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Editorials7th s ActivityHealthy SignThe organization and activity along Seventh Avenue in theSlope that has been spawned in the wake of the city%u2019s abortiveproposal for a mall along the street last fail is good news indeedand the sign of a vital, live retail area that has evolved and expanded its horizons over the past few years. The range of newshops and stores along the street are a sure sign of an alive andinterested shopping area that is going to continue to thrive. Thetendency after an uproar like that over the mall proposal is foreverybody to climb back into their shells. We are delighted thatthat was only the beginning of an awareness of the importance ofthe total street environment for continuing to attract and holdnew shoppers. Another terrific sign too, is the involvement ofSlope residents in the process. The combination should produceimprovements that will make everyone happy.Why Not Pass ByBoro's History?We like the idea of Borough President Sebastian Leone to expand the Brooklyn Culture Bus Route to include other sights and attractions in the Borough, and we hope their will be a positive response from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Many local sights of historical and scenic value lay in Brooklyn that go unseen by most tourists to New York %u2014 and many New Yorkers as well %u2014- and this expanded route is a great opportunity to open them up to greater public view. Principal among these is certainly the Wyckoff house in Flatbush, reputed to be the oldest in the state (circa 1640). Other sights in our immediate vicinity include some of the fine old buildings in the former Brooklyn Navy Yard, our Brooklyn Heights Promenade, the Ft. Greene Park and Greenwood Cemetery. Leone%u2019s list, reported elsewhere this week, includes a dozen others as well. Let's put the MTA at work to make the bus a real sightseeing tool for the New York visitor and put some of the wonders of our Brooklyn on show.Do You Have Something to Say?We welcome your contributionsto the Phoenix Community Forum Page.500-750 word length prefered.S e n d y o u r m a t e r ia l to :The Editor, Phoenix,130 Clinton St., Brooklyn,, N.Y. 11201LnThe PHOENIX is miblished 50 times a vear bv Advocate Press, Inc., 130 Clinton Street. Brooklyn, New York 11201. Single copy price is 15 cents, annual subscription by mail in New York State, effective July 1, 1073 is $3; outside New York, $6.Michael A. Armstrong, Publisher1 30 Clinton StreetRrnnklvn 11201Tel.* 643-1 032Old House JournalOffers Useful Tipsto Craftsmen-to-beRestoring a vintage house is acreative and rewardingundertaking. But a lot ofaggravating practical problemscrop up along the way to thatfinal, glorious restoration.Now there is a new monthlypublication%u2014called The OldHouse Journal%u2014that%u2019s devotedexclusively to the renovation,maintenance and decoration ofold houses. It%u2019s the only sourceol restoration technology thatconcentrates solely on oldhouses: City house...countryhouses...any dwelling built priorto 1914.Objective of The Journal is thepreservation of 18th and 19thcentury buildings by showingtoday%u2019s home-buyer practical,economical ways to adapt oldhouses to modern living.With the looming energy crisis,there is special interest inrestoring old city houses inorder to escape dependence onthe automobile. Most cities havea plentiful stock of 19th centurybuildings that can be renovatedinto useful, attractive housing.Conservationists, too, areapplauding the trend towards\than tearing them down.Through detailed, practicalarticles, The Old-House Journalgives home-owners refreshercourses in old-time buildingknow-how...the kind ofinformation that many of today%u2019sworkmen don%u2019t take the troubleto learn. Armed with thisknowledge, the home-owner caninsure that any renovation isaccomplished withoutdestroying the character of thebuilding.Recent issues of The OldHouse Journal have carriedarticles on such subjects as:iFireplace Renovation; RestoriAntique Plasterwork; SealiLeaky Wooden Windows; FlatRoof Repairs; Steam HeatingSystems; Cleaning & Care olAntique Brass; StaircaseRepairs; Restoring Shutters;Coping With Frayed ElectricalWiring; Reviving Old WoodFinishes.Anyone interested in oidhouses can receive a free copy ofthis new publication by writingto: The Old-House Journal,Dept. 20PH, 199 Berkeley Place,Brooklyn, N. Y. 11217Knave s OKDear Editor:In answer to the differing opinion of Eleanor McGregor on impeachment of President Nixon (F.7, PHOENIX), I respect her view that the example of punishing a culprit for his mis-deeds would be salutary for the country.But, I still believe that would be replacing Tweedledum with Tweedledee and that would be economic, undemocratic government for a possible seven or more years instead of less than three.By the by, I am notan ideological liberal. I am an ideological radical Socialist and so is John Kenneth Galbraith as he confesses in his last book.Better a known knave who will be watched than an unknown who states that he agrees with all Nixon has done and approves and believes in him without any doubts.Sincerely,Ken Boss Sidney PlacePump It AwayA copy of the following letter was sent to the PHOENIX for publication here:Honorable Charles Samowitz Deputy Water Commissioner, NYC Dear Mr. Samowitz:The Carroll Gardens Association supports the construction of a new pumping station at the Douglas Street area of the Gowanus Canal.The Canal has been a blight to the environment, an obstacle to community development and a hazard to the health of those%u2014 r,; a %u2014 i c o i u c m o ah n o p i v A iu m ,^ i u tconstruction of a new pumping station, along with the recentapproval by the Federal government of a sewer treatment plant, are part of a related system and are the forward steps to the restoration of a Natural waterway and the elimination of a blighted condition. The recent decision by the City of New York to dredge the Canal is the initial step in restoring the Gowanus from eyesore to seashore.There appear to be no adverse environmental impacts. The infrastructures, such as street and sewer lines, will not be affected by the pumping station. It will improve the environmental quality of the area by eliminating over the long run, air and water pollution; it will also aid in the development of an aesthetically pleasing urban area.The areas further away on the east and west of the Canal are experiencing the vitality of an urban renaissance, while the areas bordering the Canal still experience its odors and dirt. They too, should be afforded the opportunity to dwell in an area free from blight and decay.As President of the Carroll Gardens Association, I urge you on behalf of the community to make the future in South Brooklyn a better place to live in by supporting the pumping station project.Sincerely, Anthony Gambale President, Carroll Gardens Assn.Boss RuleDear Sir:How dare Kenneth Boss champion himself as a fighter for decent and more available housing when he doesn%u2019t keep his own houses in order.t i: -----j hit-. r%u00bb___ iA 1M4 VV- i l V C U Ail UAU, ui m i . D t/O Ohouses for six years and I find that I can no longer tolerate the publicposturing of a landlord who has some sort of an image hang-up in liberal-literati populated Brooklyn Heights while he profits from the neglect of his buildings. 'Yes, we know that landlords in New York often walk away from their properties and Mr. Boss has not exercised that option as of this date. I am, however, almost convinced that in regard to forty nine Garden Place that Mickey Mouse would have more consideration for the health and wellbeing of his tenants.The majority of the fourteen units in this building are decontrolled. Therefore, Mr. Boss should be getting a reasonable return j according to the MBR formula. The few of us who have rent con trolled units have to threaten to take Mr. Boss to court to get compliance for slight violations such as broken pipes, broken windows, filthy hallways, and other trifles.I suggest that Don Quixote of 111 Montague St. get off his equestrian ass and fix up his tenement wind-) mills.Sincerely* Stan Gilbert;49 Garden PI.Flatbush CultureDear Neighbor,There are many children in ourj midst who are deprived of cultural' or recreational advantages. The! Triangle Parks-Flatbush Avenue!Imnrnvpmunt Accnr-iatinn Vine)established a \Recreational Youth Fund%u201d for the purpose of extending to them the following programs:(1 ) A READING PROGRAM toj assist our youth to improve their, reading skills (some children are 3' or 4 years behind in Reading). I(2) A CULTURAL PROGRAM TO introduce young people tc cultural events such as Musicals alContinued on Page 13