TEX'13AS ERVER

February 25, 1983 A Journal of Free Voices 750

Here Come the Highwaymen Page 5

In This Issue: Block Grant Private Porter Biography eftemg e.a.&106- Bill of Rights Investigations Reviewed

• PAGE TWO •

and their education the number one COPS Educates Y'ALL COME priority of Texas." State Representative Walter Martinez The Observer is pleased to host then spoke, saying that the Mexican House Speaker Pro Tern Hugo an informal reception for Studs American legislative caucus would Berlanga (D-Corpus Christi) and San An- Terkel, famed oral historian and stress the importance of the education tonio Mayor Henry Cisneros got a few civil liberties defender; Joe Glazer, package in its breakfast meeting with surprises when they joined San Antonio labor movement balladeer; John Governor Mark White the following school and public officals and nearly Kenneth Galbraith, economist, Tuesday. "My only regret," Martinez 2,000 members of COPS on February 3 former ambassador, and advisor to said, "is that the state capital is not in for a rally in support of COPS' educa- presidents; and John Henry Faulk, San Antonio." tion equalization package (see TO, folklorist, humorist, and defender of 1/14/83). "Don't worry. COPS goes to Austin, civil liberties. Their presence at the too," Hernandez replied. Observer coincides with their par- Representatives of school boards and Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Henry administrations, teachers' associations, ticipation in the New Deal Con- Cisneros had led a parade of city coun- and labor councils were in attendance to ference at the LBJ Library, March cil members into the hall to seats near lend support. City council members, 2-4. the front. It was announced that they county commissioners, and state We invite all our readers to at- had just come from a council meeting in representatives were in abundance. tend the reception, which will be which COPS had successfully delayed A letter was read from San Antonio's held Wednesday, March 2, from for at least two weeks the implementa- Archbishop Patricio Flores: "In my 5-7 p.m. in the Observer office, 600 tion of a capital improvements bill it pastoral letter . . . I ask for preferential W. 7th St., 2nd Floor, Austin. You opposed. will have an opportunity to chat with treatment for the poor. .. . Some day Cisneros was asked by COPS Vice Texas will be a place where there is our honored guests, meet Observer President Victoria Luna to address the peace because there is justice." friends, and hear some short remarks and a few songs. gathering on behalf of the council. As he Even a representative of the San An- walked to the front of the auditorium, a tonio Chamber of Commerce appeared few people stood to applaud and Cisneros at the meeting to communicate the quests being made by competing in- smiled. In the middle of the 1983 mayoral group's unanimous endorsement of the campaign, Cisneros seemed to think he COPS package. A COPS official label- terests, COPS President Sonia Her- nandez told the meeting, "Let Houston had found himself, for once, on COPS' ed this a "historic event" — the first side of an issue. time a Chamber representative had ap- be known for its crass materialism, for peared at a COPS meeting. making highways a priority over Cisneros made a little speech: "The children. But let San Antonio be known city of San Antonio is a government that Commenting on the state budget re- for its humanity, for making children believes in and stands behind COPS in

TETx0BSERvER Incorporating the State Observer and the East Texas Democrat, which in turn incorporated the Austin Forum-Advocate. The Progressive Biweekly Vol. 75, No. 4 7ctZ1-"If February 25, 1983 The Progressive Biweekly

Publisher and Editor at Large: Ronnie Dugger We will serve no group or party but will hew hard to the truth as we find it and the Editor: Joe Holley right as we see it. We are dedicated to the whole truth, to human values above all in- terests, to the rights of humankind as the foundation of democracy; we will take orders Associate Editor: Geoffrey Rips from none but our own conscience, and never will we overlook or misrepresent the truth Washington Correspondents: to serve the interests of the powerfitl or cater to the ignoble in the human spirit. Writers are responsible for their own work, but not for anything they have not Amy Cunningham, Al Watkins themselves written, and in publishing them we do not necessarily imply that we agree Southern Correspondent: Bob Sherrill with them because this is a journal of free voices. Staff Reporter: Kay Gunderson EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Frances Barton, Austin; Elroy Bode, Bandera; 600 West 7th Street, Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 477-0746 Chandler Davidson, Houston; Bob Eckhardt, Washington, D.C.; Sissy Farenthold, Houston; Ruperto Garcia. Austin; John Kenneth Galbraith, Cambridge, Mass.; Lawrence Business Manager: Frances Barton Goodwyn, Durham, N.C.; George Hendrick, Urbana, Ill.; Molly Ivins, Dallas: Larry Advertising, Special Projects: Cliff Olofson L. King, Washington. D.C.; Maury Maverick, Jr., San Antonio: Willie Morris. Ox- ford, Miss.; Kaye Northcott, Austin: James Presley, Texarkana, Tx.; Susan Reid, Austin; Design and Layout: Sarah Clausen A.R. (Babe) Schwartz, Galveston; Fred Schmidt. Tehachapi. Cal. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Warren Burnett. Nina Butts, Jo Clifton, Craig Clif- The Texas Observer (ISSN 0040-4519) is published biweekly except for a three-week interval be- ford, John Henry Faulk, Bill Helmer, Jack Hopper, Amy Johnson, Laurence Jolidon, tween issues in January and July (25 issues per year) by the Texas Observer Publishing Co., 600 West 7th Street, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 477-0746. Second class postage paid at Austin. Texas. Mary Lenz, Matt Lyon, Greg Moses, Janie Paleschic, Laura Richardson, M. P. Rosenberg, Bob Sindermann, Jr.. Paul Sweeney, Lawrence Walsh. Single copy (current or back issue) 75c prepaid. One year. $20: two years. $38: three years, $56. One year rate for full-time students. $13. Airmail, foreign, group, and hulk rates on request. Microfilm CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Alan Pogue, Grant Fehr, Bob Clare, Russell editions available from Microfilming Corporation of America, Box 10. Sanford. N.C. 27330. Lee, Scott Van Osdol, Ronald Corts. Copyright 1983 by Texas Observer Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Material may not CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS: Berke Breathed. Jeff Danziger, Ben Sargent, Mary be reproduced without permission. Margaret Wade, Gail Woods. POSTMASTER: Send form 3579 to: 600 West 7th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.

2 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 this education package that is so impor- ft. stretchers, addressed to White, Hob- tant to all of San Antonio. COPS has by, and Lewis, reading: "The collective Faulk Has changed the face of San Antonio. Much voice of San Antonio joins the COPS of what COPS has done in the past has voice to say 'The COPS education pack- No Regrets taken us from the past to the present. age is San Antonio's Number One Austin Much of what it is doing now will take legislative priority in the 1983 session. Listening to John Henry Faulk speak- us into the future." There was applause. More equal aid is essential or San An- ing to enthusiastic supporters at a party Cisneros smiled, waved, and started to tonio will, not grow and prosper. We in Austin a week before the election, it walk back to his seat when he was sum- 'call on your continued active support of was easy to get caught up in th6 excite- moned back to the front by Ms. Luna. this legislative package.' " ment, to be seduced by his enthusiasm. As if she were a firm, but sympathetic, Sonia Hernandez asked Berlanga to We had endorsed him, of course, and schoolteacher speaking to an errant be the first to sign. He seemed to panic, maybe, just maybe, his long-shot can- pupil, Luna said, "We have been on op- ran up and grabbed the microphone to didacy would catch on; maybe he would posite sides on many issues." Cisneros reiterate his support for education, and, articulate the issues in terms so plain smiled. Luna continued, "We know you after much prodding, finally signed the and sensible that Phil Gramm would at have been in Austin backing high- telegram. He was followed by Cisneros, least be forced into a runoff. But that ways." Cisneros gulped. Luna then members of the city council, and was Austin, among loyal and devoted asked Cisneros to write a letter to assorted others. friends. In Corsicana a few days later, White, Lt. Governor Hobby, and House Following the meeting, COPS educa- Sixth District realities were more Speaker Lewis, asking them to make obvious. education their first priority. tion chair Lynn Stewart told the Observer that an education equalization Here on the winter-brown lawn of the Cisneros was visibly taken aback. bill is being finalized for introduction by Navarro County courthouse was Austin "You want me to write a letter?" he a member of the Mexican American folksinger Bill Oliver strumming his asked. Luna nodded. Cisneros said, legislative caucus. G. R. (Continued on Page 4) "I'll write it. I'll do anything you say." Representative Berlanga was then asked to come to the front of the room to offer his support. He began.reading a speech addressed to "County Judge Albert Bustamante, Mayor Cisneros, and Madam Chairman." The speech extolled the virtues of Gib Lewis, add- ing "Speaker Lewis reiterates his com- mitment to education. . . . Speaker Lewis understands your concerns and is a sensitive individual. . . . Speaker

Lewis understands that you are politi- cally astute and can understand the ines Re political process," etc. He went on to dy praise Lewis' appointments of Mexican n

Americans to committee posts and his Ra

restructuring of the appointments proc- by ess. "I believe Speaker Lewis and I to believe in Speaker Lewis," Berlanga Pho said, at which point he was interrupted Mark White, who has shown a knack for being in the right place Pt the right time, by Sonia Hernandez, who said, "We'll was briefly pressed into duty to help fight the Capitol fire. believe in Speaker Lewis, too, when our education package is passed, and that's what we're looking for." Thumbs-up for the Governor Berlanga did not reply. He did not We've had our differences with Mark thoroughly and honestly. The era of even acknowledge that she had spoken, White in the past and no doubt we'll good feelings may not last, of course, except by looking annoyed. He picked have them in the future, but overall but for now we're encouraged. up reading where he had left off, saying we've been pleased by his first few Along with environmentalists from how, as speaker pro tem, he was now weeks in office. We applaud his ap- all over the state, we're hoping that the "allowed on the inside" and how Mark pointments —. particularly his attention governor appoints former Land Com- White's putting education first on his to women and minorities — his em- missioner Bob Armstrong as chairman agenda would allow them to deal "with phasis on higher teacher pay, his will- of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Com- money on the table and not after it's ingness to wade into Public Utilities mission to replace Fort Worth oil been spent." Berlanga folded up his Commission reform (though we ques- millionaire Perry Bass. Bass' six-year speech and smiled nervously as a cheer tion his proposal to elect PUC commis- term on the commission expired this went up from the back of the room: sioners on an at-large basis). His energy month. Armstrong said he was "as- "Equal Education Now!" Soon the en- and enthusiasm are also refreshing, tounded" to learn he was being con- tire audience was on its feet, clapping whether he's fighting fires at the sidered, but he told White he would ac- and shouting, Cisneros and Berlanga Capitol, leading reporters on hikes to cept the appointment if it is offered. with them. find people down-and-out in Austin, or White said he was considering Arm- Two COPS members then produced a taking the time and making the effort to strong "for a great number of posi- huge telegram, mounted on 6 ft. by 10 respond to reporters' questions tions," including Parks and Wildlife.. J. H.

THE TEXAS OBSERVER 3 4 get hurt.Buthehadrun,on the advice talk tohim,hesaid,urgedhim notto When hefinallydid,theyturned their John Henryhadmentionedatlunch. Waxahachie, andasItrudgedwiththe to comethroughwhenheneededthem. evening, Iwentoverinmymindwhat do that. vote forme,atleastDemocratic." ple, "butforGod'ssake,ifyoucan't of meonSaturday,"hewastellingpeo- the issuesasweknewhewould,buttoo doing whathecould,wasspeakingto tle money,andnotenoughtime,hewas doing it.Withamakeshiftstaff,toolit- could roundup,Iwonderedwhyhewas county clerkandwhomeverelsehe old courthousesandwatchedhimshake 69-year-old candidateupsteepstairsin eaten breakfasttogetherinHillsboroa had beenhurt byhisfriends. of otherfriends, andasitturnedout,he backs onhim.Thosewhowould even occasions urgedhimtorun for office. ported, peoplewhohadonnumerous to getelected,laborpeoplehehadsup- down. Thesewerepeoplehehadhelped but theyhad,hefelt,certainlylethim run becausetheydidn'twant to seehim Betrayed isprobablytoostrongaword, Not many,itseemed,evenplannedto few peoplewerelistening."Trytothink hands withthelocalsheriffand he toldJohnHenry.Thetwomenhad walked up."You'removin'toofast," and tworeporters.Theaudiencegrew across thestreetfromcourthouse stalwarts whorananinsuranceagency audience —twoDemocraticParty here onthisraw,blusterydaywasthe few hoursearlier. foot andjoininginonthechorus, was thecandidatehimselftappinghis Faulk thefreedom-lovin'man,andhere Many ofhisfriends,hesaid,hadfailed by 25%whencandidateDanKubiak guitar andsingingaboutJohnHenry

John Henryis asensitivesoul,but It wasthesameinHillsboroand Driving homefromWaxahachiethat Kubiak andFaulkcampaigning. FEBRUARY 25,1983

Photo by Lau ra Albrecht Jeffrey's theorythatthere'snosuch a pluralityofthevotetoplayit.J.H. tunately, itdoesn'ttakePACmoneyor The artist,thejester,prophet— an actorpretendingtobethatfellow?). thing asRonnieReagan,thatthere'sjust wouldn't ithavebeenfuntohearCong. ciple, Iagree;aboutourJohnHenry call theissuesastheyseethem, I'm wrong.Shesaysthatpeopleofprin- seems tome,anotherroleplay.For- resource likeJohnHenry—has,it whatever wechoosetocallanatural Faulk tellhiscolleaguesaboutPeavine Faulks, I'mnotsosure(though ciple likeJohnHenry,peoplewillingto in electiveoffice.Aboutpeopleofprin- up forus;now it'sourturn,"saidone. to eachotherinsoftvoices, asifthey boards andrattledoffcampaign slogans were havingconversations. "Hestood stripe suitsstoodaroundthe votetally woman dressedinred,white,andblue, across thelobby,poolarea,andinto plants, andornatefurniture.Thesong carpeted withastroturfandcontaininga crossing throughahugeterrarium the PhilGrammpeoplegatheredina Bryan andCollegeStation.Atoneend, out onaone-mileurbanstripconnecting drive tounseatPhilGrammintherural jester whosejabsdrawnakedemperor's register. let noonepasswithoutsigning the Phil Grammheadquarters,wherea swimming pool,videomachines, ballroom intheRamadaInn,enteredby Sixth CongressionalDistrictwasplayed "The nation's eye isonTexasvoters," "Southern Nights"wasbeingpiped pragmatic politics."Tellthetruthand he's alsoabigboywho'ssurvivedlot behind Congress'walls,anymorethan conscience, andassuchhedoesn'tbelong blood. Maybehe'stheartistassociety's crying inReagan'swilderness,theslyold do. MaybeJohnHenryisourprophet see itthrough,goodorbad,"Maury worse thanficklefriendsplaying sion lieselsewhere. Mencken belongedthere.Maybehismis- Mark TwainorWillRogersH.L. win, butbecausehehasbetterthingsto not becausehemightbehurtorcouldn't Henry hadnobusinessrunningforoffice, and heprobablylearnedabitinthe hachie andAustinisthatmaybeJohn process. ing stretchofInterstatebetweenWaxa- Maverick toldhimandthat'swhathedid, My colleagueFrancesBartonsays Inside fair-hairedyoungmen inpin- The endtothetorturousfour-week What Iwasalsothinkingonthatbor- Bryan/College Station must be will bepitching rocksat."G.R. told the now PhilGramm willbeanamepeople among hisdisappointedsupporters,try- affairs ofhumanity.Hecirculated vulnerability totheshiftingtidesin time around. Faulk wasprovinghisownin- Kubiak's headquarters,JohnHenry Gramm wouldbevulnerablethenext out inthisspecialelection,DanKubiak district, withlessthan50%voterturn- dorsements byeverynewspaperinthe promote campaignissuesandhisown "This isn'tthelonghaul,honey," he figured his40%ofthevotemeantPhil low name-recognition,withGrammen- Gramm, withonlyamonthinwhichto twentieth thecampaignchestof a full-scalecampaign.Withone- saying hewouldbebackin1984torun hour campaigndays,concededdefeat, showing thestrainof37straighttwenty- family appeared.Kubiak,smilingbut Johnson, andRobertsonCountiescame Not longthereafter,DanKubiakandhis the tideontallyboardbegantoturn. porting wasdelayed.Shortlybefore9, vote, wassaidtobeheavyanditsre- County return,consideredaGramm fall short.Ontopofthat,theBrazos them privatelythattheywouldprobably reports fromHill,Limestone,Ellis, didn't allowthemselvestosmileas a displayof"Grammcrackers."They I've runontheissueofanuclear freeze." night beforetheirpollstershadtold campaign staffpacednervouslybehind drinks, awomanbrokeinto"Happy literature, andplattersoffood our openingadialogueinthis society. in, givingKubiakanearlylead.The Days AreHereAgain."Inacornerthe with banners,stacksofcampaign volunteers streamedintothebuilding old, farmers,unionmembers.As dream —black,brown,white,young, of therunningtally. you, too!","Luvya,Phil,"and"P.G. are blue;avoteforP.G.is painted inred,white,andbluepep-rally Faulk said;"Ifeelverysanguine about to thepeoplehasbeenbright spot," board. TheyweretheDemocraticParty Kubiak supporterscheeredasearly cinder-block buildinga'crowdof matrons huddledinminkstolesfront mixing drinks,BrazosCountysociety son intheroomstoodbehindacounter & E.T.#1."Whiletheonlyblackper- letters —read,"Rosesarered;violets left saidthesamething,whileothers— ing tocheerthemup."Talkingdirectly returns wererecordedonaposter said another.Aposteronthewalltohis Faulk wastiredbutnotdispirited. Three-quarters ofamilebeyond A blockdowntheroadinasmall, Observer. "Two yearsfrom

Houston rush-hourtraffic—forthe and free-lance writerlivinginAustin. highway lobby,andDallas multi- Association, commonlyknown asthe the TexasGoodRoads/Transportation coming, thetrafficcongestioniscom- eled thestate—likePaulRevere,he Tuma, aftertheJuly29,1982,State millionaire H.RossPerot's chief lob- system isintrouble."Thepotholesare says —tellingTexanstheirhighway an increasingnumberofstate conviction thatnewandbetterroads deterioration offamilylifemayover- Susan Raleigh is alegislativeresearcher ing, thesmogiscoming,"he warns. Dedman andhisfriends. Highway CommissionChairmanRobert lawmakers, thankstotheeffortsofState will curewhateverailsusissharedby state thecaseabit.ButWilkerson's three hourseachday. away fromtheirfamiliesanextratwoto husbands andfathersontheroads the kicktodrugsistrafficcongestion, what isdrivingthewomentotennisand destructive tofamilylife. gravitate tothedrugculture.It'svery which hesayskeepsnorthwestHouston midlife crisis.ButtoGlennWilkerson, Highway Commissionmeeting. Houston NorthwestChamberofCom- get theroadsin. are lefttoraisethemselves,sothey alcohol. Theytrytofillthelonelyhours modern socialills—divorce,say,or merce, to — with tennisandbridge..Thekids "J The womenfeelaloneandturnto

To blamerush-hourtraffic—even Joining Dedman'scrusadehave been Since lastspring,Dedmanhastrav- Glenn P describing anynumberof speaker mighthavebeen TO THATlastline,the Houston Post

Wilkerson, reporter Clara

We've gotto president, Austin $1.7 billionfor thelegislaturetodigup share oftherevenue generatedbythe coming toit.(Thisincludes Texas' governing highwayfinance,the depart- recent federalgas taxhike.)Thatleaves ment alreadyhasabout$3.9 billion payments tothestate'shighwaycon- ger raise:itsbudgetwouldboost struction contractors,forexample, by highway departmentwantsanevenbig- programs withinthebudget, department received$2.9billionfor 32% respectively.)Andforparticular partment ofHumanResources—have Education AgencyandtheTexasDe- for 1984-85 budget forthe1984-85biennium.The requested increasesofonly25%and (Two otherbigspenders—theTexas state agencies,93%isaheftyincrease. wants thelegislaturetoapprovea93% they say,cansavetheroadsfromruin. state's highwaysystemisdangerously editor withinreachthatfundingforthe vince everycivicgroupandnewspaper highway boostershasfannedouttocon- byist RickSalwen,onloanfromthe increase inthehighwaydepartment's low. Onlyamassiveinfusionofmoney, War onDrugscampaign.Thisbandof 133%. 1982-83 andhasrequested$5.6billion Under currentstateandfederal laws Even bythestandardsofmassive Specifically, thehighwaylobby ". .whatthehighway to justifythespending boosters haveoffered By SusanRaleigh surprisingly thin." increase hasbeen everything initsbudget.Ifthehighway the spendingincreasehasbeensurpris- ment everythingitaskedfor. plan. Andthat'saboutallthedepart- two-year biteoutofitstwenty-year 25% ofallstatespending.)Withits$5.6 year ofits20-yearplanin1982,it department hadbeenfundedforthefirst the statespentabout$12billionfor of $61billionin1982dollars.(In ance andrepaircosts,carriesapricetag 5000 constructionprojectsandesti- completed inventoryofstatehighway and howtheyplantospendthemoney, arrived atthe$5.6billionbudgetfigure way." Rather,toexplainbothhowthey these roads,finishthisstretchofhigh- and say,"With1.7billionmoredollars no listofspecificprojectsitcanpointto highway boostershaveofferedtojustify would placeonstaterevenues,whatthe if itdecidestogivethehighwaydepart- the department useda"money-is-no- of thewayitwas compiled.Essentially, called theinventoryawishlist because drawn criticismfrommanyquarters. backs upthisrathersizeablerequestfor specified. how muchofthemaintenanceand tion projectswillbeundertakenand highway departmentintendstotakea billion budgetfor1984and1985,the would havegotten$3Pillion,orabout needs throughtheyear2002. highway officialspointtotheirrecently we willrepairthesebridges,widen ingly thin.Thehighwaydepartmenthas object" approach toplanning.Each rived at.Asitturnsout,the planhas well wonderhowsuchaplan wasar- revenue, thecurioustaxpayer might repair costswillbecoveredisnowhere money. Whichofthe5,038construc- ment hassaidabouthowitwillusethe mates thenext20years'roadmainten- Given thestrainhighwaybudget This inventory,whichlistsmorethan Since thelong-rangeplaniswhat Some transportationplanners have THE TEXAS OBSERVER

5 Drawing by Sarah Clausen district office of the highway depart- not undertaken, rapid population ment was told to submit to the state of- growth will hopelessly clog urban fice a list of area construction needs, freeways by the end of the century. To assuming a certain level of population Contractors estimate how many Texans would be us- growth and economic development over Anticipate ing the state highways in twenty years the next twenty years. But district of- the department adopted the population ficials were given no dollar limits to Business Boom projections of former Governor work with; instead they were told to Clements' Texas 2000 Commission. assume unlimited funding. (Predictably, This commission said the state's popula- the district officials compiled the lists in tion would grow 57% between 1980 and consultation with local elected officials One group that stands to profit 2000, from 14 million to 22 million. and local chambers of commerce.) Not mightily if the Legislature funds the But some critics consider these popula- surprisingly, the cost of the resulting highway department's budget is the tion figures inflated. The Texas chapter project inventory far exceeds what the highway construction industry. of the Sierra Club, for example, thinks department can reasonably expect from Over the next two years, the pro- that Texas' phenomenal growth during the revenue sources currently ear- posed budget would give the state's the 1970s was due largely to the energy marked under state law for highway 450 or so highway construction industry boom and that such growth will purposes. contractors more than twice the not continue into 'the 21st century. The State highway officials think their business they had during 1982 and Sierra Club prodded the Texas Depart- method is the only way to get a true pic- 1983. ment of Water Resources to consider the ture of the state's road construction During the 1982-83 biennium, possibility of slower population growth needs. They say that when district of- the state let contracts worth a total in its long-range plan; TDWR now fices are given funding limits they tend of $1.68 billion. Under the proposed estimates state population at between to underestimate the cost of each pro- budget, new lettings would total $4.1 19.6 million and 21.2 million by 2000. posed project, to squeeze more projects billion. These contracts are com- Whether Texas grows by 5.6 million in under the limit. pleted over several years, so the full or 8 million people will surely affect the But when money is tight and amount would not be paid out of the volume of traffic the state should build lawmakers are considering tax increases 1984-85 budget. But actual payments for. At the very least, critics say, the to meet state spending demands, a to contractors during the biennium highway department should offer "sky's-the-limit" approach to planning would jump 133 % , from $1.5 billion policymakers high and low growth pro- is hard to defend. And to say that the in 1982-83 to $3.5 billion in jections, with price tags to accompany resulting construction project list 1984-85. each estimate. But the highway depart- represents a highway funding crisis is Despite this jump in contractor ment has stuck to its 22 million figure and downright misleading. payments, the number of contracts has offered no range of growth options. Further, this practice explicitly let would not increase greatly: in In any case, highway officials say the disregards a recommendation made to 1982-83, the department let 1,242 plan will be updated every two years. If the highway department seven years contracts, and in 1984-85 it expects population growth is slower than pro- ago, when it was in the midst of its last to let only about 1,400. This means jected, the plan can always be modified. "funding crisis." In 1976, the transpor- that the scale of the average con- But the legislature has been asked to tation consulting firm McKinsey and struction project will greatly in buy into the $61 billion package starting Co. was called in to examine highway crease. Though the highway now. Commissioner Dedman wants the department operations and planning department has released no list of state to commit itself to $3 billion-a-year procedures because the department had specific projects it plans to under- funding for highways for the next twen- committed itself to nearly $12 billion take over the next two years, the ty years, and the highway lobby is worth of construction projects and could budget proposal indicates they will pushing for legislation that would ensure generate only about $2 billion to fund be large-scale, high-dollar jobs. long-term funding at that level. them. Ironically, this infusion of Historically the laws governing Among its • recommendations, money into the construction in- highway finance in Texas have tended to McKinsey told the department that in- dustry will mean the state pays shield the highway department from stead of approving construction projects more for each unit of construction. legislative scrutiny. From 1946 through as though money would never run dry, Because construction contractors 1976, the department's revenue came it should do its planning with specific have been hard-hit by the reces- almost entirely from a constitutionally funding limits in mind. This procedure sion, bid prices have been *relative- dedicated fund, which reserved motor would prevent overcommitment of state ly low in recent years. If the vehicle registration fees and three-fourths dollars and would encourage more amount of construction work of the state's gasoline tax revenue solely judicious use of what funds the depart- available more than doubles in a for highway purposes. During the 1970s, ment did have. single year, the industry will sud- revenue collections for that fund began With the new twenty-year plan, it ap- denly have more work than it can to slow down, as people bought smaller pears the department has abandoned the handle, and contractors will charge cars and consumed less gas. So, in 1977, McKinsey recommendations and more for each job. Thus the pro- the legislature gave the highway depart- reverted to its old habits. posed budget will give a boost to an ment another guaranteed source of ailing industry and will create money — an annual supplement from the some jobs in the process, but it will general revenue fund — this time also raise the price the state pays dedicated by statute. NE OF THE main arguments the for road building. S. R. Both these funding mechanisms kept department has offered to in- the highway department from having to O duce legislators to fund the $61 compete with other state agencies for its billion plan is that if the construction is biennial appropriation; highway revenue 6 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 was automatic and guaranteed. One press that the highway lobby had "done deteriorated roads doesn't seem reason the highway lobby is back this a number on the governor." "There is catastrophic enough to justify doubling biennium is that the 1977 fund is not giv- no reason why improving our prison highway spending. And if having even ing the department as much money as it system, improved health care delivery 9.4% deteriorated roads is unacceptable, expected. In fact, highway revenue for systems, mass transportation, better the legislature never heard a peep about 1982 and 1983 has dropped below regulation of utilities, or a more equitable it during the 1981 session. 1980-81 levels.* The highway lobby education system for our children should The Texas Good Roads/Transportation wants more highway money, not only for take a back seat to Texas highways," she Association has frequently pointed out the coming biennium, but for the in- said. that about 17.000 Texas bridges do not definite future. If history is any the Even more puzzling is that there is meet federal standards. Less often men- legislature will not hear from the highway considerably less skepticism today among department again until it wants more members of the press. In 1977, more than money. The idea that the department one editorial eyebrow was raised over would come back to the legislature and then-Governor Briscoe's proposal to give "The legislature can hardly say, "We overestimated population the highway department $825 million commit almost $6 billion growth and construction needs back in over the 1978-79 biennium. 1983, so we can actually do fine on less to a program so short money," strains credulity. Said the Dallas Times Herald: on details." Other critics Of the plan say that There are strong suspicions among our whatever population estimate is used, the analysts that what we are about to see state should be planning for mass tran- with the pushing of the Governor's $7 tioned is the fact that the state maintains billion, 20-year program is more open- sit. Adding more lanes to Houston's only about 5,600 of those bridges. The ended extravagance in highway construc- rest are the responsibility of cities and freeways has never solved that city's traf- tion and highway promises. fic problems, only postponed them. Traf- counties, which won't see much of any fic congestion will only be reduced when The Austin American-Statesman new highway money. (The highway lob- people can get around without their cars. likewise cautioned: by's proposed legislation does include a But the highway department considers There are needs other than highways. $100 million per year city road and mass transit a local responsibility. Only important though they are. Those needs bridge fund, but $100 million distributed about 1% of the $61 billion plan is must be met. among cities all over the state won't stretch very far.) devoted to public transportation. In 1983 the typical editorial intones that Texans love their cars, and if they And if the state's bridge-repair needs have to pay out the tailpipe to keep up are so pressing, why can't the highway O THOSE who remember the the road system, well, so be it. department say how much it plans to 1977 legislative session, the cur- spend on them next year and the year T rent flap about roads may sound To be sure, in 1977 the McKinsey after that? It seems simple enough. If the vaguely familiar. In 1977, the highway study was fresher in journalists' minds. farm-to-market road system has been department came to the legislature with The McKinsey Report had criticized the destroyed by the oil industry's heavy a long list of unmet construction needs highway department for imprudent plan- trucks, as the highway department says and a litany of dire predictions about a ning, for overbuilding the highway it has, how many miles will be rebuilt deteriorating road system. Backing them system and for overcommitting state with this money? How much will be used funds. People were naturally a bit more to try to unsnarl urban traffic and how skeptical then of large requests for money much to pave the way to a suburban shop- from the highway department. ping mall? The legislature can hardly And today the national uproar over commit almost $6 billion to a program This time there is almost the country's decaying "infrastructure" so short on details. no organized opposition gives added weight to highway claims on The highway lobby faces stiff competi- state revenue. Even in this area, though, tion this session from teachers, water to the highway lobby. there is room for skepticism. hustlers, the department of corrections One source sometimes quoted to il- and the human service agencies. The lustrate state highway decay is the Texas Good Roads/Transportation Federal Highway Administration's an- Association supports increases in both the up with supportive studies and statistics nual survey of pavement condition. The motor vehicle registration fee and the and plain lobbying muscle was the Texas survey ranks roads in all states as being state gasoline tax to fund the highway Good Roads/Transportation Association. in good, fair, or deteriorated condition. budget, though House Speaker Gib Lewis An important difference this time, The most recent study, for 1981, was is so far non-committal on both pro- though, is that there is almost no organ- released late in 1982 and showed that posals. In sessions past, the highway ized opposition to the highway lobby. In 10.9% of Texas roads, or 9,288 out of lobby has managed to bulldoze its way 1977, fully five months before the start 85,539 miles surveyed, were classified through any legislative opposition to its of the legislative session, Common Cause as deteriorated. The 1979 survey, which funding demands. This session, the lobby Director Katy Davis was screaming to the was released before the 1981 session, could well run into a roadblock. ❑ showed 9.4% or 7,740 out of 82,901 miles deteriorated. Good books in every field Granted, this is an increase of 1,548 * Under the 1977 law, the highway department's JENKINS PUBLISHING CO. income is tied to an index that measures changes miles in the deteriorated class (though The Pemberton Press in highway building costs. The department expected some of the increase is in city and coun- prices, and hence its own income, to rise each year. ty roads, which wouldn't benefit from in- John H. Jenkins, Publisher But the recession has fueled competition among creased state spending). But on the face highway construction contractors, keeping prices, Box 2085 E) Austin 78768 and thus highway revenue, down. of it, an increase from 9.4% to 10.9 %

THE TEXAS OBSERVER 7 teed a S750 million state revenue base, plus a highway cost index for- Money and Mass Transit mula for annual adjustment for in- flation. By Marise McDermott Sen. John Traeger, D-Seguin, is sponsoring a "user fee" bill that Austin enough to fix the old ones and build would increase the $750 million to In a way, the $5.6 billion highway a few new ones. Good Roads labels $1.3 billion in 1979 dollars. It is con- department budget request boils highway funding as emergency sistent with what highway lobbyists down to this: it's offensive and spending. are pushing, putting all user fees downright unpatriotic for Texas to The Highway Department is ask- under one category with a mandatory tolerate bad highways. To appeal to ing for $2.8 billion for fiscal year '84 floor (of $1.2 billion) and a rising fiscal conservatives, the highway and $2.9 billion for fiscal '85. That cap. ("The department would nev- department's Engineer-Director is almost double the approximately er get more than the user fees col- Mark Goode says that replacing ex- $1.5 million a year budgeted for '81 lected," Traeger said.) isting Texas roads would cost $100 and '82. Highway officials justify Sen. Traeger decided to sponsor billion, and he urged legislators to that dramatic increase by claiming the bill because "we need to rehab protect the state's investment. that they've fallen behind in highway a little bit. If you don't rehab the Robert Dedman's savvy at the expenditures and that the roads are highways, then you're going to have reins of the highway bandwagon is falling apart from lack of attention to rebuild them. It's a case of pay- undeniable. * Virtually every major and money. ing now or paying a lot more later." newspaper in the state supports more Last fall in Waco, Dedman com- According to a House Study Group money for highways. H. Ross Perot, plained that one-fourth of all the report, however, only $950 million the computer magnate who bank- revenues from the state's 5-cent-per- over the biennium out of $4 billion rolled last session's War on Drugs, gallon gasoline tax is spent on public in construction funds would go to has called it his number-one prior- education. (Three-fourths of the tax rehabilitation. ity. Few state representatives will is spent on highways.) "I'm trying "There are a couple of things that suggest that it's all right for to get the legislature to give us back bother me about the highway depart- highways to develop some cracks as what we pay in," Dedman says, in- ment," Sen. Lloyd Doggett said we build a bigger and better educa- ferring that the gasoline tax motorists recently. Besides the "arrogance of tion system, and the Texas Good pay should be returned to the streets. the agency," Doggett wants to know Roads and Transportation Associa- Highway lobbyists had initially why the department can't meet its tion, a powerful lobby made up of supported an increase in the state's spending obligations. "Their attitude highway construction, oil, and gasoline tax to supply revenues for is that you'll build it our way or not business interests, is confident it has the enormous highway budget. But at all. I'm going to question the need the votes. after the nickel-a-gallon increase in for the money and the decision-mak- Even Houston, Dallas, and San the federal gasoline tax, lobbyists ing." Doggett is also critical of the Antonio lawmakers, who should have changed tactics — angling for department's narrow interpretation know firsthand their cities' mass whatever strikes legislators' fancy. of a transportation system. "The transit needs; will not cross Dedman Now that an increase in the gas tax highway department says to cities, and the highway department has been ruled politically unfeasible, `You can choose highways or you (although the Dallas Interim the highway lobbyists are in direct can choose mass transit, but the Regional Transit Authority did competition with funding for schools money we have for you is for high- challenge the department's claim and other programs. Among the ways.' over a major thoroughfare, the ideas they're considering is an in- When Dallas city planners de- North Central Expressway). All crease in motor vehicle registration cided that the solution to a clogged praise the budget request for far- fees, basing the fees on a vehicle's North Central Expressway would be sightedness, saying Texas highways value rather than on its weight, as is best solved by a rail line, Dedman are sure to go to ruin if the budget now done. It could mean the cost to ignored them. His idea of a solution isn't passed. register a car would increase seven- was an elevated highway. The com- Indeed, says the Good Roads fold. The lobby also wants to garner munity was outraged. A poll of the Association, even if the budget is vehicle sales tax and sales tax on neighborhood found 80 % were op- passed, it's still not sufficient to build vehicle parts and accessories. Final- posed to double-decking the enough roads for Texans — it's just ly, it wants the state to provide $200 highway. U.S. Rep. John Bryant (D- million for city streets from general Dallas) joined his constituents in a revenue. chorus against highway department *Dwayne Holman, the governor's appoint- Even before the federal tax hike plans. The objections were two-fold ments aide, let slip recently that his boss is detoured highway lobbyists' plans to — the department has no right to dic- looking for someone to replace Dedman as rally for a tax increase, the Legisla- chairman. White appologized to Dedman, tate local city planning, and Ded- who has two years to go on the commission. tive Budget Board suggested that $3 man's overt dismissal of a mass- billion, including $1.4 billion for transit plan involving rails was construction, was the most the legis- outrageous. The furor landed in Marise McDermott is managing lature should approve. Basically, the Gov. Mark White's office and was editor for The Texas Humanist, a board will stick with highway fund- temporarily quieted by a delay of publication of the Texas Committee ing provided by House Bill 3 of the North Central Expressway im- for the Humanities. 1977 Legislature. H. B. 3 guaran- provements until a 6-month study

8 FEBRUARY 25. 1983 can compare elevated rail and Houston levies a 1-cent sales tax highway options. and San Antonio levies a 1/2-cent Dallas Planning Commissioner sales tax to help maintain their David McAtee took exception to the respective systems. Houston is about double-decking plan and talked to launch its 18.2-mile rail plan, about the highway department's which essentially covers the clogged authority in general. "To double- downtown area. For capital im- deck North Central Expressway and provements, such as Houston's new preclude Dallas' plans for mass tran- rails and new buses for San Antonio, sit would be a sad mistake," he said. the federal government subsidizes "I think it is a matter of political 80% of the project's cost. For main- reality to honor the local people." taining transit equipment, the federal government provides 50% (the "I don't think I'm ready to vote maintenance subsidy is to be phased for staggering amounts of capital for out by 1985). rail systems," McAtee said. "But I think a disproportionate amount of "We can't provide enough money is spent on road widening highways," Houston planning con- rather than mass transit. At this sultant Ron Holder says. "We simp- point, an insufficient amount of ly can't add enough lanes. The thought is going to mass transit for answer lies in more efficient use of THIS IS THE LOOK OF TEXAS these cities." facilities. Rails are desperately TODAY and the Texas Observer When a Houstonian had similar needed for the downtown area." has its independent eye on all of it. We offer the latest in corporate misgivings about the highway This biennium the state has department and its lack of mass- scams and political scandals as well budgeted about $70 million for mass transit planning, he was lambasted as articles on those who have other, transit — $50 million for Houston, in public by Dedman for being "anti- and more humane, visions of what $10.2 million for Dallas-Fort Worth, highway . " °Rep. Anthony Polumbo our state can be. Become an Ob- $4.2 million for San Antonio, the of Houston made the mistake of server subscriber today, order a gift rest divided among Austin, Corpus for a friend, or instruct us to enter a voting for mass transit in 1977 and Christi, and El Paso. "It's a piddling voting for a procedure that would library subscription under your pa- amount," said one Dallas transit make the highway department more tronage. authority spokesman. accountable for its expenditures. "I'm very committed to Dedman, for one, believes mass highways," Polumbo said. "We're transit is a local responsibility and sees no need for state funding. He clogging up. But I think we have to have an integrated system of both told Houston's Chamber of Com- mass transit and highways." merce members last fall, "If a rail (Polumbo said Dedman later wrote is built, it will be with local money. him a letter of apology.) "I can't imagine Dallas taxing Send the Observer to — To avoid making the mass transit itself for public transportation in vs. highways argument a simplistic Houston. It just doesn't make one, let it be said that mass transit sense," Dedman said. But somehow name plans are not magic solutions. The he justifies the $5.6 billion in initial capital expenditures on rail highway expenditures, much of lines or on a hundred buses are enor- which goes to the state's beleaguered address mous. The various plans for car- cities. pooling, park-and-rides, and mini- There's a ray of hope in the vans are promising but unproven. legislature this time. Sen. Hector city state zip

New systems in Atlanta and Miami Uribe, the Brownsville Democrat, ❑ this subscription is for myself are being challenged by disgruntled plans to file a bill that would allow ❑ gift subscription: send card in my name ❑ $20 enclosed for a one-year subscription residents as the rail subsidies are small cities (populations less than ❑ bill me for $20 raised. 325,000) to form mass transit auth- Despite the questions and the con- orities with the right to levy up to a My name & address (if different) — troversies, Houston and San Antonio penny sales tax. He is doing this so have created mass-transit authorities, that when federal maintenance funds name both with twenty-year plans for run out in 1985, small cities will buses and rails. And Dallas may have the structures and possibly the have its own transit authority — if coffers to deal with their growth — address residents approve on August 13 a to buy buses, vans, or whatever sys- penny sales tax to support now- tem is best for their metropolitan interim Dallas Area Rapid Transit. area. It's of minor significance in city state zip DART has recently released am- light of the critical needs the state's bitious plans for a $2.3 billion rail big cities face, but it's in welcome system that branches throughout the contrast to the one-lane mindset of city. Mr. Dedman. THE TEXAS OBSERVER ❑ 600 W. 7th, Austin, Texas 78701

THE TEXAS OBSERVER 9 Texas Alliance Is Formed A Block Grant Bill of Rights

By Geoffrey Rips

Austin battered women and children were lost, for eight block grants, which provide a Consider this: In a state that boasted community care for 8,000 elderly van- wide variety of services for the poor, a budget surplus prior to the convening ished, and family planning, nutrition, elderly, and disabled. A number of ad- of the 68th Legislature, 14.8% of the employment, and child health services ditional block grants will soon be population lives at or below the poverty were drastically reduced. available. level (compared to 12.5 % nationwide). The creation of the federal block grant Doggett's bill, along with H. B. 371 In 1980. 690,000 Texas households made program as part of Reagan's "new sponsored in the House by Rep. Juan less than $5.000 per year. While Texas federalism" transferred responsibility for Hinojosa, D-McAllen, provides for is among the ten states with the highest many social programs to state and local citizen participation in the allocation of poverty rate per capita, it places 49th governments. In addition to the fact that block grant funds and safeguards against among states in the amount of payments many states did not have the bureaucratic the misuse of these funds. It includes: made per family in the Aid to Families structure or funding necessary to assume public hearings during the planning stage with Dependent Children program. the work required to administer these for grant allocation; public information Consider this: While the unemploy- programs, some states did not have track campaigns in English and in Spanish for ment rate in Texas rose from 5.1% in records as ministers of the public welfare eligible recipients of funding; a complaint December, 1981, to 7.4% in December, that warranted their taking on such pro- procedure with investigatory capabilities; grams. Texas was among these states. a hearing procedure to examine the denial In an attempt to make Texas bureauc- of services or benefits to a person or "The priority should be racy more responsive to the needs of its agency; a procedure for judicial review citizenry, particularly in terms of social of agencies; annual audits of agencies; on breaking the cycle welfare, a statewide alliance of more than and, perhaps most important, "priority of poverty. .9 sixty organizations was formed to work to programs aimed at remedying the for the passage of legislation to provide cause and cycle of poverty." State Sen. Lloyd Doggett for basic human needs in the wake of the Doggett contends that, as federal fund- Reagan administration's abdication of its ing is relegated to state control, ederal 1982, and while the number of food social responsibilities. This Texas Alli- guidelines for that funding fall by the stamp applications increased by 60%, the ance includes AFSCME, Austin's AFL- wayside and must be replaced on the state number of food stamp recipients dropped CIO Central Labor Council, Centro del level. In addition, as the state picks up from 1,259,035 to 1,189,855. While ap- Pueblo of Raymondville, the Department the responsibility for social programs, it plications for AFDC funding climbed by of Community Relations of the Houston is imperative that those programs be ad- 36% in Texas in 1982, the actual number Catholic Diocese, Gray Panthers, ministered with the interests of the old, of AFDC recipients fell from 338,841 to Houston Welfare Rights Organization, poor, and disabled uppermost. "We need 287,275. In 1982, Texas cut public N .0.W . of Tarrant County, SEIU/1199, to establish legislative intent in allocating welfare funds by $87 million and medical UAW Local 65, Texas and United Farm- block grant funds to maintain services," care for the needy by $97 million. workers Unions, the NAACP of Long- says Doggett. "The priority should be on view, and the Poverty Education and breaking the cycle of poverty." In 1982, Texas participated in six Research Center. Members of the federal block grant programs, which pro- alliance met in Austin on January 29-30 vided for protective services for children to chart a course of action designed to and adults, care for the aged and dis- "THE ORIGINS OF CHARITY" bring about a redress of wrongs perpe- abled, employment services, family plan- trated and perpetuated by Reaganomics. In offering his bill, Doggett has ning, home energy assistance, pointed to the reluctance of the Texas weatherization, alcohol and drug abuse A BILL OF RIGHTS Department of Human Resources to take programs, mental health programs, 52 advantage of block grant options and to community action agencies in 167 coun- The Texas Alliance is particularly con- the problems encountered by citizens and ties, maternal and child heath care, and cerned with the passage of state Sen. agencies when engaged in DHR ad- preventive health care, including Lloyd Doggett's Senate Bill 117, called ministrative review. emergency medical services. In 1982, a "block grant Bill of Rights." It pro- These problems are best understood by federal grants to Texas under the pro- vides what Sen. Doggett, D-Austin, considering former acting DHR Commis- gram were reduced 17% in three of the terms "due process for citizens" in the sioner James C. Conner, appointed to the six grants, 26% in a fourth grant, 9% in administration and disbursement of block post by former Governor Clements on the fifth, and increased by 1 % in energy grant funds and is largely the result of February 4, 1982. Conner's appointment assistance programs. As a result of the hearings held last summer by Sen. Dog- was returned to the Senate nominations cuts, 9,000 childcare slots for working gett's subcommittee on consumer affairs. committee for further hearings after Con- families were eliminated, 13,000 slots for Texas currently can exercise an option ner testified that Texas received too much 10 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 AFDC money overall. Conner's appoint- the only state that allows a private com- an increase for fiscal year 1984 to $203 ment was subsequently rejected by the pany to manage and collect interest for for a family of four. This would move Senate. In the interim however, he had itself on welfare monies. Rather, what Texas up from 49th among the states in served as a commissioner for one year. troubled Conner was the "rigor imposed AFDC funding per family to 42nd. The Sen. Chet Brooks, D-Pasadena, by the federal government and the state Legislative Budget Board has recom- charged Conner with being insensitive to on how to spend funds." Sen. Doggett, mended a much smaller increase, which the poor. In the nominations committee Rep. Hinojosa, and the Texas Alliance would result in Texas' maintaining its hearings, Conner answered this charge hope to impose more rigor. 49th place. To qualify for AFDC funds, by declaring that sensitivity has nothing dependent children must live in a to do with his job since he regards the HUMAN NEEDS LEGISLATION household from which a parent has deserted or in which a parent has died or In addition to the block grant Bill of been disabled. The meager AFDC fund- Rights, the Alliance is seeking a substan- ing is meant to provide for rent, clothing, The amount of aid going to tial increase in AFDC funds and legisla- utilities, and daily necessities. AFDC families with dependent tion to aid the medically needy and to recipients also receive food stamps. provide emergency assistance to families Fewer than 10% live in subsidized hous- children in Texas in distress. According to Jason Justice, ing. In the past. less than 1/2 of 1% of the has not increased a member of the Alliance steering com- state's budget has gone to the AFDC pro- mittee and vice president of AFSCME gram. In November, a constitutional since 1969. Local 1624 of Austin, the amount of aid amendment raising the Texas ceiling to going to families with dependent children 1% of the state budget was approved by department as a "freight forwarding in Texas has not increased since 1969. over 60% of those voting. The Alliance company." As a former executive of A Texas family of four receives $140 per is supporting efforts to extend AFDC Standard Oil, a director for Bechtel pro- month in AFDC aid. The Texas Depart- benefits to pregnant women in order that jects ("which involved considerably ment of Human Resources recommends Continued on Page 13 more money than the entire Texas state budget"), and as an independent oil and gas producer, Conner admitted to being AN ALTERNATIVE BUDGET unfamiliar with the plight of the poor. But he thought his experience in bargaining The Poverty Education and Research Center has prepared a budget for the with foreign governments was useful to state of Texas by which it could meet its social responsibilities from available DHR business. In addition, to prepare for sources and offset Reagan budget cuts. Estimated budget increases over 1982 the job, he studied the department and levels and the programs these increases would supplement or restore are as "the origins of charity and its develop- follows: ment since early time." AFDC Grant Increase $40 million In response to Conner's statement that (to raise payments to current need standard) "enough money is spent on welfare in Day Care Services $10 million Texas," Sen. Carlos Truan, D-Corpus (to restore childcare for 9,000 working families)

Christi, asked why Texas ranks 49th in Family Violence Centers $2 million AFDC funding. Conner replied, "14% (to restore 13,000 slots for battered women/children) of our total revenues to cure the ills of Family Planning $2 million our society is getting close to the ceiling. (to restore services for 31,000 people) The size of the tumor on the body politic Maternal and Child Health Services is the size of our welfare budget." Con- $3 million (to compensate for cuts in nutritional and health ner then named the department's strong services for poor mothers and infants) points in contrast to its AFDC weaknesses: "We're number one in com- Nutrition $20-30 million (to restore cuts in selected nutrition programs) modity distribution — cheese and butter — within 48 hours it was in the hands of Medically Needy $30-50 million the indigent. [Connor pronounces "in- (to provide coverage for working poor and two- digent" as if it were the word "in- parent households) digenous."] This department checks on Community Care $10 million every single prescription, hospital bill, (to restore community care and treatment for medical bill issued under medicare and 8,000 elderly) medicaid programs." Mental Disabilities Programs at least $20 million In fact, Conner seemed most con- (to provide employment/job training, cerned with the apprehension of welfare alternatives to institutionalization, and abusers. He thought home energy community support services) assistance programs should be terminated Education: Support for Teaching Disadvantaged and health care money reduced while Children $150 million more department officials should be hired (to compensate for 20 % Title I cut) to track down welfare abuse. These of- Community Services $4 million ficials will not, however, be used to in- (to compensate for 26% cut in community action programs) vestigate Texas' practice of contracting a Dallas firm to handle the processing of Total $320-350 million welfare claims. When questioned about Housing programs, aid to rural communities, and employment programs should this by Sen. Truan, Conner said he had also be subsidized. no problems with the fact that Texas is

THE TEXAS OBSERVER 11 A Public Service Message from the American Income Life Insurance Co.—Waco, Texas—Bernard Rapoport, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

'Final Thoughts' Holds Warning for U.S.

By Barbara Elmore

Reprinted with permission from the Jan. 28, 1983 issue of and more than a little uncomfortable. He's saying things that the Waco Tribune-Herald. Copyright 1983. we have been told, for at least two years, are no longer true. He is predicting dark things for the future of the United States. "The nation's future dependence on a broadly educated The welfare state. Charity. The dole. citizenry seems to have been forgotten, while the poor have come to be treated with more obloquy than sympathy," Pifer They are words that make modern-day Americans shudder writes in his introduction to "Final thoughts." with rage, or shrug their shoulders in disgust. So much fun is What he's really saying is something that everyone knows the "welfare state" to kick around that Archie and Edith Bunker but no one likes to admit: that it is hard for the masses to care even sing about it on television: " . . didn't need no welfare about the poor people in this country, and the national leader- state . . . everybody pulled his weight . . . gee our old LaSalle ship the last couple of years has made our natural tendencies ran great .. . those were the da-a-ays." seem acceptable. What he's really warning us about is that if Yeah. Weren't they, though? Nobody needed any "help" such condoning of our baser instincts goes on for an extended back then. Everyone had the same values, and everybody work- period of time, we could face, in the long term, a population ed hard and everybody had enough to eat. of poorly nourished and poorly educated masses. What happened? The answer to that question depends on What Pifer doesn't explore is why the nation has adopted this whom you talk to. Some people will point to the beginning of "survival of the fittest" (or the richest?) code. the welfare state and say that was the start of government Why, for example, do some people choose for pets the runt cheating. Good-for-nothings found out they could get away with of the litter, while most go for the huskiest? Why do some it. So they did. always cheer for the underdog in a basketball game, while most Other people will say America always had its poor folk, but align themselves with the sure winners? it didn't always have its conscience. And its conscience, they More to the point: Why, when we are blaming others for our say, is what led it to create the welfare state. tough economic times, do we point the finger more quickly at And its conscience, they say, stopped working a couple of the guy who buys his groceries with food stamps than at the years back. multimillionaire whose income tax return a couple of years back That's what Alan Pifer said about two weeks ago, when he showed he paid $9.65 in federal taxes? Why are we more con- issued his "Final thoughts," an essay he wrote upon retiring cerned with uncovering welfare cheaters than we are with as president of the Carnegie Corp. revealing income tax cheaters? Pifer is probably one of the best examples of a philanthropist. Though Alan Pifer's "Final thoughts" were tinged with As president of the Carnegie Corp. of New York for 17 years, sadness at what he sees in 1980s America, he did offer hope he is well-acquainted with giving away money. Because that's for the future. It lies in the hands of three different kinds of what the Carnegie Corp. does; Andrew Carnegie created it in people: the ones who understand the long-term results of not 1911 to give away money "for the advancement and diffusion investing adequately in human resources; the people who will of knowledge and understanding." Last year it gave away about find themselves becoming "increasingly uneasy about a socie- $14.5 million. ty that not only condones inequality but promotes it"; and, final- ly, the people who realize that a general welfare state offers Why should we care about what Pifer thinks? not necessarily social decay but social reform and "social No reason, really. The 61-year-old former president of the amelioration," which are alternatives to revolution. Carnegie Corp. is just one more voice in the chorus of warn- Pifer's views certainly are not the fashion. But maybe, like ings about what this nation has come from and where it is going. classic clothes, they'll hang around. And maybe, one day, they'll Besides, Pifer is saying things that are currently unfashionable fit the national conscience again.

American Income Life Insurance Company BERNARD RAPOPORT Chairman of the Board and AMU( EXECUTIVE OFFICES: P.O. BOX 208, WACO, TEXAS 78703, 817-772-3050 Chief Executive Officer

112 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 Continued from Page 11 . ed for by increases in the oil and natural the jobs and consequent boost to the they receive adequate maternity and pre- gas severance tax, by certain excise economy it would provide. But consider natal health care and nutrition. taxes, or by a corporate income tax. Cer- this: If workers received preventive tainly those are possibilities. But, as Sen. health care and could stay on the job, if PRESERVING THE FAMILY Doggett suggested to the Alliance, "The children received nutrition and education Representative Gonzalo Barrientos, D- highway lobby should bear the burden of adequate for them to become productive, Austin, is introducing a bill to provide a tax bill." The supplementary budget fulfilled citizens, if incomes weren't medicaid coverage to those whose in- delineated by the Poverty Education and deflated by medical and utility costs, if come is slightly above the AFDC max- Research Center (see Box) is a drop in rural communities were helped to imum levels, to those who become poor the bucket compared to budgetary in- redevelop their economic bases, then due to medical costs, to dependent creases being sought this year for more money would be spent among more children under 21, and to pregnant highways. people, more taxes would be paid, more women with AFDC income levels. Recently the highway lobby produced roads would be built, and more people Because the "working poor" and two- a report that attempted to justify the huge would have somewhere to go and a way parent households do not qualify for highway increase request by pointing to to get there. ❑ AFDC funding, they do not qualify for medicaid in Texas. The federal govern- ment provides an option for states to pro- vide medicaid to those making slightly more than the medicaid maximum, and Rep. Barrientos' bill calls for the exten- Re-thinking sion of this coverage to families earning 33.3% more than AFDC levels as pro- vided by the federal government. Interest-Group Politics Under current rules, the Department of Human Resources has rejected its By Craig Edward Clifford "medically needy" responsibility. In many cases, when families are hit by Annapolis, MD The interest-group understanding of large medical expenses, the father leaves good indication of the dominance politics is based on the idea that each home in order for the family to qualify of economics over politics (and group may fight for its interest with for AFDC and medicaid. Barrientos' bill I use the latter word ' in the whatever means are available. According provides preventive health care for work- A to this way of thinking, the free classical, not the current sense) is the ing lower-income families. In the long universal acceptance of the concept of in- marketplace of ideas is not the arena in run, this results in local savings as the terest as the cornerstone of political and which ideas compete with one another ac- number of people requiring hospitiliza- ethical thought. PolitiCians, journalists, cording to their intrinsic merit, but just tion and emergency room care drops. It political theorists and scientists, right that —the marketplace in which ideas are also enables many people to stay on the down to the ever-present dupe of mass- bought and sold. The marketplace of job instead of being suddenly over- media politics and journalism, the ideas, as Charles Rembar has pointed whelmed by untreated ailments. 34 states average man on the street —all of us out, has lost its metaphorical status, and currently have "medically needy" assume that we have reached rock bot- thus its meaning. * The original concep- programs. tom when we justify our actions by refer- tion of the First Amendment places The Texas Alliance is also encourag- ring to "my interest," the "national in- dialogue at the heart of the democratic ing the passage of legislation that would terest," or "our interest." The political process, and the heart of force the Department of Human dominance of interest-group politics and dialogue is the free exchange of ideas, It Resources to exercise its option to pick of the concept of interest in political does not mean that one individual or up the federal emergency funds program. thought and discussion bespeaks the group has the right to use whatever Rep. El Franco Lee, D-Houston, is transformation from a philosophical to means are at its disposal to speak without preparing legislation to this effect. The a scientific understanding of the things of interruption and without regard for the program would provide emergency the polis, and thus the need to base rights of others to speak, whether those assistance to poor families hit with' political conceptions on some kind of means consist of a loud voice, a bull disastrous medical bills, eviction, or a ultimate factual basis, to wit, upon in- horn, a vocal majority, the threat of heat cut-off. The United Way is pushing terests. This individual, this group, this violence, or a lot of money for TV time a similar measure, but its bill puts nation, simply has this interest, and it and ad campaigns. When Polus com- primary responsibility on local govern- fights to protect it. The word "interest" plains to Socrates in Plato's Gorgias that ments rather than the state. The counties could be used in a deeper, more Socrates won't let him exercise the Athe- that can least afford to provide emergen- philosophical vein —one might say, for nian right to free speech at great length, cy assistance are those where the need for example, that man is a being of interest Socrates explains that it would indeed be such assistance will probably be greatest. —but in current parlance it refers only a shame if Polus were to be denied this to sociological facts. In terms of classical sacred Athenian right during his visit to NEW PRIORITIES Athens, but that it would also be a.shame The budgetary measures called for by political thought, "interest" in the cur- rent sense refers only to the apparent if Polus were to deny everyone else the the Texas Alliance to supplement 1982 right to speak. Socrates' remedy is simp- spending levels would provide minimum good —to whatever someone happens to think is good. ly to threaten to walk away if Polus does acceptable funding for social programs not restrain his megalogia. Unluckily, it in Texas. They would offset the cruelest is not possible to walk away from multi- cuts of Reaganomics and provide many Craig Edward Clifford is a free-lance Texans with the means to survive. writer and native Texan living in An- Members of the Alliance have suggested napolis. This essay appeared originally *"For Sale: Freedom of Speech" (Atlantic, March that the funding increases can be provid- in Carolina Quarterly. 1981) THE TEXAS OBSERVER 13 million-dollar media campaigns without brought the year to a portentous close by plays by the same rules. It is all right, walking out of the modern world, even hosting a monumental non-dialogue be- for example, to call Frank Church a baby though this apparent exercise of a fun- tween Jerry Falwell and three prominent killer —even if he really isn't a baby damental American right denies that right senators he had helped to defeat. The killer —because your ultimate beliefs are to others just as much as Polus' and senators —McGovern, Church, and Bayh true and he opposes these beliefs; and Gorgias' long-windedness did. —did their damnedest, but Falwell side- then it's all right to deny that your In the 60s the right of free speech was stepped every attempt to engage him in organization ever made such a statement understood by many to mean that some of that frightening First Amend- —even if it did. In a similar vein, the anyone's opinion is just as good as ment activity. To be sure, the senators NCPAC, proud promulgator of the anyone else's. That was a perversion, to were not so skillful as was that first great political "hit list," simply assumes the be sure: free speech means that if some- champion of dialogue in coaxing a pious truth of its own beliefs and the falsity of one says something stupid — even if Cephalus, a pig-headed and not-so-bright its opponents': they're not about to spend it is "his opinion" — someone else can Hippias, an eloquent Gorgias, out of a dime trying to show the wrong- stand up and say it's stupid. Interest rhetoric displays and into the frightening headedness of an opponent's position, groups of the latest breed, most notably arena of dialectic (perhaps because they nor a minute reflecting upon their the new political right, have added a themselves, like Polus, are a bit more own. Different groups have different in- special twist: not only does everyone practiced in rhetoric than in dialectic); but terests and they fight for these interests have a right to say anything, but everyone then again, if the senators were not up the way corporations fight for customers. has a right to say it as loudly and as often to playing Socrates, I'm not so sure On this view, justice lies in the fact that as his financial resources will allow. all groups have an equal right to fight for The legitimate basis to which interest- their beliefs with whatever means they group politics inappropriately responds have —not to fight to get others to see is the necessity of compromise and "The essence of that their beliefs are true, but just to per- tradeoff between perfectly legitimate dif- suade them to have the same beliefs. The ferences in need. This process, however, interest-oriented speech sad thing is that we no longer know the should take place within the context of is monologue: rhetoric difference. Subtly but surely, this con- genuine political dialogue and only with ception replaces the sacred character of respect to legitimate differences in need. disconnected from truth. " truthful dialogue with the rule of power With respect to constitutional rights, for —and, more important, this rule of power example, there is no such thing as has the appearance of justice. (The fact legitimate differences in need. If one that NCPAC losts its socks in 1982 and group has an "interest" in discriminating Socrates ever encountered an interlocutor that Bill Clements and Lew Lehrman against a particular race, that group could quite as slick as theirs. couldn't buy governorships this time not trade votes in favor of farm price sup- around is no sign that interest-group ports for a bit of racial discrimination by Having learned his tactics from big politics is on its way out.) business and labor lobbyists, along with farmers. With the dominance of interest- To be sure, liberals have found the endless other forms of that strange group politics, the distinction between themselves in the same boat. The conclu- animal which haunts the halls of the na- legitimate and illegitimate differences in sion of the Nightline encounter I've been tion's capital, Jerry Falwell answered his need becomes considerably blurred and discussing gave us a pretty good indica- accusers with the candy-bar sweetness of the possibility of genuine dialogue, as a tion of the shape of things political in the means of settling the legitimate dif- an air-conditioner salesman in Texas that 1980s. After three unsatisfying rounds everyone else is fighting for his interest ferences, is all but extinguished. The with Jerry Falwell, McGovern an- —so why can't I? He was not interested essence of interest-oriented speech is nounced that he would be forming a polit- in placing his ideas into the true monologue: rhetoric disconnected from ical organization dedicated to common marketplace of ideas —and here he was, truth. Genuine political dialogue would sense in politics, that is, to combat the up- face to face, with the enemy —for he had include the possibility of bringing the in- surge in fanaticism and dogmatism in terests themselves into question. Genuine already sold his ideas in another kind of American politics. But he explained this marketplace. When the Moral Majority political compromise would involve the move by saying that liberals must use the and similar religious groups assert self- use of free speech to demonstrate in the same tactics as the new right in order to righteously that they are acting in accor- public arena the justice of one claim over compete. Columnist Richard Cohen re- dance with the American way, we have another, not just to get for yourself cently drew attention to the danger, in this whatever you can. to realize that their participation in approach when he faulted Norman Lear's interest-group politics represents the "People for the American Way," one of dominance of the marketplace in our several organizations which have sprung LTHOUGH it would be grossly political life, not just a misunderstanding up in opposition to the new right, for us- unfair to identify all interest- of the separation of church and state ing the approving remarks of a Ku Klux (although it is that too). What we are group activities with those of Klan leader about Jerry Falwell to the Moral Majority, this group witnessing with the rise of the new con- engender a bit of guilt by association. The epitomizes the tendency I am referring servatism is simply the unadorned ver- assumption, whether conscious or not, is to. In the 1980 election, the leaders of sion of the kind of politics which has that Falwell is dangerous and he should the Moral Majority decided which can- dominated in this country for some time. be discredited one way or another, even didates opposed the interests of its Basically Falwell is right: everyone else if the truth is stretched a bit in the pro- members and then engaged in a massive has been engaged in interest-oriented cess. Surely it is apparent how far the politics, albeit in a less blatant fashion. multi-media propaganda campaign tendency towards interest-group politics against these candidates, using every Reagan is right about the Russians — has gone when someone attempting to trick in the book (and some not in it), not from a Marxist point of view any form combat it can only do so by engaging in to reveal the truth, but simply to defeat of propaganda which aids in establishing precisely those practices which he wishes them, come hell or high water. Just after a Marxist kingdom on earth is true pro- to combat. It is better to pay lip service the 1980 election, ABC's Nightline paganda —but interest-group politics to the spirit of dialogue than it is to em- 14 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 brace out-and-out sophistry with self- an "interest" is only an apparent good, have the obligation to consider what is righteous sincerity, but surely something what happens to the arena in which the good for my fellow citizens. The rights has gone wrong when these are the only question of the truly good can be raised? to free speech and the pursuit of hap- choices we have. I'm not sure what else A just political institution is one which piness were conceived as protection to do myself, other than say and say again is dedicated to the good of the citizens, against a tyrannical government, not as what the genuine tradition of this coun- and, since the only means available to the legitimization of unadulterated com- try is: when the spirit of monologue mortals for determining what is good and petition between individuals or groups. dominates, all dialogue becomes what is not is the give and take of These individual rights do not mean that monologue. It takes two to talk. dialogue —to these most fundamental each individual, and certainly not each questions, there are no scientific answers business, has the right to take anything If we gradually (or swiftly) complete —such an institution must safeguard the away from anyone that he or it is capable the process of replacing the political prin- open realm in which these questions can of taking. Freedom of speech implies a ciples which stand at the beginning of our be asked. If I have the right to fight for responsibility to speak on behalf of the tradition with a purely economic way of what I think is good for me, I also have truth; the right to the pursuit of happiness thinking, don't we lose precisely that the obligation to raise the question con- implies the responsibility to pursue those character which most distinguishes us? If cerning what is truly good for me. I also things which one truly deserves. ❑

• POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE •

Gov. Mark White's nomination of day only and then go on with our vices; inspection of boilers and pressure Allen R. Parker to head the state's legislative program." vessels; monitoring the safety of Department of Labor and Standards Don Horn, executive secretary- manufactured housing; enforcing laws didn't sit well with several of the state's treasurer of the Harris County AFL- related to the safety, health, and welfare labor leaders who expected White to ap- CIO Council, said Parker's nomination of employees. point longtime labor official H. S. to the post "is unfortunate for Mark "He [the commissioner] has so little "Hank" Brown. Off the record, how- White, unfortunate for the labor move- power because everything significant ever, several applauded the appoint- ment, and unfortunate for Hank Brown. has been replaced by federal law," one ment. Parker's nomination is subject to "But I'm sure we'll go on from official pointed out. "Jackie St. Clair confirmation by the Senate, where a two- here," he added, "and build a relation- [commissioner appointed by Gov. thirds vote is necessary for the 41-year- ship with the governor that will be of Briscoe] would use it to put out fires for old Houston resident to fill the $36,600- assistance to everybody in this com- little working people, not necessarily a-year position. munity. I think this will bring certain union members. Bubba Steen [commis- Brown was officially endorsed by the issues into sharper focus, like who will sioner appointed by Gov. Clements] Texas AFL-CIO after the organization's stay with the movement and who's not didn't do anything. Allen [Parker] is nominating committee met in January going to stay with the movement." smart, ambitious — but why not? — and and asked White to name the former Horn was referring to C. L. I suspect he'll use the position as a president of the state's major labor "Chuck" Bertani, president of the In- stepping-stone to something else." council to the post. There was, ternational Association of Machinists however, strong support on the commit- A majority of the State Republican and Aerospace Workers Local 15 and Executive Committee, meeting in Cor- tee for Parker. Since 1977, the governor Parker's mentor. Bertani had previously has acceded to the nominating commit- pus Christi recently, asked state party announced his intention to withdraw chairman Chet Upham to resign. Tom tee's choice, and it was assumed White from the county council. He told the would also. Instead he disregarded the Carter, a Dallas oil and gas lawyer on Houston Chronicle that Parker is good the 62-member committee, said that 37 endorsement and selected Parker, a at bringing people together and that he business representative for the Interna- members of the committee signed a let- is capable of setting up an effective ter asking Upham to quit. Carter said tional Association of Machinists and statewide political structure. Aerospace Workers Local 15. the group seeking Upham's resignation Some labor officials in Austin also was concerned mainly about the Neither Parker nor Brown was in- applauded Parker's selection, although $312,000 debt confronting the state terested in any other position, and they asked not to be named because they party and the direction the party has Texas labor generated a massive drive didn't want to exacerbate what one taken recently. He said the party in to support Brown, sending telegrams called "an internal crisis" over the 1982 seemed to forsake the grassroots and letters to White's office. After Parker nomination. "I agreed with the efforts of 1980. White refused to change his mind, appointment," one official said. "Allen Brown sent a letter to members of the is a young, able corner while Hank is state's labor council saying his not be- the epitome of the old-time labor ing named to the commissioner's job leader. I think White did the right v Update: The Dallas County Bar was a great disappointment, but he add- thing." Association has agreed to pay ed that "there is much more for all of us The responsibilities of the commis- $32,500 in damages to former head to do." sioner in past administrations have been law librarian Sheila Porter after a "We cannot base our relationship few. The Labor and Standards Depart- 2-year legal battle during which she with the governor on one deed or act," ment is charged with regulating boxing was fired three times and was he wrote. "So, let us be mad at Mark and wrestling, auctioneering, labor reinstated twice. (TO, 12/24/82) White for one day, but be mad for one agents and personnel employment ser-

THE TEXAS OBSERVER 15 Senator Lloyd Bentsen has accepted 4. Ralph Hall, a Rockwall a job as chairman of the Democratic Democrat, $108,452 total, $81,452 from Senatorial Campaign Committee, where business, $250 from labor. Wiley T. Foxx is still doing under- he will be responsible for raising money 5. John Bryant, a Dallas Democrat, and recruiting candidates for the cover work in Waco. His report will $108,486 total, $16,186 from business, Democrat bid to retake the Senate in resume next issue. $75,300 from labor. 1984. Among his specific tasks will be 6. Seat vacant, no figures provided. recruiting the Texas Democrat to oppose 7. Bill Archer, a Houston Senator John Tower - hopefuls include . Republican, none. former Cong. Bob Krueger, former Dallas. GA was driven into Phillips' arms 8. Jack Fields, a Humble Governor Dolph Briscoe, state Senator. by an "unfriendly" raid by Mesa Republican, $154,274 total, $120,574 Lloyd Doggett, and Cong. Kent Hance. Petroleum of Amarillo. Phillips will from business, $1,750 from labor. In other action, Bentsen has launched a spend $1.14 billion to acquire GA's 80 9. Jack Brooks, a Beaumont fight to compel PACs to give a full ac- million barrels of crude oil reserves and Democrat, $239,272 total, $136,875 counting of their activities, and he has its 591 billion cubic feet of natural gas. from business, $67,700 from labor. Phillips' oil and gas reserves will increase asked the Senate Finance Committee to 10. Jake Pickle, an Austin reconsider the tax-exempt status of the by about 16%. Democrat, $41,750 total, $31,150 from National Conservative PAC, and similar According to a recent issue of the business, $750 from labor. groups. NCPAC spent more than Atlanta (Tex.) Journal, citizens in what 11. Marvin Leath, a Marlin $200,000 against Bentsen in his 1982 is usually thought of as conservative Democrat, $52,300 total, $43,600 from race against Jim Collins. Northeast Texas would apparently ap- business, $1,000 from labor. This flurry of activity in the Bentsen prove horse racing should the issue be 12. Jim Wright, a Fort Worth camp could have something to do with presented. They would also vote to Democrat, $254,000 total, $148,741 the fact that his name has been mentioned repeal Sunday blue laws. In a public from business, $50,125 from labor. as a possible vice-presidential choice in opinion survey of 13,500 persons in the 13. Jack Hightower, a Vernon 1984. 15-county First Senatorial District taken Democrat, $122,033 total, $78,738 from by state Sen. Howard of Texarkana, the business, $5,795 from labor. Senator John Tower wrote a "Dear vote was 6,770 in favor of horse racing 14. Bill Patman, a Ganado to 6,715 against; concerning blue laws Democrat, $57,349 total, $20,424 from Colleague" letter to each of his cohorts business, $17,175 from labor. on the Armed Services Committee, of the vote was 4,316 in favor of the laws which he is chair, inviting them to make and 9,126 against. 15. Kiki de la Garza, a Mission Democrat, $59,425 total, $28,600 from any cuts they liked in the defense budget, v Political action committees as long as those cuts were in the legis- business, $1,900 from labor. representing business, labor, and lator's own state. Tower, who has gained 16. Ron Coleman, an El Paso political ideologies contributed at least substantial media attention in recent Democrat, $128,350 total, $13,900 from $55.3 million to successful House and business, $84,200 from labor. weeks with his exasperation at the calls Senate candidates in 1982, according to for defense cuts, told a 17. Charles Stenholm, a Stamford Dallas Morning a report released by Common Cause News Democrat, $77,820 total, $55,920 from reporter, "If senators are truly recently. House Majority Leader Jim committed to cutting the defense budget, business, none from labor. Wright was among the top ten House then there should be military installations 18. Mickey Leland, a Houston recipients of contributions from Democrat, $86,475 total, $25,575 from or contractor operations in every state business PACs in 1982, and Sen. Lloyd which are candidates for reductions." business, $37,700 from labor. Bentsen was the fourth-largest recipient 19. Kent Hance, a Lubbock 1/ Utilities gadfly Jack Hopper, an oc- of PAC contributions among U.S. Democrat, $135,355 total, $106,584 casional Observer contributor, notes that senators elected in 1982. Newly elected from business, $200 from labor. Republican Cong. Phil Gramm was not Phillips Petroleum Co., the nation's 20. Henry B. Gonzalez, a San An- eleventh largest oil producer, is com- included in the study, although he has been labeled by tonio Democrat, $10,730 total, $5,730 pleting arrangements for a takeover of Time Magazine as the from business, $3,400 from labor. General American Oil Company of PACman of the year after he received contributions from 217 corporations and 21. Tom Loeffler, a Hunt Republican, $108,900 total, $86,850 $85,000 from the oil industry. from business, none from labor. Common Cause released the report in 22. Ron Paul, a Lake Jackson conjunction with an announcement by Republican, $45,365 total, $35,955 from Terry Pringle "s story about his its president, Fred Wertheimer, of an business, none from labor. young son's death troni cancer intensified campaign to persuade Con- 23. Abraham Kazen, . a Laredo orioinally appeared in the Nov 20 gress to approve public financing of Democrat, $79,536 total, $40.677 from 1981 issue of the Observer. Last congressional elections. PAC totals for business, $10,975 from labor. Texas congressmen, as listed by Com- year he expanded the story mto a 24. Martin Frost, a Dallas manuscript which caught the atten- mon Cause, are: Democrat, $233,690 total, $88,990 from tion of editors at Knopf. The work Listed by Districts: business, $76,650 from labor. will be published in early spring, 1: Sam B. Hall Jr, a Marshall 25. Mike Andrews, a Houston with the tentative title This 1.' The Democrat, $55,150 total, $42,700 from Democrat, $151,707 total, $86,057 from Child. The first published book by business, none from labor. business, $29,550 from labor. the young Abilene writer also is 2. Charles Wilson, a Lufkin 26. Tom Vandergriff, an Arlington scheduled for seriahzation in the Democrat, $123,334 total, $82,234 from Democrat, $54,400 total, $28,950 from , . June issue of Family Crcle}i business, $11,600 from labor. business, $9,350 from labor. magazine. 3. Steve Bartlett, a Dallas 27. Solomon Ortiz, a Corpus Christi Republican, $159,200 total, $123,150 Democrat, $84,625 total, $53,800 from from business, none from labor. business, $10,700 from labor. 11] 16 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 • PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS •

House Administration Committee chair- "Nothing," I said. "Just a hunch." By There were so many gray areas about man Charles Evans, D-Hurst, ap- now Louie was fumbling with something this place — the snack bar, for instance, pointed himself and two other members inside his London Fog on the left side of the Senate chamber bereft of electricity, Monday to the new ethics subcommit- his chest. the occluded vista of Congress Avenue. tee. . . . The new subcommittee will in- "Are we on tape, Louie?" I asked. I couldn't dwell on all the possibilities. vestigate and advise legislators about "Can't get the dang button going. Instead I asked, "But where does Ron- "sin and crime" and take action against Otherwise .. " nie Earle fit in?" both, said Travis County Dist. Atty. "Otherwise, what? Who are you "I think it's something like a business Ronald Earle, who helped House Speaker investment," Louie whispered. "He's got Gib Lewis with plans for the panel. working for these days, Louie?" I had my notebook out now. a little DA enterprise here in town and Dallas Morning News needs some help landing big fish. Can't He stumbled back against the Observer seem to hook them on his own. I've heard rack and made a sign to show his lips stories about showing Mattox who the were sealed. Austin real people's attorney is in town. Also I knew Louie's weakness, but I also something about a permanent grand jury T WAS 8:23 a.m., a Monday in knew Observer rules: never offer money of his peers. Something else again about early February, when I found Louie to a source — they'll tell you anything showing up in full color right above the I the Lurker lurking by the newspaper for money, and more than 60C would weather map in USA Today. " racks in the west wing of the Capitol. He break the bank account in Dickinson. I was studying the headlines on all the We were getting close to something. decided to stretch the rules and offer him I looked Louie straight in the dark glasses papers locked inside their cases. He a cup of coffee downstairs in the snack hadn't changed a bit — London Fog col- and asked, "What exactly are you in- bar. That caused Louie to break into a vestigating: the disappearance of the lar up over his ears, classic Stetson two sweat. He slithered down the stairs. sizes too big resting on top of the Lon- budget surplus in less than three months don Fog collar, dark glasses, cigarette "Okay, okay," he said as we sat down without a penny's being spent?" dangling from the lip. He hadn't changed at a table, Louie fondling his cup of java. Lefty shook his head. "Bigger," He a bit since the old days when he used to "I'll spill." said. lurk at the perimeters of peace demon- He spilled all right. All over his Lon- "How about why politicos are allowed strations on the south mall counting faces don Fog. And when the hot liquid broke to keep campaign contribution leftovers? or when he'd be lounging under the shade into his underdrawers, he confessed that Or why Lt. Governor Hobby is too cheap of a backhoe copying license plates while he worked for J. Edgar Evans, Crockett to put his guests up at a hotel? Or why waiting for the bulldozers to shake the Jim Turner, and the ominous Mr. Delay. highway czar Dedman treats the discus- students out of the trees of Waller Creek. "You know, that boy's name alone scares sion of mass transit like it's some kind Hadn't changed, that is, except for the some people," Louie let on. He said of capital offense?" gold earring now missing from his left behind those three were Mr. Gib and Mr. Louie just shook his head and pulled lobe. The ear flashed into view as he bent Big. the Stetson down so low it rested on the to read a subhead. Nothing there, not a "Who is Mr. Big?" I asked as Louie tip of his nose. "First," he said, "Ded- hole or a mark. More than likely plastic continued to writhe in his seat. man tells no tales. Second, we're going surgery had covered it up, like so much Louie shook his head from side to side. after the really big stuff — Bible defini- of his past had been covered up, except tion — sex, drugs, fast cars, easy money, for the few gray hairs he'd missed with I brought him a cup of cold water. He loose language, pages who don't wear the black dye on his sideburns. Not like poured it all over his London Fog. Then, gray slacks with their blazers." the old Louie. He must have been noticeably calmer, he said, "Mr. Big is "I can name a few false witnesses, " slipping. Ronnie Earle." I offered. He was one stand away from the "First name or last?" I asked, know- "Haven't got time," he said, wring- Observer box. A quick glance told me the ing he meant the infamous Travis Coun- ing out his notebook. issues in the rack were two months old. ty D.A. with no last name. "Working while intoxicated?" I determined that I should step in here to "No comment," Louie commented . divert his attention from a circumstance Louie wouldn't say. But he did say that since Speaker Gib had consolidated "But I will say we are looking into this that held out great potential for my Carlyle Smith character. Something fun-- humiliation. power he wanted to make sure that nothing would go wrong. He explained ny there: not voting for the Speaker, say-=, "Out a little early, aren't you, Louie?" that they had set up a secret investigative ing we've already got ethics committees, I asked, stepping from the shadows as he committee to spy on legislators. "Give calling J. Edgar Evans a kangaroo, say-; slowly turned around. "Speaker Gib me a rumor, give me a whiff of im- ing that ethics are a stable commodity. probably hasn't even put hair goo on his propriety, and I'll have that sucker's Now what does that mean? That's tanta- palms yet." committee seat!" Louie shouted, jump- mount to perpetration in my book. Louie wheeled around. I'd hit a nerve. ing up from the table and showering the What's he driving at?" Probably something to do with his gray office workers seated around us eating lit- "Search me," I said, throwing up my hair. tle white doughnuts with the dregs of the hands. Louie immediately stood up, "What do you know about the coffee from his London Fog. "We're go- made me stand up, frisked me, handed Speaker?" he asked, taking out a note- ing to look into the gray areas, Speaker me back my notebook and let me sit book. Gib says. All kind of vice and sin." down again.

THE TEXAS OBSERVER -17 "You're clean," he said. "But Ron That made Louie a little nervous. He ten-year-old girl, the one who kept ask- Wilson, what's he got to hide?" Louie played back this last speech and turned ing Mark White those questions about was burning now. He had his tape off the machine. I could tell he was un- museums at the press conference? How recorder out, holding it two feet from his sure of himself. It must be difficult did she get to ask two long questions face, taping his own words. "What's he without a Gus Mutscher or Brilab by without batting an eyelash? What did she doing, saying the Houston police force which to chart your course. Lefty was mean by museums? How did she get an should have a citizens committee to in- slumped over in his chair. exclusive interview with the Gov after the vestigate complaints? The Houston police briefing? Did she drive herself to the doesn't need any investigating. They Then he perked up enough to say, "We have an expert coming in from New Capitol on a hardship license? Did she sit have built a national reputation for what York to consult with us on this thing." strapped into a carseat? How did she they do and they don't keep it secret. manage a press pass when she's too short They're proud of it." "Let me guess," I said. "Roy Cohn." for the photo machine?" Louie held his right index finger in the "How did you know? Who you been I could see this was drawing Louie out. air as he rewound the tape. He played talking to?" Louie was shaken to the He pushed the Stetson back above the back the last section, listening to his lit- core. The coffee stains formed a dark glasses and said "Yeah, you have tle speech, then pulled his chair up close Rorschach-like pattern on his coat. something there. Who was that little girl and smiled. "Ron Wilson is just trying "Another hunch," I said. anyway? Where can I track her down?" to keep the water off his own duck's I told him he might lurk around Brooke back. The reason you set up an in- Louie seemed defeated. He pulled his elementary, third wing, second door vestigating committee is to keep yourself Stetson down to his mouth and turned from the breezeway. Louie stood up, from being investigated." away to sulk. Anyone would have felt waved his tape recorder in farewell, and sorry for him. I decided that it might slithered back up the Capitol stairs. It was "I see," I said, scribbling in my cheer him up a bit if I gave him a lead. 9:05 a.m. There was a lot of lurking yet notebook. "Say, Louie," I said. "What about that to be done. G. R.

•BOOKS AND THE CULTURE• Porter's Fabrications Elude Biographer By Beverly Lowry

KATHERINE ANNE truth. These people may turn on friends daughter Callie seems to have taken over PORTER, A LIFE in an instant, switch political persuasions as the backbone of the family. When by the moon, double-cross without know- Callie decided, at fourteen, that she New York: Simon and Schuster ing it themselves. Consistency counts for wanted to be an actress, her father saw 1982, 572 pp., $19.95 little. Drama is all. no reason the family could not therefore Katherine Anne Porter was such a sell the farm in Kyle and move to San fabricator. When the past didn't suit her, Antonio where Callie could study for the San Marcos she changed it, turning dishrags into stage. Glory was out there; she wasn't doilies. Born Callie Porter, dirt poor, she going to find it in Kyle, where she lived E HAVE ALL known someone meant to get out. She meant to be for twelve unhappy years. Porter's in- like her: a fabricator, an em- somebody. She told her sister what she stincts for survival were infallible from W broiderer, a person who wanted was "glory." You have seen pic- an early age. Her father could have done makes up her life as she goes, changing tures of such a child. In a row lined up worse than follow them. past and present as moment and occasion on a front porch will be thirteen poverty- Joan Givner wrote this biography, dictate, prettying up what she considers stricken children, one of whom will be unacceptable to suit her roving notion of called simply Katherine Anne Porter, A staring direct and hard into the camera Life, at Porter's request. A Canadian, as if to say, "Not me." In her family, Givner had written various articles about Beverly Lowry is the author of Daddy's little Callie was the one — the only one Porter, which in turn had been noticed Girl and two other novels. — with such grit. by the late Lon Tinkle of Dallas. Tinkle She was born in 1890 in a log cabin brought Givner to Porter's attention. The in Indian Creek, Texas. She lived ninety result is this book. years, until September, 19.80. The two Authorized biography is certainly Reveley Memorial Services strong women who dominated her early tricky: you never know how it will turn Simple Funerals years, her mother and then her grand- out, and since the book bears the stamp mother, both died when Porter was very of approval of the person written about, Austin Information: young, losses which affected her deep- readers assume every word has been ap- 441-7500 ly. Her father was weak and, without the proved, often not the case at all. It is women, lost. His snobbish, determined not difficult to imagine what Katherine 18 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 Anne Porter would have thought of this from any standpoint. As a result, what's dramatic life. She could never quite let book. She would have hated it. To be missing from the book is a sense of go of the need for adventure long enough fair, she more than likely would have delight — as well as sorrow — in the sub- to be quiet and finish things. She was lost hated any book written about her. ject's ups and downs and basic personali- in life itself, in creating adventures and Reportedly, any word printed about her ty quirks. How she got by seems to have placing herself where crises were bound was greeted with scorn and rage, pro- aroused in Givner more shame than to hit. She was restless, footloose, vain voked either by too much truth, too little wonder. and whimsical. She could not sit still long of it, or the slightest air of criticism. She enough to keep working. And so what? would have hated this book as well, and "Noon Wine" is worth a lifetime of with some reason. HE FACT IS, the character that waiting. In • the prologue, Givner states her Porter created in her fabrications Givner's technique for writing the reason for accepting the job of writing the T was what she at heart was, a book seems to have been fashioned after book, knowing there were whole hunks Southern belle, a performer. Porter was rolling snowballs. Details gather, gossip of her life Porter had casually fabricated: an actress to her soul. In San Antonio she accrues. There are telephone conversa- "I . . . believe the story of her life is was a big hit, as she was to be anywhere tions, bits of notes, pieces of other books. important. The interweaving of fact, fan- she slipped into her performing mode. It (In one instance, observations from tasy, and fiction which confounds the is central to an actor's make-up that he another biography are stated as pure biographer is highly revealing to the or she be able to, in a sense, slip out of fact.) You get the feeling Givner left literary critic . . . when the sources of natural skin into someone else's. Once nothing out. The story gets lost under the her stories are revealed it is possible to weight of sometimes cheap details. Then trace her method of shaping them into fic- there is the writing. To cite only two of tion and thus gain a fresh insight into a Givner's perceptions: "She realized once writer's creative method. In a broader again that she must free herself from the sense, the uncovering of the sources of prison of marriage." "When he left, one work after another makes it possible Porter was rapturously in love and wrote to reconstruct her creative life and pro- him in a dazzle of joy." A dazzle of joy? vide a unique and detailed portrait of an In the prologue, Givner says of artist." Katherine Ann Porter that "her actual life Unfortunately, Givner has not the was more heroic than anything she in- faintest clue how fiction comes to be vented." This is nonsense. That she made and so the vision of the book is off wrote the stories she wrote is the entire from the beginning. Time and again we point. How she wrote them, what was are told how life "informs" work, how going on in her life at the time, all that, work has been "informed" by life, as she might well be of interest, but this book ties down facts and wraps sources up, as loses the best of her. It's too bad actual- if it were that easy. Also Givner has made ly that Porter felt that need to appoint her the unfortunate choice of fitting in ex- own biographer before she died. She planations of the stories with the might have done better leaving that job chronology of Porter's life, so that when to the angels. something happens early on that will turn One last cavil: whoever at Simon and • up in a story Porter will write some fifty Schuster came up with the idea of swad- settled into a part, an actor can improvise years hence, Givner takes time off from dling this book in matching pale laven- at will, making up a life for a character the narrative to tell us, in detail, what is der jacket and endpapers ought to have going to happen later on, in order to keep played, trading real life for drama. Porter to live in a room painted that color from proving her thesis. The technique is might well have played Blanche in Street- now on. It's disgusting, like tinted car Named Desire, making up a tragic, bothersome, confusing, and unnecessary. bathroom tissue. ❑ The sources of art are mystery enough aristocratic Southern life she herself to those who create it. For a biographer might have been confused by. Creating to make definitive pronouncements about this other life came easy, a piece of cake. such is only to invoke cheap answers. Writers in general hold on to the bare Personal Service — Quality Insurance bones of their past, trying to get it right. The book is not terrible, just off. The ALICE ANDERSON AGENCY But actors, performers . . . watch them INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE writing sags, the observations are un- on late-night interviews: they will say trustworthy. But Katherine Anne Porter anything. The wonder in Katherine Ann 808A E. 46th, Austin, Texas lived too interesting a life for a full ac- 459-6577 count of it to be dull, and Givner has done Porter's life is that she could do that and her homework well, tracing down every still write. last detail available from every living She had a hard time finishing things. ANDERSON & COMPANY Stories waited years to be done with; her friend and relative. It's a fascinating COFFEE story; it's just not all that well told. God novel took almost twenty years to write. TEA SPICES knows, Porter left a biographer a nearly And no wonder. Porter lived a wild, TWO JEFFERSON WARE impossible task, what with all those AUSTIN, TEXAS W731 doilies she made, fancying up the fur- 512 453-1533 niture of her past. But Givner had to take .<.V1 and Associates Send me your list. 502 W. 15th Street a stand somewhere, establish a point of E view toward her subject. What she com- Austin, Texas 78701 • REALTOR Name cr) Representing all types of properties municates is disapproval, like a moraliz- in Austin and Central Texas Street ing parent gently reprimanding a child interesting 3 unusual property a specialty. for telling lies. Not an ideal point of view CO 477-3651 City Zip

THE TEXAS OBSERVER 19

A.M.• ■•• .1• • V p -.1 Her examination of the secretarial nether- Two from Shearer Publishing world is filled with anthropologically ex- act apercus. Harryette Mullen's essayistic fiction concerning "Pica" (the phenomenon of eating substances not intended to be used Half-dozen Gems as food), with its references to "snack- size boxes of Niagara laundry starch" is bitterly funny, though it trails off where Hiding Out in Her Work it should instead end. In any case, Mullen's social commentary is to the point: "Now the government says that there can be only such and such amount By Logan of insects or rat droppings in so many pounds of food. They don't say they coward, and our evenings on the town should not be in the food at all. They HER WORK: STORIES BY realize these things happen from time to TEXAS WOMEN often ended with me sunk in Champale and misery and him at once contrite and time: fried rats found in take-out chicken, edited and with an introduction by disgusted. We should have paid attention, a condom in a Coke bottle. It's 100 per- Lou Halsell Rodenberger. but we didn't." cent American to put ground-up chicken feet into hot dogs. No regulations against Bryan: Shearer Publishing More good news: Pat Carr's "An El that." She also manages to make new 335 pp., $16.95. Paso Idyll," a fable of loneliness and even the tired authorial device of refer- erotic composure, rings true except ring to a dictionary definition: "There perhaps for its ending. seems to be a fancy Greek or Latin word Dallas Elizabeth McBride's "Peacocks," a for every vile, disgusting act, from kill- metaphoric tale on marital insecurity and ing your own children to fucking dead OUNT IN Her Work's favor a the limits of friendship is telling and people." good title, a good painting unexpectedly funny, especially in the nar- Her Work offers another half-dozen or C reproduced on the cover, and rator's series of zoological associations: so honorable disappointments. Laura about half a dozen good stories. Unfor- " 'Honestly, you don't have any im- Furman's "Eldorado," wherein a widow tunately, there are another two dozen agination at all. I'd like to find a man with metaphorically tries to rid herself of the stories. a tongue like that.' When I looked back memories of a marriage, is well-crafted, The good news first. That Jo Brans' at the giraffe, I could see what she meant. but ultimately unconvincing. Elizabeth "A Divorce Made in Heaven" comes Of course I didn't say anything, but I did Forsythe Hailey's "His Children" reads first in the book is a happy alphabetical think about Russell." "Peacocks" also like a tedious warm-up exercise for A accident, since it is the high point of the wins the one-liner award for an inter- Woman of Independent Means. Shelby book. The elegant candor of her account change between the narrator and her Hearon's uncharacteristically chilly of Brans' marriage to Bill Porterfield is friend: "Maybe men just don't know how "Order" skillfully describes the pro- alone worth the price of the book. to cry. Maybe they cry with their sperm. tagonist's worst nightmare-come-true of Describing dancing with her then All I know is, when they get upset, they disorder. Beverly Lowry's "If You're husband-to-be, Brans sums up in three leave their sperm in strange places." Not Going to Stay Then Please Don't sentences what lesser writers would take Pat Ellis Taylor, in spite of her Bother to Come" effectively nails down- pages to express: "The more he exhorted dubious-sounding biography in the back home grotesqueness for those who like me to relax and flash, the stiffer and of the book ("I am a mother-poet and reading about protagonists named Fran- duller I became. Under the blue lights story-teller, interested in the grass roots cine who work at Dairy Dude and who that turned white into ultraviolet, I turned spread of information more than com- have obsessions with frozen pies and sur- puter synapses, with faith in oral as much real visitors. Babette Fraser's "Joe's as in the written word power, with hope Place" is an unfocused trifle with a few Liz Logan is a staff writer of The Dallas that readers will want to read my stories nice epiphanies on the subject of a one- Morning News. She has written for Red- aloud and tell them over in their own afternoon stand. Carolyn Osborn's book, D Magazine, Houston City and words. "), is a remarkable writer, to "Wildflowers I Have Known" also has Texas Homes. judge from "Afoot in a Field of Men." its memorable lines (about an ex- husband: "I'm supposed to be through with Craig. How is anyone ever com- Autographed copies of A SMILE FROM KATIE HATTAN pletely through with anyone?"), though it's unsatisfyingly unstructured. & OTHER NATURAL WONDERS by Leon Hale The rest of Her Work's thirty stories WATSON & COMPANY Name are a pretty dispiriting lot. Editor Lou Halsell Rodenberger should be credited Address at least with this: Her introduction is fair BOOKS warning of what is to come. With her fuzzy thinking, strange syntax, and 604 BLANCO STREET MC/VISA # stranger punctuation, she unintentionally AUSTIN, TEXAS 78703 Exp. Date (512) 472-4190 defines three-name lady writer syndrome. $16.15 per copy, including postage, tax and handling "Why a collection of stories by Texas women then?" Rodenberger asks. "A 20 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 fair question one writer represented in learns about family traditions and rela- called "yarns" is a three-name lady this anthology believes. Another suggests tionships as the family gathers for the im- writer in his soul. I don't have the heart an answer. Texas spaces, she observes, pending death of the family to quote any more; it was bad enough accommodate the wildness [I take it she matriarch. . . . Reva's plight in Melba having to read these stories. Most fall into means the freedom] of spirit that women Christopher's 'Prisoner in Disguise' is one category or another of rustic schlock: associated with Texas letters have often that of a sensitive woman doomed. As a either tedious nostalgie de la prairie or demonstrated by ignoring regional bar- tenant farmer's wife, childbearing and dreadful sharecropper Southern gothic. riers to their consideration of unrelenting hard work are her lot. . . . Rodenberger apparently wants to rebut humankind's concerns." A rooming house owner delineates Larry McMurtry's indictment of Texas What? It gets worse; reading sharply the before and after contrast in literature: "Designation of urban over Rodenberger's descriptions of these an- oil boom town gone bust as she also rural as now-proper setting for Texas fic- stories, the heart sinks: "In 'Dust,' reveals that she has understood her tion and denigration of the rural as fic- Patricia Griffith depicts a small East deceased roomer, a failed oil operator, tional place is irrelevant to intelligent Texas town surrounded by cotton farms better than his kin ever did in 'Mr. Car- judgment of what writing Texans are do- in the 1950's where fear and suspicion michael's Room,' by Winifred Sanford." ing today." She ends up, however, un- are aroused by a transient crop duster and As these examples demonstrate, three- wittingly supporting his case. ignite mindless violence, often latent in name lady writers do not in fact have to Somewhere in this book, there's a rural Texas. The newest member of a possess three names. (Of the 31 writers, pretty good 15-story anthology trying to West Texas farm family, a teenage bride, 19 have two names, and 12 have three.) get out. Maybe in its next printing, Her acquires maturity in Jane Gilmore In fact, they don't have to be ladies. Any Work could be marketed in three-name Rushing's 'Against the Moon,' as she man who regularly writes what could be and two-name editions. 111

Humor and Insight from Leon Hale

By John Edward Weems

A SMILE FROM KATIE weigh 90 pounds — "not even holding there's a funeral. The sport has taken that hammer." Since Hale wanted to talk, over. You want to find a crowd, go to HATTAN & OTHER Katie Hattan's son — Zennie Ray, aged the ball game. . . NATURAL WONDERS 76 — offered to finish the patching job. But soon she found another reason to But she refused, worked the hammer a smile, and Hale realized why he had By Leon Hale while longer, then led Hale into her thought it "most special." Drawings by Barbara Whitehead house. • "I saw hope and encouragement in it. Bryan: Shearer Publishing Co., 1982 There she talked about her life. Born Not for Katie Hattan, but for you and me. $13.95 in 1877, she had escaped legal slavery, I find comfort in the fact that a person but she had performed slavelike labor for can live in this world for a century, and Waco most of her hundred years, simply to work so hard, and plow, and fix holes in exist. "I chopped cotton, and picked cot- pig pens, and even see bad things ahead. EON HALE'S description of Katie And yet produce a smile like that." Hattan and her smile is one of 150 ton, and worked and plowed like a boy," or so short pieces chosen for in- she told Hale. "I still work, now. Every It would be interesting to hear Ronald L day I do things. I hammer. I nail. I do Reagan counsel Katie Hattan to "stay the clusion here from a 15-year spread of Hale's popular column that runs in the what a carpenter does. I milk my cow course." Houston Post. When Hale talked with every day, and fix my milk. . . " But that political remark is not Hale's. Katie Hattan she was a 100-year-old Only once in her life had she idled He and a new regional publisher, Bill black woman living near Wharton. He away any time in a hospital — after a gall Shearer of Bryan, have produced a book came upon her one afternoon at three bladder attack. that will appeal to many readers, o'clock when she was "out in the back, Hale studied her: " . . Such a strength regardless of political affiliation. swinging a big hammer and fixing a hole showed in that tiny face. A knowing, a Hale (also the author of three novels) in the hog pen." confidence in the eyes. Here was a per- has excelled in traveling the backwoods He marveled at the sight. She was son accustomed to being in of Texas, talking with men and women small and narrow and probably did not control. . . " who are infinitely removed from the At one point she smiled — "one of the Texas wealth and power depicted on most special smiles" Hale had ever seen. television and in bestselling books these Book reviews by Texan author John Ed- But, not surprisingly, Katie Hattan was days, and writing about them — and often ward Weems have appeared in the San short on optimism. "The world's gettin' about himself, too — with a gentle humor Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles worse," she said. "Somethin' bad's and considerable insight. Random Times, and Christian Science Monitor, gonna happen if people don't examples: as well as in the Observer and other change. . . . You go to church now and "You hear people talk a lot about Texas publications. you don't find many people, unless watching the weather, but it means

THE TEXAS OBSERVER 21 something different than it used to. Now way Beatrice did. I mean if you get ap- "I think it would be a good thing if all they mean they watch the weather report pendicitis now, you check in with the of us could spend more time doing work on television. Watching the weather once doctor and he cuts you open and snatches that has little similarity to what we do for meant standing outdoors and looking at out the offending organ and you have to our daily bread. . . . In [a recent] short the sky and trying to figure out when a quit talking about it. But Beatrice's bad career as a brick chiseler, I cleaned 300 norther or a thunderstorm was going to appendix lasted for years and years. Fre- bricks. They are lying [outside] now in hit, and how bad it would be when it quently it would kick up on her and give neat rows, waiting for the bricklayer who did. . . . The world was so small then, her thirty minutes of lecture material." will come and build them into [my] when people watched the sky that way. His folksiness might tend at first to house. Cleaning those bricks may be the On weather, it wasn't any bigger than as hide the quality of his observation and most lasting and valuable work I will ever far as they could see." knowledge, but not for very long. And do in this life. A hundred years from now "In [earlier] days, appendicitis was a I doubt that his loyal readers will really they could be still in that wall, doing their very popular disease, and Beatrice had pay much heed to his delightful self- work, when nobody is left alive that ever a lingering case. People today do not get deprecations that appear in print from read a sentence I wrote in the paper or the mileage out of a bum appendix the time to time — not even the following: anywhere else." 1=1

DIALOGUE <>

Wasted Parts The real shame, it seems to me, is that we let all those good anatomical parts go Publish Letters The reason there is so much flap on to waste when we execute a murderer. Before I had finished the selections both sides about applying the death penal- I suggest we extract heart, kidneys, liver, from letters to Elroy Bode (TO, ty is that no one really has a good solu- lungs, eyes, etc., for use by those who 1/28/83), I realized I was sniffing and tion. While it is true that among executed need them, then turn off the life-support working to focus my tear-welled eyes. murderers the rate of recidivism is very systems and let them die a "natural" What a woman! What a gift to those low (zero, at last count), it is applied so death. seldom no confidence can be placed in who knew her. Wish I had been among them. its effectiveness as a deterrent. Since John Colby, Rt. 1, Box 43, Spicewood, Tx 78669. 1966, less than a dozen people have been A recommendation: that Bode or the put to death. Observer collect as many of her let- It sounds good to argue that those who Thanks to Bode ters/words as possible and get them pose a threat to society should be put to published, to the end that deprived Dear Elroy Bode and Observer in children might be "fed," and all of us death, but then we see where Brooks got general: it for one murder while Corona in become a bit more trusting of hap- piness. "Or even a song." California and others in Texas and Il- I find myself moved to write you, in linois who murdered literally dozens do appreciation and pleasure, this mild Sat- Bruce Cox, 517 E. Laurel, San An- time (life, I hope) on an insanity plea. urday morning. A friend 'gave me an tonio, TX 78212. Now those fellows really pose a threat. Observer subscription for Christmas, and this is the 2nd issue. Excellent writing, good topics — a refreshment and vigor I've sorely missed! Chuck Caldwell's Mr. Bode's "Remembering Ramona Peebles" is especially meaningful for me. No, I didn't know the lady, but I've `What's known teachers who wrote, as she did, so tenderly and lovingly of the small Itc,1,11 About? cycles of life around them. 1731 New Hampshire Ave., N.W. Lisa White, 1410/ E. Riverside Dr., Parisian Charm. Omelette & Washington, D.C. 20009 Austin, TX Champagne Breakfast. Beautiful • Dupont Circle/Embassy area Crepes. Afternoon Cocktails. Gallant Waiters. Delicious • Spacious rooms • Coffee shop the legendary Quiche. Evening Romance. • Parking • Best buy in D.C. Continental Steaks. Mysterious Present this ad when checking in and Women. Famous Pastries. receive a $10 introductory rebate. RAW DEAL Cognac & Midnight Rendezvous. Steaks, Chops, Chicken CALL TOLL FREE 800-424-2463 open lunch and evenings In short, it's about everything 6th & Sabine, Austin No Reservations a great European style restaurant is all about. Life Insurance and Annuities icecheenOlg. Martin Elfant, CLU Cafe 4223 Richmond, Suite 213, Houston, TX 77027 31 0 East 6th St. (713) 621-0415 ScYlimire Austin, Texas

22 FEBRUARY 25, 1983 SOCIAL CAUSE CALENDAR°

Notices on upcoming events must reach Progresszve Organizations HOUSTON the Observer at least thee weeks in The Observer has built up lists of organiza- ACLU, 524-5925: ACORN, 523-6989: advance. tions in Texas we regard as progressive. The Amnesty Intl., 529-1892: Brotherhood of Viet. editor invites communications recommending Vet., 728-4857; Casa Juan Diego, 869-7376: Centro para Immigrantes de Houston, CENTRAL AMERICA TALK organizations for inclusion. We will generally run the listings for Austin. San Antonio, and Houston 288-0091; CISPES, 524-4801; Citizens' Anti- Rev. Henry Lee Atkins, Jr., will deliver in one issue followed by Dallas. Fort Worth, and Nuclear Info. Team (CAN IT) 522-3343: a talk on "Central America: Historical Around Texas in the next. Citizens Party, 633-8587: Demo. Socialist Organizing Cmte., 921-6906; Gay Political Perspective and the Role of the Church" AUSTIN on March 2, 7 p.m., at the UT-Atistin East Caucus, 521-1000; Harris Cty. Demos., ACLU (Central Tx.), 447-4335; ACORN 528-2057; Houston Anti-Draft Coalition, Campus Lecture Hall (under the LBJ 442-8321; Alternative Views (ACTV), Box 529-4087; Houston Area Women's Center, Library). Sponsored by the Committee on 7279, 78712; Amn. Friends Service Cmte., 528-6798; Houston Human Rts. League, Central America, Network, Episcopal 474-2399; Amnesty Intl., Bx. 4951, Aus. 78765; 523-6969: Houston Interfaith Hunger Coali- Peace Fellowship, and Hospitalidad Austin. Anti-Hunger Coalition of Tx. (ACT), tion, 522-3955; Houston Nonviolent Action, Call 478-1981 or 478-2440. 474-9921: Assoc. for Retarded Citizens (ARC). 661-9889; Interfaith Peaceforce of Houston, 476-7044: Audubon Scty., 447-7155; Austinites 388-3803; Lesbian and Gay Demos. of Texas, WOMEN'S DAY for Public Transportation, 441-2651; Aus. 521-1000; Man.-Amn. Demos., 6944 Naviga- International Women's Day will be com- 'Lambda, 478-8653; Aus. Lesbian-Gay Pol. tion, Houston 77011: Mockingbird Alliance, memorated on March 8. On that day, the Caucus, 474-2717: Aus. Nghbrhood Ccl., 747-1837; NAACP, 1018 Clehourne, Houston League of Women Voters will have its 442-841 1; Aus. Nghbrhood Fund, 451-2347; 77001; North Harris Co Demos., P.O. Box Aus. Peace and Justice Coalition, 263-2586; 90704, 77290; Nuclear Weapons Freeze Cam- Legislative Day at the State Capitol. Car- Aus. Tenants Ccl., 474-1961: Aus. Women's pools to Austin are being arranged by local paign, 522-2422; Park People, Inc., 741-2524: Alcohol Resource and Education Center PASO, 46716 Fairfield. Houston 77023: Senate League offices. Other Austin Women's Day (AWARE), 472-5553: Aus. Women's Centr., Dist. 15 Detno. Coalition, 862-8431: Sierra events: Emmajoe's will sponsor its 5th an- 472-3775; Aus. Women's Political Caucus, Club, 288-0037; Tx. Abortion Rights Action nual Women's Day celebration on March 472-3606; Black Aus. Demos., 478-6576: League (TARAL), 520-0850; Tx. Coalition of 6 with music, art, poetry, and dancing; call Brthrhood of Viet Vets., 892-4738: Ctzns Black Demos., 674-0968; Tx. Demos., 477-7044 for specifics. Austin women's Party, 451-3864; Ctzns, United for Rehab, of 667-6194; Tx. Fathers for Equal Rights, organizations are planning a rally and march Errants (CURE), 476-4762; Cmte. in Solidari- 960-0407; Tx. Gay Task Force, 529-7014; at noon in downtown Austin; ty with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), Toxic Substances Task Force. 228-0037: UofI-I for March 8 477-4728; Common Cause, 474-2374; Con- call 444-9309 for details or to participate YD's, 749-7347: United Viet. Vets. Organiza- sumers Union, 477-4431: Demo. Socialists of tion (U.V.V.O.), 645-1821: Westside Demos., in the planning. Betty LaDuke, Latin America (DSA), 926-9600; Demos. for a 464-2536: Women's Lobby Alliance, 521-0439. America scholar from Southern Oregon Nuclear Weapons Freeze, 444-0805; Ecology State University, will present two slide Action, 478-1645; El Centro Chicano, show/lectures on March 8, both pertaining 477-7769 or 476-3747: Grandparents for to women and art in Latin America. at 4 Nuclear Disarmament Action, 453-1727; Gray p.m. in the UT Union and again at 8 p.m. Panthers, 345-1869; IMPACT, 472-3903; SAN ANTONIO in the East Austin Multipurpose Center. Lawyers Alliance for Nuclear Arms Control ACLU, 224-6791; Alternatives to ImpriSon- (LANAC), 477-2774; Leonard Peltier Support ment, 'Box 27393. 78227: Amnesty Intl., Box Group, 472-4142; Live Oak Fund, 476-5714: LH134, 78212; Bread for the World, 494-1042; FREEZE CONVOCATION Lone Star Alliance, 478-7481; LULAC, Civil Rights Litigation Center, 224-1061; The National Lobbying Convocation for 451-3219; Max's Pot, 928-4786; Mxn.-Anin. Citizens Concerned About Nuclear Power, a U.S.-Soviet Nuclear Weapons Freeze will Demos., 444-7688 or 472-9211: NOW, 655-0543; Communities Organized for Public meet in Washington, D.C., March 7-8. For 472-3775; November 29th Coalition, 478-6733: Service (COPS), 222-2367; Coalition Against information on car and van pools call Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign, 459-0762: U.S. Intervention in El Salvador, 225-6913: Nurses' Environmental Health Watch, Demos. for Action, Research & EducatiOn" 476-3294 or 459-0762 in Austin. or the 454-3932; (Leave message); Northeast Aus. local Freeze office in other cities. The vote (DARE) 67470351; Ecumenical Peace Group, Demos., 836-3533; Organizing Cmte. for a 736 - 2587; Fellowship of Reconciliation, on the Freeze will possibly be March 9. Nat'l. Writers Union, (OCNWU), P.O. Box 822-9631; Habitat, 822-9100; International Write your congressperson. 4184, Austin 78765; Pax Christi, 476-7351: Center for Peace Through Culture, 822-0461; Phogg Foundation. Box 13549; Poverty, Interreligious Task Force on Central America, "WORDS AND MUSIC FOR PEACE" Education and Research Center (PERK), 432-1125; Latin-American Assistance, The Houston Nuclear Weapons Freeze 474-5019: Professionals for Nuclear Arms 533-9693; Metropolitan Congregational Campaign will sponsor a lecture and Limitations, 443-9826; Progressive Writers' Alliance, 349-2401; Mxn.-Ans. Demos., classical music concert to support a bilateral Alliance, 477-3281; Red Ryder Preservation 227-1341; 'NAACP, 224-7636: Organizations nuclear weapons freeze at the Wortham Scty. (UT), 479-8548; Rural America, United for East Side Development. 824-4422: 459-3320; Save Barton Creek, 472-4104; Sierra Theatre. U. of Houston, 8 p.m. Pax. Christi, 432-5715; People for Peace, March 8, Club 478-1264; Socialist Party of Tx., 822-3089; Physicians for Social Responsibili- Violinist Fredell Lack and Pianist Albert 452-3722; South Aus. Demos., 447-4091: ty, 691-0375; Poor People's Coalition for Hirsh will perform; John Henry Faulk will Students for Political Awareness (Austin High), Human Services, 923-3037; Presbyterian Peace speak. Call 522-2422 for ticket information. 476-0777; Tx. Abortion Rights Action League Fellowship, 732-9927; Proyecto Hospitalidad, HISPANIC CONFERENCE (TARAL), 478-0094; Tx. Cmte. on Natural 736-9306; Residents Organized for Better and Resources, 443-8037; Tx. Consumer Assn., Beautiful Environmental Development "The National Conference on the Emerg- 477-1882: Tx. Council on Family Violence, (ROBBED). 226-3973; St. Mary's Human ing Role of the Hispanic Community in 327-8582; Tx. Environmental Coalition, Rights Assn., 436-3107; S.A. Demo. League, American Society" convenes in San An- 476-3961; Tx. Fathers for Equal Rights, 344-1497; S.A. Gay Alliance, Metropolitan tonio, March 11-12, Hyatt Regency Hotel. 452-0848; Tx. Mobilization for Survival, COmnty. Church, 102 S. Pine; S.A. M► lan Hispanic leaders, politicians, academicians. 474-5877: Tx. Pesticide Research & Education Rights Commission, 436-4013: San Antonians and representatives of major corporations Project, 474-0811; Tx. Solar Energy Society, for Freedom of Choice 733-4013; Sierra Club, 472-1252; Travis Cty. Demo. Women, 271-7169; Tx. Fathers for Equal Rights, will speak on the increasing economic, 453-3243; Travis Cty YD's. 453-3796; Univ. 337-6803; United Campuses Protesting political and social power of Hispanics in Mobilization for Survival, 476-4503; U'1 VD's, Nuclear War 691-0375; United Citizens Proj- American life. Open to the public; no 452-8516; West Aus. Demos., 454-1291; ect Planning and Operating Corp. 224-4278. registration fee. Call (713) 981-5091 to Women's Pol. Caucus, 474-1798; Zilker Park Vietnam Vets. Against War. 826-2441; register. Posse, 472-1053. Women's Poltical Caucus. 655-3724.

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24 FEBRUARY 11, 1983