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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1972)
Editorials Redden for treasurer The race for state treasurer has been somewhat confusing this year as the original Democratic candidate, Alice Corbett, was disqualified by the courts on a legal technicality. Her replacement, Jim Redden, is challenging Republican Craig Berkman for the office being vacated by Bob Straub. The Emerald enthusiastically en dorses Redden. Unfortunately, the main issue in the race has become Berkman’s campaign practices. Berkman’s problems began before last spring’s primary when he was named Oregon’s outstanding young Jaycee. His face was plastered on billboards around the state, days before he announced his candidacy. The resulting free billboard space was seen by many as a cheap political trick. Berkman’s campaign came under further attack earlier this fall when the Medford-Mail Tribune accused him of unfair campaign practices—specifically alleged misleading statements in his campaign literature. The statements dealt primarily with Berkman’s educational and business background, and were without question, open to different interpretations. But the worst that can be said for Berkman is that he is an ambitious, energetic political newcomer. At 31, he does not seem mature enough to handle the duties of this statewide office. His opponent, on the other hand, is a veteran of Oregon politics. Redden is a veteran legislator who earned the respect of both Democrats and Republicans for his outstanding performance in the state legislature. Serving from 1963-67, Redden was instrumental in drafting and passing the Oregon beach bill which safeguarded beaches for public use. He was voted outstanding legislator of the 1967 session by the Capitol Press Corps, while serving as House minority leader during that session. Since retiring from the legislature in 1968, Redden has served on a number of commissions, consistently being called upon by Republican Gov. Tom McCall to chair various committees. He was appointed to run in place of Corbett by state Democratic leaders, and since that time has campaigned en thusiastically for the position. He stepped into the race at a time when Democrats were facing confusion and defeat and has in fact turned the race around. Berkman claims Redden's background as a lawyer does not meet the needs of the office. But there is little evidence that Berkman’s questionable business background is any more significant. In this race, Redden’s maturity, record of acheivement and political savvy make all the difference. Both Berkman and Redden were in terviewed by the Emerald. Myers deserves second term Incumbent Secretary of State Clay Myers is running against democratic challenger Beulah Hand. He appears certain to win a second term as Hand has hardly bothered to mount a campaign. On the basis of his record and Hand’s apparent lack of interest, the Emerald endorses Myers. Hand has a distinguished record in Oregon politics. She served four terms in the state legislature and has a strong background in state fiscal policy. But her entrance into the campaign for secretary of state was a last minute decision. She apparently bowed to party pressure to enter, as up to the very last day of filing, there was no Democratic politician willing to challenge Myers. Party leaders convinced Hand she should enter the race for the sake of the party, and she filed just before the final deadline. Since then she has run a non campaign, spending little money and doing little to challenge Myers record. In fact, her primary campaign issue revolves around her belief that the office of secretary of state should be abolished. Against such token opposition, Myers isn’t running very hard. His record as the incumbent is a good one. He personally reapportioned the state’s legislative districts when the legislature and the voters failed to do so. Hie plan he developed was as fair as any possible, though portions of it were later changed by the courts. Myers disagrees with Hand’s con tention that the office should be abolished. He cites the certain need for at least three new officers to assume the duties now performed by his office. His defense is reasonable, and founded in fact. It is all the more sincere when one considers that Myers himself advocated eliminating the office when he first was appointed to the position six years ago. Six years in office convinced him of the im portance of the office and its functions. There is another reason Clay Myers should be elected. Already there is tremendous jockeying in Republican circles for the 1974 gubernatorial nomination. Myers bluntly says he will run, and he’s already preparing to face a crowded field which will almost certainly contain current Attorney General Lee Johnson. Johnson will mount one of the heaviest campaigns in state history, and Myers will need a solid victory this fall if he is to raise the momentum necessary to stop Johnson’s bid. The Emerald interviewed Myers but was unable to meet with Hand. Letters . . . For McGovern Early in this campaign, shock was ex pressed at the unfeasibility and costs of parts of preliminary proposals for new public policies. We have not been accustomed in recent years to open discussion of early drafts of policy proposals. Nixon has rarely taken even congressional leaders into his confi dence in planning his policies. And the Republican convention was tightly con trolled. In contrast, Senator McGovern has opened up the Democratic party and his campaign to wide participation, at the convention and since. This change from elite secrecy to demo cratic participation requires us to make a number of other difficult but healthy changes. First, from griping and pro testing about established policies to discussing proposed new ones. Second, from negative reactions to posi tive and exploratory ones. Third, from uninvolved spectator to actively sharing responsibility. Fourth, from piecemeal criticisms to developing and evaluating a broad and hopefully adequate program for a par ticular problem. These changes are substantial, and bring us to another shock. While many of us were united in an “ain’t it awful” game about past governmental and social policies we deplored, we now find we differ among ourselves about what policies should replace them. Those of us who have experience in policy formation and evaluation, either in social, religious, professional, or govern mental bodies, know that this “unity of direction but diversity of proposal” is the usual condition while policy is being debated and improved. It is a major first step toward a better program. We can even learn to enjoy it! So let us now join McGovern and Shriver in rethinking and then rebuilding a con structive and happy America we can be proud of again. Kenneth Ives 401E. 32, Apt. 1002 Chicago, 111. 60616 For Dellenback I have been a longtime Democrat and I am supporting George McGovern for the - Presidency. However, like many Ore gonians I feel compelled to vote for the individual running for public office, not just for the party label that he or she may run on. For this reason I am going to cast my vote for Congressman from this Dis trict for John Dellenback. Dellenback has continually demon strated his independence in Washington by refusing to vote down-the-line with the Republican Party and the Nixon ad ministration. A clear example of this just occured when Dellenback returned to Washington from campaigning in Oregon to cast his vote to override the Presidential veto on the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Also, Dellenback, on October loth, was one of only a few Republicans in the House to vote against giving the President com plete control over implementing a $250 billion spending ceiling. It takes courage to vote against the President and leader of your party in an election year. Dellenback’s continued independence is needed in Washington. Roger F. Smith 2203 Lorane Highway Eugene Don’t Muff It Eugene voters have a chance to say “yes” to an auditorium. I hope they don’t muff this chance. There are it seems to me, two com pelling reasons for a “yes” vote for the auditorium-convention center. 1. It’s well planned, well designed. The package put together by both oridnary citizens and experts during nearly a decade of joint effort is, in my opinion, excellent. 2. The site is right. Shops and restaurants will be near by. It will stand at the center of our mass transit system. The parking problem has, I think, been badly misrepresented. I’m disturbed by suggested locations near Autzen stadium. That green area near the stadium is being developed slowly into a metropolitan river bank park of rare beauty and utility. It can be comparable to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. I can’t believe student voters will knowingly sabotage efforts to develop such a park. An auditorium has no place in it. As I said, I hope we don’t muff this chance to get the right auditorium in the right site. Ruth Bascom (Student, Post Bac.) 2114 University Congratulations I noted recently with interest that Charlie Porter managed to gain a distinction that John Dellenback has not acquired during the last six years he has served in the Congress. This is the en dorsement of the right-wing National Association for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms centered in Grants Pass. Since Charlie and his staff are not falling all over themselves to get this award publicized here in Eugene I would like to be the first Eugene resident to publicly congratulate him on his achievement. Charlotte Whalin Sociology
