University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

Page 31 text:

Issues and Events 29

Page 30 text:

Inflation becomes one of nation's top economic problems Spiraling inflation was one of the nation's chief economic problems during the school year At the beginning of his term in office, President Fordipromised to hold down federal spending and called double-digit inflation Public Enemy Number One . After the consumer price index rose by 13h: in August alone la compound annual rate of 168M, govern- ment officials felt that immediate action was necessary. President Ford held a series of meet- ings with various economic and business leaders which ended with a two-day National Conference on Inflation. Knox- ville's Mayor Kyle Testerman attended the conference, and he presented the President with a survey in which Knox- ville area citizens blamed the government and union wage increases for the infla- tion problem. The citizens surveyed felt that decreased government spending in such areas as foreign aid would be the best solution. Several inflation-fighting alternatives were discussed by economic experts at the conference, but no agree- ment was reached as to the best solu- tion. In October, President Ford presented his own inflation-fighting measures. In a speech to Congress. Ford said that inflation could destroy the country as surely as any wartime enemy . His plan for stopping inflation was centered around a 506 surcharge or additional income tax which would be imposed on middle and high income taxpayers and corporations. Wearing a red and white WIN lWhip Inflation Nowl button, Ford stated that his plans would meaningfully reduce inflation by early 1975. Reaction to Ford's proposals, especially to the 570 surcharge. was not enthusiastic: both Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders criticized the surcharge as being too hard on middle income taxpayers. After the November elections which gave the Democratic party a large major- ity in both houses of Congress, Ford's inflation-.fighting measures met with even more opposition. Against his advice Congress passed a veteran's aid bill which would give veterans a 2370 increase in benefits: Ford vetoed the bill and stated that the nation would have to reduce federal spending if weare to reduce the inflation spiral . By January, however. inflation ap- peared to be slowing down on its own: 28 A Issues and Events the rise in the consumer price inde for December was only Th3, an annual rate of 90A: as compared to a 12.270 rate for 1974 as a whole. Price increases became less frequent, largely because of overstocked inventories and a decrease in consumer spending. Most government officials began to regard recession land not inflationl as the chief economic problem. The decreased emphasis on inflation was evident in President Ford's State of the Union address to Congress in January. He appeared to be willing to risk further inflation in trying to overcome the problem of recession. Ford's new eco- nomic proposals included a tax rebate. an energy tax. and a permanent tax cut. The most controversial of his suggestions was the energy tax: by proposing large in- creases in the price of oil, Ford was risking further inflation because the prices of goods transported by oil or using oil in production would also rise. Many critics of Ford's plan felt that any tax rebates would be wiped out by the huge in- creases in prices resulting from the energytax. Because of the Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, it appeared likely that most of Ford's proposals would eventually be modified. Democratic leaders seemed to favor increased deficits in the federal budget and tax rebates over any inflationary increases in fuel prices. While the President and Congress attempted to work out a compromise, it appeared that inflation was becoming less of a threat to the economy than recession. University of Tennessee students were affected by inflation both on and off campus. University Residence Halls raised fees by 6Tb and blamed 3 20h: rise in coal costs as the chief cause for the in- crease. University Food Services, which are seIf-supporting, were faced with large price increases in food, paper products, and utility costs. Charges to students for the meal plan were up 8W0, but this rate was set some eight months before the school year started and before the in- flation rate peaked. The University book store reported that its costs were up 50A: on supplies and 7th; on textbooks, but they held down prices anyway. It was expected that prices would eventually go up in future quarters. RIGHT: President Ford wears his WlN button. BELOW: Students experience inflation buying books for the year.

Page 32 text:

KRCC sponsors stop rape awareness week With the increase of rape and the need for counseling, the Knoxville Rape Crisis Center lKRCCl was created in November 1973. The KRCC moved into its present location on the first floor of the Presbyterian Student Center, 1831 Melrose Ave., in March. 1974. Since that time many victims have received coun- seling. The counseling services included ac- companying rape victims to the hospital or police station, referring victims to legal counsel, and follow up counseling for the victim, her family, and friends The KRCC also provided overnight accommodations for victims at their request. In addition to counseling the KRCC offers information on birth control and venereal disease, seIf-defense classes, and campus speakers who talk about rape prevention and related subjects. The KRCC was co-chaired by Ali Kelly and Mary Hendricks. It has grown 30 - Issues and Event: from a small group of students to a staff of 30 volunteers operating 24 hours a day The KRCC could be reached at 522-7273 iRAPEl from 9 am. to 5 pm. Monday through Friday. The KRCC sponsored 'lStop Rape Awareness Week October 14-18. The week opened with bowling in the Uni- versity Center to raise funds for the KRCC. All bowlers were sponsored with the money being donated to the center. An opened forum on all aspects of rape was held and participants discussed a set of prepared topics with a questions and answer session following the discussion. Speakers were Jerry Becker, UT Law School; Dr. Karen Swander, UT Counsel- ing Center; Ida Webb, Knoxville Police Department; Ronald Webster, Attorney General; Jim Jullins, UT Hospital Ad- ministrator; Norma Walden, UT Director of Nursing; and Arthur T. Whitehead, Assistant Director Of Safety and Security. A debate was co-sponsored by KRCC and the UT Debate Forum on the pro- posed changes in Tennessee rape laws. Some areas covered were the requiring of a corroborating witness in addition to the victim, lowering the penalties for rape to facilitate convictions, and for- bidding defense attorneys to investigate the sexual history of the rape victim. After the debate, questions were taken from the floor. In the past year there was a 100 percent increase in the number of re- ported rapes in Knoxville It was esti- mated that only one out of every 10 rapes was reported. Victims of those rapes not reported may have been in serious medical need, but refused to admit to having been raped. Through the efforts of the KRCC more help was available to these victims.