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About La Grande observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1959-1968 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 1959)
The Other Side of the Mattress NEA Scmct, Inc. DREW PEARSON SAYS: Adroit Defense Lobbying Costs Taxpayers Millions WASHINGTON A lobbyist may repent, but he seldom learns. This is what Congressman Edlic ni'ueri ol Louisiana discovered while grilling Vice President C. It. Smith of Western Electric re EDITORIAL PAGE LA GRANDE OBSERVER Thursday, August 20, 1959 PUBLISHED BT THB LA ORANDB PUBLJ8H1NO COMPANY "A Modern Newspaper With The Pioneer Spirit" RILEY D. ALLEN : GEORGE S. CHALLIS . TOM HUMES Publisher Adv. Director Circulation Mgr. Oh, Woe! What Is The Answer? Oh, woe! Just when we were crettinir thoroughly sold on the contention of various health experts that American men are working themselves into early graves, President Eisenhower comes out against more leisure time. At least that's what one columnist reports. He says Ike is worried about the Soviet Union catching up with the U.S., feeling that the country needs some driving urge to think less about leisure and money and more about work and achievement This, doesn't sound like something a man would think up on a golf course, but assuming the report is accurate, how can one reconcile it with the findings re lated in a currrent magazine which warns that too many Americans are working to achieve so much they break down. Too many heart attacks. Too many strokes. Too much mental illness and nervous tension. Listen to Ike and you get the im pression that we are going soft, like the French before World War H, or the Romans during the decline before their fall. A French professor Is reported to have told Ike that France's defeat in 19 10 came from trying to match a French four day week against Hitler's seven day week. . Yet the writer about stress and strain deplores the attitude of the man who "scans each day to see how much activity he can squeeze into it, and how he can accelerate any project's pace." One could almost conclude that you have two choices: work like crazy to lieat the Russians and kill yourself in the process, or take it easy and let the Russians cloblier us. Both alternatives are cause for worry. And worry causes stress, and stress leads to heart attacks. Oh, woe! Significant Development In Politics The Landrum-Griffin union control hill the one opposed by the unions passed the House and went over to the Senate. There it was decided to submit it to a, conference committee rather than force a vote by the Senators. This means that a committee of House and Senate members will meet to settle differences between the Landrum-Griffin ' bill and a similar measure passed pre viously by the Senate. Then both houses will vote on what the committee agrees on. The votes will be for acceptance or rejection no further changes allowed. Because both houses passed strong con trol bills over the protests of the lalor leaders, it seems safe now to predict that a strong bill will be finally agreed upon. This astonishes those who were sure only a short while back that a Congress bo heavily dominated by Democrats who received money from unions when they ran for office would never pass a bill rot endorsed by the labor union lobby. Unions have come to be identified in the mind of the public generally as a special . interest group. As such their wants have ' a selfish tinge. Persons elected to office instinctively rebel against domination by special interest groups of any kind. It is bad politics. Thus some Democrats refuse to do the bidding of union leaders even though they may owe their election to those leaders. This may not be as courageous as it seems. For when re election time comes around, the Demo crats are still going to enjoy labor sup port despite such displays of independ ence. Certainly unions aren't going to shift any of their allegiance to Re publicans. Congress knows, furthermore, that the public is incensed by the abuses re vealed by the McClellan committee. Not to take action against the crooks and racketeers would le bad politics. The heavy flow of mail on the subject makes that plain. Thus when the showdown came Con gressmen wanted to get on record as having voted for a reform bilL The AFL C10 figured just the opposite that a majority would want to get on record as voting as the AFI-CIO wanted them to. It was a case of voting against the rack eteers or for the unions and constitutes one of the most significant developments in American politics in many years. Stoven Refutes An Old Saying Steven Rockefeller couldn't have pick ed a better time to get married to a poor Norwegian girl. It's getting the family name an amount of good publicity that should be a real help to Dad, who hinted recently that he might be a candidate for president next year after all. Most of us never heard of young Steven until he fitted the glass slipper to his Cinderella, but he seems to be quite a jruy. At college he won the prize for being the senior who had most clearly demonstrated "excellent scholar ship, manly qualities and effective sup port of the best interests of Princeton." Steven is a great grandson of the late John D. (who was obviously a man of ability). John I). Jr. did well with the family fortune. He increased it. Grand son Nelson is governor of New York and is definitely presidential timber. Now fourth generation Steven appears to be a typical Rockefeller. This refutes again the old saying about families going from "Bhirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations," mean ing that ability and industriousness aren't necessarily inherited. yarding his lobbying efforts continue an Army missile con tract even though contrary Kisenhower policy. western Electric has long de monstrated its ability to get what il wants out of the Eisenhower idministration even when it op :oses Eisenhower policy. It. to gether with its parent company, American Telephone and Tele graph, was sued for antitrust violation during the Truman ad ministration. But when Ike took over, the two companies virtually numbed their noses at the justice department and got Charlie Wil son, then Secretary of Defense,. to write a letter demanding that the uit be dropped. Eventually it was. Later, the defense department also tangled with Western Elec ric and came out second best I planned to curtail the Nike Hercules mis.sile which partially duplicates the liomarc missile. But Western Electric, together with Douglas Aircraft, both man ufacturing the Nike, launched a lobbying campaign to continue their profitable contract. In the end they won. Both the Bnmarc ;md the duplicating Nikellcrcul es are being continued at dou ble expense to the taxpayer. Lobbyist Squirm Congressman Hebert, who's probing the munitions lobby, tried to get Vice President Smith to admit Western Electric was lobbying. "I can't believe for a minute anything we would do would have any effect on congress," insisted Smith. "We certainly wouldn want to do anything like that." "Then what purpose was serv ed in going to the Senate appro priations committee?" We just wanted to give the senators information "You really went to put your position as to why this cutback should not be made," suggested the congressman from Louisiana No, sir," replied Smith. "Mer ely to let the public know how we felt about it. Then why go to the Senate appropriation committee?" re peated Hebert To let them know how we felt." 'Meagarding the cutback.' 'No, sir." 'I'm still trying to find out why you went to the appropriations committee," queried Hebert wear ily. But he got no satisfactory ans wer. Trving another tact, ne a:kcd: "Why did you go to Gov ernor Hodges of North Carolina and to the congressman (Charles Jonas) in whose district your nlant is located? We work very closely with those gentlemen and try to keep them posted on the employment situation in our North Carolina plant," replied Smith. "We have about 17,000 employees down there. 'Yes. but you would expect them to do what?" asked the committee chairman. Lobbying It Not Lobbying 'I don't know what action they would take," answered Smith. "I would expect that they might raise some questions as to the cutback "And to whom would they raise these questions?" queried Hebert. Smith: "I would suspect that the questions probably would be raised here in Washington. Hebert: "To the defense de partment? Smith: "Yes. sir." Herbert: "They would then QUOTES FROM THE NEWS United Pros International WEST YELLOWSTONE. Mont. Madison County Sheriff V. H. Bowman, speaking of the death toll of the earthquake and mas she landslide that are known to have killed at least 10 and possi bly 12 vacationers: There might be 100 people un ;ler that slide or there might be only a few. Probably we'll never know." NEW YORK Hodman Rocke feller, son of New York Gov. Nel son Rockefeller, explaining why he and his brother Michael took no gifts with them as they left for Norway to attend the wedding i)f their brother Steven to Anne Marie Rasmussen: "In our family, we always find out what they need and then we act accordingly. You know what happens if you don't do that. They get 27 ashtrays." come forward In an effort not to allow your employment to be cut is that correct? Smith: "I would think they would raise some quetions: Yes sir. Hebert: "Of course, they would raise questions. Whatever word you want to use, Mr. Smith, is all right with me. ' Smith: "Maybe we were Ul-ad vised, sir, in doing that. But at the time it seemed to make sense." Hebert: "Are you going to continue to do it, if you were ill advised in the past? Smith: "No, sir." Hebert: "In other words, from now on You are not going to in form the congressman from the district that is affected or the governor of the state?" Smith: "If it is not the proper thing to do, of course we are not fcoing to. I would need a little instructions, I think, in that re ttrd." Hebert: "You said you were ill advised in the first place, what are you going to do in the sec ond place? But the vice president of Western 'Electric was incorrlgi ble. "Well, sir, I think we have an obligation to keep these gentle men informed, he said Hebert: "Therefore, you will keep them informed, though it is ill advised? ' Smith: "I beg your pardon?" At this point Republican Con gressman Leo Gavin rushed to Smith's defense. All this is one reason why the taxpayers have to spend so much money for national defense. LETTERS Maximum lengr 300 words. No anonymous letters but true nam will bo withhold on request. TOKYO IS. Armv Mai Gen. William Riddle, chief I'nited Nations command delegate on the Korea Military Armistice Com mission, demanding punishment for Red pilots who fired on an American plane in June: I demand that the persons re- ponsible for this barbarous and unprovoked attack on an aircraft of our side be adequately pun- flieU. To The Editor: In response to Frank B. Ben nett's fine letter I would like to say I was deeply impressed by the play (Dr. In Buckskin Clad) partly because I have heard the Whitman story ever since I was a little girl. partly because my Grandfather Andrew Osborn and Great Grand father Joseph Osborn were with the Whitmans before and at the time of the massacre. I have known of the spiritual grace Mar cus and Narcissa were capable of It has had a great influence on my life and I was so grateful the way this was brought out in the play. In the spring ot 1845 my great grandfather and great grandmoth er with their children left Hender son county, Illinoiis. for Oregon. On the snake river they met Dr. Elijah White who told them they could get supplies from Dr. Mar cus Whitman at Waulatpu Mission. Dr. Whitman asked great grand father (Joseph Osborn i to come to the mission and rebuild the mill that was burned at the foot of the Blue Mts. near the old Cayuse Station. He started north for Dr. Whitmans mission, making heir first camp where Athena now stands. After spending the winter at the mission they started for Oregon City. Great grandfather worked for Dr. McLaughlin in the mill. In the fall of 1847 Dr. Whitman offered great grandfather $1.50 a day, free rent, free schooling and provisions, if he would come back to the mission. They left their donation claim in Calapooia and went by ox team to Oregon City where they took a boat Batean) and landed at tort Walla Walla. Dr. Whitman sent Crocket Bcvly (killed in the massacre) ith an ox team to bring them from the fort to the mission, a distance of 30 miles. They lived at the mission, occupying what was called the Indian room. They ere stricken with measles the same as a lot of the others and at the time of the massacre some of them were ill. They had lost one little girl. Dr. Whitman thought it might help If the Indians could see they were losing people the same as the Indians, lie asked the Indians in to see, but it had little effect. At the time of the massacre the Osborn family hid under the floor of the Indian room, creeping out at night and going as far as possible, with some sick and weak. Hiding in the brush by day Joseph took Andrew and went on in Fort Walla Walla, getting pro visions and a friendly Indian guide who helped him find Mrs. Osborn and the rest of the children. I cannot give enough praise to the fine cast and to all the people connected with the play. I feel. I Grande should feel proud in deed to have the fine talent that iwt "Dr in Buckskin ciaa possible for all to see. I feel this play will clarify some misrepre sented statements aooui ur. r cus Whitman. I know Andrew and Helen Mar played together and it was with mixed emotions that I talked to and met Joe Meek and Helen Mar. when they were here. tyntennlally. Bonnie B. Osborn) Berry nun , FLYING THE HAMMER AND SICKLE Invitations For Khrushchev Offer Wide Choice Of Stops By FRANK ELEAZER UPI Staff Writer WASHINGTON (UPI) From the hundreds of invitations pour ing in here for Nikita Khru shchev's forthcoming visit, it's hard to say whether the plan is to bore mm to death, scare him to death, or just wear htm out. His presence is being sought for civic club luncheons, local fairs, and meetings of county commissions. It has been sug gested he would enjoy visiting a Glenridge, N.J., girl scout troop and the junior women's club of Elk Grove Village, 111. He also has been urged to attend a tur key day fete in Worthington, Minn., and to address the Brook lyn Ocean Front Men's Civic and Social Club. Defense officials are offering him a guided tour of secret mis sile and bomber bases. It is said that watching an Atlas missile blast off its pad, or a B-52 jet leap from the runway, is an ex perience to shake anybody, even one oi us natives if we could get security clearance to see it, Ike's Ideas Listed President Eisenhower said he wants Khrushchev to see ordi nary homes, maybe those at Lev ittown. Pa.; a view of the Wash ington area from Ike's helicop ter: farm country; and Ike's boy- nooa nome ot Abilene. Kan., where he said he can Drove hnw hard he worked as a youth. iNotmng much is firm vet on which Invitations Khrushchev will accept. Meantime thev arrive in each mail. Ambassador Mikhail Menshikov says the Russian em bassy is considering "hundreds" already in hand. Some ISO invi. tations have reached the State Department, for consideration and relay if desired. Khrushchev has exnressnf n interest in Washington. York. Chicago, San Franeisrn- turn iarm at coon Rapids, Iowa; wants to go on TV, but no deci sion has been reached on who ought to get equal time. Moscow. Idaho Makes Claim Moscow, Idaho, wants in on the schedule. So do a whole batch of cities with not near so good an excuse. AH Los Angeles wants is the Democratic National Conven tion next year. The National Coal Assn. thinks The National Coal Assn. thinks an old miner like Khrushchev may want to go underground while he's here. It is offering a nice choice of mines for his visit. A Detroit salt mine has been made available by the Interna tional Salt Co.. in case he would Eisenhower links Defense Measure WASHINGTON (UPD Presi dent Eisenhower Tuesday signed into law a $39,228,239,000 defense money bill half the nation' budget revising some military programs and providing 35 million dollars to start a second atomic powered aircraft carrier. The bill, by far the largest ap propriation of the year, gives tno President almost all the funds he requested to run the armed serv ices in the current fiscal year that started July 1. It will finance a fighting force of 2,545.000 men. But Congress drastically re vised some of the administra tion's original plans for the mili tary. It put more emphasis on developing long-range missiles and defenses against enemy sub marines and intercontinental rockets. GIA SCALA TO WED HOLLYWOOD (UPI Actress Gia Scala, 23, will wed actor Don Burnett, 28. Friday. The couple took out a marriage license Wednesday in nearby Santa Mon- feel more at home there. Tyler, Tex., has asked the State Department to invite Khru shchev to visit Van Cliburn, the pianist who wowed music lovers in Moscow, at Tyler, "the epito me of .small town America.'' Well, not quite the epitome. There's Kilgore. Tex., about 30 miles away, where Cliburn actu ally lives. According to Tyler folks, Kilgore is too small to ac commodate KhrQshys big party. Clevelanders Views Differ Rep. Charles A. Vanik ID-Ohio) has announced that Cleveland, with the country's highest con centration of Ilunga'ian refugees. can get by without a visit from Khrushchev. But a Cleveland rock 'n' roll enthusiast has ca bled Moscow direct inviting Khru shchev to dig a record hop there Sept. 14. A Daylon, Ohio, radio station (WIG) has asked the Soviet premier to drop in to edit and supervise one of its newscasts. The American Automobile Asso ciation here wants him to inspect Washington's Expressway Sys tem. Local drivers are for this but wonder how it's going to get built in a month. Protocol experts say one thing Khrushchev has to see first thing when he gets off the plane, is about 1,500 hammers and sick les, adorriiig the local light poles. We fly national emblems for all visiting big shots. The Washington Daily News meantime has urged all of us to be calm. Let the supermarkets handle Khrushy's visit, the News said in an editorial. They've had more experience. tra Natthnr hnq heen marripri Florida; a plastics plant. He also before. 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