October 1, 1975 - James Larson, project manager of the Rayson Project (?), does battle with building trade unions as he works to rennovate Stevens Square in Minneapolis.
October 1, 1975 - This is a very short audio file with no identifying information. The spreadsheet says it is General Mills Assistant Treasurer James Weaver speaking on some appointment, but the speaker in the file doesn't talk about an appointment--only about a proposed national boycott. Neither the company nor the speaker are identified.
October 1, 1975 - MPR’s Greg Barron visits Earl Cunningham’s farm in Sleepy Eye, which has been organic since 1964. Tours come to see this revolutionary way of farming for the 20th Century. Barron interviews Cunningham, who is passionate about organic practices and talks about how it's done.
October 9, 1975 - D. Michael Curren (sp?) speaks in favor of building a 1500 mile pipeline from Peugeot Sound to Clearwater, Minnesota to carry oil and natural gas. His group feels when the Canadians cut off oil supply to the U.S., the Midwest should be as independent as possible of foreign countries. Reporter discusses the pros and cons of the proposal. The head of MN Energy Agency John Milhone says building a new pipeline is just one option; we could also use the Alaskan connection and existing pipelines in the south, or trade with the Canadians. He says the US and Canada can interact cooperatively to solve energy problems. If Minnesota wants Alaskan oil through the Canadian pipeline a decision must be made in six months.
October 10, 1975 - Journalist David Halberstam speaks at a World Press Forum at Macalester College. He talks about the electronic media explosion and communication revolution as being comparable to the printing press and moveable type. He describes the increasing power of network television news over the past fifteen years, and the way this has strengthened the presidency and weakened Congress. He says the power of TV network news was first felt with the Vietnam War, when the press became an anti-state against the power of the presidency. He warned of an overly-powerful executive branch.
October 10, 1975 - Minnesota and North Dakota differ on possible Red River pollution from the Garrison Diversion irrigation project. Minnesota has threatened a lawsuit and moratium of the project?s construction, in effect killing the project. North Dakota suggests the experiences of similar river projects around the country may provide adequate data to prevent a moratorium, but Minnesota is concerned these may not be applicable to this project. North Dakota Attorney General Allen Olson and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency director Peter Gove met to discuss concerns of each state about the project. The meeting ended without a real solution. The concern for Minnesota is that North Dakota may curtail electricty it supplies to Minnesota if Minnesota blocks this project. There?s a concern this issue might build an Iron Curtain between the states. Political considerations rather than legal may end up resolving the issue. When an upcoming Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is issued in the next year MPCA will evaluate the situation and make a decision on whether to go forward with legal action.
October 10, 1975 - When harvest time arrives in the northern plains farmers go into the fields to harvest the crop. This story is primarily a montage of sounds of the harvest including combines, farm machinery, and a farmer’s reflections.
October 11, 1975 - John Milhone, Minnesota Energy Agency director, is skeptical of the president?s energy proposal including a subsidy for crash construction of synthetic fuels by 1976. He says while there?s a need for additional capital for the development of energy sources we?ve learned that programs announced with a with a fanfare and big dollar tag are not necessarily effective. This reminds him of Project Independence, a plan to have the nation energy independent by 1980. That?s impossible and it will be difficult to be even partially independent by 1985. Splashy big investment programs are not a good substitute for a more realistic look at energy use and supply. We need to look at more effective conservation programs, such as a need to get better efficiency out of automobiles. We should spend funds on alternative transportation methods and mass transit programs. The railroads don?t get support they need. With retrofitting insulation in homes, business and industry for less money you could get more energy savings. It?s possible to consider conservation programs as economic investments in fuel. With limited public funds in the energy area more could be achieved by conservation than new supply development projects.
October 13, 1975 - MPR’s Steve Monroe interviews Jerry Perkins, a farmer near Worthington about the corn yield this year. Perkins discusses various harvesting challenges, including weather and where do you cut down on the use of fuel at the expense of crop loss in the field?
October 16, 1975 - MPR’s Tom Steward reports on Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar's proposed bill prohibiting the removal of natural resources in BWCA, including logging. It also states no snowmobiling except in designated areas. A similar bill was submitted by Representative Doug Johnson.