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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 1978)
\ I Page 2 Portland Observer Thursday. M a r 4. 1978 Through the eyes of Mr. W . . . The year 1978 has been very painful for minorities because of the high unemploy Support Don Clark Possibly the m ost crucial race in this year's e le ction is> that fo r th e C hoirm on o f the M u ltn o m a h C ounty Board o f C ounty Com m issioners. Don C lark, w ho has h eld the p o sitio n fo r fo u r years, foces a d ose race w ith C om m issioner Dan Mosee. C lark is p erhaps the most m a lig n e d pub lic o ffic ia l in tfae state. He took o ver the ch airm a ship a fte r the long reign o f M ike G leason. The county was in d e e p tro u b le - g re a tly overspent, in a d e q u a te records, no personnel d e p a rtm e n t, c iv il service a mess, etc. etc. C lark im m e d ia te ly w e n t to w ork to b alan ce the b ud ge t — as is re q u ire d by la w — a nd in so d o in g stepped on m any toes M an y social program s w ere cut d ra stica lly, and lik e m an y others, w e o bjected. But Don C lark a lo n e cannot be fa u lte d fo r fin a n c ia l d e ficie n cie s U ntil the citizens are w illin g to pay eno ug h taxes to support county g o ve rn m e n t, he must w ork w ith in the b udget A ll is not w e ll w ith the C ounty's a ffirm a tiv e action program , b ut - Clark h ire d Dr Lee Brow n, first as Sheriff and th en as D irector o f Justice Services, and he h ired Bem a P lum m er as the C ounty's first a ffirm a tiv e a ction o ffic e r. He institute d a M in o rity Business Enterprise Program w ith set-asides fo r m in o rity contractors and his hea lth p ro gram fo r low incom e persons is a m o ng the best in the natio n. W hat hos Dan M osee done in his years on the County C om m ission? He has g ld h a n d e d the p u b lic, a tte nd in g hundreds o f m eetings a nd c o llin g thous ands o f voters by th ie r first nam es He has not o ffe re d one p ositive p ro gram to enh an ce the lives o f those voters. He calls the C ounty's adm inistrators, espe cia lly those in Justice Services in co m p e te n t and liars (and rem em be r, that includes Lee B row n). He rants and raves and that is a bo ut a ll W e p re d ict that in his hands county g o ve rn m e n t w o u ld collapse. Two years w h e n Dan M osee ran fo r re -e le c tio n , w e recom m ended his d e fe a t on the basis o f in c o m p e t ence W e still hold that o p in io n . W e w h o le h e a rte d ly endorse Don C lark fo r C h a ir man o f the M u ltn o m a h C ounty Board o f C om m is sioners. Straub - McCall G overnor Bob Straub has been in o ffic e fo r fo u r years and has done a cre d ita b le |ob in m any areas. No g overnor can com e into o ffic e and do e v e ry th in g he w ou ld like , b ut Straub has p ro vid e d lea de rship in the areas o f lan d use. conservation, a nd program s for senior citizens. Straub is n ot a p u b lic re la tio n s e xp e rt and m any tim es a ppears b u m b lin g in his p u b lic appearances. But he sh o w e d th a t he can be decisive and w ill stand fo r a cause e ven if th ere are p o litic a l dangers w he n he appo nted G rey Panther lea de r Ron W yden to the Board o f Exam iners c f N ursing H om e A dm in istra to rs over the o p p o sitio n o f the D em ocratic Senate leadership, w h e n he supported d en turism (a llo w in g dental te chn icia ns to m ake dentures fo r p riv a te customers) a nd w he n he d em a n d e d p u b lic fin a n c in g o f abortions to r w o m e n on w e lfa re . W e b e lie v e G o v e rn o r Straub has a since re c o m m itm e n t to a ffirm a tiv e o ction . He has b ee n re sp o n sive a nd hos m et o u r sp ecific requests. W e have been d is a p p o in te d in his o v e ra ll reco rd on m in o rity h iring . Thre has b e e n som e im p ro v e m e n t b u t th e re are s till fo r too fe w Blacks in a d m in is tra tiv e and supervisory p o sitio n s and som e o p p o rtu n itie s fo r p la c in g q u a lifie d Block p e o p le in h ig h a d m in is tra tiv e positions w e re passed over. W e fe e l th a t G o v e rn o r Straub needs to p la ce m in o rity e m p lo y m e n t on a h ig h e r p rio rity a nd becom e m ore fo rc e fu l in this a re a , b ut w e b e lie v e he deserves the D em ocratic Party n o m in a tio n to the o ffic e o f G o verno r. Tom M cC all is s e e k in g the R ep ub lica n n o m in a tio n , h o p in g to g et back in to the G o ve rn o r's c h io r. M cC all served e ig h t years a n d to w a rd th e end o f his second term he was resp o n sib le fo r the w ritin g o f th e state's a ffirm a tiv e o c tio n p la n a nd setting up the first a ffirm a tiv e a c tio n u n it. This h a p p e n e d a b o u t six years too late, b ut it co u ld be sa id th a t he d id b etter than those w h o w e n t b e fo re . M cC all is a p u b lic re la tio n s e x p e rt a nd he d o e sn 't m ind bro ad castin g his a ttrib utes. A re la x e d and personable m an, his p e rs o n a lity e xudes c o n fid e n c e and puts others a t ease His o ir o f c o n fid e n c e a n d g ift o f gab d o a g re a t d e a l to add to his re p u ta tio n as a successful g o ve rn or. We a lw a y s fo u n d M cC all to be accessible. He listens a n d responds. W e have not fe lt th a t a ffirm a tive a c tio n is a h ig h p rio rity item to h im , b u t should he retu rn to the g o v e rn o rs h ip w e c o u ld be assured o f his concern. W e re c o m m e n d Tom M cC a ll fo r the R epublican Party n o m in a tio n fo r g o v e rn o r. Party crasher? Last w e e k a fe w citizen s g a th e re d to discuss the proposed C ity-S chools C om m ission. A n d lo w and b e h o ld , w h o sh o u ld show up a n d a tte m p t to m o n o p o liz e the m e e tin g b ut G reg g B a ld w in fro m the School District. N o one w o u ld suggest b a rrin g B a ld w in or a n y o th e r person fro m th e m e e tin g and no one fe lt th a t he sw ayed o p in io n , b u t c a n 't a grup o f citizens m ee t to discuss school issues w ith o u t the PPS a d m in is tra tio n s h o w in g up? This w as h ig h ly re m in isce n t o f w h e n the C om m u n ity C o a litio n fo r School In te g ra tio n w as o rg a n iz ing a n d Assistant S u p e rin te n d e n t Ernie H artzog a tte n d e d the m e e tin g s and su bm itted w ritte n (and d e ro g a to ry ) reports to the a d m in is tra tio n w ith o u t the k n o w le d g e or p erm ission o f th e C o a litio n . No o th e r p u b lic b od y fe e ls so th re a te n e d th a t it must send a “ s p y " to a tte m p t to subvert a p u b lic m ee ting . The M a yo r d id n 't send his m an. B a ld w in spent m uch o f th e tim e assuring those present th a t the C ity-School C om m ission is n 't a sure th in g , th a t no o ne is w o rk in g c n the p ro po sal, that the School D istrict m ig h t not be a ll th a t interested It w as a m u sin g to near the M ayo r, a fe w days later, s till ta lk in g a b o u t his plans fo r the C ity-S chool C om m ission a nd the im p o rta n t ro le it is to p la y. Bad co m m u n ic a tio n — or just a little m is in fo rm a tio n ? ment rate. There are many students that will graduate from high school and college trying to gel in the very tight employ ment market. There are a few things that are important. First, know what you want, but more importantly, know what you don’t want. Secondly, look at your own skill* and see if they are marketable in today* employ ment arena. Third, make a list of priorities. from one to three, which you will focus on. Then the real work begins. U rite a resume with not more than three typed pages. If it* longer than three pages, most employers will not read it. In putting your resume together, count all of your job experiences, volun teer work, church activities, workshops, etc,, that you have. AU of these area* will he useful in getting employment. If you are going to seek employment with the state, make sure you study the job announcement carefully in order to respond to the specifics that are asked for. Alwuy* remember that the state application that you are filling out is, in fact, an examination. If you get a score below 93 your chances of being interviewed will be limited, even though 70 is a passing score. In seeking state employment, try to get on as many employment lists as possible. In other words, apply for as many positions that you feel you qualify. This increases your chances for employment. If you are on a state list and not within the top five, it is highly unlikely that you will be railed for an interview. The state agencies that are offering the most job opportunities at the present time are: Department of Commerce, Worker's Compensation. Department of Revenue, S A IF , and Department of Transportation. Now is the time to start making contacts with the Personnel office in these agencies, for after June the compe tition for job opportunities will be very, very great. Depend on no one but yourself to do the ground work. You insure your own future by carefully planning. The race for job opportunities has just begun. Public payment for private priviledge by Bavard Rustin During the next few months, the Black community must pay careful attention to a well-intentioned but dangerous piece of legislation that threatens the continued viability of public education in America. If adopted, the so-called Tuition Tax Credit Act - commonly known a* the Moi nihan-Packwood Bill - would signal the beginning of a potentially harmful redistribution of public funds away from public education. In providing new financial '’blood" to non public schools, the bill would leave the already battered public schools seriously weakened, and dying from financial anemia. Why is this particular bill so objection able, especially to Black people? As presently w ritten, the Senate version of the Moynihan-Packwood bill proposes that the government provide annual tax credits - not simply tax deductions - to parents who decide to send their children to private schools. According to objec tive estimates, such credits will reduce federal revenues by as much as $2.5 billion per year, a staggering amount by anyone's book. If the bill is adopted by Congress, as seems likely at this time, taxpayers will be shouldered with the additional burden of paying half the tuition of every youngster attending private schools, in cluding elite and upper-class institutions. But the bill contains another feature which is even more objectionable: the tax credit plan will almost certainly be a financial bonanza for upper-income groups. Since many private schools have traditionally catered to the educational needs of America's more affluent citixens. the relatively well-off - who can already afford private education - will enjoy a significantly reduced tax burden at the expense of poor and working people. Even with the proposed $500 tax credit, I honestly doubt that many working-class Blacks could easily finance a private education for their children. To further illustrate the anti-egalita rian bias of this proposal, it is worth noting the results of a recent study. If the bill passes, the study concludes, nearly sixty percent of the tax credits will end up in the bank accounts of families earning over $25.000 per year. W ith this in mind, it is quite clear that the Moynihan Packwood proposal is hardly a "poor man's bill." Considering the horrendous injustices of our tax system, it seems foolish even immoral - to propose additional tax breaks for those who already escape their fair share. But the bill even goes beyond that: it threatens to erode the already precarious tax base which supports local public schools. Thomas Shannon of the National Asso ciation of School Boards explained this point in a recent discussion of the tax credit proposal. By offering lucrative tuition tax credits. Shannon argues, a growing number of middle-class students will transfer to private schools. As more students attend private schools, taxpayer support lor public education will rapidly decline. W ith their children attending classes in private schools, middle-class voters will become even more reluctant to support local school bond issues which entail property tax hikes. As a result. Blacks, and other low-income groups will be forced to use funder financed and inferior public schools while middle income students flee to well-funded private institutions. Edu cation in America, once the main agent of equal opportunity and minority advance ment. will soon evolve into a two-cast system - public schools for the poor and dispossessed; private schools for the moderately affluent and rich. As terrible as the legislation is, we must remember that some of the bill's most outspoken supporters, including Senator Moynihan, are men of good will and long time supporters of the civil rights movement. Their motives. I believe, reflect a genuine concern for the many hard pressed urban families who have traditionally sent their children to local private schools. Such concerns are understandable, even commendable, but the present version of the Moynihan Packwood bill simply goes too far, and. in many instances, will provide assistance to those who need it least. Diggs: Another victim Committee He has been in Congress since 1955. One of those persons implicated in the Executive Director indictment, but not charged, is veteran newspaperman and public relations con Not unlike the crucifixion of the late sultant Ofield Dukes, formerly Detroit, Adam Clayton Powell several years ago. but now based in Washington. the national daily press zeroed in on Dukes was once special aide to the late Cong. Charles C. Diggs Jr. of Detroit. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and Diggs has been charged with receiving accepted an award from the National kickbacks from at least three employees Newspaper Publishers Association to and with having the federal government Humphrey last January in Miami, Flo pay for three other people to do work for rida. him personally. Specifically. Diggs is charged with He was charged in Washington on a having padded the salaries of several 35-count indictment. The indictment, handed down by a employees and then receiving the excess federal grand jury, charged that the monies in the form of a kickback. All of the employees have denied that a entire payroll fraud totaled more than $100,000 from July, 1973 to March. 1977. kickback was involved. Dukes, who has been held in highest esteem for many about the time the investigation began Diggs, a founder of the Congressional years, flatly denied the charges in an Black Caucus, is charged with using the interview and said. “Under no circum money for both business and personal stances have I been involved in kicking back a single penny to Congressman expenses. In the meantime. Diggs, who has Diggs. not have 1 benefited in any way." He acknowledged that he has on returned from Africa on a seven nation tour, steadfastly maintains his innocence. occasion, received a larger paycheck, but Presently, Diggs heads both the House explained that the money was to reim International Relations Subcommittee on burse him for legitimate expenses. Africa, and the District of Columbia Dukes has been director of special p ra by James H. Cleaver L.A . Sentinel jects for Diggs and has coordinated Diggs' radio show and the opening of Diggs' offices in Detroit. Locally, residents are charging that the incident surrounding Diggs' indictment is not unlike the issue that caused the defeat and subsequent removal of the late Adam Clayton Powell several years ago. One resident pointed out. "This is the same old B.S. Whenever a white politician does something, they manage to whitewash him. But just let a Black politician become suspect. The newspap era start almost immediately to hang him out to dry." In Detroit, however, the feeling is much stronger in favor of Diggs. One of the local television stations is alleged to have carried out a "man on the street" poll, only to find that the bulk of people in the community felt that Diggs is a scapegoat and most publicly stated that they would vote for him if he run* again. Diggs, who formerly headed the presti gious House of Diggs Funeral Homes in Detroit, has been described as a quiet man who goes about his own business and seeks to bring about meaningful change within the Congress. JLcttMt, to tkt SdAoi Assist NAACP To the Editor: P ortland O b se rv e r Published every Thursday by Exie Publishing Company, 2201 North Killingsworth. Portland, Oregon 97217 Mailing address: P.0. Box 3137. Portland. Oregon 97206. Telephone: 283 2486. .'lubscnptions: $7.50 per year in the Tri-County area. $8.00 pei year outside Portland. Second Class Postage Paid at Portland. Oregon The Portland Observer 'a official position is expressed only in its Publisher* column (We See The World Through Black Eyes l Any other material throughout the paper is the opinion of the individual w riter or submitter and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of fhe Portland Oboerver. ALFRED L. HENDERSON Mitor/Publisher National Advertising Re.iresentative Amalgamated Publishers. Inc. New York MEMBER Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association I 1st Place Best Ad Results ONPA 1973 5th Place Best Editorial N N PA 1973 Honorable Mention Herrick Editorial Award N N A 1973 2nd Place Best Editorial 3rd Place Community Leadershi,! ONPA 1975 M EMBER 1 NW A 1st Place C ommunity Service O NPA 1973 PER Association - F o u n M It Once again, the fate of the N A A C P rests in the hands of federal judges. In October, 1976, Federal Judge Orma Smith relieved the N A A C P from having to post a $1.6 million bond in order to appeal an outrageous $1.2 million judge ment against the Association by a Missis sippi court. Judge Smith's decision saved the Association from possible bank ruptcy. Now that decision stands in danger of being swept away. The white merchants of Port Gibson, Mississippi, who insti gated the original suit designed to de stroy the Association, have appealed Judge Smith's decision. A decision on their appeal will be handed down by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Once again during the prolonged crisis, the Association is confronted with serious financial jeopardy. Once again, a federal court may require the Association to produce $1.6 million in cash or face immediate seizure of $1.2 million in assets. Even if the court rejects the merchants' appeal, the reprieve will be only temporary. We will still have to litigate the $1.2 million judgement itself. That process can take three or four years. In their singleminded drive to destroy the N A ACP. the merchants of Port Gibson, and the shadowy forces who are providing the massive funds for their court action have succeeded in forcing us to divert our resources to this struggle. The Association's ability to carry out its basic functions has already been sub stantially impaired, and may continue to he for a period of at least two to three years while the appeals are pending. Almost immediately, the Association is faced with the tremendous burden of bringing in enough operating money to restore our vital programs in education, employment, housing, veterans affairs, and youth activities. Equally urgent is the need to raise at least $25,000 for litigation costs and associated fees for the Mississippi case. Unless both oT these goals are accom plished, whatever funds we have avail able for day-to-day operations stand in danger of being swept away. The decision of the Fifth Circuit Court on which the future of the N A ACP depends may be handed down very shortly. For the Association, time ia a crucial factor. I appeal to you now do not let a small group of vengeful, mali emus men with vast resources at their command endanger what it has taken 68 years and the blood of Medgar Evers and scores of other martyrs to build. I urge you to contribute as generously as possible today to the N A A C P Special Contributions Fund. Your tax deductible contribution will help us survive. Sincerely, Benjamin L. Hooks Secretary
