MEDFOHD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON
SUNDAY, APRIL IS, IS6I
... Communications ...
Ll!ri io lht Editor mult br th nam and tddrtts ' el ih writer, although undai
certain cireumstaneis the us of a pen name or Initial tor publication i permiwible.
The Mall Tribune reiervot the right to edit all lettert with a view ta clarification and
condensation. Leiten submitted tor publication mutt not exceed 400 words. The letters
printed in this column do not necessarily represent the views at the papen In tact the
contrary is etten the case.
Editor's note: Our usual 400
word limit on communication!
is waived In the case oi the
following letter, because of its
special interest, and because
of the writer's belief that the
Mail Tribune had reported
several of his talks badly.
Faulty Reporting
To the Editor: Here on my
return from hospital, your re
cent report which was en
titled: "Children Shouldn'tBe
Taught That Life Is Easy, Ex
change Teacher says," was
brought under my notice. This
report is intended to be an
account of my speech on the
condition of education in the
State of Victoria, Australia,
which speech was delivered
to a large and responsive au
dience at the Eagle Point PTA
about March 7.1.
. Whilst my family and I are
greatly beholden to the mem
bers of your staff for many
kindnesses, I take strong ex
ception to that portion of your
report which quotes me as
saying that Victorian school
children are two years ad
vanced academically over
their American counterparts.
I object for two reasons.
Firstly, I did not make that
statement. Secondly, I deem
the statement offensive to the
fine people of this valley for
whom we have a real affec
tion. Your selection of the
headline is apposite, since I
have noticed that many of my
students display: "a lessening
of willingness to pay the price
necessary to excel." (I) (Med
ford P.S. General Philosophy
. . . 1960)
I said that more than half of
my 120 students at Medford
achieve at somewhat less than
a Victorian 8th grade level in
the basic skills of English Ex
pression, to wit Spelling, Vo
cabulary and Sentence Struc
ture. Their basic concepts of
Geography are hazy and the
world outside the USA is, to
the majority, a closed book.
However, my speech did not
Imply that I had taught all
the children of the USA, let
along Victoria. God forbid! I
next pointed Out that my own
statement could easily be a
reflection on my failure to
arouse and develop the intel
lectual core of my erstwhile
Medford scholars. Finally, I
emphasized and underlined
the d 1 f f e r ent assumptions
which delineate American
from Australian education.
You good people believe that:
"All men are created equal..."
whilst we say that: "Some
men are more equal than oth
ers." Had your reporter added
these qualifications no harm
would have ensued.
While I am doing my Willie
Woodpecker act, may I add
to the list of corrections with
a couple which made my
Scots bluid boil even after
two generations In hot Aus
tralia. At the December meet
ing of the American Associa
tion of University Women, I
was reported as saying:
"American students are very
easy to interest whilst Aus
tralian students are much
more cynical." I also said that
Australian students are train
ed to make critical evaluations
but when they fall, they tend
to become cynical.
Again I am reported as say
ing that: "Australia does not
have a mandatory age for re
quired school attendance."
This is arrant nonsense be
cause the six states do specify
certain span of years during
which children are required
to attend school (or their par
ents jailed), but that many
prefer to come to school earli
er and leave later than the
mandatory span of years. Then
you report me as saying that:
"Australia is mainly European
and seldom mentions South
East Asia in the newspapers."
An contraire, I displayed the
cultural and literary sections
which are a feature of Aus
tralian newspapers and asked
th ladles to find items about
S. E. Asia. There were none!
On the other hand, the news
columns of our papers follow
8. E. Asia closely and this is
scarcely surprising since we
live in an explosive sector of
the Earth. Culturally, Austra
lians are Europeans, but we
are well apprised of the prob
lems of South East Asia. My
point was that we must build
cultural links with the East.
A starting point would be the
Inclusion of Indonesian as a
compulsory foreign language
In Australian schools for all
pupils.
Finally, your report of my
speech to the February meet
ing of the Ashland Human
Rights Association, where I
once again ran amok and
said: "the Australian Aborigi
ne is Ignored in markets (I
think you meant shops), seg
regated at the movies and
ruled nut of rodeos." This Is
quite Inaccurate. With some
rare. I specified the town of
Alice Springs. Northern Ter
ritory, for the first malprac
tice and It is In that town
where one attends the movies
either on "black" or "white"
nights. Must be awkward with
technicolour: At Mnree, New
South Wale. and at Kathar
ine, N. T., the local parents
hive enforced segregation In
the playgrounds of the pri
mary schools. In my home
state Victoria, rodeo man
agers often find specious rea
sons for refusing aboriginal
entrants admission to riding
events. You have taken a num
ber of instances and from them
drawn a generalization which
is quite unwarranted. I don't
mind attacking my own dear
country, when she lets herself
down, but it's plain nonsense
to make three swans mean
Summer.
I have subscribed to your
paper since I first arrived in
this valley and shall continue
to so do, because I appreciate
your editorial Integrity and
the careful attention you ren
der to education. We should
say together: " I am in a
place where I am required
to speak the truth and so I do,
Impugn whomsoever it llst
eth." Yours faithfully,
E. R. A. Miller
Department Leader,
Teachers' College,
Frankston,
Victoria, Australia
(Fulbright Exchange Teacher
1981-1882 A.D.)
Now at:
08 Blgham dr.,
Central Point, Ore.'
Significant Address
To the Editor: Those Inter
ested in our nation's No. 1
public health problem, the
mental illnesses, may like to
know that Dr. Arthur Fiem-
ming's address here Monday
evening, April 18. appears
likely to be most significant.
The report of the Joint
Commission on Mental Illness
and Health, on which Dr.
Flemming will speak, has
been described as the most
important document of recent
years, comprehensively deal
ing with mental illness, and
as setting the modus operandi
for the next decade.
The joint commission sub
mitted its report during Dr.
Flemming't cabinet tenure as
secretary of health, education
and welfare in the Eisenhow
er administration, and his
knowledge of it should be
intimate.
Unlike many reports, this
one was not still born; it has
and will continue for many
years to Influence every one
of us.
For example, the report
calls for a reversal of the
philosophy that lead to big
central state institutions, in
which we guiltly "put Aunt
Minnie away," and toward in
creased local treatment and
care, where families and
friendships can be maintain
ed. We working with those In
need of treatment, care, or
counseling are daily aware
of Oregon state hospital's
changing position: hospital
treatment of two to three
months is now common; many
requests for voluntary admis
sion to the hospital are being
referred back to the local
physician, minister, public
health nurse. Guidance Clinic,
etc., for help.
The report examines all
sides of this multi-problem,
and hits hard at the stigma
we attach (even yet) to those
suffering from its contagion.
I anticipate Dr. Flemming
will examine these issues and
recommendations fully.
Thomas L. Goff, ACSW
Psychiatric Social Worker
Family and Child
Guidance Clinic
Simple Solution
To the Editor: Why all the
haggling in the higher eche
lons of our Congress over the
national so-called medical aid
plan for the aged?
As all are aware, our ex
alted solons are only the serv
ants of the people of our land.
Which reminds us of a state
ment we heard from a pro
gressive minded person 20
years ago.
He admitted the colossal
fact that the nation's politi
cians were really from 50 to
100 years behind the scien
tists. Weil, presuming that was
our status then, it should not
always remain in the same
category, providing the old
axiom holds true, "we live to
learn."
Now all can agree to this
fact, that all the oldsters
should receive enough income
so each could pay their own
hospital and medical expenses
when needed, and not have to
rely on charity. How simple.
And it would serve the pur
pose, too. '
Bert Kissinger
820 Boardman st.
Medford.
Put in Control
To the Editor: Anyone who
knows the meaning of the
word Socialism knows that the
County Charter could not pos
sibly bring about that types has been no paid advertising.
of government,
The Charter will put more
control than they have at pres
ent into the hands of the
people of Jackson county
County affairs will be con
ducted in Jackson county, not
in Salem where the Legisla
ture convenes only every two
years.
The seven commissioners i Buildings Breath
The television stations and
the Mail Tribune have been
putting forth facts as a public
service to explain the intent
of the Charter so that Jackson
county wilt have an informed
electorate.
Mrs. A. H. Srhmechel,
441 Eastwood dr.,
Medford
will meet twice a month, and
county . level administration
and legislation will be done
then. County-level problems
will be settled here in Jack
son county by Jackson county
residents, not In Saiem by peo
ple from all parts of the state.
Any so-called "advertising''
has been done, not with the
Intent to advertise, but to in
form the public. So far there
Poets' Corner
Conducted by
Arnold Eugene Jenny
Poetry Is the record of the best and happiest mo
ments of the happiest and best minds.
-Shelley, 1840
O
Daffodils
I Wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills.
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering, dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine '
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched In never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee;
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company;
I gazed, and gazed, but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie,
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that Inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills.
And dances with the daffodil.
-William Wordsworth
O
Meeting at Night
The gray sea and the long black land;
And the yellow half-moon large and lowj
And the startled little waves that leap
In fiery ringlets from .their sleep.
As I gain the cove with pushing prow,
And quench Its speed 1' the slushy sand.
Then a smile of warm sea-scented beach;
Three fields tr cross till a farm appear;
A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch
And blue spurt of t lighted match, ,
And s voice less loud, through its joys and fears,
Than the two hearts beating each to each!
-Robert Browning
o
Th W1I Ordrd Day
How shall the day be ordered? To the sage
The young man spoke. And this was his reply;
A morning prayer.
A moment with the Ood who sends Ihe dawn
Up from the East; to thank heaven for the care
That kept thee through the night; to give they soul.
With faith serene, to His complete control;
To ask His giildsnre still along the way.
So starts the day.
A busy day.
Do with a will the task that lies before.
So much there is for every man to do,
And soon the night when man can work no more.
And none but he to life's behest is true
Who works with zeal and pauses only when
He stretches forth his hand to help the men
Who fail or fall behind him on the way.
So runs the day.
A merry evening.
When toil is done, then banished b th care
That fret the soul. With loved ones by the hearth
The evening hours belong to joy and mirth;
To lighter things that make life fresh and fair.
For honest work haa earned Its hour of play.
So ends the day.
-John Clair Minot
A
HYBRID
PRIMROSES
Ground Covert
DICKENSON'S GARDENS
On Mil Off Highway en Old Firry Read
SHADY COVE, OREGON
V
To the Editor; Knowing as
we do or should realize, that
hojscs and all buildings
breathe, drawing in outside
air when the temperature in
side falls and expelling same
when the inside temperature
rises, it would be very aimpte
to use the heater-cooling sys
tem to prevent the smudge
fallout from entering.
All that would be necessary.
is to arrange th air entering
the heater-cooling blower, to
be drawn up through water.
This would hold back any
impurities going in with the
air, quite th same as the air-oil-bath
of yotr car.
It would seem to be very
much worthwhile considering
the financial loss from
smudge, especially depart
ment stores with their vast
array of white goods exposed
to the smudge loaded air.
One thing is sure. When
cleaned air is issuing from
every crack and opening of
a building, dirty air cannot
enter.
F. t. Clifford.
Rt. 2, Box 200F,
Central Point, Ore.
AK!f pFMtdtftt Pa1t
li Couatfui. m uv tit fttt ftttot .
Sac Gears ttwit
ROGUE
TRAVEL SERVICE
We Reev d SU
AfrJJrte arti SHtmthtp Ttckan
m t, 8 St. SP2-477t
You Won't Want to Miss This!
FREE
With Purchase oi Any
Living Room Set:
TOO Table Lamps
THREE Tables
TWO Sola Pillows
STEP ENDS
COFFEE TA8LI
WV ust returned from Sh famous furniture
manufacturers' markets which or hold semi-annually
In Chicago, Los Angelas, Son Francisco and
Seattle and whr new 1962 styles war shown
for th first time.
Th retuii it trmndsu for our customers.
' This ! en of th terrific voiues which we
purchosed and or now offering
to you ot Mutational savings!
100 NYLON
PILE FABRIC
tn beautiful lustreus eolersi
Hunter Qrn, San, Coral, Walnut, Ssftastwsod
1 fflM
SPECIAL! Deluxe Extra
Large SOFA and CHAIR
Lamps
Adjust fo Any
Ceiling and Fleer
THIS
SALE
ONLY
SOFA
PILLOWS
Regular 4tPlli
$4.50
ONLY . LI
BATHROOM
Towel
Pole
Modern Ring and Arm Design
THIS
SALE
ONLY
388
mm
CREAM AND
SUGAR SET
TO THE FIRST 100 LADIES
IN OUR STORE TOMORROW!
341 N. CENTRAL-PH, Sf 2-4158
SAVE AT GATES BECAUSE
YOU'RE PROVIDED WITH:
FREE Off-Street Parking
FREE Delivery
No Finance Company
Member AFA 400 Stare Buying Fewer
A Mmber ArA 400 Sfere Buying F
ill fiMimnttMjre
MEDFORD
GRANTS PASS
FREE PARKING
341 No. Central
(Between 3rd tt 4th Streets)
Beside the Store