38

Lookin' and Listenin' Sugar Cane In Rio Grande

By DOROTHY D. FREAS Looking at my sugar bowl as I sipped my coffee on a cool rainy morning, I tried to picture sugar cane-grt>wing in Rio Grande — this far north? Just over a hundred years ago, the farmers of New Jersey were fifljling their incomes sharply lowered after a web of rails had spread from the metropolitan area - westward, carrying farmers to the fertile states, and bringing the harvest from their farms back to the east When the sugar from the south, during the Civil War, was not being sent to the enemy, the Northern states, the shortage of sugar brought an idea again to the attention of New Jersey agricultural groups. IN FEBRUARY 1881, the New Jersey Legislature passed an Act, where-by farmers who would raise any type of plants that produce sugar, as sugar beets or kinds of sugar cane, would receive a bonus. It 'would be given to each farmer in proportion to the quantity ne raised each year. As further incentive, a penny a pound was to be paid to any one who built a mill in New Jersey to refine sugar and distribute it. Within a few months, a Philadelphia firm built a refinery on the railroad in Rio Grande, situated on ground at the rear of the present Social Services Building. A large plantation was cleared and planted to the south of the refinery, now owned by the “Rio Grande Sugar Company.’’ THE RESULTS were not as successful as had been expected. Although a few changes were made to increase the production, in the long run, the entire project of Rio Grande Sugar Refining was abandoned within five years of its inception. A year later, another and smaller plant was built in the same area. It used newer methods of processing the raw material, but it too closed down within a couple of years. The older refinery, cleared of the machinery, was used as a cannery for a while! Sugar cane or sugar beets could be raised in Cape May county, but other crops were found to be much more profitable.

Our Readers Write Raffa Obtuse? To The Editor: As a concerned citizen of Sea Isle City, I was very interested to hear Mayor Dominic C. Raffa's version of a meeting held on Feb. 14, one which he did not see fit to attend. He stated that the opinions expressed there represented only the views of the outsiders and not of the townspeople themselves? I would like to differ with Mayor Raffa (sorry about that >, but the atmosphere of the town meetings does not coincide with his expressed opinion. The average person attending those meetings is, as am I, interested, concerned and thoroughly frustrated with what is happening in our city. We can only measure public opinion by what is expressed publicly. The recent publicity on one of our most prominent leaders is certainly not improving our image. Our financial problems are of great concern. Surely Mayor Raffa cannot be so obtuse as not to realize the people of this city are not totally happy. Some improvements must be made ISABEL R. GILLESPIE Sea Isle City

opinion

Herald & Lantern 22 February '84

the SOVEREIGN STATE of AFFAIRS

THE NEWS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST DOESN'T LOOK VERY GOOD

David Boyd

HOW CAN THEY TELL’

The Idea Is an Affront

"" Hrrali

Every Wefecefey By P.O. Bex O* TW Seeweve CerpereUee C«pe May Ceert Hoost. N J. M2i<

Joseph R. Zelnik

Bonnie Reina Gary L. Rudy John Dun woody Darrell Kopp

Editor

General Manager Advertising Director Special Promotions Director Publisher

tyml

Ifce »■—we C—p. We pmrt her—f mtmr be repredeted

DEADLINES Newa & Photos Thursday Advertising Friday - 3 P.M. Clasalfled Adverttoing Friday— 3 P.M. ( 4t5-5t55 For New* or Advertising Information ~| ‘

AND LANTERN irUI hr rwpnlMr or UeUe (or BkiikftrmalJoa > aicpriaU lypograpkkral errarx. He., ta aay iaaae. TV rdltor rcaervea Ike ri*kt to rrUt aav letter i

Tooeer Tammakip *— Lantern u

nbikke* Ev«ry WetfaeeSay By

P.O. Bex Ut Cape May Cert Hoeae. N J. iPit^

Fed Avoids Politics

As a former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, I’m tired of reading that the Fed will bring interest rales down because of the coming elections. In two decades of observing and participating in meetings of the Fed’s primary policymaking bodv, the Federal Open Market Committee. T've never once heard anyone even suggest slanting a decision to facilitate anyone's election. That people are unconvinced is perhaps a reflection of the widespread distrust of public officials these days. That the Fed is a victim of this distrust is particularly frustrating to a Federal Reserve official because the institution is surrounded by so many built-in protections against political influence and because non-involvement in partisan politics is so central to its ethos. To tell a Fed official that in teres" rates are deliberately manipulated to help anyone become elected, therefore, is to affront him personally. But the ideas persists. Consider the following theories: The party-loyalty theory. Is it conceivable that FOMC members might pursue a monetary policy favoring a particular political party? Conceivable, but highly improbable. The party affiliations of 12 participants in FOMC deliberations — the presidents of the Federal Reserve Banks — are not known. Affiliations of the seven governors of the Federal Reserve Board can only be inferred from their appointments. Presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan have made four appointments total, President Carter four. (It adds to eight because Paul Volcker was first appointed chairman by Mr. Carter in 1979 and reappointed by Mr. Reagan in 1983). Not much support for the partyloyalty theory. The silent-conspiracy theory. Even if there’s no discussion of politics in the FOMC, is jt possible that participating members come to a- political conclusion by unspoken understanding? I suppose so, but for what purpose? Presumably, the only thing an FOMC member would stand to gain from an election would be a job. Only rarely does a Federal Reserve official move to another position in government, but from time to time a term expires and then reappoint-

ment may be a question and it could matter who wins in. November. >. But this can’t be the case for the presidents of the Federal Reserve Banks; they are not appointed by the President. This leaves the seven governors of the Federal Reserve Board. Of these, three are now serving terms that expire after the end of the next presidential term. The remaining four are Chairman Volcker and Governors Wallich, Partee and Teeters. President Reagan reappointed Paul Volcker as chairman last August for a term of four years. But Mr. Volcker let it be known last August that he might well not stay in the job for the full term, and his financial burden is frequently mentioned in the press as one reason. Moreover, the chairman has exhibited such independence of thought and action in recent years that he seems a most unlikely leader of a silent conspiracy to rig interest rates. Governor Wallich's term runs out in January 1988, when he is not eligible for reappointment Governor Partee’s term expires in January 1986 and Governor Teeters’ at the end of this month. It’s distasteful even to engage in this kind of analysis. The truth is that these are dedicated public servants who will do what they have to do regardless of elections. But cynicism sometimes can be met only with cold facts, and the cold facts are that even attributing less-than-noble motives to FOMC members, it is hard to see how they would stand to gain by helping any particular candidate become President. The sucked-in theory. If there’s no reason for a member to influence interest rates for personal gain, is it possible that members of the FOMC could be sucked into a policy they don’t really want? Specifically, if the administration were to spend heavily to create a favorable economic climate, running up a large budget deficit in the process, would not the Fed be obliged to create enough money to finance the deficit? This scenario recalls what v happened during and immediately after World War II when the Fed was pegging interest rates. But in 1984 things are a good deal more (Page 39 Please)

rDon't Miss a Scenic View-

MUA: We Knew It First

By JOE ZELNIK An acquaintance has sneeringly referred to this as an “advice to the lovelorn column If it has, in fact, degenerated to that, I apologize. It would make no sense for me to direct a column at the lovelorn since our marketing research shqws that only 17 percent of our readers are lovelorn. V ' ' (Other demographics from our readership survey: 7 percent eat anchovies, 13 percent have sand between their toes year-round, and 59 percent are thirstier after they drink barrier island water than before.) Incidentally, the number of lovelorn declines to 3 percent in the summer, still another advantage of tourism. IN MY DEFENSE, you can hardly blame me for the questions I receive. Two weeks ago, swear to God, a lady in Court House called to ask me why there was "a long limousine with tinted glass” in front of the courthouse. Andiast week a Wildwood woman called to ask me what to do about a dead dog floating in the bay. I agree that lovelorn advice is more appropriate on the society pages, and this column on the editorial page should consider more important issues, which is what I’m trying to do this week: K.P. of Nummy: I went to the George machine in Court House to withdraw some money and he refused, saying I had “insufficient funds.” What can I do? Answer: Next time this happens, jump in your car and speed to the George machine in Rio Grande. George in Court House is -notoriously accurate, but George in Rio Grande is lazy and seldom up-to-date on the latest condition of your bank account. J.H. OF CREST HAVEN: You frequently refer to Dominic C. Raffa. Are you and he friends? Answer: I have never even met the man, and I hope the U.S. Attorney is listening. (I have a feeling that if I don't meet Mr. Raffa soon, I may never have the opportunity.) R.G. of Erma: What's the mile-high club? Answer: Sorry, but this is a family newspaper and I can’t tell you. I’ll tell you instead about the 300-Degree

Club. When it gets 100 degrees below zero in the Antarctic residents get in a sauna at 200 degrees, then run outsidt naked to the 100-below-zero weather. The 300-degree dif ference qualifies them to belong to the club Honest WJ). of Germont: Why does the Herald-Lanterr publish property transfers, which I consider an invasion

of privacy?

Answer: This is a public service required because there are already too many people living here. By publishing the current sale price of homes in the county, we should discourage anyone from even thinking of moving here. C.R. OF BELLEVUE: I'm new in the state. I notice a lot of crossovers on the Garden State Parkway in the county but they all have funny red and black signs, sort of an arrow making « half-circle with a diagonal line throuch it

What does it mean?

Answer: That means you have just passed a “scenic

view” and should torn around and go back.

A.B. of North Wildwood: Your paper does not seem to

have had much to say about the MUA indictments?

Answer: Actually,! was on to this story before anyone else. My problem was, I have a $7.95 calculator that only

goes eight digits, so I couldn’t trace the money. wme of you people ducking your tongues

over all this are the same persons who drank Roman Osadchuck s champagne or ate baked Alaska at John and Mary Vino’s. This is a difficult time for them. Com-

miserate. Take ’em over a tuna casserole

R.C. OF KIMBLES BEACH: I enjoyed tlx last book you recommended, “How to Buy Catfish." Anymore

suggestions?

..Answer: I think you would like “Looking After Your Dinghy by Terry Smith, al the Court House library. (LB. of Tuckahoe: Who is your choice for the Democratic presidential nomination? Answer : I don't like to get into politics, but I definitely rauld not vote for Jesse Jackson. Can you imagine the parties that kid of his, Michael, and all his ghoulish friends p«^ d toow in the White House? They'd destroy the