Transcripts

BOB POTTER: The president himself describes the trip as a working vacation. And while his key interest is promotion of his energy program, there is at least as much immediate concern in our region about the grain millers strike that has virtually shut down the ports of Duluth and Superior. At the request of Vice President Mondale, Mr. Carter agreed to meet briefly upon arrival in Saint Paul with governors Arthur Link of North Dakota and Al Quie of Minnesota.

Carter told the governors that he appreciated the seriousness of the strike, but said he believes the process of free collective bargaining is the best method for resolving disagreements between labor and management. And the president said, he not invoke the Taft-Hartley act. After the meeting, Governor Quie told reporters that while he didn't get what he wanted, he felt the session was positive.

AL QUIE: The president indicated to us that he had heard from a great number of people. And he realized that this was a serious consequences, probably not to the companies of that union that's on strike, but to other individuals, especially in North Dakota and in Minnesota. And Governor Lincoln, I laid out what tremendous consequences, serious consequences that's going to be to each of our states.

And I told them what the effect they had on corn growers, wheat growers, sunflower growers, and the truckers, and the elevator operators, and then laid out some suggestions to him. I'm happy to say that he took those very seriously, asked his people around him to pursue them, and I have a feeling that President Carter will be looking at that seriously and will making an effort to bring the parties together.

BOB POTTER: Quie said, he was pleased that the president had given him an opportunity to meet eye to eye and that he doesn't feel any further meetings will be necessary. After meeting with the two governors, Carter was taken by motorcade to the landmark center in downtown Saint Paul for an energy discussion with eight Saint Paulites involved in various energy projects. About 250 invited guests listened to the exchange.

Carter repeated many of the points he has made previously-- that the energy crisis poses a direct and serious threat to the security of the United States. He says, the US has become dependent on uncertain and overly expensive imported oil. And when the United States imports oil, Carter says, it also imports unemployment and inflation. Carter said, energy conservation must be accomplished by citizens, not the government. And he appealed to local communities for help.

JIMMY CARTER: Today, in preparation for my visit here to Saint Paul, I sent a personal letter to every senior elected official of every county and city in the United States of America-- 6,000 personal letters-- with an enclosure saying what certain communities have already done. And it wasn't a coincidence that one of those communities that I've used as an example was Saint Paul because you've done a good job.

BOB POTTER: After listening to presentations on such issues as solar energy, district heating, and home insulation, Carter commented on three themes all the projects have in common.

JIMMY CARTER: There is no possibility of success without a joint, cooperative effort. One person alone, a president or a mayor, Congress, can't do it. It has to be a joint effort.

Secondly, every one of the programs proposed, even the cogeneration plan or the people mover, the weatherization of homes is already dependent upon federal funds. It's kind of a core basis for a much broader, magnified effort by everyone else. And third, every one of these proposals so far doesn't make life more dismal. It makes life better.

BOB POTTER: The energy meeting, chaired by Saint Paul Mayor Lord George Latimer, lasted about 45 minutes. Then the president and his family drove a few blocks to where the Delta Queen was docked. Reporter Greg Barron was on the scene as the ship got underway.

GREG BARRON: The calliope is playing at the rear of the Delta Queen as the river pleasure boat begins to depart the landing in Saint Paul. President Carter arrived here about five minutes of nine, approximately 10 minutes behind schedule, and was greeted by approximately 5,000 members of the public according to the Saint Paul Police Department.

He was greeted with cheers and waves. And he returned the salutation with smiles and an approach into the crowd where he spoke with various individuals for several minutes. He was then escorted onto the boat, down a gangplank, and up to a meeting with the captain of the Delta Queen. At that point, the president, Rosalynn Carter, and Amy toured some of the outer passageways, waving to the crowd, greeting passengers, and praising the band of the Delta Queen.

The boat is pulling out now. And the president of the rear of the boat is waving to the crowd, a broad smile on his face standing next to Mrs. Carter and young Amy. At the River Landing in Saint Paul, this is Greg Barron.

BOB POTTER: By morning, the Delta Queen will be in Wabasha, Minnesota, where city residents have planned a prayer meeting and a birthday celebration for Mrs. Carter. This is Bob Potter.