Page 2 Portland'Observer With Ron Hsndren Thursday, May 3. 1973 A YOUNG VIEW OF WASHINGTON Self Service Auto Repair The "F ix Editor’s Desk WE SEE THE WORLD THROUGH BLACK EYES Law Day 7 3 M a y 1st is d e s ig n a te d as la w d a y th ro u g h o u t the U n ite d States. It is set a sid e to re c a ll to o u r a tte n tio n th a t this is a n a tio n o f law s th a t a p p ly e q u a lly to a ll the p e o p le ; th a t th e C o n stitu tio n stands h ig h in the id e a ls o f those sw orn to u p h o ld it. But is th e U n ite d States tru ly a n a tio n o f law s? O r is it a n a tio n o f sp e cia l interests th a t is fa st b e c o m in g a fa cist state? H ow e a s ily c o u ld th e g o v e rn m e n t o f th e co u n try be ta ke n o v e r by e x tra -le g a l m eans? W h e n th e A tto rn e y G e n e ra l o f the U n ite d States a n d the D ire ctor o f th e FBI, th e tw o m en m ost re s p o n s ib le fo r th e e n fo rc e m e n t o f th e la w , a n d th e P resident's le g a l counsel a n d p e rso n a l a tto rn e y , can be in v o lv e d in as fa r-re a c h in g ille g a l a ffa irs as W a te rg a te w ith o u t th e P resident's k n o w le d g e , th e n the g o v e rn m e n t o f th e U n ite d States is in d e e d in je o p a rd y. W h a t if these m en had w o rk e d to o v e rth ro w th e p re sid e ncy ra th e r th a n to e le c t a President? W h a t if th e y had had the assistance o f top m ilita ry o ffic ia ls ? W o u ld a m ilita ry ta k e o v e r not be possible? But th e su bve rsio n o f th e system o f la w can also ta ke p la ce th ro u g h le g a l m eans. Exam ples a re the so -ca lle d rio t acts u n d e r w h ic h yo u n g p e o p le ta k in g d o n a te d fo o d a n d c lo th in g to In d ia n s at W o u n d e d Knee w e re a rre ste d a n d th re a te n e d w ith lo n g p rison sentences; w h ic h e n a b le d persons w h o h ad n e v e r m et o r ta lk e d to g e th e r to be trie d fo r c o n sp ira cy; a n d a series o f " la w a n d o rd e r " le g is la tio n th a t s y s te m a tic a lly ta ke a w a y th e rights o f th e citize n s; la w s th a t e n a b le th e te rm in a tio n o f a n y fe d e ra l e m p lo y e e w h o o p e n ly d isa gre es w ith his a g e n c y 's p o licie s. There is n o w p e n d in g in th e Senate a la w th a t w o u ld m a ke it ille g a l fo r a fe d e ra l e m p lo y e e to ta ke a d o c u m e n t m a rke d secret a n d ille g a l fo r a n y o n e re c e iv in g it to use it. A t firs t g la n c e this seem s re a so n a b le , b ut n o t w h e n yo u re m e m b e r th a t th e "s e c r e t" d e s ig n a tio n can be p ut on a n y d o c u m e n t by a n y n u m b e r o f e m p lo y e e s fo r no sp e cific reason a n d has b e e n used to co ve r up in co m p e te n c e , ille g a l acts a n d b u n g lin g . This la w w o u ld p re v e n t th e n ew s m e d ia fro m m a k in g p u b lic a n y d isclo sure it m ig h t re ce ive . W e h ave seen the fa r-re a c h in g te n a cle s o f g o v e rn m e n t sp yin g a n d n o th in g m uch has been said o r d o n e . W h e n a rm y sp yin g on Senators a nd o th e r e le c te d o ffic ia ls w as d isco ve re d , th e p u b lic d id n o th in g . W h e n o rg a n iz a tio n s a n d persons such as th e Black Panthers a n d D a n ie l Ellsberg have been syste m a tica lly p ersecu te d, th e A m e ric a n p u b lic says n o th in g . W hen FBI file s on p u b lic fig u re s w e re re v e a le d , n o th in g w as d o n e . W h e n it w as k n o w n th a t President N ix o n had su rro u n d e d h im s e lf w ith th e m ost ruthless a id s, a nd w h e n a ll the a g e n cie s o f g o v e rn m e n t w e re tu rn e d in to ca m p a ig n h e a d q u a rte rs, the A m e ric a n p e o p le re tu rn e d h im to o ffic e w ith a re s o u n d in g vo te o f co n fid e n c e . As he d is m a n tle s the social p ro g ra m s th a t have h e ld th e n a tio n to g e th e r, ille g a ly d e fy in g both Congress a r d th e p e o p le , n o th in g is said. W hen secrecy a n d c rim e a n d ille g a l ca m p a ig n fu n d s are fo u n d in the W h ite House, th e re is no g re a t cry o f a la rm . W e no lo n g e r h ave a n a tio n o f la w . W e h ave a n a tio n o f h arassm ent, fe a r, in tim id a tio n . A n d w h o is to b la m e ? The A m e ric a n p e o p le do not seem to care They re a d in th e ir d a ily p a p e r a b o u t the in tim id a tio n o f the FBI or th e In te rn a l R evenue System a g a in st th e ir fe llo w citizens. In th e ir a p a th y a n d s e lf-in te re s t th e y d o n 't ca re u n til the te n a cle s e n tw in e th e m - a n d th e n it s to o late. The W a te rg a te a ffa ir a n d th e P resident's s w e a rin g co m p le te in n o ce n ce sh o u ld o p e n som e eyes — but w ill it? THE HIGH PRICE OF HONOR W A S H IN G T O N -W h at lasting affect is the Watergate scandal likely to have on the Nixon Presidency? That is the speculative question making the rounds in the nation's capital these days. So far, the only sure answer is that it's too soon to tell. No one knows yet just how far up the executive ladder the Watergate investigations will reach Should the ugly taint reach the President himself, the damage could escalate be­ yond imagination. Certainly the charge o f pnor knowl­ edge or direct involvement on the part of the President is not beyond the realm of the possible. Those who follow politics will recall that the President and his current White House chief of staff, H. R. Haldeman, were both officially cited by a California court in 1964 for having per­ sonally approved similar deceptive and illegal campaign tactics in Nixon’s 1962 campaign for governor of that state. To be sure, those around the President are moving fast to protect him. Dr Henry A. Kissinger, Mr. Nixon’s top foreign affairs advisor, just last week suggested that compassion for all those involved was the proper approach. His reasoning, in part at least, was that additional public washing o f the Watergate laundry might seriously damage the President's ability to carry out the innovative foreign policy programs which were begun during his first term. That line o f reasoning wasn't bought any more than Kissinger's earlier plea for loving compassion toward the President during the Cambodian crisis, at one of the most critical periods of the Vietnam war Readers will recall the response of Sena­ tor Frank Church (D-ldaho) at that time What was needed, he told Kissinger, is not an act of love but an act of decency. That response still holds today. A l­ though the President has said that any of his staff who may be indicted will be suspended and that anyone convicted would be fired, that is surely the absolute minimum that could be expected from him Meanwhile, White House sources have indicated that Mr. Nixon has advised those staff members who have been 6027 N. Lombard 5621 SE Center EDITOR/PUBLISHER MEMBER Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association MEMBER ÌNÈWA . \PEH A tiocialion - • Fnun/laH Foundod 1885 Association 2H5 8298 774 0267 and save Parts 4 0 % off Mothers Day Sale implicated that he is behind them. In­ deed, he has conferred privately with the attorney representing Haldeman and John Dean, the White House counsel who announced to the world that he had no intention of becoming a Watergate scape­ goat. Dean is not the only one manuevering to save his skin. As the crisis has surged upward, Presidential advisors past and present have rushed to spill their personal versions of the beans, and the result has been a lot o f soiled fingers pointing at each other. It will take time to sort out the truth Meanwhile, there is little to do but wait and hope the President will enlighten us with the findings of his own investigation. Until he does make a complete and open statement, the honor which has become one o f the keystones in so many o f his pleas for public support will not ring true again. Chairs and Swivel Rockers large selection to choose from FRO M 129.95 Simmons Hide a beds 1159.95 Custom Made Draperies Call for home demonstration 5 pc. Maple Table and 4 chairs <89.95 Krause Furniture Co. 301 E. Powell Gresham Free I M l ver y Free Parking 665 1103 Syndicated |» 7 J by W A SH IN G TO N W E E K L Y . Inc All right« reserved Credit Terms 287 - 2887 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Citizens request public electricity To the Editor: Laws are to protect peo­ ple, yet they often result in the opposite. Years ago, Oregon, s im ila r to other states, provided for the Gov ernor to appoint a Public U tility Commissioner, who takes an oath of office to "Protect the Patrons". Many people now think that this protection of the patrons has been abused by favoring special interests. They cite the wide differences of elec trie rates permitted by the Oregon P.U.C. of investor owned utilities over those of consumer owned. Before the 11% rate in­ crease which becomes effec­ tive immediately, all residen­ tial customers of PGE were compelled to pay $11.45 for 1000 kwh, which is 50.4% higher than the average of eight nearby consumer-owned customers pay, $7.61. Six of these are in Oregon and two in nearby Washington. The 11% increase or $1.25 on 1000 kwh will now be $12.61 for the All-Electric custom ers, which is now 65.7% higher than consumer owned customers pay. Com­ mercial PG E customers for 1500 kwh who paid $27.00 or 74.2% higher, now will pay $29.97 or 93.3% highe* than the average of the eight areas. Portland is the only major city from Eugene to Seattle that has not been getting Bonneville power direct to their customers. Now with the indignation of the con sumers, several strong con sumer organizations have had meetings and will be filing a petition with the Portland City Auditor within a few days- to exercise their "op tion" to purchase Pacific Power & Light Company facilities within the City of Portland at the true cash value, with revenue bonds only. This will entitle Port land to be in a position to become preference customers of Bonneville, thereby bring ing more of Bonneville low cost power to Oregon, where­ as, most of it is now going into the State of Washington. The ballot box is the only solution. Lane County is preparing to set up a P.U.D. for most of the County. Preparation is being outlined for Multnomah County with an eye on a T ri County P.U .D . There have been hearings on HB 2545 and 2546, which will adjust the Oregon P .U .D . law more in conformity with the State of Washington, and will make it more easy to compete for low cost B.P.A. power. Del Bucknam, President, United Business Associates, Incorporated 1958 By p o p u la r d em an d for 5 big d a y s o n ly S tartin g F rid a y FBI seeks EC Dear Brothers & Sisters, As you know, I have been unable to be with you for the last month or so. The reason for this may be obvious to many of you; however, to be perfectly honest, I recently learned that I am being sought by the FB I. When I learned of this, about 1 month ago, I tried finding out just what they wanted of me. How ever, until the present time, I have only learned that they have a warrant for my a r­ rest. My attorney in Detroit has also tried, but apparently justice does not allow one to Academ y a w a rd nom inee know w hat he is charged with, until he is arrested and put into ronfinement, where he has little or no means of defense. This, brothers and sisters, is the reason I am ap,M-aling to you. I need all the support 1 ran get. I need letters, cards, plus any finan rial assistance you ran pro vide. Please send your cards, letters, and rontribu tions to: Diana Ross Lady sings the Blues Starring B illy D e e W illia m A R ich a rd P ryor F R tiM WATTSTAX o u ts tan d in g second Co—fe a tu re The M an It took an accident to make this man President of the The U.S. District Attorney c/o The Portland Observer I ' l l B o x 3137 Portland, Oregon 97211 EC What the' do to him now won't he an accident United States THE EXPLOSIVE STORY OF THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES W alt Johnson James Earl Jones Coming M a y 9 Lincoln Mercury The Mack HOURS Moo. - Sot. Sunday 7:00 p j 3:45 p Approaching the end of the 73 model run, this is an excellent time to buy a luxury automobile at a ridiculously low price; the dealer simply cannot afford to keep them on hand when the 1974 models arrive. So, if you need or want a well built car which has to a period of five or seven years before trade in, then Lincoln Continental and the magnificent M ark IV do take a back seat in quality and performance to any being built in America today. W ith Lincoln, options standard equipment, not "extras". last the not car are The Mercury Cougar is the O N L Y low price ear being built today that comes in a convertible and J. Alton Page has them. Please come out and look them over. SHOP W e wish to thank our many friends and customers who, over the last 2 months, have discovered honest dealing, fair prices, informed financing and good clean used cars at W alt Johnson Lincoln Mercury, the Pride of Portland. 7 0 Ford LTD 4 d r V 8. auto. PS, A ir, Vinyl Top, Radio, (W008B 7 0 C hev Im p a lla Custom lENOW 'S V 8, Power 8teering, auto, radio, PR, *2787 A V-8, radio, auto. Power Steering, FOR B R A N D S you kn o w V A R IE T IE S y o u lik e Spring vacation trade-ins are at their peak right new. Phone J. Alton Page at 256-2800. N.E. 122nd & Halsey Street $1982 7 3 O a la x ie 5 0 0 4 dr J. Alton Page Power Brakes, A ir.*P 0 33................................................................. $ 3 8 9 5 6 8 M a lib u C o n v e rtib le V 8, radio, auto. Power Steering. *3052A ...... $1395 7 0 Ford LTD 2 dr V 8, radio, auto, Power Steering, Power Brakea. A ir, Vinyl top, *7947A ........................................ $ 2 3 9 5 SIZES vo u w a n t 6 9 O lds Cutlass 2 dr nu . uact usi r V 8, radio, auto. Power Steering, PB, A ir, *9474A ...... $18 95 7 3 C ountry S e d an W a g o n "Merta turnout.. Published every Thursday by Exle Publishing Company, 2201 N . Klllingsworth, Portland, Oregon 97217. Mailing address, P .O . Box 3137, Portland, Oregon 97208 ALFRED L. HENDERSON it y o u rs elf Subscriptions $5.25 per year - Outside Portland. Telephone, 283-2486, Tri-County area, $6,00 per year Application to mail at second class postage rates Is pervllng at Portland, Oregon. The Observer's official position is expressed only in Its Publisher's Column (The observation Post) and the Editor's * " / ° ther matwrtal throughout the paper Is the opinion ° lntoH o« CARFSNTBRS, M S K X R S and ESTIMATORS in the trade. KEI1Y • Stares ma. mu T W O I Of A HONS N o r l h p ,« • f i r n . h I wv . - / ,»t f i r s i S I 10 N o r t h I o r n b . t r r l • ?HH S? I«, ? n n *» ? 1 1