October 18, 1973 - NSP has requested a twenty percent rate hike in electric rates. St. Paul has a provision in its charter to allow public hearings before rates go into effect, Minneapolis does not. St. Paul residents pay less than Minneapolis. Bill Mailand, vice-president of the Greater Metropolitan Federation says the Minneapolis charter should be amended to allow a hearing. Ruth Murphy, president of the Greater Metropolitan Federation says even if a hearing is held it would have no legal effect on rate hikes. A petition drive would be needed to make this a city council priority. She says the people in this city have no say; witness the domed stadium issue. Mailand says it?s difficult to lobby against the big utilities.
October 18, 1973 - A plaza may surround the Minnesota Orchestra Concert Hall building now being built. The Peavey company is giving money towards this project, which will be eventually be called the Peavey Park Plaza. The concert hall will finish being constructed first, and is scheduled to open in October 1974. Donald P. Engle, President of the Minnesota Orchestral Association, says he can see possibilities for presenting summer concerts in this space.
October 18, 1973 - Both teacher unions, the MEA and MFT, are holding conventions. Speaker Richard Foster at the MEA asked whether accountability will create change or not. At the MFT meeting Senate Majority Leader Nick Coleman said a recent error discovered in state birth projections means some 300,000 fewer students will be in elementary and secondary schools in the 1980's and 1990's. He remarked the teacher/pupil ratio would have to be cut to just over eleven to one to employ the current number of teachers, and that won?t happen. In ten years we won?t need the state college system as it presently exists as there won?t be that many students. Plans should be made now to deal with that reality.
October 21, 1973 - Writer and philosopher Ayn Rand speaking at Ford Hall Forum. Rand’s address was titled “Censorship: Local and Express.”
October 22, 1973 - Judge Miles Lord, from the Federal District Court of Minnesota, discusses with Greg Barron.
October 23, 1973 - MER’s Dennis Rooney interviews Joseph Roche, a member of Minnesota Orchestra, about the death and legacy of Pablo Casals. Roche shares experience of being a part of Casals Festival.
November 8, 1973 - John Borchert, director for Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at University of Minnesota, speaking to the Commission on Minnesota's Future in Alexandria. Borchert’s speech was on the topic of the ways and extent to regulate, without violating our democratic precepts.
November 13, 1973 - Professor Herman Schwartz speaks on his critical view of the U.S. prison program. Topics include history of modern prison system, inhumane conditions, guards, and race. During the tragic inmate uprising at Attica State Prison in 1971, Schwartz served as the first intermediary between the prisoners and the prison administration.
November 14, 1973 - U.S. Representative Don Fraser remarks on nomination of Gerald Ford and why political system doesn't cleanse self of those who abuse power.
November 19, 1973 - MER Special presenting a tribute to poet Pablo Neruda. Program contains various readings and commentary of Neruda’s work performed by Robert Bly and others.