The Observer October 18, 1968

A Journal of Free Voices A Window to The South 25c Had You Forgotten? The Contest for Governor

Austin to pull close enough to his opponent for a Last spring twelve men and a woman confrontation. began the biennial race to the governor's Neither candidate has captured the mansion. Voters looked at the motley as- voters' imagination. Smith, at 55 a bald- sortment of runners, (which included a ing, smiling, moon-faced man, is outward- prophetess from Brenham, a former am- ly bland, inwardly tenacious. "There's no bassador, a liberal lawyer, a millionaire one who has gone through much more rancher, the lieutenant governor, a crime hardship that I did," he likes to remem- fighter, three Republican attorneys) and ber. At 15 he .left the Dawson county they narrowed the race to the lieutenant farm his father worked. "I pulled cotton governor and one of the GOP attorneys. bolls, plowed, cut yards, cleaned windows, Then, for the most part, they stopped ran a filling station and fixed a million thinking about the governorship and tires for 15 cents each—anything to get turned to the presidential contest, where an education." While attending Texas the action is faster and the prizes bigger. Tech in Lubbock he started a movie house Although many people seem to have near the campus. Successful in that ven- stopped watching, the gubernatorial race ture, he branched out into real estate and continues. Lt. Gov. , the then into politics. Smith has held state Democrat, is out in front, hardly winded office for 18 years, six as a state repre- after a 55% to 45% primary win over sentative, six as a senator and six as lieu- liberal . Jogging at the tenant governor. He has described him- steady pace he began more than a year self as an "ultraconservative," and his ago, he has covered more territory than record in the legislature upholds the ac- his opponent and he acts as if he were curacy of that label. the only man running. Republican characterizes his opponent as an Photo by Russell Lee Eggers is sprinting behind Smith, shout- "obstructionist." "Preston Smith has Preston Smith ing charges of "private club government" 'long experience'," the Republican con- into the wind. So far, he has been unable cedes, "but he has used this mainly to but he does not contradict hopeful lib- block sound progress and needed re- erals who discern left-of-center ideas in forms." Smith, for his part, simply ig- some of his pronouncements. nores his GOP challenger. Eggers, a Wichita Falls tax attorney, IN THEIR choice of a candi- was completely unknown to the voting date, the Republicans have been accused public when the Republican hierarchy of muffing their best chance of putting tapped him to run for governor. His only a governor in the mansion since 1962, political position had been that of GOP when Jack Cox came close to defeating county chairman in Republican Sen. John . Some wonder why the Tower's home district. A graduate of the GOP did not select a well-known Repub- University of Texas law school, he is lican such as Cox or popular Cong. chairman-elect of the taxing section of George Bush, instead of a complete un- the state bar and past director of the known whose only visible assets were a Oil & Gas Assn. wavy salt and pepper pOmpadour and In the early weeks of the campaign, craggy facial features that make him at Eggers seemed ill at ease in front of least look the part of a Texas governor. large groups and at press conferences. The state party reportedly promised Now he is more sure of himself, although Eggers a million dollars for his post-pri- sometimes he still comes off as a debate mary campaign, but as the politicking student attempting to deliver an A-plus progressed, the Texas Republican hier- speech. He exudes earnestness. "I really archy began to balk. After the Miami care about the people of Texas. I wouldn't convention, 's candidacy be in the race if I didn't care," he tells began to eclipse Eggers' in terms of the reporters. Texas GOP's priorities. Since Nixon ap- It is interesting that Eggers, the Re- pears to be a winner, conservative Demo- publican, the man with the strong ties cratic money started flowing into Repub- to the oil and gas industry, appears to lican campaign accounts. The money was be the more moderate of the candidates. earmarked for Nixon, because the Demo- Paul Eggers He calls himself an "honest conservative," crats continued to support Preston Smith for governor. Worried that Eggers might and national committeeman Albert Fay films made for the campaign he hoped have a chance, some big Democratic con- already were disturbed at the extent of to run. If Nixon is elected and Eggers tributors threatened to drop Nixon and go Eggers' independence. He has not proved defeated, O'Donnell and Fay will re- to George Wallace if the state Republican to be as conservative as they would like, main the leaders of the state GOP and party did not cool Eggers' campaign. and they could not afford to lose what thus will be in a position to distri- According to the Chronicle, little control they have over him. They bute the spoils. This position would be state Republican leaders, meeting secret- lifted the embargo on money. Eggers and especially attractive to O'Donnell, who ly, decided to cut Eggers' campaign his staff refused to say what their budget is believed by some to aspire to the budget during the September state con- is, but the figure most often heard is chairmanship of the national party. vention in Fort Worth. At this point the $500,000, half of what originally was GOP fund raisers began to stress to planned. "We've had some cash flow prob- Democratic contributors that none of the lems from state headquarters but our PRESTON SMITH, as most funds donated to Nixon would go to finances are going to be adequate. I'm Democratic gubernatorial candidates, has Eggers. very pleased we have our finances solved," had to raise his own funds and run his Eggers' financial crisis reportedly Eggers told the Observer. own campaign. Something of a maverick reached a climax in Houston during the Senator Tower appears to have taken conservative, Smith has always been out- first week in October when Eggers, Sen- Eggers' side in the financial squabble. He side the John Connally- axis. ator Tower and party officials gathered and the gubernatorial candidate have been He has gone it alone with a tremendous for a fund raising affair featuring Cali- friends for some time. Tower has taken success. For years Smith has said he fornia Gov. . Eggers had time out of his campaigriing for Nixon would run for governor as soon • as Con- received about $365,000 in campaign funds to speak for Eggers. He went to bat for nally stepped down, but last September and he had been told he would receive Eggers in Houston, where Eggers got he announced before Connally decided no more The candidate reportedly gave 20% of the take at the $125-a-plate Reagan not to run and before any other candi- the Republichn leaders 24 hours in which dinner. Still, some party workers say, date had started thinking about the cam- to come through with more of the money Tower, for the most part, usually paign. promised him. Eggers is said to have remains "aloof" from state GOP power Smith is an advocate of a traditional threatened that if he did not receive a struggles. "person to person" campaign style. Prob- pledge for additional funds within a day, Some Republicans involved in the Eg- ably realizing that he is a dull performer, he would hold a press conference in gers campaign privately speculate that he shuns television appearances and cam- the day Nixon was to arrive there O'Donnell and Fay want Eggers to lose. paign debates. Instead, he has combed for a statewide television appearance. They say that the two Republican lead- the West Texas plains and the piney Eggers was to tell the public that he was ers would not be able to control Eggers woods, the megalopolises and the boon- cutting loose from the state party, run- if elected and that their own influence docks, pressing the flesh, meeting the ning his campaign independently, and in the national party would be dimin- people. A state senator tells the story raising campaign funds through his own ished. Fay must still be disappointed that of taking Barnes, the Democratic can- personal connections. he was not the party's candidate for gov- didate for lieutenant governor, to a tiny State party chairman Peter O'Donnell ernor. Early in the year he had some pilot hamlet in North Texas. The young politi- cian was surrounded by admirers in the only cafe in town and he was confident he was the first candidate to campaign THE TEXAS OBSERVER there in decades. Then the waitress walked over to the table and asked © The Texas Observer Publishing Co. A Journal of Free Voices A Window to the South Barnes, "Where's ol' Preston this week? 62nd YEAR—ESTABLISHED 1906 We haven't seen him in some time!" Eggers has invested a healthy sum in Vol. LX, No. 20 October 18, 1968 7a) television advertising in the major urban areas. For the most part, the TV spots Incorporating the State Observer and the East The Observer is published by Texas Observer have been what his press aide calls "im- Texas Democrat, which in turn incorporated the Publishing Co., Inc., biweekly from Austin, Texas. State Week and Austin Forum-Advocate. Entered as second-class matter April 26, 1937, at age projection," minute and 20-second We will serve no group or party but will hew the Post Office at Austin, Texas, under the Act of spots in the Marlborough man genre. hard to the truth as we find it and the right March 3, 1879. Second class postage paid at Aus- During the last weeks of the campaign, as we see it. We are dedicated to the whole truth, tin, Texas. Delivered postage prepaid $6.00 a year; to human values above all interests, to the rights two years, $11.00; three years, $15.00. Foreign Eggers plans to have short television of man as the Foundation of democracy; we will rates on request. Single copies 25c; prices for messages dealing with the "issues." take orders from none but our own conscience, ten or more for students, or bulk orders, on and never will we overlook or misrepresent the request. The Republican has emulated Smith's truth to serve the interests of the powerful or Editorial and Business Offices: The Texas Ob- person-to-person campaign. He traveled eater to the ignoble in the human spirit. server, 504 West 24th St., Austin, Texas 78705. by bus to 250 to towns during the sum- Editor, Greg Olds. Telephone GR 7-0746. Editor's residence phone, mer, but he could not top the lieutenant GR 8-3851. Associate Editor, Kaye Northcott. governor in the sheer volume of hands Editor-at-large, Ronnie Dugger. Houston office: 1005 S. Shepherd Drive, Hous- ton, Texas 77019. Telephone 523-0685. shaken and barbecues eaten. Speaking Business Manager, Sarah Payne. Change of Address: Please give old and new recently to a gathering of county com- Associate Manager, C. R. Ololson. address and allow three weeks. missioners and judges in Austin, Smith Contributing Editors, Elroy Bode, Winston Form 3579 regarding undelivered copies: Send speculated that he might have been in- Bode, Bill Brammcr, Lee Clark, Sue Horn Estes, to Texas Observer, 504 W. 24th, Austin, Texas vited to address the group because Larry Goodwyn, Harris Green, Bill Helmer, Dave 78705. Hickey, Franklin Jones, Lyman Jones, Larry L. "everybody knows that when you can't King, Georgia Earnest Klipple, Al Melinger, Subscription Representatives: Arlingt o n, get the speaker you want, you can always Robert L. Montgomery, Willie Morris, James George N. Green, 300 E. South College St., CR 7- Presley, Charles Ramsdell, John Rogers, Mary 0080; Austin, Mrs. Helen C. Spear, 2615 Pecos, get Preston." He wasn't exaggerating. He Beth Rogers, Roger Shattuck, Robert Sherrill, HO 5-1805; Corpus Christi, Penny Dudley, 12241/2 has been traveling the curcuit of conven- Dan Strawn, Tom Sutherland, Charles Alan Second St., TU 4-1460; Dallas, Mrs. Cordye Hall, tions, Rotary luncheons and ladies' club Wright. 5835 Ellsworth, TA 1-1205; El Paso, Philip Himel- stein, 331 Rainbow Circle, 584-3238; Ft. Worth, coffees for 18 years, and the state's vot- The editor has exclusive control over the edi- Dolores Jacobsen, 3025 Greene Ave., WA 4-9655; ers remember him for it. torial policies and contents of the Observer. Houston, Mrs. Kitty Peacock, PO Box 13059, None of the other people who are associated 523-0685; Lubbock, Doris Blaisdell, 2515 24th St.; Smith did not attend the national De- with the enterprise shares this responsibility Midland, Eva Dennis, 4306 Douglas, OX 4-2825; mocratic convention in August. During with him. Writers are responsible for their own Snyder, Enid Turner, 2210 30th St., HI 3-9497 or work, but not for anything they have not them- HI 3-6061; San Antonio, Mrs. Mae B. Tuggle, 204 the last of August and first of Septem- selves written, and in publishing them the editor Terrell Road, TA 6-3583; Wichita Falls, Jerry Lew- ber, he traveled throughout the state, does not necessarily imply that he agrees with is, 2910 Speedway, 766-0409. Washington, D.C., meeting with local party leaders and ask- them, because this is a journal of free voices. Mrs. Martha J. Ross, 6008 Grosvenor Lane, 530- Unsigned articles are the editor's. 0884. ing for suggestions for the state party platform. He also sent out questionnaires During the primary, Smith had much the state's impending water shortage. He to state convention delegates asking for to say about "hippies" and "radicals." has devoted many speeches to warning their opinions. The document, written at He even suggested that if Yarborough voters that Texas will have to get water the state convention in September, under were elected, he might appoint "long- from outside the state if it is "to pro- Smith's guidance, pledges a continuation haired weirdo, hippie-looking creatures" gress after the year 2000." of conservative state government. The to state boards. His views on youth seem strongest emphasis was on law and or- to have moderated since then. He dis- der and education. cussed the generation gap in his keynote E GGERS HAS MADE a strong- speech at the September Democratic con- er pitch to minority groups than his vention, and some capitol reporters laud- LAW AND ORDER has been the Democratic opponent. The Rebuilding ed it as . one of the most thoughtful Committee, liberal Democrats dedicated main theme of the rather issueless cam- speeches of his career. He explained that paign. Smith appears to be the harder to bringing about a two-party state, is liner, mainly because he invariably em- he had tried to come to terms with sending out special mailings opposing "youth's rebellion," but "I'm not sure Smith to Latinos, Negroes, labor leaders phasizes the law enforcement aspects of that I understand the problem. . . . I am the problem while Eggers occasionally and liberals. Tom Bones, director of the concerned over bright, honorable young committee, guesses that Eggers will draw discusses the necessity for curing the people in the grip of a powerful reac- economic and social causes of disorder a significant number of Mexican-Ameri- tion against things 'as they are. I am con- can votes and a smaller, but still import- before calling for beefing up police for- cerned about their attitudes in govern- ces. In a position paper on "crime and ant, number of black votes. "The blacks ment, in politics, in the schools, the home are about two years behind the Mexican- justice," Eggers points out that all com- and the church. They are being encour- munities need comprehensive plans to Americans in splitting their tickets," aged to believe, apparently, that most Bones said. PASO (Political Association mobilize in the event of riots. "Deadly of our institutions are hopeless and have force should bc. used only to save life. of Spanish-Speaking Organizations) en- to be destroyed before this unsatisfactory dorsed Eggers this summer. Roy Elizon- Arsonists, for example, should be stopped world can be made better. It's under- at any cost since they endanger innocent do, PASO chairman, explained' the en- standable that youth has always ques- dorsement this way: "PASO is against lives. . . . The best control of looting tioned the merits of the and vandalism can be achieved through status quo; the the Democratic establishment in Texas. wisdom of their elders and the motives If the Democrats can't give us a sense use of non-lethal weapons." During the of 'the establishment.' They always will, primary, Smith said he subscribes to of participation, then perhaps the Re- and I think they should. Sometimes— publicans can . . . the Democrats have Mayor Richard Daley's policy that police you know—they are right." should shoot to kill in certain riot situa- taken the Mexican vote too much for granted." tions. The convention delegates listened im- At the state convention in June, short- passively to this portion of the lieutenant All Eggers or Smith really offers the ly after the death of Sen. Robert Ken- governor's speech. It was the next line minority groups is some attention. .Eg- nedy, Smith told delegates that "the Unit- that brought cheers: "We cannot, how- gers talks about Mexican-American "in- ed States has a clear choice: order or ever, tolerate defiance of laws and of volvement, bringing them into the deci- anarchy. . . . We must, and we will, be our institutions, which leads to destruc- sion-making councils," and setting up hu- reasonable in hearing, investigating and tion and to anarchy." man relations commissions. He is in fa- trying to do something constructive about vor of "more and better jobs and higher the non-violent complaints and demands Most persons involved with state gov- wages" through "regionalized vocational of those who feel they have not had ernment agree that the next legislature training" and through the active solicita- justice. But we will not now or ever will have to come up with at least $300 tion of more industry for Texas. There agree that the way to remedy an unjust million in new taxes. The next governor have been some published reports that law is to disregard it. . . . And we are must suggest where the money is to come Eggers "privately" supports a state mini- not going to turn our streets over to from, but both candidates prefer to dis- mum wage, but he has not made any the criminals. I have been speaking, I cuss "economy in government" rather public statements to that effect. He has think, in the name of all God fearing, than taxation. Eggers likes to point out urged the legislature to hold minimum peace-loving, strong-hearted Texans who that he is a tax attorney and that he wage hearings. The Republican calls for are not ready to change our philosophy would reexamine the whole tax struc- bilingual education and for private loan and form of government, or to live in ture, "look at the taxes already on the funds for college, high school and voca- fear in our own homes." books." He advocates a federal tax shar- tional education. ing program as a long term solution to Next on the list of issues is education. the state's tax needs. (This in effect, Smith promises the minorities an Both candidates are for it, even if it costs would be a way of getting federal income "open door policy" once he is elected. additional tax money. Both favor the tax money to pay state expenses.) Pressed He speaks of industrial and federal spend- $1,000 a year teacher pay hike. Eggers on what he might do for immediate reve- ing for the poor rather than state spend- says he is against higher college tuition nue, Eggers says he thinks the state "has ing. Smith has criticized the federal gov- "at this time." Smith has not stated a just about gone the limit on the sales ernment for cutting funds for a job position on tuition. The GOP candidate tax," but that he might be in favor of ex- training program sponsored by Ling- has strongly criticized Democrat Frank panding the sales tax to cover services. Temco-Vought of Dallas. R e c en t l y he Erwin's involvement in University of Smith has not said where he would get decried the deaths of three Mexican la- Texas affairs. (Erwin has served in the new revenue or even if he thinks more borers who suffocated while being smug- dual capacities of Democratic national funds will be needed. gled into the in a locked committeeman and chairman of the truck. "We must make sure that the board of regents). Eggers recently told Both candidates are against pollution. sub-animal conditions which existed on university students, "I will appoint [as Smith says, "I'm for whatever laws will illegal entrance in our country do not regents] my own people who will have do the job," but he opposes the crimi- exist with those legally working in this a dedication to education, not to mixing nal prosecution of corporate polluters. country," Smith said. Eggers accused politics and university administration. I Eggers calls for a stiffening of the state Smith of a "sudden interest in the Mexi- am opposed to regents who descend upon pollution laws, including criminal sanc- can-Americans of Texas after ignoring the campus to clear up every little de- tions. He also has criticized the destruc- them for 18 years." He said Smith voted partmental incident. This is carrying pol- tion of live oyster shell reefs by shell against an appropriation in 1959 for in- itics too far." As Don Yarborough, Eg- dredgers, a practice long decried by con- vestigating substandard transportation gers has recommended that a student and servationists. Smith has taken no stand of migrant workers and of failing to re- a faculty member serves as ex officio on the situation. In the area of conserva- members of the board regents. tion, the Democrat most often speaks of October 18, 1968 3 fer to a bilingual education to commit- Neither candidate has made many di- not consider "inexperienced" Eggers tee in 1967. Smith's appeal to the minor- rect appeals to the black community. much of a threat. Their only concern is ity groups has fewer specifics than Eg- "We can win this one," Eggers insists. the remote possibility that the Republi- He believes his strength is in Texas' can might be swept into office on a tidal gers'. He recently told a group of latinos 600,000 Republicans, the racial minori- wave for Nixon. Smith has voiced confi- in Corpus Christi, "Most of all, the biggest ties and the liberal Democrats. "The dence that 1968 is not the year for a suc- reason that I ask the support of all Tex- mood of the people is for a change. Texas cessor to E. J. Davis (1870 to 1874), the ans is that I care about all of our people. is ready for a two-party state," he says. only Republican ever elected governor of This is why I have devoted much of my Texas. Most of the polls agree with life to public service." Smith and his campaign workers do him. K.N.

Political Intelligence Humphrey Campaign Improving

V The campaign for that HHH must do something spectacular V Democratic Cong. Olin Teague, Col- is picking up some punch now, and to have a chance of carrying Texas, "and lege Station, said he can't support HHH is beginning to look more like a con- if that means resigning as vice president, Humphrey because the vice president has tender for Texas' electoral votes, though so be it," Brown said. made "irresponsible remarks" about Richard Nixon clearly must be considered V The temporary "alliance" of conserva- withdrawing troops from Vietnam and still ahead at this point. George Wallace tive and liberal Democrats (allied, in has called for stopping the bombing of still is not out of it, though he is almost theory, behind Humphrey, though work- North Vietnam. surely not the likely winner in Texas. ing through their own organiaztions, can V Other Democratic leaders are under The Connally and Yarborough wings of hardly be regarded as a harbinger of pressure to stay out of the Humphrey the state Democratic party are hurriedly party unity in Texas in the future. Once campaign. Gov . John Connally, Lt. Gov. throwing together a push for the Hum- the presidential campaign is over the two Preston Smith, and House Speaker Ben phrey campaign and the candidate is ex- factions will be at each other's throats Barnes, the ruling trinity of the party's pected to return to Texas next •week for once again, as the differences between conservative wing, are being urged by a two-day tour. H1-11-1 clearly believes Tex- the two are far too deep and wide, ideo- some prominent friends and supporters as critical to his hopes of election. logically and personally. to not help Humphrey so Nixon can carry V The Observer heard from several Three-Way Split the state. How the three leaders respond sources this week that a new, dra- to the Humphrey visit next week will be matic turn can be expected in the Texas interesting; leading *conservative Demo- Humphrey campaign. Labor people, brass v Polls show the Texas vote still di- vided, about evenly, three ways. It crats, except Barnes, stayed away when collar Democrats and racial minorities HHH first visited the state, in September. remain the most enthusiastic of the HHH appears that whoever wins the state will workers. However, increasingly, remarks have no more than some 40% of the vote. V However, there now are signs Con- are heard in Texas from supporters of V One jokester says that Wallace and nally will take a prominent public Sen. Ted Kennedy or Sen. Eugene Mc- Nixon are tied for the lead today in role on at least a few occasions in the Carthy—suburban, white collar liberals Texas, "running redneck to redneck." Humphrey campaign. Barnes has been mostly--that they'll not boycott the elec- V Newspaper endorsements are starting doing a good deal more for HHH than tion or vote against Humphrey, after all. to come in: the Houston Post, Beau- other Democratic rightists, having be- The Humphrey campaign phrase "con- mont Enterprise-Journal and the Dallas come something of a confidant of Hum- sider the alternative" is having its im- News have come out for Nixon. phrey. •Smith evidently will continue to pact. V The Nixon campaign was boosted last stay clear of Humphrey. V Whether this will add up to victory week by double-page ads in the state's for HHH in Texas or nationally is largest dailies attacking Humphrey for Thurmond Due the question. The lack of expressed en- his 1953 filibuster on the tidelands issue, thusiasm for the candidate in many quar- which the ads characterized as proving As speculated in this column last is- ters, left and right, may belie the degree "conclusively that he is no friend of Tex- , sue, South Carolina Republican J. of support he'll get when the voters ans." Placing the ads were "Texans for Strom Thurmond will tour Texas next are actually casting their ballots. Nixon," a group whose chairman is Ben week in an effort to combat Wallace's V Organized labor's hierarchy is put- H. Carpenter of Dallas. On the group's wide support. Thurmond will perhaps ting the screws to the rank and file, executive committee are a number of for- appear in Houston. the same day that demanding that stickers in behalf of mer Democratic leaders, such as former Wallace will be there. Houston is believed George Wallace's candidacy be pulled off Gov. Coke Stevenson, former Atty. Gen. to be in Wallace's grasp at present. Thur- cars and that labor people get behind Will Wilson and former national Demo- mond probably will speak in either the Humphrey. Frequently heard are threats cratic committeeman Wright Morrow. northwest or northeast quadrant of the that higher-ups statewide and in the lo- Carpenter said many of the group's lead- county — regions believed now in Wal- cals make about union members who per- ers will support Democrats in state and lace's pocket. sist in supporting Wallace. For example, local races. Also on the committee are Thurmond's visit is the third in a se- the word is out that Texas labor leaders Dallas businessman Angus G. Wayne, Sr., ries of attempts to get at the hard-core who don't support HHH can consider and H. B. Zachry, San Antonio builder. conservative voter in Houston who, ac- their chances for advancement in the la- V Former Gov. , who led cording to GOP precinct canvasses, is bor movement as clouded. American par- Texas in supporting Eisenhower in turning to Wallace rather than Nixon. ty people report that, nonetheless, local 1952 and 1956, called a press conference Earlier, law-and-order advocate Phillys labor people are working for Wallace. to announce he'll vote for Nixon this year. Shlafly of Illinois (author of A Choice, V State AFL-CIO president Hank Brown Shivers was a delegate to the national Not an Echo, which became famous dur- told columnists Evans and Novak Democratic convention and voted for ing the Goldwater campaign in 1964) and Humphrey's nomination on the first bal- Gov. Ronald Reagan were in 4 The Texas Observer lot in August. Houston. V Republicans have been canvassing in the growing awareness that the Lone Star story in the Huntsville Item, "Never be- Harris county precincts where Sen. is to decline soon in the federal constella- fore has a citizenry been more reluctant won 40% or more of the tion. to bid farewell to a family which had vote in 1966. Closely guarded canvasses become so integral a part of its very life of the 11th senatorial district's Anglo pre- Three Texans now serve in the cabinet than was the case in Daingerfield when cincts show some 50% of the voters say- —Postmaster Gen. Marvin Watson, Atty. Marvin Watson and his charming wife ing they're undecided; this greatly con- Gen. Ramsey Clark and Secy. of Com- Marion and their three children took their cerns Republicans, who consider such merce C. R. Smith. The Dallas News' leave and enplaned for the nation's capi- "undecideds" as actually being Wallace Robert Baskin, in a story dealing with the tal." votes. DC Texans' plans for the post-Johnson years, reports that Watson will re- V The weekly Victoria Mirror com- V Wallace and Nixon each have about turn to the Texas business world, Clark plained recently that, although local ten neighborhood headquarters in may join a Washington law firm and citizens "were led to believe that Lyndon Harris county. Humphrey had one last Smith will retire. Former Gov. Price Johnson as president would do many week but four more were opened this Daniel, Johnson's director of emergency great things for his friends here," the Week. planning, will practice law in Austin, Victoria area has not been so blessed. V Republicans opened some headquar- where former LBJ aides Walter Jenkins The Mirror said that many of Johnson's ters in parts of the county, the south- and Jake Jacobsen now reside as, respec- local friends had boasted that LBJ as east, that they've never before served, in tively, a cbnsultant (one client is the president would bestow many boons on labor areas such as Baytown and Pasa- Camp Gary Job Corps center, San Mar- the Victoria economy, in the form, most- dena, for example. These headquarters cos) and as an attorney. Presidential ly, of government installations. Perhaps are paying their own way. Adding to the press secretary George Christian, a White the waning days of the Johnson adminis- jumble, an American party headquarters House staff lawyer (Larry Temple) and tration will bring word of some federal in Bellaire (white collar, suburban) drew assistant press secretary Torn Johnson largesse, the Mirror hoped. so much favorable response that party also will move to Austin next year. Chris- leaders were looking for sites for new tian is expected to do public relations DC Lobbyists headquarters. work, write and lecture; Temple will V The inexperience of the Nixon cam- practice law; and Tom Johnson probably Each three months lobbyists in the paign leaders in Houston (Obs., Oct. will head up Johnson's staff when LBJ nation's capital are required to reg- 4) was dramatized recently when a top returns to Texas. Barefoot Sanders, a ister their names, whom they represent Nixon worker phoned the Harris county legislative aide to the president, is a man and their expenses for each quarter of GOP headquarters and meekly asked if Johnson hoped to install in a federal the calendar. Texans and Texas-based in- officials there had any sort of manual judgeship but evidently Republican op- terests are well-represented. A number on how to run a political campaign, and position will halt this. of former congressmen were (and prob- could they spare a copy. ably still are) among the state's lobby Baskin writes that Texas' influence in V Harris county apparently is the only Washington will be at a lowest in more delegation, according to reports filed, for Texas county going through the presi- than 50 years, dating back to when Col. the first quarter of 1968 and published dential campaign without the guidance of Edward House of Austin was President recently in the Congressional Record. a county Democratic chairman. Former Wilson's key adviser. Since those days Among the former lawmakers from chairman W. N. (Bill) Blanton had to re- the state has always had one or more Texas listed in the Washington lobby sign (by state law) when he became a persons of unusual power in the capital, were Walter E. Rogers (his clients not candidate for a judgeship. Since then, the serving as speaker of the house, senate indicated), J. T. Rutherford ( who repre- conservative Demos have ignored demands majority leader, vice president or presi- sents the American Trucking Assn. and by liberals that the county executive com- dent. The state, next year, will have great- the American College of Radiology of mittee, which liberals now control, be ly reduced influence, boasting only a few Chicago), Frank Ikard (American Petro- convened to elect a new chairman. committee . chairmen in congress, pre- leum Institute) and Ben H. Guill (Na- Conservatives expect to control the suming the Democrat's will still control tional Automobile Dealers Assn.). Four county organization next year because of congress. "It is evident the state's inter- years ago Congressional Quarterly, a pub- a recent redistricting of the county by ests will best be represented by Sen. John lication whose staff does research on gov- the commissioners court, a body con- G. Tower, who has worked hard for Nixon ernmental functions for newspapers, trolled by conservative Democrats. Tile and commands his respect," Baskin among other clients, found that four commissioners carved up more than a writes. Whoever wins the election this other Texas congressmen were then in dozen precincts with more than 3,000 reg- fall the Texans will be out, though Cong. istered voters and jiggled some other pre- the Washington lobby—Fritz C. Lanham, Jim Wright of Fort Worth and Cong. Jack John E. Lyle, Jr., Tom Pickett and Ken- cincts around. As a result, the number Brooks of Beaumont would be expected of precincts will increase from 305 to 327 neth M. Regan. These four were not listed to gain importance in the event Hum- in the Record this time, however. in February. Conservatives are hoping to phrey wins. HHH has said Wright would Other Texans, not former congressmen, stall the election of a new county chair- have an important role in a Humphrey at work in Washington as lobbyists in man until then. Thanks to the commis- administration. sioners the new precincts will be heavily early 1968 represented oil interests most- conservative and should throw the bal- V The latest appointment of a Texan ly. Humble had four men registered: ance on the county committee to the con- to a federal job was Johnson's nam- W. J. Crawford, Charles C. Keeble, John servatives then. ing of Dallas developer Raymond Nasher D. Knodell and Donald E. Smiley. Other as one of ten delegates to the United Na- Texas oil firms represented include Su- Descending Star tions. perior Oil of Houston and Los Angeles (Dick Tullis), B. J. Ray McDermott and The impending decline in Texas' influ- V Watson will be honored at Dainger- Co., Inc., Oil Division, of Houston (repre- field next week at an appreciation ence in the nation's capital is behind sented by the firm of Wilkinson, Cragun day program. President and Mrs. John- many of the headlines in the state's news- & Barker of Washington, DC), Pennzoil son will attend, as will Billy Graham and papers these days as a number of Texans of Houston (W. E. Wilson of Shreveport Texas Speaker Ben Barnes. Evidently are hopeful of getting it while the get- and R. J. Winchester of Houston). Watson has in mind a political race in ting yet remains good. Word of President 1970; that year the most important state Dale Miller of Dallas represented the Johnson's appointing a number of Texans race will be for the senate seat of Ralph Dallas chamber of commerce, the Gulf to federal jobs, and the request of im- Yarborough. Intracoastal Canal Assn. of Houston and prisoned Texan Billie Sol Estes that LBJ Texas Gulf Sulphur of Newgulf, Tex. commute Estes' 15-year sentence for mail Apparently, Daingerfield will be happy fraud and conspiracy are indicators of to get Marvin back. According to a news October 18, 1968 5 Other Texas-based interests registered to dissertation. This seemed to raise the g/ In his soon-to-be-released book James lobby ( though the names of their repre- possibility that McCrocklin would be Ridgeway, an editor sentatives are not listed) include the Na- of the New Re- removed from the delegation but Morse public, complains that the American uni- tional Conference of Non-Profit Shipping was called home to Oregon to attend a versity is becoming the lackey Assn. of Houston and the Plains Cotton of indus- funeral. During that time committee col- try and the military. UT-Austin president Growers of Lubbock. An individual reg- league, Sen. John Sparkman of Alabama, Norman Hackerman and Jack Maguire, istered as a lobbyist but who didn't indi- had what people on the committee staff the UT Ex-Students' Assn. director, are cate whom he represented was Lowell call a "personal conversation" with Mc- among board members of a new proposed Davis of Houston. Crocklin. Sparkman then is said by staff Austin bank. Among those registered during the last members, to nave told Morse, in effect, quarter of 1967 was Frank W. Denius "For goodness sake, the foreign relations of Austin, who is a partner in the LBJ- committee has been a hairshirt for the Miscellany president for three years. Let's look the associated law firm of former Ambassa- v Liberal candidate Don Yarborough dor to Australia Ed Clark. Denius repre- other way for a change; if the Texas academic community doesn't care to deal evidently is, these days, turning over sented the Texas Electric Service Co. of in his mind the possibility of running Fort Worth, Dallas Power and Light Co. with this situation, why involve the US Senate?" for mayor of Houston next year. Sev- and Texas Power and Light of Dallas, as eral reports have reached the Observer did John Goldsum, also of Austin. When the matter came up on the senate of DY's giving such an eventuality some consideration, and Yarborough recently A former state legislator and one-time floor Texas Sen. said, hopeful speaker of the Texas house, Gene told a Houston reporter that he is, in- "I desire to be reported as voting 'nay' deed, thinking it over. He has Fondren, Taylor, represented Texas rail- on . . . the nomination of James H. Mc- run well in Houston in his four statewide races roads. Fondren quit the house when it Crocklin, of Texas. I desire to be recorded (except in 1964, the year of the assassi- became apparent that Rep. Gus Mutscher, as voting 'nay' . . . I vote 'nay' on the nation-wounded Connally landslide). He Brenham, had a commanding lead in nomination of James H. McCrocklin. I is presently rebuilding his law practice pledges for the speakership when Barnes vote 'yea' on the other nine of that dele- and business interests and working to gation." moved on. complete a book. The book, he says, will contain suggestions as to governmental Unease at SWT Yarborough did not say why he so improvements at all levels; he says he voted; it is known that he was not par- has some solutions for such problems. g/ There now is a stir among the fac- ticularly in favor of McCrocklin's ap- Yarborough says he lost less than $5,000 ulty members of Southwest Texas nomination of the HEW post (the sena- in this year's loss in the Democratic gu- State College, San Marcos, about the tor this summer declined to say whether bernatorial primary and that he owes problems raised in the Observer (Aug. 9) he favored or opposed the appointment, another $50,000 or so from the 1964 cam- about the dissertation of the SWT presi- when routinely queried by senate col- paign. dent, Dr. James McCrocklin. McCrocklin leagues). is on temporary leave from the college, Who might be Preston Smith's key serving as No. 2 man in the Dept. of gubernatorial appointees? Specula- Health, Education and Welfare, to return Academia tion in knowledgeable circles is that Dor- to SWT in January. Concern at the col- sey Hardeman, the San Angelo senator v The philosophy department's budget lege had arisen about the dissertation who lost the Democratic nomination to council at the University of Texas and its similarity to the master's thesis Pete Snelson last spring, might be Smith's at Austin reversed a decision it had made secretary of state. Hardeman of McCrocklin's wife. Faculty members last spring and recommended that leftist has told close friends that he would like to move decided, after a time, to let the senior professor Larry Caroline be retained. A college regents handle the matter. back to Austin. Former Gov. Allan Shiv- further reversal for UT administration ers, who has endorsed Smith as well as Since then, the regents have twice people who want Caroline out occurred Richard Nixon, is considered a possible voiced their confidence in McCrocklin, when the arts and sciences faculty passed chairman for the UT board of regents. and the board chairman, Emil Rassman, a resolution, by 167-120, condemning the Midland, says "this matter is now and action of regents chairman Frank Erwin, V The Houston Chronicle, which picked should be forever closed." So, the regents Jr. The resolution complained that Er- up the weekly cartoon of Jules Feif- having made their determination, those win publicly attacked Caroline before the fer when the competition Post dropped faculty members who are not satisfied budget council had made its first deter- it earlier this year (Obs., March 1) has that the questions raised in the Observer mination. Caroline raised Erwin's ire last likewise dropped the strip. The word in article have been dealt with satisfactor- fall by advocating a second American Houston journalistic circles is that the ily are these days considering how to revolution. Despite the latest develop- decision to discontinue running the pun- proceed. ments it appears Caroline will depart gent social comment was taken on the UT at the end of the current academic The regents first considered the prob- basis of some four or five strips that year. The department chairman and the the Chronicle has not run. lem at their August meeting and issued dean of arts and sciences are among those a statement saying they believed the Mc- at UT who want Caroline to go, and the go0 HemisFair lost an estimated $5.5 mil- Crocklins' thesis and dissertation were deliberations of the philosophy depart- lion after an attendance of about 85% written on "different aspects of the same ment's budget council are not binding, of the anticipated 7.2 million. The civic broad subject." When, thereafter, the leading a number of persons on the cam- debate over whether the fair was worth national press took up the story the pus to wonder aloud why bother to have all the trouble persists in San Antonio. regents felt it necessary to issue a second such a council to determine questions of The two newspapers there contend it was, statement, which was done Oct. 4, re- retaining faculty members. as do the rest of the business leader- affirming the earlier resolution. ship. Dissenters, a minority, believe the In the meantime, McCrocklin had been V Some 500 students at the University city's pressing social needs were eclipsed named one of ten delegates to a UNESCO • of Texas at El Paso demonstrated on in recent years by efforts leading up to the fair. meeting in Paris this month. The nom- campus against what they believe is the ination was routinely sent to the senate impending appointment of El Paso Mayor vr Observer readers may expect a run- foreign relations committee. Sen. Wayne Judson Williams as the next UTEP presi- down on the impending vote on Morse of Oregon raised objections, citing dent. Top UT officials raised some amending once more the state constitu- the questions raised about McCrocklin's eyebrows by promptly sending Williams tion, as well as a discussion of legislative an apology and ordering that the dem- and congressional races in the Nov. 1 6 The Texas Observer onstrators be disciplined. issue. Culture---Texas Style

Austin "Haw." The crowd arrived early, in boot-click- It was a night for country music stars DUFF MUST be a million ing urgency. Reserved seats had sold out on stage and football heroes in the audi- laughs at a party with a coal oil lamp quickly. It was every goat roper for him- ence. The emcee announced that UT chimney on his head. His big coup came self as they energetically pursued the Coach Darrell Royal and his Longhorns moments later, after Carl Perkins once remaining chairs in Austin's municipal (130 strong, he said, but the way they've again wailed about some'clod who played auditorium. They flowed from the hazy been quitting lately it could have just as unrefined footsie with his blue suede summer twilight like attacking herds of easily be 127) were attending. shoes. Duff proposed a political poll. Dolomite Alps, their tanned faces grin- "And we're number one," shouted the "Let's hear it for Hubert Humphrey," ning beneath the pinched, high-crown emcee, a man with a eye for a digit to he said. western hats that bobbed with their pro- match his IQ. Polite applause. gress. They came for an evening of music The blockbuster of the evening was "Richard Nixon!" —a cultural event of such impact as to provided by the emcee — a country-west- Old Milhaus really had some crowd ap- even awe such sophisticates as the 1966 peal, but Duff saved his ace until last: football queens from Leander or Liberty "And now for George C. Wallace!" Hill. Tumult. "Hoohey Mary Jo! Whatchall doin' Pat Conway Goat ropers, embryo cosmo-tol-ogists, now?" sons and daughters of the soil roared as "I done come to Austin to be a typist if one to the magic name of- the belli- for the state, but I'm studying cosmo-tol- ern disc jockey named Arleigh Duff, who gerent bantam from Alabama. They were ogy." is a man of rare wit. He came clad in on their feet screaming. Some even pulled The attraction was the "Johnny Cash a white turtleneck around his crimson off those Slim Pickens hats to wave them Show." The crowd was a good cross-sec- nape to make much of the recent political in great victorious circles. Soft drink tion of Central Texas society. Upright, conventions. His humor was crisp and cups flew through the air. It was a scene God-fearing people who paid strict at- engulfed the goat ropers in simple, un- to touch the heart of every patriotic son tention to the "No Liquor Allowed" sign. restrained mirth. Sample: of the FFA who has conservatively, yet A Sunday of reckoning lies ahead. "Haw. That newsman Dan Rather got ready at any moment to wage total war "Har, Bubba, I never thot I'd see you knocked down at the Democratic Con- against federal encroachment, accepted at the preaching today. You were some' vention. Haw. They said clear the aisles a farm subsidy. For it isn't every day after that one Store las' night." and he didn't believe that meant news- that you can tred on the edge of history Cash's inroads into folk music and the men too. Har." in the making and at the same time hear promise of bluegrass entertainment by "Yeah Arleigh, thass a good un!" Johnny Cash. Mother Maybelle Carter also lured some hippies to the function. "Lookee Hardy! I betcha he-she-it ain't never been to no barbershop. Haw!" Guide for Endorsers Mother Maybelle didn't appear. One of A. P. Carter's relatives had died, and she Dallas 1968 endorsements. Mrs. Ripley has prob- had returned home to Clinch Mountain ably already turned in her endorsement country in to pay respects. The I don't know Mrs. George Ripley, but of the Nixon-Agnew ticket to Republican shirt-sleeved crowd (I counted four ties, I can tell you she is a woman whose headquarters, and an ad writer will soon three of them around the necks of musi- political loyalties are constant, public, order the name into type for insertion cians) saved its foot-stomping, whistling and predictable. She has endorsed Re- into the last minute ads. and hoo-hawing for Cash. (Have you ever publican candidates in newspaper adver- heard "Were You There When They Cru- tisements regularly at least since 1952. cified My Lord" presented over an audi- On the other hand Tramell Crow is a A S FOR Crow, and other such ence participation chorus of "Whoot- mercurial character. I don't know Mr. familiar endorsers as Hugh Prather, Jr. laws?") Cash rolled his husky, resonant Crow either, but when I read a few weeks (Eisenhower for President, 1952, Demo- voice around material ranging from Nash- crat Henry Wade for Congress, 1956, Con- ville sound to gospel to a poem by Edna nally for Governor, 1962, LBJ for Presi- St .Vincent Millay. (I swear on a stack!) dent, 1964) and Stanley Marcus (Busi- "Hooboy, Hardy! Thet's shore sumpin, Mary Ficklen nessmen for Johnson, 1964, and Nelson ain't it?" Rockefeller for President, 1968): are they "Huh? Yeah." ago that he had endorsed Nelson Rocke- now being courted by local Nixon and Humphrey campaign managers? Or is feller for president, I knew Mr. Crow THE EVENING'S big turn-on each agonizing privately over his pub- was again displaying his erratic political was provided by a quartet, the Statler lic 1968 political decisions? Brothers, whose way to fame was made temperament. A "Democrat for Eisen- hower" in 1952, a "Builder for Earle Ca- While the endorsers consider their with a song about the solace one can find bell" in 1960, a "Businessman for Lyndon consciences, may 1, in behalf of compul- while watching Captain Kangaroo and sive political ad readers, make these sug- lamenting a lost love. They came back Johnson" in 1964, Mr. Crow is now a builder-businessman without a candidate. gestions to the people who order the for an encore with the "Whiffenpoof ads? Song." Will he be a Democrat for a Republican 1. Please list the names alphabetically. "Hits time to go git some more Lone this November? A Democrat for a Demo- Star, Hardy." crat? Or will he withhold his name from Though most of us read all the names, the endorsement ads which run in the some read only for key opinion makers: The writer is a former reporter for Dallas dailies bi-annually before general Crow, Marcus, Mayor Erik Jonsson (Re- United Press International. He returned elections? publican Bruce Alger for Congress, 1950s, to Texas earlier this year to work for the I, and other compulsive readers of Businessmen for Johnson, 1964), ex- "Bring Lyndon Home" congressional cam- names-in-political-ads, am waiting for the Democratic county chairman Ed Drake paign of Fagan Dickson, Austin, and then (Eisenhower, 1952), Earl Luna (Eisen- for Don Yarborough. He is now in public Mrs. Ficklen is a free-lance writer who relations work in Austin. lives in Dallas. October 18, 1968 7 hower, 1952, secretary, Dallas County in the ad. By election day morning 625 I served on a campaign committee once Democratic Executive Commitee, 1968), endorsers had publicly repudiated en- where a committee member suggested and Mrs. Ripley. Make it easy for us to dorsements. Some of us readers barely we use college degrees after each name. check on our tavorite endorsers, as well finished the list before vice-president- Possibly politicians might fear a drop- as our friends, neighbors, doctor, and elect Johnson made his victory speech. out backlash from such listings, but I precinct chairman. 3. Identification makes the ads more think readers would enjoy them. 2. Use at least 8-point type for the interesting. "Builders," "Scientists," "Stu- 4. Sneak a few new names in among names. Never, never, go to 6-point, or 8- dents" — such headlines add dimension the familiar ones. Before the recent ref- point photographically reduced. There to endorser personalities. (They some- erendum, a local ad listed endorsers of are people in Dallas who still have a times provide new personalities to one liquor-by-the-drink. Each name was new headache from the Bible-on-the-head-of- acquaintances. In 1960 half a dozen of- to me, and it was kind of unsettling. So a-pin-sized names in the "Welcome Sen- ficers of my PTA were "Mothers for Al- far as I could tell there were no Re- ator Lyndon Johnson" page run by Citi- ger.") More specific lists could further publicans, Dmeocrats, or precinct chair- zens for Kennedy and Johnson Thursday define endorsers. How about "Birchers," men on the list. Yet, while it is re- afternoon before the election in 1960. "Lobbyists," even "Uncle Toms"? (That assuring to find Mrs. Ripley in her usual The names were alphabetized, which familiar, but anonymous, group, "Red place and tantalizing to search out Earl enabled such quick studies as Dr. Luther sympathizers" seems to have disappeared Luna, new names do spice up the lists Holcomb (Connally for Governor, 1962, from Dallas ads.) and help the jaded reader make it all and vice-chairman, Equal Employment the way through the Zs. Opportunity Commission, 1968), Dr. Mil- THE MATTER of color. so im- Most non-government employed local ford 0. Rouse, Jr. (Nixon, 1960, president, portant in today's "balanced" campaigns, leaders are routinely listed, so campaign American Medical Association, 1968), and is impossible to show in endorser ads managers may have to search a bit for Douglas Bergman (Democratic candidate now. National origin, even religion, can new influentials. They could start, how- for legislature, special election, 1968) to sometimes be detected by study of names, ever, with uncommitted ministers and protest inclusion of their names to re- but not color. Balance, and reader in- millionaires and such recent retirees as porters that afternoon. Days later, how- terest, could be served by adding WASP, former school superintendent W. T. ever, bleary-eyed users of magnifying or Catholic, or Polish, or Black after White, WASP, BAMA, and honorary glasses were still discovering their names appropriate names. PhD. 0 Mencken and Fats

Larry L. King, . . . And Other Dirty hour or so I thrilled to the groan of Stories, could visualize him as a delightful dis- New York: New American Li- the vice-presidential plumbing. turber of the peace in a variety of roles: brary, 1968, 236 pp., $5.50. One other figure stands out in my lawyer, oilman, hard-scrabble farmer, memory of that period. Curiously, he crusading country editor, whooping evan- Austin was no celebrity—not yet—but rather a gelist, country-western singer, even a Thirteen years ago I abandoned my b i g, cheerful, irreverent, ear-banging successful standup •comic. It's all the role in a provocative but clearly doomed yarnspinner in the employ of a West more appalling now to realize how sel- experiment in independent regional jour- Texas congressman. He looked in on me dom one regarded Larry King as perhaps nalism called The Texas Observer to hitch one day to inquire after the use of best equipped — and marvelously gifted my star to a wagon by the name of Lyn- some of Mr. Johnson's Robotyper ma- —as a full-time writer. don Johnson. chines, unspeakable inventions for the In the years since he liberated himself The change, while unsettling, offered mass production of "personalized" mes- from the status of "second banana politi- a number of advantages; not the least sages to constituents. "I understand," cian" in Washington, King has become of them was being mercifully spared the my visitor said, "that the Pumpkin's ma- a very top banana figure in the murder- carnage seasonally heaped on Texas lib- ously competitive field of magazine jour- erals by my new employer. The best of nalism. This collection of articles (from it, though, was simply moving to Wash- Bill Brammer the Observer, Harper's, New Republic, ington. I had a huge new office with Sports Illustrated) confirms the notion crystal chandelier, marble fireplace, lea- that he getting better all the time. He is ther sofa, an outsized desk that straddled chine's are tied up just now. I hear ru- some exotic blend, at once very much his me like some enormous draft animal, and mors the Pumpkin is sending out 50,000 own man and yet possessed of such dis- a matchless view of such Capitol Hill letters of congratulation to, every high parate elements as one might enjoy in wonders as Senator Byrd walking his school graduating senior in Texas. Sum- glancing encounters with the likes of aged spaniel, Mr. Justice Frankfurter Mencken, Mark Twain, Oral Roberts and bitch! Fifty thousand must be some kind Minnesota Fats. walking himself, a remarkable number of record. Is this true?" of public servants walking hell-bent for I hastened to assure him that it cer- As Larry notes in the introduction, non- the drinking/wenching relief of the tainly wasn't true. The actual figure, I fiction collections sell only slightly bet- Carroll Arms Hotel. explained, was closer to 100,000. ter than slender volumes of poetry. "Suc- Bobby Baker whizzed past now and He seemed vastly pleased with this cess and I are strangers," he observes. again, bearing intelligence from the confirmation of u n flagging venality "Failure and I are such old friends he spooky Eminence in the Cdpitol to whom among his favorite politicians. He told drops by the house for coffee. I have he referred simply as "The Leader" me his name was Larry L. King and sug- wearied of his company and bid the (other staffers knew him as "Big Pump- gested we go drank ourselves a bunch of stranger come in." A more recent and kin"). The Kennedy Brothers also came d ranks. cheerful note from the author reveals and went, improbably youthful, sun- the awesome fact that Dirty Stories is tanned, toothily gorgeous. Mr. Nixon was well into its fourth printing. Deservedly, quartered directly abovestairs; e v e r y KING WAS a splendid compan- I should add, deceptive title notwith- ion in those early years. He seemed borne standing. Mr. Brammer, an Observer contribut- along by astonishing energy and a multi- Long-time admirers of King's work will ing editor, is author of The Gay Place. tude of capabilities. He was particularly be pleased to refresh the memory of his well attuned to the boondock pathology deft skewerings of Mr. Johnson ("My S The Texas Observer from which we had just escaped, and one Hero LBJ"), William F. Buckley, and Joe 1 Nt

°WHY, SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE POtANS,JAPS, DAGOS. SPICS, WOPS, FIEEBS, KRAUTS, MICKS, HUNKIES AND SHINES... "

Paid Political Ad, Paid For by J. Walker .a,eohotstonwt*.o.r.apK.0 ,....o..s.orm.rgmmb.

Pool ("McCarthy In the Round"), in addi- ward, King is "the product of a violent, tion to perceptive examinations of the isolated, impoverished heartland of Amer- Grand Old Opry, Bob Jones University, ica . . . a land of janglina country tunes Sugar Ray Robinson, Louis Armstrong. and limitless spaces, of t'fierce personal King's best work continues to be re- politics and cutting loneliness, of blood- flected in the subjects to which he can letting fundamentalism and secret po- HUMPHREY? bring some painfully experienced insight, etry." And King himself recalls: "I think and his "Requiem of a West Texas Town" Steinbeck had the Kings in mind when is a notable example as he chronicles the he wrote The Grapes of Wrath. We were slow death of Putnam, Texas, his boy- all-too-typical of the nomadic, washed-out NIXON? hood home. Typically, King's anxiety in domestic D. P.'s who vainly sought that writing this piece for Harper's was of a elusive prosperity Herbert Hoover told peculiar sort. He notes in an afterword: us was just around the corner. Perhaps "I sweated blood over that piece — not we took the wrong turns." WALLACE? because I feared that my facts were Still, he never could bear to take him- wrong, but because I feared they were self too seriously over the longer stretch- If you think there is no difference, read no too brutally accurate. Some of my rela- . es. "The last thing a Texas boy should further. tives and a few old friends still live in do is poke fun at Texas in print," he If _you think there is and prefer Nixon, then the wreckage of Putnam." confesses. "I never would have done it go on off and read The Wall Street Journal As Willie Morris observes in the fore- if it hadn't been for the money." If you think there is and prefer Wallace, what do you read? If you know there is and are going to vote for HUMPHREY-MUSKIE, please stop reading now, and join

TEXAS CITIZENS FOR A Dangerous Man Austin cases" nuclear weapons are "the most HUMPHREY-MUSKIE Curtis LeMay is the most dangerous efficient" weapons to use indicates what militarist to aspire to top national office his books bear out. He wants to use these Sen. Ralph Yarborough, in the nuclear age. weapons. It was he who commanded the B-29's Knowing we can destroy North Viet- that burned up the cities of Japan, he nam with conventional weapons, he does Chairman who invented the tactics that one night not insist on their use there, but he killed 80,000 people in downtown Tokyo, argues that if we did use them, we would WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! he who had operational control of the have fewer casualties on our side, it atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Naga- would cost us less money, we would de- saki and he who recommended to Wash- stroy our targets better and end the war CONSIDER ington that if a third bomb was to be quicker, and "a single tactical nuclear dropped, it should fall on Tokyo. weapon simplifies the control problem." THE It was he who, when he was chief of And what about "the civilians"? our strategic bombers, seriously consid- ALTERNATIVE! ered preventive war against Russia and " . . . whenever we commit our young he who urged, during the , men to mortal combat," he says, "we aND •••• SEIM ■IP MN= .ENNIM that we "delete" four or five of the largest should be equally prepared to commit E

P cities in North Korea by burning them up. our leaders, our cities, our families, and n

t'‹ .O cl CD It was he who urged that we bomb civilians—our own or the enemy's." The . B ails osed i sr italics are his. CD North Vietnam "back into the Stone Age," o p

x 1 it is he who now seriously considers pre- If you find this unbelievable, read, as ventive nuclear war against China and it I have just done, LeMay's two books, s 0 ippy 00 Mission with LeMay, (Doubleday, 1965, m ee is he who advocates that the US launch , y an all-out nuclear attack on Russia when $7.95,) and America Is in Danger (Funk ssa I A

i and if & Wagnalls, 1968, $5.95). America is in usti intelligence reports convince us ni danger, all right—from George Wallace

ti they are going to attack us.

al n His statement on Oct. 3 that "in many and Curtis LeMay. In all soberness I be- , T

co lieve that if Wallace and LeMay won we

e 10 nt The Texas Observer would probably have nuclear war. x . rib

uti -4 00 assi Central Texas Chapter on

CD of American Civil Liberties Union

$ invites you to its Bill of Rights Day Dinner Guest of honor: CD JOHN HENRY FAULK 9 Monday, October 28, 6:30 Reservations required by at the UT Alumni Center Thursday, Oct. 24 2110 San Jacinto Blvd. $10 Contribution — Cocktails and Dinner 2615 Pecos, Austin Austin. Phone HO 5-1805 ports" monthly. These essays, expressing sive Republicans throughout the state." On Humphrey Eckhardt's luminous moral intelligence, I say go to it. If Texas liberals had Permit me to call your attention to explain much more concretely than most some real choices once in a while, the elements of ' en- writing about national affairs the nature time might come when some of us would dorsement of Humphrey. of events in Congress. prefer Republican to Democratic con- Recalling that Humphrey was "the orig- His most recent report concludes, "We, ventions. A few years back a "Republican inal proponent of the Peace Corps and not Hanoi or Saigon, ultimately are the for Adlai Stevenson" terrified the Dallas of the Food-for-Peace Program" and that choosers. Our choices are limited to Republicans into pell-mell attendance at he is now working actively for the rati- these: we must choose to have less war, their own precinct conventions. Fantasiz- fication of the nuclear nonproliferation to have more taxes, or to be a society of ing, you can imagine all kinds of delicious treaty, the Times said: diminishing vigor, justice, and human- situations in the future. "The most important international is- ity." sue today is a slowing of the nuclear arms As a newsletter, too, these reports set Unusual Statement race. For nearly twenty years Mr. an uncommonly high standard. They are Humphrey has devoted himself timeless- printed well with large type and dec- The Democratic nominee for governor, ly to this problem. He was the author of orated with woodcuts and finely wrought Lt. Gov. Preston Smith, made an unusual the bill establishing an independent arms initial letters. statement, for him, in Abilene Oct. 7. "We control and disarmament agency in 1961. must convince the radicals in our coun- In season and out he worked to stop the Texas Politics try that constructive answers must be nuclear tests which were poisoning the sought to do justice to criticism," he said. atmosphere. . . . President Kennedy was Governor Connally's delegation to the "We must convince them," he said, indulging in no exaggeration when he Democratic national convention at Chi- "that our best bet for democracy is to said to Mr. Humphrey: 'This is your cago included Allan Shivers, former Gov- work within the bounds of our orderly treaty.' .. . ernor, but excluded Senator Ralph Yar- democratic framework. We must let them "In contrast, Mr. Nixon took no initia- borough. Yarborough is now heading know that we in government service need tive on disarmament when he was vice Texas Citizens for Humphrey-Musk ie; the help of every man and woman in president and showed much less interest Shivers is the new national l chairman of developing solutions to problems that in the subject. He is now urging a delay Democrats for Nixon-Agnew. Newcomers face us," Smith said. R.D. to Texas politics may find this puzzling; in the ratification of the nonproliferation October 18, 1968 11 treaty, and he opposes arms negotia- us old dogs knew it would be this way. tions with Russia until the US achieves Someday I may write a book and explain "nuclear superiority." it. Only in a spasm response that ignored MEETINGS On Vietnam "The Times does not find THE THURSDAY CLUB of Dallas meets each the statements of either candidate satis- the dullness of that old saw, party loy- Thursday noon for lunch (cafeteria style) at alty, could anything clear or simple be the Downtown YMCA. 605 No. Ervay - St., factory on the war issue. But Mr. Humph- Dallas. Good discussion. You're welcome. In- rey has given unmistakable signals that said about Shivers' announcement for formal, no dues. Nixon. So let the facts be recorded plain- he intends, if elected, to move away from CENTRAL TEXAS ACLU luncheon meeting. the errors of the past. It is our judgment ly. Shivers says he is supporting Nixon, We're moving again. Spanish Village. 2nd Friday based on an appraisal of the character as he did in 1960, "for the same reasons, every month. From noon. All welcome. but with a new concern" for the nation's AUSTIN WOMEN FOR PEACE /WOMEN and public record of the two candidates, STRIKE FOR PEACE that Mr. Humphrey would be more in- "fiscal integrity and responsibility." Nixon meet twice monthly. Call says of Shivers, "I have long . . . ad- 477-1282 for more information. clined than his opponent to seize the ITEMS for this feature cost, for the first entry, initiative for peace. . . . [I]t is significant mired his political leadership. I . . . will 7c a word, and for each subsequent entry, 5c a value his advice and counsel." word. We must receive them one week before that the former members of the Johnson the date of the issue in which they are to be administration who are rallying on Mr. published. Humphrey's support include its best- A Moderate GOP? known doves." S. R. (Bob) Sobel, a Houston Repub- lican, has formed "New Republicans for Integrity Progress." Sobel, a campaigner in Hous- MARTIN ELFANT Why don't the San Antonio newspapers ton for Rockefeller's nomination, said, report the concrete facts about the "We are inviting all moderates and inde- Sun Life of Canada HemisFair deficit—not just the dollars pendents to come into the Republican and cents, but which merchants are party," with stress on the young and the minorities. 1001 Century Building getting told to take their losses and shut In Sobel's view, Rockefeller's unreal up or lose business; what bankers are Houston, Texas losing how much; how much which campaign for Texas delegates turned into HemisFair concessionaires made or lost; a private party in Dallas. Certainly, if there was any vigor to it, no one found CA 4-0686 whether the city will get its money from out where it was. the HemisFair Tower. The integrity .of a local daily newspaper is never so much "We intend to build, in the next four /414•011444###•••••••40######.04.#~*•••••••## years, a moderate progressive wing in in danger as when the news is the kind the Republican party for the state of the powerful local businessmen do not want printed. Texas," Sobel says. "In two years we are going to run an entire slate of progres- Eckhardt's Reports #0 14 Z * Since 1866 I hope Congressman Eckhardt of Hous- CLASSIFIED ton will begin issuing his "quarterly re- The Place in Austin ANNE'S TYPING SERVICE: Duplicating (multi- lith, mimeo, ditto), Xeroxing, Mailing, Public ATHENA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Notary. Specialize in rush jobs, including Sun- GOOD FOOD days. Formerly known as Marjorie Delafield RED RIVER AT 41ST Typing and Duplicating Service. Call HI 2-7008, Opposite Hancock Center Austin. GOOD BEER

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4 A ZglIt Dallas rs setting News Thursday, October 10, 1968 *** Former Gov. Shivers to Head :.N.■•‘•■•••,•■•••■••v4,6011P Democrats for Nixon-Agnew

By RICHARD M. MOREHEAD capitol he considers Nixon supe have admired his political lead- Austin Bureau of The News rior to rival candidates and ership." AUSTIN — Former Gov. Allan "eminently qualified to serve Shivers said he will be with Shivers endorsed Richard M. this nation as president." Nixon in Dallas Friday, but will Nixon for president Wednesday not appear on the candidate's and announced,he would head a "He is not only the best telecast. national committee of Demo- choice, but he offers our only The former governor told a crats for Nixon-Agnew. real hope for preserving fiscal questioner he was "asked to" Shivers added that he intends integrity and responsibility in accept the Nixon campaign post to vote for Democratic cand; the administration of this coun- by an intermediary, but that he dates for Congress, and in state try's government," Shivers said. also had talked to Nixon. and local races. A statement from Nixon, dis- This marks the fourth time tributed at the conference, said OTHERS ON the national that Shivers has supported Re- the candidate is "more than committee of men who have publicans for president. pleased at the expression of sup- been elected to office as Demo- port by Gov. Shivers. I k •w his crats are James Brynes, former cove s or of South Carolina, for- te, U.S. Sen- rt jus-

• • • --Associated Press Wirephoto. Allan Shivers . former governor to head natio - al c mmitte

Smith Gets Backing By Shivers AUSTIN (AP)—Former Gov- ernor Allen Shivers announced Thursday his endorsement of Lt. Gov. Preston Smith as the Dem- ocratic nominee for Texas' next governor. THE REBUILDING COMMITTEE It was the first direct en- 901 LITTLEFIELD BLDG. dorsement made by Shivers in AUSTIN, TEXAS gubernatorial races since he left office in 1957. "This is a time of domestic disorder dangerously close to a state of civil insurrection and anarchy," Shivers' statement said. "Texas has not yet become a battleground between extremists of the right and left. The b2st safeguard against that, in my opinion, is to continue firm, courageous leadership in the governor's office. (Pd. Pol. Ad) in foreign policy. Anyway, for the record, an associate of ours, Louise Stanford, has checked the Observer for this year through August and found that we used "hell" 24 times, "damn" 18 times and other no-no words 27 times-69 such usages all. Of the 69 On Quadriliterals occurrences 17 were in letters from read- ers, 34 were in direct quotes in articles, five were in articles written by other Austin it is far more offensive, dishonest and than Observer staffers, and 13 were intro- We have been called to task a few hypocritical to write "d—" when one duced by the editors. Of the editors times in recent months for the recur- means "damn." I believe the Observer Ronnie Dugger had eight such words, I serves mature people or people who as- had five, and strait-laced Kaye Northcott rence of certain words in the Observer. pire to maturity; people, as I believe, This is causing some genuine concern had had none (I've spoken to her about who understand that the Observer did not this). So the worst "offenders" are peo- among a few of our readers though I invent these words nor the concepts they do not think most of those who read represent and that we do not go out of this paper don't bat an eye when a "four- out way to use such words. October 18, 1968 13 letter word" occurs. One of my predeces- sors, Willie Morris, wrote rather whim- I can recall when it was a big deal to Bumper Strips & Buttons sically in these pages six years ago that see "damn" in print, or to hear it spoken "Profanity and sexual symbolism, in the in a movie (remember Clark Gable's line agoti" Observer tradition, will continue to be in Gone with the Wind?) or on the radio. INCitaNctl'T purged from its pages . . . except when Today one of the more popular hits on the public interest and circulation in- radio is "Give a Damn About Your Fellow t6)(ktrocisa, creases are being served." Willie, of Man." I wish some of the people who get 1 for 25c; 5 for $1; course, was having some fun there as he upset about the use of a word in print 100 for $10; 1,000 for $50. often did, and does. would get similarly worked up about NEW PARTY OF TEXAS My own view of this question is that violence on TV in racial matters and Box 876 Austin 78767

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ple we quote; if we can just get folks data relating to our involvement in Viet- effects of the war in this country, Viet- like liberal leader Billie Carr of Houston nam I commend to you the work of an nam itself and the rest of the world. The ("My God," Obs., Sept. 20), state Demo- Austin woman, Mrs. Margret Hofmann, book is sprinkled throughout with inter- cratic chairman Will Davis ("By Jesus," esting photographs and pungent politi- who has compiled into a single paper- Obs., Sept. 6) and Ralph Yarborough's cal cartoons. It is a valuable addition to aide Bill Hamilton (". . . what the hell back volume the essence of what the war the library of those concerned about . . .," Obs., Jan. 12) to clean up their is and what it means. Vietnam View- Vietnam. Copies are $1.50 each. Profits mouths then the Observer would be about points is full of factual material grouped will be used for the relief of Vietnamese 50%-75% cleaner itself. under several main headings, including children. Orders may be sent Mrs. Hof- the background of the war, the loyal op- mann at 610 Cardinal Lane, Austin If you are bewildered by the welter•of position to that war in the US and the 78704. G.O.

Dialogue The Pros and Cons of HHH We Can't Afford Nixon Dugger's "controlling question" in de- cal method of denying Texas to Wallace termining support. is to support the front-runner, Nixon, [Obs., Oct. 4]. . . . I agree with R. D. Dugger also argues that we must sup- rather than Humphrey, who has virtually I was of the same mind before [Humph- no chance of carrying the state. rey's] speech which Dugger refers to con- port Humphrey lest Wallace carry the state's electoral vote, thereby gaining It is not only for practical reasons that doning the war. My first choice is Ted I oppose the election of Humphrey, how- Kennedy, and a defeat of Humphrey bargaining power. Clearly, the most logi- probably open the way for the Massachu- setts senator. But this nation cannot af- ford four or eight years of Nixon. In light of all this I hope you will join me in urg- ing Senator McCarthy to publicly endorse BEER— toast to America's economy Humphrey. . . . The brewing industry is a massive and dynamic part of Jon H. Clay, 1616 W. Oak, Denton, Tex. the national economy. Each year it pours billions of 76201. dollars into commerce and government.

A Reply to Dugger ■ $1.4 billion in state and federal excise taxes. Ronnie Dugger's eloquent and passion- ■ $3 billion to employees, suppliers and distributors. ate endorsement of Vice President Humphrey [Obs., Oct. 4] is logically de- ■ $875 million in agricultural products and packaging fective in several respects and deserves materials. answer. . . . If Dugger would read the text of The brewing industry is a proud contributor to America's Humphrey's speech he would discover prosperity. that the qualifications which Dugger did not "have a good grasp of" amounted to precisely the qualification that President UNITED STATES BREWERS ASSOCIATION, INC. Johnson has always made a precondition . 905 International Life Bldg., Austin, Texas 78701 of a bombing halt. Humphrey said only that he would consider stopping the bombing; the "significant break" from the LBJ position turns out to be no break at all. From a practical, political point of view, Dugger argues that non-support of Humphrey would only doom the country to eight years of Nixon, since "Nixon is probably adaptable enough to assure his reelection." I think that a little reflection will convince Dugger that "adaptable enough to assure his reelection" necessar- ily requires ending the war, which is

14 The Texas Observer VI 111 Dr. Louis E. 'Buck

Veterinarian rllii sor.' House Call Practice GR 2-5879—Austin House Call Fee No More Than Office Call Fee ever. The immoral war in Vietnam and "I am not responsible for debts incurred by persons other than myself"—Larry L. King the reaction of American political insti- tutions to it are the paramount moral questions of our generation. The only moral vote on Nov. 5 is no vote. Texas Observer Autograph Party Stanley A. Cook, Box 93, 31 McAlester Dr., , La. 70118. A Reply to McCleskey SATURDAY OCTOBER 19 In reply to Dr. McCleskey's article lobs., Sept. 20]: [I doubt that the Demo- cratic party does, as Dr. McCleskey con- tends, offer the better prosect for realiz- ing the goals of ] . . . [W]ith about $30 billion a year flowing into "defense" spending for the war in Vet- nam, the Democratically dominated con- gress was not interested in maintaining 1607 SAN JACINTO or increasing its dollar interest in the war on poverty. What good does it do to talk AUSTIN about a Marshall plan for the cities, as Vice President does, when there is little or no money available for this? . . . Dr. McCleskey refers to the results of the Democratic primaries as "confused and contradictory." I do know that in all states holding primaries where Vice President Humphrey's people spent 5 P.M. TO ? money on his behalf he lost. . . . Dr. McCleskey argues that reasonable men can disagree about policies in Viet- nam. This is true, but it says nothing to refute the argument of those of us who say that until a rational and humane solu- tion is worked out in Vietnam no presi- for Larry L. King's dent, regardless of his domestic aspira- tions, will be able to fulfill his obliga- tions to the people of our ghettoes. Dr. McCleskey admonishes us not to "lose sight of ultimate goals and funda- ...alido4kaidsiwa4arikas mental values." I fully agree. This is the precise reason why it will be exceed- ingly difficult, if not impossible, for those of us terribly concerned about our coun- try's plight, to vote for Mr. Humphrey. I will never vote for Mr. Nixon; yet the What The Critics Say of This Book and Its Author: prospects of affirming the power struc- ture of the present Democratic party "One of the most engaging essay collections to "Shrewd and engaging examples of popular leaves me rather cold. appear in seasons" — Washington Sunday Star article writing at its best"—New York Times

Philip Lee Fetzer, 1200 E. Seminary, "Whimsical, hilarious"—Beaumont Journal "Should be worth more to aspirants and Apt. 533B, Fort Worth, Tex. 76115. professionals alike than an expensive session at "Every page is enormously entertaining and the a summer writers' conference"—Book Week HHH Deserves Support book is almost impossible to set aside"—Des . . . I believe the best chance for all Moines Register "Virtually un-put-downable"— Wilmington News Americans lies with the support and "King is sharp, witty, original contemporary "Brilliant" — Chicago Daily News election of Hubert Humphrey and the commentator" — San Francisco Chronicle Democratic party platform and program. "King has the best sense of humor that has

Among the many qualities which com- "Excellent company"—Nashville Banner graced American prose in many years" — Sarasota pelled me to support Robert F. Kennedy Herald- Tribune as the best man for the presidency were "Good writing•. . . Good reading as his forthrightness in meeting the issues well"—Richmond News-Leader "It is a vile and filthy book" — The Author's Mother and his sense of the long view in ac- complishing meaningful chances which would shape a new and better world for all men. I believe there is little doubt that Hubert Humphrey and Edmund

Muskie are close to his position and Meet your friends and the writer the Chicago Sun - Times has called "One of the best writing deserving of support in this crucial men in the land" in a convivial atmosphere at Scholz in Austin. The Texas Observer will be year. . . . selling "... .AND OTHER DIRTY STORIES" or you may bring your own copy in to be authographed by Larry L. King. James M. Rhodes, 3418 0 St., NW, Washington, DC 20007. If you can't make the party, the book may be purchased or ordered by mail from the Observer Bookstore, 504 West 24th; Austin. GR 7-0746. $5.50 plus tax. October 18, 1968 15 Continue War Opposition tinues to put stumbling blocks in our Impending Cancellation path. We who are opposed to both the war It is my opinion that you would do in Vietnam and regressive policies at Mrs. W. F. Green, 2501 Muscadine Lane, Houston, Tex. 77502. well to take the advice of Dr. Clifton Mc- home cannot afford the luxury of reject- Cleskey as written in your Sept. 20 issue. ing Humphrey as president because of Humphrey Well-Received I have been subscribing to your paper for his position so far on Vietnam. Let us over ten years but I think you would not kid ourselves. The anti-war position I wish to take exception to the Ob- be making an error in failing to sup- is, as it has always been in the United server's report on the coffee (not break- port Mr. Humphrey unless you want the States, a minority position. . . . fast) Bob Eckhardt had for Vice Presi- conservative Republicans to take over our This is not to deny that opposition to dent Humphrey at the Rice Hotel on state. war is imperative and must continue: Sept. 11. I had been considering cancelling my not only opposition to the war in Viet- Originally, only 150 were to be invited subscription to your paper but after read- nam, but to all impulses that would an- because of lack of space. The room was ing a few other letters by other sub- nihilate a society—people—as a substi- as full as security and fire safety rules scribers I will wait to see if you might tute for s o 1 v i ng international prob- permitted. Friends called expressing the possibly listen to reason before cancel- lems. . . . wish to come and were made welcome ling. . . '. Humphrey is within the tradition —some had to stand. There were many prominent liberals there, all of whom ap- E. P. Crosshoff, 854 San Angelo Blvd., (as Nixon clearly is not, even though his San Antonio, Tex. mother was a Quaker) which recognizes peared to me to be well pleased with Mr. the importance for American society of Humphrey's presentation of his case. Un- Let's Fight for Humphrey all the humane elements it can engender, til that meeting, although I was commit- ted to support Mr. Humphrey, I had no Thank goodness you published the art- and which is able to accommodate, some- icle by Clifton McCleskey and the letters times, their guidance in a governmental enthusiasm for him. His presentation was forthright and good. I left feeling that our in Dialogue in your Sept. 20 issue! The program. I think that a serious and re- Observer had just about convinced me sponsible concern for the health of the Democratic candidate is a man of inte- grity, a realist — not blinded by wishful that the liberals in Texas had lost all United States and the health of the world rationality. Actually I see it's only those obliges us to support the Humphrey- hope, and a man sensitive to the needs of people . . . led by Dugger and Olds wo have ceased Muskie campaign. to use good judgment and become irra- Tom Miller, 711 West Sycamore, Den- Mrs. Albert M. Ball, 1917 Bolsover, tional. Even though they make take their ton, Tex. 76201. Houston, Tex. 77005. cry blanket into a corner and sit until after the election, let's the rest of us A Warm Response Hubert Can Do It liberals not let Texas be won by Nixon I attended the Bob Eckhardt coffee for I think that I will vote for Humphrey or Wallace without our putting up a Mr. Humphrey, reported in your Septem- because I am sure that he can end this darned good fight for Humphrey! ber 20th issue. I wish to disagree with war in Vietnam and the war in our cities. Mrs. John Cornell, 2807 Greenlawn the report of the occasion as given by I can't think of another way to show Parkway, Austin, Tex. 78757. the Observer. The response to the Vice my disgust at LBJ and his war policies, President seemed very warm to me. . . . than to put my utmost faith and trust `Country Has Lost' Because of my sincere concern for the in Hubert Humhprey. This is the last We have lost. The country has lost in liberals in Harris county, I made it a thing that LBJ wants is for HHH to end the presidential race this year. We are point to study the response of the group this war. It would be a blow to that during Mr. Humphrey's remarks. faced with four years of stagnation and I saw LBJ pride and vanity if Hubert Hum- probable deterioration of the social and only two persons who failed to respond phrey should turn out to be the man political climate. The two-party system affirmatievly. . . who would reconcile the races here at It is discouraging to hope for better has failed. It has produced two shopworn, home and get this war over with. . . . third-rate candidates. Both are products communication between dedicated liber- Nell Herrin, 7146 Timber Ridge, San als when The Journal of Free Voices con- of the Cold War era; both are blinded by Antonio, Tex. 78227. an anti-communist obsession. Neither is 16 The Texas Observer capable of leading the people forward Humanitarian Party toward the social and political reforms When in a democracy both major poli- that will have to be effected if a violent tical parties blatantly ignore and circum- revolution is to be prevented. . . . vent the wishes of the majority so that . . . [W]e are being exhorted by both a despicable and immoral war may be Republicans and Democrats to save them prosecuted debasing the ideals that their from George Wallace. But we should ob- country stands for; and when both par- serve the methods the two major parties ties do this, knowing that without the are employing to combat Wallace: they war their country has the means to save are moving steadily to the right and the lives of millions all over the world preempting his reactionary position. This dying from starvation; and when two has been the history of the liberal re- political parties sustain immoral dicta- action ever since the Cold War began: torships around the world in opposition they have fallen over each other fighting to the will of the people in order to ex- "communists" and have failed to pro- tract personal profit for a few, it becomes vide the country with a responsible left, incumbent upon the people of that coun- allowing the country to swing to the right try to put an end to both political par- through default. . . . ties by combining their strength into one Neither of the old parties shows any party united for the sake of Humanity. signs of becoming cognizant of the reali- I call upon all citizens to write to the ties of the geopolitical scene. Party poli- public servant of their choice and ask tics as practiced in the United States him to combine with Eugene McCarthy, has broken down. Perhaps we should de- Nelson Rockefeller, George Romney, clare the offices of president and vice George S. McGovern to form the Human- president vacant and appoint another itarian Party for the good of the United blue ribbon presidential commission to States and all Mankind. investigate the breakdown. Thomas Taylor, Box 53407, Houston, Don W. Ailford, 1505 Cloverleaf, Austin, Tex. 77052. Tex. 78723.