July 4, 1969 Twenty-Five Cents

A Journal of Free Voices A Window to the South The Texas Observer Helping Texas' Migrants

Washington, D.C. Disappointment comes regularly to Mexican-American farm workers of the Southwest. They live in crowded labor camps when there is work, and in miserable patchwork shacks when there is none. They leave families behind to travel thousands of miles in search of work, often in vain. When they are on the road, no one cares much what happens to them, and when they return home — 143,500 migrant workers call Texas home — they find their home state hadn't missed them. But one of the biggest disappointments affecting Texas farm workers and those who care about them has been the performance of the Migrant Division of the Office of Economic Opportunity, now Bill Hamilton

nearly five years old. Equipped with a bold mandate and provided substantial — though certainly not excessive — finances ($27.3 million was given the division for national grants during fiscal 1969), the office has been timid and sloppy in its approach to assisting migrants in Texas. Consider housing. In fiscal 1969 (which ended June 30) $2 million of division funds were earmarked for that vital concern. Lest one think that a small sum for housebuilding, it should be explained that the Migrant Division is rarely in the business of building houses directly. The money usually is spent not on loans, materials, carpenters, and so forth, but on the administrative and training costs of organizing poor people to qualify and to build under the federal housing laws used by more-affluent Americans. Thus, an 0E0 dollar can be stretched over a considerable number of houses. The Migrant Division likes to think of itself as the "missing link" between migrant farm workers and their Photo by Bill Bridges HOME IN TEXAS — Texas is home of more migrant agricultural workers than any Mr. Hamilton is an Observer con- other state in the nation. Here, some children of migrant workers play at their home in tributing editor who lives in Washington, the Chamizal section of El Paso. D.C.

participation in federal housing programs. his wishes, because of his close relationship Migrant Division, and a Texan, says In Texas, however, the link is simply with then-President Johnson. something could develop in the future but missing. Only one housing program has So the money was granted, a retired nothing is being considered at the moment. been tried, and it was scrapped, a dismal Army colonel was hired to direct the Money is short, and no applications for failure. The project died in the office of project, and work began. Four months housing programs have been filed from then-Gov. John B. Connally. The project later, after lots of bickering at every level, Texas lately, she added. OEO has some came to Texas OEO late in 1966 when the the project was abandoned. Six houses had fairly successful migrant housing programs governor's office applied for and received a been built. No one in Washington today in California and elsewhere, but in Texas — grant of $346,241 to build 132 homes and recalls exactly what those six houses cost, where migrants are most numerous — there three community centers from materials but they probably weren't cheap. Unspent is nothing. obtained at Stinson Field, an abandoned funds were transferred to OEO manpower air base near San Antonio. It was to be a activities in Texas. Col. Fred Deyo, self-help project poor director of the ill-fated project, told the WHAT, THEN, does OED's Mi- Mexican-Americans building their own Dallas Times Herald that "political fear and grant Division do with its money in Texas? houses with donated materials and expert bigotry" among Connally's OEO watch- The Educational Systems Corporation of supervision. "It was ill-conceived from the dogs led to the death of the program. In Washington, itself a Migrant Division very beginning," said one of the OEO Washington, an OEO spokesman admitted grantee ($758,833 in fiscal 1969) has just officials who processed the application for "I don't think the reasons [ for killing the published a summary of the division's funds in Washington. "We tried to program] are particularly clear." programs — 96 of them in 35 states, eight discourage it," he said, "but they [the Ill-conceived or not, the San Antonio in Texas. Of the eight Texas programs, governor's office] insisted on it." It should program was a housing program, the only most of which include more than one be remembered that in those days a special one that the Migrant Division has dared to activity, seven operate job-placement type respect was paid the governor of Texas,and fund in the state. Ruth Graves, chief of the projects, six conduct adult education

?axed: ce Re6o,tot Austin The legislative leaders, Barnes and tax (most probably by removing some Texas liberals have their best oppor- Speaker Gus Mutscher, compounded the items now exempted) and, perhaps, such tunity in years to begin reforms of the fiscal failure by permitting lawmakers not things as a tuition (or "building use fee") state's misshapen tax structure, a complex to consider a serious tax program. To write increase. The lobby people are justifiably that puts a disproportionate share of the a serious two-year budget would, after all, worried now; they know that the political tax burden on individuals and lets business have required a business tax of some climate will not likely permit extending firms off far too lightly. If the liberals and impact, since individual Texans are, at last taxation further on individuals — not with- some of the moderates of the Senate will wearying of carring most of the burden out dire cost to many of the legislators' determine to work together during the when new taxes are required. Three tax and some state officials' political futures, upcoming special session of the Legislature increases have been voted by lawmakers in anyway. this summer, they can have the crucial less than two years now, and most of these say-so in this vital matter. have fallen heavily on individuals, primarily Also at issue is whether Lt. Gov. Ben by extending the state and city sales taxes. Barnes is, in reality, a progressive. If so, he It is heartening to see Texas government 4'd Wevra will aid the liberals — if the liberals come at last beginning to accept some of its 9 up with some sensible, long-overdue, and responsibilities in providing services, in not fair business taxes. shrinking from spending the vast sums of In this day of intensifying concern about Perhaps, in the early going of the 30-day money that are indeed necessary — and the problems that narcotics pose for special session, we may see Barnes leading long have been necessary. Yet it will not do society, it seems strange that the federal an effort to have both houses vote to to continue to burden individuals with the government would be considering closing a override Gov. Preston Smith's veto of the load while corporations get off without Fort Worth hospital that serves the western half of the country in treatment of nar- one-year appropriations bill, which was, meeting their social responsibilities. cotics addicts. Sen. Ralph Yarborough mostly, Barnes' and the business lobby's Texas consumers paid $807 million in thought so, anyway. He won a promise, in way of avoiding a tax increase this year. If taxes during fiscal 1968. The oil and gas March, from Robert Finch, the secretary of that effort fails, as it should, then liberals industry paid $240 million. And the only the Dept. of Health, Education and Wel- must be ready with their tax program. general tax on business, the franchise tax, fare, not to close the hospital until hearings Otherwise, we shall probably see an exten- yielded $63 million. This is the present could be held on the matter. sion of the sales tax and, perhaps, a shape of Texas government's thinking on Dr. James Maddux, head of the Fort sprinkling of minor business taxes. tax matters. Worth hospital, said he believes informa- tion was developed in the hearings that HERE WAS widespread evasion AISING taxation on oil and gas T R Yarborough conducted that had not pre- of responsibility on the question of state (which were taxed at 5.4% of the value of viously been available to Finch. Witnesses spending and taxation in the legislative their production in 1968), upping the session recently ended. Governor Smith franchise tax, instituting a state income tax testified that the Fort Worth hospital and proposed a taxation program that no one (which 36 states now have, and which another federal institution at Lexington, ever took seriously. He then sat back while provides one-seventh of revenue to Amer- Ky., are the only large hospitals in the the Legislature hemmed and hawed and ican states) — these are the things legis- nation for treating narcotics addicts. scratched. When the one-year spending lators, particularly the Senate liberals and Because of Yarborough's hearings, the plan was resurrected, Smith made no bones moderates, should these days be consider- hospital is now to remain open. in private conversations that he would veto ing. The U.S. political system works if it is the scheme. But he failed to say so The business lobby, evidently frustrated manned by dedicated people who have — publicly, an irresponsible act. now by the governor in .its hopes for and employ — highly developed social avoiding new taxes this year, can be ex- consciences. Once again, the people of this 2 The Texas Observer pected to work hard for extending the sales nation are in Senator Yarborough's debt. courses, and six focus on vocational chore. Evaluations by OEO were worse After the money difficulties and critical training. In short, almost the total effort of than disappointing. In 1967, out of 4,200 evaluations, OEO finally cut back on its the Migrant Division in Texas is directed enrollees in remedial classes for high school dealings with the Texas Education Agency. toward giving migrants new job skills. Only dropouts, only ten were able to qualify for Even so, it gave the state agency a pre-school educational project in San a graduate equivalency degree, according to $1,350,000 for pre-vocational and voca- Antonio and a day-care project in Tahoka OEO sources. tional programs at Laredo Junior college break this otherwise total orientation to and Connally Technical Institute at Harlin- jobs. gen in fiscal 1969. Most of the repro- And you are right if you suspect that WORSE THAN the ineffectiveness grammed money is still in the grasp of the this job training implies, for the most part, of the local training schools, however, was OEO advisers of the new governor, Preston taking the migrants out of the fields, only the Texas Education Agency's cavalier Smith. Even now that Connally is gone and to put them in the factories. They are handling of federal money. An audit of direct-funding for migrant programs has offered such vocational opportunities as in TEA migrant programs by OEO a year ago come to Texas (El Paso, Corpus Christi, auto body and fender repair, diesel uncovered more than a million dollars Edinburg, and one or two other places are mechanics, construction, machine tool which had been mislaid and "lost." Under now funded directly from the Washington operation, small appliance repair, and Treasury rules, federal grants which are not OEO) the governor's office still controls welding. This is not to say that these spent the first year can be "repro- about 72% of the $5.4 million being spent vocations are dishonorable, nor is it to say grammed" to the grantee for a second year. on Texas migrants by the division this year. that skills have no place in a migrant But if the money still is not used it goes The programs at Laredo and Harlingen, program. But it does suggest that the back to Washington at the close of the as others before them, mainly offer courses Migrant Division in Texas, by putting second year. That was in 1967, when the in job skills that cater to the needs of the virtually all of its resources into manual Vietnam war had cut deeply into domestic economic interests. If LTV needs welders, job-oriented projects, has given a narrow, programs. OED's Legal Services division welding it will be. If Ford Motor Company unimaginative, and basically unresponsive was, at that time, searching high and low wants body men, then migrants will be interpretation to its mandate. for cash to fund a South Texas legal aid taught body work. In its summary of the Quite a few millions have been spent on program. The idea died for lack of money. Migrant Division's activities in Beaumont, these job programs, with the money nearly TEA, meanwhile, had a million dollars it the Educational Systems Corporation re- always granted by the Migrant Division to couldn't manage to spend. ports that "courses taught in the program the Governor's OEO liaison for transmittal Although nothing was ever said official- are geared to the needs of area industry." to the Texas Education Agency, which ran ly, there were rumors after an audit of No one gives much thought to what the the local-level programs through the school TEA migrant money in Austin that a sum migrants themselves might want. Grass- districts. In 1966, according to reports in the range of $100,000 was lost, strayed, roots organizations, which are considerably issued by OEO in Washington, the Texas or stolen. Ruth Graves at OEO in closer to the farm workers, have found it OEO received from the migrant division Washington says there was confusion, "but mighty hard to compete for funds against $6.6 million; $5.2 million in 1967; $3.9 I think at this point all the money has been the Texas Education Agency. million in 1968; and, in the just-ended accounted for." No malfeasance; just good, fiscal year, $1,350,000 in new money plus old-fashioned bureaucratic sloppiness at BUT, OF COURSE, to pitch right additional "reprogrammed" funds. the TEA. in on the side of the farm workers is an While Connally was governor, virtually all OEO programs had to have support from his office to qualify for funding. This THE TEXAS OBSERVER was true even of migrant programs, © The Texas Observer Publishing Co. 1969 although the Migrant Division legally can, A Journal of Free Voices A Window to the South 63rd YEAR—ESTABLISHED 1906 and does in other states, make grants to local groups directly. When they tried to Vol. LXI, No. 13 7a4W July 4, 1969 skip the middleman in Texas, Connally raised hell with Sargent Shriver, then the Incorporating the State Observer and the East Texas agrees with them, because this is a journal of free OEO director. Shriver knuckled under and Democrat, which in turn incorporated the State Week voices. and Austin Forum-Advocate. The Observer is published by Texas Observer passed the word down: get along with We will serve no group or party but will hew hard to Publishing Co., biweekly from Austin, Texas. Entered Connally. the truth as we find it and the right as we see it. We as second-class matter April 26, 1937, at the Post Politics is politics, and the fact that are dedicated to the whole truth, to human values Office at Austin, Texas, under the Act of March 3, above all interests, to the rights of man as the 1879. Second class postage paid at Austin, Texas. Shriver wanted to placate the president's Single copy, 25c. One year, $6.00; two years, $11.00; foundation of democracy; we will , take orders from Texas crony was no big deal. But the Texas none but our own conscience, and never will we three years, $15.00; plus, for Texas addressees, 4% overlook or misrepresent the truth to serve the state sales tax. Foreign, except APO/FPO, 50c addi- migrant training programs conducted interests of the powerful or cater to the ignoble in the tional per year. Air-mail, bulk orders, and group rates through the school districts were mostly of human spirit. on request. a very dubious value, and the Texas Editorial and Business Offices: The Texas Observer, Editor, 'Greg Olds. 504 West 24th St., Austin, Texas 78705. Telephone Education Agency's administration of OEO Associate Editor, Kaye Northcott. 477-0746. Editor's residence phone, 472-3631. funds was a disaster. The millions filtered Editor-at-large, Ronnie Dugger. Change of Address: Please give old and new address and allow three weeks. down through the TEA framework to the Editorial intern, Mary Callaway. Form -3579 regarding undelivered copies: Send to local school superintendents, who were Business Manager, C. R. Olofson. Texas Observer, 504 W. 24th, Austin, Texas 78705. able to strengthen their patronage by Business Manager Emeritus, Sarah Payne. Subscription Representatives: Arlington, George N. spreading the wealth among their favorite Contributing Editors, Elroy Bode, Winston Bode, Green, 300 E. South College St., 277-0080; Austin, Mrs. Helen C. Spear, 2615 Pecos, 465-1805; Beau- teachers, and providing stipends to the Bill Brammer, Lee Clark, Larry Goodwyn, Harris Green, Bill Hamilton, Bill Helmer, Dave Hickey, mont, Betty Brink, 2255 Harrison, 835-5278; Corpus trainees — a normal part of the program — Franklin Jones, Lyman Jones, Larry L. King, Georgia Christi, Penny Dudley, 1224 1/2 Second St., 884-1460; as a means of winning friends. Earnest Klipple, Larry Lee, Dave McNeely, Al Dallas, Mrs. Cordye Hall, 5835 Ellsworth, 821-1205; Melinger, Robert L. Montgomery, Willie Morris, James El Paso, Philip Himelstein, 331 Rainbow Circle, "They were very bad programs," said a Presley, Charles Ramsdell, John Rogers, Mary Beth 584-3238; Ft. Worth, Dolores Jacobsen, 3025 Greene former OEO functionary who watched Rogers, Roger Shattuck, Robert Sherrill, Dan Strawn, Ave., 924-9655; Houston, Mrs. Kitty Peacock, PO Box Tom Sutherland, Charles Alan Wright. 13059, 523-0685; Lubbock, Doris Blaisdell, 2515 them closely. In 1967 programs were being 24th St.; Midland, Eva Dennis, 3523 Seaboard, run in 25 to 30 school districts, with the The editor has exclusive control over the editorial 694-2825; Snyder, Enid Turner, 2210 30th St., policies and contents of the Observer. None of the 443-9497 or 443-6061; San Antonio, Mrs. Mae B. adult Migrant trudging to school nightly, other people who are associated with the enterprise Tuggle, 204 Terrell Road, 826-3583; Wichita Falls, sitting six hours at a desk designed to fit shares this responsibility with him.. Writers are re- Jerry Lewis, 2910 Speedway, 766-0409. Washington, sponsible for their own work, but not for anything his children, listening to his lessons, and D.C., Mrs. Martha J. Ross, 6008 Grosvenor Lane, they have not themselves written, and in publishing 530-0884. picking up $30 to $40 a week for the them the editor does not necessarily imply that he unpopular tactic—remember the recent increasingly-militant migrants in Texas— self-sufficient life. VISTA experience in Del Rio. If the and it should be pointed out that in 1967, Of course, the Migrant Division would Migrant Division teaches arc welding to a half of the migrant farm worker population not agree with this analysis of their per- few farm workers, that's one thing; but if it was under 25 years of age, and one-fourth formance. They would claim progress, and tries to teach those farm workers that they, of them were teenagers, 14 through 17 point to the high school equivalency along with the rest of us, can be full years of age. Not only are these young diplomas awarded, the number of job skills citizens, with a right to make demands, people discontent, but they will not be acquired, the number of incomes raised, assert themselves, politically and generally quiet. and maybe even to six houses built. But, as seek to grasp control over their own They believe that this loudly-trumpeted Robert F. Kennedy wrote in 1965: destinies — well, that's quite another thing. and highly-visible governmental program, established to respond to their needs, is not "Progress is a nice word. But change is The Migrant Division seems to show no doing the job. They think that OED's its motivator. And change has its enemies. inclination to disturb anyone's comfort, Migrant Division has become a part of what "The willingness to confront that change and not much inclination fundamentally to they must overcome if they are to will determine how much we shall really do alleviate anyone's discomfort. No one accomplish the fundamental change that for our youth and how truly meaningful believes this more than the young, would allow them to live a productive and our effort will be." ❑ The TEA's Rebuttal Austin of school audits, were thereupon inter- come from national OEO migrant division The Observer, seeking routinely to check viewed. sources in Washington and represent out the facts of the foregoing story by its The first point made was that the figures amounts of money distributed to Texas contributing editor Bill Hamilton, sent cited in Hamilton's ninth paragraph, agencies by the migrant division of the copies of the manuscript to the Texas amounts of money spent on job training federal OEO. It appears, then, that more Education Agency and the governor's programs, are higher than the amounts than $8 million of federal migrant division Texas Office of Economic Opportunity. administered by the TEA. Randall told the money went to agencies other than the The officials were asked to read the manu- Observer that in fiscal 1966 $2.6 million TEA. script and, if they wished to reply, to was distributed to 24 local school districts, Gartner, replying to the point in Hamil- contact the Observer. Nothing was heard and about $2.5 million of that was spent ton's 11th paragraph about superin- from the state OEO. TEA people asked locally; in 1967 some $3.8 million was tendents filling vacancies in the migrant that they be given the opportunity to distributed to 31 schools, 9f which about teaching program as a means of enhancing discuss the story with the Observer; the $3.5 million was spent; in fiscal 1968 their patronage powers, commented that agency's Dick Gartner, director of special about $2.5 million was distributed to 28 usually schools found it difficult to secure adult programs, and Ed Randall, director schools, and final total expenditures are as enough teachers to staff the program, in yet unknown. which, usually, classes were from 4 to 10 4 The Texas Observer Hamilton replies that his figures cited p.m. As for the point Hamilton makes in paragraph 12, that only ten of 4,200 enrollees qualified for high school graduate Cold Statistics and a Mandate equivalency degrees, the TEA officials said, Washington, D.C. farm workers he thinks of Texas; about in rebuttal, that the adult migrant educa- The Economic Opportunity Act of 37% of the national migrant labor force tion program was not designed for the 1964, which created OEO, gave the comes from the Lone Star State. migrants to get equivalency degrees, but to Migrant Division this assignment: "To The Migratory Labor Subcommittee enable them to read and write enough assist migrant and seasonal farm workers found that "migrants live in dilapidated, English to be able to participate in the job and their families to improve their living drafty, ramshackle houses that are cold training aspects of the course, and to get conditions and develop skills necessary and wet in the winter, and leaky, along on any job later obtained. for a productive and self-sufficient life steaming, and excessively hot in the in an increasingly complex and techno- summer. Insufficient ventilation, poor S PEAKING TO the charge Hamil- logical society." or no mattresses, unsanitary privies and ton levels in paragraphs 13 and 14, that $1 Certainly there is room for such a bathing devices, and unsanitary storage million of money allocated to TEA by the program to have impact in Texas—first, and disposal of garbage and refuse are federal migrant division was not spent by because the state has such a large too often the prevailing conditions." the Texas agency, Randall and Gartner population of migrant farm workers, A 1967 survey by the U.S. Depart- deny that this was true. Randall said "this and, secondly, because neither the state ment of Agriculture showed that two- probably was the best-controlled program nor local governments has done much to thirds of the migrants working in we've had, and probably the smallest in the acknowledge the poverty and special Atascosa County live without indoor amount of money." problems which these workers and their plumbing, and three-fourths without Most of the TEA officials' rebuttal to families face. The U.S. Senate Migratory hot running water. There's no reason to paragraphs 13 and 14 appears, on analysis, Labor Subcommittee reported in Feb- think conditions are better in other to be directed to the suggestion that the ruary that 117 of Texas' 254 counties Texas counties. money was misappropriated. As for the had more than 100 migrants each Needless to say, migrants want better charge that the TEA failed to use $1 residing within their borders at some housing. A 1962 survey in California million of federal money in Texas, it point during 1967. That ranged from found that migrant farm workers ranked seems, in retrospect, that the TEA officials 110 workers in the Burleson County housing second, just below pay, in did not contest this very much, in speaking blacklands to 37,600 in the "Magic seeking employment. From its own field to the points raised in the two paragraphs. Valley" county of Hidalgo. In that year interviews, the Migratory Labor Sub- With Randall doing most of the talking, the some 240,000 migrant workers toiled committee reported that "numerous two TEA men denied the thrust of the on farms and ranches in the state. workers place housing even ahead of story throughout, particularly suggestions Nationally, when one thinks of migrant wages in making a job selection." B.H. of misappropriation. But as for money not being used at all, the Observer was not told

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much of that during the interview of some The migrant division of the Texas OEO allegedly missing $100,000 got started. 40 minutes. no longer exists. It was established in 1964, They said they had never heard of it. In The U.S. migrant division money was when then-Gov. John Connally was form- any case, it appears that federal officials deposited in the Federal Reserve Bank in ing his own OEO to administer the war on are not concerned about the matter, Dallas, and the TEA was sent a letter of poverty in Texas. But since the latter though for a time, clearly, they were. credit. Then, school districts wishing to months of the Connally administration, In response to Hamilton's paragraph 15, participate in the adult migrant education there has been no migrant division, it being about the federal OEO cutting back on its program were asked to submit proposals. closed down when the division head, Rudy dealings with the TEA, Gartner and Ran- After approval of each local program the Marroquin, took a job in Fort Worth with dall :said they know nothing of this, either. individual school district was in turn sent a a federal agency. They' note that the federal money available letter of credit by the TEA. The school for the program has been cut back, and this districts later sent invoices of expenditures AS FOR THE allegation that is the reason that, instead of some 30 to the TEA, which compared the invoices $100,000 was misappropriated, evidently Texas public school districts running the with the district's budget submitted earlier this is no longer thought to have been the prograM . locally, two junior colleges in for the program. case; witness the Ruth Graves (Washington Texas 'are currently operating it, as Hamil- Audits were conducted by several dif- OEO) quote in Hamilton's paragraph 14. tori relates in that same paragraph. G.O. ferent people. Randall says an independent The TEA's Gartner and Randall were at a Austin firm substantially corroborated loss to explain how the story about the July 4, 1969 5 TEA audits. The only questions about the TEA handling of the adult migrant educa- tion program, Randall says, were routine ones about a few hundred dollars worth of stipend checks owed course enrollees that were not picked up by those enrollees. This amounted to a minimum of $275.32 in fiscal 1967 to $838.68 in fiscal 1968. However, the foregoing explanation by the TEA officials (as taken from the Observer editor's notes) speaks, as was noted above, to the question of whether money was misused by the TEA, not whether some of the money was not used at all. Hamilton's point is that $1 million, perhaps a bit less, was not used for the benefit of Texas migrants by the TEA because of administrative bungling. This is the stated belief of others, not TEA employees, who have had some knowledge of the TEA's role in administering funds for educating adult migrants. Frank J. Duggan, Southwest regional OEO legal services director, tells the Observer he heard of the oversight a year ago, from Hamilton, who at the time was a member of the Washington staff of Sen. Ralph Yarborough. Duggan thereupon sought to have the unexpended money funnelled into a South Texas legal defense program. However, Duggan tells the Observer, a federal OEO auditor told him that due to federal regulations the money was unavailable. It is understood by Dug- gan and, after some inquiries, by the Observer, that the prohibition on using the \ r, •:" , money for legal services was imposed by s •

• k,1••• the usual U.S. Treasury Department pro- , <,•,•••••P•kg • • vision that money not expended in a specified period must be returned to the federal treasury, as Hamilton explains near the end of paragraph 13. Further, a former member of the staff of the Texas OED's migrant division, who has requested anonymity, but whose character g-liVnk • and veracity are attested to by the Observer editor, affirms that it also was his understanding that some $1 million was not spent by TEA because of oversight. The source was on the staff of the state OEO migrant division during the period in which the money was supposed to have been spent but was not. A Texas Migrant Child Money for Texas Water Austin major benefactor of the Texas Water Plan. Austin-based public relations firm, which is Whatever doubts may have lingered as to New Mexicans will be expected to pay a landing more and more accounts as time which of the 10 proposed constitutional, part of the tab, should they opt to join in passes. Christian's offices in Austin's First amendments that are to be voted on Aug. 5 the plan. National Life Building are serving as is to have the blessing and the no-holds- headquarters for the committee. And he barred support of the incumbent admini- SMITH MADE it clear at the assembled and distributed hundreds of stration should have been dispelled once outset of last month's meeting that to copies of the bound Texas Water Plan and for all on the afternoon of June 9. oppose passage of Amendment No. 2 together with sheets of information on the That was when almost all the big guns in would be tantamount to being un- amendment's purposes and the names of the state Democratic Party's conservative American or, worse, un-Texan. (The the chosen 500. establishment dutifully treked to the bumperstickers to be distributed by the Smith also hand-picked various com- House of Representatives chambers here to committee resemble Texas flags.) "I think mittee heads to work with business, see and hear a slick presentation in behalf your presence indicates your deep concern industry, agriculture, lawyers, and so forth of the proposed $3.5 billion, repeat billion, for the future of Texas," the governor told in promoting the issue — and raising funds. Texas Water Plan expansion. the assemblage. "I think your presence is The job of raising money (Christian The occasion was the first meeting of an indication of your devotion to Texas estimated the group would need $200,000 the newly formed Governor's Committee and your desire to serve the state we all as a minimum) went to Edward P. Clark, of 500—a group hand-picked by Gov. former U.S. ambassador to Australia, Preston Smith to beat the bushes in all By an Observer correspondent. former opponent to Smith for the areas of the state in an attempt to pass Democratic nomination for governor last Amendment No. 2 on the Aug. 5 ballot. love so well." He went on to say that year, and close associate of Connally and Knowing full well what political rhubarbs former Governors Connally, Shivers, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Clark managed at least have been started in some water-rich Daniel "have been tested and found true" one passing reference to the former sections of the state at the very mention of in their devotion and dedication to the president during a pep-talk with his diverting water to areas with water deficits, state. It now was the turn of the 500. committee members after the general the governor chose carefully to achieve a The hundreds who attended (not all 500 session. Clark was given what Capitol balance of committee members from a did, and certainly not all of the 150 observers enjoy calling a "blue ribbon cross-section of Texas. To cement that and representatives or the 31 senators were committee" to help raise the money. by-pass possible reaction to his leadership, there) were treated to speeches by Smith Although Christian told the finance Smith prevailed on his three predecessors and Daniel before Connally, by far the best committee that the campaign would be run in office—John B. Connally, Price Daniel, orator of the group, began a slick just as any other political campaign ("cash and Allan Shivers—to serve as co-chairmen presentation of what obviously is to be the in advance" for advertisements), Clark of the committee, thereby providing an campaign message in the coming weeks. insisted that donations and contributions endorsement of the plan from all segments Flanked by two 10-foot-square screens on were tax-deductible. He offered to obtain of the conservative wing of the Democratic the floor of the specially darkened House an opinion to that effect from the top tax Party. (Shivers did not attend the meeting, chambers, Connally read an inspired expert in his own law practice, but he and however, because of the injury of his son a account of the state's projected water others balked at the idea of requesting an few days earlier in a diving accident on the needs while a pair of projectionists quietly opinion from fellow Austinite R. L. Georgia coast.) shuffled through a series of color slides Phinney, regional director for the Internal Amendment No. 2, simply stated, would (provided by various state agencies) to Revenue Service. Commented Clark: "I'd authorize the state to sell $3.5 billion in illustrate points in Connally's remarks. No be shocked fi anyone said these were revenue bonds, backed by the state's areas of the state were neglected in the anything but a donation to a community credit, to finance redistribution of the presentation. All bases were touched, but it civic project." state's water to areas where that com- remains to be seen how effectively. What backers of this project are eyeing is modity is in , or is expected to be in, short Smith acknowledged the regional feuds the potential of that $3.5 billion in bond supply. It also would remove the present over water that have plagued earlier money. For one thing, it will cost the 4% ceiling on interest on water bonds. If attempts to devise a functional statewide state's water users (those designated as the voters okay the proposal, the $3.5 billion water plan: "Water has been the primary eventual payers of this plan) at least that would become a lever for state officials to issue in innumerable political campaigns much more in interest payments alone (see try to persuade the federal government to and unlimited debate in legislative halls Obs., Feb. 21). And bond merchants stand match with the remaining $5.5 billion of session after session — and generally with to make about $10 million in the sale of the expected $9 billion price tag on the negative results. The great diversity of our those bonds. Banks stand to gain hundreds plan. So far, there has been no firm regional interests — lack of complete of millions more serving as depositories for commitment from the federal government. understanding of our common need and the billions. Water users would pay it all Not only would the plan allow for the adequate supply, the legal entanglements through the purchase of water. redistribution of water from areas regarded involving water rights — and above all the now as having a surplus, it envisions an absence of state leadership, constituted the WHAT SMITH and his army of elaborate system of channeling up to 13 major factors inevitably resulting in stale- 500 face is a reluctance on the part of million acre feet of water annually from mate of all proposed statewide water many Texans to approve bond issues. the lower Mississippi River through a programs until several decades ago." There are those who are still sore at the network of canals stretching across passage of a $75 million issue by Connally northern Louisiana, northern Texas, and I N ADDITION to employing 500 to build new state parks. Several major into eastern New Mexico. It is reckoned members of the party's establishment, bond proposals — including a multi-million that water problems are as serious in that Smith has turned over the job of packaging dollar one attempted by the Houston part of New Mexico as in West Texas, the and promoting Amendment No. 2 to Independent School District — have been former White House press secretary George crushed overwhelmingly at the polls in 6 The Texas Observer Christian, now the head of the newest recent months. "*"401,0010***'''''"44-4..-to,m-yAinawbowpowiese•doors" __t ._ :,w

But the most telling point may prove to to increasing the amount of tax money or for former governors to endorse. be the remaining nine issues on the available to the Welfare Department could It appears it will fall to Lt. Gov. Ben constitutional amendment ballot. Smith lead to the downfall of all ten issues on the Barnes to steal the play on this one. Barnes and legislative leaders may find the water ballot Aug. 5, including the water plan. reportedly is preparing his own committee plan caught in a voter backlash come Aug. Hence, the need for the committee of to work for passage of that amendment to 5 that extends beyond the scope they 500; for Connally, Daniel, and Shivers; for lift the ceiling on the state's welfare want. It is common knowledge around the George Christian; for the packaged sell payments from $60 million to $80 million. Capitol that Smith and House Speaker Gus throughout the state for Amendment No. Houston attorney Leon Jaworski, who is Mutscher oppose the amendments on the 2. There is no Governor's Committee of prominent in Texas conservative Demo- ballot next month that call for annual 500 . . . or even 100 . . . or even 5 to cratic circles, will lead the effort. Even if sessions of the Legislature and a hike in the promote passage of the welfare amendment Barnes is successful, Texas will remain the ceiling of the state's welfare payments. But — an item rejected by voters last only state in the nation with a ceiling on its general voter hostility to having the November. The welfare proposal is not a welfare payments imposed by its constitu- legislators meet every year, or, especially, "safe" issue for the Smith administration tion. ❑ Texas Demos and Reform Houston included LeRoy Collins, former governor "There is little, if anything, wrong with Ever since that debacle of a Democratic of Florida; Peter Garcia, a California labor the Democratic Party in Texas, and many convention in Chicago last summer, the old leader; Dave Mixner, former chairman of things right with it," Erwin said on his guard Democrats and the new have been the McCarthy Youth Group; Jack English, own. "There is no discriminating and any engaged in a civil war. Many liberals believe New York national committeeman; and time we find it we stop it." the party must reform itself or die, so Albert Pella, a Bexar county commissioner The only other conservative Democrat national party chairman Fred Harris and a leading Texas liberal. Will Davis, a to appear before the commission was John appointed reform-minded Sen. George member of the parent Commission on Peace, a former Bexar County state McGovern to head a Commission on Party Party Structure, although not a member of committeeman. He defended the conserv- Structure and Delegate Selection. When a Task Force "C," also sat with the group. ative reign, explaining, "The Democratic task force of the commission visited Texas The meeting was held in the basement of Party under attack here today produced recently, it heard of the civil war that the Astroworld Hotel. The small meeting two vice presidents, one president, and Texas Democrats have been fighting for room was decorated with a jovial elephant many other public officials of distinction. years. and other circus animals, but no donkey. Our record is equal to or superior to any The commission was entangled in Approximately 50 observers attended the other major state in the nation in controversy from the moment it an- meeting, most of them vociferous repre- producing results for the Democratic nounced it would visit the state. It sentatives of Harris County's liberals. Party." infuriated Texas party leaders by neglect- The most vituperative exchange of the Few of the other witnesses had anything ing to inform them first of the impending day was between Albert Pella and Frank C. complimentary to say about the state party visit. Jim Wright, the Fort Worth congress- Erwin, Jr., a former national committee- or its leadership. Both Lauro Cruz and man who headed the Connally Democrats' man from Texas. Erwin accused Pella and Curtis Graves, the black legislator from presidential campaign committee last year, other liberal Democrats of having elected Houston, charged that the state party wrote an angry letter to a national conservative Republican John Tower to the discriminates against racial minorities. Cruz committeeman complaining that the U.S. Senate. Pena, in return, accused Erwin told of a Mexican-American woman in McGovern commission had scheduled a and the Connallycrats of putting Allan South Texas who allegedly was taken off hearing in Austin without notifying "those Shivers, a former governor with decidedly the welfare rolls because she voted the of us who managed the successful cam- Republican leanings, on the delegation to wrong way. "The state party is cheating paign last year." When it became clear that the Chicago convention. my people," Cruz said. "The generation the present conservative leadership of the "Our problems with the Democratic behind me is less patient than myself. I State Democratic Executive Committee Party are with people like you," Pena said, hear their footsteps growing louder. I know was going to boycott the meeting, the and the audience cheered. I may be ground under their feet. . . . commission decided to meet in Houston "I've been losing public meetings like Which is the greater crime, stealing a sacred instead of Austin. this and winning elections for years," right to vote or burning a building? I think State Rep. Lauro Cruz of Houston, a Erwin answered.. both are equal." liberal, was the first person to appear "You've been stealing elections for Cruz said Texas Rangers are used to before the task force. He and Will Davis, years," Pella said. intimidating Mexican-Americans at the former Gov. John Connally's state party "You're lying. You're a liar," Erwin polls. "The presence of a Texas Ranger chairman, immediately began wrangling. answered. anywhere in South Texas makes the After Sen. Birch Bayh of Indiana, the "I still say you stole the election. I say Mexican-American persona non grata," he chairman of the task force, tried, without you're a liar," Peiia said. said. . success, to get quiet in the meeting room, Erwin looked at Senator Bayh and he commented with a grin, "This is going growled, "This gives you some notion of GRAVES BACKED UP Cruz' to be an interesting session." how our precinct elections work." allegations with stories of discrimination It was. against blacks. "There is a systematic ERWIN READ A long letter from attempt to keep voting down so that THE CHARGES AND counter Elmer Baum, Gov. Preston Smith's state conservative Democrats who are actually charges hurled by liberal Democrats and party chairman. The letter explained that Republicans or Wallaceites in sheep's holdovers of Connally's conservative hier- the SDEC chairman could not be present clothing can remain in power," he said. archy were nothing new to observers of because of "a year-long commitment to "The party is the people who send the Texas politics. But both sides seemed to attend a medical convention on the West Rangers out each time. Sometimes they welcome the opportunity to review their Coast." Baum's letter told what a good stand with rifles outside voting places. I grievances before a panel of out-of-staters. record Texas Democrats have compiled and In addition to Bayh, the commission explained how the state party is set up. July 4, 1969 7 don't know if rifles in white men's hands vice president. from the present Oct. 1 to Jan. 31 period intimidate you, but they intimidate the • Abolish the electoral college and elect to year 'round registration. hell out of me!" president and vice president by direct vote • Liberalizing resident requirements. Graves charged that all of the blacks on and by a majority, in a runoff if necessary. • Liberalizing registration requirements the state's delegation to the national • Provide free television debate time for for armed services personnel. convention, except for himself and State majority party candidates. Sen. Barbara Jordan, were "handpicked, • Lower the voting age to 18. The Houston meeting was the 13th of paid, genuine Uncle Toms . . . whites • Abolish all forms of discrimination 17 regional hearings to be held by the painted black." within the electoral process. commission. In a prepared statement, Bayh At this point, Will Davis asked to insert explained the purpose of the committee is into the record the U.S. Civil Rights CHRIS HARTE, a college student to "search for and examine ways to bring Commission's most recent report on voting from Corpus Christi, also urged the the Democratic Party in touch with the in the South. He explained that Texas was commission to recommend lowering the needs and desires of the American people. the only Southern state to get a clean bill voting age to 18. In addition, he suggested • Some are already suggesting that this of health. that a third person from each county be will be an exercise in futility, that we "Who - was president then? " Graves placed on the state committee to represent should avoid any criticism of our party," asked. "I wouldn't criticize the boss persons under 30. the senator said. "The commission believes, either." The audience whooped. Mrs. William E. Joor, president of the however, that the long term well-being of "If we want to be partisan about it, I'd League of Women Voters of Texas, called our party demands that we distinguish rather have him than the one we've got for: between loyalty to our party's principles and servility to its name." now," Davis snapped back. • Replacing annual voter registration Graves read an affidavit from Roger Bell, with a system of re-registration by voting. The commission will present its report at who went to a precinct convention in a • Extending the period of registration the 1972 Democratic convention. K.N. rural area to find he was the only black man there. According to the affidavit, a white man approached him and said, "Boy, what you doin' here? Don't you know this is white man's business?" HAIR Graves concluded, "If you keep this process up, maybe we won't have a Austin folks. In other words, long sideburns might Democratic Party, because, like Lauro Land Cmsr. Jerry Sadler, who dips snuff, make a hard job harder. Cruz, I hear footsteps behind me. . . . recently decreed that workers in his office We certainly are not suggesting that Violent change may happen in Texas must have, in the case of men, sideburns no there is anything immoral or unhygienic because so many people are excluded from longer than halfway down the vertical axis about long sideburns. We are suggesting the decision making process." of the ear, and, in the case of women, that short or medium sideburns are less skirts of sufficiently modest length, i.e., no controversial and provoke less unfavorable miniskirts. Snuff dipping was not men- RS. BILLIE CARR, a Houston reaction from many of our clients — the M tioned in Sadler's edict. One supposes that liberal leader, asked the task force to taxpayers. Since our success depends so the commissioner considers long hair and recommend that the national committee much on favorable taxpayer reaction, we short skirts more of a threat to depart- send observers to the state's precinct, strongly urge that our Internal Revenue mental morale than a poochy lower lip. At county, and state conventions. She said Service men wear the moderately styled least one Land Office employee disagreed that the SDEC is "really the governor's short sideburns. and resigned prior to the effective date of committee. It never goes against his We recommend that you have a one-to- interest." She called Texas political con- the Sadler personal appearance policy. one talk with those men who are inclined ventions "politics by conspiracy." Now another Austin governmental to experiment with long sideburns. We "In some precincts we have fist fights," bureau leader has taken official note of the believe our folks will understand the ad- Mrs. Carr said. "One precinct chairman had newest trends in grooming. R. L. Phinney, vantages of reasonable conservatism and to go to the hospital last year. Houston the district director of the Internal Rev- the disadvantages of extreme styles. We all even had one murder that resulted from a enue Service, and formerly the command- know that a few of the business aitd precinct fight." She suggested that secret ing general of the Texas National Guard's professional people have adopted the balloting be held to select representatives 36th Infantry Division, has issued the "mod." But they have the advantage over to the county, state, and national conven- following memorandum to the supervisors us because their clients choose them and tions. in his district, quoted in full, to wit: they can choose their clients. Hank Brown, president of the state We do not expect you to use a ruler or AFL-CIO, had a number of specific SUBJECT: Employee appearance. issue anatomy charts or other guidelines to proposals. They included: Hair on the face is a provocative subject. indicate the desirable length of sideburns. • Abolish the precinct conventions and Some men are wearing longer sideburns. A As usual, this is a matter of individual replace them with direct election of few of our male employees are experiment- judgment which we will leave to .you and delegates to the county and state senatorial ing with a little lower haircuts on the sides. your folks. G.O. conventions. Perhaps we should think about this. • Elect delegates to the national Demo- The majority of men wear moderate cratic convention at state senatorial district sideburns. This is the continuing, conven- conventions, instead of at the state party tional style. Some taxpayers associate the Bussing Decision convention. more extreme style of long sideburns with • Enlarge voter participation by requir- undesirable people and events. Because of Washington, D.C. ing that delegations to the national these mental associations, an Internal Rev- Things have changed in Washington. convention be selected in a voting system enue man with long sideburns may evoke One of our correspondents got on a city that includes permanent voter registration unfavorable reaction from some of the bus there the other day. Who got on and longer registration periods. people with whom he deals. By the very right in front of him but Liz Carpenter, • Encourage party primaries for the nature of our profession we start with a former press secretary to former first selection of nominees for president and handicap. It would seem unwise that we, of lady, Lady Bird Johnson. What's more, she got a transfer. our own volition, would add handicaps by ❑ 8 The Texas Observer a mode of appearance that provokes some Political Intelligence

The rumor that has become recurrent are, among other problems, a communi- 1970, with a ceiling of $900,000 author- • on a biennial basis in Texas labor circles cations inadequacy between that office and ized. once again is heard: that Texas AFL-CIO other state agencies. Mrs. Bode found the secretary Roy Evans is in trouble as he and report in an empty Senate committee Rostow has contracted with Macmillan other state labor officials face reelection at room. She was unable to determine who • to write two books, The Diffusion of the upcoming AFL-CIO convention, July had authorized its preparation or what Power, a study of the development of U.S. 16-19 in Corpus Christi. Similar rumors purpose it is to serve. foreign policy in the 1958-68 decade, and were heard in 1967 prior to the AFL-CIO The Evolution of the World Economy. convention in Fort Worth but Evans Rostow is to realize an unspecified six- emerged unscathed. LBJ Doin' OK figure amount of money for the books. He and the AFL-CIO president, Hank The national press has uncovered an- • Brown, often are said to be at odds over other unusual perquisite that President • Walter Richter is soon to be replaced as basic policy in guiding Texas organized Johnson has claimed for his retirement director of the Southwest regional U.S. labor. For example, last year in Galveston days. National reporters filed a number of Office of Economic Opportunity, probably when the AFL-CIO's Committee on Politi- stories on this general theme in January by an Arkansas Republican. cal Education was considering endorse- when LBJ was returning to Texas, wonder- ments in state elections, Evans openly was ing, for example, about Federal Aviation working to win full endorsement for Don Agency equipment that had been installed McDowell Sues Gladden, the Fort Worth liberal, over Ben at the LBJ Ranch landing strip; the nature Barnes in the lieutenant governor's race. • Dr. Floyd E. McDowell, the former of Johnson's Austin Federal Building ac- head of the Richmond State School for This was against the wishes of Brown, who commodations, which include a lush office, wanted no endorsement, believing that the Mentally Retarded, who was fired a helicopter service between the building and year ago (Obs., July 26, 1968), has filed a Barnes could be of value in attaining some the ranch; etc. of the legislative goals of the Texas AFL- lawsuit in Austin which, if successful, CIO. Finally Brown won out, Gladden Now the Washington Evening Star and would have considerable effect on the winning only a "recommendation," not an columnists Drew Pearson and Jack Ander- treatment of all state employees. In addi- endorsement. son advise that Texas Cong. George Mahon tion to $160,000 damages and lost salary, When rumors are heard of Evans being in arranged to have Johnson's government McDowell seeks a hearing to air whatever trouble for reelection it usually is said that pay extended f:•om the customary six charges his former superiors had against Brown is covertly behind efforts to dis- months to 18 months after the conclusion him and asks that Texas government em- place the secretary. of his presidency. LBJ thus will collect ployees "be free from arbitrary and capri- cious discharge, and be entitled to con- There is some talk in Austin now that $375,000 in post-presidential pay. • frontation of witnesses and a hearing when Governor Smith might be looking necessary before termination." The Star also reports LBJ spent nearly a around for someone to make a race next • McDowell believes he was fired for half million dollars in federal spring against Atty. Gen. Crawford Martin. refusing to place the son of State Sen. funds since leaving the White House, Some of Martin's official opinions have not Wayne Connally, Floresville, in his school. making use of two new laws which pleased the governor. McDowell said the Connally boy comes Early this year Smith was seeking to authorize liberal retirement and "adjust- from a county not in the Richmond overturn a number of the eleventh-hour ment" benefits for ex-presidents. Among school's jurisdiction and that, anyway, a Star noted, was a appointments of his predecessor, John LBJ's expenditures, the waiting list precluded immediate admis- Connally. Martin was asked by Smith for $100-a-day, six-day-a-week consultancy sion. Thereupon the doctor was fired by arrangement for Walt W. Rostow, the an opinion on the matter of when a the Dept. of Mental Health and Mental number of appointive terms expire. The former White House foreign advisor who Retardation, whose leaders said McDowell attorney general rendered a judgment that now teaches at the University of Texas. had not been cooperative with others of The Rostow fee adds $28,800 annually to did not please Smith. the department, had acted arbitrarily in Then, Martin was asked by Smith about the hawkish foreign affairs professor's UT running the new Richmond school, and the constitutionality of a number of meas- salary, which is thought to exceed otherwise, on frequent occasions did not ures passed during the recent legislative $35,000. Also on a $100-a-day retainer is follow department policy. session's closing hours; the governor ques- Yoichi R. Okamoto, the former White McDowell, who has a national reputa- tioned the bills because they had not House photographer, now living in Texas. LBJ's expenditures, the Star reported in actually been signed in the presence of July 4, 1969 . 9 members of one or the other houses of the its June 16 article, cover the costs of Legislature, as constitutionally required. maintaining three Texas offices — more Martin came back with an opinion saying than either Texas senator — and purchasing that it didn't matter, announcing this not $200,000 in equipment for them, a MARTIN ELFANT long before Smith said he would veto the $28,000 salary for Tom Johnson, a former measures anyway. (And then, a few days White House press aide, and other salaries later the governor signed a few of the for secretary and staff help. Johnson spent Sun Life of Canada disputed bills into law, raising thereby $10,418 refurbishing an office which he is some more legal questions.) using temporarily at the Johnson City 1001 Century Building Capitol reporter Mary Jane Bode re- Bank — a building owned by his old friend cently found, evidently by accident, a copy A. W. Moursund of Johnson City. Houston, Texas of a report prepared by a San Francisco All of the expenditures are quite legal. consulting firm which raised questions Under a new interpretation from Comp- CA 4-0686 about the efficiency of the operation of troller General Elmer B. Staats, Johnson the attorney general's office, saying there can draw on federal funds through July 19, 0• tion in mental health work, quickly found meeting, in Kennedy's office. a position with the New York mental 30-acre shopping center in Brownwood. Several major firms already have been hygiene department. He was scathing in his • Raymond Telles, the former mayor of assessment of mental health care in Texas El Paso who received several appoint- announced as tenants. Bennett's construc- and has expressed interest in seeing that ments during the Kennedy and Johnson tion firm will be the general contractor. practices of the state in this field are aired administrations, has returned to El Paso • A. Y. Allee, captain of Texas Ranger publicly. and is considering a Democratic primary Company B, often the target of com- His attorney is David Richards, who race against Cong. Richard C. White next plaints by Mexican-Americans in South recently moved to Austin after having been year. Telles, something of a liberal, had Texas, was commended recently by former associated for a number of years with the remained as head of the U.S.-Mexico Gov. John Connally, Atty. Gen. Crawford important Dallas labor law firm of Mulli- Border Commission until President Nixon Martin, and Highway Department Com- nax and Wells. replaced him in April. Prior to assuming missioner Herb Petry, Jr. that post Telles was U.S. ambassador to At a barbeque for Ranger Company B, A RWY Victory Costa Rica. Connally said, "We are here because we are a few people left in the world who appre- • Sen. Ralph Yarborough has won a On Conservation ciate the sacrifices and courage of Captain face-to-face confrontation with the Allee and other Rangers here today have Nixon administration, staving off efforts to • In the July issue of Playboy magazine made in the performances of their duty in close the 30-year-old federal narcotics Justice William 0. Douglas, a zealous protecting the lives and security of people hospital in Fort Worth by flexing his conservationist, labels the Army Corps of this state." muscles as a Senate committee chairman. of Engineers "public enemy number The hospital, operated by the National one." He says that due to faulty construc- • Midlothian. editor and Warren Report Institute of Mental Health at HEW, treats tion by the corps, "some dams in Texas critic Penn Jones, Jr., now faces com- some 400 patients and has several hundred lose 8% of their capacity annually due to petition from another weekly in his town employes. It serves the western half of the silting. Numerous ones lose 2% a year and of some 1,500 persons. United States. at least six lose 3% or more. Yarborough, chairman of the Senate "The Waco dam in Texas is a classic Kountze editor Archer Fullingim is re- Labor and Public Welfare Committee, failure of the engineers," Douglas says. covering at home from a heart ailment called HEW Secretary Robert Finch on "Inadequate testing of the foundation that hospitalized him for several days. March 27 to question rumors that the shales below the embankment were the Fullingim, in a recent column, speaks hospital was to be closed, at the same time cause of the disaster. Parts of the embank- highly of the medical care he received but announcing his Health Subcommittee ment slid 700 feet from the dam axis. seems to believe most of the credit for his would hold hearings during April in Correcting the failure amounted to about recovery goes to a prescription he had Washington and Fort Worth. Finch prom- 4% of the original estimated cost of the sneaked into the hospital, copied from a ised the closing would be delayed until dam. "doctor book" his father bought in 1912, after the hearings. "Texas, as might be expected, was which called for one ounce each of milk- The Texas senator conferred with Finch granted 24 projects for construction during weed root, horseradish, mandrake root, regularly, urging that the facility be kept fiscal 1969 that amounted to almost $40 black elder bark, juniper berries, root of open. Sen. John Tower and Cong. Jim billion," the Supreme Court justice writes. the box elder, bark from the root of Wright of Fort Worth and Earle Cabell of "Everybody is taken care of. Under the bittersweet, and a half-ounce of mustard. Dallas lent their support. On June 12, cloak of flood benefits, recreation benefits, Finch called Yarborough and informed him and the like, great vandalism is committed. that the administration had decided against Beautiful river basins are wiped out forever closing the hospital. Yarborough's commit- and one of our most pressing problems — tee handles all legislation affecting Finch's water pollution and sewage — goes beg- Larry L. King agency, a fact which did not go unnoticed ging." by the Nixon men during the hospital Douglas also writes, "Will Rogers used to Wins Nieman debate. joke that the best thing to do with the Fellowship • A dozen senators, led by Sen. Edward Trinity River at Fort Worth, Texas, was to M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, have pave it, the stream being a bare trickle at announced plans to form a liberal Senate times. That wild idea is now a reality. Cambridge, Mass. club along the lines of the activist Construction of a 370-mile canal from Fort Larry L. King, a contributing editor to Democratic Study Group in the House. Worth to Houston is under way, with 20 Harper's and The Texas Observer, is one of Yarborough has not indicated if he will new dams (multipurpose) and 20 locks." 12 journalists appointed for the 32nd class join, but he was not at the organizational "Playboy magazine," responded Cong. of Nieman Fellows for the academic year Earle Cabell of Dallas, is an appropriate 1969-70 to study at Harvard University. 10 The Texas Observer place for him to lay out his inaccuracies," King, who will suspend his writing he said of Douglas. activities for the duration of his Harvard experience, will study American history TEXAS' LEADING • The Trinity River Authority, the Trinity and American literature. Improvement Association, and seven A former Midland and Odessa newsman, BUMPERSTRIP Texas congressmen recently asked a House King now lives in Washington, D.C. Before subcommittee to appropriate $6.1 million beginning a free-lance writing career in over President Nixon's $3.2 budget for the 1964, he served on Capitol Hill for a SIGN MAKER next year. decade as an aide to former Cong. J. T. Rutherford of Odessa and Cong. Jim Miscellany Wright of Fort Worth. FUTURA PRESS ,,,, He is the author of the novel The Another Ben Barnes business note: the IF Phone 512/442-7836 • One-Eyed Man, and a non-fiction collec- lieutenant governor, his business side- 1714 SOUTH CONGRESS tion entitled ... And Other Dirty Stories. kick Herman Bennett (the Brownwood P.O. BOX 3485 AUSTIN, TEXAS His book on rural America will be contractor), and Dean Dauley of Grand published by Viking Press of New York, Prairie will build a $2.5 million, nearly and is currently in progress. ❑ the bother•melater deal from pacifica.

Pacifica Foundation is trying to start one of its listener-sponsored FM stations in Houston. Pacifica stations play what regular stations can't, don't or won't. The result sounds so interesting that where we're already on the air — San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York — a total of more than 40,000 listeners pay fifteen tax-deductible dollars a year for the programs and a monthly magazine about them.

For the past seven months in Houston, Pacifica's money-raising volunteers have heard many words to the following effect: "I'll subscribe if the thing ever gets on the air, but don't bother me now"

Okay, all you people like that. We've run up a new coupon, below. Our doubting-Thomas special.

No station, you never hear from us. But if the FCC says yes, one of our teen-aged accountants will write you our call letters, frequency and on-air date, asking you to remit $15 for four thousand hours or so of the most adventurous public broadcasting anywhere. Frankly, if Pacifica hadn't been running like this for twenty-one years, we wouldn't believe it ourselves.

------.3====INIIMONIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIMIUMENNI r I 1 Dear Pacifica: I 1 1 1 I'll go along with this, because I think Houston could use a little Pacifica. If enough people like me 1 I pledge enough money for the FCC to approve ;'acifica's Houston station, you may bill me — and I 1 I shall pay — $15 for a one-year subscription to the programming. I understand I'll then get the 1 1 monthly program Folio for a year, and that my gift, when made, will be deductible when I do my I I federal income tax. I I 1 1 1 1 Signature 1 1 I I I I Name I I I I I Street City Zip I I 1 1 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 -IL 04.3i 1I pacifica 1 1 Adventurous Public Broadcasting 1 I 1200 Bissonnet, Houston 77005 I L •11111.1 11•111•1 =1• 11•1 111•11• 1•111 =11M MINIMIONI MNIMINEMINOrn MI ME = MUM MN IM INI MIII IMO= INIINI II The space for this advertisement was contributed by Bernard Rapoport, president of American Income Life Insurance Company, P. 0. Box 208, Waco, Texas 76703. Mr. Rapoport sent in his fifteen dollars way last June and has been so kind since that Pacifica considers him paid up until the middle of the twenty-ninth century. exploration. After their first long trip throughout On Being Concerned Mexico in 1922-23, during which Carl served as correspondent to a press service ON BEING CONCERNED — The Alinsky. Friends of Roger Baldwin's, they for labor and left-wing papers—the Feder- Vanguard Years of Carl and Laura Brannin, were charter members of the ACLU. ated Press—the Brannins journied back by Miriam Allen deFord, published at NAACP, ADA, their roster has been an up the West Coast from Salina Cruz to San Dallas, available through the Dallas Civil alphabetical marvel. Not least effective Francisco, thence to Berkeley, where they Liberties Union, Box 12371, Dallas, 58 among their political activities have been settled for a time and eventually met pages. 82.10. their trenchant comments through the Miriam Allen deFord, author of this press in letters to the newspapers. Since biography, and her husband, Maynard Dallas 1933, when they returned to Carl's native A federal penitentiary was the Shipley. This was a fortunate meeting for Texas to make Dallas the base for their more-than-possible risk. The year was us for Miriam deFord, a prolific and fight for human justice, they have educated 1917. The times were utterly lunatic. And distinguished writer who is also editor of a whole generation of Texans in democ- The Humanist, has at last put Carl and yet Carl Brannin wrote among other things racy. in a letter to his draft board: Laura Brannin's record into the public "I am in Then, as if all of this in-fighting and receipt of draft questionnaire, form 1001, domain. tutelage were not sufficient cause for and am returning same unanswered.. . . My This is a good, if too brief, book. There exhaustion, the Brannins were indefati- belief in the universal brotherhood of man is a skeletal quality about it (a fact gable, fact-finding travelers, seeking out the leads me to be opposed to war and traceable, one knows, to publishing costs) militarism. • . If there are those who larger context for their own passions and but at least the facts are there, and the would say that I am disloyal because I interests. They went, for example, to book is professionally and lovingly written. stand out for the rights of the individual, Mexico in 1922-23, on a trip to Europe That it is written with love will surprise no let me say that I detest the Junkers of and the Soviet Union in 1925 in order to one who has ever known the Brannins. Carl Germany, Austria, France, the United see conditions for themselves. Lincoln is a "tough-minded" character, to use States, and all other nations with equal Steffens had told them a couple of years William James' phrase, and so was Laura. fervor. . . ." before about the USSR, "I have seen the James, of course, was describing with his By some miracle this improbable young future, and it works." The Brannins went phrase the kind of mental and emotional man escaped imprisonment, was classified to see. Their letters and Carl's published poise that can view an imperfect, even 4-F because of underweight, and a few reports on that trip, not included here, hostile, world, and yet find it good, months later married a young woman as should certainly one day be made available sustaining, and worth giving one's soul to. outrageously brave and slight and dedi- to social historians as well as to other Carl Brannin, at 80, looks about at the cated to good as he was himself. interested persons for they are too valuable world with his sharp brown eyes, nods at Whereupon Carl and Laura Brannin began not to be bound up in ready form. its goodness, battles its evil, sets us all an their joint march through almost half a In later years, the Brannins traveled to example we none of us can ever quite century, fighting along the way every the Scandinavian countries to check on match, and will be off next to check on possible right battle for decency, as that scene, to Switzerland (one presumes only goodness knows where. These are formidable a pair of scrappers as the Devil for a rest), to Alaska, to Mexico for a magnificent people. This is a very good himself is ever likely to meet. second, comparative look. Recently, since little book. The deadly unemployment following Laura's death, Carl has been to Italy, —BARBARA NELSON World War I, the release of the war Yugoslavia, Greece, Austria, Poland, Rus- Mrs. Nelson is a Dallas free-lance writer protestors from prison, the Sacco and sia, Rumania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, who says, "I was among those in the Vanzetti case, the Great Depression, labor the Orient, and the Near East, always in younger Dallas generation whom the Bran- strife, race troubles, slums, ghettos, more the same spirit of social and political nins influenced." wars, injustices of every hue and dimension ad infinitum, just name the good fight, the Brannins were in it. Just name the good group, the Brannins were in it: Carl was Country Music co-founder, for example, of the wondrous- ly successful Unemployed Citizens League Country Music, U.S.A., by Bill C. Ma- not seriously be considered folk music — of King County (Seattle, 1932), an lone, University of Texas Press, Austin and that such people as Pete Seeger and Joan Alinsky-type operation that long antedated London, 422 pages. $7.50. Baez were more representative as folk performers than Buck Owens or George 12 The Texas Observer Austin Jones. Malone annihilated my point. I About five years ago in discussion with learned that the exact opposite was true, Bill Malone and others, I remarked that and never again did I doubt him as an modern country and Western music could authority on country folk music. Now all CLASSIFIED who are interested can comfortably learn BOOKPLATES. Free catalog. Many beautiful about country music by reading Malone's designs. Special designing too. Address: BOOK- book, Country Music, U.S.A. PLATES, Yellow Springs 8, Ohio. MEETINGS Born and raised in rural, religiously THE THURSDAY CLUB of Dallas meets each fundamental East Texas, Malone is natur- YAMAHA: For the best sound—pianos—organs- Thursday noon for lunch (cafeteria style) at the guitars available at Amster Music & Art Center. Downtown YMCA, 605 No. Ervay St., Dallas. ally at ease with the subject. He was early 17th & Lavaca, Austin. 478-7331. Good discussion. You're welcome. Informal, no exposed to country music by two older INCREDIBLE, REALLY, some of those stories dues. guitar-playing brothers and a religious en- in MISSISSIPPI FREELANCE. But consider vironment that emphasized "old-timey what we have to work with: Jim Eastland, the CENTRAL TEXAS ACLU luncheon meeting. singing." A guitar player and singer him- Clarion-Ledger, Ole Miss, et al. Twelve issues are Spanish Village. 2nd Friday every month. From yours for a paltry $4. No stamps or Confederate noon. All welcome. self, Malone has a voluminous repertory of money, please. Box 836, Greenville, Miss. 38701. songs. On several occasions I have heard ITEMS for this feature cost, for the first entry, MEMORABLE pictures, 8x101/2, JFK Dallas 7c a word, and for each subsequent entry, 5c a him perform for hours without once re- parade, plus Plaza-Depository florals. Both $1 word. We must receive them two weeld before peating a number. His deep affection for postpaid. Address: JES, Box 11073, Dallas, Tex. the date of the issue in which they are to be country music is clearly revealed on these 75223. published. occasions. He will discontinue playing if he finds his listeners are distracted; not simply styles. Performers who thought their music thirties continued to have a largely rural because he is a sensitive person, but pri- had only a regional appeal found a still appeal. Other forces were at work, how- marily because he believes the music to be larger acceptance. Some country artists, ever, which were soon to give country worthy of genuine reverence. such as Rodgers, the Carter family, Riley musicians a far greater audience. Malone is an unusual combination of Puckett, and Uncle Dave Macon, found Gene Autry, a country performer well both artist and scholar, as his book bears they could earn a living by performing on before his rise to film stardom, helped give witness. He is a professor of American radio stations and giving live concerts. history and specializes on the South and Nevertheless, the music by the close of the July 4, 1969 13 cultural and intellectual history. He earned a PhD from the University of Texas, where he wrote a doctoral dissertation on the origins and development of country music. This book is an outgrowth of that study. The Texas Observer offers a book-ordering service through which members M ALONE TRACES country music will be entitled to purchase ANY hardbound book published in the U.S.* at from its Anglo-Celtic beginnings to its a 20% discount. Books will be mailed postpaid. present, almost universal popularity. The A 1-year membership is $5.00. If purchases during the 12 months do not result early chapters are especially significant in a saving of at least $5.00 over the list price of the books, your membership because of the heretofore woefully inade- will be extended until you do realize such a saving. quate scholarly attention paid early hill- billy music. Malone explains why the For readers who are not interested in participating in the discount plan the South became the natural residence of Observer will gladly accept, at the list price, orders for any hard-bound book traditional folk music style, how country published in the U.S.* Such orders also will be filled post-free. music was influenced by Calvinistic reli- gious attitudes, and how styles were trans- Many of the books which might be of particular interest to Observer readers mitted from one rural region to another. are available at the Observer office. A partial list of books in stock appears He discusses the importance to country below. Other books will be ordered by the Observer and you will receive them directly from the publisher. music of the revolution in transportation, the tremendous role the radio and phono- Some Suggested Titles graph industry played in the development List Mem. List Mem. and spread of country music, the emerg- Price Price Price Price ence of the solo performer such as Jimmie £ : • •at,". •• IN A NARROW GRAVE: ESSAYS ON TEXAS Rodgers and Vernon Dalhart, the rise of Larry McMurtry $ 7.50 $ 6.00 the Hollywood singing cowboy, and the THE TRAGEDY OF LYNDON JOHNSON marriage of country music to the Western Eric F. Goldman $ 8.95 $ 7.16 cowboy image. All of these factors and many others are carefully discussed. tlitilstantier A valuable aspect of the book is the THE UNFINISHED ODYSSEY extensive biographical data presented on OF ROBERT KENNEDY many of the early country music artists. David Halberstam $ 4.95 $ 3.96 $ 4.00 An entire chapter is devoted to Jimmie SOD DAYS: THE SIEGE OF L Rodgers, commonly and properly referred Harrison Salisbury $ 5.56 to as the father of country music. Malone POLICE POWER has given more serious attention to Paul Chevigny 4.75 Rodgers than has any other single critic JFK AND LB; (including Rodger's wife, Carrie, who Tom Wicker wrote a highly romanticized account of her THE TEXANS: WHAT THEY ARE-AND WHY HowARD GRIFFIN READER husband's career), and he is the first to deal David Nevin $ 5.95 $ 4.76 Bradford Daniel (ed.) $ 8.50- SAO with him so intensively. Malone, who plans 85 DAYS: THE LAST DARK STAR: HIROSHIMA RECONSIDERED to write a biography of Jimmie Rodgers, OF ROBERT KENNEDY IN THE LIFE OF CLAUDE EATHERLY points out that Rodgers sang essentially Jules Witcover Ronnie Dugger $ 5.95 $ 4.76 every kind of Southern rural song and also TOWARD A DEMOCRATIC LEFT introduced "one that was a product of his Michael Harrington • . $ 4.95 $4.76' own native environment" - the blue yodel. IN OUR TIME THE BEST OF BRANN: THE ICONOCLAST The influence Rodgers exerted on later Paul Douglas Roger Conger (ed.) $ 6.95 $ 5.56 country performers is nothing short of THE NEW INDUSTRIAL S FROM THE BIG THICKET profound. Many popular contemporary John K. Galbraith Frances E. Abernethy (ed.) $ 635 $ 5.40 country artists acknowledge their debt to BUCK RAGE THE GREAT FRONTIER the "blue yodeler." For instance, Ernest W. H. Grier & P. M. Cobbs Walter Prescott Webb $ 6.00 $ 4.80 Tubb and Merle Haggard have both re- FAREWELL TO TEXAS ADVENTURES WITH A TEXAS NATURALIST cently re-released old Jimmie Rodgers' William 0. Douglas $ 6.95 $ 5.56 Roy Bedichelt . $ 4.50 $ 3.60 originals. THE AMERICAN CHALLENGE SOME PART OF MYSELF The twenties and thirties saw the simul- J. J. Serven-Sciweiter 6.95 5.56 J. Frank Dobie $ 6.95 $ 5.56 taneous gebgraphical expansion and com- A VERY PERSONAL PRESIDENCY: THREE MEN IN TEXAS: mercial acceptance of traditional country LYNDON JOHNSON IN THE WHITE HOUSE BEDICHEK, WEBB, AND DOME Hugh Sidey $ 5.95 $ 4.76 Ronnie Dagger (ed.) $ 6.50 $ 5.20 DR. LOUIS E. BUCK Veterinarian THE TEXAS OBSERVER BOOKSTORE House Call Practice GR 2-5879-Austin 504 WEST 24TH, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705

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country music a "Western" image through This, along with a growing appreciation of Another characteristic that distinguishes his portrayal of a singing cowboy in mo- the purity of genuine country music and Malone as a historian and writer is his quite tion pictures. The honky-tonk was of even the "urban folk revival," spurred many to noticeable attempt to be objective. When greater importance than Hollywood in giv- retain the traditional country style. he differs from other informed sources, he ing country music a Western cowboy Malone points out that country music is careful to make this admission and appearance. Here, uprooted ruralites, now depicts urban problems, not rural frequently amplifies upon the other opin- moved to the city to find work, sought ones. The common working people — the ion in a footnote. When examining the relief in dance halls. Country music was truck drivers, the factory workers, etc. — book, one quickly acquires the feeling that being forced to adapt to urban surround- constitute the modern folk. Yet country Malone has an encompassing grasp of the ings. The noisy honky-tonks necessitated songs still reflect traditional folk themes. subject, and this usually tends to persuade the adoption of electrified instruments and Songs about "death, religion, suffering, the reader that Malone is most likely gave birth to western swing. Hillbilly music rejection . . . [strengthen] country music's correct. was being transformed into country music role as the music of the common man." If there is anything disparaging to be that now could be danced to in a new said about the book, it relates to the setting. S TUDENTS OF Southern history somewhat extraneous attention devoted to The war made country music a national as well as country music fans will find the the various early radio stations which, phenomenon. As rural Southerners moved book a valuable addition to their library. It through broadcasting, helped popularize into industrial areas or joined the military, is based on extensive research including country music. Certainly the radio industry they carried their music with them. The personal interviews with many top country had a profound influence in creating an immediate post-war years were the real music artists. The bibliography and discog- ever expanding interest in country music, boom years — country music then achieved raphy alone make the book a desireable but some may believe the point could have "national popularity and profitability." purchase. References to more than 500 been meaningfully conveyed in less space. songs are supplemented with footnotes The same critics may insist that the book is THE POST-WAR period witnessed that tell the reader exactly where he can too detailed in other areas as well. How- two-fold division in country music style. In find recordings. Each source is cited so that ever, Malone intentionally emphasized the the first place, traditional styles were per- those who care to can undertake further significance of the commercialization of petuated by such artists as the Stanley inquiry. There is a 16-page collection of country music to explain the American Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, Kitty Wells, rare photographs of many of the early success story that country music has devel- Grandpa Jones — and most important of all country musicians which provides addi- oped into today. — Bill Monroe, who was directly responsi- tional color to the book. Added up, it is clear that Country Music, ble for the emergence of the Blue Grass Although this is certainly more than a U.S.A. is the most professional and pro- style. In the second place, other artists simple pioneer study, Malone freely admits digious study undertaken to date. It cer- began to develop their own style, yet their that many other areas warrant investiga- tainly merits the attention of all interested music still reflected a strong rural country tion. Far too many historians state that fans of country music and all serious background. Performers like Eddy Arnold, their study is exhaustive and complete. students of Southern history. Hank Thompson, and Webb Pierce marked Happily, Malone is above such pomposity. a transition in country music by moving He frequently states in a footnote what has WAYNE OAKES closer to popular music styles. "The indi- been done, specifies the residence of un- The writer, a student of and frequent vidual who most successfully spanned the used materials, and suggests areas of devel- performer of country music, particularly gulf between country and popular music opment. Such honesty is more than un- that of Jimmie Rodgers, is an Austin was King Hiram 'Hank' Williams. . . . [As usual and refreshing, but certainly helpful resident. He and Bill Malone have known much as anyone else,] Williams reflected as well. each other for several years. the inherited traditions of the rural South and the forces that have strived to urbanize it." Observations As country musicians yearned for greater popularity and financial success, it was to be expected that they would at- tempt to make their music more compati- Cap ble with popular taste. In fact, country and ital Gossip pop music seemed to have successfully Washington, D.C. and Means Committee on behalf of the oil fused by the mid-'60's. Buck Owens did In always political Washington, specu- depletion allowance. Reporters observed more than any other single individual to lation among the Texans about Sen. Ralph Barnes and Bush, a member of this com- prevent the merger of country and pop Yarborough's 1970 opponents turns mittee, chatting amiably, and subsequently music when in 1965 he made a "Pledge to mostly to Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes for the reports reached Bush that Barnes was Country Music." Democratic primary and Cong. George saying that Bush had told him that he I shall sing no song that is not a country Bush of Houston in the general election. would not run for the Senate if Barnes did. song. I shall make no record that is not a Yarborough is now maintaining a pun- Bush explains that all that passed between country record. ishing schedule of weekend speechifying in them was a friendly exchange of hope that I refuse to be known as anything but a Texas. For instance, the long weekend May they wouldn't wind up running against country singer. I am proud to be associated with country 23-26 he made commencement addresses each other. music. in Cisco and Tyler, dedicated a bath house "I am certainly considering this race," Country music and country music fans have made me what I am today in Marlin, addressed the postal clerks in Bush says, "and my decision is going to be And I shall not forget it. Greenville, and addressed a joint session of based on other than who is running. Barnes the Legislature. Some people are telling would be a formidable opponent, and I've 14 The Texas Observer him Barnes is saying he will run, while already found out that Yarborough's a others tell him the contrary, but Yar- formidable opponent. But any report that I ATHENA MONTESSORI SCHOOL borough is maintaining the position that would step aside if Barnes ran is absolutely Leo Nitch, Director he's not worried about that one way or the without foundation. I further doubt that RED RIVER AT 41ST other — he's "laying in hay for a long Governor Barnes has said this." Opposite Hancock Center winter." The establishment Democrats who are Phone 454-4239 Barnes came to Washington earlier this organized more or less around former Gov. spring and testified before the House Ways John Connally have settled on Barnes as the best they've got in the way of well- overall purpose. Therefore, the sub- CIO, made a speech commending Douglas groomed leadership material, whether they committee might wind up making book and was positioned beside him on the dais. like everything Barnes has done lately or with the Texas independents. For instance, Making the presentation, Joseph A. Beirne, not. Barnes also has tended his openings to the independents would not be nearly so president of the Communication Workers the left with a care reminiscent of that hostile toward cheap foreign oil if they, of America, recalled that on COPE's score- practiced by Lyndon Johnson. But he has themselves, could get a chance at some of card, Douglas had voted "right" 76-0. In not yet been put to the test of a tough it. Except for "historical importers," to get fighting for "causes that were years away statewide race against a well-known oppo- the oil import tickets now you have to from winning," Beirne said, Douglas has nent. have a refinery. been "a man ahead of his times, living in He has three principal options: run for our times." the Senate against Yarborough in 1970, for Douglas said he realized his name was the Senate nomination against Tower in $5,000 Is Over $2.50 being used as a symbol of many who had 1972, or for governor (either against Pres- fought the good fight, including his wife, ton Smith in 1970 or else, perhaps not The national AFL-CIO brass and many his staff, and the progressive bloc in the against Smith, in 1972). If he ran against others assembled in Washington at the Senate. Accordingly, he said, he had de- Yarborough he would sustain the political Shoreham one recent night to honor cided to return the $5,000. He asked labor wounds of a hard campaign and the abiding Paul Douglas, the senator from Illinois and to give it to four good causes which he hostility of the liberal and loyal Democrats leader of the progressive bloc from 1949 to specified. About half the crowd stood and who identify with Yarborough. Even if 1967. Labor presented Douglas the Phillip applauded as he returned the check to Barnes won the nomination, he might lose Murray-William Green Award and a check Beirne. the election as a result of liberals' prefer- for $5,000. Douglas graciously accepted While he was a senator Douglas put a ences, in such circumstances, for someone the honor and returned the money. limit of two dollars and fifty cents on the such as Bush. George Meany, president of the AFL- value of gifts he would accept. R.D. Bush likes the life in Washington; that is probably the main reason he did not run for governor, and it gives him pause about In My Opinion running for the Senate again. He would like to be senator, but if he lost he'd be out. Yarborough has a large, loyal following, the chairmanship of the Senate Labor No Small Talent Committee, and a powerful place on the House Appropriations Committee. Beyond Austin to interrupt the proceedings to read the that, Bush again has to consider the way Odessa attorney Warren Burnett is the text of cases which Burnett had referred old-line Texas Democrats would feel about subject of a long article in the current to. the prospect of being represented by two Harper's magazine, written by Larry L. King, in the July 21, 1967 Observer, re- Republican senators. King, the Harper's and Observer contribu- counted how Burnett won a reversal of a tor. Burnett is probably one of the more murder conviction before the U.S. impressive and effective of the young Supreme Court while serving as a court- Oil Depletion lawyers in the state these days and perhaps appointed lawyer for a black man. will one day contend for the mantle of I believe Larry was quite correct when Chairman Wilbur Mills of the House Houston's Percy Foreman as Texas' leading he writes in the Harper's article, of Bur- Ways and Means Committee says oil deple- trial and criminal lawyer. nett, "I mused that my old friend was tion will be cut and the use of oil "produc- Foreman has very definite ideas about something of an American rarity: an un- tion payments" as techniques of tax avoid- the rights of the accused, the quality of common mammal who, though aging and ance will be ended. Oil-state congressmen, justice before the bar, and related con- prospering, grew more rather than less of a including those from Texas, are bracing for cerns. Burnett has all these, but more, I social conscience. One thought of many an attempt to send the tax bill back to think, he is more inclined than Foreman to persons or institutions gone galloping in Mills' committee with instructions to re- worry about broader social concerns — the other direction: Hubert Humphrey; the store depletion to the full present rate if social justice. I saw this in Del Rio this fat-and-happy American labor movement; the House has not already done so, and a spring when Burnett, having driven the the Irish and the Italian and the Jew who Senate floor fight is inevitable. long distance from his home, successfully having attained a certain assimilation now Meanwhile, Sen. Philip Hart's subcom- defended more than 30 members of the begrudge the black man his own tardy rise; mittee on antitrust and monopoly has been Mexican-American Youth Organization the nameless freshman Congressmen who giving the major oil companies the bends who had been charged with parading with- came to Washington seeing young men's on tax policy, the oil import program, and out a permit. That day in Del Rio Burnett visions but who grew old and powerful and prorationing. Texas Railroad Commissioner exhibited the concern he feels for what he came to wish for little more than that Jim Langdon, testifying on the industry perceives as social wrongs and the inequali- side, vigorously upheld proration, of ties that Texas visits upon its dispossessed. July 4, 1969 15 course. M. A. Wright, president of Humble He clearly had prepared himself with awe- (Jersey Standard's wholly-owned domestic some thoroughness, to the extent that the operating company), admitted, in testi- corporation court judge twice that day had mony before Hart, Sen. Edward Kennedy, and other committee members, that Jersey expects oil impoits to double as a propor- EL CHICO, Jr. Since 1866 tion of U.S. consumption by 1985. (They Burnet Road & Hancock Dr., Austin The Place in Austin are 14% now; by 1985, Wright says, they'll be 24%.) This was bound to bring the • Beer patio under the stars • Fast service & carry-out • Delicious Mexican food GOOD FOOD Texas independents out fighting. • Dinners $1.15 to $1.45 Hart's subcommittee is well aware of its GOOD BEER central purpose — to lower oil and gas An operation of R & I INVESTMENT CO. Austin, Texas prices and increase oil and gas taxes. The Alan Reed, President 1607 San Jacinto importation of cheap foreign crude into G. Brockett Irwin, Vice President GR 7-4171 New England is only an aspect of this tomorrow could be more like yesterday. part of their rights as citizens, although employee with relation to particular office No, growing was no small talent." there may be instances when the position is such that the exercise of these rights of the company and the individual might not be advisable." G.O. Chicago's Press If you are among those who still are concerned and troubled about Chicago last summer, the Democratic convention, may I Dialogue commend to your attention a thoughtful and carefully documented study of the Sex in Austin portrayed as 20th century knights who Chicago press' reporting during that. awful charged ashore for Gawd, mamma, and free week? Nathan B. Blumberg, a professor of I just read Lee Clark's article [Gobs., June enterprise. journalism at the University of Montana, 20] on Texas legislators, and their alleged When I look back, I see a 19-year-old was in the streets of Chicago those several sexual activities in a somewhat collegiate infantry sergeant who after two years of days. What he saw on the streets and what atmosphere with playgirls playing house in college was pressed into service, indoctri- he saw in the Chicago papers are the Austin during the session. As a would-be nated, and trained to be a killer for particular object of his study — as are the legislator myself, I am shocked and dis- democracy. I see the great armada. I see broader implications of contemporary U.S. mayed on three counts. the troops that overran Europe in the journalism and the status of today's Amer- 1. This article can only make a tough ensuing eleven months, and I remember the ican society. competitive situation worse in Dallas time when the orders were given and Copies of his article ("The 'Orthodox' County as far as getting into the Legisla- carried out — "Take no prisoners." Too, I Media Under Fire: Chicago and the Press") ture is concerned. see my men shooting and thrusting are available, at no cost, I believe, from the 2. Some of the more able but senior bayonets into the bellies of fair-haired University of Montana, School of Journal- legislators will probably now find strong young Germans, who pled for their lives. ism, Missoula, Montana 59801. opponents among their hot-blooded con- We were the heroes who won the day! stituents. The orderly governmental Were we not fortunate to have had military process can only suffer. leaders who trained us in all the skills of Humble Citizens 3. This article may well result in a batch Atilla the Hun! of new faces bearing disappointed looks in Are not Americans thankful that we A "Harris County Voters Information the next Legislature. Handbook" prepared for Houston area have continued such military efficiency so I can only hope that the limited circula- that our sons can kill in Vietnam with the employees of Humble Oil recently has tion of the Observer keeps the inbound come to my attention. In the introduction effectiveness that we gallant knights traffic congestion to Austin to a minimum. displayed in World War II? it is stated that "Humble's public affairs Further, I hope that the Observer in the policy . . . encourages employees to prac- Today's papers are filled with glad future will refrain from printing such tidings of ABM systems, blood, generals, tice full citizenship." The policy, as obvious commercial propaganda of the expressed in formal action by the com- nuclear warships, hawks, and bombs given Austin motel, .apartment, and liquor inter- to us by the Almighty to preserve the good pany's board of directors, includes the ests. It is most disappointing to see this following passage: ". . Campaigning for things of life and our wonderful way of sort of switch by a journal that until now life. I can hardly continue as tears well up public office and the holding of such office has led the good fight against fraudulent by employees are also recognized as being a in my eyes while I count my many trade-school advertising. blessings on this 6th of June, so I leave you Bill Stehr, 2809 Reagan St., Dallas, Tex. with that memorable Army Air Force cry 16 The Texas Observer 75219. of WW II — "Bombs away!" until next June 6. Rebuttal from Dallas Dr. Louis E. Buck, D.V.M., 3116 With regard to Lee Clark's article "Every Wheeler St., Austin, Tex. 78705. Legislator's Wife is a Virgin" (besides re- examining my views on the subject of A Second-Hand War parthenogenesis) I wish to take umbrage at Sen. Edward Kennedy really tightened the criticism of the legislator (obviously the screws on the G.O.P. and President my husband) who, after having his progeny Nixon with his wonderful speech on the dispatched to Austin by his spouse, left stupid slaughter of our men on Hamburger them in the care of his secretary. I must Hill. Thank God that Edward Kennedy is emphatically state that my husband's secre- speaking out. tary takes excellent care of the children Some say that this horror in Vietnam and, further, that they are abidingly fond will soon be called "Nixon's war." Some of her. Mrs. Clark's article has probably say President Nixon inherited this war caused irreparable harm to a very advan- from L.B.J. I am prompted to ask this tageous babysitting situation .. . question: "Would you buy a second hand An Incensed Legislator's Wife. war from Nixon?" Some will buy a second hand war from this man but, again, mil- Normally the Observer does not print lions of Americans will not buy it. unsigned letters. We make an exception in Nell Herrin, 7146 Timber Ridge, San this case. This letter was postmarked Antonio, Tex. 78227. Dallas. —Ed. Dave Hickey, Inc. America the Beautiful If Dave Hickey decides to incorporate, I Every June 6 I get an eyeful of patriotic want a piece of the action. OK, he's not editorializing in the dailies concerning the perfect, but he sure knows the language heroic efforts of American troops "who and the lay of the land. drove a wedge into the mighty fortress of J. D. Frazee, 5409 Darlington Lane, German-occupied Europe." The troops are Austin, Tex., 78723.