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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.
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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