The Texas Observer DEC. 8, 1967

A Journal of Free Voices A Window to The South 25c Texas Labor and 1968

Galveston that if the senator does run for gover- said he believes that the Dallas delega- US Sen. Ralph Yarborough should stay nor "there's no question of what our peo- tion to the state House of Representa- on the job in Washington and not return ple will do, break their necks trying to tives will be all Republican next year; as to Texas to run for governor. So be- get him elected. So I guess we're not in for the State Senate, Dallas is represented lieve virtually all of the approximately a very good bargaining condition." at present by a liberal Democrat (Oscar 75 Texas labor leaders who gathered here Mauzy), a Republican (Ike Harris), and a conservative Democrat (Jim Wade). last weekend. But if Yarborough does de- BROWN ASKED for a show of cide to make the race, he doubtless can Thus, Freeland believes, in this case hands by the executive board members labor money should be spent trying to count on labor's moral and financial sup- present as to whether the senator should port, these same men and women con- beat Wade, possibly the last sympa- make the race; three or four voted that thetic contact at Austin that Establish- ceded. The Texas AFL-CIO executive he should, the rest said not. Brown then board, international union officers and ment people in Dallas will have with asked whether the members would sup- their legislative delegation. Local and staff members, area council officers, and port Yarborough should he make the race the Committee on Political Education Congressional races were expected to be anyway; every hand was raised affirm- the particular concern of the State AFL- convened here last weekend for a variety atively. of purposes. Also on hand were volun- CIO next year prior to Connally's deci- teer workers for the liberals' Committee Brown discussed his views on the mat- sion not to run again; whether there has for Better Voter Participation, who held ter, saying that if the Senator runs it been a new decision on this, based on the a meeting one night here. will mean three hard campaigns ( the first improved prospects now for liberal can- The single unifying feature of all the primary, a runoff, and the general elec- didates, is uncertain. Probably, however, business and social talk at the Galvez tion), but he felt this could be no prob- promising statewide liberal candidates Hotel was politics — mainly the question lem. More of a drawback in Brown's mind will find labor backing them with money of whether Sen. Yarborough should run is the matter of raising money for the and endorsements. Labor's problem is not for governor. There was some thought special senatorial election that would re- to spread its rather limited resources too beforehand that Texas labor might de- sult shoyild Yarborough become gover- thin. nor. Brown said that more than a mil- clare itself as to candidates it would fa- Paul Teague of Texas City, the business vor in statewide races. Nonetheless only lion dollars would have to be raised to push Yarborough's successor, an amount agent of the operating engineer's union one candidate, a liberal, was on hand, and an unofficial visitor here, urged that Don Gladden, the Fort Worth Representa- of money that labor and liberals have never raised for any campaign, Brown labor people give consideration to the oth- tive who is running for lieutenant gover- er components of the state liberal move- nor. None of the various prospective can- said. Though Brown didn't mention it at the time, raising enough money for Yar- ment. "We have been charged of dictat- didates were here. It was unnecessary for ing to the rest of the liberal community them to be present, as it turned out; en- borough's gubernatorial race would be a problem, too; a million dollars is the fig- before," Teague said. "It seems that oth- dorsements will come next March 1-2 in ers in the coalition, Negroes, Mexican- Galveston when COPE convenes for that ure mentioned most often for such a cam- paign; one Washington source believes Americans, and liberals, are all-out for purpose. Hank Brown, the Texas AFL- the senator making the race. We should CIO president, thought it best that no that labor would chip in .as much as $100,000 for Yarborough next year but consider this." Brown noted that "seven political statements be issued this week- of ten Negro and Mexican-American lead- end, probably because of the indefinite doubts that more than a half-million dol- lars could be raised overall. ers" he's talked to definitely favor the shape of 1968 Texas politics at this point. senator's running. He called on Ron Platt, Most of the speakers here, and all but Roy Evans, the Texas AFL-CIO secre- Beaumont, the chairman of Texas Liber- three or four of the delegates, were out- tary-treasurer, said he has talked with al Democrats, to comment at this point. spoken in their conviction that Sen. Yar- the senator rather often in recent days, Platt said that before Connally's an- borough will best serve the labor move- and believes Yarborough hasn't made.up nouncement most liberals, according to his mind yet. Evans said he has told the ment by staying in the Senate. They cited a TLD poll, thought the senator should his ascendancy in the labor committee senator of labor's reluctance for Yar- not run. But at the recent , TLD meeting and important votes on matters dear to borough to make the race, a reluctance at Midland, after Connally's announce- the senator is aware of, Evans said. "I the hearts of labor. Two guest speakers ment, sentiment was about evenly divid- whose work in the labor movement is na- think we can have both Yarboroughs, ed among those present. "If he runs we'll Don as governor, Ralph as senator," tional were unequivocal on the matter of support him," Platt said. "But, really, it's Evans said. Yarborough leaving the senate. Margaret irrelevant as he'll make up his own mind Thornburgh of Okmulgee, Okla., the na- Don Horn, head of the Houston area anyway." tional director of women's activities for labor council, said he doubts the wisdom COPE in the 23 Western states, said that of the senator becoming governor as, Discussion turned briefly to other races "We don't have enough good ones like without some changei in the legislature, and candidates. One board member asked him up there," speaking of Yarborough Yarborough's program would be frustrat- Evans what Franklin Spears intends. in the Senate. 'Don Ellinger of Washing- ed. Gene Freeland, a Dallas labor Evans said that Spears is still looking ton,. DC, the political director of the In- council leader, said he believes la- at the lieutenant governor's race; he def- ternational Assn. of Machinists, said es- bor money earmarked for campaign funds initely won't run for governor. If Spears sentially the same thing, adding, however, would better be spent in local races. He makes a statewide race next year, Evans went on, it would be for either attorney support of the administration's foreign "In spite of these efforts [to secure general or the state supieme court. policy. As part of that organization, we, peace] our president is constantly sub- "Franklin would love to run for attorney also, must support that policy and the jected to unreasonable and irresponsible general but, because of the usual state president. Of course," Brown noted, there criticism. And you know that Hitler's history, we are advising against it as the are individual members of the state la- propagandist Goebbels said that the big- incumbent [Crawford Martin] has served bor organization who do not approve of ger the lie the better, as people will have only one term" and one-termers normally the Vietnam war and this nation's role to believe some of it. And I might add are re-elected. However, it was reported in that, but, in the name of union soli- that many of the critics have little re- from San Antonio last week that Spears darity such individuals should "be quiet," sponsibility. But even though this criti- "probably" will run for one of several Brown believes. cism is unreasonable and irresponsible, district court benches in Bexar county. Mrs. Thornburgh noted that polls have it has its effect. If it does nothing else it shown union people to be "overwhelming- creates a great confusion, for although THE LABOR people here prob- ly hawkish." She devoted most of her talk Americans are aware of the existence of ably were given a preview of the Demo- to urging union support of Johnson next demagogues, they have never experienced cratic thesis that will be employed dur- year. the volume and crescendo to which they ing the 1968 presidential campaign. Speak- Cong. Jack Brooks, Beaumont, an ex- are presently subjected. ers here, emissaries of the federal admin- Marine with liberal credentials who has "These people are complaining, and istration and of the national labor es- supported the Johnson foreign policy, they've never had it so good," Brooks tablishment repeatedly urged support of spoke in forceful terms at a luncheon, said. LBJ next year. The president's re-election citing domestic economic figures in call- Throughout their time here the labor was advocated mainly on the basis of ing for Johnson's relection. ". . . [W]ith people seemed to go along with this line unparalleled domestic prosperity. As for these facts in mind," Brooks said, "Presi- of argument, though, really, it didn't seem the war, it is a war that President John- dent Johnson's reelection would appear that they were very interested in the son did not seek but is prosecuting ac- to be a cinch — and deservedly so. Un- Southeast Asian conflict; at least, not as cording to commitments made by his pre- fortunately, this is not the situation. Un- much as they are interested in repeal of decessors. The critics of the war policy fortunately, we are engaged in a war in 14-B, implementation of the Great So- were characterized as irresponsible dema- Vietnam—one that we did not seek—did ciety, and changing the prevailing politi- gogues by speakers here. not start and do not want. . . . This is cal landscape in Texas. Vietnam seemed The Texas AFL-CIO's commitment to not a popular war with our president. far away this weekend - in Galveston, de- President Johnson in 1968 was settled No man in the world has suffered more spite the exhortations from out-of-state long ago, as president Brown noted. "The anguish over it nor is more intent on speakers. Johnson will get the support national AFL-CIO has taken its stand in securing peace than he. of Texas labor people regardless of Viet- nam, because of the widely-held convic- tion that the Great Society and the Demo- cratic party are more likely to run the THE TEXAS OBSERVER country to the AFL-CIO's liking than are the Republicans. © Texas Observer Co., Ltd. 1967

A Journal of Free Voices A Window to the South ABOUT 40 persons attended the 61st YEAR—ESTABLISHED 1906 voter registration meeting. Reports were heard from persons of Harris, Galveston,

Vol. LIX, No. 24 7461#1° , Dec. 8, 1967 Midland, Brazos, Jefferson, Brazoria, Wichita, and Tarrant counties, as well as Incorporating the State Observer and the with him. Writers are responsible for their own from the East Texas Voters League, a East Texas Democrat, which in turn incor- work, but not for anything they have not them- group based in Huntsville working to ported the State Week and Austin Forum- selves written, and in publishing them the edi- register Negroes in East Texas; the Young Advocate. tor does not necessarily imply that he agrees with them, because this is a journal of free Democrats; and several organizations We will serve no group or party but will hew working among Mexican-American voters. hard to the truth as we find it and the right voices. Unsigned articles are the editor's. as we see it. We are dedicated to the whole Subscription Representatives: Arlington, Hopes of the committee's members are truth, to human values above all interests, to George N. Green, 300 E. South College St., CR 7- still high that a record registration (more the rights of man as the foundation of democ- 0080; Austin, Mrs. Helen C. Spear, 2615 Pecos, than three million) can be achieved in racy; we will take orders from none but our HO 5-1805; Corpus Christi, Penny Dudley, 12241/2 Second St., Texas; much preliminary work is being own conscience, and never will we overlook or TU.4-1460; Dallas, Mrs. Cosi.- dye Hall, 5835 Ellsworth, TA 1-1205; Ft. Worth, done earlier than usual and it is thought misrepresent the truth to serve the interests Dolores Jacobsen, 3025 Greene Ave., WA 4-9655; of the powerful or cater to the ignoble in the Houston, Mrs. Kitty Peacock, 718 Capital National that by the end of January a record may human spirit. Bank Building, CA 8-7956; Lubbock, Doris Blais- be achieved. Latane Lambert, the com- Editor, Greg Olds. dell, 2515 24th St., Midland, Eva Dennis, 4306 mittee's executive director, reported that Partner, Mrs. R. D. Randolph. Douglas, OX 4-2825; Snyder, Enid Turner, 2210 Editor-at-largi:, Ronnie Dugger. 30th St., HI 3-9497 or HI 3-6061; San Antonio, Mrs. "the most gratifying thing is the wide Business Manager, Sarah Payne. Mae B. Tuggle, 531 Elmhurst, TA 6-3583. participation of the young." She said Associate Manager, C. R. Olofson. The Observer is published by Texas Observer there is some sign 'that new voters, peo- Contributing Editors, Elroy Bode, Winston Co., Ltd., biweekly from Austin, Texas. En- ple who have not been registered before, Bode, Bill Brammer, Sue Horn Estes, Larry tered as second-class matter April 26, 1937, at are being reached. She cited the example Goodwyn, Harris Green, Bill Helmer, Dave Hic- the Post Office at Austin, Texas, under the Act key, Franklin Jones, Lyman Jones, Larry L. of March 3, 1879. Second class postage paid at of south Dallas, where workers in a Ne- King, Georgia Earnest Klipple, Al Melinger, gro neighborhood signed up 13,000 per- Robert L. Montgomery, Willie Morris, James Austin, Texas. Delivered postage prepaid $6.00 Presley, Charles Ramsdell, John Rogers, Mary a year; two years, $11.00; three years, $15.00. sons, of whom 10,000 were not registered Beth Rogers, Roger Shattuck, Robert Sherrill, Foreign rates on request. Single copies 25c; for 1967. Dan Strawn, Tom Sutherland, Charles Alan prices for ten or more for students, or bulk Wright. orders, on request. The AFL-CIO's Evans complained that Contributing Photographer, not enough money has been raised to Russell Lee. Editorial and Business Offices: The Texas The Observer publishes articles, essays, and Observer, 504 West 24th St., Austin, Texas 78705. support the committee's work, work that creative work of the shorter forms having to Telephone GR 7-0746. Evans said is unique in Texas in that it do in various ways with this area. The pay Houston office: 718 Capital National Bank is not candidate- but issue-oriented. depends: -at present it is token. Unsolicited Building, Houston, Texas 77002. Telephone CA "But something is missing," he said. "The manuscripts must be accompanied by return 8-7956. postage. enthusiasm is not there. Perhaps Con- Change of Address: Please give old and new nally's announcement and the candidacies The editor has exclusive control over the edi- address and allow three weeks. of one of the Yarboroughs and Don Glad- torial policies and contents of the Observer. Form 3579 regarding undelivered copies: Send None of the other people who are associated to Texas Observer, 504 W. 24th, Austin, Texas den will help." He stressed that it is new with the enterprise shares this responsibility 78705. voters that the committee must work for, not concerning itself with 'the number of approved for each office. The Committee that is, San Antonio southward. Munoz 1967 voters that are being re-registered for Better Voter Participation is largely says there is a lot of quiet political or- on forms sent out by the county tax supported by union money. ganizing activity in Mexican-American assessor-collectors. Mrs. Lambert and co-worker Betsey precincts of South and West Texas. The Mrs. Lambert said that $7,500 had been Wright, the president of the Texas Young confrontation during La Marcha at New needed to be raised for the committee Democrats, reported that "the registra- Braunfels has triggered a political aware- but less than $1,000 has been obtained tion campaign in the Negro community ness among mexicanos that extends not to date. She said Don Yarborough is plan- is significantly ahead of past efforts." In only to the governor's race next year, but ning a fund raising tour to support the many counties, they said, "Negro regis- to all statewide races, as well as legisla- committee's work. tration committees are operating without tive and Congressional campaigns. He The AFL-CIO executive board had vot- financial or any other kind of help from said, for example, that in West Texas ed at its meeting that afternoon to open outside the local Negro community." Mexican-Americans are talking of work- a West Texas office particularly for the Henry Munoz, the State AFL-CIO's di- registration of Mexican-Americans; and rector of equal opportunity, says that ing against the reelection of Cong. 0. C. an East Texas office to work in Negro there is considerable activity south of Fisher and State Sen. Dorsey Hardeman. precincts. Budgets of $1,000 monthly were what he calls the "Mexican-Dixon Line"; G.O.

The Race for Governor V A settling-out process has begun and Carr; Connally and many of his followers as a moderate; he ran with some liberal the shape of the 1968 gubernatorial don't get too worked up about Carr's can- support in an unsuccessful race against race has become a bit more clear. The didacy, either. conservative Cong. John Dowdy, Athens, main question now is whether Sen. Ralph in 1964. One associate of Dies says that if Yarborough will run; you can find sup- Smith's Campaign Sen. Yarborough does not run, the former port for either opinion on this: National Congressman's son may enter the race labor leaders are said to want the sen- In the meantime, the only formally- as a peace candidate. ator to stay in Washington; they are also announced candidate, Lt. Gov. Pres- How, then, does one balance that specu- described by other sources as wanting ton Smith, continues to campaign around lation with similar talk that Dies has been Yarborough to govern Texas, as the state the state. There are signs he is picking approached by Democrats and Republi- still has a right to work law. Texas lib- up some of the pieces of the Connally cans to run for either governor or lieu- erals are described variously as putting political empire. He wrote 300 letters to tenant governor? If Dies, Jr., is a dove he intense pressure on the senator to run leaders of the conservative wing of the is a unique breed. and as keen on keeping Yarborough at party, including members of the state V Though the chances of liberals cap- work in Washington. "Sources close to Democratic executive committee. Smith turing the Democratic party machin- the senator" are quoted both ways: he'll says he has received 200 favorable replies. ery next year have generally dismissed run, he won't run. But, the Houston Chronicle's Bo Byers quite perfunctorily, given the Connally- The best guess remains that Yarbor- reports, there is a group of 40 key cam- crats' stranglehold on the apparatus at ough still is undecided, 'though it must paign leaders who have withheld their this point, there is speculation by the be said at this point that he is leaning support, hoping, it is said, that a more knowledgeable Jon Ford in the San An- towards making the race. If he runs, likely winner will get into the race. By- tonio paper that liberals might possibly Yarborough is expected to announce in ers talked with 17 SDEC members, find- pull it off. Ford notes that the Connally early January. ing one who is behind Smith, the others troops are in disarray and are disheart- V Meanwhile, Establishmentarians are waiting, mostly. Smith is said to have a ened; and the Establishment candidates truly having their troubles trying to charisma gap. for governor do not have the battle ex- Connallycrats are characterized as find and unite behind a candidate. Gov . perience in convention warfare that Sen. John Connally evidently prefers Frank either uniting behind Smith or some oth- Yarborough and many of his followers Ikard, a former Congressman who is now er prospective candidate, waiting things have. head of the American Petroleum Insti- out awhile, joining Connally in retiring tute. There are reports that the governor from state politics, or turning their at- Republican Worries asked Ikard to make the race; and Con- tention to electing House Speaker Ben nally praised Ikard at some length dur- Barnes as lieutenant governor. The Republicans, with Tower out and ing a press conference. But Ikard told V Other Democratic candidates men- Houston Cong. George Bush stand- Connally, the governor says, that he's not tioned before are no longer consi- ing aside, watching, are talking mostly interested in the race. dered in the gubernatorial race. these days about Albert Fay challenging V The Houston Post's Bill Gardner re- for the governor's job. But there is a V The booms for two other prospective ports that a private poll made this conviction that Fay lacks wide voter ap- inheritors of the Connally mantle are fall by the SDEC shows, with. Connally peal. Probably there is pressure on Bush fading — those of Dolph Briscoe, the out of the race, that Carr was the first to make the race. Uvalde agribusiness leader; and of for- choice of 24% of 1,047 Texans of voting mer Cong. Joe Kilgore. V US Sen. John Tower's interest in a age, followed in order, by Ralph Yarbor- gubernatorial race m u s t be dis- V Connally's number one appointee, ough 22%, Smith 19%, Barnes 11%, Don counted in view of the important role the Secy. of State John Hill, will an- Yarborough 7%, and Franklin Spears 3%. Texas senator will play at next year's nounce for the gubernatorial race in mid- V An interesting feature of the pre-cam- Republican convention. Tower is ex- January, but Connally isn't much excited paign phase of the gubernatorial pected to control at least 300 delegate by the prospect, it would appear. Connal- jousting are the rumors heard about votes at Miami Beach, an important bloc ly and Hill have not been particularly Martin Dies, Jr., the son of the first chair- if the contest for the nomination remains close. Another Establishmentarian who man of the House un-American Activities likely will make the race is Waggoner Committee. The younger Dies is described December 8, 1967 3 as open as it seems now. son-Reed people get together with the three said the issue is doubtful; nine say V Improved GOP prospects of electing a O'Donnell-Tower people when it comes LBJ will carry their districts; two were Texas governor are an additional rea- time to unite behind one candidate? If noncommittal; and five were not heard son for party workers to worry about the choice at the convention ultimately from. avoiding any splits in the ranks of the lies between Nixon and Reagan, that, in V There is some speculation on the part itself, would not be a serious question, state's minority party. Republicans have of the highly-conservative Houston been working to encourage national unity given the two candidates' similar ideo- Tribune that some Dallas and Houston by encouraging a variety of favorite son logical stances; but years-old differences conservative Democratic legislators may presidential candidates next year. Tower among the two branches of the Texas Re- switch to the GOP next year, sensing that publican Party is another matter. This is one of these. 1968 may not be a good year for the problem was not worked out in 1964. V But despite the stated intention of the Demos. The Tribune cites the recent vic- .V The most recent development in the tory of Republican Ike Harris, who will Texas GOP to remain behind Tower Texas drive for Reagan is the hiring as an approach to neutrality prior to Mi- succeed the late George Parkhouse of of a professional campaign organizer Dallas in the Senate; as well as the de- ami Beach, there are signs that Ronald from California, Robert Walker, who Reagan is becoming the unmistakable gree of success the GOP had in six spe- managed Reagan's primary in San Diego cial House races. Seven Houston House preference of many influential Republi- and had a hand in the recent congression- cans in the state. It had earlier been sus- members who run at large in Republican al candidacy of Shirley Temple Black. Cong. George Bush's district are parti- pected that Texas Republicans preferred Walker is now in Houston for what is de- one of the "Goldwater heirs," either Rea- cularly cited by the Tribune as prospects scribed as an extended stay. He was rec- for switching parties. gan or Richard Nixon. The idea was to let ommended to the Texans by Tom Reed. the primaries decide which would win the Reagan's press secretary has denied that support of states such as Texas that are the hiring of Walker in Texas is the doing Decisions Awaited in the party's conservative wing. of the California governor as preparation A recent development indicates that for a presidential campaign. There are some public officials who Nixon may not be able to count on Texas, V Meanwhile, Tower continues to be- are interested in the upcoming deci- virtually regardless of his performance in come a more imposing figure in the sions that must be made soon by Sen. the primaries. He has been looking for a national party. He has spoken in many of Yarborough and Cong. Graham Purcell, man to head his national campaign and, the states in recent months. And not long among others. If the senator decides to national columnists Evans and Novak re- ago he sent out letters to an old Gold- run for governor, and wins, then such port, had talked with Tower about the water mailing list soliciting funds for the men as Cong. Jim Wright of Fort Worth, job several times in Nixon's New York campaign of Florida Cong. Edward J. Gur- Cong. Bob Eckhardt of Houston, Don law office. Had Tower accepted, this ney, whom Tower says has a 97% Ameri- Yarborough of Houston, and Cong. Jack would have given Nixon a strong claim cans for Constitutional Action voting rec- Brooks of Beaumont would be interested over Reagan for Texas support in the bat- ord. Gurney will run for the Senate seat in trying to succeed Yarborough in Wash- tle for the '68 nomination. Reagan backers being vacated by Democrat George Sma- ington — as would Republican Cong. in Texas got wind of what was going on, thers. George Bush of Houston and conservative the columnists say, and that stopped that; Democrat Waggoner Carr. Tower had to back off before saying he V The chairman of the Iowa GOP has Should Wright leave Congress, State would take the lead in Nixon's campaign. written an angry letter to Tower Sen. Don Kennard and Dist. Atty. Frank asking that the Texas senator not solicit Tower and state GOP chairman Peter Coffey are mentioned as potential succes- funds in Iowa for Gurney, saying that sors. O'Donnell both seem to prefer Nixon at Republicans there have several important this point; but neither man would have races ahead next year. V Purcell is mentioned as a Yarborough- many ideological problems in aligning LBJ compromise for a federal court himself with Reagan, should the Califor- V A handful of liberal Republicans in Dallas have formed a chapter of the vacancy at Amarillo. There is hesitancy in nia governor best Nixon in the primaries this, however, because of the prospect of or begin to pull ahead at Miami Beach. Ripon Society, hoping to develop some ideas for local GOP candidates. The so- losing Purcell's Congressional seat to the Evans and Novak express doubt that ciety was organized in 1962 in Massachu- GOP. The district now includes part of Tower can hold the Texas delegation for setts as a research organization and now north Dallas county, a Republican strong- Nixon, as they suspect Tower had been has several affiliates. The group bitterly hold. Frank Crowley, a well - regarded hoping to do. "We'll give Tower the dele- opposed Goldwater's nomination. county commissioner, plans to run against gation on the first ballot, but he may not Purcell next year anyway; he'd run in any be able to nail it down if the Reagan thing special election, should Purcell take the keeps moving as fast as it's moving to- LBJ and Texas judgeship. Another prospect for the race day," the columnists quote a "high-level is Ed Gossett, who recently moved into Reagan backer in Texas" as saying. If LBJ runs, will he carry Texas next the Dallas county portion of the district. year? Probably so, but not by the Gossett, a member of the US House 1939- V All this is reminiscent of the 1950's more-than-700,000-vote margin of 1964. If when Texas Republicans were split '51 (from approximately the same dis- Republicans can find a gubernatorial can- trict) is a telephone company lawyer; between Eisenhower and Taft. H. J. didate to get excited about, that will give (Jack) Porter and Thad Hutcheson, both he wrote an article advocating the aboli- further impetus to their efforts next fall. tion of the electoral college; it ap- of Houston, led the Eisenhower forces' Liberals will to some significant extent capture of the Texas GOP machinery back peared in the November Reader's Digest. leave the Johnson column because of the Gossett is a most conservative gentleman. then, only to lose control in 1962 to O'Don- war and its detrimental effect on the nell, who was representing the then-nas- One other potential successor to Purcell is Great Society. Conservatives are upset State Sen. Jack Hightower, Vernon, who cent Goldwater drive. Porter and Hutche- about riots and a "no-win' policy in Viet- son had no part in the 1964 campaign in has been making soundings about such a nam. race and reports his findings to his liking. Texas that O'Donnell led. Larry Reed, also V Dallas political writer Jim Lehrer of Houston, who is the uncle of Tom says that "with the possible exception V Who is to challenge Republican Cong. Reed, the Reagan man who handles the of the Ashbury-Haight area of San Fran- Bob Price, Pampa, in 1968? There has governor's out-of-state scheduling, has cisco, Lyndon Johnson's popularity is no been talk of State Rep. Ralph Wayne, joined with Porter and Hutcheson to form lower anywhere than it is in Dallas." Plainview, making the race, but it is the leadership of Reagan's drive in Texas. V Of the state's 25-man Congressional thought now that Wayne would seek The question is: can the Porter-Hutche- delegation, six ( the three Republicans Hightower's Senate seat, should High- among them) told the Associated Press tower try to succeed Purcell. Otherwise, 4 The Texas Observer that LBJ is in trouble in their districts; Wayne probably will rim for reelection. do with some handbills that were distribu- V "I don't know if we can win without Gladden Announces ted at Austin and Dallas accusing his ad- the use of the hydrogen bomb," Dal- Don Gladden's announcement that he ministration of wrongdoing. Lie detector las billionaire and right winger H. L. Hunt will definitely run for lieutenant gov- tests may be conducted for the two men, said recently of the Vietnam war. Hunt ernor probably means that Franklin both of whom deny any connection with told a Chicago reporter he favors Ohio Spears will not make that race and may the handbills. Sen. Frank Lausche for the 1968 Demo- keep State Sen. Joe Bernal out, as well. The LCB has been in the news for the cratic presidential nomination. All three men have liberal credentials. last several weeks, ever since the Baptist V American Opinion, a right wing or- Gladden said he has recently talked with General Convention of Texas called for an ganization, is sponsoring recorded Spears but not Bernal; he predicted last investigation of the board because of al- telephone messages in Houston that at- week that Spears would not run against leged lax or partial enforcement of state tack Sen. Robert Kennedy. him. liquor laws. V Don Allford, who was formerly the V The question of whether Gladden will V Atty. Gen. Crawford Martin says he Texas man for the draft-Kennedy receive the endorsement and finan- will file suits against at least five group, has allied himself with the Dissent- cial backing of the State AFL-CIO is un- Harris county dump operators at the re- ing Democrats, who are working for no settled. Labor leaders had wanted Spears quest of the Texas Air Control Board, particular candidate but simply want to to run for the No. 2 spot. Gladden pre- raising the prospect of the first court replace Johnson. Allford believes that dicts he'll get the endorsement of COPE, tests of the state air pollution control act. Kennedy had pulled himself out of con- labor's political arm, next March. His vot- V An accountant in Martin's office was tention for next year, so moved to the ing record in the most recent legislative killed last week while flying a private DD work. There are signs the New York session, according to the Texas AFL-CIO, plane during office hours to the Big Bend Senator may be reconsidering 1968. There was 15 "right," one "wrong"; in his four country to pick up Martin and three as- also is talk that the McCarthy drive would, legislative terms Gladden was 88 and four sistants, all of whom had been deer hunt- if it shows signs of viability, be inherited ( plus one absent ), according to labor, so ing. The plane's expenses are paid for by by Kennedy. ideology is not Gladden's problem, with private, not state funds, when used for V Television star Robert Vaughn ("The the labor people. private purposes, an official in the AG Man from UNCLE"), the national More likely it is a question of Spears office says. The same plane is available on chairman of the DD's, will speak in Austin being better known statewide. Nonethe- a partial lease arrangement for the offi- in February. less it would be distinctly surprising if cial use of the attorney general's depart- V The Texas DD's have named Tom labor didn't give Gladden its endorsement. ment. Gresham, Waco broadcaster, as their As for money, there is an inclination V United Press International has report- state finance chairman. among labor leaders to invest in the races ed that about 20% of all DPS flights that are more likely of success; Gladden in fiscal 1967 were to carry state officials, therefore may not get the financial boost including a number of legislators. Fifty- Back in California one of the flights were made at "pas- from the AFL-CIO that Spears would have Two Californians who have spent a received, but he probably expects some senger's request," with no other explana- tion logged. DPS director Homer Garri- considerable amount of time in help- help nonetheless. Gladden was at labor's ing lead the strike of farm workers in Galveston meetings last weekend and may son says requests are made of other agencies but his department is called on the Texas Valley have returned to their have achieved a better understanding be- home state. They are Eugene Nelson and tween labor people and himself. most often "because we have better planes and better pilots." Garrison says Bill Chandler. V Money problems or not, Gladden, hav- V Meanwhile, there is talk in liberal ing made his formal entry into the he leaves it to the officials as to whether the flights are for official business, since circles that Cesar Chavez, the farm race, began flying around the state imme- workers' national leader, may try to re- diately thereafter, making public appear- "They're the ones who have to answer to the voters, not me." suscitate the Texas strike next spring. ances and lining up support. He'll have to But the situation in Starr county is very fly many a mile to catch up with his only much in disarray. announced opponent to date, Speaker Vietnam in Texas Ben Barnes. One recent day Barnes flew V Doran Williams has been named the from Odessa to San Antonio, to Austin, to The Students for a Democratic So- new executive director of the Texas Plainview, to Amarillo. He's averaging ciety have been restored to the Austin Civil Liberties Union. The young attorney about eight appearances weekly. Gladden campus of the University of Texas, after served this past summer in legal aid work last week was in Weslaco, Edinburg, Mc- having been banished last spring for con- in Starr county. Allen, Houston, Beaumont, Lufkin, Pam- ducting an unauthorized meeting on cam- V The 13-weeks-long boycott of three pa, and Amarillo. Mostly he visited news- pus to organize an anti-war protest. The schools in the Settegast area of the papers and television stations for inter- UT regents have denied permission for an Northeast Houston school district has views. SDS chapter to be formed on the campus ended [Obs., Sept. 29]. At one time 1,200 V Gladden, an attorney, noted in his an- at Arlington. The decision has been re- students were enrolled in "freedom nouncement that he, unlike Barnes, ported to the American Assn. of Univer- schools" set up privately for the boycot- "has proven his ability to provide for him- sity professors, and the American Civil ting students. At the end of the boycott self and his family in pursuit of his non- Liberties is looking into the matter. about 500 were in the freedom schools. political profession ...." Gladden indi- V Two UT-Austin students who mailed Reports from Houston do not indicate cated that he will make issues of the mini- their draft cards back to their draft that any concessions were won from the mum wage, independence of special inter- boards have been reclassified I-A. Maury all-white school board, except that stu- ests, and political priorities based on phi- Maverick, Jr., the San Antonio lawyer and dents who participated in the effort will losophy, not on "the most pressing de- civil libertarian, is representing the two not be discriminated against in promo- mands of the strongest lobby on any men. tions. The boycott was called because of given matter." V The US Supreme Court has declined promises many Negro parents said had to hear the cases of the "Fort Hood been broken in spending bond money. Three," a trio of soldiers who refused or- V In Houston Mayor Louie Welch won State Affairs ders to board transportation for duty in re-election handily over city sales tax Vietnam (Obs., Aug. 4). The soldiers have foe and former mayor Lewis Cutrer. In Why two Liquor Control Board work- contended that the war is illegal on sev- school board voting Mrs. Charles White, ers from Dallas have been suspended eral grounds, among them the absence of the liberal Negro member, was beaten in by LCB administrator Coke Stevenson, a Congressional declaration. Two justices seeking a third term. Jr., remains unclear. Evidently Stevenson dissented, wanting to determine at least ❑ thinks they may have had something to whether the court had jurisdiction. December 8, 1967 5

V An Inquiry at UT-El Paso

El Paso, Austin ciology department of U.T.E.P., was called principles of academic freedom and the A case of potentially grave import into the office of the president of that right of a professor to engage in research for a sociology professor and the school, Joseph M. Ray, and asked for a and in political activities of his own University of Texas system has become detailed report on his contacts with the choosing, as long as they are not sub- public knowledge. The issues are aca- Alianza Federal de Mercedes in New versive, will be upheld." demic freedom and responsibility on the Mexico, a group that seeks the compen- An even more puzzling conflict in pub- one hand and the role of partisan poli- sation of Spanish-Americans for land lic statements has appeared. "I received tics in Texas higher education on the spirited away from them by Anglos in the an inquiry a couple of weeks ago from other. The dispute is already festering last century. the attorney general of New Mexico, and in public; whether it will infect the blood Ray has called the inquiry, initiated I have asked for the' information neces- stream of the state's university system is from Austin, "unique in my experience as sary to reply to him," Erwin was quoted now being settled behind the closed doors a college administrator," but, in consul- by the UPI on Nov. 30. The wire service and edgy, careful statements of the prin- tation with Knowlton, he has made a re- asked New Mexico Atty. Gen. Boston Witt cipals. port to Ransom. and reported he said he made no such The faculty member is Dr. Clark inquiry to Erwin or anyone else in Tex- Knowlton of the University of Texas at as. "I haven't requested anything on PRECISELY AS in the SDS El Paso. An inquiry about him has pro- Knowlton," Witt said. controversy, a question has arisen wheth- UPI naturally went back to Erwin with ceeded on the initiative of the two er Erwin or Ransom is the principal in- top officials of the UT system at Austin, this, and he said, "Well, that's his busi- stigator of the UT system's activity. In Frank Erwin, chairman of the board of ness. I stand on what I said." UPI asked the SDS matter, questions were asked him if Witt's request was in writing, and regents and the Democratic national com- why Ransom issued' a statement prohibit- mitteeman for Texas, and Harry Ransom, Erwin declined to say. ing a certain Sunday meeting in advance Erwin also said he gave Ransom a re- who is the chancellor of the university of it; in effect this constituted the ques- system, although he recently ceased to quest for a report. "I don't know whether tion, was this Erwin or Ransom? Ran- I asked him for a report or whether I be president of the main university. som' took full responsibility. However, at Observer presstime, there just gave it to him, but I'm sure he didn't Erwin has told reporters he asked for think I gave it to him just for him to was no reason to suspect that Knowlton the Knowlton investigation. Ransom said would come under formal investigation frame it and hang it on his wall. It looks he requested the report. These state- to me," Erwin told UPI, "like some- or disciplinary action of any kind. ments could appear to conflict but prob- The political colorations of the matter body's trying to make something out of ably do not. Erwin could have asked for nothing. If anybody ever recommends streak its surface and can readily be the investigation; Ransom, for the writ- sketched. any action, that would be a good time ten report. The answer to the question, to look into it." Erwin is a friend of President John- who started it, would not inhere neces- (Somebody indeed was trying to "make son's and Gov. John Connally's. Tradi- sarily in such an explanation, but ordi- something" out of the case, whether it tionally the Democratic national commit- narily the first step as between these was "nothing" or not. The El Paso Her- teeman from Texas is chosen by the gov- two would be a request for an investiga- ald-Post, for instance, had run a black ernor in about the same way a Presiden- tion. eight-column page-one headline, "PROBE tial nominee usually selects his own vice- Actually, this question may have been UTEP PROF'S REBEL LINKUP.") presidential running-mate. Erwin there- specifically settled by a statement made Ransom said Ray in El Paso "volun- fore wears two hats, one political, the by Dr. Ray on Nov. 29. other academic; he owes not just one, but teered the first comment and I asked him "I have known since I first met Dr. to fill it in. I asked for it because of both of them to Connally, who appointed Knowlton of his interest in the affairs him to the regents. widespread comment in the press . . . of Spanish-Americans in northern New and the fact that I thought the central Erwin is aware this makes him vulner- Mexico," the UTEP president said. "He administration and the regents should be able to purely political suspicions. For has conducted extensive research and has informed." instance, in the matter of the Johnson- many publications in this field. oriented library and school being erected "His writings are widely respected both Why so much dispute over who started now at the University of Texas at Austin, in the University System and outside. it? Because Erwin's political connections Erwin remarked to an interviewer that "The first notice I had of complaints make the university community sensitive he had had to proceed with great care being made against Dr. Knowlton came to the imputation that Erwin is initiating because of this consideration. from Chairman Frank C. Erwin Jr. of inquiries of a potentially punitive kind On the other hand, during the sensa- our board of regents. against political critics of Erwin's allies tionally publicized disputes over Students "Shortly thereafter Chancellor Harry in politics. for a Democratic Society and Vietnam H. Ransom requested of me a report on "Let me make it clear, as I have repeat- demonstrations of the last academic year, the situation and_ the report was submit- edly tried to do with varying degrees of Erwin personally played an active role ted. No processes will be started among success," Ransom told the Observer, "that Knowlton is not being charged with hostile toward anti-war demonstrators, the faculty here , concerning Dr. Knowl- on one occasion addressing a rally on- ton, except on direction of the Chancellor anything, nor is he on trial, nor is he be- campus. or the Board of Regents." ing investigated. We are simply asking for a report." The chancellor said he had in- Connally recently addressed a confer- Thus Erwin initiated the matter with . ence on Mexican-American problems at Ray, at any rate; and Ray says action sisted to Ray that Knowlton be kept ad- El Paso and was booed. Knowlton, who will not start concerning Knowlton un- vised of the contents and purpose of the was present, was then widely quoted in less Ransom or the board (not Erwin report.' the press as stating, "I would say that only) so direct. Ransom said that Knowlton volun- Gov. John Connally is one politician who "I am not sure why the request was teered copies of his academic papers, is persona non grata to the Mexicans. On made," Knowlton said in a statement the "which," Ransom said, "are pretty high- the other hand, [ Sen. Ralph] Yarborough same day, "but I have complete confi- ly praised by the social scientists, not just is their hero." dence in. Dr. Ray and Dr. Ransom." by people interested in the causes them- Knowlton, who is chairman of the so- Considering the situation, this was a selves." rather pointed remark. Ransom said that he, Ransom, initi- 6 The Texas Observer "I am sure," Knowlton said, "that the ated the matter "to the extent I initiated the request for the report." ish-Americans of New. Mexico. He has And "a massive land purchase pro- The chancellor added he had not him- made speeches and published papers on gram" to restore range and crop land to self received any comment of a political this subject. villages that once owned. it. kind on the matter. He has studied land transfers in New In effect Knowlton is an advocate of Mexico, where the Spanish-Americans land reform in New Mexico in the same THE ALIANZA Federal de Mer- were ,organized in numerous small villag- sense that it has been advocated, by Presi- cedes first attracted general attention es along the main river and tributaries, dents Kennedy and Johnson as well as when some Anglo tourists, seeking to and has written that from 1854 to 1930, by reformers south of the United States, drive through a national forest in New they "lost 2,000,000 acres of private land- for Latin-America. The principal differ- Mexico, were blocked on the highway by holdings, 1,700,000 acres of communal ence is that Knowlton's proposals affect a band of mexicanos, armed with .30-.30's, lands, 1,800,000 acres taken over by the Americans. and told they were trespassing. The band state, and even more vast acreages lost In this context it will be seen as po- had occupied the forest on the theory to the federal government." tentially quite significant that Ransom that if the feds would just give it to He has asserted in his academic papers has received a full record of Knowlton's them, a rough kind of compensation and in his speeches that Anglos came in publications and has said of them that would be achieved for what they regard with their lawyers, the tax in money, they "have been highly praised by sociolo- as Anglo thefts of Spanish-Americans' strange laws about land titles, and com- gists," thus lining up with Ray on this lands before this century. The Alianza had mercial ways of proceeding and by means point. a march to New Mexico's capital. of tax sales, fraudulent land suits, and Reies Lopez Tijerina is the leader of violence, took the natives' land, scattered New Mexico officials and Alianza mem- the Alianza. On June 6, 1967, an armed their sheep, and drove off their cattle. bers were interested as, during the height band of Alianza people raided the Tierra "Unable to hold their own against the of the manhunt for Tijerina, Knowlton Amarilla, N.M., courthouse, evidently with Texas cattlemen," Knowlton has written, was taken into the mountains and con- the purpose of freeing Alianza members the Spanish-Americans of New Mexico sulted with Tijerina. Knowlton has been in jail there. Violence occurred; three "were gradually forced off the plains" quoted that he went at the request of people were injured. Who initiated or and "could only take refuge in a futile New Mexico officials and with the con- caused the violence is still argued; the hate that has made the word Texan a sent of the U.T.E.P. administration. Un- fact that the band from the Alianza were hiss." der subpoena, Knowlton testified as a armed is not. For the quite distinctive poverty prob- defense witness on Tijerina's trial on oth- Knowlton was one of the few Anglo lems of the Spanish-Americans of north- er charges early last month. members of the Alianza trusted enough ern New Mexico and southern Colorado, Ransom said that every point of the to be conceivably a way of communicat- Knowlton has proposed: academic freedom rule of the state co- ing with the subsequently hid-out mem- Governmental handicraft boards to en- ordinating board on higher education and bers of the band, who became the ob- courage the renewal of craft skills among of the various national associations has jects of a statewide manhunt of anger the poor; been "very carefully observed." and intensity. State or federal marketing services for As the Observer goes to press, no charg- Knowlton is an assiduous advocate of village products; es are known to have been lodged against the rights and welfare of the poor Span- The forming of village co-ops; Knowlton in the university system. R.D. A Report from Starr County

Rio Grande City campesinos in the Valley, I have found the their place. The Texas Observer has recently carried discussion very enlightening. The activity The federal government has, so far, a number of articles on the role of labor of these groups has an intimate relation- done little more than give empty prom- and liberals in Texas politics and life. As ship with the success or failure of the ises and issue unenforced and unenforce- a newcomer to Texas, working with the farm workers and their struggle for jus- able "regulations"—this despite officials' tice. announcements that the "green carders" Mr.. Adair was born in New Jersey in would no longer be permitted to work at 1942. He attended public schools in Vir- The Starr county strike is in bad shape. Hopes were so high last spring, when boy- farms where a labor dispute is in prog- ginia and California. He is a 1964 Phi Beta ress. The abuse of the green card system Kappa graduate of Pomona (Calif.) Col- is the direct responsibility of Labor Secy. lege. He joined the farm workers' union W. Willard Wirtz, the Labor Department, in 1965, shortly before the grape pickers' Doug Adair and the Immigration Service. Not only strike broke out at Delano, Calif. He had did these government agencies and offi- been picking peaches and living in a labor cials turn their backs on the problems camp that was being organized by the cott committees were operating all over raised by commuting Mexican nationals, union and the migrant ministry of the the state, when food and money were be- they approved the hiring of more than California Council of Churches. In the fall ing collected, when the United Farm 8,000 braceros from Mexico for employ- of that year he began working for El Mal- Workers Organizing Committee was forg- ment during the California tomato har- criado, the union's publication in Calif or- ing its alliance with the Mexican workers vest this fall. nia. Last year the Farm Worker Press, of the Confederation de Trabajadores Me- with Adair as an officer, was incorporated xicanos. But May and June proved a shat- The unlimited reserve of cheap, non- as an entity separate from the union. He tering experience for the union. Interna- union workers across the border make came to Texas in April of this year and tional politics brought down the totally success in the Starr county fields almost began a Texas version of El Malcriado, effective two-day picket line which the impossible. And Hurricane Beulah pretty whose circulation is now about 3,000, of unions had established against the "green much destroyed the opportunity for a which 80% is in Hidalgo county, which card workers" from Mexico, who were, in major drive in the citrus of the lower adjoins Starr county. Mr. Adair lives in effect, strikebreakers. As the government Valley this year; the entire fall vegetable Rio Grande City. He stresses that he is looked the other way, "green carders" crop was destroyed, and citrus suffered not a member of the farm workers' union poured back across the border. American an estimated $50 million loss. There is a and, since his corporation is independent workers refused to leave the fields when great scarcity of work and a huge surplus of the union, he does not speak for its it became apparent that there was an un- leaders. limited supply of "green carders" to take December 8, 1967 7 of labor in the Valley. for 20 years, as an excuse for not and all the Texas liberals and radicals, The activities of the Texas Rangers were organizing any farm workers. "The time students and workers and members of actually not as damaging to organizing La was not ripe; the people were not ready; La Raza who rallied to the cause during Huelga as was the failure to stop the it was too difficult and too expensive; the the days of excitement must re-dedicate "green carders" or the destruction money could be better used to organize themselves to continuing this struggle un- wrought by the Hurricane. But the Rang- factories; to organize in New York and til South Texas has been radically ers intimidated many workers and di- Chicago and Seattle." These same argu- changed. The farm workers are still will- verted the union's attention from the ments are now being used as an excuse ing to make the sacrifices, to go to jail if fields and boycott to the courts during for not organizing farm workers or, necessary. They, like most of the poor in the harvest. None of the more than 100 really, anybody else in Texas. The Texas Texas, are ready and eager to organize, cases arising out of the arrests made by strike was to be supported by Texans. And and with proper leadership and support, the Rangers has yet come to trial. The as Texas liberals and Texas labor have they can organize. There are alternatives tremendous cost of the bail and of law- begun to lose interest, the union in Cali- (voter registration, voting, community or- yers has financially exhausted •the union fornia has been simply unable to pick up ganizing) to La Huelga's direct confronta- and its backers. An injunction still stands, the tab. tion with the power structure, which prohibiting all picketing or strike activity Just as the dwindling support from failed. But they are less exciting. They against La Casita Farms, the main target Texas liberals and labor has influenced will involve long-range commitments and of the strike. Upstate supporters, advise the cutback in the organizing 'drive of the many months of quiet and seemingly un- against further action which might in- union, so, too, have liberals and the other rewarding work. volve more arrests and the need for unions in Texas influenced the character more bail money until a few test cases of the strike, from the earliest days of THE PROBLEMS of the farm can be brought to trial, and, hopefully, June, 1966. From almost the first days of workers are the same this year as they the laws and injunctions overturned. This the strike, certain politicians and other were in 1966. Where the strike improved means all picketing in Starr county has "leaders" in the state labor movement and things somewhat, the hurricane has set been halted. The liberal lawyers in charge in the churches and the liberal movement things back. Little has changed in the of the cases tell us not to be impatient, used the farm workers for publicity, fund basic patterns of poverty in Texas, except that they have other cases to handle, that raising, and for their own private proj- that now, in many hearts, there is hope the question of constitutionality of these ects. The strike began with a truly radi- where before there was resignation. So laws may not be settled "for years." And cal, even revolutionary program, calling when liberals latch on to issues such as so we wait. for a drastic and basic change in the parimutuel betting and liquor by the There is some boycott activity to aid relationship of the farm workers to 'their drink and "No 4th Term," it seems like our brother strikers in California. Dedi- employers, the total destruction of rac- a cruel joke, a charade, when hundreds cated people in El Paso, Corpus Christi, ism, and an end to the political and eco- of thousands of people are under-fed or San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas - Fort nomic exploitation of the chicanos in starving, when thousands of children are Worth continue to make the effort. The South Texas. Texas liberals blunted this growing up illiterate, when disease is union is working on voter registration and dynamic thrust and shifted emphasis to a widespread and unattended. They are let- community organizing, centered especially safe "liberal" goal, a state $1.25 minimum ting the reactionaries turn next year's around what are regarded as scandals in- wage. Politicians jockeyed for the Mexi- elections into one more meaningless con- volving the Starr county political ma- can-American vote by praising the farm test if they make these the issues. Like- chine. Largely because of the union's will- workers or criticizing the Rangers. Lead- wise the minimum wage is only scratching ingness to stand up and fight, other peo- ers in the churches gave public blessings the surface of the problem, only a crumb ple in Starr county, business and profes- but privately called a halt to clerical par- tossed to a people hungry for Justice. sional people, are beginning to speak out ticipation in the movement. Everyone got We need the all-out commitment of lib- against the corruption and mismanage- into the final act, the grand finale, when erals, in food and money and support, to ment. They are still hesitant to be "allies" the US Senate subcommittee on migratory carry on the struggle in the Valley, regard- of the union, but since we are fighting the labor came to the Valley. Everyone pol- less of what happens in the political arena, same enemy, we will work together. ished up his liberal credentials and made And we need a real crusade, not self-serv- his pitch with oratorical flourishes for ing lip service, from liberal politicians and BUT THE STRIKE is no longer the TV cameras. Then the footlights state labor leaders, to bring the real issues flashy, is less of a cause celebre. Farm dimmed; exit, stage right. facing Texas before the people; issues Such criticism is not meant to detract workers are no longer being herded into . such as the grinding poverty of most Mex- jails. There is no more blood. No flags from the really courageous and heroic job ican-Americans, most Negroes, and many and mass pickets. And so the Loney has that many of these supporters did in in- Anglos in this state; the problems of rac- stopped coming in. The United Farm forming the public of the situation in the ism and segregation and discrimination in Workers Organizing Committee was very Valley and in trying to help us change the schools, jobs, housing; the problems of hard hit by the Ford Motor Co. strike, be- situation that faces the Texas campesino. totally inadequate education for the poor, cause the United Auto Workers, finding The farmworkers and the union are very and especially for the Spanish-speaking themselves under great financial pressure, grateful for the tremendous generosity ex- child; the problems of disease, of malnu- cut off the substantial contribution that hibited by many, many Texans; liberals, trition, of inadequate housing; the dis- they were giving the union. As the United Christians, working men, and many indi- gusting spectacle of tax exemption for the Farmworkers' budget shrank, the union vidual unions and locals have led in an rich and regressive taxes on the poor. And reluctantly advised strikers to take jobs, outpouring of support. The struggle could of course we can no longer turn our backs in gas stations, restaurants, out of Starr not have lasted at all had it not been for on the Vietnam war, which "solves" un- county. this beautiful display of concern. employment by making cannon fodder of The California leadership of the union But so long as the federal government kids who can't afford to go to college. still looks on the Texas strike as a kind refuses to act on the problem of alien If liberals turn their backs on these of unwanted child. ( Since I am not an scabs, so long as the federal government issues, or suggest that they are problems official spokesman for the union, I feel refuses to give farm workers the same the federal government must solve and free to comment on the farm union's rights as other workers, especially protec- that the state government can't handle. leadership.) The Californians argue, with tion of the National Labor Relations Act, then it really does not make much dif- good reason, that the meagre resources of then farm workers must depend on local ference to the poor whether a liberal or a the union should be channeled into more and state-level help, especially from out- Republican or a Connally is elected. And productive areas of organizing, (i.e. Cali- side the government, to break the vicious the impatience that Black Americans are fornia ). The AFL used a similar argument, system in which they are trapped. beginning to show with the lack of prog- UFWOC, the State AFL-CIO, the Catho- ress in realizing the "Great Society" may 8 The Texas Observer lic Church, the Texas Council of Churches, begin spreading to the barrios, too. 0 ,4134:41.-

Is Amarillo Ready For Self-Government?

Amarillo verted patriotism, peddling their gospels statement was communist-inspired and of imminent doom and pushing their doc- that it was actually intended to imply that In this city that calls itself the spark of trines of a shady authoritarianism. The our system of government was nearing the plains, there is a political tragicomedy parade has included Robert Welch, Gen. extinction. taking place in weekly installments that Edwin Walker, the Rev. Billy James Har- is becoming the bane of the right fringe The stridence of the fringe's cry seemed gis, Tom Anderson, and a host of less to diminish a little when President Ken- here and is being viewed with a kind of famous rousers. Even the late fuhrer of cautious hilarity by everyone to the left of nedy was assassinated but regained much the American Nazi Party, George Lincoln of its former shrillness during the Gold- that fringe. The extreme right, which has Rockwell, was brought in with local been beating its breast in this area for a water campaign. After that, it became a good while, had one of its champions commonplace, steady hum as the society elected mayor here earlier this year. But and its many sympathizers went about the performance of an ultraconservative Buck Ramsey their business making converts and bar- in power has done little to win converts ring their doors and windows from the for the Right. communists next door. Mayor J. Ernest Stroud has held other money to sue a television station here in In 1963, F. V. Wallace, a typical Texas positions of esteem in the past—positions one of the "publicity trials" that he fre- conservative oil company executive, was which he will undoubtedly recall in his quently got into in order to get his elected mayor, and the city seemed to be later days with more fondness than his preachments in the papers. making quiet progress. But after four mayoralty of Amarillo. He was one of the While here Rockwell told a newspaper years of this, the populace evidently be- originators of the "Millions for Gold- reporter that Amarillo was "ripe for the came restless and eager for local political water" movement launched well in ad- American Nazi Party," and bragged that issues over which to argue. Quasi-issues vance of the Arizona senator's nomination Amarillo had one of the two organized were raised, such as the city bus service, for the presidency in 1964. Last year about Nazi parties in Texas. the garbage dump, the downtown parking this time, he took out a full page ad in an In 1961, Jack Seale was elected mayor meters, a gas rate increase, and the op- area metropolitan daily paper congratu- of Amarillo. Probably the highlights of his tional city sales tax being considered at lating Southern Rhodesia on its first anni- administration, if he were to name them, the time by the legislature in Austin. versary of "independence," and in signing were the time in 1962 when Gen. Walker As all campaigns for city offices here, the ad identified himself as the chairman came to town for a big speaking engage- this 1967 mayor and commissioners race of the Southern Rhodesian Independence ment and Seale proclaimed "American was non-partisan. Candidate Stroud, as Day Committee, an organization about Patriots Day" in Amarillo in honor of the nearly all the other announced opposition which no one seems to have heard before old soldiers's appearance, and the time he candidates, jumped into the race on the or since. Last month, on the second anni- turned down a $250,000 federal grant for reactionary side of every issue without versary of Rhodesian independence, a badly needed sewage treatment plant. regard to its practical implications. Stroud sent a telegram to Ian Smith, that Two years later Seale ran as the Repub- Stroud won in a virtually silent race. nation's leader, offering congratulations lican candidate for congressman from the Mayor Wallace, it is thought, decided that "in my official capacity as mayor of Am- 18th Congressional District. During his the worst he could do without campaign- arillo." Many Amarilloans resented the campaign he proclaimed his John Birch ing would be to get into a run-off, so he mayor's thereby involving them in this Society membership — an unusual step, saved his money by ignoring the prelim- unilateral statement. considering how shy most Birchers are inary race. Meanwhile, Stroud hired a Until Stroud said during this year's about revealing their affiliation with the public relations firm — the same firm mayor campaign that he had never been society — and ran a very strong race which helped get Republican Bob Price a member of the John Birch Society, it against the entrenched incumbent, Rep. elected to Congress. Stroud looked was commonly accepted around here that Walter Rogers. appropriately stern or kind, as the occa- he was one of the pillars of the organiza- tion. Stroud, in short, has been one of During the next few years, the society December 8, 1967 9 the area's more prominent advocates of continued to foment suspicion and hatred rightist causes. within the community. Churches and old friendships were split asunder, the books ATHENA MONTESSORI SCHOOL of Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning novel- HIS ELECTION was not an CHILDREN 2-6 ists were jerked from public and school abnormal occurrence in Amarillo. In fact, Red River at 41st library shelves. Once, a mother spied a it was a very logical occurrence when one statement in her son's textbook that GL 4-4239 considers the political history of the city seemed to her suspicious: "The American Or in recent years, a period which has seen Bald Eagle is nearing extinction." She GR 6-9700 the extreme right gradually extending its protested publicly and loudly that the influence in the Panhandle. There has been in the 1960's in Amarillo a steady parade of stars from stage right, wrapped in ribbons of false freedoms and per- "VIVA LA REVOLUCION" Mr. Ramsey, 28, is a reporter for the Amarillo Daily News and Globe-Times, a ZAPATA POSTER job he has held the last year and a half. Wall poster ( 18"x23" ) of Emiliano Zapata, hero of the He is a lifelong resident of the Panhandle Mexican Revolution. Black on white, $1. Black on red, and attended West Texas State Univer- $1.50. Add 25c for handling. sity. Before getting into journalism he was a cowboy on several ranches in the FARM WORKER PRESS, Box 1091, McAllen, Tex. Panhandle. sion demanded, in TV and newspaper ads, mayor's opposition, said, "This commis- sadly stated, "Your mayor's hands have while mellow-toned announcers or news- sion has been in office for six months now been tied ..." Some Amarilloans, thus re- paper captions told his story to the peo- and it seems to me it has spent most of assured, relaxed and rested easy for an- ple. He won without a run-off. Some of its time haggling and bickering over insig- other night. the citizens who had voted for him had nificant things. It is time we settle down The next day Stroud climaxed his long their initial second thoughts when they and begin acting like a city commission. vendetta of slight asides and innuendos first heard him make a speech. There My time isn't very valuable, but it is more aimed at city manager John Stiff by say- have been many more second thoughts valuable to me than this." ing publicly that things would probably since then. As the mayor and four commissioners run a lot smoother at city hall if Stiff were filed into the main chambers for the fired. He set the stage for another excit- I N OCTOBER during the cus- regular commission meeting, Stroud, ap- ing Tuesday episode by stating that he tomary 11/2-hour work session held prior parently disturbed by the difficulties he would probably bring the subject up in to the regular commission meetirig, there was having, handed his gavel to Glen Gib- the next meeting of the city council. was a great deal of discussion concerning son, his one dependable ally on the com- It was brought up in the meeting, but the mayor's interpretation of certain "oral mission, told him he was mayor pro tem- not by the mayor. Immediately after the stipulations" made the week before about pore, and abruptly left the meeting. As he mayor and commission took their places an issue by one of the three commission- walked from the building, Stroud told a in the commission chambers — packed ers who have been perpetually opposite reporter, "They're getting along all right with a crowd anticipating another enter- the mayor in votes taken. Stroud had pre- out there, aren't they? They don't need taining meeting — Commissioner L. O'- pared a written statement attempting to me. What difference does it make, any- Brien Thompson stood and read a pre- prove the commissioner's "oral stipula- way?" And then he disappeared for a pared motion recommending that the tions" agreed in essence with the mayor's couple of days while rumors that he might commission give a vote of confidence to position on the issue; but all along at the resign as mayor issued from some broadly the city manager, who was at the time meeting the commissioner insisted that smiling mouths. attending a convention in New Orleans of the mayor's interpretation was incorrect, When the mayor reappeared two days the International City Managers Associa- and that he did not agree with the mayor later, he was prepared with another one tion, of which he is a vice-president. The at all. You begin to see how things are of his now locally-famous written state- motion was promptly seconded by Bev- here. ments. He said that his abrupt walkout erley. There was also a great deal of haggling had been an action "to call public atten- The crowd applauded loud and long when it became apparent to the mayor tion to the stalemate in the city's affairs.' while Mayor Stroud, red-faced and some- that he was again going to fail in trying He later said, "My constructive program what shaken, rapped his gavel and called to name appointees to another local. approved by the voters has been opposed for silence. After hushing the crowd, board. After about an hour and a half of and blocked at virtually every turn by Stroud told Thompson he thought the mo- discussion, another commissioner, Henry certain politically ambitious members of tion was out of order since the day's busi- Beverley, who is another of the trio of the the city commission, wherein they have ness had not been attended to. Thompson obviously had the cooperation of the city begged his honor's pardon but a motion 10 The Texas Observer management." At another point, Stroud had been made and seconded and awaited a vote. Commissioner Gibson, called "Me Too" because of his constant alliance with giTedo/f/oei>er Stroud, had brought a 21/2-page prepared statement to the meeting to read in case in the of an opportunity might present itself. The statement revealed that the mayor had in- vited Gibson to his home the previous PI-110ENIX/ARIZONA Sunday and had asked him "not to allow discussion to come up in today's public Desert-Resort Atmosphere in Downtown Phoenix- meeting concerning the city manager ,[by 500 beautiful rooms and patio suites • Huge, making] a motion to adjourn as soon as Heated Swimming Pool in Garden Setting • the approval of today's vouchers is Dining Room •Coffee Shop • Cocktail Lounge passed." He added that he had also been • Free TV and Radio in each Room • Finest approached by the other side. Convention Hotel in the Southwest—new Auditorium seating 1,500 • Free Parking adjoining "I, for one," Gibson said, "am tired and am.to the point of saying let's settle our Telephone: (602) AL3– 2181 Teletype: 602-949 – 0134 differences or else we had better all re- sign ... because it's certainly no secret we are becoming the laughing stock not only of this city but many other cities across the state." After a little more haggling, three of the commissioners voted confidence in the city manager. Stroud voted against it. His erstwhile ally, Gibson, abstained. The crowd applauded until the mayor could gavel them to silence. The mayor then hinted that he had a little investigation of his own going on in the city manage- ment department but left the public hang- ing onto this ominous tidbit until next week.

John B. Mills, Chairman of the Board / Cecil Mills, President His Honor's determination to dump Stiff has, in recent weeks, become not ASSOCIATED FEDERAL HOTELS only the crux of his "constructive pro- LA CONCHA—SAN JUAN GUNTER—SAN ANTONIO gram" but also what seems to be a per- ROBERT DRISCOLL—CORPUS CHRISTI IZ•IT1 fliff1401• sonal obsession with him. A few weeks ago, he became so adamantly outspoken required to pass two readings. There was Then Jim Martin, who was at that time in his opposition to the city manager that an immediate reaction to the half-passed the night police reporter for the Amarillo some of the city commissioners felt com- ordinance by a few persons who recog- Daily News and Globe-Times, but who pelled to suggest a raise for Stiff. This, nized its implications. This reaction turn- has since moved to Illinois, latched on to naturally, brought about another color- ed to more general alarm the next morn- a list at the police department that was ful episode in the life and times of the ing when newspaper headlines told that headed "Auxiliary Police Roster." The list commission which climaxed November 212 "qualified" men had been recruited included what several persons agreed 28 at their regular meeting. for the force within a few hours after the was a who's who of the male right wing There were a few witnesses present commission meeting was over. in Amarillo. The organizers, whoever they with statements concerning everything Alarm grew further when the evening were, of the police reserve force had even from the dog pound to the city hall paper headlined that a police officer who dipped down beyond the neighboring city switchboard, designed to prove that Stiff is thought to be a Bircher and known to of Canyon to recruit J. Evetts Haley, the was an inefficient city manager. When have extreme racial views was appointed man who wrote that best seller of the Commissioner Beverley made a motion to head the force. When it was announced 1964 presidential campaigner, A Texan to the effect that such unsworn testimon- that armbands and extra-long nightsticks Looks at Lyndon. A little investigation ials reflecting on city personnel should would soon be ordered for the force it revealed that the list of auxiliary police be heard in executive session, Stroud soon became tagged as the "goon squad" had been compiled weeks before, and that waved his gavel and said, "I won't allow and the "brown shirts." recruitment cards had been sent out to that, No, I won't allow that," and told the persons on the list several days be- the speakers to continue. When Beverley Stroud and Gibson and police officials, fore the proposal was presented to the persisted with his motion, the mayor perhaps realizing that their overeagerness city commission. called for the sergeant-of-arms (Chief of in the situation had become apparent, be- The outcome of all this was another Police Wiley Alexander) to "come take gan to grow churlish and accused the very stormy commission meeting in which this man out" (pointing his gavel at Bev- local press of overplaying an innocent, the young leader of a relatively militant erley). Alexander buried his face in his routine matter. At the same time, the (for Amarillo) Negro organization, the hands and muttered, "Oh, goddam! Oh, local papers began to suspect the squad president of the local NAACP chapter, and no,. no." Beverley remained in the meet- had been in the works in certain quarters several white citizens challenged the wis- ing. for a good while before it was presented Stroud attempted during the meeting to the total city commission. December 8, 1967 11 to implicate Stiff in a plot with City Hall switchboard operators to tap the mayor's phone calls. The commission finally vot- ed four to one in favor of a nearly $3,000- a-year pay raise for the city manager. Hear! Hear! Stroud stood alone in opposition. "Mr. Rapoport (President of American Income Life) not only THE ABORTIVE attempt of the mayor and his allies to organize a so called auxiliary police force here on the met the prevailing wages and conditions .. . heels of the biggest summer riots in the nation was probably the most significant and revealing episode so far in the Stroud but in fact .. . administration. In August the mayor and Gibson presented a seemingly innocent has agreed to a contract which establishes patterns for all of organized plan to the rest of the commission dur- labor to attempt to achieve in future collective bargaining." ing its work session preceding the regular meeting. Pointing out that it might be The above statement was made to a Texas AFL-CIO official by a Business wise to have an emergency force of 200 citizen volunteers ready in case of a Representative of the Office and Employees International Union who had weather disaster or a Negro riot, the plan just completed negotiations for a two year agreement, following Unionization suggested that the commission vote $12,- of American Income employees. 000 to organize the proposed force of volunteers. We think the statement stands on its own merits. Don't you? The other three commissioners, who would be considered arch-conservatives were they not serving with Stroud and Gibson, must have thought it sounded like a practical idea because the enabling We Like Organized Labor! ordinance passed on first reading that day unanimously. Amarillo ordinances are {) MARTIN ELFANT AMERICAN INCOME LIFE -Sun Life of Canada Auha'rlce 1001 Century Building Houston, Texas Executive Offices, P. 0. Box 208, Waco, Texas BERNARD RAPOPORT CA 4-0686 President

•••••••■•••• s

1,„ dom of the mayor's proposed militia. The the forms of liquor bottles, among other the stage, has tried to effect its litany mayor kept wanting to hear from the items. The commission voted against zon- of conservative principles before an eag- "other side," but his few supporters there ing the lot for the club, and the night= erly receptive audience but stammers were evidently too embarrassed to say spot has been closed down. now, weak-kneed and red-faced, as the anything. Animosity against the reserve During all this time, his "Weekly Re- audience snickers during the most seri- force gained such momentum at the meet- port to the People," a weekend TV spot a ous efforts. ing that the mayor and Gibson felt com- local station had granted Stroud to bring Not long ago Stanley Blackburn, an ex- pelled to vote against their original in- his causes to the people, was growing in city commissioner who ran for reelection tentions at every turn. After the meeting ratings in reverse ratio to Sroud's ratings this year but was defeated, placed a two- was over and the auxiliary police idea as a mayor. column, eight-inch ad in Amarillo's killed, Stroud assumed a facade of vic- Some moderates and liberals here like morning and evening papers which read: tory by saying things had turned out the to view the city government's predica- "I want to thank the voters of this city way he had wanted them to all along. A ment as one in which the extreme right for NOT electing me to the Amarillo City few days later, it was discovered that po- has been given a long-coveted moment on Commission." lice officials had a bit hastily the week before ordered the armbands for the squad. These eloquent souvenirs of the Stroud administration are still stashed Observations away in the city hall basement. I

AT VARIOUS other times dur- ing these past seven months, the mayor has made foiled attempts to pack munici- Sort of a Good Idea pal boards and commissions and has also threatened to condemn the property and Austin forward to seeing a certain caliche hill with take over the operation of the gas com- Christmas is coming. What routes are more lavender and purple ceniza bloom than any other hill I have ever seen. I knew where sandy pany here. He once recommended that there through and around commercial- loam gave way to gravelly soil and guajillo the city hire an efficiency expert firm ism, the dollar-signed formalities? One thrived; I always enjoyed seeing cattle eat gua- for $200 to appraise the city management jillo leaves. I knew where the redbirds, down might be to give something you made. from the north, were thickets in wintertime. and make recommendations, but that Once I gave a doddering friend a cane I That was when a mile as a mile. . . . proposition failed when several Amarillo had whittled from a yaupon branch. My Professor Wilson Hudson of the Univer- businessmen testified before the commis- little girl Celia, who is nine now, asked sity of Texas has called attention to Wal- sion that they had had unhappy experi- me what I want this year, and I asked her ter Prescott Webb's 1944 essay on the cul- ences with the firm. to paint me a picture. She says she has tural resources of Texas; I've only re- At one time early in his administration, finished it. cently read it. "There is not the slightest the mayor alluded to information gained However, she still wants to know what doubt," Webb wrote in 1944, from his "spies" and accused city em- I want for Christmas. "I don't want that Texas has in abunance the stuff of which ployees of inefficiency on the job. Right something that's made," she said, and her literature may be made. Its resources are enor- after that—and apparently because of it— brother said he didn't either; we were mous, varied, and rich. It can draw from the laughing. forests, the plains, the desert, and the sea. Into there were public statements to the effect its tapestry it can weave the plantation, the that the morale of the city work force had ranch, the farm, the lumber camp. Its songs are reached a very low point. The mayor used Ceniza and Wildflowers of the land and of the men who move or have this situation as an opportunity for one moved over it: Comanche songs, Spanish, Mexi- I have been reading again in Bedichek, can, Negro, cowboy ballads, and salt water shan- of his oblique attacks on the city mana- ties .. . . the tumultuous past of Texas affords ger by saying that "word had reached" Webb, and Dobie, as I had to say a few an inexhaustible supply of authentic material for words about them at a meeting. the historian, the dramatist, the poet, and the him of the low morale of city employees novelist. The pedestrian historian, the archivist, and implied that the city management J. Frank Dobie's Some Part of Myself, and the librarian have already done more than edited by Mrs. Dobie, (Little, Brown, their share to make the facts available, and it must be at fault. now remains for the more artistic brethren to He became embroiled in another con- $6.95), is wonderful, judging by the first half I've read so far. And parts are beau- make use of their contributions. troversy when it was discovered that he When Roy Bedichek decided in 1953 to was owner of a teen-age nightclub called tiful. There is that sentence, "The wild flowers of a rainy spring and the grasses give his correspondence to U.T., he named the Sugar Shack, which his son ran. The William A. Owens, the writer (This Stub- controversy would not have amounted to of a showery summer are good and beau- tiful and sufficient even though they van- born Soil) and educator at Columbia, to much if the club hadn't been located in edit it for publication, which Owens is a spot not zoned for that type of enter- ish." And, For a while we got our mail at Dinero. I rode now doing. Bedichek's mail is probably prise and if the residents who lived near horseback once or twice a week to get it. I knew going to be one of the best books ever put it hadn't gathered evidence of unwhole- certain places where I had seen deer cross the together. Southwest Review in this au- some youthful activity at the premises in road. I always remembered them, and when— very seldom—I travel that road now in a car tumn's issue contains Owens' presenta- I remember them. I knew two glades where tion of Bedichek's taped memories of his 12 The Texas Observer bobwhite quail were especially plentiful. I knew an opening in the brush where I nooned once father and his mother. No characteriza- in a wagon and let the horses graze. I knew tion suffices to describe this, any more where I was almost sure to see a roadrunner running down the road. If it had rained I looked than one could adequately characterize Dobie's chapters on his mother and father *Ortiz' in Some Part of Myself. But permit me to BUMPERSTRIPS: quote from Southwest Review what Bedi- Since 1866 chek said to Owens about the funeral of Bedichek's father, who had taught school: The Place in Austin McCARTHY GOOD FOOD PRESIDENT PEACE Personal Service — Quality Insurance Fluorescent, genuine peel-off Alice Anderson—"Bow" Williams GOOD BEER bumperstrip stock. 1 for 25c — 5 for $1 INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE 1607 San Jacinto 1,000 for $65 808A E. 46th, Austin, Texas DISSENTING DEMOCRATS OF TEXAS 465-6577 GR 7-4171 1505 Cloverleaf Austin, Texas 78723

Then they had a very simple ceremony at partisan drive based on it, and this made the grave. It was a country funeral and there anybody either party may nominate. I were no morticians or undertakers around. They sense for them. A dyed-in-the-bank-vault guess what such folks will do when Rea- did it all. Friends would go out and dig your Republican is already for anybody but gan is nominated is come out with grave and they'd carry your coffin, and the preacher says a few words and they put dirt in Johnson. He may actually want Reagan bumper sticker saying "Anybody but the grave and cover you up. I've always liked nominated (maybe with George Murphy Johnson or Reagan," that is, ABJOR. I that kind of a funeral better than a funeral chairman of the national convention would conclude, "Abjure, Abjure!" if I that's all banked with flowers and everything runs like it was greased and they just touch a stage lighting and Shirley Temple in was not already guilty of an even worse spring here and the coffin goes down. I don't charge of campaign letters signed Little pun a few lines ago. like that mechanized funeral as well as I like Miss Muff-it). But independents or Demo- the old pioneer funeral. It's so much more homely and people have so much more heart crats who declare themselves for anybody in it. Well, my father was very fond of wild- but Johnson in advance of the Republican Sequels flowers and it was a season there where they'd convention are simply booting away what had some rain and the wildflowers were just Last year sometime I wrote a piece en- swing they might have to induce the Re- abundant all over the country. Each child had titled, "Will Johnson Bomb Civilians gotten a flower to put in the grave and the publicans to present someone reasonable. last thing they did after they lowered my fa- Next?" That was a shocking question to ther's coffin this school went by. Hundreds of I will admit this line of logic does not children went by each with a bouquet of wild- flowers to throw into the grave and they prac- reach people who are opposed to electing December 8, 1967 13 tically filled that grave up with flowers and it was very beautiful and I was very much af- fected by it, knowing the fondness of my father for the wildflowers that grew in that area. GIVING BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS? Kay Boyle's Article Amount shown is the list price. Discounts explained below. As long as we are talking about reading, sMst:Ir let me call your special attention to Kay • s< The Best of Brann: Boyle's article, "Seeing the Sights in San Francisco," in the current issue of the t4 The Iconoclast Progressive, which continues to be, in my Roger Conger (ed.) $6.95 opinion, one of the steadiest, decentest, „tVA ■Ns, Z ,,Ctk•-• sanest magazines in the world. Dark Star: Hiroshima Recon- sidered in the Life of Nobody But Anybody Claude Eatherly I disagree, myself, with this "Anybody Ronnie Dugger $5.95 But Johnson" slogan. All it does is help Reagan and to a lesser extent Nixon in s' • 's ' • their campaigns for the Republican nom- t„,. In Time of Torment ination. I. F. Stone $6.95 The one thing going strongest for Rea- gan is the idea that anybody can beat Some Part of Myself Johnson. Reagan's people are saying that J. Frank Dobie $6.95 li‘,,.,,,, ,t, IR ,*„. this is a perfect chance for the nit-wit gip. - Republicans to elect one of their own. ' V- b ' - \k Love Is A Wild Assault 14ii.‘ 0., V ' ,• (Their language, or course, is adapted to k-, ,t,..., , t. Elithe H. Kirkland . \ .,.....4.:\ .-: 1;4,• their point of view, as mine is to mine.) ,, The Confessions of Nat Turner It is one clear meaning of the ABJ slo- 4 l'' William Styron gan that its advocates will support Rea- $6.95 e'' ,- ,,, .k,,, — gan against Johnson. Certainly also Nixon. 11,,, , The Accidental President Are the people using the slogan sure they • Robert Sherrill $5.00 will stand by that now? If not, are they advancing their own view with this slo- Six Seconds in Dallas gan? No, they are helping the Nuke-'em N\...•,4t\ sc.% J. Thompson $5.95 :„ 4 `.k• Republicans nominate Reagan. •-• A couple of brass-collar Texas Republi- cans came on about that slogan in conver- Delivery by Christmas can be assured for the books listed above, provided sation recently. They were pushing a bi- the orders are placed with the Observer immediately. A gift-card announcement will accompany those books you designate; or, for orders which are received at the last minute, the announcement will be CLASSIFIED mailed separately to assure a timely arrival. BOOKPLATES Optional membership in the Discount Club, at $5.00 for one year, entitles FREE CATALOGUE—Many beautiful designs. readers to order the above books—or any hardbound book in print—for 20% Special designing too. Address BOOKPLATES, Yellow Springs 24, Ohio. less than the list price. This 20% discount applies to all book purchases made during the 12 months of membership. ANNE'S TYPING SERVICE: Duplicating (multi- lith, mimeo, ditto), Xeroxing, Mailing, Public Books are sent postpaid. A 25c service charge is added only to those Notary. Specialize in rush jobs, including Sun- orders not accompanied by payment. Please add the state sales tax to your days. Formerly known as Marjorie Delafield Typing and Duplicating Service. Call HI 2-7008, calculations. Austin. Another gift possibility, which eliminates the guesswork from book selec- THE AUSTIN-UT Committee to End the War tion, would be a one year membership in the Observer's Book Discount Club. in Vietnam, which sponsored the demonstra- tions of June 16, Aug. 5, and Oct. 21 is com- Recipients will be sent a timely gift-card announcement and a detailed expla- piling telephone lists .of demonstrators. If you nation of the discount privileges to which your payment of the $5.00 member- would like to be notified of unannounced dem- ship fee entitles them. onstrations occasioned by the sudden appear- ance of the president, members of his admin- sitration, or 'other "warhawks," send a card THE TEXAS OBSERVER BOOKSTORE 504 West 24th, Austin 78705 with your name and number to: Peaceful Dem- onstrations, Box 7028, Austin 78712. ask. It shocked many of our readers, and form of tax other than tax on property. advocate, far from being such a tax as it shocked me. In fact, I was horrified My item of Nov. 10, 1967, concluded: either the sales tax or the personal in- inside to be asking it. "They are supposed to be the educators. come tax, is such a tax as some form of [ Senator Robert] "Kennedy said the Why don't they educate our citizens in the tax other than tax on property. United States is 'responsible for tens and equity of a personal income tax . . . ." I appreciate Traxel clearing this up. tens of thousands of innocent civilian I stand corrected. The tax the teachers R.D. casualties' and asked whether the nation should be killing women and children on another continent solely in the name of its own security'."—AP, Nov. 26, 1967. Governor Allred's "Allied commanders had to decide ei- ther to blow the friendly hamlet of Hoa Da to bits, or find some other way of de- stroying the Communist battalion that Papers Will Go to UH had infiltrated it. They did not hesitate: Hoa Da was blown to bits."—AP, Nov. 30, Wichita Falls In 1935, he was named the "Outstanding Young Man in America" by the National 1967. The personal papers and files of the late James V. Allred, who worked his way Junior Chamber of Commerce, and also began his first term as governor. He was from being a shoeshine boy in Bowie to Such as Not That ... re-elected by a landslide vote in 1936. governor of Texas, will be housed in a The advocacy of "for instance, an in- special collection in the M.D. Anderson Allred is considered the state's last lib- crease in the sales tax," which was the Memorial Library at the University of eral governor to date. During his admin- subject of an item this column Nov. Houston. A ceremony is planned in the istration, social se cur it y amendments 10, was proposed forfor adoption by the near future .at which members of Allred's were added to the state's constitution, and Texas State Teachers' Assn. by its educa- family, including his wife, Mrs. Joe Betsy he signed Texas' first old age assistance tional finance committee, but T.S.T.A.'s Allred, Wichita Falls, will formally present bill. He also led the movement for aid to House of Delegates did not adopt this for- the collection to the University. The pa- dependent children, aid to the needy blind, instance, as I had thought incorrectly that pers include files, personal letters, photo- and a teacher retirement fund. Under his they did. graphs, and news clippings the family has leadership, a Board of Pardons and Pa- saved. roles was established, prison reforms Traxel Stevens, managing editor of Allred's son, State Rep. Dave Allred, were brought about, an unemployment in- Texas Outlook, points out to me that the Wichita Falls, is helping the library in surance system was started, and the Texas committee did recommend that costs of seeking other materials for the collection. Rangers and the Highway Patrol were extra school services "be met by some Anyone wishing to donate letters, photo- combined in the Texas Department of form of tax other than tax on property. graphs, or news clippings, or copies of Public Safety. For instance, an increase in sales tax— them, to the collection is asked to contact On the federal bench, Allred earned a the TSTA to back such a tax." On motion Rep. Allred at 1608 Hayes Street, Wichita reputation as a fair and compassionate of Grady Waldrop of Corpus, however, Falls, 76309. jurist. He took a deep interest in the the House of Delegates recommended in- James V. Allred, who died in 1959, people who appeared before his court, and stead "some form of tax other than tax on served as district attorney at Wichita in many cases helped a first offender find property—the TSTA to back such a tax." Falls, attorney general, governor of Texas, a job and "go straight." Now I have got it straight. Instead of and was twice appointed a US district "Mr. Allred had a distinguished career "for instance, an increase in the sales judge. Born in Bowie in 1899, Allred vol- of public service that included leadership tax," the T.S.T.A. is for "such a tax," that unteered for the Navy in World War I. in many of the landmarks of Texas gov- is, "some form of tax other than tax on After the war, he studied law and was ernment and history," says Dr. Philip G. property." admitted to the State Bar in 1921. Hoffman, UH president. "His friends in- As state attorney general from 1931 to cluded street sweepers and presidents, Have you got it, now? Once again, then: 1935, Allred 'fought monopolies and tax and his career showed a deep concern for the T.S.T.A. is for such a tax . as some law evasions and established the Texas the people of Texas. It is a pleasure to School Fund's title. to oil royalties worth have this collection established at the 14 The Texas Observer more than $20 million. University of Houston."

An Open Letter to President Johnson and the Texas Democratic Party

We voted for you because you gave us hope of peace when in your election DISSENTING DEMOCRATS OF TEXAS 1505 Cloverleaf campaign you said: "We are not about to send American boys nine or ten Austin, Texas thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing I agree with the statement made in this adver- for themselves." (Akron, Ohio, October 21, 1964.) This was a pledge, Mr. tisement and would like to join other Dissent- President. ing Democrats in expressing my opposition to our present policy in Vietnam. We can no longer commit the crime of silence. Name (Print) Mr. President, we advise you and those on every level of government that, Address from this day on, our campaign funds, our energies and our votes go to those and only those political figures who work for an end to the war in City State Vietnam—and for a renewed commitment to the poor and oppressed in Signature America. County & Precinct No. (Signatures will be presented to state and national Democratic Enclosed is a contribution Party Conventions.) to expand the work of Dis- (Paid. Adv.) senting Democrats throughout Texas. same amount was grudgingly and belated- ly voted recently for the 1968 fiscal year In My Opinion j —which began last July 1. We spend that much in 20 days in killing civilians and a few Vietcong in Southeast Asia. Thus it is that many of us believe the Great Society to be a lie. President John- Not Fair This Time son said in 1965 as the war in Vietnam was being escalated that this nation is Austin gram approval and planning has been at wealthy and powerful enough to provide Well, the shoe is on the other foot a virtual standstill. Why? Congress both guns and butter—guns for national now. Ralph Yarborough should resign his dragged its feet for months before de- "defense" and butter for the needy here Senate seat if he decides to make a race ciding what to do about renewing the at home. But as the New Republic accur- for the governorship. So say the voices appropriation for the anti-poverty bill; ately noted in a recent editorial, "No but- of conscience of the Texas Establishment, in the meantime travel and other expens- ter, no margarine, either." in this case Waggoner Carr and State es of poverty warriors who work in the Sen. Tom Creighton. How silent Estab- regional office haven't been payable, Despair and Hope lishment spokesmen were in years gone pending action on Capitol Hill. by when, for example, Price Daniel ran We say we are concerned about the No matter what the degree of dissent, for governor while holding on to his US seething revolt that is escalating here at no matter what action the dissenters take, Senate seat; when Lyndon Johnson ran there will be no alteration in this nation's for reelection to the Senate and for Vice home, but are we? The anti-poverty pro- policy in Vietnam. So said President John- President at the same time. But now that gram in this country was given $1.6 bil- son not long ago. That is perilously close somebody like Yarborough might do the lion by Congress for the 1967 fiscal year. same sort of thing, well, that of course That money ran out on June 30. The December 8, 1967 15 is unethical. Give Gov. John Connally credit in this case; he has said he will not follow the suggestion of Creighton to recommend changing the state elec- tion code so as to require a senator to resign his office if planning a guberna- torial race. "I'm not going to be a party to arbitrarily keeping anybody off the ballot," Connally said. If it is determined that a public offi- cial would best serve democracy by re- signing one job before seeking another, so be it; there is reason to believe this well might be the case, though I think it's still an arguable proposition. But, as I say, if this is the case, then why must we start, all of a sudden, applying this principle to an opponent of the Estab- lishment? This issue is hardly new to Texas political dialogue. If Texans decide that an office holder should resign be- fore seeking another office then let's re- quire this of all office holders, and not dredge up this issue for selective appli- cation. Words and Deeds The Great Society. Workers in the Aus- tin regional Office of Economic Oppor- tunity, the headquarters of the war on poverty for five Southwestern states, have not been doing much these days. Field men have not been travelling; pro- MEETINGS THE THURSDAY CLUB of Dallas meets each Thursday noon for lunch (cafeteria style) at the Downtown YMCA, 605 No. Ervay St., Dallas. Good discussion. You're welcome. In- formal, no dues. The TRAVIS COUNTY LIBERAL DEMO- CRATS meet at the Spanish Village, 802 Red River, at 8 p.m. on the first Thursday. You're invited. CENTRAL TEXAS ACLU luncheon meeting. 2nd Friday of every month. El Chico, Hancock Cen- ter, Austin. From noon. Informal. All welcome. ITEMS for this feature cost, for the first entry, 7c a word, and for each subsequent entry, 5c a word. Wo must receive them one week •before the date of the issue in which they are to be published. to the language of dictatorship: We'll weekend that Sen. J. W. Fulbright of John Prager, 4305 Avenue D, Austin, proceed no matter what the people want. Arkansas evidently is not to be challenged Tex. 78751. It would be easy to be cynical about by former Gov. Orval Faubus, a race that The Observer prints virtually every let- the mission that Minnesota Sen. Eugene had been foreseen for some time. Faubus, ter received that is intended for Dialogue, McCarthy is undertaking in challenging I was told, couldn't raise the money for regardless of its effect on the editor's the president. But when one considers such a race. Evidently Fulbright will not sense of well-being. Ed. the possible irreparable damage that be seriously challenged next year, at least could result for McCarthy, cynicism dim- in his primary. A Patriotic Word inishes. From all I've read it seems to Another dove, Oregon's Wayne Morse, Somebody using the initials R.D. casti- me that the senator is truly off on a seems in trouble, however, but not be- gated the teachers of our fair state for mission he believes must be made, what:. cause of his views on Vietnam. Morse, I wanting more money and wanting it paid, ever the political consequences. This sort hear, has alienated a number of import- not by a property tax, but a sales tax. This of refreshing idealism is a heartening ant people in his state and party, and will same R.D. wanted these teachers to not step, taken at a time in our history when face a stiff challenge in the primary next only mend their ways but also to educate we who grieve at our nation's increasing- year from the same candidate who gave our citizens in the equity of an income ly destructive role in the world badly Mark Hatfield a tough race last year. tax. How un-American! Doesn't R.D. know need an infusion of hope. All but four or five county chairmen in that a first principle of good Americanism Speaking of hope, I was told by a na- Oregon reportedly are against Morse's is to want more money? Our teachers are tional labor leader at Galveston last re-election, I'm told. in the best tradition there. And when one gets more money doesn't he have to start paying those socialistic income taxes? And isn't it against that good American principle called "support- ing one's self-interest" to advocate voting taxes upon oneself? Indeed, to do so would set a bad example for those very citizens he wants educated. Finally, doesn't R.D. know that the sales Stick to Texas injection of a spurious religious question? tax is the only way to make those shiftless That an article [Obs., Nov. 10] reflecting people who are hungry, impoverished, The Observer's finest function for me such bigotry should be written is not sur- bad-breathed, decay-toothed, poor-com- is its comprehensive coverage of Texas prising—but that it should be printed in plexioned, ignorant, and usually wrong- events, political, economic, and otherwise. the Observer? . . . colored, to help support our government? Some commentary on foreign policy (our Item two: Don Allford's curiously lop- Even when people go to such extremes as support of Israel, our non-support of to starve themselves, refuse to see their North Vietnam) may be worth space, but sided, specious (and disappointing) defin- ition of a liberal Texan today [Obs., Oct. dentist twice a year, live in rented ghet- I hope you will continue to emphasize toes, will not become propertied people your observation of Texas and use less 27]. Texas liberals (affiliated and other- wise) know what they are: optimists, be- or buy government bonds, won't own a space on matters covered by national and car, or take medicine, or eat in good res- international publications .... lievers in the perfectibility of man to some as-yet-undetermined degree, believ- taurants or take vacations, or work for A. Lee Smith, 11410 Memorial Drive, ers that social and material progress can good wages—all to avoid paying taxes— Houston, Tex. 77024. be "engineered" by man applying his in- we must not let them get away with it. telligence to his secular affairs ( science And much less should our teachers con- What's Happening? and technology are servants in this ef- done by word or deed such un-American What's happening to the Observer? fort), proponents of parliamentary and attitudes. Shame on you, R.D. Item one: Is not the Vietnam issue con- democratic institutions and general edu- 0 t to. B. Mullinax, 1601 National Bankers fused and complicated enough without cation for all as providing the best cli- Life Bldg., Dallas, Tex. 75201. Fagan Dickson's crude and heavy-handed mate for this progress, advocates of the In this connection, see Observations belief that the individual's affiliation with this issue.—Ed. 16 The Texas Observer any group is voluntary and revocable, de- Technology vs. Sociology fenders of the idea that the individual's religious and philosophical beliefs are in- ... Should we be proud of technological violable. advance when we have made so little so- ciological advance? We are still killing, Mr. Platt [Obs., Nov. 10] is closer to maiming, and destroying — the greater the truth: the "working" liberal almost part of which crimes the United States always is in the position of weighing less- crosses oceans to perform. The main dif- than-perfect alternatives in search of a ference now is that due to technological viable course. "advances" we commit crimes of killing, Unqualified support for or opposition maiming, and destroying in a more mas- to the Vietnam war is not a "pass-fail" sive way and in countries farther from proposition for the liberal. Unqualified our domain. support for or opposition to LBJ is not a Isn't this a condemning commentary on "make-or-break" question for the liberal. a country which hypocritically considers Liberals will still be looking for new solu- itself an "enlightened," "Christian," "mod- tions to the old problems long after these ern," "advanced" nation? Something must transient perturbations have passed into happen to apprise US citizens of the wide obscurity. divergence between our advanced tech- nology and our unbelievably archaic na- A reader of this journal since its begin- tional social behavior which prompts us ning, I repeat: What's happening to the to resort to war. ... Is a national disaster Observer? If the trend continues, when imminent in the needed steps to US im- may we expect a lead article by J. Evetts provement, or can we correct our folly Haley? There's a "free voice" for you. without a catastrophe? I've also noticed that you don't seem to Mrs. Eula M. McNabb, 5521 Richmond, print as many letters like this as formerly. Dallas, Tex. 75206.