Bush's Democratic Friends In Congress Pg. 4

A JOURNAL OF FREE VOICES AUGUST 18, 1989 • $1.50 The Union Vote Labor Elects a President and Considers January Endorsements

BY LOUIS DUBOSE

Austin N THE LAST Saturday in July, AFL-CIO President Harry CO Hubbard handed his gavel over to Joe Gunn. Though Gunn had been unani- mously elected president of state's 250,000 union workers only a few hours earlier, the election had been won in July of 1987 when Gunn defeated by 20,000 votes the candidate Hubbard had recruited to challenge him in ALAN POGUE the secretary-treasurer's race. When the Delegates caucus at the AFL-C10 Convention message board at the 1987 convention read "Congratulations, Joe Gunn," the man who had read the handwriting on the north wall porate into a new constitution the state's the Palmer Auditorium and into retirement of Austin's cavernous Palmer Auditorium "right to work" law. The proposed constitu- to a Bryan bank board and the Beaumont- was Harry Hubbard. What he read was that tion was defeated by a slim margin, with based John Gray Institute (a the term he was then beginning would be labor delegates (at a convention comprised labor/management thinktank), Hubbard said his last one. The challenge to Gunn, then of the entire legislature, with a mandate to that among his greatest disappointments was the incumbent secretary-treasurer, hadn't, amend the constitution) withholding their the election of "men like and after all, come out of nowhere; if Ronald votes in protest of the right-to-work provi- ." The comment somehow Cantrell hadn't been recruited by Hubbard, sion. The convention was a trial by fire for fits Hubbard's approach to politics. Though he wouldn't have been a contender. So even the newly-elected AFL-CIO president, he had once served as the AFL-CIO's before the new officers were sworn in, the Harry Hubbard. It served to consolidate his legislative director, as president, he rarely talk on the floor of the 1987 convention was power and was sufficient to discourage got as personally involved in legislative that Gunn would challenge Hubbard in Sherman Fricks, the building trades union affairs as most anticipate that Joe Gunn will. 1989. leader elected as secretary-treasurer at the Hubbard seemed to be more inclined toward So Harry Hubbard graciously bowed out same time that Hubbard unseated Brown, electoral politics. Perhaps, as some have and this year's convention was something from running for president at the next labor observed, he perceived that the legislature, of a four-day salute to the retiring president convention. and particularly the House, as lost cause who had held office since he ousted During the 16 years Hubbard presided for labor — at least until progressive incumbent Roy Evans in 1973. Hubbard had over the AFL-CIO, union membership candidates capture more House seats. assumed office just as a constitutional increased from 195,000 in 1973, to 300,000 When Hubbard came to power 16 years convention was about to convene in Austin, in 1984, then declined to its current ago Texas labor leaders often seemed unable with business interests determined to incor- 226,000. Before he walked off the stage of Continued on page 6 DIALOGUE

Mattox Defended who hand-delivered and paid for the (non) bTEH TEXAS story to be published by a broke, archaic Your June 16th cover story, "Jim Mattox: magazine which no longer credibly Two Inquiries," is so lacking in journalistic represents the tradition of Mrs. R. D. server integrity it is a prime example why your Randolph. "A Journal of Free Voices"?? journal is always on the brink of financial I think not. A JOURNAL OF FREE VOICES failure and is no longer considered relevant Patricia F. Coker outside a small group of ideologues. We will serve no group or party but will hew hard to the truth as we find it and the right as we see it. We I have watched your magazine decline are dedicated to the whole truth, to human values from the lofty principle exhibited on your Hightower above all interests, to the rights of humankind as the masthead. By sliding from "A Journal of Clarification foundation of democracy; we will take orders from Free Voices" to what appears to be "A none but our own conscience, and never will we over- political look or misrepresent the truth to serve the interests of Journal of Bought-Off (or Sold-Out) A recent item in the Observer's the powerful or cater to the ignoble in the human spirit. Propagandists," your publication appears to intelligence column (TO, 6/30/89) suggested Writers are responsible for their own work, but not be licking the boots of your largest that maybe I was accusing Travis County for anything they have not themselves written, and in advertiser in adopting a sudden and recent Democratic Chair Chuck Herring of being publishing them we do not necessarily imply that we agree with them because this is a journal of free voices. anti-Mattox bias. fatefully slow to respond to our agency's Now come on . . . this so called call for Democratic help this spring when SINCE 1954 "investigative report" must have blown Bad Bill Clements and the forces of Publisher: Ronnie Dugger your entire year's investigative budget .. . Ignorance and Arrogance were trying to Editor: Dave Denison eliminate my elective position and shut down Associate Editor: Louis Dubose unless of course you obtained the Editorial Interns: Jim Lacy, Brian Maffly depositions surreptitiously. In laymen's TDA's pesticide-safety programs. Not so. Calendar: Elisa Lyles terms that means hand-delivered by Chuck personally assures me that while Washington Correspondent: Mary Anne Reilly someone in the insurance industry with a space limitations kept him from getting an Contributing Writers: Bill Adler, Betty Brink, "action alert" in the Party's Demo Memo Warren Burnett, Jo Clifton, John Henry Faulk, big interest in Mattox's tough stance in Terry FitzPatrick, Gregg Franzwa, Bill Helmer, pending anti-trust insurance litigation. newsletter in as timely a manner as my James Harrington, Amy Johnson, Michael King, This report is not the standard fiercely supporters requested it, he did manage to Mary Lenz, Dana Loy, Tom McClellan, Greg independent, classic alternative journalism find space for it in the next issue. Moses, Debbie Nathan, Gary Pomerantz, John Your item also reported that "some have Schwartz, Michael Ventura, Lawrence Walsh your publication was once (long ago) known Editorial Advisory Board: Frances Barton, for. For your publisher to stoop to using suggested" that Herring was slow to act Austin; Elroy Bode, Kerrville; Chandler another reporter's (unused) background because his senior law partner is one Ed Davidson, Houston; Bob Eckhardt, Washington, notes that are at least three years old is the Small, a Republican factotum and Austin D.C.; Sissy Farenthold, Houston; Ruperto Garcia, lobbyist who ran very unsuccessfully against Austin; John Kenneth Galbraith, Cambridge, height of impropriety. He assumes a Mass.; Lawrence Goodwyn, Durham, N.C.; conspiratorial tone and writes, "Testimony State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos in 1986 George Hendrick, Urbana, Ill.; Molly Ivins, to the jury was eerily missed or ignored and who lobbied vigorously and just as Austin; Larry L. King, Washington, D.C.; Maury by the state or local press." Then for the unsuccessfully this year for the "sunsetting" MaVerick, Jr., ; Willie Morris, of me and the entire agricultural department. Oxford, Miss.; Kaye Northcott, Austin; James Observer to promote this story with advance Presley, Texarkana; Susan Reid, Austin; Geoffrey copies to the state and local press is the But Herring cannot be held accountable Rips, Austin; A.R. (Babe) Schwartz, Galveston; height of arrogance . . . or a desperate for the reactionary huckstering of a law Fred Schmidt, Fredericksburg; Robert Sherrill, attempt to give the poorly reasoned story partner. Weird as it is, in the modern world Tallahassee, Fla. some much-needed credibility . of big firm lobbying-and-lawyering, it is Layout and Design: Layne Jackson But once you get past the big headlines, common for these firms to employ at least Typesetter: Lana Kaupp one of each political species so that the evil Contributing Photographers: Bill Albrecht, Vic the titillating sub-headlines and read the Hinterlang, Alan Pogue. droning piece that stretches so hard to try that one partner pursues can be countered Contributing Artists: Eric Avery, Tom Ballenger, to draw a preconceived conclusion, the story by the good of another. That is the position Richard Bartholomew, Jeff Danziger, Beth Unless of course in which brother Herring — a solid Epstein, Dan Hubig, Pat Johnson, Kevin Kreneck, doesn't support the lead. Michael Krone, Carlos Lowry, Ben Sargent, you stumble upon the carefully highlighted Democrat — finds himself. Herring can't Dan Thibodeau, Gail Woods. sidebars on "The Law" (which by the way "manage" Small, but neither does Small Managing Publisher: Cliff Olofson once you've read the story thoroughly does "control" one iota of the political Subscription Manager: Stefan Wanstrom not apply) or the two sidebar disclaimers movements of our County Chairman. What Special Projects Director: Bill Simmons that the author never talked with Mattox and a strange and complex world it is in which Development Consultant: Frances Barton how much "we regret Mattox was not "partners" are "opponents." But there it SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year S27. two years S48, three years $69. Full- time students SIS per year. Back issues S3 prepaid. Airmail, foreign, group. available by our press time for interview." is. and bulk rates on request. Microfilm editions available from University Jim Hightower Microfilms Intl., 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Any current To most seasoned readers that means it subscriber who finds the price a burden should say so at renewal time: no was a hatchet-job from the beginning that Commissioner of Agriculture one need forgo reading the Observer simply because of the cost. the subject saw no sane reason to participate Austin THE TEXAS OBSERVER (ISSN 0040-4519/UPS 541300), in. As far as the Observer "standing ready 01989, is published biweekly except for a three-week interval between issues in January and July (25 issues per year) by the to interview" and "Welcome(s) his Texas Observer Publishing Co., 307 West 7th Street, Austin, presentations concerning them," you've got WE PRINT OUR MAIL Texas 78701. Telephone: (512) 477-0746. Second class postage to be kidding yourselves or are high on paid at Austin, Texas. Write to: Observer "Dialogue" POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE TEXAS something besides yourselves. OBSERVER, P.O. Box 49019, Austin, Texas 78765 If I were Mattox I wouldn't bother to 307 West 7th St. respond to your pleas for credibility, but Austin, TX 78701 rather would launch an investigation into

2 • AUGUST 18, 1989 , .b.iTi... EDITORIAL =0 server AUGUST 18, 1989 The Other American VOLUME 81, No. 16 FEATURES

ORTY YEARS AGO Michael Harring- member of the League for Industrial The Union Vote F ton walked into a decaying house near Democracy, according to Todd Gitlin in By Louis Dubose 1 the Mississippi River in St. Louis. The Years of Hope, Days of Rage, ". . . must house, Harrington wrote in his autobiogra- have been horrified that [Tom] Hayden Bushwacker Democrats phy, Long Distance Runner, "stank of would refer to trials, executions, and By Ronnie Dugger stopped-up toilets, dead rats, and human invasions of Eastern Europe as misery." Though the social worker's job Developers' Paradise `irresponsibility' and 'small and large By Tom McClellan 14 that led him into the house was only a way denials of human dignity.' With Hungary station for Harrington, an opportunity to still burning in his heart, Harrington could DEPARTMENTS save enough money to go and live a not have warmed to Hayden's statement that Bohemian poet's life in New York, what `the savage repression of the Hungarian Dialogue 2 he saw on a rainy day in 1949 changed Revolution was a defensive action rooted Political Intelligence 11 forever the direction of his life. in Soviet fear that its empire would "An hour or so later," Harrington wrote, collapse.' " Books and the Culture "riding the Grand Avenue streetcar, it Though Harrington later admitted that he Bright Lights, Big City dawned on me. that I should spend the rest was guilty of a "middle-aged tantrum," at By Rosalind Alexander 16 of my life putting an end to that house and Port Huron, Gitlin ultimately conceded that A Journey Without Maps all that it symbolized." Harrington com- Harrington had been more right than wrong By Bryce Milligan 18 pared the experience to Saul's conversion on the issues. A Window Unit on the South on the road to Damascus — a Protestant According to Gitlin, who was both a By Bill Adler 19 experience. "Protestants" Harrington ob- participant and chronicler of the Port Huron served, "tend to have dramatic conver- meeting, Harrington "took on all corners." Afterword sions." (Perhaps a more appropriate com- How could SDS write off American labor, Editor's Notes parison for the Jesuit-educated Harrington where Harrington had found more indige- By Dave Denison 22 would have been Ignatius's muleback nous socialism than in any other sector of conversion at the fork of a road in Spain.) society? In the labor movement Harrington So the DSA became a party within a party And so reborn, he began. ,Michael discovered "intellectuals who have never — its most recent contribution to national Harrington embraced the teachings of been to college, reflective people who have politics, the agenda advanced through the Dorothy Day and became a Catholic come to a profound understanding of a Presidential campaign of Jesse Jackson. Worker, lived the renunciate's life in a society by their participation in it. . ." Michael Harrington faced the end of his Worker's house where he spent two years Unions, Harrington argued, were the only life with an optimism befitting an American serving the poor. In 1950, when the Korean hope of a united labor-left coalition. "If one socialist. Ronald Reagan's America, Har- War began, he declared himself a conscien- dismissed the entire American labor move- rington wrote, would also pass. The ideas tious objector, in 1951 he met Norman ment, and the libeial middle class, what that he himself had advanced were again Thomas, the Socialist Party's perennial hope was there of ever building a majority Presidential candidate. An autodidact, Har- becoming more acceptable. In 1987, Har- coalition that could transform the most rington testified before the Senate Commit- rington immersed himself in Marx and powerful and imperial capitalist power in tee on Labor and Human Resources; in 1988 classical German philosophy, mastered human history?" he was drafting speeches for Jesse Jackson, German, French. By the mid-1950s he was This pragmatic thinking ultimately led to and Harrington's commentary was a regular a "fiercely sectarian socialist" who would the formation of the Democratic Socialist feature on National Public Radio's have nothing to do with an organization like Organizing Committee and the Democratic "Morning Edition." the Democratic Party. The Other America, Socialists of America. American socialists, which inspired Kennedy and Johnson's War In some ways, it seems, Harrington was by Harrington's analysis, had been commit- on Poverty, is as timely today as it was in a quintessentially Jesuit atheist. The secular ting political suicide attempting to create a 1962 when it was published, and religion he professed was firmly rooted in European-style party and movement. While Harrington's 14 additional titles are an an elaborate intellectual system and the in Europe there are true political parties, important part of the socialist-progressive movement he envisioned was based on a in the U. S. there are undisciplined and canon. cadre — an order — of socialists advancing "periodic coalitions" brought together every a cause. In the months before he died, on August two years by electoral opportunism. Coali- 1 of cancer that had been diagnosed 1985, tions with no real programs to put in place Michael Harrington continued his writing Y THE TIME he stood before the when elected. and NPR radio commentary. He died, still B gathering of American radicals at Port The Democratic Party, Harrington wrote, fighting against everything the miserable Huron, Detroit, Harrington was "America's includes "some of the most reactionary oldest young socialist." house he walked into in 1949 represented. people in the : not just crooks He would no more renounce the term It was at Port Huron, the 1961 crucible and swindlers, which was obvious enough, socialist and become an American liberal for Students for a Democratic Society, but union busters, militarists, racists, than he would accept seven percent unem- where Harrington defended the anti-commu- sexists, and just about every single variety ployment as full employment. nism of his particular faction of the Old Left of political undesirable." But the same party "The fundamental truth of these times," against the Soviet accommodationism of the also includes "the clear majority of the Michael Harrington believed, "is radical." New Left. Harrington, then 34 and a progressive forces." —L.D.

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 3 OBSERVATIONS Bushwhacker Democrats

New York percent of the nation's wealth, so they, for about 20 times per hour on children's THE TENTH Congressional district, example, do not have much capital to gain programing and about eight to ten times per its heart, is the most progressive on. But even so, "black Americans have hour on prime-time television. Conserva- district in Texas and one of the most so most to gain from a 15 percent capital gains tively, children are exposed to over 12,000 in the country. Why, then, is Austin's tax" because then more capital will flow violent acts (on TV) per year." Congressman Jake Pickle one of the "gang to black enterprises. The majority of research studies sustains of six" Democratic members of the House Think that might sell in Austin, Jake? the premise, Brooks said, "that there is a Ways and Means Committee who are causal relationship between violence and supporting the White House drive to lower television and aggressive behavior in real the capital gains tax on the rich? At a time HAVE YOU NOTICED? life 7– particularly with young viewers." when the government is desperate for Have you noticed that with low-fare air Yet, as Glickman explained, "members of money? carriers like People Express out of the way the television industry claim that the antitrust President Bush, having killed the $4.55- and six or seven airlines controlling the laws prohibit their meeting to discuss the an-hour minimum wage for working airways, the airlines are gouging us every issue or to develop . . . voluntary Americans, and having led Congress into time we want to fly somewhere? Oddly, you programming guidelines." saddling generations of. Americans with can call several airlines and they all quote Accordingly, the TV Violence Act probably $225 billion in debt to bail out the exactly the same gouging rates. The hero exempts such meetings from the antitrust savings and loan industry, also proposes that of this situation is Frank Lorenzo, the laws. That's all it does — nothing else. The the federal tax on capital gains (profits on president of Texas Air, which acquired and ACLU, People for the American Way, and the sales of capital goods like property, strangled People Express, acquired Conti- civil libertarians like. Congressman Don stocks, or bonds) be cut to 15 percent from nental and raised its fares, and now has Edwards of California fought the law as an the present rate of 28 to 33 percent. Bush another of its acquisitions, Eastern, into infringement of free speech. I don't see appears to have been led to believe that there bankruptcy. why. The First Amendment does not is literally no limit to the fraud the We are asked now to shed a tear because prohibit people in the TV industry from Republicans can visit on the American Texas Air lost $109 million in the second trying to reduce the hundreds of thousands people under the slogan of "no new taxes,' quarter, mainly reflecting a large loss by of shootings, tortures, knifings, maimings, even as they punish poor Americans who Eastern. But hold the handkerchief. Since rapes, and other brutalities that are por- work and enrich the rich for getting richer. Eastern filed for bankruptcy last March, trayed for profit on the public medium that The six ways-and-means Democrats who Lorenzo has made it very clear that he mesmerizes our children. have backed this Bushwhack tax cut are led intends to break the unions. "Eastern is not Unfortunately, the networks don't appear by Congressman Beryl Anthony, Jr., of making money because Mr. Lorenzo doesn't to have any intention of changing their Arkansas, who is also the Democrats' want it to," William W. Winpisinger of the bloody-minded ways. A spokesman for chairman of the Congressional election machinists' and aerospace workers' interna- NBC said its standards are already adequate. effort. He, Jake Pickle, and the four others tional has charged. "He wants to bust the A spokesman for CBS whined about the in the gang propose an alternative cut in unions at Eastern and, when he finishes need to stay competitive. The chairman and the capital gains tax that will cost the cannibalizing the airline, sell off the scraps CEO of the conglomerate that owns ABC Treasury $2 billion in the next five years. to other carriers." said: "The way the business has been run During a meeting with House Speaker Lorenzo professes not to understand why in the past is the way the business should Tom Foley, according to the New York Texas Air is losing money. Last spring, he be run in the future." Times, Pickle argued that the party.'s leaders told a reporter he had been thinking about Well, then, pursuant to Congressman are a little late in trying to dissuade him all the people who used to fly back in the Brooks's reference during a debate on the from supporting the cut. Pickle said that was days of People Express. "I don't know House floor a few weeks ago, to the TV like waiting outside the delivery room and where they went," he said. "They didn't industry's "special responsibility to the hearing your mother say, "Son, you ought go back to riding the bus. They went back republic," the question becomes: Does not not to have kissed that girl." The trouble to their couches." the licensing of a company to use the with Jake's using this joke with his A prince of a fellow, this Lorenzo. publicly-owned airways carry with itt -a right constituents in Central Texas, though, might to withdraw that license if it is used for be that it raises more questions than it violence-promoting programming? That is, answers. SLAUGHTERHOUSE TV should not TV licenses be denied by law I have fallen upon a better argument Hats off and salutes to Jack Brooks, the to companies that on a monitored average which Jake, Anthony, and the other Bush- Congressman from Beaumont and the new vividly portray, say, more than a murder whack Democrats can use to persuade the chairman of the House Judiciary Commit- an hour? people to vote Democratic next year. "To tee, who took up and has now pushed I already know what my friends and Aid the Poor, Cut Capital Gains Taxes," through the Congress the Television Vio- colleagues in the ACLU will say to that, said the headline over this approach, lence Act of 1989. but I for one am sick of violence polluting propounded by Jude Wanniski, one of the Congressman Dan Glickman, D-Kansas, our national life, and if the licensees of the original supply-siders, in the New York a sponsor of the act, said: "The American public airways will not themselves reduce Times on July 25. True, Wanniski points Academy of Pediatrics estimates that chil- their violence-vending, I will listen with an out, blacks, now constituting 13 percent of dren spend approximately 25 hours per week open mind to arguments for a law rejecting the population, have less than half of one watching television. Violent acts occur them as public licensees.

4 • AUGUST 18, 1989 "meat" is actually "dead flesh," and, he I wonder, in the fourth place, how you HOLY CARROTS! went on to say (as I learned from the would enforce vegetarianism, Henry. The George and Willene Hendrick, a literary Hendrickses reader) "there are certain grave problem with being so ferocious about an couple who are now established in Urbana evils inseparable from the practice of flesh- ethical precept is that you are then morally where George is a professor of English at eating. The aversion to flesh food is not obliged to enforce and obey it. I am as the University of Illinois, started out decades chemical, but moral, social, hygienic .. . ferocious as I can muster against the mass ago at San Marcos. Quite often, in the late Flesh-eating [is] not compatible with civi- murder of human beings, or the stealing fifties, George would drift into the lized life." from the working people and from the poor Observer's offices in Austin, advising us in Regarding the Hendrickses as Henry that masks itself behind theories of free his wry, quiet way, and with his writings Salt's representatives on earth, I have mailed enterprise. But if I let you prevail in my helping us to enliven our efforts in the to Salt, in the care of George and Willene, conscience with your rule, "flesh-eating is literary dimension. George and Willene my troubled response, which here I pass not compatible with civilized life," why, have published books together, including a along to you pretty much as I sent it to then, Henry, to end such grave evil we must critical study of Katherine Anne Porter; Henry. stop this abominable practice. And we have George is a specialist on Thoreau, an interest Animal rights are one thing, and regard- learned rather vividly since your time, which led to Henry Salt, Thoreau's first ing the eating of meat as ethically vile is Henry, about social idealism when it is biographer and himself a humanitarian another. Aesthetically vile — that's a matter translated into institutional requirements, as reformer and man of letters. Now, George of mere personal judgement and opinion of from Lenin and his successor Stalin, and and Willene Hendrick have published in the aesthetic kind, not moralizing and as now from the likes of Falwell and England a Salt anthology, The Savour of prescription. Ethically vile — there's the Swaggart, that there are good limits to what Salt (Centaur Press, Fontwell Sussex, rub. I suppose, Henry, you would hold me you can defend forcing on people. Will we 1989). base, barbaric, pre-civilized, that I do eat have hamburger black markets, and dens Henry Salt, according to the Hendrickses, "dead flesh" — roasted, baked, fried, for roast beef, jerky, and lamb patties, "was a child of privilege who became a smoked, ensouped, encasseroled, which will be criminalized in law and temple partisan of ethical socialism and a tireless enhamburgered. Ay, and you may be right. as the dens of dead flesh? worker for humanitarian reform." Before There are, however, some difficulties I Concerning only myself, I am open to he died in 1939 he prepared his own funeral have espied, musing about the Savour of being convinced that meat is a vile enthusi- address, which was read on the inevitable Meat as well as the Savour of Salt and the asm, and I should give it up; I would hate occasion by a friend, and in it Salt said: Lack of the Savour of Salt without Meat to to be cast outside the warmth of the circle "I have a very firm religious faith of my Salt. you would set of "a comprehensive and own — a Creed of Kinship, I call it — a I like meat. I would miss meat. Further- reasoned sympathy," and "the sense of belief that in years yet to come there will Tore, I have been affected, in responding kinship between all living things." But are be a recognition of the brotherhood between to vegetarianism as if respectfully, by some ideas so beautiful, but also so man and man, nation and nation, human and dietetic disquisitions which appear to estab- totalitarian, that they are in their ethical sub-human, which will transform a state of lish that unless one is a dietetic specialist essence an attempt at the domination of life semi-savagery, as we have it, into one of (unlike nearly all of the people of the world) no less ruthless and unkind than armies civilization, when there will be no such who takes in certain combinations of building pyramids of skulls? Or am I really, barbarity as warfare, or the robbery of the corrective beans, without meat one is at my bottom, just a cynical hedonist, poor by the rich, or the ill-usage of the lower deprived of certain essential amino acids, sophistically championing my barbaric and animals by mankind." or at least one of them. inanimate lusts of the palate, a being Determined to follow Thoreau's example Secondly, I wonder what we are to do ethically inferior to the higher sensibilities in Walden, Salt and his wife abandoned their about carnivores in nature. In zoos, to be that know best what is ethical to eat? Or, privileged life and began living without sure, we can feed lions cornflakes, and is it possible that the more beautiful an idea, servants and working for various radical snakes chocolate mice, but what about in the more beautiful also must be, in ambient causes. Salt also wrote many books, as well the wild? I am just back in New York City awareness, sustained perception of evolu- as hundreds of thousands of words for two from a month in the Adirondacks wilder- tionary and ethical complexity, and restraint journals he edited, The Humanitarian and ness, a paradise with black flies. These flies in applications, our services to it? The Humane Review. have a right to eat meat, if I do, and eat Henry: Shall I stop eating meat? If so For several years now, I have admitted me, and therefore meat, they most certainly fish, then, too. Oh, hell: plants are alive into my system of copious filings "AR" for did. One of them doesn't just bite you, as too. Holy Carrots! Perhaps even you, who animal rights. This worthy subject first a mosquito or some stinging fly might — could see ahead to the day when we will presented itself in my personal amphitheater no, he or she tears off a tiny bit of your replace General Foods with General Fruits of values perhaps a decade ago in the form flesh and flies off with it, that is, with a and Vegetables, did not see ahead yet far of written appreciations of the intelligence piece of me, munching away. Henry, what enough, to General Edible Minerals! of the cetaceans, especially as explained in shall we do about the bla'ck flies? Enroll George and Willene Hendrick responded a large paperback book entitled Mind in the them for a lecture series on vegetarianism to all this, if not exactly as Salt's representa- Waters, copies of which I have given as at the Ethical Culture. Society? tives on earth, anyway as intellectual friends gifts. Surely if, by extension from amaze- Thirdly, Henry, as to animal rights, I who took his point. "We are not vegetari- ment over and affection for whales and want as a species to be as kindly as we can ans, either," George wrote, "but we do dolphins, we permit ourselves to feel get ourselves and each other to be, and as have sympathy for his ethical concerns in degrees of concern for lower species in some gentle, and give as little pain as possible; this matter, concerns similar to those of proportion to their likely or perceived but I support medical experiments on Henry Thoreau in Walden about food intelligence and their likely sensitivity to animals (conducted as humanely as possible) reform." George signed off, "Cheers from pain and pleasure, why then, all animals, because I believe it is more important to one cannibal to another," and Willene all life — lo! the doctrine of respect for reduce and relieve human suffering than to added: "We did try to become vegetarians, life — heave into view. serve an ideological ideal of reverence for back in the early days of George's gardening However, Henry Salt took the position all life. I believe in giving more ethical — planted soybeans and all. Sarah, our that eating of meat was uncivilized, bar- weight to the welfare of higher orders of daughter, and I lasted three days before an baric, and unethical. He insisted that we life than to lesser orders, as best we can unbearable craving for a steak set in." — keep in mind the fact that what we call gauge these subjective categories. R.D.

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 5

• ■■■ 4f. evra, Courting the Union Vote

Continued from cover in a bloc, since their membership is divided Sharpstown banking and insurance scandal made him a particularly unsavory choice; to distinguish between the Tory and progres- into at least three professional organizations Dolph Briscoe, a rich rancher who was then sive elements in the Democratic party. To — the most progressive of which is the AFL- the largest individual landowner in Texas his credit, that distinction was one that CIO-affiliated Texas Federation of Teach- and had served without distinction in the Hubbard understood. He was not included ers. Organized labor accounts for almost a house in the 1950s-'60s, and of whom AFL- among those union leaders whose names quarter of a million votes, and though they CIO president Roy Evans said had "pretty would regularly appear on guest lists at John often vote against their interest (as when good credentials and a pretty good voting Connally and 's social gather- rank-and-file labor supported Ronald Rea- ings. And Hubbard clearly established gan, despite their leadership's endorsement record;" or Sissy Farenthold, the progres- where he stood on elections when, as a of the Democratic ticket) the labor endorse- sive Corpus Christi state representative who had earned a 100 percent record on labor member of the executive board in 1972, he ment remains a prize for candidates. votes in the House where she was a leader broke with the AFL-CIO president and So for Democrats running for statewide of the Dirty-Thirty reform movement. unsuccessfully pushed for an endorsement offices, the AFL-CIO's biannual constitu- of progressive candidate Sissy Farenthold tional convention has become a prelude to In 1972 organized labor did not endorse. in the Democratic governor's race. the Committee on Political Action (COPE) convention, which is always scheduled HAT, THEN, to expect of the HIS YEAR it was again the Demo- several months after the constitutional AFL-CIO's leadership when cratic governor's race that was the convention. And though the AFL-CIO W they are asked to chose be- T first item on the agenda at the constitution prohibits endorsements at the tween two gubernatorial candidates who biannual labor gathering. With Gunn and constitutional convention, it is there that have both enjoyed strong labor support? Jackie St. Clair running unopposed for the candidates stake out their positions and And, since the AFL-CIO endorsement positions of president and secretary-treas- scramble to line up support for the COPE requires a two-thirds vote, is it conceivable urer, the Democratic primary race between meeting, which this year is scheduled for that either Mattox or Richards (or Mark Attorney General Jim Mattox and State January. White) can win the endorsement? And if Treasurer was the only In 1972, the year before Hubbard had one of the two gubernatorial candidates can newsmaker at the convention. defeated Roy Evans, organized labor faced win the endorsement, what would it be It's in the Democratic primary that labor's a clear choice in the Democratic primary. worth if it were to leave organized labor vote is most important. Only public school They could have endorsed the conservative bitterly divided? teachers carry more weight at the polls than incumbent Governor, Preston Smith; Lieu- AFL-CIO president Gunn said that it does organized labor. And though teachers tenant Governor Ben Barnes, the business going to be difficult for either of the often vote in a bloc, they do not endorse conservative whose involvement in the candidates to get the required two-thirds vote to win the nomination. "It's possible," Gunn said, "it's just not probable." Yet the fight for the nomination was being waged as if each candidate believed it was in reach. Mattox's campaign tactics at the conven- tion might be described, in the jargon of professional political consultants, as pro- active. Convention floor talk, particularly among political consultants and activists, described a behind-the-scenes campaign on behalf of the attorney general to amend the organization's constitution to allow for an early endorsement. Other discussion on the floor had the Mattox organization poised to call for a straw vote, if it became evident that they couldn't get the two-thirds vote necessary to amend the constitution. Jim Cunningham, Mattox's campaign manager, who has a background in labor from both his recent tenure at the John Gray Institute in Beaumont, and an earlier position as executive assistant for Kentucky's secretary of labor, said that there had been no campaign to win an early labor endorsement. "At least not since I've been AFL-C10 President Joe Gunn and Attorney General Jim Mattox. here," Cunningham, who signed on with

6 • AUGUST 18, 1989 the Mattox campaign on July 5, said. According to Cunningham, there had been letters written by Mattox supporters within the AFL-CIO, urging endorsement. "They were letters of recommendation, but no one thought this was going to be an endorsing convention," Cunningham said. Of the straw vote, Cunningham contended that the suggestion that the Mattox campaign was pushing for an informal poll was coming "from the other [Richards] camp." "I had calls from reporters asking about a straw poll," Cunningham said. According to Cunningham, the first day he walked onto the convention floor, he heard that the Richards campaign was promoting their own straw poll. "I think that Mattox pushed pretty hard in the beginning, before the convention [perhaps before Cunningham arrived]," an Austin-based political consultant said. "My impression is that prior to the convention, he was hoping to get a straw vote, then he pulled down that strategy." "I respect your constitution," Mattox told ALAN POGUE the assembled labor delegates, and added AFL - CIO President Joe Gunn and State Treasurer Ann Richards. that he would not ask for an early endorsement. (When AFL-CIO president endorsement, Richards took another ap- convention in January. Before the candidates Gunn was asked about , a Mattox's attempt proach and told the delegates that they are left the convention, it appeared that someone to win an early endorsement, Gunn told the not indebted to her: "We fought those would have to settle a custody battle over Observer: "It never got to the floor.") battles alongside many of you who are here Dave Richards, from whom one of the Mattox's line about respecting the labor today . . . And you know what? You don't candidates has been divorced for years. constitution was the only conciliatory phrase owe me a thing." After Ann Richards mentioned her former in a speech that was delivered with such The differences in the speeches illustrate husband in her speech, Mattox reminded the passion that it might have even moved a the differences in the campaigns and the convention that one of his first acts as few Richards supporters into the attorney candidates. Mattox, claiming his endorse- attorney general was to hire Dave Richards, general's camp. For fifteen minutes, Mattox ment, Richards, knowing that Mattox was then the AFL-CIO's general counsel, as his talked of beating "the goons and the [Texas] going to press for an endorsement in his first assistant. (Dave Richards, however, is rangers, and the strikebreakers," and of his speech two days later, preempting him by supporting Ann Richards.) own history as a laborer, citing by number reminding delegates that they shouldn't feel "Ann and Jim are going to fight," Ag the local AFL-CIO affiliate to which he indebted to her — or anyone. (The speech- Commissioner Jim Hightower said in his belonged as he worked his way through wars strategy worked two ways, with speech to the convention. "But that's . Richards saying that she had "been accused allright. Let's us make sure that we don't Anyone who has heard Jim Mattox on of giving a good speech now and then," fight, among ourselves." With either the stump has heard the "my mamma was and Mattox two days later arguing that the Mattox or Richards on the top of the ticket, a waitress and my daddy was a sheet-metal state didn't need a "speech-giving gover- Hightower said, Democrats will have worker" line. But it is unlikely that Mattox nor.") nominated the most progressive gubernato- has ever spoken with the passion and And just as Mattox brought in Cunning- rial candidate since Jimmy Allred. conviction with which he addressed the labor ham, a campaign manager with ties to "For those of you who are not familiar convention. Mattox feels at home with labor organized labor, Richards brought in her with how COPE, the political arm of the and his speech was not a plea for support own labor assets: her daughter Cecile labor movement, makes its endorsements, but a demand for his patrimony. Do we need Richards and son in law, Kirk Adams. Both it should be explained that the operation is "a ribbon-cutting speech-giving governor or are on leave from the Service Employees a railroad," Molly Ivins wrote in these pages a governor who's tough enough to make the International Union in California, where in 1973. "And the only way to stop the right decisions?" Mattox asked, they work as organizers. And both quietly railroad is to tear up the labor movement." rhetorically. "We don't need a blue-blood and persistently worked the floor of the As it looks now, the ride to the COPE type of governor, we need a blue-collar convention. endorsement could be long and rough. ❑ governor," he answered. "I think we did well," Cecille Richards Richards, who spoke two days before said. She contended that Mattox didn't get Mattox, also reminded the delegates of her what he wanted out of the convention, an own personal history as a labor activist. early endorsement, or a straw poll victory This publication "David Richards and I have been coming that would have suggested that he won the is available to labor meetings since Hank Brown [the endorsement. (Any poll at the convention in microform AFL-CIO president during the '60s] was a would distort labor's position, Gunn said, from University plumber," Richards said. She reminded because one delegate often casts a vote for Microfilms delegates that with her former husband, thousands of members.) International. labor lawyer David Richards, she had "He didn't get it because he didn't have worked for civil rights, farm workers rights, Call toll-free 800-521-3044. In Michigan, the votes," Richards said. Alaska and Hawaii call collect 313-761-4700. Or and collective bargaining rights. The fight between Richards and Mattox mail inquiry to: University Microfilms International, But rather than laying claim to her is likely to heat up before the COPE 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. MI 48106.

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 7 (Advertisement) Officer A Public Service Message ',rom the American Income Life Insurance Co.—Waco, Texas—Bernard Rapoport, Chairman of the Board and Chief executive

The Constitution and Original Intent

BY RALPH L. LYNN the text itself, "arguments drawn from extrinsic circum- stances regarding the intentions of the convention must Presumably, James Madison, the Father of the be rejected." Constitution and the careful keeper of the record of the All this and much, much more Professor Leonard W. sessions of the convention, should be heard with respect Levy offers us in his impressive 500 page study called on the question of the intentions of the Framers of the "Original Intent and the Framers of the Constitution" Constitution. (Macmillan, 1988). His mature judgment was that "as a guide in Levy is Chairman of the Graduate Faculty of History expounding and applying the provisions of the Constitu- of the Claremont Graduate School and winner of the tion, the debates and incidental decisions of the Pulitzer Prize for one of his twenty or so earlier books Convention can have no authoritative character." on the first years of our nation's history. Madison outlived all the members of the Convention. Levy comments that even though all the founding He refused to publish his "Notes on the Debates of the generation followed the same rules of interpretation, they Federal Convention" probably because he thought what did not always arrive at the same result. "The rules, is now called "original intent" was irrelevant both to rather, provided a way of clothing a policy preference Congressional debates and to the deliberations of the in a respectable rationale, giving the guise of objectivity Supreme Court. to a highly subjective task." He could have published his "Notes" at any time. That Space limitations make it impossible to do justice to they were published only in 1840 after his death means so magisterial a work. that the Congress and the Supreme Court were without It certainly seems clear that the appeal to alleged the only significant record of the Convention throughout proofs of the "original intent" is unnecessary in the the formative period of our national history. process of arriving at a principled interpretation. What rules of Constitutional interpretation prevailed Equally clear in a world of human beings, every in congressional debates and in Supreme Court interpretation must be the product of lawyerly reasoning. deliberations in this formative period? Immaculate interpretations seem to be figments of the All participants seem to have followed Madison's view imaginations of the naive. expressed in The Federalist #37. He "predicated this A quotation from Professor Clinton Rossiter, like Levy essay on the principle that the meaning of the a conservatively inclined scholar of constitutional history, Constitution must emerge in the course of time and as should squelch all but the least admirable of those who a result of experience, however difficult the inherent — whether of the left or the right — would like to appeal ambiguities of language made that task." to original intent to reach a partisan result. The veterans of the great Convention gave little weight Most of the talk, Rossiter wrote, about original intent in their debates to their uncertain memories. All "relied "is as irrelevant as it is unpersuasive, as stale as it is on the text of the Constitution, the ordinary rules of strained, as rhetorically absurd as it is historically common law applicable when construing a document, unsound. Men of power who know least about the intent and the history of the time." of the Framers are most likely to appeal to it to support In one of the debates, Alexander Hamilton, author of their view." some of the great federalist essays, concluded his argument for a bill in a way which accurately stated the truth of the matter for the founding generation. Ralph L. Lynn is Professor Emeritus of History, Baylor If the power to act, he said, may be deduced from University.

BERNARD RAPOPORT American Income Life Insurance Company Chairman of the Board and EXECUTIVE OFFICES: P.O. BOX 208, WACO, TEXAS 76703, 817-772.3060 Chief Executive Officer

8 • AUGUST 18, 1989 Campaign Finance: The Big Money" Continues

This is the third part of a continuing series on the campaign contributions reported in 1988 by selected committee chairs in the House, all of whom were opposed in either the primaries or the general election of 1988. In this issue we continue where we left off in the June 2nd issue, with reports on David Cain, Al Granoff, Juan Hinojosa, and Jim McWilliams. The information is drawn from reports filed with the Secretary of State's office.To save space, major cities have been abbreviated thus: A=Austin; D=; FW=Fort Worth; H=Houston. The complete profile of each member includes biographical and background information, personal and campaign finances, a summary of legislative activity, a voting record for key issues, and a brief demographic profile of the member's district. If you would like more information about PPIF, please fill out and return the coupon printed below.

David Cain, D-Dallas Transpac (A); Texas Bell Employee Contributors of $500: Tx. Educators (District 107) PAC (A); H.R. Perot (D); Tx. United Political Cmte. (A); Dallas Motor Chair of Transportation, which Auto Workers CAP Volunteer Fund Transportation Association PAC; has jurisdiction over commercial and Cmte. (Grand Prairie); Tx. and Transportation Political Education private motor vehicles, the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers PAC League (Cleveland, Ohio); Waymon highway system, railroads, airports, (FW); Texas Good Government Fund Drummond, M.D. (D); Tx. Real Estate water transportation, and several (Vinson & Elkins, H); Winona Cmte. PAC (A); Dallas Chapter Tx. Society state agencies, including the State (D); Tx. Utilities PAC (D); Beer of CPAs PAC; Chiropractic PAC Department of Highways and Public Wholesalers PAC (A). (Waco); Dallas Firefighers Transportation. Public Safety Cmte. (D); Akin, Gump, Cain raised a total of $119,961 in Al Granoff, D-Dallas Strauss, Hauer & Feld Tx. Civic 1988. He defeated K. Green in the District 109 Action Cmte. (A); Automobile Democratic primary; he was Chair of State, Federal, and Dealers Pac (A); GTE Soutwest State unopposed in the general election. International Relations, which Political Action Club (San Angelo); Contributors of over $2.000; Dallas has jurisdiction over commerce and Tx. Energy PAC (A); Robert M. Bass Motor Transportation Association trade; the relations between the (FW); Bankers Legislatve League of PAC, $2,500; Coalition for State of Texas and: the federal Tx. (A); Tx. Architects Cmte. Transportation and Water government, other states, and other (A); Tx. Bell Employee PAC (D); Development (A), $2,500; LIFT-IV nations; international tourism AT&T PAC (A); Dallas Power and (Trial Lawyers Association, A), $2,500 , development; the Office of State- Light Divicsion of Tx. Utilities Electric Higher Education Legislative PAC (D), Federal Relations and the Good Co. Active Citizenship Cmte. (D); $3,500. Neighbor Commission. Donald E. Santarelli (Alexandria, VA); Contributors of over $1.000: Texas Granoff raised a total of $58,424 in Robert E. Johnson, Jr. (A); Quest: Educators PAC (A), $2,000; 1988. He defeated C. Chesnutt in PAC '88 (D); First City Automobile Dealers PAC (A), $2,000; the general election. Bancorporation PAC (H); Beer Helm, Pletcher, Hogan; Bowen, & Contributors of $5.000: Higher Wholesalers PAC (A). Saunders (H), $1,500; Tx. Dentists Education Legislative PAC (D); LIFT- PAC (A), $1,500; GTE Southwest IV (Trial Lawyers Association, A). Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen State PAC (San Angelo), $1,500; Tx. Contributors of over $1.000: Tx. District 41 Real Estate PAC (A), $1,500; SPORT Dentists PAC (A), $1,500; Coalition Chair of Local and Consent PAC (Gulf Coast Conservation for Transportaion and Water Calendars, which has jurisdiction Association, A), $1,500. Development (D), $1,500. over the assignment of local or Contributors of $1.000 Tx. Medical Contributors of $1.000: Russell T. uncontested bills and resolutions to Association PAC (A); Johnson & Kelley (A); Communication Workers appropriate calendars and the Johnson (A); Nick Kralj (A); Calame, of America/ COPE-PCC determination of priorities for floor Linebarger & Graham (A); (Washington, D.C.); Fisher, consideration of bills and resolutions Communications Workers of America / Gallagher, Perrin & Lewis (H); Tx. except those within the jurisdiction COPE-PCC (Washington, D.C.); Tx. Utilities PAC (D); Tx. Good of the Cmte. on Calendars. State Legislative Board Engineers Government Fund (Vinson & Elkins Hinojosa raised a total of $42,850 in Political Educational Leagtie (Tyler); Law Offices, H); Frank. L. Branson 1988. He defeated J. Waguespack Texans for Better Transportation PAC (D). in the general election. (A); Oil Field Haulers Association

For more information about the PPIF member profiles, complete the following and return to: Sarah Searcy, Profiles Editor / 1205 Nueces / Austin, Texas / 78701

Name Address

City State Zip

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 9 Contributors of over $2.000; Higher Fund (Vinson & Elkins Law Offices, Jones, Curry & Roth (Marshall), Education Legislative PAC (D), H); Texans for Political Action (H); $2,000; Tx. Medical PAC (A), $5,000; LIFT-IV(Trial Lawyers Tilman Welch (Edinburg); GTE $4,000; LIFT-IV (Trial Lawyers Association, A), $2,500. Southwest State Political Action Club Association, A), $4,000; Higher Contributors of $800 to $2.000: (San Angelo); Robert E. Johnson Education Legislative PAC (D), $3,500; AT&T PAC (A), $1,500. State Cope Fund (A), $800; Tx. (A); Anne T. Bass (FW); PAC of the Contributors of $1.000: W.C. Dentists PAC (A), $1,500; Central Great Southwest (H). Power and Light PAC (Corpus George (Henderson); Tx. Utilities Christi), $1,000; Tx. Educators PAC Jim McWilliams, D-Henderson PAC (D); Royce E. Wisenbaker (A), $1,000; Bankers Legislative District 9 (Tyler); PAC of Independent League of Tx. (A), $1,000. Chair of the Energy Insurance Agents (A); Bankers Contributors of $500: PAC of Committee, which has jurisdiction Legislative League of Tx. (A); Wagner & Brown (Midland); Johnson Independent Insurance Agents (A); over the conservation of Texas' & Johnson (A); SPORT PAC (Gulf Tx. Real Estate PAC (A); Electo-PAC energy resources; the production, Coast Conservation Association, A); (Brown, Maroney, Rose, Barber & regulation, transportation, and Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld Dye, A); Independent Bankers of Tx. development of oil, gas, and other Tx. Civic Action Cmte. (A); Tx. PAC (A); Transportation Political energy resources; mining; pipelines; Education League (Cleveland, Ohio) and several state agencies, including Educators PAC (A); Tenneco Employees Good Govt. Fund (H); Jim Automobile Dealers PAC (A); the Railroad Commission. TRANSPAC (A); Tx. Bell Employee McWilliams raised a total of $92,211 ' Mattox (A); Tx. Towing and Storage Assn. PAC (A); Lawrence J. Melody PAC (D); Communi-cations Workers in 1988. He defeated D. Bennett in (H); Tx. Dentists PAC (A); Automobile of America / COPE-PCC the Democratic primary and was (Washington, D.C.); Hughes & Luce unopposed in the general election. Dealers PAC (A). Cmte. (D); Tx. Architects Cmte. (A); Contributors of over $1.000: Tx. Calame, Linebarger, & Graham (A); Association of Public Accountants First City (H); Tx. Good Government PAC (Lampasas), $2,000; Jones,

What is the Public Policy Information Fund?

The Public Policy Information Fund's purpose is to provide Texans facts about Congress and the Texas Legislature. PPIF is a non-profit, non-partisan research and education organization. It has no affiliation with the Texas Observer.

Board of Directors

Chairman: John Gronouski, Dean Emeritus of the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs

Secretary - Treasurer: Tyrus Fain, the Gerard Companies, Austin Dee Simpson, Texas Political Director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Frank Smith, Attorney, Boston Carol Barger, Attorney, Dallas Andrew Hernandez, President, Southwest Voter Reseach Institute, San Antonio

Staff and Consultants Tyrus Fain, Managing Director Sarah Searcy, Profiles Editor Kate Fain, Public Record Research Company, Consultant Rebecca Lightsey, Lightsey and Knisely, Consultant

A Public Service Report from the Public Policy Information Fund

10 • AUGUST 18, 1989 POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE

vi DUNCANVILLE Senator Chet Ed- ards might need to update the editorial been talking of a White comeback, with wards didn't score the knockout punch, but blurbs on her mailbuts. An "About Ann White advising Democratic funders not to he so persistently jabbed at Comptroller Bob Richards" page that was mailed to voters commit to either Jim Mattox or Ann Bullock during the state AFL-CIO conven- across the state in late July included Richards. tion that several disinterested political supportive editorial comments from Texas Now, according to the Houston Post, consultants at the event declared him the Business Magazine and Third Coast, both White has met with advisers and has moved winner on points. periodicals that no longer exist. Quotes from closer to making a decision. But a poll of Edwards seemed to have been more of the living, however, prevailed with support- former high-level White backers by Post a presence than Attorney General Jim ing lines from two Cox-owned dailies and Austin Bureau Chief Ken Herman finds little Mattox, who usually opens and closes the Sam Kinch's Texas Weekly. support for another White race. Most who door on any political gathering of more than Herman talked to are now urging White to ten. While supporters of Bullock, Edwards's V' NO ONE has ever accused Attorney stay out of the race. Raising money, at this opponent in the Democratic primary fight General Jim Mattox of being easy on his date, will prove difficult since Mattox and for the lieutenant governor nomination, opponents in political campaigns. But even Richards have been working traditional handed out bumper stickers and stick-on the more hardbitten members of the capitol Democratic givers for more than a year lapel tags at the door, Edwards himself press corps were surprised by Mattox's already. greeted most of the delegates as they entered claim that he eliminated his opposition from The Post story, however, suggests that and departed Austin's Palmer Auditorium. the race for the Democratic nomination for White remains in touch with the kind of Edwards, who is running behind Bullock governor — and his promise that his current people who can help him raise big money. in endorsements, money, and name recogni- opponent could expect the same treatment. Using the sort of journalistic stakeout that tion will nonetheless appeal to many voters That Mattox's approach is individual and knocked Gary Hart out of the Democratic as the sort of wise-choice candidate that completely adversarial was evident in his primary two years ago, Post reporters Republicans are successfully running against speech at the AFL-CIO convention: "I'm determined that when White called his Democrats across the country. He's 37, an not starting out new in this race. I've been advisers together to discuss his political MBA from Harvard, telegenic, articulate, working at it for four years," Mattox said. future, they arrived at his Houston home and smart. Bullock, who many claim had "I got Bill Hobby out of the race. Then driving three Mercedeses, two BMW's, and the nomination wrapped up when he I got Henry Cisneros out of the race. Now a Jaguar. As the Ag Commissioner often announced with more than half the Senate I've got one or two more to get out of this says: "Honk if that's you." standing behind him, doesn't fare so well race before I take the Democratic nomina- under the camera's glare and avoids the sort tion. But it's going to happen. " //1 WHITE might have been buoyed by of gladhanding that Edwards is using in an Reaction to Mattox's claim was prompt. a press release issued by a House faction effort to catch up. Hobby aide Saralee Tiede told the press on of conservative Democrats unhappy that the the following day that Mattox's statement Democratic gubernatorial race was domi- //1 SOME ARE ASKING if the was "totally absurd." And in Corpus nated by progressives Mattox and Richards. Duncanville Senator didn't engage in a little Christi, Ruben Bonilla, general counsel for But these guys don't exactly get the prize punching below the belt by plastering the the League of United Latin American for political vision. One candidate that some labor convention hall with handbills promis- Citizens, suggested to San Antonio Express- of them were advancing was Beaumont Rep. ing a $100 reward "To the first AFL-CIO News reporter Bruce Davidson that Mark Stiles — not exactly the best and the member who can find an explanation of why "Cisneros supporters will look for reasons brightest of the House. Nor is Stiles exactly Bob Bullock: not to support Mattox." San Antonio city a household name. • "Did not help Labor on workers' comp Councilwoman Maria Berriozabal told the during the 140-day regular session of the Express-News "I doubt it would get him // IT SEEMS that they are only a phone Legislature [Mattox] any votes." call away from their reporters, but on a day • "Did not attend Labor's workers' comp that Houston Post editorial writers were rally at the Capitol in May, 1989 g/ HOBBY, meanwhile, is out on the going after Attorney General Mattox for an • "Did not even mention workers' comp fundraising circuit. Not for a race of his amicus brief his office filed in a prison suit, in his July 26, 1989 speech at the AFL- own but for San Antonio Senator Cyndi their local and state page included a story CIO convention" Taylor Krier. Krier, a Republican, last year about the Governor's having signed off on The handbill concluded with an Edwards defeated Democrat Nef Garcia and Hobby the brief. quote (from the capitol labor rally) about created a controversy by supporting incum- So while the Post editors, quoting workers' comp reform "not resting on the bent Republican Krier over Democratic Republican Harris County District Attorney backs of injured workers." It was one of challenger Garcia. Krier's fundraiser was Johnny Holmes, took Mattox to task for several attack flyers circulated by Edwards. scheduled to help her defer campaign debts comments about Houston's poor use of from her race against Garcia. Garcia was existing jail beds, they also carried a story //I EDWARDS had to score his points supported by San Antonio Congressman revealing that Republican Governor Bill where he could get them, however. At the Henry B. Gonzalez, who was said to be Clements had no reservations about the same labor convention he was told that he could furious with Hobby's backing Krier against amicus brief when it was filed. Mattox, a not address the convened delegates because a progressive Democratic candidate in a Clements staffer quoted in the news story he is not a statewide elected official or a general election. said, was doing exactly what an attorney U.S. Congressman. An exception was made general had to do to defend the state. for Port Arthur Senator Carl Parker, frst "DON'T DO IT, Mark," was the however, who was permitted to address the consensus of friends of former Governor // REPUBLICAN gubernatorial pri- convention. Mark White when White asked if he should mary candidate Jack Rains wasted no time enter the democratic race for Governor. For in jumping into the fight. The Rains for // STATE TREASURER Ann Rich- months, political insiders in Austin have Governor committee cranked out three quick

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 11 •

press releases attacking Mattox on the jail of state have identified Mattox as the the front-runner, since Lucio threatens to issue. Democratic frontrunner. split the vote in Cameron County, where According to Rains, Mattox capitulated Uribe's law practice is located. Moreno, to Federal Judge William Wayne Justice V BROWNSVILLE Rep. Eddie who practices law in Hidalgo County, is (actually, Mattox complied with a court Lucio has become the second Democrat to expected to run stronger there. In the order handed down by Judge Justice). Rains announce his intention to challenge legislature, Lucio has been a workaday sort charged that Mattox's "1985 capitulation" Brownsville Senator Hector Uribe. Uribe, of Representative who hasn't particularly resulted in the release of 6,100 hard-core already gearing up for a race with Edinburg distinguished himself in the two terms that criminals "onto our street." Rains's early Rep. Alex Moreno, now finds himself in he has held office. attack on Mattox suggests that advisers of a three-person race. Lucio complicates the Demographics and candidates not the recently resigned Republican secretary race for Uribe, who has to be considered withstanding, Sen. Uribe is going to be Comanche Peak Update BY JIM LACY

JULY 10 report prepared by the A Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) includes information about new problems with the Texas Utilities (TU) nuclear power facility at Comanche Peak, near Glen Rose, according to anti- nuclear activists. The report was ob- tained by Betty Brink of Citizens for Fair Utility Regulation (CFUR). On April 23 (TO, 6/30/89), during a Texas Utilities test of its own systems, Borg-Warner check valves released 9,000 gallons of scalding water from the plant's steam generator into pipes not designed to contain the pressurized steam. This incident, which Texas Utilities neglected to report to the NRC until the middle of May, lasted about 15 minutes, according to reports the utility MARSHALL SURRATT finally submitted. The NRC report of Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant July 10, though, reports an accident caused by the same Borg-Warner valves on to its consumers until the North Texas granted, TU Electric can begin to pass (on May 5) which lasted two hours before plant receives an operating license. In on to the ratepayers part of the cost of it was brought under control. Texas order to get this license, TU has gone construction and all of the cost of Utilities has not yet confirmed this to extraordinary lengths, like last year's operation and maintenance. Brink be- incident. In addition to these accidents, out-of-court $10 million settlement with lieves the utility will then write off final the NRC report details other problems certain intervenors and whistleblowers. construction costs as "operation and with these check valves going back to As North Texas writer Marshall Surratt maintenance." To the ratepayer this will 1985, including two incidents in April pointed out in a previous Observer mean, Brink said, a 50 percent increase of this year. article, the settlement made it nearly in electrical rates. The Public Utility The NRC report concluded that the impossible for other groups, such as Commission is responsible for deciding failure of these valves in the case of a CFUR, to gain intervenor status to how much of the construction cost can nuclear accident, "could have resulted oppose the startup of the plant. Accord- go into the rate base, and a pro-utility in the release of radioactive steam to the ing to Surratt, the settlement thus cleared PUC can be expected to rule on behalf atmosphere." Texas Utilities' manage- the way for NRC licensing proceedings. of Texas Utilities. The election of either ment response, according to the NRC, Texas Utilities also bought out the Attorney General Jim Mattox or State "did not reflect the style of proactive minority partners in the Comanche Peak Treasurer Ann Richards for Governor operations management philosophy nor- plant shortly before the trial of a could soften the blow as both of them mally associated with safe reactor plant lawsuit between Texas Utilities and the could be expected to appoint consumer operation." Lon Burnam of CFUR minority shareholders. Betty Brink of voices to the PUC, said Brink. described the management as "piss- CFUR speculated that this move was CFUR representatives Brink and poor." calculated to keep information on the Burnam both said they are frustrated and The problems with Comanche Peak plant's flaws out of the public arena. not optimistic about changes at the plant. concern not only safety, however, they Now, with intervenors and minority "Unless we [CFUR1 succeed in our fight also concern money. Texas Utilities shareholders out of the way, the Coman- to intervene, the plant is likely to be cannot pass the cost of construction (TU che Peak plant is on the "fast track" to licensed to operate by this fall — the plant conservatively claims $9.1 billion so far) NRC approval, said Brink. On October in the northern half of the state is 2, the first fuel is expected to be loaded. probably the most poorly constructed in A license for low-power operation is the country, and least monitored," Jim Lacy is an Obseiver editorial intern. expected to follow. Once this license is Burnam said. ❑

1.2 • AUGUST 18, 1989 almost impossible to defeat. Kika de la Garza, Martin Frost, Henry ries on behalf of farmworkers, police Gonzalez, Mickey Leland, Jake Pickle, and brutality victims, and Ms. Petty. I IT'S ALL BUT official that Harris Charles Wilson. County Treasurer Nikki Van Hightower is Texas Democrats voting to impose abor- V AG COMMISSIONER Jim High- a candidate for State Treasurer. Van tion restrictions were Ralph Hall, Greg tower has already defeated two Republican Hightower cannot announce her candidacy Laughlin, Marvin Leath, Solomon Ortiz, "chicken men" with ties to the poultry until January, unless she resigns her present Bill Sarpalius, and Charles Stenholm. industry. Now Brownfield agri-businessman post, but sources close to Van Hightower All Texas Republicans in the House voted Gene Duke makes his debut in statewide say that she will enter the race. Houston for the restrictions. They are Bill Archer, politics by announcing that he is running for stockbroker and Democratic Party activist Dick Armey, Steve Bartlett, Joe Barton, commissioner of agriculture. Duke is the Karen Friend has already announced her Larry Combpst, Tom DeLay, and Lamar first Republican to oficially announce for intention to run for the position to be vacated Smith. the post held by the populist Democrat by Ann Richards. But most now see the race seeking his third term. as a contest between two yet unannounced V DALLAS CONGRESSMAN While Duke claims to "have no beef" candidates: Van Hightower and party John Bryant, a candidate for Texas Attorney with Hightower, he contends that his own activist and lawyer Steve Gutow of Dallas. General, was chosen some time back for background in feed milling, consulting, and the thankless task of prosecuting in the U.S. marketing provides the professional experi- g/f LUFKIN Congressman Charlie Wil- Senate, on behalf of the U.S. House, the ence in agriculture that Hightower lacks. son continues to set fundraising records. impeachment of Federal Judge Alcee L. Former Dallas Cowboy running back (and According to the public interest group Hastings in an attempt to remove Hastings smokeless tobacco promoter) Walt Garrison Common Cause, Wilson, who sits on the from the bench. Hastings was cleared of was rumored to be approached by Republi- defense appropriations subcommittee, holds bribery charges in a trial which gave rise can recruiters looking for a candidate to field the daily record for honoraria income. On to the 413-3 House vote to impeach. Some against Hightower, and Bill Powers, the February 1, Common Cause claims, Wilson civil rights figures — Louis Farrakhan, Roy poultry lobbyist that Hightower dubbed was paid $11,000 by six defense contrac- Innis, and Al Sharpton — have defended Chicken Man II, is also said to be gearing tors, including General Dynamics, LTV, Hastings by alleging that he is being up for another race for the Republican McDonnell Douglas Helicopter, and persecuted because he is black. nomination. With that many candidates in Northrop. Later in the month Wilson Rhetorically, Bryant asked the Washington a Republican primary, the race could be collected $7,000 more from four other Post, "What if you have a judge who foul. defense contractors while others in the commits perjury and who subverts the industry paid for his transportation, hotels, judicial process to obtain an acquittal and V DON'T LOOK for consumer and travels for eight days. the evidence is plain that he did that?" The advocacy at the top of the agenda of the Senate will probably vote on the Hastings nine-member panel assembled by Governor V NATIONAL WOMEN'S Politi- impeachment after the summer recess. Bill Clements, House Speaker Gib Lewis, cal Caucus President, Irene Natividad was and Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby to quoted in the August 5 Washington Post as explore restructuring of the beleaguered stating in St. Paul Minn. that the caucus three-member Public Utility Commission. will concentrate on defeating anti-abortion The panel is directed by former PUCer legislative candidates in ten states, Texas Moak Rollins, who currently works as a not among them. The caucus will focus on utility consultant. gubernatorial contests in four states, Califor- Three other panel members, Sugar Land nia, Texas, Massachusetts, and Iowa, where Rep. Jim Tallas, Hale Center Rep. Pete women who favor abortion rights are Laney, and Lubbock Democratic Senator candidates for governor. John Montford all generally vote the utility line. And Sweetwater Democratic Senator V OREGON Democrat Les AuCoin Temple Dickson's law firm has a friendly described a recent House vote as the relationship with utility interests. Listed beginning of a new political era. "You will among the clients of Moore, Dickson, now be held accountable in ways you've Roberts & Ratliff, in the firm's Texas Legal never been held accountable before," Directory ad, are Texas Utilities and Union AuCoin said, urging House members to vote Pacific Railway. All three Senators serving against an anemdment to bar the District on the panel, Montford, Dickson, and Kent of Columbia from using public funds for Caperton voted to confirm Clement's abortions. The no-funding provision, which appointments Marta Greytok and Bill Casin did not even include the standard exception as PUC commissioners — despite strong to permit abortion in if woman's life were protests by consumer activists who opposed in danger, failed 222-186 after several days JEFF RUOFF both appointments. of intensive lobbying. Ag Commissioner Jim Hightower The Aug. 2 defeat of the anti-abortion V AMES, IOWA just could be the measure was the first Congressional vote fro" JIM HARRINGTON, the Texas place where Senator on abortion since the Supreme Court handed Civil Liberties Union attorney who, along unofficially kicks off his campaign for the down its decision in the Webster case. Had with Advocacy Inc. co-counsel Deborah 1992 Democratic Presidential nomination. the amendment passed, it would have Hiser won a $505,000 jury verdict last Bentsen is scheduled to speak at the Ames prohibited the expenditure of federal and spring on behalf of Opal Petty, who had Jefferson-Jackson Day celebration — an District of Colombia money on abortion or been wrongly confined in state mental event where many pre-candidates for the abortion-related services. institutions for 51 years, was named Trial Presidency have appeared in the past. Texans voting against imposing the Lawyer of the Year by Trial Lawyers for Democratic Chairman Ron Brown advanced restrictions were Democrats Mike Andrews, Public Justice. the Bentsen candidacy at the AFL-CIO Jack Brooks, John Bryant, Albert Busta- Harrington was recognized by the Wash- convention in Austin, saying that he hopes mante, Jim Chapman, Ronald Coleman, ington-based group for his litigation victo- that Bentsen will run in 1992. THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 13 NOTA BENE Developers' Paradise BY TOM McCLELLAN

HORTLY AFTER my parents and village and lands in a nest of gleaming high- were designed to prevent exactly this sort I moved to Port Isabel in the 1950s, rise hotels and condominiums; Doc of development, a dredge-and-fill operation S we learned that a former Baptist Hockaday and Burney Burnell are long that will wipe out the area's wetlands. Such preacher had written the town's memoir, since, as Preacher King would have inevita- lands are necessary to the survival of 90 filled with spicy anecdotes about prominent bly phrased it, "under the sod," and the percent of aquatic life species; wetlands also citizens. Mom bought a copy and we read Doctor's son, Don Hockaday, now serves serve as the last stage of sewage treatment it avidly. Dr. Hockaday (Chapter XIII) was as Educational Assistant for Pan American for coastal communities, breaking down the still delivering babies, though he had University's Coastal Studies Laboratory. offal from treatment plants and removing replaced Burney Burnell (Chapter VIII) as And is engaged in a long, grinding battle the toxins. The consequences of Playa Del mayor; and the red-haired baby who had with developers Porche Grady and the Playa Rio, then, would be fewer fish, mollusks, kicked up a fuss in Leonard King's Del Rio Group, who want . to do unto Boca and shrimp in local waters — and more congregation (Chapter XI) had grown into Chica as others have done unto South Padre poison. "The gamiest game fish in the seven the most sought-after girl in the fifth grade. Island. Another Miami Beach. seas," I am tempted to say, "when you can At that time the only signs of development The Boca Chica area between the south find them." were the excavated basement of what was jetty of the Brownsville/Port Isabel ship On their side, the developers have the lure to have been a resort hotel near the channel and the mouth of the Rio Grande of more money and jobs brought into the lighthouse downtown and a sandblasted, has been protected from development by its area, a particularly provocative "mating disused bath house on Padre Island, both inaccessibility: to get there from Port Isabel call," as Hockaday phrases it, because the relics of attempts to make the area into requires an end run around Port Browns- local economy has been badly hurt by "another Miami Beach" — prior to the '29 ville, about a 35-mile drive . . . but well devaluation of the peso, as well as by the stock market crash and the '33 hurricane. worth it, if you don't care for jams of snowballing S&L/Bank disaster. "I think But Preacher King was sanguine about the drunken college brats drumming the ground [the proposed development] is terrible," future: with their Jensens as they cruise P-100 Hockaday quoted one local businessman as looking for all that fun they're supposed to saying, "but it's good for my business to A causeway, which is now under considera- be having. support it." Promoters of an $8 billion tion, will someday span Laguna Madre, Application for the Playa Del Rio project project can, of course, outspend environ- connecting the waterfront of Port Isabel with began some time ago, back before its mentalists; they may not have reason on Padre Island. This will make Padre Island the primary lender, Rio Grande Savings and their side, but they have full-color glossies most famous beach in the world. Here is one Loan, went belly up and was put back on of their megabuck dreams. hundred miles or more of unbroken beachline its feet. Texas Monthly narrated the initial A few years ago Port Isabel High School composed of pure white sand, packed firm furor and hearings a year or few ago, but decided to hold a summer reunion for all and hard by the Gulf of Mexico's laughing the process drones on. When I talked to Don graduating classes (the town is small, and waves .. . Hockaday in March, he estimated that the few or none were showing up at homecom- The not too distant future will see a great Corps of Engineers would be delivered of ings). It was amusing to return and watch summer resort spring up on Padre Island its initial Environmental Impact Statement the tourists, intent as always on losing their within sight of Port Isabel. Here, in this sometime within the next six months, and mildest climate in the United States, the nation inhibitions along with their money; it was will come to play . . . and to angle for the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife people had yet good to hear that both sons of the butcher gamest game fish that swim the seven seas. to state their opinion on endangered species. who used to work at Fritz's grocery were The Texas Water Quality Board and the Fish doing well as a result of tourism, too. But and Game Commission must also submit it was very good indeed to get away to Boca The driving of the first piling for the statements, and the Corps of Engineers' Chica, away from the people who had fled causeway was a major event; almost as environmental impact study will be followed city life in order to conglomerate into many town folk attended it as usually by another public hearing and another something far more crowded and violent and attended the midsummer blessing of the impact study, and eventually a final yes or ugly. shrimp boats — that is to say, nearly no to the developers. The permit application I remember a shrimper talking to my dad, everybody — though the words of the process, my fellow PIHS grad informed me, a science teacher then at the local high speeches were lost in the winds of a norther, will take about seven years all told — then school: "Shrimper, he don't care about and there was something dismal in the be followed by a lawsuit regardless of the `balance of nature.' All he care about is, jarring clanks of the pile-driver pounding outcome: If the applicant loses, the applicant every shrimp he see, he sees a dime." beam into mud. will sue; if the applicant wins, the Sierra Developer, he don't care about environmen- Today, the causeway completed in 1954 Club will sue. tal impact — though he is forced by law is "the old causeway," used as a fishing into a pretense of caring; nor does he care pier; a four-lane concrete span now takes ON HOCKADAY has had his say whether his trade at last resembles the off from what was once a sleepy fishing in a formal analysis of the region's sculpture atop a tourist junk shop: a D plant and animal life and the shocking pink 17-foot tall octopus molded development's potential effects on them, 40 of plastic with a cerulean bikini to cover Tom McClellan is a regular contributor to pages which he distilled for me as follows: six-foot sagging teats, and with a white, the Observer. He lives in Dallas. the 1972 provisions of the Clean Water Act blank grin of a horror. ❑ 14 • AUGUST 18, 1989 THE ALL-PURPOSE Observer

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THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 15 BOOKS & THE CULTURE Bright Lights, Big City "I Am Annie Mae" Plays Houston

BY ROSALIND ALEXANDER

N SOUTH OAK CLIFF, neighbors ND ANNIE MAE HUNT believes crowd onto their porches to savor that the combined power of iron I every inch of shade in the early evening A will, word, and music can heat. Annie Mae Hunt arrives, walks with "change things, change people, help 'em uncooperative legs from the curb, waves her relate." She recalls Brenda Simmons, the daughter-in-law on from inside her own bar- Annie Mae of the Stages production of "I enclosed porch, and holds the gate wide for Am Annie Mae" in Houston. Upon me to enter. Her living room is freshly observing the nonchalance of two female painted peacock blue. critics at the front table seats of the Stages' She is recovering from a recent fall she cabaret theatre, Simmons told the rest of blames on her advancing age — she is 80 the cast, " 'I got to move those women.' — but Annie Mae still plans to go to Las And she got to singin"I lost my baby and Vegas. It's a trip she takes seven or eight my Mama too, and I even lost my man, times a year. "Gamblers have always felt and all I got is my name,' and the two good," she tells me, settling into the sofa, women were crying. Now see, that was a a fan oscillating before us. She doesn't song those women could relate to. It wasn't bother to mention she's been gambling most just my _song no more," Hunt said, of her life in one way or another, but mainly Although Annie Mae said she is pleased in Texas rather than Las Vegas. That Hunt with both Winegarten's and Carrier's has "guts, gumption, and go-head" is treatments of her story, she admits a little common-sense fact if you know anything sadness that certain facts and episodes were about her name or the songs written and not included. "I could add plenty that's sung about her. WALTER GRIFFIN happened since the book. I could add plenty Annie Mae McDade Prosper Hunt's life Annie Mae Hunt in between. We didn't get to mention me is the subject of an oral history collected owning a cleaning and pressing shop, and and published by Austin historian Ruthe which Winegarten read from I Am Annie I had a cafe called Annie's Place in North Winegarten in I am Annie Mae (Rosegarden Mae. Carrier — who had been writing songs Dallas. I took sick and had to sell it. But Press, 1983). A musical of the same title, for years as she traveled with her husband, I been here in Dallas 72 years, and if I'd composed of some twenty-odd gospel, bop, B.B. King's keyboardist Eugene Carrier — a known this was going to be a book and and rhythm-and-blues pieces, was later was determined to get Annie Mae's story a play I'd've put all my businesses and their written by Houstonian Naomi Carrier and before a broader audience. Carrier's musi- addresses in it." produced by Austin's Women and Their cal, and the book on which it is founded, And "A Man Ain't Gon' Have No Work in 1987. As what must be the only is based on experiences and remembrances Baby," which Annie Mae describes as her published personal history of a black Texas that span 120 years following Reconstruc- favorite song, was not performed in the domestic, small businesswoman, and grass tion. Sharecropping, plantation weddings, Stages run in July. Annie Mae said that the roots political activist, Hunt's story has been lynchings, beatings, black midwifery, dead- audiences' response to the spoken line that read, enjoyed, and admired by scholars, end domestic work for affluent white Texans replaced the song is a good indicator of the feminists, and politicians. in the 1930s and '40s, the freedom and woes song's impact. Her reasoning, as always, "I met Ruthe through another lady of selling Avon cosmetics and sewing bites cleanly into the issue of women's right coming from Waco to a Democratic meet- clothes for a living, as well as the traumas to choose what happens to their bodies. ing," Annie Mae recalls. "Some of them of marriage, divorce, and single-parent child Segments of the Winegarten book are had wrote a book and it was so hard to get rearing are all addressed with a common- entitled "Oh, mama don't tell nobody that!" it published. Cost so much. And I said, 'I place candor so intimate that some wonder (which deals with menstruation and good wrote a book once.' We rode a few miles why this one woman's life was deemed grooming habits of rural women before the more, and one lady said to me, 'Where that special enough to put on stage. These are mass marketing of sanitary napkins and book at now Annie Mae?' I said, 'I got it the triumphs and tragedies of many black tampons); "Black people didn't know a in a box somewhere.' She said, 'I know Texas maids. Why portray the real-life thing about a diaphragm;" "I had my first somebody who can help you with that book.' experiences of one woman when a compos- baby at 15 and my last at 45;" "They called And that's how I met Ruthie; that woman ite, anonymous character could convey it throwing away babies" (in which she sent her to me." similar, less discomfiting pictures? remembers the deaths of many black women Naomi Carrier met Winegarten at a Carrier explains the play's appeal and who drank laundry bleach and castor oil in university women's conference during importance: "It has something to do with attempts to end unwanted pregnancies); the work ethic — with humanity. Annie Mae "The doctors said I wasn't pregnant;" and Rosalind Alexander is a freelance writer is an ordinary person with heroic appeal finally, "A man ain't going to have no living in Austin. because she's a survivor." baby."

16 • AUGUST 18, 1989 Much of Annie Mae's message is about ARRIER SAYS that the musical is men as they grow older," Carrier said. She the difficulty and trauma associated with "still a work in progress." As it will probably explore those attitudes in unplanned pregnancy, child care, and single C progresses, she would like it to relate future productions of "I am Annie Mae." parenthood: "I was born into a family that how many blacks — like Annie Mae's Reenactments of the pivotal events in her owned their own farmland. And my grand- grandparents — became landowners as a own life are pure emotional dreams for the father wanted me to be a nurse. I seen a result of a master or his son raping slave octogenarian. "When I'm near this play, man I wanted when I was 15, and now I women, then providing them parcels of land I'm on cloud nine," she confides. "When don't have neither one of 'em, the education to support their illegitimate children. And, I get home, I can't, hardly get off of it. I or the man. All I got is a bunch of children. in part because black female writers are dream about it. I wake up clapping my hands Now I love 'em, don't get me wrong, one criticized for insensitivity to the black male sometimes, wake up laughing, wake up of the best things a woman can be is a experience in America, Carrier would like crying sometimes. When I seen those mother. But when the actress sings, 'I ain't to further emphasize Annie Mae's positive children sleeping on the porch, waiting just got nothing but my name,' sometimes I don't relationship with her last husband. "I think like mine used to, it was so real I just had know if I've got even that.' " women develop different attitudes toward to cry, cause that's the way it was, and it's A Playwrights' Forum Houston read and critiqued during the festival. lyricist Naomi Carrier agrees. "I think ACH YEAR SINCE 1982 Art This year's lineup proved as potent and Texas is much more visible now. People E Swindley and company, of Stages close to the blade as any new plays could are beginning to recognize that there are Repertory Theatre, have raised the hope to be. "Sweetwater," a comedy by serious artists here. I don't care where standards of Houston's theatrical scene Gene Fowler, explores the absurdities of you live in the universe you have to with a weekend Texas Playwrights a Texas town which sponsors an annual exploit opportunities, and Stages didn't Festival. This year Stages chose as its rattlesnake roundup, and the town's produce our play because we were black festival centerpiece, "I am Annie Mae," conflict with the environmentalists who or women. They liked it because it's a by Ruthe Winegarten and Naomi Carrier. try to stop the annual affair. The play's good play. Some of the strongest voices in Texas emphasis on familial relationships adds Swindley offered his observations on helped make a hit of the work best metaphorical venom to the plot. Christo- the same theme: "I feel that minority described as a down-home dramatic pher Wood's "Fire" slowly removes voices are imbued with such a sense of musical spiced with the lively mother- layers of gauze bandages from three lives passion, the conflicts are so intense, that wit of a black Texas domestic, single scarred by domestic fires of lust and they make good theatre. I don't chose mother, small businesswoman, and rage. And "Dante Under the River a minority play simply because it's grassroots politico. Palm," written by Stages Associate involves Blacks, Hispanics, women, or Stages also featured two productions Artistic Director Joe Turner Cantu, is gays. My first criteria is quality. Is it from its own repertoire: "I Married an a poignant story of a Mexican-American well-written? Well-crafted and artistic? Ignoramus" by Suzanne Chesshire (the family from the Rio Grande Valley. Just as in a tapestry you want to weave title of the featured vignette from the Unrevealed and unaccepted homosexu- different colors, a season shouldn't just collaborative "Other Short Portraits by ality, child abuse, alcoholism, machismo, be looking at one blond weave." Texas Writers"), and "One Woman .. . and unplanned pregnancy complicate As Artistic Director of Stages, Ted A Million Laughs," a peculiarly 1980s the characters' lives in a play that dis- Swindley read and considered a hundred collection of comedy, drama, and song courages rather than reinforces scripts for the festival this year. "What's written and by Stages' resident stereotypes. the point of simply re-creating Broadway comedienne Marianne Pendino. Each play was blocked by a director hits?" Swindley asked. "Our philosophy "Portraits" is loosely strung together by and read by actors who held scripts in is that in four full productions and a ditsy but diligent bride-to-be who hand, but were nonetheless familiar with workshops, it's not important that every- introduces each of ten women's portraits the works. A comment period, advanced thing in the festival be a great success with a different wedding dress from K- along by veteran Texas playwright Jack for you to come up with some idea of Mart, a shower gift from the woman to Heifner, critic and Backstage columnist what the theatre is attempting to do," be portrayed, and a top-40 song. Particu- Francesca Primus, and artistic director he said. "Since a first reading is an larly memorable portraits are "Cudzoo" of Dallas's Moving Target Regional excellent time to share impressions, it's by Jo Carol Pierce, in which a Texas Theatre, Mark Torres, followed the also a natural time to bring people from activist explains her planting of killer readings. outside to offer their perspectives." plants from Georgia as a form of protest Like the featured production, "I am As a result of Stages' commitment, against a law prohibiting more than one Annie Mae," which Swindley saw at new plays originally read at the festival garage sale to a block; and "Speak Your a 1987 Austin performance, scripts for have been published or produced. The Mind," Suzanne Chesshire's story of a the festival are solicited. And though list of writers who have been helped by pregnant woman who made love to a there is no requirement that plays be the festival continues to grow. And the transvestite who sees visions angels in set in Texas, or adhere to traditional festival has earned a national reputation the field. Texas themes, the festival has become as similar festivals are being considered Despite the success of these polished a celebration of indigenous talent. in other U.S. cities. Because artistic dramatic productions, the soul of the Swindley perceives the festival as a way directors and producers are constantly Texas Playwrights Festival continues to to "say something about Texas and the looking for "new product," Swindley be readings of new, previously unpro- uniqueness of Texas talent. "It's has no doubts that the Texas Playwrights duced plays. In past years new works become" he said, "a forum for the Festival will continue to grow and attract by authors like Horton Foote, Rosellen development of Texas writers." more writers to the state. Brown, and Raymond Carver have been "I am Annie Mae" composer and —R.A.

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 17

,14,-••56.1.,"1 sad to think that actually happened. I don't hold nothing in me. "And then there are times I just laugh. I don't understand how they [director Paul Randolph-Johnson and South African actress A Journey Janet Maimane] did it without asking me. But my friend Velma? In the play? Now that's Velma to a "T". Velma would come out — she always used the word "bitchy" Without Maps — look at me and say "I'm gon' look real bitchy in this dress." In the play she's switching in this red dress and acting just BY BRYCE MILLIGAN like Velma! And that white lady [who plays one of Annie Mae's affluent employers], if THE LIFE OF GRAHAM GREENE 40 years earlier. she ain't Mrs. Norrell. She'd tell me, 'Annie VOLUME I: 1904-1939 But before Sherry took up Greene's trail Mae, I want you to do soandsoandsoandso.' By Norman Sherry around the globe, he first examined the heart Sometimes she'd say the same thing four Viking, 1989 of the matter — Greene's troubled childhood or five times. At one time she had a rock 783 pages, $29.95 and adolescence. The accumulation of porch with all this good looking stuff on details is astonishing, their significance to it she'd brought from England. She said, RITISH NOVELIST Graham Greene's fiction no less so. Take for `Annie Mae be very careful with this, 'cause Greene once said that a good writer instance the time Greene's sister's dog was I don't want nothing to happen to it.' When B needed to have a "chip of ice" in run over by a carriage. Greene's nanny she came to tell me the same thing over, his heart. Greene's biographer, Norman found the dog and brought it home in the damned if she ain't dropped something Sherry, has extracted that crystal splinter pram — along with Greene. Months later, herself and broke it.' " — and a great deal more — for all the world the tot's first words were "poor dog." Annie Mae Hunt is pleased that her to examine. Truly a monument to the Sherry points out the scene in The children and Winegarten's children intend biographer's art, Sherry's The Life of Confidential Agent where the hero recalls to keep the book and the play alive. She Graham Greene is being hailed in British such a childhood face-to-face encounter with has willed all rights she retains to her reviews as the work of a new Boswell. a dead cat. "Knowledge of death came early grandson and her youngest daughter. She Currently the Mitchell Distinguished to Graham Greene," Sherry writes tersely. insists they won't ever let the story die. A Professor of English at Trinity University And we believe him. few even plan to write related works and in San Antonio, Sherry commented recently, Analyzing Greene's tormented will thus "keep it moving at all times." paraphrasing Boswell, that he had no desire schooldays at Berkhamsted School, Sherry Efforts are underway to get the play to "cut off Graham's claws, nor make a tracked down nearly 30 of Greene's produced by a Chicago regional theatre. cat of a tiger." In fact, the authorized schoolmates — the Old Boys. The And Naomi Carrier is determined that at biographer has taken great pains to show biographer reports that it took over three least one of her songs, "Comin' up from us all of Greene's foibles, their actual years to research the chapter on Texas," will be sung all the way to Broadway. origins and their repercussions in his fiction. Berkhamsted. The effort was well- One of the final songs in the play is "I'm Not that the work presents a negative picture warranted, because the picture of Greene Going Back to the Country." Because of of the writer; it presents an excessively as a child explains much. A terribly shy, its placement, the song seems to suggest that accurate picture. Few of us know as much sensitive boy who once wondered whether Annie Mae, Ruth, and Naomi believe that about our own lives as Norman Sherry tells daisies felt pain when he stepped on them, black people, as a community, need to us about the life of Graham Greene. he was horrified by the coarse behavior of understand their origins and look to them But Sherry has sought to chronicle more his Old Boy schoolmates. By his own for strength. Annie Mae says that is what than just the life• of a great writer. The first account, Greene attributed his interest in she believes: "Seem like people ought to volume of his biography is as insightful a espionage, and his fascination with the realize where they come from. Go back history of pre-World War II England as has theme of betrayal, to his days at sometimes, if ain't no more than in your ever been written. When complete, the two- Berkhamsted where he was persecuted by mind, and see where you come from and volume Life of Graham Greene will boys who tried to divide the loyalties of the what's happening there. Cause like they say constitute a single mind's comprehension of headmaster's son. in the play, people have everything there." most of the 20th century. Eventually Greene began experimenting "I like this instant coffee," Annie Mae Interestingly, Sherry came to the with suicide. His rather pathetic first says, steadily watching the street from her masterful grasp of his subject's life and attempts (drinking his hay-fever drops, for fully draped windows, "and I always heat thoughts not by interviewing Greene, though instance, or eating an entire tin of hair the water and don't think, just grab it up. some interviews did take place, but by pomade) were followed in later adolescence Then I drop it. So for the last six months retracing the author's very steps. This and even in his 20's by periodic rounds of or so I've been telling myself, 'Annie Mae process led Sherry to some harrowing Russian roulette. Given the number of times you must think before you grab anything, adventures. In Sierra Leone he came down he attempted it, Greene must be the luckiest you're gon' get in serious trouble.' " She with tropical diabetes which very nearly man alive. squints, "Now I got plenty guts still, but killed him. Shortly thereafter he was in a I ain't got much more good time here. And car accident which temporarily blinded him. HE IDEA of tempting fate is an I speak about it plainly and don't feel In neighboring Liberia, Sherry encountered informing aspect of Greene's nothing when I say that, cause it's true. It police officers who demanded bribes with T conversion from atheism to the finally gets you. Iron wears out. So bring a gun placed to his temple. In Chiapas, Catholic faith. While he found God and me a cheap pair of slippers to put on my Mexico, Sherry came down with dysentery Heaven dubious propositions at best, he feet sometimes. Bring me a flower to go while staying in the same boarding house found the notion of Hell to be "exciting." in my hair and tell me how pretty I'm where Greene had caught the disease some He became a Catholic initially to satisfy the looking. But I'm not gon' stop, 'cause I'm requirements of his fiancee, later espousing planning on it stoppin' me. I'm not gon' Bryce Milligan is a San Antonio writer and a rational acceptance of the tenets of rust out; I'm gon' wear out!" ❑ the editor of Vortex: A Critical Review. Catholicism. But Sherry sees through this 18 • AUGUST 18, 1989 as perhaps neither Greene nor his wife, mostly from his novels of the 1930s and Vivien, ever did. He was simply covering 40s, is that of the lone explorer in a sinister, his bets: the reality of the shell in the often seedy landscape populated by saints, chamber and the belief in Hell have some sinners, and those who would betray either fascinating parallel effects in his fiction. or both. Sherry repeatedly ferrets out the Sherry chronicles Greene's passionate models for these characters, but they are wooing of Vivien as he does everything else rarely so evil in life as they became in — with incredible detail. We now know, fiction. Greene's tormentor in school — the though, these are things we might not want original for so many cruel characters — to know: the lovers' pet names for each grew up to be an unpleasant man, but other, the kiss-codes on their love letters, nothing more, who had no idea that he had even the fact that Greene promised Vivien helped shape the thematic instincts of a great a celibate marriage. And we discover that novelist. In Mexico, Sherry found the man Greene's first three novels (one published, whom Greene used as the model for the two unpublished) were just as full of yellow-fanged Judas in The Power and the provincial thinking as his love letters were Glory. Never so evil as Greene painted him, full of mush. the old man is now toothless and half-mad, With the publication of Stamboul Train, a pathetic figure. however, something happened. His writing What is so fascinating here is not the became significantly more tough-minded, reality of the persons or situations Greene leaner, and darker. Sherry attributes these encountered, but the way in which he stylistic developments to Greene's stint as transmuted the common lead of human a sub-editor for the London Times and his BASSANO existence into the gold of great fiction. Most interest in film. There was also Greene's A younger Graham Greene literary biographers provide a glimpse of late-1920s political redirection to the Left. this process; Sherry puts it under the A card-carrying Communist for a few weeks whom he described as "poor and pinched microscope for us. That this is accomplished in 1925, Greene developed his own and noisy." Rather than blame his own class without tedium is a remarkable writing feat idiosyncratic vision of what constituted for the evils besetting the world, he tended in itself, but Sherry does more: he has made proper political involvement. Though he felt to find fault with "shopkeepers" and others the minutiae of Graham Greene's life a vivid a strong affection for the oppressed, there of the middle class. testament to life and letters in this century. was little actual affinity with the proletariat, The common image of Greene, stemming A Window Unit on The South

BY BILL ADLER was just beginning to change — air- ever compiled on the South. What other ENCYCLOPEDIA OF conditioning had arrived. By the Sixties, for volume ranges from Faulkner to Foxy SOUTHERN CULTURE the first time since the Civil War, more Brown, Dirt Eaters to Demagogues, Cheer- Edited by Charles Reagan Wilson people moved into the South than out. The leading to Chickasaws. Tired of alliteration? and William Ferris New York- Times deduced this was due in How about from W.J. to Johnny Cash; Chapel Hill: The University of North no small part to "the humble air-condi- Margaret Mitchell to Zora Neale Hurston; Carolina Press, 1989 tioner, [which] has been a powerful influ- John Marshall to Atticus Finch; debutantes 8 pounds, 1,634 pages, $49.95 until ence in circulating people as well as air in to cockfighting? This outsized, overwhelm- January 1, 1990; $59.95 thereafter this country." ing work takes to heart its epigraph, William That all this and plenty, more (In 1980 Faulkner's admonition in Absalom, ET US BEGIN by discussing the the cost of air-conditioning in Houston Absalom!: "Tell about the South. What's weather, for that has been the chief exceeded the gross national product of it like there. What do they do there. Why L agency in making the South distinc- several Third World nations) is jammed do they live there. Why do they live at all." tive." So opens Life and Labor in the Old gracefully into a single entry is testament The book's bite-sized working definition South, the influential 1929 study of the plan- to the monumental scope and depth of the of culture is borrowed from T. S. Eliot: "all tation economy by U.B. Phillips, the region's Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. But like the characteristic activities and interests of leading historian of the early twentieth the 1,200 other entries in the volume, this a people." There are 24 major sections — century. Phillips was an environmental piece is no mere compilation of fun facts. from Agriculture to Women's Life — each determinist; he gave the sultry southern What the region has gained in comfort, the of which begins with an overview written climate credit for everything from slavery article concludes, it has lost in sense of by a expert "consultant." The overview is to the drawl. place. Air-conditioning here is emblematic followed by alphabetized thematic articles By the time U.B. Phillips died in 1934, of what was and what is: a metaphorical and then by shorter biographical or topical the relationship between climate and culture window-unit on the South. sketches, all of which are helpfully cross- The Encyclopedia, ten years in the referenced. The book's editors, faculty Bill Adler is an Austin freelance writer. making, is surely the greatest reference book members of the Center for the Study of

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 19 Southern Culture at the University of are never out of shouting distance, there is unvarnished portrayal of black experience. Mississippi, write in the introduction that also to the volume a powerful sense of Sketches such as "Lynching" serve as a tour the volume was planned to "carry out Eliot's mission to treat as fully as possible the guide to hell; others as a vivid reminder belief that 'culture is not merely the sum impact of weightier matters — race, class, of the splendor and courage of the civil of several activities, but a way of life.' " gender, religion, urbanization, violence — rights movement (see Hamer, Fannie Lou). The Encyclopedia sticks to its plan with on the region's character. In the Geography The Encyclopedia manages to navigate an inviting blend of warmth and scholarship. section (which opens with a map of the cultural collision course between the The piece on the Sears catalog and what Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi!) the black and white South. It does so most it once meant to farmers — as literature and article on the Delta discloses that in 1967 skillfully in the arts. The neighboring as a glimpse of urban life, as well as for Senator James Eastland of Mississippi entries, for instance, for Black Gospel its merchandise — is particularly evocative. received $167,000 in federal subsidies for Music and White Gospel Music, or for black Of okra, the prickly pod that is most often his farmland. "The Delta's poor blacks were and white quilting, illustrate the points at fried, stewed, or pickled, the reader learns not nearly so fortunate, as a power structure which the cultures diverge and again at that Southerners have also employed this dominated by lavishly subsidized planters which they begin to merge. five-sided capsule with the gummy, declared war on the War on Poverty." There are a couple of bones to pick. mucilaginous juice to: staunch bleeding, The Encyclopedia's more than 100 pages Occasionally the writing lapses into jargon, clean metal, unstop drains, and increase the on Black Life is second in length only to as in this description of Houston: "A milk yield of cows. the section on History and Manners. But number of large economic and Though humor and a conversational tone more important than length is its honest and administrative activity centers give it a multicentered land-use pattern rather than the traditional central business district." In the six-paragraph entry for the Nashville Tennessean, I wondered about the need for these sentences: "John Seigenthaler The Texas Observer has edited the Tennessean since 1962 and is also president and publisher. In 1982 he assumed an additional role as first editorial director of USA Today, the nation's first national, daily, general-interest Don't Miss An Issue. newspaper." Tangential? Charitably, I wondered only until I arrived at the post- PLEASE SUBSCRIBE entry byline: John Seigenthaler. Chalk it up to the southern tradition of bragging or to an editorial blue-pencil dulled by the copy of 800 different writers. But this is the dust from an otherwise unfathomably rich gold mine. Then there are the nuggets culled from a couple hours of random digging: • Arkansas' blue law used to permit Sunday sales of film and flashbulbs, but not cameras. • The song "Dixie" was written by an Ohio native and first performed in 1859 on A timely print job means Broadway. • When Texas Governor Pat Neff visited nothing if it doesn't make it the blues legend Leadbelly in prison in the to the post office on time. Our 1920s, Leadbelly pleaded in song: "If I had you, Governor Neff, like you got me/I'd people do what it takes to make wake up in the mornin' , and I'd set you free." your deadline. We can do • Willie Morris's recipe for John Birch the whole job from computer mailing list Society Beans causes a violent internal reaction. production and printing to labeling and delivery. • A good old boy is a beer-swilling pickup-driver who puts his empties in a Call Futura at 389-1500. sack; a redneck tosses them out the window. Em•loyee Owned and Managed • Some Southerners who recall water- melon as a low-cost treat during the Thirties still refer to the mythically significant fruit as a "Depression ham." Sure I could go on, but I think I'll leave it at that. Besides, you ought to explore for COMMUNICATIONS, INC. yourself. Well, one more. In the interest AUSTIN, TEXAS of service journalism and with fall just 3019 Alvin DeVane, Suite 500 512 / 389-1500 around the corner, allow me to return to my favorite member of the mallow family Data Processing • Typesetting • Printing • Mailing for one further application: "Raw okra will also adhere to the nose and forehead for

a speedy Halloween mask." ❑

20 • AUGUST 18. 1989 SOCIAL CAUSE CALENDAR

BRAZILIAN JAZZ MUSIC Moratorium to stop the war in Vietnam. TANIA MARIA OBSERVANCES Call CAMILA at (512) 480-0502 for The Brazilian jazz pianist/vocalist Tania August 16, 1914 • 3,000 antiwar more information. Maria will perform at the Carver socialists demonstrate against World War Community Cultural Center Auditorium I in Buffalo, New York. NARAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY in San Antonio on August 19. Tickets August 20, 1619 • First black slaves land CELEBRATION for the performance are available by at Jamestown, Virginia. A "Call to Action" for the future of calling (512) 271-3151. August 21, 1831 • Nat Turner leads reproductive rights will be held October slave rebellion in Virginia. 13-15. The conference will be held by ROMEO AND JULIET August 23, 1933 • Vigilantes assault 300 the National Abortion Rights Action In this adaptation of Shakespeare's migrant workers in Yakima, Washing- League at the OMNI Shoreham Hotel in tragedy, both entangled lovers are ton. Washington D.C. The NARAL lobby women. VORTEX Repertory Company August 24, 1945 • Congress passes day will be Monday October 16. Call presents the show at MEXIC-ARTE, 419 Communist Control Act. (202) 371-0779 for more information. Congress in Austin at 8:00 August 24- August 25, 1967 • FBI Director J. Edgar 26, 31 and September 1,2,8,9. Hoover authorizes COINTELPRO activ- DEALING WITH Admission is $5 and reservations are ities against black nationalist groups. HARASSMENT suggested. Call (512) 327-6130 for more August 29, 1758 • First Indian reserva- A brown bag lunch discussion entitled information. tion established. "Organizing and Litigating Against Sexual Harassment on the Job" will be WAR IN EL SALVADOR conducted by attorney Lynn Rubinett at The Austin Coalition to stop the U.S. noon Wednesday August 30 at the Texas War in El Salvador is sponsoring a march at 11:00. The rally will be at the Capitol Law Center, 14th and Colorado, Austin. and rally on Saturday, August 26. The from 12:30 to 3:00. This is the 19th The sponsor is the National Lawyers march will begin at East 2nd and Comal anniversary of the National Chicano Guild.

VIC HINTERLANG Los Vasehos; Chalatenango, El Salvador

THE TEXAS OBSERVER • 21 AFTERWORD Editor's Notes

Editor's Note: Observer editor Dave Deni- of the central city, especially the part of • • • son has been awarded a Nieman Fellowship town just west of the Capitol where the to study at Harvard for the 1989-90 prominent citizens used to live. As I walk The excavation continues, revealing projects academic year. He is relinquishing the now, from south to north, I find that every unfinished, some probably for the best. Here editorship effective the next issue of the district brings back a new layer of memo- is a dusty copy of a paperback that Bantam magazine. Here are his parting thoughts. ries. It is as if there is something or someone Books, Inc. was kind enough to send us behind every live oak tree, waiting to jump (unsolicited), on the chance we might want HAVE PUT OFF many tasks in my out at me. to review it in our books section. It is five years at the Observer — I can put The course from the old 7th Street office Dwight Bohmbach's 1986 re-issue of What's I off tasks with the best of them — but to 16th Street is especially familiar, because Right With America. I always meant to take seldom has progress been so slow as with for a while I lived on 16th. Eventually our up this feelgood manifesto and give it the the project now at hand: cleaning out my house was sold and pressed into service as Observer once-over. The best I can do now desk. Or, to be more exact, cleaning out downtown office space. Not that this was is say that the chapter headings are quite my corner of the office — for my working exactly what the downtown needed. There enjoyable in themselves: "We're Getting materials have long since expanded beyond seem to be more FOR LEASE signs up now Fitter All the Time." "You've Never Had the boundaries of the desk top. than ever. (One particularly attractive Safer Driving." "Even Our Millionaires Strange to think that this much-varnished building on 9th Street posts a sign that says Are Egalitarian." "The American Family oak desk, which apparently has been with "Executive Officing." And for that sort of is Changing — For the Better." "Together the Observer from the first, is probably gerunding, I hope it goes vacant.) Not far Maybe We Can Turn Off Terrorists." And older than I am. You can look at photo- from here is what used to be the office of many, many more. graphs of Observer editors down through the Texas Humanist, now defunct. Around The charge could be made that I have the last three decades and see them in the corner, the former offices of Third Coast been too busy at the Observer with "what's partnership with this vintage desk. But magazine, now defunct. wrong" to get around to "what's right." unlike Vice-Presidents of the United States, As I walk farther north, I get into territory Yet that is not one of my regrets. I don't previous desk occupants here have not had that brings back an older set of memories. think good journalism comes out of a the sense of history to inscribe their names Up on Pearl Street, almost to 19th, is where feelgood approach. As Mencken once put in it. Nor have I. I'm no J. Danforth Quayle. I lived the first time I moved to Austin. it, our business is pathology, not therapeu- I've moved this behemoth twice; once This was in 1981, when the city was tics. This is why U:S.A. Today is not a real from our beloved office in the old house booming and I found a job in construction. newspaper. at 7th and Nueces to our quarters (less I can still remember how exotic this part My regrets, in fact, have to do with how beloved, as it turned out) in the fraternity- of town seemed when I first started taking much has slipped past us. This decade has sorority district near the UT campus, and walks here. Not far away are several been marked with such astounding 'corrup- from there to our current headquarters in mansions that I like to gawk at. I used to tion and stupidity that we have simply not the Masonic temple (York Rite) at the corner stop and study the way the live oak trees been able to keep up with it. For a while, of 7th and Lavaca. But moving it is not looked, lit up by spotlights at night, the we were seeing in the press descriptions of the same as cleaning it out. Both times I branches in twisted and determined "the largest investigation ever into white- was able to recreate my system of clutter contortions. collar crime" applied alternately to military almost as it was before the move. Though I didn't know it at the time, I contracting scandals and savings and loan Now I face the daunting task of sifting was living only two blocks away from the scandals. and winnowing through years' worth of wealthy Austin heiress who would later Have journalists yet done justice to the books, magazines, clippings, research re- make headlines for giving millions to help defense department scandal? Does the public ports, memorabilia, and general desk finance a war in Central America. But in understand the extent of the overcharging, detritus. What to save and file away? What 1981 the Reagan administration was just doublebilling, bid-rigging, insider informa- to leave behind? What to discard? There beginning to go to work on the Nicaragua tion, bribery and outright fraud that went are hundreds of decisions to be made — problem. It would be five years before I 'on in the years the Reagan administration hundreds per hour, it seems. would sit in the heiress's living room as funnelled so many billions of dollars to the The process is something like geological an Observer reporter and listen to her tell Pentagon? No, because that scandal was excavation. Each strata on my desk dates why freedom in the Western Hemisphere soon overtaken by tales of fraud, waste, and back to a certain time — usually a time when was in the hands of contra guerrillas down corruption in the savings and loan industry. everything came to a standstill, save for the on the Honduras-Nicaragua border. Now, as Congress decides to spend $166 all-absorbing business of getting the maga- Eight years ago this month I left Austin billion to clean up the S&L mess, that zine out. Every new level reveals once- for the first time, riding out of the state scandal is overtaken by revelations of fraud, promising ideas and projects, now fossil- on a bicycle, with a bedroll and two touring waste and corruption in the Reagan ized. bags on the back. I leave now with about administration's department of Housing and • • • as much money in my pockets as I had then. Urban Development. (I'm no George Bush.) I thought then, as And still there are mysteries about the One of my favorite pastimes since I came I think now, that I would like to find my financing of the war in Central America that to Austin has been to walk the sidestreets way back to Texas. George Bush has never had to explain. And 22 • AUGUST 18, 1989

Oliver North will not have to serve jail time various fund drives over the last decade. It's hard, in fact, to name all the people for breaking the laws of the land, because I would also like to acknowledge the role who deserve thanks for being part of this a judge felt that jail time would only harden of Bernard Rapoport. This is something often thankless effort. Becky Willard, our his convictions that what he did was right editors tend not to express while they are frighteningly competent typesetter, and — an attitude toward sentencing that would here, since Rapoport is, technically, an Layne Jackson, our layout artist extraordin- be especially interesting if applied to the advertiser in the magazine. I have had only aire, ought to get special citations for coping next generation of draft resisters in the next a few conversations with him while I've with our bizarre production schedules. U.S. war. been here, but I sense that he is an Chula Sims and now Elisa Lyles have I don't know, though. Maybe it's true uncommon man — one who truly believes contributed untold volunteer hours to keep- that I've never had safer driving. in freedom of expression. He has been, on ing our calendar listings. • • • at least one occasion and probably quite a I also want to express my thanks to the few more, steamed by what he read in the many freelance contributors who have But let me get to the acknowledgments Observer. He thought we were wrong to understood what we were trying to do with before I run out of column inches. There raise ethical questions about former House this magazine. I shouldn't single any out, are so many people to whom I feel indebted, Speaker Jim Wright. But when a friend of but I will. Alan Pogue is not only an and I would hate to see any names sliced his suggested that he pull back on his support exceptional photographer, but he has for 15 off by the paste-up knife in the interest of of the Observer, he laughed it off. He never years demonstrated an unfailing loyalty to space. (If anyone's name is missing, please thought that he owned us. It would seem the Observer. And I was always proud to assume that's what happened.) boorish of us not to admit that someone who have the intelligent and reflective writing My deepest gratitude is to Ronnie helps to pay the bills helps to create the of Michael King in the magazine; he is an Dugger, who hired me five years ago for freedom that the writers enjoy. editor's dream. who-knows-what reasons (I was not exactly We have been lucky over the last four And finally, the two people at the well-credentialed). As long as I've been here years to have someone of the caliber of Observer who were most important to me I've never felt like I was actually working Stefan Wanstrom working in the business on a day-to-day basis: my colleagues Geoff for Ronnie, or for a boss of any sort. That's office. Stefan performs a lot of the Rips and Lou Dubose. I've learned a lot one of the things that continues to make the unglamorous tasks at the magazine and from both of them, not just about politics Observer a rare experiment in American somehow manages to be unfailingly respect- but about how to get through a workday journalism. There are no authorities one ful to the many visitors and callers who with some amount of sanity and perspective. must go to in getting a story approved; there expect various services from our under- Somehow, after working in close quarters are no levels of editors that a story must staffed office. For a while last spring, we with these two, first Geoff and then Lou, go through to get printed; there are no also had Bill Simmons on board to help I have come out considering them to be business calculations or advertising organize our benefit dinner. It's hard to friends, which seems to me to be a happy pressures to take into account in deciding imagine how we would have managed bit of good fortune. Lou is staying on now whether to voice your honest views. The without him. as editor. I'm sure those who have been freedom is almost more than enough; there's Kate Fitzgerald, our former editorial reading the magazine are already impressed not much division of labor and no refuge assistant, has also been more important here with his work — with his graceful writing to take in group decisions. We write our than most people know. Before she moved and his careful investigations from around own editor's notes here. But I'm not on to work at the Ag Department, she was the state, such as the one last May on stock complaining. to us what Frances Barton was to earlier scandals and homestead battles in Cleburne I've only felt one sort of pressure from regimes: a source of good sense, good and Bosque County. Those who have net Dugger and that, really, was my own fault. humor, wisdom and stability. Dana Loy also him are probably even more impressed and Shortly after I got here, I spent a good deal brought a good deal of creativity and energy surely feel, as I do, that the Observer is of time reading the old Observers from the to our staff when she was on it in 1984 in good hands. 1950s. From then on, it was like he was and '85. —D.D. constantly looking over my shoulder. I felt burdened by the knowledge that I was never doing as much, nor doing journalism so well, as Dugger did in the first five years of this publication. To carry on the tradition he started is more than most of us are up to, but I am honored to have tried. And if Dugger is the reason the Observer is what it is, Cliff Olofson is the reason it continues. Cliff has given almost 30 years of his life to this enterprise. Editors and TEXAS IN

writers have come and gone and filled the (4.0SA ; TRANSLATION pages for certain periods of time. But Cliff ce" • has the real track record; he has kept us 0" Jeff Danziger's Aniended Map of afloat against unimaginable odds. Some of .41ER cof , •• 'IAN'', seNINAGE L Texas, a special 10" x 15" what he does comes naturally to him, due wks",c-' • s0A .1 HOW to his Midwestern frugality. But there is no NT Observer mini-poster is available pretending that he hasn't shouldered most e, for $5.00. To order, send . OF pplEQ- of the worry. His calculator is always on. your name, address and check to: In this past year, especially, Cliff has amazed the people who know him with his The Texas Observer strength and resilience. Poster Sales Which is not to say that Cliff's success 307 West 7th could have come without our benevolent III Austin, Texas 78701 community of readers, who have donated more than a quarter of a million dollars in

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SERVICES CLASSIFIED RATES: Minimum ten words. One time, 50c per word; three times, NOW . . . equality for your sisters, 45C per word; six times, 40c per word; 12 times, 35C per word; 25 times, 30c your mother, your daughters, yourself. DALLAS-AREA individuals, small busi- per word. Telephone and box numbers count as two words; abbreviations and zip To join: P.O. Box 1256, Austin, TX nesses, nonprofits — progressive, codes as one. Payment must accompany order for all classified ads. Deadline is 78767. $15 to $35. conscientious CPA seeks new ac- three weeks before cover date. Address orders and inquiries to Advertising Director, FIGHT POLLUTION. Get paid for it. counts. Harvey L. Davis, CPA, (214) The Texas Observer, 307 West 7th, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 477-0746. 821-1968. Clean Water Action. (512) 474-0605, Austin. $15 to ZMZ, P.O. Box 675, Devers, LOW-COST MICROCOMPUTER AS- ORGANIZATIONS SISTANCE. Tape to diskette conver- TX 77538. SICK OF KILLING? Join the Amnesty sion, statistical analysis, help with LESBIAN/GAY DEMOCRATS of Texas International Campaign Against the BUMPERSTICKERS: "We're in deep setting up special projects, custom — Our Voice in the Party. Membership Death Penalty. Call: Austin (512) 443- doo-doo now!" $2 ea.; 3 or more, programming, needs assessment. Gary $15, P.O. Box 190933, Dallas, 7250; Houston (713) 852-7860, Dal- $1 ea. TX residents add 8% tax. bush Lundquest, (512) 474-6882, 1405 75219. las (214) 739-8239, Son Antonio league productions, P.O. Box 52783, West 6th, Austin, TX 78703. (512) 680-2694. Houston, TX 77052-2783. TEXAS TENANTS' UNION. Member- MARY NEIL MATHIS, CPA, 16 years TRAVEL ship $18/year, $10/six months, $30 or PUBLICATIONS experience in tax, litigation support, more/sponsor. Receive handbook on and other analyses. 400 West 15th, BACKPACKING — tenants' rights, newsletter, and more. HOME STUDY COURSE in economics. #304, Austin, 78701, (512) 477- MOUNTAINEERING — RAFTING. 5405 East Grand, Dallas, TX 75223. A 10-lesson study that will throw light 1040. Outback Expeditions, P.O. Box 44, on today's baffling problems. Tuition BECOME A CARD-CARRYING MEM- Terlingua, TX 79852. (915) 371-2490. free — small charge for materials. MERCHANDISE BER of the ACLU. Membership $20. Write Henry George Institute, 121 EMPLOYMENT Texas Civil Liberties Union, 1611 E. FREEWHEELING BICYCLES. 2404 San 1st, Austin, 78702. E. 30th St., Nerw York, NY 10016. Gabriel, Austin. For whatever your EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dallas Peace INSIDE INFORMATION. Subscribe to bicycle needs. Center - application deadline 8-31-89, DRAFT REGISTRATION QUESTIONS? Texas Weekly, largest Texas political part time or full time. Benefits negotia- Draft counseling available from Ameri- WATCH REPAIRS & BATTERIES. Band newsletter. San Kinch, Jr., editor. ble. Write to DPC, 3100 Martin Luther can Friends Service Committee, 1022 repairs. 35th & Guadalupe, Austin, Straight, salty. $120 annually. P.O. King Jr. Blvd., Dallas, Tx. 75215, or W. 6th, Austin, 78703. (512) 474- 452-6312. Box 5306, Austin, TX 78763. (512) call (214) 421-4082. 2399. 322-9332. A TEXAS BARGAIN — THE BOOK that MACINTOSH experienced individual CASA MARIAN ELLA, A SHORT-TERM launched the Natural Food Revolution: seeks employment in the Austin area. SHELTER IN AUSTIN for refugees from WANTED "Please, Doctor, Do Something!" by I am experienced with several pro- oppression in Central America, needs Joe D. Nichols, M.D., and James VEGETARIAN, nonsmoking grams and possess good writing skills. volunteers for clerical tasks, tutoring, Presley. Send $3.50 (includes post- housemate(s) for unique living situation Any kind of work involving socially stocking and storing food and clothing, age, handling) to: Dr. Joe's Books, near Barton Springs Road. Share our progressive causes will be considered. and legal and medical help. Financial 305 East Main, Atlanta, TX 75551. healthy lifestyle w/organic garden, Late Sumer/Fall availability. Excellent contributions and donations of food, workshop, tree shaded yards. Children Help a liberal college student and get references. Call Neil at (212) 924- clothing, and household items are welcome. Coll 447-1268, 447-1344. a PROUD TO BE LIBERAL T-shirt. Send 8857 or (212) 677-0481. welcome. Call (512) 385-5571.

24 • AUGUST 18, 1989