En"4 013 S 4•11 A Journal of Free Voices A Window to the South Jan. 31, 19 75 George Frock; 8 p.m., LBJ Auditorium, Dolin's staging of the traditional "Pas de The University of Texas, Austin. Quatre"; through Feb. 8, Jones Hall, Houston. FEBRUARY 2 BACH ARIAS — In a chamber music GUEST PIANIST -- Claudio Arrau appears in celebration, Bach Aria Group performs under Solo Artist Series; 8 p.m., Municipal Auditorium, direction of William I-1. Scheide; 8 p.m., Austin. Municipal Auditorium, Austin. FEBRUARY coming HARLEM HAMS — You may call it sports, but 8 I call it pure theater: Harlem Globetrotters, best DUCLOUX DIRECTS — Faculty artist Danielle Martin, pianist, performs with University comedians-dancers-mimes in the business (with a Symphony Orchestra in Wagner's "A Faust little basketball on the side); 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston. Overture"; De Falla's "Nights in the Gardens of Spain," the Dvorak "Scherzo Capriccioso, Op. fortnight 66"; and Frank Martin's "Sinfonie Concertante," PERLMAN PLAYS IT — Houston Symphony under direction of Walter Ducloux; 8 p.m., LBJ Orchestra welcomes guest violinist Itzhak Perlman,. with Lawrence Foster conducting; Auditorium, University of Texas, Austin. through Feb. 4, Jones Hall, Houston. By Suzanne Shelton FEBRUARY 9 IN THE BEGINNING — Haydn's "Creation" FEBRUARY 3 performed by Louise Russell, soprano, Bruce . FEBRUARY GRAB BAG WINTERTIME — Bouncing back from his Brewer, tenor, Robert Hale, bass-baritone, and CARICATURES — Readers of The Houston layoff, rock guitarist Johnny Winter, in concert; the Mastersingers Choir, Victor Alessandro Post will recognize Hap Garman as creator of a Coliseum, Houston. series of caricatures which have chronicled Alley conducting; 3 p.m., Theater for the Performing Arts and 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10, Laurie Auditorium, Theatre productions since 1965; 34 caricatures FEBRUARY 4 San Antonio. from the Alley's last ten seasons on display, AH, EUGENE — Henry E. Hammack directs celebrating Garman's tenth anniversary as Theatre TCU in Eugene O'Neill's durable "All, theatrical caricaturist and coinciding with current Wilderness"; 8:15 p.m. through Feb. 8, and 2:15 FEBRUARY 10 production of "Twelfth Night"; through p.m. Feb. 9, Scott Theatre, Texas Christian DAMN YANKEES -- So it's a little dated ... mid-February, Sculptural Landing, Alley Theatre, University, Fort Worth. at least UT Drama Department has the services of Houston. a Broadway pro, Lathan Sanford, in staging the FEBRUARY 5 . Adler-Ross musical of a couple of . decades ago; PICTURES OF US — Richard Balzar traveled TO BE SAVORED — The Juilliard 'String through Feb. 15, Hogg Auditorium, University of through 47 states to photograph contemporary Quartet is a must for those who've never heard it, Texas, Austin. United States, exhibited in 103 enlargements, "a and for those who have; 8:15 p.m., Caruth family album about us"; through Feb. 24, St. Auditorium, Southern Methodist University, WAGNER'S `WALKUERE' -- Houston Grand Opera presents Wagner's "Die Walkuere" (Acts I Edward's University, Austin. Dallas; also Feb. 7, 8 p.m., University Center, Houston Room, University of Houston, Houston. and III), with Bozena Ruc-Focic and Earline ARBUS' WEIRDOS — Diane Arbus' Ballard, soprano soloists; Jess Thomas, tenor; photographs of the bizarre, the. abnormal, and BIGTIME BARITONE — Hermann Prey is one David Ward and Jon Enloe, bass soloists; through Feb. 11, Jones Hall, Houston. the socially outcast; through March 2, Museum of the biggies, with a baritone to prove it; 8:30 of Fine Arts, Houston. p.m., Jones Hall, Houston. SPANISH POETRY-DRAMA — Federico JANUARY 31 FEBRUARY 6 Garcia Lorca's classic, "The. House of Bernardo BANG, BANG — Ninth Annual Percussion CLOUSER'S `CARMINA' — James Clouser's Alba," with. Department of Drama cast in thesis Festival Concert, with UT Percussion and Mallet "Carmina Burana," pre,miered last season, Ensembles in a heavy program under direction of performed by Houston Ballet, along with Anton (Continued on Page 16)

EDITOR Kaye Northcott CO-EDITOR Molly Ivins BUSINESS STAFF THE MANAGING EDITOR John Ferguson Joe Espinosa Jr. EDITOR AT LARGE Ronnie Dugger C. R. Olofson TEXAS Keith Stanford Contributing Editors: Steve Bartheline, Bill Brammer, Published by Texas Observer Gary Cartwright, Joe Frantz, Larry Goodwyn, Bill Hamilton, Publishing Co., biweekly except for a Bill Helmer, Dave Hickey, Franklin Jones, Lyman Jones, three week interval between issues twice OBSERVER Larry L. King, Georgia Earnest Klipple, Larry Lee, Al a year, in July and January; 25 issues per Manger, Robert L. Montgomery, Willie Morris, Bill year. Entered as second-class matter ©The Texas Observer Publishing Co. 1975 Porterfield, James Presley, Buck Ramsey, John Rogers, Mary April 26, 1937, at the Post Office at Ronnie Dugger, Publisher Beth Rogers, Roger Shattuck, Edwin Shrake, Dan Strawn, Austin, Texas, under the Act of March 3, John P. Sullivan, Tom Sutherland. 1879. Second class postage paid at A window to the South Austin, Texas. Single Copy, soct. One A journal of free voices We will serve no group or party but will hew hard to the year, $8.00; two years, $14.00; three truth as we find it and the right as we see it. We arc years, $19.00; plus, for Texas addresses, dedicated to • the whole truth, to human values above all 5% sales tax. Foreign, except APO/FPO. interests, to the rights of humankind as the foundation of SOct additional per year. Airmail, bulk Vol. LXVII, No. 2 Jan. 31, 1975 democracy; we will take orders from none but our own orders, and group rates on request• conscience, and never will we overlook or misrepresent the Microfilmed by Microfilming Ilicorporating the State Observer and truth to serve the interests of the powerful or cater to the Corporation of America, 21 Harristown the East Texas Democrat, which in turn ignoble in the human spirit. incorporated the Austin Forum- Road, Glen Rock, N.J. 07452. Advocate. The editor has exclusive control over the editorial policies and contents of the Observer. None of the other Change of Address: Please give old people who arc associated with the enterprise shares this and new address, including zip codes, Editorial and Business Offices: The responsibility with her. Writers are responsible for their and allow two weeks. Texas Observer, 600 W. 7th St., Austin, own work, but not for anything they have not themselves Texas 78701. Telephone 477-0746. written, and in publishing them the editor does not Postmaster: Send form 3579 to Texas necessarily imply that she agrees with them, because this is Observer, 600 W. 7th St., Austin, Texas 7431134P'"ii: a journal of free voices. 78701.

Prison reform in social perspective By Richard Vogel

Houston two — why are both the trends of total population received from the courts during Important recommendations for prisoner population and proportion of the year. The national incarceration trend reforming the Texas prison system will be black prisoners steadily increasing? (the solid line) is the average for all state considered by the 64th Texas Legislature. institutions and the Texas trend (the These proposals are the result of an R EFORM recommendations that broken line) is the rate of new prisoners intensive, two-year investigation by the do not give due consideration to these received in TDC. staff of the Joint Committee on Prison questions are simply not realistic. And the The most noticeable feature of this Reform. The recommendations are questions cannot be answered by looking graph is the increasing rate of incarceration progressive. The most important suggest within the walls of the TDC. Answering in Texas as compared to the national that: them involves considering the function of average. 1. The State of Texas develop a the TDC within the total social and In 1950, the rate of imprisoning men in c o m prehensive community-based economic context of Texas. In this Texas was only 4 percent above the correctional program. function, which affects every facet of TDC national average. By 1960, the Texas 2. The State of Texas place a incarceration rate was 20 percent above the 64- moratorium on construction or expansion INCARCERATIONS PER national average and by 1970 the rate of of large prison institutions until maximum 62- 100,000 POPULATION incarceration had increased to an use of community-based corrections has astounding 42 percent above the average 60- been achieved. for the nation as a whole. 3. The Texas Department of 58- Another way to understand what has Corrections expand its work release and TEXAS been happening in the TDC is to examine 56- work furlough programs and establish a INCARCERATIONS the trend of total prisoner population for , community-based pre-release program. 54- the same period of time. This information . Implementation of these ‘04\ indicates how many men are being held in recommendations could, without a doubt, 52- prison. revolutionize the Texas prison system. The 50- a I This graph is similar to Figure 1 except word "could" is emphasized here because / that the lines represent the prisoners I even though the investigation conducted 48- present at the end of the year rather than by the staff of the prison reform 46- new prisoners received from the courts. committee is the most comprehensive The upward trend of total prisoner examination of the Texas prison system 44- population in Texas is pronounced when that has ever been completed, it fails to 42- compared to the national average. Whereas address the most important questions the total prisoner population of Texas at 40- about incarceration practices in Texas. the end of 1950 was 17 percent under the The final report of the committee national average, by 1960 it was 10 percent recognizes these big questions even though higher. The greatest increase in total 36- NATIONAL it does not answer them. For example the prisoner populations took place in the late staff found, "Texas has one of the largest 34— INCARCERATIONS 1960's and by 1970 the rate of holding inmate populations per capita in the men in prison had increased to a full 32 nation. Why Texas incarcerates such a 32-1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 percent above the national average. massive number of offenders is not clear" Figure 1. National and Texas Incarceration Current statistics reveal that the upward (emphasis added). Trends Compared 1950-1971 trend is continuing. The most notable Another big question about the Texas Source: Texas Department of Corrections. contrast presented in Figure 2 is that while prison system involves the relationship of U.S. Department of Justice. total prisoner populations have been race to imprisonment. The committee operations, but which is never decreasing in the United States as a whole, report fully documents the existence of acknowledged, one can find "the hidden they have been increasing in Texas. extensive racial segregation and history" of the Texas prison system. The trends represented by these two discrimination within the walls of the TDC This history is not very deeply hidden. It graphs reveal one of the most important why but fails to face the big question of is documented by the data published facts abOut the hidden history of the Texas black prisoners account for 44 percent of annually in official TDC reports. prison system — while considerable the total prisoner population when they Assembled and interpreted, the data progress has been made in the nation as a account for only 14 percent of the Texas presents the following picture. whole, Texas justice has become, and is population at large. The rates of incarcerating people in continuing to become, more punitive. The third big question involves the other Texas are parallel to but significantly Considering the fact that imprisonment higher than the national average. Figure 1 is the least rehabilitative way of handling Richard Vogel is a free-lance writer is a graphic representation of Texas and criminal offender's, the last 25 years of the whose main interest is urban affairs. This national incarceration trends for the years operation of the Texas Department of article is an expanded version of 1950 through 1971. Corrections presents a history of regression information he submitted to the Joint The rates depicted in Figure 1 represent in correctional practices. Committee on Prison Reform. the number of men per 100,000 civilian January 31, 1975 (1968) unemployment was the lowest in 140- PRISONER POPULATION 64- 1 ncarcerations per Texas I Texas history at 2.7 percent of the labor -8.0 135- PER 100,000 POPULATION 62_ 100,000 Population Unemployed I force and the incarceration rate dropped to Rate all 60- Texas 130- TEXAS PRISONER a low of 44.8 men -per 100,000. -7.0 POPULATION 58- Incarcerations % 125- Closer inspection of the trends depicted • I in Figure 3 reveals the changing pattern of 56- 120- IN I -6.0 in carceration practices in Texas. 54- 115- It" Comparing the period of the early 1950's 52- I -5.0 110- to that of the late 1960's and early 1970's 50- shows that the relationship between 105- 48- -4.0 economic conditions and imprisonment in 46- 44 100- Texas is becoming even stronger. I. NATIONAL PRISONER 44- Texas -3.0 95- POPULATION For example, 1954 and 1971 were both 42- Unemployment 90- I demobilization years with comparable levels of unemployment (4.4 and 4.2 40- sf -2.0 85- 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 38- • percent respectively) but 1971 had a 27 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 Figure 2. National and Texas Prisoner percent higher rate of incarcerating men Population Compared 1950-1971 (45.3 per 100,000 in 1954 compared to Figure 3. Texas Unemployment and Incar- 62.3 for 1971). ceration Trends Compared 1950-1972. Source: Texas Department of Corrections. No discussion of the Texas prison Source: Texas Department of Corrections. U.S. Department of Justice. system can be meaningful without Texas Employment Commission. consideration of the issue of race and imprisonment. Figure 4 presents the Both of the upward trends, however, important facts on this fundamental issue. Significantly, the urban slums of Texas were broken temporarily during the middle Figure 4 compares the black proportion are the source of the majority of offenders of the Texas prisoner population to the 1960's. The explanation for the breaks in committed to TDC. Fifty-six percent of proportion of blacks in the population at the trends of sending men to prison and the inmates received in TDC in 1972 came large. These figures show that although total prisoner populations during this from the Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and black Texans have always been period reveals another prime fact about San Antonio metropolitian areas. This over-represented in the Texas prison incarceration practices in Texas. trend is also increasing — in 1949 these Accounting for the trends of system, the most dramatic increase has taken place recently (in the late 1960's and same areas contributed only 35 percent of incarceration in Texas entails looking the inmates. In short, the rising trend of outside the walls. The answers are to be early 1970's). The change between 1960 and 1969 represents a 32 percent increase. incarceration has been concurrent with the found in the social and economic increasing urbanization of Texas. conditions of Texas society. The It should be noted that this increase is relationship between economic conditions concurrent with the recent flooding of the Texas prisons. and the rate of imprisoning men in Texas THE FACTS revealed by the for the years 1950 through 1972 is The disproportionate composition of the hidden history of the TDC answer the big presented in Figure 3. The unemployment Texas inmate population reflects the basic questions about incarceration practices in trend in Texas (the solid line) represents relationship between economic conditions Texas. Why Texas incarcerates such a the annual average rate of jobless workers and imprisonment. Black Texans are the massive number of offenders is now clear — reported by the Texas Employment target of higher incarceration rates because the TDC has become increasingly sensitive Commission and the incarceration trend of the severe economic disadvantages that to the economic conditions in the state. It (the broken line) is the same one that was they suffer. Although historical Texas has become a dumping ground for marginal represented in Figure 1 — the new labor statistics are not reported by race, Texas citizens in times of economic prisoners received in TDC from the courts. available evidence indicates that Texas dislocations. Incarceration rates rise in economic follows the national pattern with blacks As long as this relationship is allowed to recession years. The unemployment rate having twice as high an unemployment rate exist, the most carefully conceived and for the recession year of 1961 was 6 as whites. executed reform programs will have little percent and the incarceration rate for that A 1966 study by the Department of chance of success. Incarceration practices year was 57 new prisoners received per Labor ("Joblessness and Poverty in Urban will continue to be dictated by economic 100,000 Texas civilian population. The Slums," Manpower Report of the conditions rather than rational penal highest incarceration rate in Texas history President, 1967) offers a glimpse into the philosophy. (62.3 per 100,000) accompanied the flood economics of slum life in ten major The question of race and imprisonment of veterans returning from Vietnam and American cities. This study found an can also be answered in light of the facts of the post-war economic recession of 1971. unemployment rate of 8.1 percent in the the hidden history — black prisoners now Incarceration rates decrease during slums of San Antonio compared to 3.9 account for 44 percent of the total periods of economic prosperity. This percent for the metropolitian area as a prisoner population because imprisonment aspect of the relationship between whole. The Department of Labor estimated has become an institutionalized way of economic conditions and incarceration is the sub-employment index for San handling the crime problem that has been especially noticeable during the economic Antonio slums to be 47 percent. This generated by the urban ghettos of Texas. mobilization of war years when the sub-employment index includes, in Seventy-five percent of the black military services drastically reduce the addition to jobless workers, part-time population of Texas now live in major civilian labor supply. During the Korean workers who wanted full-time jobs and metropolitian areas and the in-migration is war (1951) the unemployment rate in employed workers whose earnings were less continuing. Without major changes in the Texas dropped to 3.2 percent and the rate than minimum wages. The average criminal justice system of Texas (and the of committing men to prison reached a sub-employment rate found for the ten community) all the evidence points to a historic low of 37.6 men per 100,000 cities surveyed was 34 percent. This study continuing upward trend of imprisoning estimated civilian population. also found that 88 percent of all urban black Texas citizens. During the peak of the Vietnam war slum dwellers were non-white. More recent The prospect for prison reform must be statistics indicate that conditions have considered in the light of the answers of 4 The Texas Observer degenerated even more. these big questions. It must also be kept in mind that we are in the grip of a major this time would force changes. The practice of exporting urban problems to the woods economic recession and the pressure is on Proportion Blacks in the TDC. This pressure is two-fold. First is Population at Large of East Texas can be brought to a halt and the continuing flood of new prisoners Proportion Blacks in the large contributing communities forced being sent to TDC and the second is Prisoner Population to confront their problems on home financial. The prospect of a major crisis in ground. the system is acutely present. The issues here are bigger than the In this context, and in view of the events behind the walls of TDC — facing history of incarceration in Texas, what are the prison problems of Texas head-on the possibilities for a radical reconstruction entails confronting many of the problems of the prison system? of Texas as a community of people. The possibility that it might go either way — the continued dumping of marginal Former U.S. Attorney General William citizens into prison or a radical reformation Saxbe recently said that the problem with of the system — must be recognized. the idea of community-based corrections in Though people tend toward pessimism America is that there is no community; during economically hard times, the that the man released from behind bars Figure 4. The Proportion of Black Texans returns home only to find himself alone. present crisis can be turned to the in the Prisoner Population Compared to advantage of reform. To place a the Population at Large. It is time to form a community in Texas, moratorium on the construction of new a community of people interested in Source: Texas Department of Corrections traditional institutions and to institute a solving the problem of crime and re-writing and U.S. Census of the Population. community-based correctional program at the history of corrections. ❑

Changing the rules

After voting itself an increase in through the offices during the first week of • operating funds of almost 50 percent Political the session attempting to explain the the House's first order of business was system, which is supposed to cut down on Speaker Billy Clayton's rules proposal. It's the state's long distance bill. But working like the playground the Lege has been Intelligence the system is not as big a problem as compared to more than once — when a figuring out who is paying for it, and the bill to these special calendars, which are new kid shows up with a brand new Bell rep admitted she had been specifically legislative shortcuts that drastically football he's going to want to change the ordered not to answer any questions about increase a bill's chance of passing. Now the rules a little. billing. new committee will control the flow of Clayton's main effort was 'directed at the Inquires to the office of House non-contested and regional legislation onto committee structure, increasing the Administrator James Cole proved equally number from 21 to 28 and cutting the the floor. fruitless. But, as best as can be determined, membership of each panel roughly in half. Strangest of all is Clayton's proposal for the WATS line is billed to a general state two, count 'em, two judicial committees. Led by Craig Washington and Bob Davis, fund and then distributed equally among the Dallas Republican and number two The ostensible reason, as given by Clayton, all House members, eliminating the kind of rules whiz, Clayton's folk argued that the is that the Judicial Affairs Committee was public records on long distance calls that smaller committees would increase the overworked last session. Although the were partly responsible for embarrassing power of individual members. committees have almost the same charge, Fred Head and several other If the smaller committees give more one is a plum and the other is a loser. The representatives. clout to the members, though, it's not chairman of the Judicial Affairs Committee going to be at the expense of either the (as opposed to Judiciary) will not only sit Slipped his mind committee chairman or the speaker. For on the Judicial Qualifications Commission and review the governor's appointments to The Hon. B. W. Clayton, praised in the first time each of the chairmen (all • named by Clayton) will have a role in the the bench: he will also have exclusive all those nominating and seconding appropriations process. The new rules will control over the creation of new district speeches for his renowned honesty, has lost require chairmen to appoint special courts. Both Washington and DeWitt Hale his pilot's license on account of he wasn't subcommittees to hold hearings along with (long-time chairman of Judicial Affairs completely up front on his renewal the Appropriations Committee and make when things were simpler and there was application. In March, 1968, Clayton funding recommendations. The only one committee) are said to have been suffered a heart attack, specifically, a Appropriations Committee, theoretically, promised the chair. Clayton is expected to myocardial infarction, which put him in will be obliged not to exceed these hold off on committee assignments until Brackenridge Hospital in Austin for three the end of the month, so it's not known recommendations. weeks. "I'm . supposed to be dead," Clayton Some of the new committees are who will get what. But it was Washington said of the attack. "It was one of that • interesting. Banking and Finance, out on the floor doing Clayton's work kind." The near brush with death seems to long an area of special interest to the during the debate. have slipped his mind when he applied for speaker, will be elevated to full-committee Public utility regulation may not be renewal of his pilot's license in 1970 and status and severed from Business and • the only bad blood between the 64th 1972. AP reporters Lee Jones and. Jim Industry. Clayton has also created a Local Legislature and Southwestern Bell. There is Brigance broke the story. Clayton told and Consent Calendar Committee, as also the Tex-An telephone system, a Jones that he couldn't recall having applied opposed to the regular Calendar mysterious new WATS line that's been for a renewal in 1970 and that a doctor Committee. Traditionally the committee installed in all legislators' offices. A chairmen have had the power to assign a telephone company representative traveled January 31, 1975 5 filled out the medical history section of his Mayor's, Louie Welch's, "enemies list." banking, real estate and oil. He is the son 1972 application. Any mention of a heart The New Mayor appointed a blue-ribbon of the late Gov. Ross Sterling. Young problem on a renewal application results in panel of law school deans to get to the Sterling, as it were, once served as financial automatic denial of medical certification bottom of the mess and recommend director for the Committee for Sound for a license, according to the FAA. something. The Old team, at last reports, American Education in Houston, the group Penalty for falsification of an application is was attacking the make-up of the what opposed communism, the United five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but blue-ribbon (but New) panel. Nations, and other subversiveness. the FAA says it will not prosecute. All of which would seem rather • All the new appointees contributed straightforward: the New people handsomely to Briscoe's last campaign. rooting out Old indulgences, the sort of • Here's another of those epically They elected Allan Shivers chairman of the • absurd stories that keep coming out thing we expect to see in Houston. board. of Houston every six months: a federal But there's a late-breaking sub-plot. The grand jury, in the course of several months' New Mayor, Hofheinz, was on the Old jurying, discovered that the Old Houston enemies list, and had a file on himself. He Police Department, as led by Old has admitted getting a peak at it back in The social whirl Maximum Police Chief Herman Short, 1971 and being, shall we say, very vexed. indulged in an immodest amount of illegal Curiously, though, the New mayor's file • One of the better soirees of the early wiretapping. The Old U.S. Attorney, part . of the legislative session was a Anthony J. P. Farris, whose grand jury it bash at Scholz Beer Garten given by Rep. was, complained that the Old Police Buddy Temple of Diboll and wife Ellen in Department "stonewalled" the grand jury; honor of U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson. Wilson by contrast, says Farris, the New Police is contemplating running for the U.S. Chief, Carrol Lynn, has been extremely Senate on the cheerful assumption that helpful and deserves all our thanks. Lynn, Sen. Lloyd Bentsen will be on the 1976 naturally, was one of the wiretap targets of Democratic ticket, thus helpfully leaving the Old team (or he claims he was), who he an open seat. The cast at the party looked figures must have had the help of mostly like an all-Scholz honor roll with Southwestern Bell to do it right. two notable exceptions: former Gov. Allan One of the ways in which the New Shivers and Marialice arrived in a Chief, Lynn, was helpful was by the now chauffered limousine, which remained time-tested ploy of secretly taping oneself. double-parked outside the main entrance Lynn reportedly turned over to the Grand to Scholz's during their stay. Ms. Shivers Jury taped conversations he had with reportedly found Scholz's quaint and said several police officers, most of them she'd heard about it from her children. honchos in the Old Department. The Old Those present not struck dumb with cops, who were outraged at being wonder by the apparition were in a severe themselves taped, were indignant, and twit lest former Sen. Ralph Yarborough inspiied further indignation among their arrive while the Shivers were in attendance. friends on the City Council. Lynn's No such luck. resignation was called for. • Another notable social gathering was The New administration of Mayor Fred held in the Driskill Hotel the night Hofheniz promptly revealed that the Old the 64th session opened. We quote the Police Department had kept secret files on invitation: "Everett D. Collier, Editor, and some 10,000 seemingly peaceable Philip G. Warner, Assistant Editor, of the Houstonians, including Congressfolk Houston Chronicle cordially invite you to a Barbara Jordan and Bob Casey. A lot of Reception honoring Speaker Apparent Bill people have been calling this file the Old Allan Shivers Clayton and Mrs. Clayton." There are a lot of things that could be said about that was destroyed by the Old head of the party. For one thing, it was a real swell The Texas Observer Houston Red Squad (aka the Criminal party. For another thing, if Collier and Intelligence Division), one Joe Singleton. Warner wanted to give a party for their ol' Singleton was among the Old cops taped buddy Billy Clayton, they had every right secretively by the New Police Chief. to do so: As in, "Ev and Phil invite you to Singleton is also, stranger still, the New a bash for Billy Wayne." But with titles chief clerk of the Municipal Courts, and name of paper? Did the Chronk pay appointed by the New mayor, who (we are for the party? Has the Chronk registered as forced to presume) doesn't harbor Old a lobbyist? How would you like to be a grudges. Or something to that effect. capitol reporter for the Chronk assigned to cover Bill Clayton? Almost as much fun as TKE BEST soonsronss • Who but Dolph Briscoe could appoint three new regents to the UT being a Houston Post reporter assigned to 14.11ST OP The MississIPPI) system who leave you wondering if there's cover the lieutenant governor. 3 ST WO IN 044L4g • any hope of getting Frank Erwin, Jr., back We quote in its entirety a social note 4535 McKinney Ave. again? The one who sounds somewhat • (Just South of Knox) from a recent issue of The Texas • hopeful is a Fort Worth attorney named Mohair Weekly and Rocksprings Record: 5215 West Lovers Lane Tom Law. Law's daddy taught English at "Preston Smith of Lubbock was a recent (Just Wert of Inwood) • UT Austin and he wants to "end the visitor at the Claud Gilmer ranch. Mr. 206 South Zan, adversary spirit" between the board and Smith brought Mr. Gilmer a new set of (Just North of Jefferson) the faculty. ,Briscoe also reappointed Dan dominoes, blue on one side and white on Williams, chairman of the Board of the other. Mr. Gilmer promises Sheriff Southwest Life Insurance Co. of Dallas, Tom Henderson a rip-roaring dominoe and appointed Walter G. Sterling, 73, a game with the new set just as soon as Torn Houston millionaire with interests in feels like playing." hour and a half of bargaining, the request of HEW and DPW. The state differences between the two positions auditor's office commented on the seemed reasonably clear and substantial. transactions thusly: "If such reductions There was reason to wish that DPW had not been made, the total Medicaid would get hard-nosed about the funds on deposit would have totaled differences. From the time when the $103,904,004 at July 1, 1974 ... It is Medicaid program began in 1966 through therefore apparent that history has proven July 31 of last year, Blue Cross had the negotiated premium to have been collected over $745.6 million in health care higher than necessary and the resulting premiums for the poor people of Texas, administrative allowance and risk factor while paying out only a little over $602 payments [to Blue Cross] , which are based million in claims. Part of the difference — on premiums paid, have accordingly been in excess of $44 million — was paid to Blue higher than they otherwise would have Cross for administrative charges. The rest been." has moved in and out of Blue Cross' With that-perspective on Blue Cross' past investment portfolio under conditions performance, we return to this year's which were hardly favorable to the contract negotiations. The big dollars on taxpayers of the state. the table were for premiums, and responsibility for arguing the DPW side rested with the agency actuary, Barnhart. N EXPLANATION of the A He proved much less than aggressive. After situation requires that we resort to a little both sides had led the audience through of the technical jargon of the insurance much paper shuffling, we all had notes trade. Insurance companies always charge indicating three . more in premiums than they expect to pay Main areas of difference between DPW's cost projections and Blue out in claims, on the theory that they must Cross'. Each area of difference was reduced have a margin to cover unforeseen to dimes, nickels, and pennies, since the contingencies. These excess, premiums are bartering format was to consider premiums called "reserves," and the rate at which in terms of the number of eligible persons funds move into the reserves is called the per month in each of three categories, with "premium retention rate." If a company's relevant cost factors shown for each charges for insurance premiums are too category. The pertinent data was not By Jackee Cox high, the result will be a high premium consolidated on any single page, and not retention rate and a build-up of premium even the board members seemed to have a Austin reserves. strong sense of the differences in total It was sophisticated horse trading in a Over the past few years, a Texas Senate dollars between the opposing positions — smoke-filled room, but toward the end the Interim Committee on Welfare Reform, a the totals that would result from gentlemanly bargaining was getting a little Texas House Interim Committee on multiplying, adding, and subtracting all strained. The occasional use of the word Medical Welfare, and auditors of the U.S. those numbers. With 45 pages of figures "litigation" underscored the recalcitrance Department , of Health, Education, and confronting them, the board members of both parties as Texas Blue Cross and the Welfare have scrutinized the reserves and broke for lunch. Department of Public Welfare passed the premium retention rates for the Medicaid After lunch, there was a period of twelfth hour of their $152 million program, and have concurred in one milling about while we waited for the argument over a Medicaid contract to assessment. Blue Cross has been hanging on actuaries to return. They came in with the provide health insurance benefits for the to more public money than it ought to announcement that DPW would waive poor. After two days of bartering — the have. most of its previous bargaining position on first on Jan. 9, the second on Jan. 16 — In 1971, the Senate committee's the grounds that it had misinterpreted Blue Cross had gotten most of what it consultants determined that Blue Cross some of the data supplied by Blue Cross. wanted, but negotiations were not over and retained about 8.5 percent of premiums The board accepted the change, and what a bemused press was speculating on the paid over the period 1967 to 1970. The followed was a most un-actuarial process of consequences of the stalemate. consultants described that retention rate as splitting the difference in the remaining The negotiating process was a curious 'excessive," and argued that a reasonable cost arguments. That took about an hour, and somewhat confusing spectacle. It rate would be in the neighborhood of 5 and in the end Blue Cross got almost began with a review of arcane actuarial percent. When the Medicaid contract was everything it had asked. The original data. Charles Edwards, the Blue Cross subsequently renegotiated, the dollar request was for $98.3 million to cover actuary, presented his team's position, amount of the premiums was adjusted which was backed up with 22 unnumbered downward. But for some reason the premiums for the remaining eight months, pages of charts, tables, and figures. As he percentage of premiums retained stayed of fiscal 1975; the final settlement was for moved through his presentation, there was almost constant, arid the dollar amount of $97.4 million. About $50 million in prior a great, riffling of papers and some the Medicaid reserve went up and up. payments, covering the period from Sept. grumbling from the DPW board members, According to an Ernst & Ernst audit of 1, 1974, to Dec. 31, 1974, was left at the . who were thumbing along to keep up with Blue Cross, the• Medicaid premium prior year's negotiated rate. him. retention rates for calendar years 1972 and With negotiations for the basic premium The initial confusion was continued 1973 came to 8.43 percent and 8.87 charges concluded, the tempo changed as when Paul Barnhart, actuary for DPW, percent, respectively. One way or another, board member Garret Morris began some • went into his act. The agency's information no matter how the numbers get cranked high-pressure dickering over other contract package was as voluminous as Blue Cross', through the actuarial mill, Blue Cross takes costs. During the two days of negotiating - but the paper used in it was mostly wasted in much more money than, it pays out. sessions, he spent nearly eight hours-trying ,: trees. Barnhart had revised his cost At critical junctures, Blue Cross has to back Blue Cross down on three factors- estimates upwards before the meeting found it expedient to give some of the cash directly related to the company's profit began, and many of his references to the back. From 1967 through November, margin on the contract: 1) interest to be DPW package were explanations of its 1 974, about $50 million had been errors. Nevertheless, at the end of the first transferred out of the reserve funds at the January 31, 1975 7 paid by Blue Cross to DPW on capital in the reserves; 2) risk factor payments; and 3) administrative costs. Table 1. Medicare Float Analysis Prime Average Approximate Month Rate Daily Balance Interest Profit 8/72 5.40 $4,275,417 $19,239 FROM September of 1970 to 9/72 5.35 4,513,718 - 20,123 May 1 of last year, interest earnings on 10/72 6.0 5,454,893 27,274 Medicaid reserves fluctuated with Blue 11/72 5.875 5,145,566 25,191 Cross' investment portfolio earnings. 12/27 5.86 5,206,758 25,426 Questions have been raised about whether 1/73 5.75 5,305,410 25,421 2/73 those interest earnings were computed 6.25 6,152,023 32,041 3/73 fairly, and DPW has retained an auditing 6.25 4,151,097 21,620 4/73 firm to review the issue. Unfortunately, the 6.385 3,509,497 18,504 5/73 6.95 audit was not completed in time for 4,182,358 24,222 6/73 7.558 presentation at the time of the contract 3,110.256 19,589 7/73 8.506 negotiations. 1,371,857 9,785 $268,525 Since May 1, the rate for Blue Cross' interest payments has been fixed at 6 Average Daily Balances at Republic National Bank taken from SSA— 1522 Reports, percent, to be paid on 95 percent of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. average daily balance of the reserves. Floyd Shelton. financial consultant for DPW, rate, a $3 million float would produce an estimated that Blue Cross should have dead sure the bank was putting that money annual interest "gift" of $240,000 to Blue realized an interest profit of about $40,000 to work. Their concern derived from the Cross. a month since then — a total of $320,000. fact that the interest profit gained by The DPW board was not ready to Shelton derived that figure from Blue Republic National would have been gained concede that gift. It was willing to allow a Cross' admission that its net earnings on instead by the public trust funds had the daily float of about $1.1 million (its their portfolio was about 7 percent. money stayed in federal accounts where it computation of the dollar product of 2.5 Although 6 percent is an extraordinarily belonged. percent of the projected average daily low interest rate these Althbugh Republic National handled the balance), but $3 million was too much to Medicare accounts for Blue Cross from the days, DPW regarded the formula as a swallow. relatively good deal because it got the time the Medicare program began in 1966, The arguments over the proper amount agency out of an uncomfortable squeeze. HEW didn't notice the float game until of float and Blue Cross' ability to meet the sometime in 1972. In August of that year, HEW (which provides two-thirds of the interest requirements focused on the funding for Medicaid) was pressing for the they began to require that Blue Cross quality of the company's financial provide them with an exact accounting of return of all but the equivalent of two management. Shelton, Morris, and board months' gross premiums from the reserves. the average daily balance of funds in the member H. G. Andrews seemed to agree interest-free account. By multiplying the At the time, gross monthly premiums were that there is something wrong with Blue averaging between $12 and $13 million, prevailing monthly prime rate by the Cross' investment policies if it cannot monthly average balance, it is possible to and the total reserves amounted to about match the treasury rate on its holdings. $61 million. estimate Republic National's interest The federal request for the money was profits on the Medicare money. From more than seven months old by May 1, but Aug., 1972, to July, 1973, that profit ANAGEMENT of Blue Cross' Blue Cross was insisting that an immediate M comes to almost $269,000 (see Table 1). investments rests largely with Republic return of the funds would require HEW was not pleased with The situation, National Bank of Dallas. Tom Beauchamp, liquidation of investments that had but its ire was expressed in polite and diminished in market value because of president of Blue Cross, sits on Republic quasi-biblical language. The feds referred to unfavorable market conditions. Therefore National's board of directors. James Aston, "poor stewardship" on the part of Blue an agreement was struck: Blue Cross would chief executive officer of the bank, sits on Cross and admonished the company to guarantee the full value of the invested the board of Blue Cross. The Medicaid cash reduce the average daily balance to about assets and gradually reduce the principal by account is with Republic National. $250-300,000. Blue Cross argued in $2 million per month, in return for It happens that HEW has had some response that the bank was entitled to a obtaining the fixed-interest formula. arguments with Blue Cross over the matter "fair profit" for its handling of such a large But the 6 percent figure was negotiated of interest "gifts" to Republic National. account. It took almost a year of pressing months ago, and now Morris believes the They concerned Blue Cross' management before Blue Cross mended its ways and public should receive interest at a rate of Medicare funds, and the name of the reduced the balance to. suggested levels. which more nearly reflects the market game was interest-free float. It worked like This history raises the question of value of money. The deal which Morris this: each month Republic National was whether the same abuses occur in the offered was that Blue Cross should pay processing some $25 to $35 million in management of Medicaid funds. The proof interest on all but 2.5 percent of the checks, to cover Medicare payments (for of the matter lies in the bank statements reserves, at a rate equal to the going rate on hospitalization and health services for for Medicaid accounts, and Blue Cross is 90-day U.S. treasury notes. elderly Texans). Checks to health care not willing to make those public. There are other questions about Blue Blue Cross steadfastly refused the offer. providers were debited on the books at the Cross' investment policies. About one-third Although it has agreed to the concept of time they were written, but the cash stayed paying the fluctuating U.S. treasury rate, in the accounts for a considerable time of Blue Cross' investment acquisitions before the checks cleared back through the between September, 1973, and April, the company maintains that it requires an bank. So while Blue Cross showed a interest-free balance of $3 million per day 1974, consist of certificates of deposit. negative balance on its books, the average Table 2 charts the average yields reported for normal cash flow. The interest-free daily balance in its interest-free account amount constitutes what is known as by Blue Cross on those C.D.'s as computed was in the neighborhood of $4 to $5 "float." Assuming an 8 percent interest by the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis. million. Republic National had that cash On a month-by-month basis, the average 8 The Texas Observer on hand to play with, and the feds were yield for Blue Cross was significantly below the national average. An examination of that company lawyers would contact DPW, the details of the Blue Cross data reveals and there was some talk of litigation. But an atmosphere of strained camaraderie was why: month by month, the company Table 2. Blue Cross Investments restored, and Blue Cross Vice-President places several hundred thousand dollars in Certificates of Deposit worth of small C.D.'s in small Texas banks. Eugene Aune later expressed confidence The cumulative effect is a considerable Blue Cross Investment Data from that litigation would not be necessary. reduction in total interest earnings. monthly Report to the Finance Committee Which left everyone wondering what the Shelton noticed the pattern and — Summary of Investment Transactions. numbers game had meant in terms of mentioned it in conversation with Blue National average C.D. rate range from dollars and cents. According to Morris, his Cross' investment experts. They informed U.S. Financial Data, 12/11/74, prepared first proposal would have meant about him that the practice was a sort of by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. $315,000 less in risk-factor payments than "loss-leader" technique for garnering group Blue Cross had requested. His second insurance business from the small banks. suggestion would have reduced risk-factor Shelton could understand the process well Nat'l. Blue Cross payments by only $195,000 as compared enough, but he was not sympathetic to the Av. C.D. Av. C.D. to the company proposal. but would have notion that Blue Cross' interest losses Month Rates Rates added the risk to Blue Cross that their should be charged off to public funds. 9/73 N.A. 9.92 administrative-cost payments would also Negotiations foundered not only on the 10/73 9.0- 9.7 8.75 decrease. interest arguments, but also on the two 11/73 8.7- 9.8 8.7 There is the further question of what other issues related to Blue Cross' profit 12/73 9.2- 9.5 8.73 options are open to DPW. Under its basic margin. The first was related to "risk 1/74 9.0- 9.3 8.87 contract with Blue Cross, the agency is factor" payments, which presumably 2/74 8.0- 9.0 6.125 committed to purchasing Medicaid services compensate Blue Cross for taking a chance 3/74 8.0- 9.5 8.14 from the company until Aug. 31. It is that the actual costs of operating the 4/74 9.5-10.5 9.684 unclear how a complete impasse in rate program might exceed their negotiated negotiations would affect payments in the contract price. Since 1967, Blue Cross has intervening eight months, but clearly received about $6 million in risk factor something will be worked out. Blue Cross payments, which Morris described as "pure 75 percent of cost. depends on the contract for about a third profit" for the company. When Blue Cross said no, acting Board of its business. And, in the absence of Matters of history notwithstanding, Chairman H. G. Andrews was obviously competitive bidders, they enjoy the Blue Cross insisted that this year's miffed. The only agreement reached was advantage of having the only game in town. increasing cost spirals fully justified both the full 13 percent administrative cost increase which it was requesting and a quarter of a percent risk factor to cover administrative cost contingencies and the possibility that its interest earnings A farewell to arms might fall below the prevailing treasury grizzled sergeant in starched green fatigues rate. By Doug Holley lounging behind his desk. Ashes from the The arguments did not wash with DPW, frayed cigar stub clenched between his teeth dropped onto an ample stomach. partly because Blue Cross had failed to Dallas convince DPW staff representatives that all "What do I have to do to join the You're tied down. You go to work. You of the elements of the projected National Guard?" I asked politely. leave work. Eight to five. Day in. Day out. administrative cost increases were real and For several seconds he said nothing, just Just once in a while you'd like a place justified. As a bartering strategy, DPW looked at me. Finally he answered, "The where you do something different . . . a pointed out that half of the Medicaid first thing you gotta do, boy, is get that place where you'd learn something administrative costs are fixed under the hair cut." different. A place to break free. terms of a contract whereby Ross Perot's Since my hair didn't even touch my ears, Sounds pretty good, right? Well, the Electronic Data Systems does all of the I thought the man was joking, but the "place" is in the National Guard. At least, data processing. The terms of that contract bull-dog expression on his face quickly told that's what the new brochure promises, the provide for progressive decreases in me he was dead serious. He pushed a one that recruiters are distributing as they per-claim costs as claims volume increases. notebook across the desk, said it was a scramble to meet their quotas these days. waiting list, and told me to sign my name Tying the risk factor and volume issues Six years ago, for me and thousands of and phone number. He warned me that I together, Morris gave Blue Cross a set of other young men, the National Guard was would probably be drafted before my alternatives, neither of which proved not a place to break free but a place to January 31, 1975 9 acceptable. The offers went like this. Blue break into. I was 22, fresh out of college, Cross could have 100 percent of their and eager to duck the draft. Alternatives to projected administrative costs on the full being drafted to fight a war I didn't believe number of their projected premiums, and in were, to say the least, limited. On the MARTIN ELFANT 75 percent of their projected one hand, I could head for Canada or go to administrative costs on all premiums in jail; on the other, I could give four years to SUN LIFE OF CANADA excess of their projections. In return for the Air Force. I chose the National Guard LIFE that administrative-cost concession, Blue instead. Cross would receive only one-tenth of a I drove to a Guard station in Austin, HEALTH percent of premiums as risk factor walked into a sterile office marked DENTAL payments. Alternatively, the company "Personnel," and came face to face with a 600 JEFFERSON could have an .18 percent risk factor SUITE 430 payment, on the condition that when premiums reached 95 percent of their Doug Holley is a graduate of Columbia HOUSTON, TEXAS projected level, administrative cost on University Graduate School of Journalism 224-0686 further premiums would be reimbursed at and teaches at Richland College in Dallas. 10 The Texas Observer name came up. Four weeks later I signed each other in elaborate simulated battles. my name on the dotted line and became a After five months of active duty, I was genuine, official Texas National scheduled for jump school, but the Army Guardsman. made a mistake and routed me back to At the time, the thought of committing Austin, so I missed my opportunity to be The Texas six years of my life to the National Guard an airborne hero. The monthly drills were was more than a little depressing. mind-numbing. We were a vehicle "Congratulations, suckers!" chortled the maintenance unit, but the vehicles were Observer captain who swore us in. "Twenty-eight rarely driven, so there was usually nothing when I get out," I mused, "practically an to do. That meant we had to pretend, in old man." Now with two months to go and typical military fashion, to be busy. the end in sight, it's not quite so depressing Sometimes we watched army training films in the to look back on my military adventures, to on how to set up a tent or how to load draw some kind of conclusions, and to do boxes on flat-bed trucks. Sometimes we my part to keep the National Guard in the got to walk down the hill to the motor limelight. The public, believe me, needs to pool to check the water and oil in all the Classroom know about the National Guard. vehicles. When we had checked the water and oil on row after row of jeeps and A T THE HEIGHT of the Viet trucks parked among the grass and weeds, Nam War most National Guard and Reserve we checked the water and oil again because units had waiting lists of 200 to 300 men there' was nothing else to do. Hopefully, it frantic to save their skins. Career reservists would be chow time by then and we could like the recruiting sergeant I encountered trudge back up the hill to the mess hall. Six $ were in hog heaven. Not only were Once a Texas Department of Public Safety recruiting efforts .unnecessary, but there officer came out and demonstrated how he was no need to make life in the Reserves or approaches a car that he has stopped on Issues in the National Guard attractive in any the highway. (In case you're wondering, way. They had you by that proverbial part you're supposed to approach the car from of the male anatomy, and they could do the rear so the driver can't knock you what they wanted with you. Commanding down by suddenly opening the front door.) For orders of ten or more copies of officers, particularly in National Guard each issue sent to a single address the units, began to think up hellish activities to Since we lived in a university city, our Guard officers felt it necessary that we be cost for the semester is just $1.00 per get their troops "combat ready." trained for riot duty, which meant one person, sales tax included. I was able to get into the Austin Guard unit before my draft notice came along hour of training a month. My last training because the unit sent all its recruits to exercise occurred in response to a student Classroom subscriptions will begin jump school at Ft. Benning, Ga. Since not protest against the UT administration's with the issue published in everyone was crazy enought to jump out of decision to cut down some giant, old oak mid-February and extend into May. airplanes, the Austin waiting list was trees to make way for expansion of the Six fortnightly issues in all. That's shorter than most. Other units began to football stadium. We weren't called up, but about 17 an issue . . . 35cI less than spend their weekends "in the field," our C.O. said we better be ready, "just in the single copy price. trudging up hills, wading creeks, and case." running into trees while firing blanks at We were issued M-1's with bayonets To place your order, please indicate attached and grouped into some kind of the number of students who will be rough phalanx for a full-scale rehearsal. We subscribing; your needs regarding a advanced on command, one methodical free desk copy, and a mailing address BROWSE step at a time, shouting with each step, "Back!" in our sternest, most authoritarian we should use. voices. After we had advanced ten yards in TILL this manner, our sense of the ridiculous If the number of subscribers is overwhelmed us, and our impregnable uncertain, feel free to make a generous phalanx collapsed into helpless laughter. estimate. After the class rolls settle, we 10:00 Our frustrated leaders marched us hack will bill you — at $1.00 each — only P.M. into the armory for a film on how to avoid for the number of persons who finally heat stroke. decide to subscribe. MONDAY After Kent State, someone decided the thru National Guard needed to polish its image. Extra bonus: Orders received by Units around the country began February 3rd will be entered to begin FRIDAY participating in various community-action with the issue being mailed that (Sat. 9:00-6:00) programs — sponsored Red Cross blood week . . . making a total of seven issues Now in Our drives, helping with pollution and erosion 13th Year control, working with underprivileged for the semester rather than six. of service to Austin children. My unit became a vital cog in the GARNER AND SMITH-1 Governor's "Operation Clean and Green." BAVS:=1)RE On Sunday morning of each drill weekend, THE TEXAS OBSERVER we were trucked to the outskirts of the 600 West 7 Austin Tx 78701 city where for one hour we picked up trash (512).477-0746 along the highway. 2116 Guadalupe • Austin, Texas 78705 Our officers took great pride in the fact that we were one of the few airborne 477-9725 National Guard maintenance units in the country. Since the unit rarely jumped, however, our superiors had to remind and Guard and Reserve units all over the people who might can help you out some themselves of their elite status through less country are struggling to fill gaps left by day. Like we have the vice-president of the spectacular devices. They emphasized the "draft dodgers," most of whom have telephone company in one of the units spit-shined jump boots, heavily starched no intention of re-enlisting. State and here at the armory, and we have the fatigues, and highly polished belt buckles. national brass are feverishly looking for an vice-president of the AMA. We were required to answer roll call with a approach — magazine and billboard "Most of the people we're getting either lusty "All the way, ho!" — some kind of advertising, television spots, recruiting need to learn a skill or they need the extra paratrooper motto. When we encountered contests, more relaxed regulations — that money, maybe they've dropped out of an officer, we did not accompany our will keep the men they have and that will school. There are a lot of mothers that call salute with the usual "Good morning, Sir" get some they don't have. The Texas me trying to get their sons in." or "Good afternoon, Sir"; our greeting had National Guard, for example, ran a Every mother's son — or daughter — to be "All the way, Sir." television spot featuring Joey Heatherton who gets in has a six-year obligation. He or The most ° inspirational moment for our explaining that her husband Lance Rentzel she will spend the first four to six months airborne officers came at the end of each served with the Air National Guard. "The on active duty with the Army, going drill when we had physical training. After Guard takes him away from me one through basic combat training and learning ten minutes of perfunctory exercise, these weekend a month," she cooed, "but you a military specialty. Military specialties are airborne warriors would double-time us can be sure I give him a warm welcome varied: computer programmer, light vehicle around a dirt track, leading us in gung-ho when he comes home." The television driver, bandsman, dental assistant, court lyrics they had learned in their three-week message had to be dropped when Mr. reporter, interrogator, meat-cutter, stay at jump school: Rentzel ran afoul of the law on a charge of switchboard operator, and others. After indecent exposure. the active duty tour, the Guardsman serves Two old ladies lying in bed, Recruiting for the Guard and the in his home town by attending regularly One rolled over to the other and said, Reserves is an uphill battle. The National scheduled unit training assemblies (usually `I wanna be an Airborne Ranger, Guard did announce earlier this year that it one weekend a month) plus fifteen days of I wanna live a life of danger.' had climbed back to full strength for the active duty (usually in the summer). or first time since the draft ended, but with A Private E-1 (lowest rank) with one to `I wanna go to Viet Nam, more and more men getting out and two year's experience receives a monthly I wanna kill them Viet Corms: staying out, the full-strength situation is pay of $40.96. His monthly pay plus the probably temporary. With the end of the 15-day training period pay gives him an draft in 1973, the military reserves became annual salary of $697.40. A corporal with NOT EVERYONE who joined the primary option available to the over four year's experience makes $59.40 a the National Guard or the Reserves in the President for quickly expanding military month, $977.40 a year. A Sergeant First late '60's had to endure six years of forces in a national emergency. Recruiters Class with over eighteen year's experience checking the water and oil on a jeep; other are feeling the pressure. makes $98.24 a month, $1,598.04 a year. units enjoy more exotic missions. Consider, January 31, 1975 11 for example, some units of the Utah National Guard. Since Mormons are LIEUTENANT Glen Cortes, a supposedly proficient - with foreign recruiter for the Second Brigade, New languages because of their missionary York National Guard, is involved in what activities, several units in Utah have a he calls "a big sales game." Lieutenant military intelligence mission that requires Cortes is 26. His dark hair is cut medium foreign language proficiency. length, and he wears a mustache. On the A 27-year-old Army Reservist from day I talked with him in his office at the Kentucky told me of a unit in his state cavernous, old red-brick armory at 643 with a military intelligence mission — Park Ave., he was wearing faded blue jeans, members of the unit are trained to censor a western shirt, and boots. On the wall mail. He recalls that "we spent every drill behind his desk were brightly colored writing fictitious letters which might posters depicting the excitement of life in You'll be glad you came to the include material that should be censored, the Guard. One showing an attractive something like 'troop morale is really low young lady wearing an Army uniform and this week' or 'they're serving vomit in the working in an airport control tower NI1410 mess hall these days,' anything the enemy proclaimed "A woman's place is in the might he able to take advantage of. When Guard." Another pictured a young soldier we got to summer camp, we would give our guiding a jet into position and urged "Get letters to another unit, and they would give close to a set of hot wheels!" A' brochure eac us letters they had been writing all year. on the desk asked, "What can the Army HOTEL Then we would all practice censoring the Guard do for you?" The answer: "More letters. Once a batch of letters got sent to than many people imagine." 45 luxurious, air conditioned hotel rooms, First Army Headquarters at Fort Meade, Lieutenant Cortes admits that recruiting each with private balcony . . . Large Md., to be read for some reason: Most of for the National Guard is extra tough these swimming pool, lounge area, fine dining, them were sent hack, though, because they days. "One of the units in the brigade bar, entertainment ... 5 minutes from were so raunchy the secretaries refused to brought in eighty men last month," he airport, shopping, sightseeing, golf, horseback riding, white sand beach and read them. We had written all kinds of says, "but in the next few months they'll Caribbean directly in front of hotel .. . wild, disgusting things about people dying be losing a hundred men, so we're just Open year 'round . . For rates and from the clap, and we'd sign all kinds of barely keeping our heads above water." brochure see your Travel Agent a write — filthy, raunchy names. It was crazy." What can Lt. Cortes offer a prospective P.O. Box 469 When I asked my friend from Kentucky recruit? if he planned to re-enlist, he looked "Well, first of all, the money's not bad, MONTEGO BAY incredulous. "You've gotta he kidding," he and there's also a chance for them to learn shouted. His attitude seems to be typical of a skill that might get them a job on the a great many men who signed up in the late outside. And we have lots of influential `60's. The waiting lists have evaporated, people in the Guard, hooks we call them, CA

12 The Texas Observer Guardsmen who serve for twenty years are Binkin questions whether 7,000 also eligible for retirement pay when they reservists should continue to be trained to reach age 60. govern occupied nations. He wonders if there is really a need for reservists trained Lieutenant Cortes says that when he in the administration of art, archives, and first started working as a recruiter two monuments to preserve the culture of years ago, he just said what he was occupied territories. He believes some supposed to say to prospective recruits, elements of the combat forces should be and that was it. Now he sincerely believes eliminated — for example, brigades the Guard is a good deal. "It's not only the designed to defend Alaska, Puerto Rico, money and the skills you learn," he Panama, and Iceland from ground attack. explains, "but what you do in the Guard is TheAustin's Best Outpost Barbecue He contends that little is gained by just not all that hard," maintaining units whose missions might 11:30-7:30 Daily, Except Sunday appear to be appropriate, but for which David and Marion Moss He admits that, despite the incentives personnel with the necessary skills are 345-9045 Highway 183 North the Guard offers, he cannot hope to readily obtainable from the civilian labor persuade most of the Guardsmen who force — people with medical, legal, signed up in the late '60's to stay on. construction, and administrative skills, for Bob and Sara Roebuck "Most of them have had a chip on their example. shoulder about the Guard from the first day they signed up, and nothing I could Anchor National say could ever make them change their Binkin admits it is unlikely his proposals mind," he says. "I wish we could let them will be implemented, regardless of their Financial Services out before their six years is up because merit, because "these citizen soldiers are so somebody who doesn't want to be here is solidly entrenched politically that no one 1524 E. Anderson Lane, Austin not helping anybody. They're always in Washington dares challenge them standing around or sneaking off to sleep in frontally" (from Binkin's U.S. Reserve (512) 836-8230 a quarter-ton or something. A couple of Forces: The Problem of the Weekend months ago I caught five of them asleep in Warrior). "Political pressure," he writes, "is • bonds • stocks • insurance brought to bear directly on members of • mutual funds • optional retirement program the back of a truck. And these guys are college graduates: some of them are Congress through local leaders (in the case executives downtown." of state Guard units, through adjutant 1 generals and governors) and indirectly Happiness While Lieutenant Cortes and his through the Washington-based Reserve I colleagues scramble to fill the gaps ($85 Officer and National Guard Associations — • Newspapers million is included in the fiscal 1974 both of which are prosperous, united, Is • Magazines defense budget for reserve enlistment and articulate, and highly active organizations." • Political Specialists • Signs and Placards re-enlistment bonuses), others advocate a The fact that 108 members of the 93rd Printing • Bumperstrips reduction in Reserve and National Guard Congress (about one-fifth of the total) held • Office Supplies manpower. Martin Binkin, a retired Air membership in one of the reserve By w? • 100% Union Shop Force colonel now with the Brookings components also has something to do with Institution, believes that manpower could the reserves' ability to resist change. be reduced by 300,000 without redefining Reservists are also disproprotionately FUTURA PRESS — U.S. national security interests and without represented on many of the major IIIF Phone 512/4427836 altering current U.S. military strategy. He committees concerned with reserve 1714 SOUTH CONGRESS believes such a reduction would save $1.4 legislation. On the fifteen-member Senate

P.O. BOX 3485 AUSTIN, TEXAS billion annually. Armed Services Committee, for example, J seveiLare reservists. On the twelve-member House Appropriations Defense CLASSIFIED Subcommittee, five are reservists. So while Congress authorizes a reserve budget of $4.4 billion in 1974 (up from Classified advertising is 20d per word. Discounts GUITAR PICKERS. Buy your guitar strings from $2.6 billion in 1970), and Lieutenant for multiple insertions within a 12-month period; us and save 20%. Mail orders accepted. Amster Cortes searches for young men who want 26 times, 50%; 12 times, 25%; 6 times, 10%. Music, 1624 Lavaca, Austin. to make a little money, learn' a skill, and keep their hair short, I measure out my BOOKPLATES. Free catalog. Many beautiful military career in computer cards (as a designs. Special designing too. Address: clerk in logistics, I am being trained as a BOOKPLATES, P.O. Box 28-1, Yellow Springs, WRITERS: "UNSALEABLE" MANUSCRIPT? Ohio 45387 Try AUTHOR AID ASSOCIATES, Dept. TO, key-punch operator). Last month I was on 340 East 52nd Street, N.Y.C. 10022. KP, which is not bad because the time JOIN THE ACLU. Membership $15. Texas Civil passes faster with something to do. We Liberties Union, 600 West 7th, Austin, Texas even had a little excitement when two of 78701. AN ARCHO-ABSURDIST CANDIDATE for Place the troops got drunk on the beer we were 5 wishes to run Austin City Council out of town. serving that day and started a fight with a CHOOSE FROM 24 gourmet coffees, 12 teas, To enlist, send resume to 472-1398. Political cook. In two months I'll sign my discharge plus unique gift assortments. Send for free operators, please dial "0." papers, walk away from the National brochure. House of Coffee Beans, Inc., 1728 Guard, and never look back. Like everyone Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77006. THE ENLIGHTENED REALTORS. If you don't else, I'll forget the wasted time, the wasted PLAYING THE RECORDER IS EASY. Free need to buy a house in North Dallas, call us any- money, and the wasted effort, and because catalog, best recorders, recorder music. way. Still in business after supporting Adlai and everyone forgets, the National Guard and Beginner's Pearwood Soprano Book, $11.95. Sissy. Jac A. Austin Co. Realtors, 7007 Preston the Reserves will continue to play their Amster Music, 1624 Lavaca, Austin. Road, Dallas 75203. (214-521-7530). expensive games. ❑ On your toes

By Suzanne Shelton

Austin Texans are turning on to dance. During the last two decades this once-taboo art has emerged from the shadow of Southern Baptism and become an accepted theatrical and popular pastime. Today Texans are dancing more and seeing more dance; why this is true is culturally complex. survey conducted by Association of As they settled throughout Texas, these Texans have always had lots of space to College and University Concert Managers, dancers and teachers founded civic move in and have resisted becoming a ballet had the highest average gross companies and began training dancers. The sedentery society. The average Texan's attendance of university concerts during Fifties were foundation years, and only in body language is relaxed, open, and free. 1972-73. Dance even outdrew rock the Sixties did Texas begin turning out Now that living space has dwindled a bit, concerts, by 11 percent. quantities of professional dancers. Today, dance has become an energy outlet, along More important, dance is decentralizing, Texans are commonplace in professional with drill team marching, jogging, and and the mecca that was New York has companies, and company directors like football. become perhaps Dallas, Houston, or even Robert Joffrey swear that Texas dancers El Paso. In 1964-65, according to are bigger, healthier, and stronger. UNLIKE CONTACT sports, Association of American Dance Companies These dancers come from cities dance appeals to anti-establishment types figures, 27 percent of U.S. dance audiences throughout the state, and each dance who equate games like rugby with mindless lived outside New York, while in 1970-71 capital has a distinctive climate. Dallas is violence. A sport like ballet offers a chance the ratio was dramatically reversed, with known as a disastrous dance town because for individual expression and intellectual 73 percent of the nation's dance-watchers of petty rivalries. At least three polished stimulation. "I find ballet more interesting being non-New Yorkers. companies and numerous weaker ones thah most sports," an architect told me, Texas has been particularly blessed with perform in Big D, but their infighting and "because ballet fuses body and mind. What a healthy dance climate, due partly to the mutual antagonisms are legend. San you're doing with your body is not postwar influx of professional dancers into Antonio has the reputation of being separate from what you're doing with your the state. The state is full of old dance artistically moribund, again due to petty mind." types, many of them Europeans who politics, but that reputation is changing. What's more, dance is no longer performed with major companies and came Fort Worth has it cushy, and TCU even considered sissy, especially by college-age South to retire. Texas lured them with boasts a separate building for dance with men who are crowding PE ballet classes. lucrative university contracts, civic ballet specially designed floors and rehearsal "It's in vogue for males to be sensitive," companies, and dance school positions. rooms. Houston may well be the strongest one burly ballet enthusiast explained. This dance boom was especially big in dance city in the state, with Texas' only Several years ago when Julius Whittier the Fifties, and during that decade a fully professional company and a host of hung up his UT football helmet and joined generation of famous dancers settled in the talented civic troupes. Those cities with Austin Civic Ballet, more than one state: the Russian ballerina Natalie cultural inferiority complexes produce the eyebrow was raised, but no one blinked Krassovska in Dallas, Fernando and Nancy best dance companies. Chalk it up to a when Houston boxer George Foreman Schaffenburg of Ballets Russe de Monte we-try-harder attitude. recently added ballet to his training Cairo in Fort Worth, Frank and Irina Pal Austin claims the state's most innovative regimen. of Prague Opera in Wichita Falls. Added to dance idea, a sign of the times that tells us Dance appeals to physical fitness freaks, those glamorous imports were a smattering a good deal about where Texas dance is and Texans' interest in dance has bloomed of native Texans who came home, dancers headed. Austin Ballet Theatre, under the alongside the popularity of yoga, health like Andrea Vodehnal who left National direction of Stanley Hall, performs once foods, and organic gardening. Health nuts Ballet for Houston, or Jerry Bywaters each month in Armadillo World aren't the only dance fans around: in Cochran, who did the whole Headquarters, home of country rock. While towns like McAllen and Wichita Falls, Julliard-Paris-New York trip, only to come balletomanes sit at tables sipping beer, the young Texans jam dance schools while home to Dallas again. company performs a changing repertoire of their parents patronize performances. The ballet, modern dance, and jazz. Their dance climate in Texas is, in a word, hot. audiences have been averaging about 1,000 ANY OF these dancers came Not that this is exclusively a Texas M since ballet at Armadillo began two seasons back to Texas because of money. State and phenomenon. Throughout the country, ago, and clearly the popular trend is private universities created dance dance is booming, and Nancy Hanks of toward informal, spontaneous, proletarian departments and hired big names to head National Endowment for the Arts has dance. Companies are finding that their them: Ballet Theater's Igor Youskevitch called dance "the fastest growing open-air performances are their most (the Nureyev of his day) at UT Austin, performing art in the United States." In a well-attended ones. Schaffenburg at Texas Christian University. A few old pros simply came to Texas Other companies around the state offer because they liked it. Juana de Laban, dance of surprisingly high quality. Festival Ms. Shelton is herself a dancer and and a daughter of the famous dance notator who Ballet of San Antonio, a joint project of freelance writer. Her work has appeared in created Labanotation, has worked with Ron Sequoio and James de Bolt, is a new Dance magazine. She is a frequent Dallas Theater Center and currently lives company of paid dancers who'll present contributor to the Observer and regularly near Temple where 'she teaches a few writes our "Coining Fortnight" feature. classes at the civic center. January 31, 1975 13 weekend series of ballets at San Antonio teaches at Houston's High School for the struggles along in a small frame house near Little Theater. Texas' chief performing Performing Arts, in addition to working the UT campus, but its artistic concept is outlet for modern dance is Sandi with Houston Ballet. ambitious. Exploring dance as an integral Combest's Dance Theatre of the part of the entire creative process, Southwest, a tiny company of professional Interartworks offers a video workshop and dancers who live in Denton. life model workshop in addition to dance Ms. Combest, who is also associate classes. Two performing companies use artist-in-residence at North Texas State ON THE non-professional level, Interartworks as headquarters: the NoSo University, bemoans the struggle of the best performing companies in the state Dance Troupe and Pandora's Traveling establishing dance in Texas, but in 1973-74 are chiefly in Dallas and Houston. Dallas Toubadours. The latter group presents her company received a grant for new Civic Ballet, Dallas Metropolitan, Houston revolutionary dramatic theatre in public dance works from the Texas Commission Jazz Ballet, and Greater Houston Civic are places, but the NoSo troup specializes in on the Arts and Humanities. Of $75,000 among the best in the state, along with abstract dance and encourages allocated in state funds for touring Fort Worth Ballet Association. experimental composition and programs this year, almost $18,000 was These civic companies tend toward the improvisation during performance. spent on dance programs, supplemented by "Swan Lake" syndrome, but you'll find Many other vital signs denote a healthy another $27,550 from special federal funds choreographic innovation in the unlikeliest dance climate in Texas: the use of dance designated for dance. Total expenditures places. One of the most interesting works therapy in state mental institutions, the on dance administered by the commission at last year's Southwestern Regional Ballet substitution of dance for PE requirements were $309,587, including a hefty sum Festival was Irina Pal's choreography for in some public schools, the spate of college contributed by local communities. Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre, based on a courses concerning dance, the bourgeoning A chief recipient of Texas dance funds is Southwestern Indian legend. Creative public interest in all forms of dance from the Houston Ballet, a professional experimentation also comes from Patsy belly to ballet. You'll even find dance in company which pays its dancers a living Swayze's Houston Jazz Ballet, which some Texas churches, as part of folk wage at union scale. Nina Popova, a former performs contemporary works, many of masses or sanctuary drama. Ballets Russe dancer, has directed the them about the experience of being black. Of course, we've got a long way to go. company since its inception in 1968. New Sometimes Texans are invited to sample Most of us, let's face it, are flabby and energy this year came in the form of James the ancient dance of India, when Gina immobile. A lot of Texans would still Clouser, choreographer-in-residence, whose Lalli, one of the foremost American rather be thrown in the briarpatch than professional background includes a stint exponents of the art, scrapes together attend a ballet, and guys who dance still with Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Clouser came enough money to present a concert. She earn their share of smirks. But these days, to Texas, liked it, and took a master's works in Austin as a secretary because she many Texans are turning to dance, and degree in kinesiology from Sam Houston was tired of New York. before long, Little League teams may give State University in Huntsville while The more esoteric the dance, the poorer way to baby ballerinas. Worse things could scouting for a permanent position. Now he the performers. Interartworks in Austin happen. RELATIONSHIPS AND SEXUALITY Nobody writes about it . Everyone today talks about relationships and sexuality. About how the two are involved. It seems the traditional mores governing female-male relationships are undergoing constant redefinition. Divorce. Open marriage. Living together. People everywhere are struggling to find meaning for themselves and their partners. It's funny, though. In Austin everybody talks about relationships and sexuality but nobody writes about it. But that's changed. Now. Before January the two-month-old Austin SUN had merely been the place to find tough-minded coverage of city news and the Austin cultural scene. In the January issue the SUN expands its CCMCCIMS to issues of human, personal importance. Like single persons expressing a need to relate to several 404 B West 15 St. different partners. Married couples writing about monoga- a a a-iik Austin, Texas 78701 mous relationships. People like yourself are trying to find their KA Li 472-1780 answer to those and other questions in this and later issues. • That's not all you'll find in the SUN. You'll find an incisive political column by ex-Daily Texan editor Michael Eakin; Name premier art and drama reviews by Steve Harrigan, Carlene Brady and Michael Ventura; and polished attention to Address Austin's fast-growing music scene. But you won't read them City State unless you seek out the SUN at one of 140 newsracks and 200 retail outlets around the city. The Austin SUN. Austin's finally

❑ Ss 1 year sub. got a newspaper ready to be real. An impassioned plea for the Petrosaurus

on it. It looks pretty ugly, there in the I think, Oh shit, there went another harsh light of day, now doesn't it? thousand years. A thousand years of 30 By Richard Bechtold But all that's not exactly my point. I cent gas. I could pay the light bill. I could haven't been in the poetry business all go see ma and pa again. I could go get my Austin these years without learning a few things. I irony shot. I could go, y'know? Dear Mobil, Texaco, Exxon, Gulf, Shell know it's a poet-eat-poet world out there It's a vicious circle. Cycle. I stay home, I and the rest of y'all: and I hardly expect you to just give that watch more television. I see more $80,000 Now just remember, if you will, the gas away. My point is simply logical and minutes. I kick the dust and dream about good old days. I get all weepy just thinking mathematical. those old days. I think, gimme two dollars about them days. There you were, shipping My point is that I'm going in buying all regular and a big green brontosaurus. Get all those glasses off to your retail outlets that 50 cent gasoline. Now say I buy about serious. so's I could pick them off when I came to 400 of those 50 cent gallons a year. That's get gas. Took em home and filled em with about an extra $80.00 a year I'm paying. January 31, 1975 15 potables. Me and my friends usta collect Now, eighty dollars doesn't sound like those glasses. Old Exxon (then, just plain much, I know, but you're looking down Enco) usta have those short little glasses, the long end of the thing. From this end in the next issue .. . kinda like an old-fashioned glass, with the that $80.00 is a pretty fair size. Not tragic, white plastic coaster — the wife was partial you understand, but not something I'd to those. And Gulf, you usta have that big overlook either. But forget that. BILLIE CARR REPORTS ole yellow glass that I kept kicking over — Think of it this other way. That $80 I'm that's why you saw me around so much. As throwing down a hole makes us all look a on Texas Democrats meeting I recall, Shell had some of the finest ware, trifle foolish. I know this because I watch and I even drove half-way across town to television. That make sense? Let me Paid Pol. Adv. by Billie Carr Expense Fund latch onto an example. explain it. 2418 Travis, Houston, Texas. Well, that's all gone now. Another one Now, on the TV I see a lot of ads which of our institutions down the tubes. I'm are not really ads, but more public lucky if I get the windows smeared up. relations. Your public relations. These ads Last time I wanted to get the sticks and are the sort which intend to convince me I F YOU ARE an occasional reader and stones vacuumed out of the car, I was told that your companies are a bunch of good would like to receive the Texas Observer a 10 gallon purchase was necessary. I'd of fellows. Now I didn't feel the need to regularly - or if you are a subscriber and had to put 3 or 4 gallons in the back seat. believe that even when you were giving would like to haye a free sample copy or a Back to the whisk brooms of our ancestors. away dinosaurs. I'm not likely to believe it one year gift subscription sent to a friend - But it's not only that, it's all the other now. You show some of the "real human here's the order form: little touches too: litter bags with the beings" working for you on the rigs or on SEND THE OBSERVER TO- company logo, football schedules with the the Indian subcontinent or wherever. company logo, dinosaurs with the You're missing the point. I never did have company logo, toy trucks with the much feeling one way or the other about name company logo — all gone now, just like the your human beings, it's your 50 cent buffalo. gasoline I don't like. street I just can't avoid mentioning it any Some of these other ads go to showing city . state zip longer. It's the gasoline, the price of the the wonderful technological advances y'all gasoline. Now I'm not talking about my have made. I like technological advances all electric bill, because although I assume right, but I never did think you did it for ❑ this subscription is for myself fun. Still don't. I can look with downright you're responsible, I haven't figured out ❑ gift subscription; send card in my name exactly where and how you've got your affection on a technological advance, it's sample copy only; you may use my name the 50 cent gas I'm not real fond of. ❑ hand in it or on it. No, it's just the gasoline • • • • which is now running about 50 to 60 cents Then there're the ones about the North a gallon. The way I hear it, that's low Sea. 1 never doubted for a minute that the ❑ $8.40 enclosed for a one year sub compared with other places in other states weather was real bad out there. The wind ❑ bill me for $8.40 and waves and all that, kicking up like where they don't have all that sweet crude (omit the zlOcl sales tax on out-of-state subs) hell's afire. Of course, I do want to thank down under the ground. And I appreciate • • • • that, but even 50 cents a gallon is pretty you for the classy film. Still, you're off on steep, wouldn't you say? A little while a tangent, I think. MY NAME & ADDRESS (if nit shown above) back it was round about 30 cents a gallon My point is that you're buying these 60 when y'all weren't having one of your gas or 80 thousand dollar minutes on TV and wars (remember gas wars?) where it went you're getting nowhere. I don't believe down into the low 20's. you. I'm leaving out what you must spend That's about doubling the price, and getting some fool out there with a camera that doesn't seem right. And that's not the to take pictures of the weather. I'm leaving worst of it, the worst of it is that you've out what you gotta pay for making that taken away all your dinosaurs and such. It commercial; that 80 thousand dollars only makes all those dinosaurs and glasses and buys the time. ,›!OBSERVER toy trucks and football schedules look like The worst thing is that every time I see lies. There I thought you were being one of those $80,000 minutes I think of I— 600 WEST 7TH. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 friendly. There's no putting a pretty face my $80. Picayune of me, isn't it? But I do. of the agreement. I likewise urged Representative Pentony to vote his convictions. Your printing this letter will suffice as a correction and an apology to me and to your readers. Sid Bowers, House of Representatives, Postmaster: If undeliverable, send Form 3579 to The Texas Observer, 600 West 7, Austin, Austin, Tex. 78701. Texas 78701. Bowers is a former state representative who did not seek re-election in November. His letter was dated Nov. 26, 1974, but did not reach the Observer until January. --Ed. TMTA man replies Truck story The article by Bill Helmer, "It All 1 think that, generally, truck drivers are Started On III 45," in the January 17 a pretty professional group. They appear to edition of The Texas Observer detailing his recognize that they have responsibilities harrowing experience with two semi trailer Dialogue 1 not dissimilar to those of airline pilots. I trucks was well written and made good have encountered at truck stops some reading. Most certainly many automobile drivers who needed more sleep and less drivers have had a bad experience involving I booze. Like the two drivers in your a large truck, but fortunately such no other kind of shipping service. excellent story about Interstate 45 (see incidents as reported by Mr. Helmer are Our Association and industry is sincere Obs., Jan. 17), they are exceptions in a rare. in its efforts to improve the image of the profession that does not have room for the Charges made by motorists concerning trucking industry, and, again, we encourage non-professional. reckless or discourteous behavior by truck motorists to report bad truck drivers. Our The story reminds me of the time I was drivers, are taken very seriously by the only request is to be evaluated fairly, driving south of Mt. Pleasant on two-lane Texas Motor Transportation Association, taking into account the whole picture. U.S. 271. At about 2 a.m., I made a and we are doing as much as possible to Robert Floyd, Director of Agency rest-stop for my family. In a matter of improve the image of the industry in the Liaison, TMTA, P.O. Box 1669, Austin, seconds the night calm was shattered by eyes of the public. For example, TMTA Tex., 78767. two rolling behemoths having a drag race sponsors the Cooperative Road Patrol, a across the rolling hills of northeast Texas. group of over 100 individuals representing Neck and neck, side by side they came, various truck and bus companies. This 75-85 miles per hour. Minutes later, they group maintains a constant watch on Texas Rx for MI could still be seen in a dead heat as they highways reporting unsafe truck drivers to passed over the last hill in my line of their companies. The report goes on the God Bless Your Little Pea Pickin Heart! If everyone read your magazine there vision, four light beams racing along in the driver's record and in most cases three such dark. "I guess they get bored," was the reports constitutes dismissal. TMTA also would be no need for Multiphasic Screening Procedures — everyone would best I could muster in their defense, as I works closely with the Texas Council of gave silent thanks to my bladder. Safety Supervisors in an effort to promote die laughing. Anyone who sees Molly Ivins' by-line should take 10 mg. Valium I.V. If it is true that partisan journalism only safety and good driving habits by Texas' convinces the already convinced, then at truckers. In addition, we encourage before reading to prevent convulsions at the end of each paragraph. the very least, I appreciated being motorists to report to us any instances of reconvinced. unsafe driving by truckers, and we in turn Cornelius S. Meeker, M.D., 3305 Medical Triangle Drive, Port Arthur, Tex., 77642. Jerry D. Frazee, 11409 Ladera Vista Dr., notify the driver's employer. Austin, Tex. 78759. I would be quick to point out, however, that the majority of truck drivers are courteous and safety conscious. For every Bowers explains fortnight ... one driver such as encountered by Mr. (Continued from Page 2) Helmer and his friends, there are literally The Observer's Aug. 23, 1974, production; also Feb. 12, 14, 8 p.m., Drama hundreds on the highways every day doing post-mortem on the Constitutional Bldg. Theatre Room, University of Texas, Austin. a good and safe job delivering the goods to Convention (pp. 12-13) contains two the consuming public. factual errors: (1) the language attributed FEBRUARY 11 Our sole request is that when motorists to me in a purported conversation with Joe THEATRE OF ABSURD — Alternating with find themselves impatiently following a Pentony and (2) the unsupported assertion "Bernarda Alba ," • Eugene lonesco's slow truck up a steep hill, that they take a that I "flaked" by voting "aye" to submit "Rhinoceros"; 8 p.m. also Feb. 13, 15, Theatre moment to evaluate the whole picture. the document to the voters for final Room, University of Texas, Austin. Rather than judge the industry by the consideration. I did not converse with actions of a few, take the time to recall the BEETHOVEN'S NINTH — John Giardano Representative Pentony in the words conducts Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in number of trucks driving the way they ascribed to me by your unidentified Beethoven's Symphony No. 9; 8:15 p.m., were supposed to. Also, give an extra "source." Secondly, because the document Convention Center Theater, Fort Worth. thought to what the truck is carrying and was changed to include a tax ceiling and where the Texas economy would be the separate submission of the WIND SOUND —Thomas Lee directs without motor transportation to deliver right-to-work clause to the voters, my University Wind Ensemble in concert; 8 p.m., the goods. Trucks serve every one of the major demands were met and I felt LBJ Auditorium, University of Texas, Austin. cities and towns in Texas, and there are obligated to vote "aye" to complete my FEBRUARY 12 1,678 communities or 63% of the total side of the agreement, though I still had that depend entirely on trucks — they have BROADWAY MUSICAL — Winner of five serious reservations about other sections of Tony Awards, "Pippin;" comes to Texas; 8 p.m., the document. I thus did not "flake" but Municipal Auditorium, Austin; also Feb. 15 and 16 The Texas Observer voted the way I felt bound to vote in light 16, Music Hall, Houston.