ustxtxb_obs_1981_08_28_50_00023-00000_000.pdf

will “get into the business of building lakes and leasing property in connection with lakes.” The water storage fund “would put the state in the business of building lakes,” he added. The water agencies would burden citizens with rule-making; dedicating the funds would reduce funds needed for other services. But Farabee lost on his proposals to strike the dedication of half the excess to water projects, although the vote was 16-13 on the closest test. The fact that the citizens are called to vote on the Clayton plan this November instead of November, 1982, may be decisive in determining the outcome. Clayton and his allies argued that haste is needed so water projects can be started. The opponents made the obvious point that far fewer people will vote than would next year \(when the whole that waiting until ’82 would leave more time for public education and debate. It may reasonably be conjectured that Clayton, et. al., figured that the money that can be marshalled to promote the Clayton plan through paid advertising will have more effect, the less educated the electorate is on the subject at voting time. But the election’s timing could cut in the other direction, too. Organized opposition can have more effect on the outcome of a small-turnout election than on a broader turnout of the voters. Amarillo Bishop Says ‘Resign’ From page 1 “We’re right in the middle of the thing, with Pantex on one side of us and the MX missile on the other,” he said. During the hearings in the area on the MX, every witness opposed placing it out there, but,, he said, “What was interesting was that nobody raised the moral issue.” In Amarillo, he said, “We shouldn’t feel the total weight of the thing. We’re just the assembly point \(for the nuclear the country.” About 2,400 people work at Pantex, which is expanding and will have the job of assembling the neutron bombs. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has made a statement of grave concern about the nuclear arms race. Asked if his admonition to workers in nuclear bombmaking was not a new thing among Catholic Bishops, Matthiesen said, “I think I’m the first one that’s raised that issue.” However, he sees his position as consonant with the directions taken by the Catholic Church under Popes John II and Paul VI. He realizes his is “a conservative area, people are patriotic, and this is not a popular stance.” But the first few letters he received were supportive, the Bishop said. Except for the one sentence about bomb workers resigning, his statement was an argument against President Reagan’s decision to build the neutron bomb. `Consider What Here is the complete text of Bishop Matthiesen’s statement, as dictated to the Observer from Amarillo: “Statement by Bishop L. T. Mattheisen on production and stockpiling of the neutron bomb. “The announcement of the decision to produce and stockpile neutron warheads is the latest in the series of tragic anti-life decisions taken by our government. “This latest decision allegedly comes as a response to the possibility of a Soviet tank attack in Central Europe. “The current Administration says the production and stockpiling of neutron bombs is a logical step in a process begun in 1978 under the previous Administration. “Thus, both Democratic and Republican Administrations seem convinced that in ac celerating the arms race, they are carrying out the wishes’ of the American people. “The matter is of immediate concern to us who live next door to Pantex, the nation’s final assembly point for nuclear weapons, including the neutron bomb. “It is clear now the military can perhaps must think in only one way: each enemy advance in arms technology and capability must be met with a further advance on our part, no matter that the enemy must then, perforce, respond with a further advance of its own. No matter that we already have the capability of destroying each other many times over and that soon other nations of this imperiled planet will possess the same awesome power. “God’s gifts may be used for evil or good, for war or peace. The God of Israel warned the people of ancient times that the military use of the horse is “a vain hope for safety. Despite its power, it cannot save.” \(Psalms nuclear energy likewise a vain hope for safety? Despite its incredible power, it cannot save. “Enough of this greater and greater destructive capability. Let us stop this madness. Let us turn our attention and our energy to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy: for the production of food, fiber, clothing, shelter, transportation. “We beg our Administration to stop accelerating the arms race. We beg our military to use common sense and moderation in our defense posture. We urge individuals involved in the production and stockpiling of nuclear bombs to consider what they are doing, to resign from such activities, and to seek employment in peaceful pursuits. Let us educate ourselves on nuclear armament. Let us support those who are calling for an end to the arms race. Let us join men and women everywhere in prayer that peace may reign.” THE TEXAS OBSERVER 23