August 15,1969 Twenty-Five Cents

A Journal of. Free Voices A Window to the South The Texas Observer

The Austin Strangler

Austin Land Cmsr. Jerry Sadler's startling as- SADLER said he executed a con- veloped, Sadler has come to deny that sault on Rep. Jake Johnson, San Antonio, tract with the company last December there was in fact a contract. compounds the commissioner's burgeoning providing that Platoro and the state would Secretary of State Martin Dies, Jr., Gov. problems with others in state government. go 50-50 on the treasure recovered. There Preston Smith's top appointee, has asked a The incident has dramatically raised yet is grave question that the commissioner legal opinion on the matter from Atty. again the question of the propriety of had legal authority to enter into such an Gen. Crawford Martin. Sadler's dealing with an Indiana firm (Obs., arrangement; further, as matters have de- Against this undulating background of June 20) in recovery of treasure in sub- merged state lands off Padre Island. Since the adjournment of the regular session of the Legislature the matter of the sunken treasure, lying in some 30 feet of water not far off the Texas shoreline, has been characterized largely by a lawsuit that was filed in Corpus Christi to question the extent of Sadler's authority in the matter. The commissioner is operating in a void in Texas law; the state has no antiquities code providing for recovery of lost treasure, or of anything of archeological or historical value. Since the treasure rests on Texas' tide- lands (extending from the shoreline 10.35 miles into the gulf) Sadler contends he is custodian of the booty, since state law names the land office to regulate the tidelands for the benefit of the Permanent Free School Fund, which helps support public education in the state. However, the commissioner's authority is limited to pro- ceeds from oil, gas, and sulphur; gold and silver specifically are excluded, by statute, from his control. Further, out-of-state firms must apply to the secretary of state for permits to do archeological work in Texas. The permits are not routinely granted but are issued only after that state official makes a determination as to the specific work intended. Platoro, Inc., the Indiana salvage firm in the case, has never sought a permit from the secretary of state. Further, it was not licensed to do business in Texas until March of this year, though its treasury recovery operations to date occurred in the 412011111=. last four months of 1967. events the Legislature convened last week, Austin loaded with some portion of what with the three members of Judge Marti- perhaps to consider, eventually this month, had been the company's share of the neau's commission. Meanwhile, in another an antiquities code that would clarify the treasure. Dist. Judge Paul Martineau named part of the building, newsmen were gather- extent of state officials' responsibilities in a three-member commission to make cer- ing, joined in time by Johnson and Rep. such cases and provide guidance for the tain investigations and report back to him. Frances Farenthold, Corpus Christi. These recovery of treasure and historical lore. Originally named to the commission were two had been named by Cavness last spring Such a code was wending its way through Attorney General Martin, Dept. of Public to serve as part of a subcommittee to study the Legislature this past spring when, it Safety director Col. Wilson Speir, and Ed- the antiquities code bill that the Legisla- appears, Sadler, or a key ally or two, ward Harte, publisher of the Corpus Christi ture was considering. Both Johnson and intervened to stop the code's passage, as Caller-Times. All three men asked to be Mrs. Farenthold say they had, the day reported in the June 20 Observer. excused from serving. Martineau thereupon before, asked and received from Kilgore After adjournment of the special session named a new commission: former Valley permission to be .on hand when the com- a suit was filed at Corpus Christi to test the Cong. Joe Kilgore, who now is an Austin mission saw the treasure which, by then, extent of the land commissioner's author- attorney; Rep. Don Cavness, Austin; and had been secured in a locked-up part of the ity in the case of the sunken treasure. The Dr. W. W. Newcomb, director of the land office building. suit was brought by the district attorney of University of Texas Memorial Museum. Nueces, Willacy, and Kenedy counties and The commission's visit to the land office Johnson, on entering, noted the pictures the county attorneys of the latter two was the occasion on which Sadler and along one wall of the room of past land counties in behalf of two men interested in Johnson had their run-in. Both men have commissioners. He pointed out that there conservation — Robert Bluntzer, Sr., and been very much at odds over the propriety was one missing, that of Bascom Giles, who - Dr. Henry Hildebrand. Both men are mem- of the land commissioner's actions in the served as head of the land office from 1939 bers of the Nueces County Historical So- treasure case. This day evidently was their to 1955, being sent to jail at the end after a ciety. first face-to-face meeting since the contro- trial arising out of the veterans' land Court proceedings in the case were held versy arose. scandals. "That all began when some legis- one day early in July. The weekend before lators started asking some questions," that two trucks dispatched by Sadler to THE DAY began early for official Johnson noted archly; going on to wonder Platoro's offices in Indiana arrived back in Austin, at 8 a.m. At that hour Sadler met aloud if there might be a parallel between

7exad' Va74de 7axatieuit P‘itado, Austin pant at the Capitol these days is Atwell's anti-business tax argument would be to The move afoot once again to put the incredible proposal that a business tax be knock off all business taxes altogether and burden of increased taxation on the con- cut — the gas tax, which Atwell proposed make all taxes consumer taxes. sumers of Texas is manifestly unfair. How be reduced by $1.2 million a year by It just seems that that's the way things much longer will the state continue to let exempting gas used in oil fields. are these days in Texas. its corporations shirk paying their fair The conclusion is inescapable: the Smith share of public expense? Liberals and administration and the Legislature's leaders moderates in the Senate should unite to have convinced themselves that the voters 2)opte resist this cynical and callous attempt to don't give a damn what sort of taxes are persist in the old ways of doing things in voted. They believe they can get away with Governor Smith is to be congratulated Austin. this and not suffer at the polls next year. for raising the question about auto insur- Gov. Preston Smith had let it be known . Past evidence (in particular, the estab- ance rates. There is some thought this fuss that his recommended tax package would lishment of the state sales tax, and its he's making is a tactical move to keep be about evenly divided between consum- repeated increases and extensions, and the down the criticism of those who don't like ers and corporations. Even that would have overwhelming adoption of the city sales his new tax recommendations. But, at been unfair, in view of the burden that tax by local elections across the state) least, a Texas governor has raised, at last, long has been placed on individuals to the indicates that, sadly, the taxers of consum- some good questions about something exclusion of business firms in paying the ers may be right: they just might get away which, like the state's taxation policies, increasing costs of Texas government. The with it. The sales tax is not that noticeable, badly needs reform. joke around Austin now current about the being paid a few pennies at a time; where- fiscal situation is that Smith promised a as, a state income tax, for example, would 50-5-0 tax package, but what he meant was be more noticeable to the voters. that for 50 years consumers have paid the Still, there are signs the voters of the "it 944d Wald taxes and business has been let off, and state are coming to realize the fact that A good word, too, is due the state's now for the next 50 years we'll let business they are paying a disproportionate share of daily press, which has done a splendid job off the hook and have the consumers pay supporting Texas government. That is the of keeping the heat on Land Cmsr. Jerry the taxes. reason the sales tax was not raised during Sadler and his questionable dealings with As it was, the governor's package came the regular session earlier this year. Platoro, Inc., in the recovery of the sunken out 91-9. And, incredibly, there have been Liberals, and others in the Senate who treasure off Padre Island. There have been lobbyists around the Capitol who are bitch- realize that Texas' taxing policy is grossly signs in recent months that the state's big ing about the nine. Rep. Ben Atwell, the unfair, must band together to stop this papers are trying to do a better job, to act Dallas conservative who heads the com- extension of injustice. It is specious to more in accord with their social responsi- mittee on taxation, has his own plan as an argue, as is done these days in Austin, that bilities, and to maintain some sort of alternative to Smith's. Atwell would raise business taxes eventually are paid by the independence of those in power. the state sales tax to 4% (Smith wanted consumers anyway. That is true only in a The Sadler case is but one instance of •`only" 31/2%); further, Atwell would extend very limited sense. The cost of business late in which Texas dailies have demon- the sales taxes to some services now taxes to consumers is greatly less than a strated to themselves and to us all what exempted. Reflecting the cynicism ram- consumer tax, since not that much of the good is inherent in the press if responsi- business taxes are passed on to customers. bilities and capabilities are more fully6 2 The Texas Observer Anyway, the logical extension of that employed. that case and the current matter. grabbed him. Johnson was pushed back- Sadler has drafted a version of an an- Soon, word spread that the commission wards after that, evidently when either a tiquities bill he says he would like the and Sadler were going to the room where land office staff member or a reporter, or a Legislature to pass this month, should Gov. the treasure was located, there to inventory combination of both, separated the two Preston Smith extend the call of the what was on hand with a list Sadler men. Marks were visible on the legislator's session to permit consideration of the provided. Newsmen and the two represen- throat immediately afterwards, and John- treasure-hunting situation. It is expected at tatives hurried along to catch up with the son said he had some pain. this point that Smith, who is concerned group. On entering an anteroom Kilgore Sadler turned and went into the secure about Sadler's activities, may permit the said to Sadler that the press was present in area, the door locked behind him by two Legislature to take up the question, once some numbers (about a dozen at that young men who stood by outside. the taxing and spending bills are passed. point) and, Kilgore went on, he thought it Sadler said he took "necessary meas- Also, Smith plans to permit reintroduction best that the showing of the treasure be as ures" to stop Johnson from "putting on a of the several dozen regular session bills he open as possible. "My inclination at this vetoed on a technicality in June after time is that everything we do be public," adjournment of the regular session. He he said. Of course, Kilgore went on, he killed the bills because they had not been realized that the building was under Sad- Quote of the Week signed in the presence of one or both ler's supervision, so his wishes would carry houses, as constitutionally required. great weight. Kilgore is a man of soothing Austin Inside, the Observer and reporters of manner; he seemed anxious to carry off his After a Dallas News reporter tele- other papers watched as the commission task with as few ruffled feathers all around typed a brief summary of the Sadler vs. inventoried the treasure. Sadler watched as possible. Sadler seemed grim but re- Johnson story, saying he would follow nearby, his face blank, arms crossed. signed. He replied that he would see what it shortly with his full report, someone could be done and made a remark that this at the News office in Dallas replied on The treasure at the land office was all could be carried off with everyone the teletype to Austin: "I can hear it behind a wire cage extending some 25 feet "acting like gentlemen," seeming to have now: 'I hereby choke you in the name or so along one wall. A locked metal vault the reporters most in mind at that point. of the school children of Texas.' and three open tanks full of Lake Austin water were the receptacles for the loot. In Thereupon, the three commissioners, the first tank was what appeared to be a Sadler, and about half of the reporters show for the benefit of the press and the made for the locked door on the w public." He acknowledged that he had disassembled cannon. In the second was an iall, anchor chain, a few tools, and some mis- opposite the anteroom's entrance. Johnsbp, grabbed Johnson, saying he had had him cellaneous metal items. In the third were and Mrs. Farenthold followed near the rear by the tie and shirt collar. some cannon balls and more metal items. of the group. After most had entered the "I hope the people of Texas realize that locked area, Sadler stopped in the door- had it not been for my prompt action In the vault were smaller, more valued way, confronting Mrs. Farenthold and when we found out about the treasure- items, among them a gold cross one inch Johnson. The others (except the second hunting off our coast, these treasures high, quite fine in detail, and valued at wave of reporters) had by this time gone would not have been preserved and pro- $100,000 by Sadler. Also in the vault was a inside. Mrs. Farenthold extended her hand tected by anyone else in the state," Sadler gold bar about a half-inch in diameter and and greeted Sadler. He ignored her and said. about six inches long. turned to Johnson. Johnson asked if they were not to be admitted. Standing right by THE TEXAS OBSERVER with a tape recorder, at this point, was © The Texas Observer Publishing Co. 1969 reporter David Day of the Texas State A Journal of Free Voices A Window to the South Network, a news service subscribed r to by 63rd YEAR—ESTABLISHED 1906 more than 100 state radio stations. Day recorded the following exchange imme- Vol. LXI, No. 16 7ele ° August 15, 1969 diately following Johnson's request for Incorporating the State Observer and the East Texas agrees with them, because this is a journal of free entry. Democrat, which in turn incorporated the State Week voices. SADLER: I'm not going to let you in and Austin Forum-Advocate. The Observer is published by Texas Observer anywhere! We will serve no group or party but will hew hard to Publishing Co., biweekly from Austin, Texas. Entered the truth as we find it and the right as we see it. We as second-class matter April 26, 1937, at the Post JOHNSON: Why, Jerry? We're here — are dedicated to the whole truth, to human values Office at Austin, Texas, under the Act of March 3, the commission asked us to come over here above all interests, to the rights of man as the 1879. Second class postage paid at Austin, Texas. foundation of democracy; we will take orders from Single copy, 25c. One year, $6.00; two years, $11.00; and see these things. none but our own conscience, and never will we three years, $15.00; plus, for Texas addressees, 4% [Here there was a pause, followed by overlook or misrepresent the truth to serve the state sales tax. Foreign, except APO/FPO, 50c addi- sounds of a disturbance, then: ] interests of the powerful or cater to the ignoble in the tional per year. Air-mail, bulk orders, and group rates human spirit. on request. SADLER: Get outta here! Editorial and Business Offices: The Texas Observer, Editor, Greg Olds. DAY: Mr. Sadler, were you going to 504 West 24th St., Austin, Texas 78705. Telephone Associate Editor, Kaye Northcott. 477-0746. Editor's residence phone, 472-3631. choke the representative? Editor-at-large, Ronnie Duggpr. Change of Address: Please give Old and new address [Another pause.] Editorial intern, Mary Callaway. and allow three weeks. Form 3579 regarding undelivered copies: Send to DAY: Are you gonna choke me now?! Business Manager, C. R. Olofson. Texas Observer, 504 W. 24th, Austin, Texas 78705. Day angrily departed then. He told the Business Manager Emeritus,-Sarah Payne. Subscription Representatives: Arlington, George N. Observer that he saw Sadler grab Johnson Contributing Editors, Elroy Bode, Winston Bode, Green, 300 E. South College St., 277-0080; Austin, Bill Brammer, Lee Clark, Larry Goodwyn, Harris Mrs. Helen C. Spear, 2615 Pec'os, 465-1805; Beau- by the throat, at the adam's apple. When Green, Bill Hamilton, Bill Helmer, Dave Hickey, mont, Betty Brink, 2255 Harrison, 835-5278; Corpus Day asked Sadler what he had intended to Franklin Jones, Lyman Jones, Larry L. King, Georgia Christi, Penny Dudley, 12241/2 Second St., 884-1460; do to Johnson, Day says Sadler made a Earnest Klipple, Larry Lee, Dave McNeely, Al Mel- Dallas, Mrs. Cordye Hall, 5835 Ellsworth, 821-1205; inger, Robert L. Montgomery, Willie Morris, James El Paso, Philip Himelstein, 331 Rainbow Circle, threatening move towards him, Day. The Presley, Charles Ramsdell, John Rogers, Mary Beth 584-3238; Ft. Worth, Dolores Jacobsen, 3025 Greene reporter says he isn't sure whether Sadler Rogers, Roger Shattuck, Robert Sherrill, Dan Strawn, Ave., 924-9655; Houston, Mrs. Kitty Peacock, PO Box touched him or not. He just couldn't recall Tom Sutherland, Charles Alan Wright. 13059, 523-0685; Lubbock, Doris Blaisdell, 2515 The editor has exclusive control over the editorial 24th St.; Midland, Eva Dennis, 3523 Seaboard, afterwards, trying to piece things together policies and contents of the Observer. None of the 694-2825; Snyder, Enid Turner, 2210 30th St., following the excitement. other people who are associated with the enterprise 443-9497 or 443-6061; San Antonio, Mrs. Mae B. shares this responsibility with him. Writers are re- Tuggle, 204 Terrell Road, 826-3583; Wichita Falls, Johnson stood quietly and spoke in a sponsible for their own work, but not for anything Jerry Lewis, 2910 Speedway, 766-0409. Washington, normal though somewhat tense tone of they have not themselves written, and in publishing D.C., Mrs. Martha J. Ross, 6008 Grosvenor Lane, voice to Sadler before the commissioner them the editor does not necessarily imply that he 530-0884. not in control of his faculties." Johnson then said that during the regu- lar session legislators had been denied an inventory of the Padre Island treasure and had been asked by Sadler to validate the contract the commissioner said he had with Platoro. Inc. "But," Johnson said, "when we finally got right down to it we found that no contract existed.. .. He lied," Johnson asserted, referring to Sadler's earlier statements about the contract. "And after what happened today I can understand why Mr. Sadler lied — because I honestly believe he's a very, very sick man. "The question is: what are we going to do about the land office?" Johnson said to the House. "This is not Jake Johnson's problem, it is the problem of the House of Representatives. If Mr. Sadler has offended me, I forgive him. But he's offended the dignity of this House...:" The representatives, having listened at- tentively and quietly, then applauded, some of them clapping vigorously. Three of them, all Houston liberals (Rex Braun, Curtis Graves, and R. C. Nichols) stood. Johnson's expressed doubts about Sad- ler's mental health were a return shot in the war the men have waged against each :other through the press. Mental incompe- tence has been a favored theme of the battle.

THE DISCREPANCIES in the matter are many. The most recent came to light after Sadler announced, late in June, shortly before the Corpus Christi court proceedings began, that all the treasure was now in Austin; that the Indiana company had returned all its share to Texas. It has recently, developed, however, that more of the treasure remained in Indiana. This was disclosed when a Brownsville attorney, Thomas G. Sharpe, representing Platoro, filed a list of the additional items with Martineau's court. According to Sharpe, the most recent list updates the inventory of treasure completely. Another question is that of the contract which was supposed to have existed be- tween Sadler and Platoro. During the regu- lar legislative session Sadler asked the 601'75* --44 Legislature to approve a contract he said he —Bob Taylor in the Dallas Times Herald and Platoro had executed. When asked to produce it so lawmakers could consider it, Sadler at first hesitated then at last pro- duced what appeared to be the preliminary LATER THAT morning Johnson but Sadler "stepped in the door of the draft of a contract, not signed by either addressed the House in a personal privilege vault, blocking my way. . . . He reached party. He has, since the Legislature ad- speech that was given unusually close out and grabbed me and tried to choke me. journed its regular session, maintained that attention by the representatives. He then reached out and tried to choke a "the contract" is void. Platoro officials "Within the last hour and a half," he member of the press, Mr. David Day of the told an Indiana newspaper recently the began, "I was in the office of the land Texas State Network." contract is invalid; the company spokes- commissioner.. . . I called Mr. Cavness last Johnson told the legislators he was man added that Platoro has been warned night and asked him if I could be present as unsure whether he would file charges by Sadler not to tell "its side" of the story. an observer. . I went over there at 8 against Sadler, though he felt the commis- "We have had numerous contacts with o'clock this morning." sioner's action had constituted an assault. Sadler, seeking permission to talk about Then, Johnson went on, he tried to "I give you my word as a member of the the treasure," the Platoro representative enter the area where the treasure is stored, House that I have no personal vendetta said, "but so far we have been unsuccess- against Mr. Sadler," Johnson went on. "I ful." He called the stricture "embarrassing" 4 The Texas Observer feel only sorrow because I feel Mr. Sadler is to Platoro. Secretary of State Dies maintains that American - Statesman has calculated that sought to require the land office alone to the state may well owe Platoro nothing at the boat Sadler hired will cost the state keep full records as to the operation of its all, in view of the dubious nature of the $12,500 for the 60 days the commissioner planes. The use of state planes is a touchy contract (if a contract did exist) and the retained it. "This submarine business is a subject in Austin, it being generally under- absence of a license to do business in bunch of bull," Cammie Williams, the stood that the craft are used, partly, to Texas. harbor master at Port Mansfield, says. Port dispense favors to legislators and other Sadler last month announced the de- Mansfield is near the galleon site. "If there influential people. Representative Braun ploying of a radar-equipped boat to guard was a submarine they'd have the U.S. Navy called Johnson's amendment the "Truth in the area of the sunken galleons. He said he out there," Williams said. Flying amendment." had received reports from another radar- Johnson successfully added a rider to Meanwhile, the Kilgore commission will equipped vessel of two two-man sub- the. House appropriations bill that would continue its inquiries, planning to hear marines lurking in the area. Representative require complete records as to the opera- witnesses, particularly those involved in the Farenthold has since referred to the sub- tion of the state airplanes to be filed with Platoro salvage operations. Diver Jeff marines as "Sadler's yellow submarines." the Legislative Budget Board. The motion Burke of Rio Hondo has been quoted often The Yellow Submarine was the title of a passed voice vote after a motion not to as doubting the nature of the Platoro- recent musical - fantasy movie. The Austin table carried, 80-61. Earlier, Johnson had Sadler alliance. G.O. Once Again: $ $ $

Austin from 3% to 31/2% ($27 million). while only 49% come from consumers. Texas lawmakers, called back to Austin Adding three cents to the current Rep. Ben Atwell of Dallas, chairman of July 28 to pass a two-year appropriations 11-cent state sales tax on cigarettes ($53.7 the tax committee, offered his own tax bill and the taxes to pay for it, immedi- million). Under the governor's plan, the plan which would put telephone and tele- ately went to work. The task of preparing franchise tax automatically would return graph service, jewelry, appliance repairs, biennial budgets was accomplished during to its present level after two years. (The laundry service, amusements, and alcoholic the regular session — before Lt. Gov. Ben franchise tax also was increased from $2.25 beverages under the sales tax. Barnes and House Speaker Gus Mutscher to $2.75 last summer, as a balance against The House seems ready to accept either agreed to get behind a one-year tax-free an all-consumer program.) Smith's or Atwell's sales tax bill, except for appropriations bill — so there was no need "This is not the time . . . to argue the part pertaining to liquor. (Behind the to hold extensive hearings on the state's theories [emphasis his] of government and opposition to taxing the alcohol industry is fiscal needs. Both the House and the taxation," Smith said in his budget mes- Speaker Mutscher, a man with very close Senate passed two-year bills before Aug. 5, sage. "It is time to bear down and pass ties to the beer lobby.) The more liberal the day on which Texas voters were to some sort of tax bill. ... Aside from the Senate, however, is not ready to swallow settle the questions of welfare expenditures taxes on nonessential items and estimating another sales tax. In fact, some senators and annual versus biennial sessions. that business pays up to 34% of sales taxes, seem unwilling to pass any sort of tax plan On the third day of the session, the the bill proposed here is a good division at all. Some were predicting that if annual Senate passed a $5.8 billion bill which is between direct taxes and indirect taxes on sessions are approved, the Legislature once very similar to the two-year bill it passed the consumer. We must remember that, if again will pass a one-year, appropriations earlier in the year. The House followed suit the profit system works properly, the bill and leave town without levying new the next day, approving a $5.7 bill measure consumer eventually pays virtually all taxes taxes. of its own. The $99 million difference — either directly as taxes or indirectly in Sen. A. R. (Babe) Schwartz, Galveston, between Senate and House appro'priations the form of higher prices." complained during debate in the Senate mainly is in the amounts budgeted for that the governor is forcing the Legislature higher education and pay raises for state THE HOUSE APPEARED willing to pass an unnecessary tax bill. "There is employees. Neither bill provides the $30 to accept most of Smith's tax recommen- no reason for 181 legislators to be down million necessary if voters choose to raise dations. The House Committee on Revenue here spending the people's money," he the state's constitutional ceiling on welfare and Taxation heard liberal Rep. Carl Parker said. "We passed an appropriations bill. We from $60 to $80 million. (The Aug. 5 vote of Port Arthur argue in favor of establish- did it without a tax bill. This $307 million was after the Observer's deadline.) ing a corporate income tax in Texas, but will go down as Governor Smith's tax bill." committee members were not impressed. Some other Senate liberals and moder- AS PASSED, the Senate bill re- Hank Brown, president of the state ates were thinking of introducing an alter- quires $327 million in new taxes; the AFL-CIO, told the committee that the native to the governor's tax plan. Their House bill, $286 million. The tax program state needs both a corporate income and a best hope is to balance this year's bill recommended by Gov. Preston Smith personal income tax for future growth. He equally between business and consumer would raise $307 million for the biennium. and other liberals think that the franchise taxes. Thirteen senators recently met in Although the governor repeatedly has said tax hits small businesses instead of the Sen. Oscar Mauzy's office to discuss a tax he believes in dividing the burden of large corporations, which, they believe, package the Dallas senator is drafting. taxes equally between business and con- have never paid their just share of taxes in Mauzy wants to increase the taxes on sumers, his tax proposals are overwhelm- the state. natural gas and sulphur, levy a one-cent-a- ingly weighted on the consumers' side: Business lobbyists are not pleased with gallon tax on gasoline at the refinery (thus In an address to the Legislature, Smith the proposal to increase the franchise tax, shifting some of the cost to out-of-staters), called for a 1/2% increase in the 3% state but they are ready to give all out support levy an admissions tax on sports and sales tax to bring in about $159 mil- to an increase in the sales tax. Lobbyist entertainment events, and remove certain lion in the next two years. Just last Jim Yancy of the Texas Manufacturers sales tax exemptions such as those on beer, summer the state sales tax was raised from Association offered the House committee liquor, cigarettes and farm machinery. two to three cents on the dollar. The year statistics contending that businesses actu- Mauzy said that in addition to the 14 before that, the Legislature approved a 1% ally pay more consumer taxes than con- senators already interested in his tax plan city sales tax. Smith also recommended: sumers do. According to the TMA, 51% of Increasing the motor vehicle sales tax sales tax payments come from businesses August 15, 1969 5 there are "at least five more" who-might tions committee, explained, "From time to cessfully tried to eliminate a Heatly rider join the tax rebellion. time, these people need legislative guid- prohibiting the Department of Public Safe- Barnes, who probably will be mainly ance." He said four schools were singled ty from using helicopters for traffic con- responsible for cajoling the Senate into out because "they're the ones who need trol. accepting some sort of tax package that it." Other House members went to the No attempts were made to do away with also will be acceptable to the House, has back microphone in the House chamber to two other riders concerning the DPS. One yet to say where he stands on the tax ask questions about the 12-hour specifica- requires all of the agency's cars to be question. "I'm not ready to say if any tax tion, but no one offered an amendment to painted black and white. The other makes is definitely in or out," he commented take it out of the bill. Nor did anyone the DPS concentrate its narcotics activities recently. Although he and Governor Smith attempt to remove a rider limiting out-of- on and around college and high school have had their differences in the past, they state enrollment at Texas medical, dental, campuses. seem to be working together to some and law schools to 10%. House conservatives tried to no avail to extent this session. "You can describe me cut down on the cost of the appropriations as in a very cooperative frame of mind The amendments probably would not bill. Rep. James Nugent, Kerrville, failed to toward the governor. I will do everything I have passed anyway. Rep. Bill Heatly, of pass an amendment keeping the salary of can to give the governor's program a fair Paducah, and his appropriations committee district judges to $20,000. Rep. Bud Sher- run in the Senate," he says. members had the House well under control man, Fort Worth, introduced an amend- that day. Of the 12 amendments offered ment that would have cut by 10% all during debate on the bill, only one passed. appropriations from the general revenue WHILE THE HOUSE and Senate Rep. Jake Johnson, San Antonio, was fund. When the amendment failed, he tried are far from agreeing on a tax program, successful in amending the bill to require to reduce appropriations by 5%. they are well on their way to passing a state agencies to keep records telling where Graves was the only liberal who spoke compromise appropriations bill. The Sen- their airplanes go and who rides on them. against final passage of the bill. He asked a ate managed to outmaneuver the House by Rep. Curtis Graves, the black legislatOr number of rhetorical questions, including: getting its bill, rather than the House bill, from Houston, spoke in favor of Johnson's "Why is it that there is only one sent to a conference committee of five amendment. "This is the first appropria- committee in the House of Representatives Senators and five House members. The tions bill in some time that doesn't require that does not have the subcommittee sys- House conferees were given no instructions a listing of people who ride on state tem? by their colleagues, but the Senate con- airplanes," Graves said. "Mr. Johnson, are "Why is it that this particular bill has to ferees are bound to adjusting the differ- you aware that on Dec. 13, 1966, a be run out of someone's vest pocket? ences between bills. They must get the Department of Public Safety airplane made "It's because we don't have dynamic approval of a majority of the Senate before a trip from Austin to Paducah to Austin?" leadership in this state," Graves said. "The adding or subtracting anything from the he asked. governor doesn't run the state, the appro- Senate bill; so each time House members or "Where's Paducah?" Johnson replied. priations chairman does. The lieutenant Senators add a rider to the bill or try to "I don't know," Graves said. governor doesn't run the state, the appro- change the amount of the appropriation The black legislator, a strong critic of priations chairman does . . . for a particular agency, the Senate con- Chairman Heatly, attempted to list the "There are several of you sitting here ferees will have to get the approval of the dates of other trips the DPS made to who are actively seeking to be speaker," he Senate. Paducah. He managed to get out two more said. "I challenge each and everyone of you Although the House bill contains fewer (9-29-66 and 2-26-67), before Speaker to vote against [the appropriations bill] controversial riders than did the bill.passed Mutscher gaveled him to silence, insisting and prove to us that you have the guts to earlier in the year, it still has some startling that his questions were not germane to the be counted like men. . . . If you vote for stipulations. Probably the most question- amendment being discussed. the bill, you are voting for chicanery, you able rider in the House bill requires teach- are voting for bribery." ers at the state's four major universities House members did not attempt to Heatly answered that the bill was writ- (the University of Texas, University of remove Heatly's inevitable riders prohibit- ten by 21 men, not just himself. It passed Houston, Texas A&M, and Texas State ing the state to take action against cotton 128 to 13. University) to teach at least 12 hours of gin pollution. Rep. Rex Braun of Houston, Debate on the Senate bill was less classes weekly to receive full pay. however, offered two amendments de- emotional. Henry Grover of Houston, one signed to give the state Department of of the Senate's two Republicans, was the Rep. Carlos Truan of Corpus Christi Health and local health officials power to only man to vote "no." "Voters are mov- asked whether the number of hours a regulate pollution without the consent of ing in a more conservative direction," he professor teaches isn't something a college the Air Control Board. Both amendments said. "Tekas will be turning to an income administrator should decide. Rep. Jim failed. tax if we keep spending like we are now." Slider, Pecos, a member of the appropria- Rep. James Allred, Wichita Falls, unsuc- K.N. Labor Pains at Corpus Christi Corpus Christi the utmost recently in working against secretary-treasurer and 21 years in the The Texas AFL-CIO has a president, H. each other in labor's political arena. For labor movement. On the other side was S. (Hank) Brown, who is loud, rough, and four days, some 650 delegates to the Texas Jesse W. Sapp of Waco, who, at 39, was a conniving, and a secretary-treasurer, Roy comparatively unknown labor official R. Evans, who is quiet, smooth, and statewide. However, Brown, at 49, with calculating. These strongly independent- Al Prince eight years as Texas AFL-CIO president minded men used these and other traits to and 25 years in the labor movement AFL-CIO's 1 1 th convention in Corpus brought Sapp into the political limelight as The writer is a reporter for a Houston Christi had little on their minds but the a man Brown could work with in carrying daily and specializes in coverage of the outcome of the political battle for the out the program of. the state labor federa- affairs of organized labor in Texas. secretary-treasurer's job. tion. On one side was Evans, who, at 44, was Despite attempts of Texas AFL-CIO 6 The Texas Observer drawing on eight years of experience as officials (most notably Brown) to build up interest in the strike of Corpus Christi federation, his intimidating manner, and "I support a pilot — a president — and a garbage collectors, the convention would his skillful, though controversial, wheeling co-pilot — a secretary-treasurer — but I have been deadly dull had it not been for and dealing, Brown does his job effectively. shall vigorously oppose two pilots — co- the political race. When Brown sounded "Hank is a no good son-of-a-bitch who gets presidents. If he [Evans] thinks he is better the last rap of the convention gavel for the job done," as one old-time friend of qualified to be the pilot . . . let him put his another two years, the delegates' voting on Brown's and a Sapp supporter put it. name on the ballot." numerous resolutions and a political race Another Sapp supporter said, "If it were Evans, however, told the delegates had said, in effect, "Let's have more of the not for Hank's ability with the Legislature, immediately after Brown's speech, "You've same." got to have a president, but you've got to Evans emerged victorious in his bid for a have checks and balances on that president. fifth consecutive two-year term, though his There'll be a president and there'll be a 52.2% of the 141,719 secret ballot votes check and balance, the secretary- cast was hardly a mandate of the delegates. Poor Richter's treasurer." The only way to change that is Perhaps more significant than Evans' vic- to elect a new secretary-treasurer, said tory was Brown's defeat. EVans. Brown was reelected unopposed to his Almanac Reports fifth consecutive two-year term as presi- Austin Two days before the convention began, dent after Evans calmly refused to accept a The rumored impending replacement Evans told another labor convention, "For nomination to run against Brown. Evans of Walter Richter as director of the every pain that Hank's had, I've had three. was nominated for president by a Sapp Southwest regional Office of Economic I'm not opposing Hank. I'm for him being supporter. Opportunity (Political Intelligence, July reelected as president, not as king; as . Brown was actively and openly out to 4) has been confirmed now by Richter, president, not as boss." get himself a new secretary-treasurer. Sev- though his successor is not yet known. The nature of the political battle left Sapp almost like an interested bystander eral delegates said privately during the Other rumors have it that the new unable to grasp the handle that would convention that Sapp agreed to run against director will be James Griffith, Republi- determine his own destiny. A belated Evans after anywhere from six to 12 other can from San Marcos who has a chicken campaign leaflet began with, "Jesse Sapp labor leaders from throughout the state ranch. needs no introduction to the labor move- had refused. Two delegates said they per- Griffith's poultry connections were ment in Texas." The third sentence and sonally knew of six men who had declined the referent of some parts of this second paragraph stated, "However, for the to run against Evans. following series of items, both light- newcomers to the Texas labor movement, To veterans of the Texas labor move- hearted and otherwise, published in this will introduce you to Jesse Sapp." ment, the political battle was the biggest Poor Richter's Almanac, a daily intra- and hardest fought within the Texas AFL- office bulletin at the regional OEO: Sapp did need introduction. As presi- CIO since the 1961 convention in Galves- July 14: "OEO Instruction No. 9-69 dent of the McLennan County Central ton, when the "team" of "Hank and Roy" provides that broasted chicken, along Labor Council since 1966, there is no. was first put in office. Eight years later in with other things, will be served to question that Sapp has been active in the Corpus Christi, the two men were no Southwest Regional Office employees at labor movement in his own backyard of longer operating as a team. high noon each Monday. Cost to em- Waco before and since 1966. However, The question that the convention and ployees is undetermined at this time." with the exception of his 12 years as a the election did not answer is, will Brown July 15: "TWX FM OEO HQ TO Texas AFL-CIO convention delegate, and and Evans be able to work together peace- his service on the United Labor Legislative fully for the next two years, particularly as SWRO: ALL RIGHT YOU CLUCKS DOWN THERE NO MORE CHICKEN Committee in Austin during "the past two the Texas labor movement prepares for or three sessions" of the Legislature, Sapp next year's "big politics?" JOKES." July 16: 'Notice to all employees: In had had little exposure on a statewide the interest of quieting the rumor mill, I basis. And just by being secretary-treasurer, THE CONVENTION did answer a am taking this means of informing you Evans got exposure during the convention highly publicized constitutional question on two major developments: (1) I will that Sapp never equalled and seldom tried about the power and authority of its definitely be resigning as director of the to equal. president. The delegates voted to overhaul region at a date as yet undetermined; a constitution that many felt the labor (2) my successor — and this has been THE DIFFERENCES between the movement had outgrown since the 1959 unequivocally verified by an appropriate two campaigns were dramatically shown at Texas merger of the American Federation top-level Washington source — has not, a Sapp rally and an Evans caucus the night of Labor and the Congress of Industrial repeat NOT, been selected. . . ." before the Texas AFL-CIO convention Organizations. (The merger occurred na- Since then, it has developed that began. Sapp's rally consisted of many tionally in 1955.) Sept. 12 will be the date Richter leaves people in a large room with liquor flowing But the constitutional change was tied his present job. He has said he plans freely although in stingy quantities per into the race between Evans and Sapp. The several things for the near future, among drink. Everyone talked, socialized, and did new constitution, as revised, states that the them, perhaps, a race in 1972 against some politicking. president will have final say anytime there Sen. John Tower. An hour after Sapp's rally began, the is a disagreement between the president Evans caucus started in a much smaller and secretary-treasurer over a policy- room with no alcohol in sight, except for making decision. Under the old consti- the labor movement 'Would have outgrown that carried in by occasional visitors from tution, such disputes could be resolved him." the Sapp rally, bringing their drinks with only by the executive board, which meets Sapp's (and Brown's) campaign centered them. The Evans caucus had people sitting every few months, or a convention, which on the highly publicized dissension that and standing, listening to speakers support- is held every two years. had developed between Brown and Evans. ing Evans. The Evans supporters presented There's no question that Brown has Brown told delegates on the opening day the facts, as they saw them, on the major made a lot of enemies within the Texas of the convention, "Today, the dissension, issues of the campaign. The audience of labor movement during his presidency. His the the anomosity and bitterness delegates was quiet and attentive. A man rhetoric is that of the former San Antonio between your president and secretary- was fighting to protect his job, and the union plumber he is. But despite Brown's treasurer is almost unbearable. It's been so iron-fisted leadership of the state labor bad that I've almost cried like a child. August 15, 1969 7 sober atmosphere of the caucus reflected did not go unnoticed. But it appears that Evans told reporters that his reelection the seriousness of the campaign. nobody was watched as closely as U.S. Sen. will remove a cloud over his head that he To Evans, the reason he was in a Ralph W. Yarborough, who addressed the was "Hank's boy." Evans said his victory campaign to begin with was simple. "One convention two days before the election by 6,264 votes would have been larger if it of the reasons my job is at stake today is and immediately left for Washington. "I'm had not been for "influence outside the because of what happened a year ago in not taking part in the internal politics of convention" that resulted in several large Galveston," Evans told the Texas State labor," the senator said during a press unions changing their votes from Evans to Building and Construction Trades Council conference after his speech. He said it Sapp just before the secret balloting began. convention. He was referring to the 1968 would be "the worst of bad manners" for Evans refused to name the outside influ- convention of the Texas AFL-CIO's politi- him to become involved in the Evans-Sapp ences. He did say, "Obviously it would be cal arm, the Committee on Political Educa- race. Several state labor officials, including political." However, as a result of his tion (COPE). Brown and Evans, said they told the victory, Evans said, he and the secretary- senator to stay out of the secretary- treasurer's office will have a lot more The COPE convention clearly demon- treasurer's race. Last year at the COPE strated how two strongly independent men respect from the state's political figures convention, Yarborough ignored advice to can have a major disagreement. Brown outside the labor movement. stay out of the Barnes-Gladden contro- wanted labor to abstain from endorsing The Evans-Sapp race did not turn into a versy. At a banquet the night before the anyone in the lieutenant governor's race blood-letting. There were a lot of strong COPE convention voted on the lieutenant between Ben Barnes and Fort Worth attov feelings and, as Evans said, a lot of poison governor's race, Yarborough came out in ney Don Gladden. Evans wanted labor to for some people to get out of their support of Gladden without referring to systems. endorse Gladden, although the overwhelm- him by name. Brown told reporters, "Somehow the ing odds against a Gladden victory were If Yarborough had taken sides in thp labor movement heals very fast." The next subsequently proven by Barnes' easy vic- Evans-Sapp race, there is little doubt that two years will prove how true that state- tory. he would have supported Evans. ment is. The proof could come sooner as Before the COPE convention, Brown labor rallies behind Senator Yarborough made a deal with Barnes, Evans said in next year and as labor takes dead aim on Corpus Christi, that labor would not sup- ALTHOUGH EVANS' victory less friendly holders of seats in the Texas port anyone. The COPE delegates ended up margin was narrow (73,782 votes for Evans Senate. "recommending" that labor vote for Glad- and 67,518 votes for Sapp) Evans did not "We heal while still in combat," Brown den, but outright endorsement was with- appear to be in serious need of the sena- said. Up until the voting began, there was held. tor's support. no evidence that the wounds opened by "Hank has smarted for what has hap- After Evans' victory had been an- the ' Evans-Sapp race had begun to heal. pened in Galveston since then," Evans said. nounced to the convention, Brown pledged Whether the wounds do heal depends a lot Barnes' appearance in Corpus Christi his acceptance of the decision. Brown later on whether labor's leaders want to focus two days before the secretary-treasurer told reporters, "The convention has spoken their attention on the future and the job to election and a hospitality room that he set and I have lived by majority rule all my be done, or on history that cannot be up at the convention hotel headquarters life." changed. ❑ A Loss for Ben Barnes? Corpus Christi and Austin patched up." This was - the general theme Brown's throwing in with him appear a Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes spent a good deal of behind the Sapp-Brown candidacy. wise move. Particularly in the passage of time at the Texas AFL-CIO convention, Barnes and Brown have been political the improved workmen's compensation set- and was shepherded around most of his allies since at least 1967. That year Barnes up and through passage of a $1.25 state stay there by state labor leader H. S. led a group of politicians from the Texas minimum wage bill did Barnes deliver for (Hank) Brown. So reports one delegate, the conservative establishment in attending the Brown. leader of an Austin union and a man who AFL-CIO convention that year in Fort Speaking at the convention, Barnes worked for Evans, on returning from Cor- Worth, the first time conservative leaders called this year's regular legislative session pus Christi. "The general impression among made such a showing. Last year Brown "the most productive session of the Legig- the delegates was that Barnes was working was, as Prince recounts, instrumental in lature ever. AFL-CIO leaders played a big for Jesse Sapp," the delegate, who re- keeping the labor organization from giving role in this. . . . A lot of your ideas and quested anonymity, tells the Observer. an endorsement to Barnes' main opponent dreams were impossible in Texas a few Sapp was Brown's candidate to depose Roy in the Democratic primary, former Rep. years ago. I think the Democratic Party in Evans as secretary-treasurer. "Brown was Don Gladden. Gladden had an almost Texas is going to make a lot of those taking Barnes around all during the conven- perfect voting record in four terms in the dreams come true." tion. Even that Thursday afternoon when House, according to the standards of or- Intense pressure was put on delegates to Senator [Ralph] Yarborough was having a ganized labor. But Brown, seeing Barnes as the Corpus Christi convention, the Austin reception, Barnes and Brown were going a politician on the rise in Texas, had delegate says, meaning that Barnes' and from room to room at the hotel, visiting previously determined to go with Barnes, Brown's work in Sapp's behalf was hard to delegates," the Austin delegate said. in hopes of influencing someone who withstand. Some delegates departed Satur- Evidently Yarborough stayed com- appears destined to be in power in the state day before the showdown vote between pletely out of the Sapp-Evans race, as Al for some years. Evans and Sapp. Some seven or eight Prince reports in the preceding account of thousand members' votes were not cast at the convention. EVERAL WEEKS ago, Brown, all. The Austin delegate says Barnes told a speakirig to a meeting of the United Labor railroad worker from Houston that a split Legislative Committee in Austin, said, I N THE END, as Evans saw it, a in the labor organization's leadership hurts "We've got to get along with Barnes — he's backlash against Barnes' presumed role in the Texas labor movement and "should be going to be president some day." the race for secretary-treasurer assured During the regular legislative session this Evans' reelection. Evans spoke of "political 8 The Texas Observer year Barnes clearly was working to make influences from outside the convention" at work against his candidacy. Did he mean should such a race occur next year in the support from this group. Which way Brown Barnes? "I'll plead the fifth amendment," Democratic primary, when the senator's would go in case of such a race is a topic of Evans replied. Still, he said, he prevailed in term comes up for renewal by the voters, some interest in political conversations in the end because of a feeling among dele- what would the Texas AFL-CIO do? Austin and throughout the state these gates that "there had been a deal made to Clearly, both men are popular with the days. The signs persist at this time, how- dump me." leaders and with most of the members of ever, that Barnes will not challenge Yar- As between Yarborough and Barnes, the organization, and both men court borough. G.O.

Political Intelligence Graves Will Run for Mayor's Job in Houston This Fall

At the conference, attended by more voter registration drive, the Yarborough Rep. Curtis Graves, the Houston black, • • will run for mayor of that city this fall. than 400 persons from 24 states, the reelection campaign, and finding candi- The announcement is due later this month. term "radical-liberal politics" frequently dates for state and local offices next year. A committee has begun working in Hous- was employed, to express the left-of-liberal Mrs. Carr, in a letter recently sent to the ton for the campaign. stance of the Coalition. The Coalition is Texas Coalition membership, complains that things have not been "going at full Prospective candidates now are being made up chiefly of former Kennedy and speed." She says the last meeting was "a heard of for land commissioner, in light McCarthy campaign workers who joined • poor one, to say the least. However, I am of Jerry Sadler's adventures concerning the forces after the 1968 Democratic conven- not ready to give up on having an effective sunken treasure off Padre Island. The first tion. Attending from Texas were 24 dele- gates from Beaumont, Dallas, Del Rio, El organization statewide." name to be heard in recent days is that of . Gene Pokorny, who last year worked in Rep. John Hannah, Lufkin liberal. He Paso, Houston, Lubbock, and Midland. At Texas in behalf of Sen. Eugene McCarthy, declined to say whether he intends such a the Texas caucus, presided over by Graves, is helping Mrs. Carr operate the Coalition race but evidently is considering the ques- the state's Coalition chairman, it was agreed that the main goal of the Coalition state headquarters in Houston. tion. He put the Observer off when ques- tioned about the matter, saying, in fun, during 1970 is to help re-elect Sen. Ralph "Though thousands of my friends have Yarborough. urged me to run, I haven't made up my There was discussion of the possibility War Profits mind. I'm waiting for a genuine draft." that Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes would run against Yarborough. Several in the group said that Sen Ralph Yarborough has of late began Other names heard mentioned of late are if Barnes won such a primary that much • calling for renewal of the war profits tax Rep. Don Cavness and Rep. Bob Arm- liberal support likely would go to the on producers of items used by the military. strong, both of Austin, Representative Republican candidate in the fall. Such a tax was imposed in the first two Johnson and Rep. Tommy Shannon, Fort Keynote speaker at the meeting was Dr. world wars and during Korea. Worth. • Joseph Duffey, national chairman of the Illustrating the sort of contracts that are Despite the watchfulness of security Americans for Democratic Action. Los being let these days, and the large sums of people around the Capitol, the vener- • Angeles Councilman Thomas Bradley, re- money used by the military, an apparently able structure is regularly combed for cent unsuccessful mayoral candidate, spoke well-documented report recently was re- souvenirs. Particular offenders, if reports leased by a New Left research outfit based hears frequently are accurate, at a luncheon. The most fiery speaker was the Observer Abe Tapia, head of the Mexican-American in New York City which reports details of are legislators, particularly at the close of a chicano organization cen- the letting of contracts for antipersonnel session, when souvenir hunting activity Political Assn., a tered in California. Tapia spoke forth- weapons and demolition bombs during the peaks. At the 'end of this year's regular rightly about brown discontent at having six-month period of March-November last session, the loss of several items was noted. to follow Anglo leadership in liberal poli- year. The report, issued by the North A seal of the state that decorated one of tics. Chicanos are tired of the "house American Congress on Latin America, was the elevators was plucked away, it is said, Mexican" role that, Tapia said, liberals long compiled from a study of technical publi- by a lawmaker, as was a set of the ornate have given them. The Democratic Party cations, as well as from information pro- hinges that adorn the Capitol doors. And, and the Coalition must not continue count- vided by the federal government. Texas several chairs were removed from offices as ing on automatic chicano support, Tapia contracts let and the amount paid the legislators moved out in early June. warned. manufacturer included: In conversations afterwards, Tapia said Airport Machining Corp., Marlin, M151 Against the ABM chicano organizations would work hard, as rocket warhead material, $530,100; Amer- Four Texans were among 60 legislators in the past, to re-elect Senator Yarborough. ican Mfg. Co. of Texas, Fort Worth, M151 • from a number of states who have He said that brown dissatisfaction and warheads, $1 million; Mk55 antipersonnel released a statement in opposition to the disagreement with prominent Democrats projectiles, $3,439,437; 500-1b. bomb ABM. The Texans were Representatives did not include Yarborough. bodies, $36,627,838; and 1,000-1b. bomb The NDC will have a national meeting bodies, $9,887,140; L. T. Industries, Inc., Graves, John R. Bigham of Temple, Ed • Harris of Galveston, and Sen. Joe Bernal of Nov. 22-23 in Chicago. Dallas, cluster bomb dispensers, San Antonio. The statement was drawn up The Texas NDC may meet in early $2,916,000; Automatic Sprinkler Corp. of • at the meeting in Denver in late July at the September, if plans of Mrs. Billie Carr, America, Dallas, bomb fin assemblies, Western states conference of the New Houston, state coordinator, go through . Democratic Coalition (NDC). The meeting would deal with plans for a August 15, 1969 9 $14,402,230; Bayfield Industries, Carroll- Concluding, the report states: "The fact ton, "Snakeye" fins for demolition bombs, Colonias application for a migrant job that the great majority of poor families in training program grant in favor of routing $1.6 million; Crescent Precision Products, Texas are not served by those two pro- Inc., Garland, bomb fin assemblies, its programs through the Texas Education grams can be traced, in large part, to basic Agency. $3,619,980; Intercontinental Mfg. Co., impediments in the way the programs Garland, 500-1b. bomb bodies, no contract operate and to the deference accorded to price listed; and 2,000-1b. bomb bodies, local authorities on key decisions affecting $6,226,155; and Le Tourneau, R. G., Inc., the program. Academic Freedom Longview, 750-lb.-bomb metal parts, "Under both programs, the basic deci- $24,039,720; and bomb fin assemblies, sion whether any program will operate at *Of the 23 colleges and universities $4,836,300. all is a matter almost exclusively within the whose administrations are on the cen- sureship list maintained by the American province of individual counties. The state Cong. Richard White, El Paso, has criti- Assn. of University Professors, four are agency charged with responsibility for cized the U.S. strategy as to Hamburger Texas institutions, giving the state the Hill. White stands virtually alone among administering these programs does not in- lead in this dubious regard. House members in offering criticism of this terfere or question the decision of a In a recently published report by the episode of the Vietnam war. county," the commission report notes. AAUP committee on academic freedom It was estimated that 26% of the state's and responsibility it was noted that Sam population lives in poverty, compared to Houston State, which has been on the list the national figure of 15%. Food and Hunger since 1963, has adopted the statement on academic freedom set out by the Coordi- Another issue faced annually by Con- In Washington nating Board, Texas College and Univer- gress has come and gone once again — sity System. The AAUP terms the CB again with no change. The Senate last • Former. Gov. John Connally made his statement "excellent." However, the asso- month voted, 53-34, to remove a House first appearance a few days ago in ciation reports, the present board of re- amendment to the Dept. of Agriculture bill Washington since the change of adminis- gents that govern the school take the that would have set at $20,000 the maxi- trations, lobbying against provisions of the position that they have no obligation to mum any one farmer could receive for not proposed tax reform legislation before the provide redress for the professor who was growing crops. As usual, both Texas sen- House Ways and Means Committee which fired by a previous board without, it is ators, Ralph Yarborough and John Tower, would cut into oil industry privileges. maintained, adequate cause. The AAUP voted to retain the status quo in this Connally did not testify, but he was seen in rejects this position, so Sam Houston re- matter, no ceiling on farm subsidy pay- the hallway outside the committee room mains on the list. ments. Texas is, by far, the state whose on several occasions, including during the The censure a couple of years ago of farmers collect the most money from the committee's closed hearings. In those hear- Texas A&M tontines because that school's federal government for keeping certain ings the committee decided to remove two crops out of production. governing board has not reviewed the oil items — the excess of percentage over dismissal of the aggrieved professor after a As usual, the Senate fight to put a cost depletion and certain excess of intan- ceiling on the payments was led by Sen. hearing conducted by a faculty committee gible drilling costs — from a list of prefer- last fall (after the AAUP had put A&M on John Williams of Delaware, who pointed ential income sources on which a minimum its list). out, in floor debate, that among the- tax would be levied. The committee did "farmers" receiving large chunks of federal Frank Phillips College, Borger, was put not reverse its proposed cut in the oil money last year were the Texas Dept. of on the list this year at the association's depletion allowance, from 271/2% to 20%. annual meeting. Efforts to counsel with Corrections, which received two payments, Connally avoided saying whom he repre- one of $294,301, and a second for Amarillo College, which was censured last $75,619. sented in Washington, but he expressed year has not proven fruitful; the associa- concern about the possible impact of the tion reports that letters offering the college Senator Yarborough spoke during de- bill. bate, urging retention of the unlimited the aid Of the AAUP national office have elicited no response from Amarillo College. ceiling on payments until the Senate Agri- • The. Office of Economic Opportunity's culture Committee can carefully consider Migrant Division in Washington has what Yarborough and other legislators be- withdrawn a $90,000 contract to a Wash- lieve is a delicately balanced situation. He ington consulting firm to study the needs Miscellaneous Notes noted that the current farm program will of Texas migrants. Instead, OEO sources expire next year and so will be subject then report, the office is exploring the possibil- Mary Jo Kopechne, the young lady to review. Yarborough said the U.S. Dept. ity of making grants to grassroots organiza- • who died when Sen. Edward Ken- of Agriculture and committees of Congress tions in the Rio Grande Valley, something nedy lost control of a car he was driv- are studying the question of putting limits it has been reluctant to do in the past. The ing, worked last spring for Dolph Bris- on farm subsidy payments. contract to TransCentury Corporation of coe, when the Uvalde rancher was seek- Williams estimated that the defeat by Washington was withdrawn after Mexican- ing the Texas gubernatorial nomination. the Senate of the House amendment this American representatives said no further Washington reporter Sarah McClendon year will mean a cost of about $335 studies were needed. The withdrawal came quotes Sen. Ralph Yarborough as say- on the heels of the million for the 1969-70 fiscal year. Observer's July 4 issue ing, when asked if he would have in which an article criticized OEO's mi- responded to the accident as Kennedy • Meanwhile, the U.S. Cmsn. on Civil grant activities in the state. did, "I and you don't know what we Rights reports that nearly nine of 10 • One organization which might benefit would have done — I have not been in Texas families who live in poverty receive from OED's awakening is Las Colonias one tragedy after another as this family no assistance from federal food programs, del Valle, a community group based in has — and I have not been injured in the state ranking 43rd in aid to its poor in San Juan and serving a four-county area plane crashes." this regard. One hundred and five of the in the Valley. Sen. Walter Mondale, A San Antonio radio station, KITE, 254 counties had no food programs at all D-Minn., chairman of the Senate Migratory • as of last March. And even of those that has announced, by, among other Labor Subcommittee, praised the Colonias ways, a full-page newspaper ad, that it did, most families in need were not receiv- and its leader Reynaldo de la Cruz at ing the benefits, the report charged. will no longer carry news or mention length following his unpublicized tour of of campus demonstrations. "It appears South Texas during the spring. Shortly 10 that the student protestors of today are The Texas Observer before that tour, OEO had rejected the not really seeking liberties or freedoms The reviving Dallas chapter of the Amer- but rather stlf-indulgent desires flaunted tion's high schools and junior highs. . under a banner labelled 'freedom,'" the But they can only do so with the help icans for Democratic Action protested KITE ad said. "The problems, however, of the mass media. And we refuse to before that city's council the display on do not stop there. The student pro- be a tool of their virulent, selfish drive. municipal vehicles of bumper stickers plug- testors have announced publicly that We refuse to give them the publicity ging Amendment No. 2, the water bonds they will spread the revolt into the na- they desire and need." issue.

Alpine's School Situation

Austin and Alpine fourth grade in one school and the fifth the existing high school and change it to a A group of Mexican-American legislators through eighth grades in the other. Voting junior high; and (3) remodel Central to is watching the progress of efforts to settle a with Gallegos was the only other Mexican- receive the students there and at Centen- dispute over the integration of school American on the board, Johnny Sotelo. nial, which might be converted into a facilities in the Big Bend town of Alpine. If Only three of the more than 60 teachers vocational-technical school. school officials are unable or unwilling to in Alpine are Mexican-Americans, Gallegos In a revealing exchange with Gerald offer reasonable assurances that the situa- said. He charged further that barrio chil- Lopez of the Mexican-American Legal De- tion will be improved, the legislators say dren receive inadequate language instruc- fense Fund, which is based in San Antonio, they are prepared to help a group of irate tion, and their school facilities at Centen- Edgar said his office only follows the citizens take the matter to federal court on nial are generally inferior to those of guidelines laid out by the U.S. Dept. of the grounds that the dispute involves viola- Central. Chicano children arrive at high Health, Education and Welfare in enforcing tions of civil rights. school poorly prepared and have a higher school desegregation. The Texas Education The trouble revolves around the two dropout rate than their Anglo classmates, Agency has no such policies of its own, the elementary schools in Alpine — Central he said. commissioner said. elementary, built in 1910, which has a The Alpine school board, faced with the Lopez asked Edgar if the TEA attempts scholastic population of 400, 90% of which loss of accreditation of its schools by the to enforce desegregation in areas where is Anglo; and Centennial Elementary, built Texas Education Agency because of prob- land purchases bear restrictive covenants in 1936, which has 460 pupils, more than lems involving educational standards and a that perpetuate segregated neighborhoods 95% of whom are Mexican-Americans. The deteriorating physical plant, voted a "free- and, thereby, de facto segregation of attendance zones of the two schools are dom of choice" plan for the system start- schools. "We have nothing to do with separated by the railroad tracks that sep- ing in September. If parents south of the that," said the commissioner. "Well, I arate the Anglo neighborhood from the tracks want their children to go to Central think you should," said Lopez. brown barrio. Alpine High School serves Elementary, they may enroll them there, "Can you order a school desegregated?" both groups. and visa-versa. Parents will have to trans- Lopez asked Edgar. "Yes, I suppose we In a meeting July 28 in the State Capitol port their children, said the board, because could," the commissioner replied, "but we with Mexican-American legislators, a num- no bus service will be provided. In making are not an enforcement agency. We prob- ber of chicano parents from Alpine com- this decision, the board chose to ignore the ably would have to go to court." plained about the failure of an $800,000 fact that it already provides lunch-hour bus State Rep. George Baker of Fort Stock- bond issue that would have financed a new service to ferry children from Centennial to tcin, in whose district Alpine lies, said he elementary school. Had the issue been Central, which has the only cafeteria of the knew nothing of the situation and had passed the two elementary student bodies two schools, and return. Two hundred attended the meeting only to gather infor- would have been consolidated and the two Mexican-American parents immediately no- mation. He promised cooperation with old elementaries closed. But the issue was tified the administration that they want both sides. defeated, 479-417, in an election last May. their children enrolled in Central in Sep- Rep. Tati Santiesteban of El Paso, chair- However, Alpine voters did approve a tember under the freedom of choice plan, man of the Mexican-American delegation $1.5 million proposition to finance a new thus raising the possibility of swelling in the Legislature, said the group should high school and make repairs to other enrollment beyond the school's capacities. give the Alpine school board two weeks structures. (until Aug. 11) to come up with an answer T as to what it's doing about the situation. THE ALPINE parents told the EXAS CMSR. of Education J. W. Failing that, he said, the group should back legislators that strong opposition had de- Edgar, who attended the Capitol meeting, the parents in taking the matter into veloped within the business community said he investigated the situation in Alpine federal court. El against the proposition that would have after hearing indirectly of the parents'

consolidated the elementary schools. Some complaints. His inspector, he said, met August 15, 1969 11 employers openly discouraged their work- with school administration and school ers from taking time away from their jobs board officials. There was no mention of a to vote, the parents charged. meeting with the parents' group. Dr. Edgar One voting place was established for the confirmed the parents' account of the MARTIN ELFANT election. It was located about 15 blocks schools' enrollment, the racial ratio of from the barrio, at Central Elementary teachers, and the bond vote. He also School. One of the poll watchers appointed promised the parents a hearing by his Sun Life of Canada was a Mexican-American who earlier had office if they choose to file a formal campaigned against passage of the elemen- complaint with him, which they have not 1001 Century Building tary school proposal, the parents said. yet done. Alpine school board member Pete Gal- Dr. Edgar also said Alpine school offi- Houston, , Texas legos told the legislators that after the cials told his office they plan to consoli- election the board rejected, by a 5-2 vote, date the elementary schools on their own. CA 4-0686 Gallegos' proposal that the elementaries be He quoted an administration plan to (1) integrated by putting kindergarten through construct the new high school; (2) renovate If

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On the Question of Obscenity Austin issues such plates to drivers who are willing set of personalized plates she had noticed: The question of what constitutes ob- to pay extra so they can get their choice of "THE JEW." She found the plates poten- scenity is raised frequently these days. And letters and numbers (a maximum of six) tially a religious slur. Her letter was for- now it has been brought up in connection instead of taking whatever is issued them warded to the Highway Dept., whose R. W. with "prestige" license plates. The state by their county tax collector. Townsley, director of the motor vehicle Mrs. David Cohen of Austin recently division, replied to Mrs. Cohen. 12 The Texas Observer wrote Gov. Preston Smith in protest of a The personalized plates were authorized a few years back by the Legislature as a means of raising additional money. The Highway Cmsn., Townsley advises, passed a regulation providing for issuance of the plates; one section of the regulation bans The Texas Observer offers a book-ordering service through which members "obscene or objectionable words or ini- will be entitled to purchase ANY hardbound book published in the U.S.* at tials." a 20°0 discount. Books will be mailed postpaid. Townsley goes on: "The question as to A 1-year membership is $5.00. If purchases during the 12 months do not result whether or not a license Rlate bearing the in a saving of at least $5.00 over the list price of the books, your membership words 'THE JEW' is objectionable is, of will be extended until you do realize such a saving. couise, debatable. You have taken the For readers who are not interested in participating in the discount plan the position that this plate is objectionable because it is derogatory to a minority Observer will gladly accept, at the list price, orders for any hard-bound book religious group. . . . With reference to the published in the U.S.* Such orders also will be filled post-free. license plate 'THE JEW,' our examiner Many of the books which might be of particular interest to Observer readers informs us that the applicant came into our are available at the Observer office. A partial list of books in stock appears office to apply for this plate stating that all below. Other books will be ordered by the Observer and you will receive them his friends know him mostly by his nick- directly from the publisher. name 'THE JEW.' It was under these conditions that our examiner could find Some Suggested Titles nothing objectionable to the applicant's

List Mem. request," Townsley writes. List Mem. Price Price Price Price "If we should recall this particular per- THE LITHOGRAPHS OF TI4 IN A NARROW GRAVE: ESSAYS ON TEXAS sonalized plate and refuse to renew the Creekmore Fath (ed.) Larry McMurtry $ 7.50 $ 6.00 plate for the vehicle owner for next year, it THE TRAGEDY OF LYNDON JOHNSON AND OTHER DIRTY would seem that we would also be faced Eric F. Goldman STORIES $ $ 8.95 $ 716 rry L King 5.40 440: with a decision as to whether or not to THE AGONY OF THE AlkieRICAN' BLESSED MCGILL refuse many other license plate combina- Christopher Lasch Edwin Shrake $ 4.50 $ 3.60 tions such as the following: 'MRS. JEW THE UNFINISHED ODYSSEY (Mrs. Jeanne Williams, Houston), JEW OF ROBERT KENNEDY 7PIACkSz. (John E. Williams, Houston), HEY-JEW, David Halberstam . $ 4.95 roY 130de. . , $ 5. GERMAN, KRAUT, GREEK, MESKIN, 900 DAYS: THE SIEGE OF LENINGRAD GOTHIC POLITICS IN THE DEEP SOUTH TEX MEX, SWEDE-1, A SWEDE, DUTCH, Harrison Salisbury .. $10.00 $ 8.00 Robert Sherrill $ 6.95 $ 5.56 FRENCH, WOP, DAGO, LATIN, INDIAN, • POLICE POWER HUNDRED YARD .'INA 4k\ ■• Na; RED MAN, BOHUNK, CAJUN, KAJUN, Paul Chevigny $ 6.95 $ 5.56 Gary'. Cartwright . , CZECH, POLAK. OK AND LW NORTH TOWARD HOME "We have," Townsley goes on, "been Tam Wicker $ 5.00 $ COO Willie Morris $ 5.95 $ 4.76 extremely careful to avoid the issuance of THE TEXANS: WHAT THEY ARE-AND WHY klii\tit*iiitiO*1*.g,AVRt; license plates bearing obscene words. We David Nevin $ 5.95 $ 4.76 Ytiei ) $ 8.50 $ SSD have, also, refused to approve a number of 85 DAYS: THE LAST CAMPAIGN DARK STAR: HIROSHIMA RECONSIDERED applications bearing words and combina- OF ROBERT KENNEDY IN THE LIFE OF CLAUDE EATHERLY tions of letters that appear on their face to Jules Witcover Ronnie Dugger $ 5.95 $ 4.76 be objectionable; however, in view of the TOWARD A DEMOCRATIC LEFT THE ONE•EYED MAN many other prestige license plates Michael Harrington $ 5.95 $ 4.76 Larry L. King that $ 5_95 $ 4.76 might fall into the same category, we do IN OUR TIME THE BEST OF BRANN: THE ICONOCLAST not believe that we should recall and refuse Paul Douglas $ 4.95 $ 3.96 Roger Conger (ed.) $ 6.95 $ 5.56 to reissue the license plate in question. We THE NEW INDUSTRIAL STATE TALES FROM THE BIG THICKET John K. Galbraith hope that you can appreciate our position $ 6.95 $ 5.56 Frances E. Abernethy (ed.) $ 6.75 $ 5A0 in this matter." G.O. `BLACK RAGE THE GREAT FRONTIER W. H. Grier & P. M. Cobbs $ 5.95 $ 4.76 Walter Prescott Webb $ 6.00 $ 4.80 FAREWELL TO TEXAS ADVENTURES WITH A TEXAS NATURALIST EL CHICO, Jr. William 0. Douglas $• 6.95 $ 5.56 Roy Bedichek $ 3.60 4.50 $ Burnet Road & Hancock Dr., Austin • Beer patio under the stars • Fast service & carry-out • Delicious Mexican food THE TEXAS OBSERVER BOOKSTORE • Dinners $1.15 to $1.45 An operation of 504 WEST 24TH, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705 R & I INVESTMENT CO. Austin, Texas Alan Reed, PreSident G. Brockett Irwin, Vice President

Academic Apathy It's nice to know how

Austin is expected to maintain competence, use The Legislature in 1965 created the controversial material only when it is rele- others view us: Coordinating Board, Texas College and vant, and avoid projecting his identity as a University System, and told the CB to representative of an institution in his pri- A journal of "considerable influence in draw up a statement on academic freedom, vate life. Texas public life."—THE NEW YORK tenure, and responsibility. The CB adopted Tenure policy recommended by the CB TIMES BOOK REVIEW, Oct. 22, 1967 such a statement in October, 1967, and is a probationary period of no longer than "In 14 stormy years, the Austin-based bi- then asked that the state's 31 public senior seven years after rank of at least full-time weekly paper has tangled singlehandedly and 41 public junior colleges prepare their instructor is attained. Notice of nonreap- with oil and gas interests, exposed state- own statements in these areas. The state- pointment, the CB recommends, should house scandals, often made life painful for ments were to have been submitted by last occur by March 1 of the first probationary politicians in the land of Lyndon."—TIME, October. year; or three months before termination if Sept. 27, 1968 Four of the senior colleges have failed the appointment expires during the year; "A respected journal of dissent."—THE altogether to reply to the CB request. They no later than Dec. 15 of the second NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE, March 2, are Sul Ross, Prairie View, Texas A&M, probationary year, or six months before 1969 and Texas Southern University. Eight jun- termination; and at least 12 months in ' advance after two years. " . . . that outpost of reason in the South- ior colleges have not been heard from at all west ..."—NEW YORK REVIEW OF in the matter. They are Amarillo, Angelina, Cause for dismissing a faculty member BOOKS, April 11, 1968 Cisco, Grayson County, Paris, St. Phillips with tenure may be established, the CB ,,. (San Antonio), South Plains (Levelland), believes, by demonstrating professional in- . . that state's only notable liberal and Tyler. Ten other junior colleges have competence, moral turpitude, or gross ne- publication ..."—THE WASHINGTON POST, Nov. 25, 1968 not submitted their statements but CB glect of professional responsibilities. Dis-

officials understand that these institutions missal could be justified in cases of finan- II . . . delights in exposing the peccadilloes of are still working on them and plan to cial emergency at a college or the phasing the Texas establishment .. ."—THE PRO- submit statements in time. These are Alvin, out of programs that would require reduc- GRESSIVE, November 1968 Cooke County, Frank Phillips, Hill, Lee tions of faculty. "No doubt the best political journal in the (Baytown), Navarro, San Jacinto (Pasa- Faculty members with tenure have the state."—THE REPORTER, Nov. 30, 1967 dena), Texas Southmost (Brownsville), right of a hearing before a faculty com- Weatherford, and Wharton County. mittee to determine the justness of cause "Time and again since its first appearance in Three of the 22 institutions that have for dismissal, the CB maintains. 1954, the Observer has cracked stories not to date submitted their statements are The recommendations of the CB as to ignored by the state's big dailies and has had among the four Texas colleges whose ad- the satisfaction of watching the papers academic freedom, tenure, and responsibil- follow its muckraking lead."—NEWSWEEK, ministrations have been censured by the ity are just that, recommendations only. March 7, 1966 American Assn. of University Professors Though having such recommendations in for alleged violations of academic freedom writing at the state's colleges doubtless — Amarillo College, Frank Phillips College, improves the psychological climate at such But a national reputation isn't worth and Texas A&M. Sam Houston State, the schools and is of some use in formal much unless it helps you, the occa- fourth censured school, has submitted its faculty hearings or even in court proceed- sional reader, decide that you need to statement to the CB. The AAUP recently ings, still, it would be a further boon to the be reading the TEXAS OBSERVER termed the CB's own statement "excel- quality of higher education in Texas if regularly. lent." these principles were made state law. Sen. The policy guidelines are for the most Oscar Mauzy, Dallas, earlier this year pro- r •HERE'S HOW - - part very minimum standards. Academic posed such legislation but it failed. M.C. freedom is liberally defined to allow the THE TEXAS OBSERVER faculty member to pursue scholarly inquiry August 15, 1969 13 504 West 24th Street and publish and voice conclusions from Austin, Texas 78705 relevant evidence without threats to his professional career. He should be entitled ATHENA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Enter a 1-year subscription, at $6.24 to full freedom in the classroom, and free Leo Nitch, Director (including 4% Texas sales tax) for:

from institutional censorship or discipline. RED RIVER AT 41ST The policy paper goes on to define Opposite Hancock Center name (please print) academic responsibility as a "counterbal- Phone 454-4239 ance" to the freedom. The faculty member street

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People Sure Talk A Lot People in Houston used to lament the one-sidedness of their newspapers. There were the Post and the Chronicle — that's one side. And there was the Tribune — that's the same side only more so. "Gee, I sure wish there was a newspaper for us," people used to say. But all of that was before June 5, when the first dynamite issue of Space City News appeared on the streets. Now people say, "Gee, I sure hope Space City News makes it." People sure talk a lot. Since June 5, Space City News has been publishing bi-weekly 24-page issues with thoughtful well-researched features on such issues as "The Grand Jury System in Houston," "Police Repression and the Black Liberation Struggle," "Houston's Welfare Rights Organizations," "Analyses of the New Women's Liberation Movement," `•`A. Study of the Ownership of Houston's Broadcasting Media," "Mucking the Mayor: A Closer Look at Houston's Powerful Louie Welch," and, of course, a good deal more. To be perfectly frank, however, we're not doing this just so our readers can have a more balanced reading .diet. And when we go after a story, we don't bring back anybody's definition of "objective" reporting.

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• •••••- - .4 • AVY,t „v.;....0....**.frovrovowiwompoo.410060.104a, .

Observations New Tax Structure Needed

Austin What, by the way, is Lt. Gov. Ben deals with them in return for Ben Barnes or Gov. Preston Smith's five "suggested" Barnes' tax program? anyone else not running against Yarbo- tax packages (suggested before the regular rough in 1970. The kind of deal that was session) were striking because, although under discussion would run something like, they came from a conservative, they all Re-forming Loopholes "If I don't run against Yarborough, you contained an increase in the tax on natural support me for thus and so." Directing his gas. Although the governor's "stance" did message, we are informed, especially at Meanwhile, up in Washington, George not commit him to support any of the Texas labor president Hank Brown, Yar- Bush, the Republican congressman from packages, the common denominator of a borough told the labor boys — let him run, higher natural gas tax certainly meant that Houston, has been looking out for some of and don't cut any deals on Yarborough's he thought the petroleum industry ought his rich friends in the petroleum business. behalf. That, if that it was, is what is called to bear more of the costs of state govern- Bush admitted to the Washington Post laying it on the line. ment. that — during the deliberations on tax But w1at's a man's opinion worth if he reform behind the closed doors of the House Ways and Means Committee — he, doesn't stay in the fight for it? Gov. Price Bush of Houston, had proposed a special Daniel mounted his white charger against Nationalize Military the dragon of the oil companies, even provision that will exempt certain com- panies from the even application of the threatening them obliquely with Bob Eck- Why have we heard nothing more about hardt's graduated tax on oil production, repeal of the 7% investment tax credit. the proposal of John Kenneth Galbraith Rep. Charles Vanik condemned the pro- but when his horse got tired, he just got that the major defense contractors should vision as "a $611 million loophole.” The back down on the ground and signed thek be nationalized? Democrats' five-minute Sir Galahad in general sales tax into law. Gov. John "Perhaps," Galbraith told a congres- Washington, Hale Boggs of Louisiana, said Connally made some mileage with us gulli- sional committee this summer, "any firm it wasn't an exemption — that it merely which, over a five-year period, has done ble liberals for five minutes by advocating a provided that if a contract to transport public utilities commission — and was more than 75% of its business with the property was entered into before April 18, never heard from on the subject again. Defense Department, should be made a full 1969, it is totally binding, if there was an Smith, just a few months ago, struck out public corporation with all stock in public application before a regulatory agency like Sir Galahad in favor of a one-half-per- hands. . . . which specified the property to be built. cent tax on the gross receipts of chemical "We must, as grown-up people, abandon Vanik called this "exempting these pipe- now the myth that the big defense contrac- plants, but since the Legislature, shame on lines from the investment tax credit re- them, didn't pass it last session, Smith told tors are something separate from the public peal." a group of 75 business leaders in Dallas last bureaucracy. They must be recognized for Bush made the mistake of rising on the what they are — a part of the public month that he was abandoning the pro- floor to defend Nixon's extension of the posal. And now, having circulated five establishment." Their nationalization, he surtax. His Democratic counterpart from suggested packages all "suggesting" a Houston, Eckhardt, rose to say that "the higher gas tax, he proposes nothing of the August 15, 1969 15 exception quite obviously applies to gas sort. If the "sin" sales taxes are to be transmission pipelines" and estimated that increased, it will be better, in my opinion, the special treatment would be worth $25 to increase those on cigarettes and hard million in investment credits granted to the CLASSIFIED liquor and leave beer alone. Beer is the pipelines. A Democrat on Ways and Means, Mrs. BOOKPLATES. Free catalog. Many beautiful common man's drink. The worst of the designs. Special designing too. Address: BOOK- governor's suggestions is a higher general Martha Griffiths, made all this very clear. PLATES, Yellow Springs 8, Ohio. sales tax. The people are not in the mood Instead of closing loopholes, she said, with the Bush-sponsored provision, "We are YAMAHA: For the best sound—pianos—organs- to like that a bit. If legislators are looking creating a tax loophole." guitars available at Amster Music & Art Center. for a sales tax to increase, how about the 17th & Lavaca, Austin. 478-7331. one on diesel fuel? Those big trucks churn up our highways something awful. The sales tax on the fuel they use should be No Blackmail higher. Just keep your attention on those MEETINGS The most interesting report I have heard chewed-up right-hand lanes for a while THE THURSDAY CLUB of Dallas meets each some day when you're out driving. since returning to Texas from California: Thursday noon for lunch (cafeteria style) at the Clearly the state needs both corporate that Sen. Ralph Yarborough told Texas Downtown YMCA, 605 No. Ervay St., Dallas.. and personal income taxes. Smith in effect labor leaders during the recent state labor Good discussion. You're welcome. Informal, no just blanched at the thought of a corporate convention not to let anybody make any dues. profits tax. Everybody, including Smith, CENTRAL TEXAS ACLU luncheon meeting. knows the personal income tax is the Spanish Village. 2nd Friday every month. From justest available tax since it's based roughly Personal Service — Quality Insurance noon. All welcome. on ability to pay and that it can be easily Alice Anderson—"Bow" Williams and cheaply administered as a percentage ITEMS for this feature cost, for the first entry, INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE 7c a word, and for each subsequent entry, 5c a of the federal income tax. But the Texas 808A E. 46th, Austin, Texas word. We must receive them two weeld before Legislature seems still to be the Texas 4654577 the date of the issue in which they are to be Legislature. published. said, "would insure that such firms are held would stir up a significant public discussion perts" to prove his points, undocumented to strict standards of public responsibility and debate. Are the liberals still so hung charges against those not of his political in their political and other activities and over from the Joe McCarthy era, they are philosophy, and blasts against organiza- expenditures." afraid of the very word, "socialism"? tions and agencies not in his favor (Civil Galbraith's suggestion certainly was not Rights Commission, VISTA, 0E0, etc.). That was last June — two months ago. made casually. It makes plausible sense at In re this particular newsletter it would One would expect this idea, coming from first reading. What about it, gentlemen? be interesting to learn which pure race Mr. the nation's most celebrated economist, R.D. Fisher feels he belongs to. I was under the impression we all belonged to the human race and that minor differences in pigmen- tation, etc. merely differentiated between the various ethnic groups within that race. Dialogue Oh, well, maybe in '70, '72 or .. . Jeff D. Sanders, 408 Sycamore, Uvalde, Tex. 78801. Considerable Relief with liberals in Texas. Don W. Allford, 1505 Cloverleaf, Aus- Thoughts on Apollo 11 For those of us who had been disturbed tin, Tex. 78723. by the rightward movement of the Texas Man has traveled to the moon! AFL-CIO as reflected by Hank Brown over Not Political Strategy Forget the dead in Vietnam. the past couple of years, the reelection of Man has traveled to the moon! Roy Evans as secretary-treasurer brought Your comments [Political Intelligence, Forget national paranoia and ABM. considerable relief. Since the fight to un- July 18, page 8] about Jimmy Banks' Man has traveled to the moon! seat Roy was clearly directed by Hank forthcoming book, • Money, Marbles and Forget hungry faces in San Antonio, Brown himself, the refusal of the conven- Chalk, erroneously imply that its purpose Mississippi, and Chicago. tion delegates to follow Brown's lead and "may be part of a GOP strategy aimed at Man has traveled to the moon! defeat Roy suggests that the rank and file deposing Yarborough." This along with Forget cancer, arthritis, MS, MD, and union members have not yet become as "Reportedly he is being well paid ..." the common cold. conservative as they have been portrayed further implies that some subsidization Man has traveled to the moon! by the Hank Browns and the George may be involved. Forget poison gas under Denver and God Meanys. This book is a product of business knows where. We can also hope that the rank and file judgment, not "political strategy." It is Man has traveled to the moon! are not a party to Hank Brown's apparent altogether a commercial venture. It is one Forget his pollution of earth's water and courtship with Ben Barnes. Such an alli- of a series of books about current political air. ance is not likely to do much for the and social conditions in the respective Man has traveled to the moon! working man, and it would sure play hell states. Similar books about New York and Forgive his inhumanity. California are in the offing and eventually Flogene Ebeling, 1406 E. 15th, George- 16 The Texas Observer we expect to publish on all 50 states. town, Tex. 78626. Sen. John Tower's relationship with the publisher is no different nor more nor less than that of some well-known Democrats Not Good including Rep. John Brademas (D., Ind.) and Orville L. Freeman, the former secre- In news excerpt, July 23, Gen. Earl G. tary of agriculture in the Kennedy and Wheeler, who had just returned from an- Johnson administrations. Together our other trip to Vietnam, stated: "I must say group seeks to publish responsible political that I find the situation good." How many thought and opinion from both sides of the horribly napalm-burned children did he political arena. see? How many mutilated, permanently None of these facts preclude the disclo- crippled people did he see, including U.S. sures in Money, Marbles and Chalk from GIs, Asian soldiers, and Asian civilians? use for partisan political purposes. Any How many piles of slain bodies did he see? book is fair game for such purposes. But of How many diseased, poverty-stricken, greater purpose and importance, this book homeless people did he see? How many will supply an insight on state politics of destroyed rice fields did he see? enormous value to all Texans. He, who has been trained in the fine James Clay, publisher, Washington Na- points of killing, maiming, and destroying, tional Press, Inc., 128 C St. NE, Washing- and has been taught that the enumeration ton, D.C., 20002. of the dead is a mark of achievement for a powerful nation, may find this situation good. We do not. In fact, we abhor and are On Congressman Fisher ashamed of the U.S. barbaric attempt to get a permanent foothold in Asia where Observer coverage [July 18] of Cong. 0. our military-industrial complex would C. Fisher's "Newsletter(?)" was refreshing. have unlimited opportunity for people- Now at last citizens outside our district will exploitation, natural resource-depletion, also benefit from the wisdom contained in and economic control sustained by abuse this and other newsletters. Eventually of U.S. military-industrial power. through such progressive leadership we We will not continue to furnish sons and may be hauled kicking and screaming into money for fraudulent, criminal "defense"— the 19th century. war schemes, of which the ABM and MIRV . . . To a large extent his communica- systems are the latest "defense" devices. tions to his constituents consists of veiled Eula McNabb, 5521 Richmond Ave., racial slurs, citation of anonymous "ex- Dallas, Tex. 75206.