News stories from Sunday May 22, 1977

Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:

Protection of the environment and preservation of the nation's resources will be pledged by President Carter in his long-awaited environmental message to Congress. The message, to be submitted tomorrow, proposes no new major environmental programs, but provides the basis for vigorous enforcement of existing federal laws and enlarges the protection provided by the government over public lands, water resources, and public health. [New York Times] A moral blemish has been removed from the United States by its strong condemnation of South African racial policies, Vice President Mondale said in London. He discussed the United States position with Prime Minister John Vorster of South Africa last week In Vienna. He said at a news conference in London that there was some hope that American support might dissuade black Africa from violent action if the white minority governments there responded to American appeals for reform. [New York Times] An economic boycott might be the way for South African blacks to overcome apartheid, Andrew Young, the chief United States representative to the United Nations, said. In a series of talks with whites and blacks in Johannesburg, he was as outspoken in attacks on racial discrimination as he has been at the United Nations. He was warmly welcomed by blacks, especially by the leader of the Zulus, the country's largest black group. [New York Times] South Korea's security would not be endangered by the withdrawal of American ground troops, Secretary of Defense Harold Brown said, making it clear that any military officer who disagreed in public with that policy would be punished. Gen. John Singlaub, who had been chief of staff of American forces In South Korea until he criticized the troop withdrawal plan, was recalled by the President, who ordered him reassigned. General Singlaub was said to have been "stunned" by the presidential order. He was "sandbagged," he reportedly told associates, by a reporter who quoted him by name and took his remarks out of context. [New York Times] More cars were brought out by demonstrators against landings of the Concorde supersonic jet at Kennedy International Airport, but they caused less disruption on the airport's main road than the week before. The demonstration, led by the Emergency Coalition to Stop the SST, was directed this time at President Carter and Transportation Secretary Brock Adams, who were urged to stop the flights. [New York Times] President Carter said the time is right for a settlement in the Middle East. In a major address on foreign policy at the commencement exercises of Notre Dame University, he said that failure to act could be disastrous "not only for the Middle East but perhaps for the international political and economic order as well." He also called for a new and broader American foreign policy, more responsive to humanitarian problems. [New York Times] The Justice Department's acting antitrust chief said his staff is "taking a close look" at recent steel price increases and the public statements by steel executives that preceded the increases. John Shenefield said in an interview that "price signaling of whatever kind is just something we don't want to have going on." The industry, complaining of high imports and increasing costs, has reported a 42 percent decline in output so far this year. [New York Times] In Europe, steelmakers are in deep crisis. They are struggling to cope with a stagnant world demand, increased foreign competition, particularly from the Far East, excess capacity, and indecision. "The steel industry has entered the most savage depression in the recollection of those in the industry," said Sir Charles Villiers, chairman of the government-owned British Steel Corporation. [New York Times] Arson for profit has continued to grow despite accelerated efforts by the authorities to combat it. Property losses attributed to arson totaled $2 billion last year, nearly double the amount the year before. Arson's rise was first noted in the recession of 1974. Insurance claims are generally the incentive. Deliberately-set fires are "beginning to gnaw at the underpinnings of the economy," a federal official said, "and as soon as Congress realizes this, we expect it will act." [New York Times] Seafood rejected by federal food inspectors as spoiled or contaminated is reentering the United States in large volume by way of a Mexican sanctuary. Reprocessing factories just across the border treat and repackage the foreign seafood, particularly shrimp. Dealers say the operators use deodorizing solutions of harsh chemicals that make it hard to detect the odors of spoilage. The process is apparently not illegal. [New York Times]