 4,500 Rubles ($5,000) Graduates of Technical Institutes 9,000 Rubles ($10,650) University Graduates 12,(200 Rubles ($*13,550) Ph.D's 19,400 Rubles ($21,530) M.D.'s 20,600 Rubles (22,870) Claiming a "brain drain/' the Soviet ambassador to France, Pyotr Abrassimov, defended his country's new policy by saying, "It is not only the U.S.S.R. but other countries, which also face and respond to the problems of a brain drain. The new law applies absolutely to all Soviet citizens, regardles of their nationality." Reaction from Jews all over the world was sharp. A group of 47 Moscow Jews were de- the rice thresher editorial Space City! is 5ead. To Houston newcomers, that doesn't mean much. But if you were here last year, you remember Space City! as Houston's one legitimate "underground" newspaper. Anyway, it's gone now. After a run of slightly longer than three years, Space City! has stopped publication. Neither the midnight terrorism of the radical right nor the intramural squabblings of the far left did it in, though. Space City! finally succumbed to the oldest prosaic capitalist maladies: lack of money. The staff lost its business manager and started spending capital it never recovered. R.I.P. When Space City News (its original name) started, it was a typical underground paper badly written, foulmouthed purely for shock value, and looking for trouble. However, early in 1971, the staff rethought its position, coming up with a cleaner, saner, more credible (if not more "respectable") paper. That's why I'm sorry to see it go. For a year and a half, Space City! was a reasonable, responsible exponent of the New Left philosophy, the "alternative lifestyle", and the youth culture in general. And that was all right. You can disagree completely with someone and still respect his ability to state his position well. And good theatre or music reviews aren't political, they're good. It doesn't matter where they're printed, or whose the talent that produces them—except that with Space City! gone, a lot of that talent is-out of circulation. There are still "underground" papers in town; Space City! spun off Mockingbird before it died, and half of Mockingbird broke away to become Abraxas. They looked like Space City! but read like old grocery lists. Apparently they're both still going; we don't know why. No doubt a lot of people were happy to see Space City! go. But that's wrong. Journalism, like the world, needs all the views it can get, and if something's going to be said, it ought to be said well. That's what Houston has lost. •hraJif H. DavitI Dunj-rlo Assistant Editor Morty Rich Assistant Editor Doan Ornish Head Photographer liill Jones . Sports Editor Greg Norris Sports Editor STEVE JACKSON Editor MALCOLM WADDELL Business Manager Lew Hancock Advertising Manager Virginia Jee Assistant Business Manager Kevin Phelan .... Circulation Manage! Ralph Umbarger Calendar Editor Staff: Andy Hurley, Chip Lansdell, Charles Pau, Frank Presler, Mike Ross, Lee Silverthorn, Gary Brewton, Jim Lawler, Mark Onak, Charles Clubb, Cathe Krause, Michael Peek, Craig Stafford, Randy Guehprt, Forrest Johnson, Wendy Nordstrom, James Wilhoit. The Rice Thresher, official student newspaper of Rice University, is published weekly on Thursday except during holidays and examination periods by students of Rice University, Houston, Texas 77001, telephone 528-4141 X221 or 045. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of anyone except the writers. Obviously. the rice thresher, September 14, 1972—page 2 tained by the K.G.B. after a rare public protest in front of the Kremlin, according to the Associated Press. They delivered a letter to foreign newsmen which decried the new rulings as a double payment for education provided, as official statistics they produced showed that three years of work after graduation repays educational investment by the state. Golda Meir called a special session of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, when the new head tax was revealed. In a voice quaking with anger, she addi'essed the Knesset: "This cruel and shameful decree enacted by the rulers of the great Soviet Union, which has rightly prided itself on pro- viding a chance for education to all its citizens, is anti-Jewish in spirit and inhuman in content. This is a decree aimed against the Jewish community in the Soviet Union, but its immoral significance is universal inasmuch as it contains elements of brutality against man's human spirit and liberty, and man's right to live in affinity with his people. This policy actually tells every educated Jew in the Soviet Union: 'Your brains and whatever you have studied and thought don't actually belong to you. Since you are a Jew, it is doubtful whether you are entitled to study and gain an education at all. And if you are bound for Israel to join your people, it is your duty to suf- fer. As for us, we will do our best to find clever means to prevent your emigration in all ways possible without choosing our means.'" The Knesset immediately passed a resolution demanding the Soviet Union repeal the law, which they said was "appropriate to the dark period of the history of the Soviet Union, which we all had hoped had passed, never to return." The resolution "calls upon scientists of all nations to raise to the defense of the human and national rights of their colleagues in the Soviet Union . . . The people in Israel, as well as the Jewish nation the whole world over, will not rest until the head tax is abolished." u Whatever you want to do An Open Letter from TexPIRG During the past few weeks the TexPIRG Local Board members have often been asked the question: "What is TexPIRG going* to do this year?" The answer is simply "whatever you want to do with it." The Texas Public Interest Research Group is your resource. Its purpose is to encourage and facilitate student-originated research into public interest fields on. the local to state level Tex- PIRG stands resolved to convert the results of this research into positive change of public policy. This- is done initially by publicizing the results through the mess media and, on a higher level, by testifying before regulatory agencies, lobbying in the Texas legislature or other legislative bodies, and ultimately, by seeking change through the courts. These efforts are possible because TexPIRG has money and, as of October 1, a professional staff. * Brilliant insight is not required to bring to mind myriad rip-offs and injustices perpetrated by unresponsive government, quasi-monopolistic industries, and unethical business practices. If there is a particular problem area you would like to investigate, but are not sure how to begin, talk to Tex- PIRG. TexPIRG will help you find a faculty advisor and possibly arrange course credit for your research, provide you with technical and legal assistance, money to insure the quality and success of your project, and publish and disseminate the results of your research when it has tbeen completed. If you don't wish to take a long-term project, but would simply like to help, TexPIRG will be conducting a number of consumer price surveys this fall which will not require a large time commitment. Whatever your particular public-interest goals are, come to the TexPIRG meeting Monday at 8:30 pm in Bio Lab 123 and discuss them with the local %oard. Rice students have supported TexPIRG by signing a petition in its support and by voluntary donations. Now TexPIRG asks that you come and get your money's worth. Paul Sanner WRC '73 Rice has help for job-seekers The Rice Placement Office is a service supplied to students by Rice University. Recently relocated in 301 Lovett Hall, its purpose is to aid students in finding a job after graduation. According to Placement Director Mary Leatherwood: "We do not 'get you a job'. Only you can do that. We help you make contacts, and we are ready to assist you during your search for your contacts, and we are ready to assist you during your search for .your place in the business or academic worlds." Employment opportunities available through the Placement Office range from parttime and summer jobs to recruitment by representatives of government, industry and education for professionally trained people in many fields. For part-time work the regular session, students should register with the Placement Office early in the first semester. For summer work, early spring registration is helpful. Job study should not be postponed until the last year before graduation. The job interview is not the first step towards employment, but nearly the last step. To use the Placement Office services fully, you should: As a Freshman and Sophomore, visit the Placement Office and read the cal'eer opportunity literature. Seek information from those .already employed in fields which interest you. As soon as possible, try to s&lect and apply for summer jobs in one of your fields of interest. Extra-curricular activities as well,as grades are important to educational, business and industry representatives. When you are a Junior, your fields of interest will become clearer. This is the time to set up your Placement Office file and begin interviewing with companies in which you are interested. When you are a Senior or a Candidate for an Advanced Degree: (a) In September, update your file to be sure it is current and correct as to address, phone numiber and •references; (b) If you plan to go to graduate school or to the military service, interviews with company representatives will be "good insurance" for the future; (c) Do not limit your contacts to companies interviewing on campus. Prepare and send a resume to companies not interviewing. Sample resumes are available ih the Placement Office. Job interviews will begin September »20; lists of companies interviewing will be available on Sept. 15. Jee hits Jones Security lack To the editor: As a female, living on-campus, I am required by the University to pay a room and board charge $71 higher than the male student. This additional amount is supposed to be necessary to provide security (ie a night man) in my college after the college closes. However, the security provided is inadequate. I am talking specifically about tthe situation in Jones .College where I live. Jones has two wings but only one night man. Presently this man is located in the South wing. This poses a problem in that it is the North wing which is next to the parking lot and the street. If one considered the matter of security only, the man should be stationed in Jones North. As it is now, any student returning late at night via the parking lot (no matter if she lives Jn North or South) must traverse the insecurely lighted area of the parkiftg lot and walk by the commons to get to South before she can get into the college. Before, she could go directly into North and be escorted by the night man to South. Granted, there have been additional lights, placed in the parking lot but there are still a great many areas in which trouble could occur. Moving the man back to North, however, would be unfair to the girls in South who are also paying for "security." Because the college is built in two separate wings it is totally inadequate to have only one night watchman. It is inconvenient and also pointless, especially since his main function is just to let the girls in at night. The same could be accomplished by giving the girls their own keys. This, however, is not practical because there are no locks on the doors in Jones. (That's worth another letter.) It would seem that hiring another man is the dnly reasonable alternative. And since I am being charged extra for "security," I feel it unfair not to be getting it. Virginia Jee Jones '73 Oft 99
Police arrest Rice student for assault Neil Williams III, a thirdyear student and off-campus member of Will Rice College, was arrested here Tuesday by Houston police and charged with aggravated assault on an officer. A confrontation between Williams and Sergeant Anderson of Rice security in front of the Rice Memorial Center concerning improper vehicle registration brought on the arrest. Williams was attempting to leave on his motorcycle, parked in front of the RMC, when Anderson approached him to discuss several parking tickets and the vehicle registration. When the motor was turned on, Anderson reportedly grabbed Williams, who, according to one witness, struck the office before landing in the lawn at the side along with the motorcycle!' During the next ten minutes, Anderson at first tried to restrain the struggling Williams while a small group of students gathered, among whom was Wiess president Rob Dickinson, who tried to calm the student down. Security officer Mc- Coy arrived and helped to handcuff Williams and lead him to the Security office. According to Dean Wierum, who also came to the Security Office, Williams was "very belligerent and vengeful and very contemptuous." He asked him to go home and return in the morning to the Dean's office to discuss the registration and the tickets. Williams, who had already kicked attending officers Brooks in the stomach and McCoy in the head, "refused to follow that course of action. He continued to be belligerent and vengeful and contemptuous, and used vile language in resisting attempts to calm him down." Wierum remarked that by then there "was no choice but to take him to the City of Housto police department." Officers McCoy and Anderson waited at the entrance gate with Williams until the police arrived. All returned to the Security Office for a discussion of the incident, then drove to the police station. Williams was released on a $1200 bond; the delay was due to his inability to contact his parents living near Dallas. Several members of Will Rice also Football intramurals to kick off By BILL BELL The annual intramural football vendetta got underway last Tuesday with another mixture of established oldsters and young hopefuls that should delight the hearts of pseudo-jocks everywhere. Though the total number of teams is down from last year's 38 to a more modest 30 the competition should be as fierce, and as unpredictable as ever. At seasons end, when the last whistle has blown and the last rump slapped, the omnipresent Bang Gang should repeat as champions. Bang Gang certainly seems to thave the Monday League sewn up with no established teams to challenge them. With their superb quarterback and team leader Mike Hundt, and defenders like Elliot Shapleigh, the Gang hardly needs the help of two fine newcomers Mike Lynch and Rick Hollington. Sticky Fingers, last year's freshman champs, and the always unpredictable A.R. O.T.C. might give the Gang a game but they just don't have the material or the experience to really challenge the champs. Tuesday's league is less secure, although this biased reporter gives the nod to the Knickerknockers. The Knicks, who were edged by the Bang Gang, 13-0, last year in the finals, have a decidedly new look this year. Gone is the overshadowing threat of B-baller Bert Schmidt. New faces John Jaggers, Joe Zylka, Lew Hancock, and Mike Webster add defense. Frank Allen will lead quality to both the offense and the team this year at quarterback, and his excellent arm and crazy legs carry the Knicks championship hopes. The Knicks real challenge will come from the darkhorse Nodders. The Nodders arc basically a carryover from last years UAM-MF which barely lost to the Knicks, 7-6, in the playoffs. The team has a good reservoir of talent, but with ljQ.resetablished quarterback their true potential remains unknowwn. Wednesday league has only three teams and will play a double round-robin, Steve Holder's Climax should prevail without great deal of trouble in their own league. John Mikus, Tommy Lassater and Gordon Davenport are all fine athletes and if the rest of the team can solidify around this nucleus, they could give Bang Gang a challenge come the playoffs. Friday has both the largest league and the biggest question mark. The class of the league seems to be the 12 Angry Weiners. Thank goodness their talent on the field is better than their talent at namegiving. Mike Venson is a solid quarterback and Bill Starnes is probably the best center in any league. With Craig Ank at blocking back and Walt (Goose) Buenger at rusher the team has a solid nucleus. The only weakness seems to be at the corners. Several changes have been made this year in intramurals in regards to rules, eligibility and financing. The contact in intramural football got clean out of hand in several games last year, and rules concerning roughness and sportsmanlike conduct have been strengthened this year in an attempt to tone the game down. Tactics such as forearm smashes (especially to the face, butting, and other cheap shots may have their place in another league but certainly not in intramural football. Sure the game entails clean, hardnosed contact. But, especially without padding, these clever attempts at maiming are patently absurd. Last year touch football participants incurred too many injuries and any continuance of this trend may force the adoption of such changes as shield blocking to eliminate contact. Also any plaer, coach, or student using insulting or derogatory language toward the opposition will be summarily dismissed from the contest. Any person attempting violence toward his opponents will be barred from any future participation in intramurals for one full year. These rules will be strictly enforced, so keep your tempers cool. COMPLETE BEAUTIFUL MARBLE CHESS SETS MADE IN MEXICO SPECIAL OFFER 2 DINNERS for $3.75 PLUS TAX t OFFER GOOD WITH THIS COUPON * Dinner served from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m and all day Sunday OPEN 11 A.M. FOR LUNCH Expires Sept-. 21, 1972 1 (not valid on holidays) Jgir George's ROYAL BUFFET 5935 KiRBY DRIVE 2 Blocks North of Rice Blvd. Children's prices .75 and $1.25 under age 2— free 5242591 RT EARTH CYCLE AND SUPPLY 1500 West Alabama 529-7297 "Specializing in European ten-speed bicycles" Mercier Peugeot Bottecchia Atala ° ... Citoh C.N.C. C.D.I. Layaway & Master Charge BEST QUALITY AT LOWEST PRICES the rice thresher, September 14, 1972—page 3
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