4
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March 3, 1B97
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Flight o' Time
Medford nd Jackson County
History from the flies of The
Mall Trlbuna 10, 20, 30, 40
nd SO years ago.
10 YEARS AGO
Ma 9. 1952 (Friday)
A howling storm roared
high over, the Rogue valley
last night; it dumped a quarter-inch
of rain as It went
over, and some hail fell dur
ing the storm.
Interest in the most holly-
contested of the local primary
election races-that for the Re
publican nomination for dis
trict attorney - continued to
mount in Medford this week.
20 YEARS AGO
May 9, 1942 (Saturday)
Ned R. Leibman, Medford,
named winner of Willamette
university scholarship award
for 1943.
From Arthur Perry's "Ye
Smudge Pot" column: "Thou
sands regret the passing of the
installment buying plan under
a federal curb. It marks the
finish of the aulos that would
Dav for themselves In six
months but never did."
30 YEARS AGO
May 9. 1932 (Monday)
County Jail inmates organ
ized by jailer to search for 70-year-old
man missing in Ash
land area.
National economic expert
states "80 per cent of the re
tail business failures in 1031
were due to lack of capital."
40 YEARS AGO
May 9. 1922 (Tuasday)
Oregon Gov. Ben Olcotl is
sues proclamation banning Ku
Klux Klan members wearing
regalia from all city streets.
SO YEARS AGO
May 9. 1912 (Wadnesday)
Medford city council re
ceives more than 100 applica
tions from persons seeking Job
of manager of newly con
structed municipal market.
Jackson county Democrats
seek recognition from parly
for this section of state; plan
to endorse Medford Mayor W.
H. Canon as candidate for na
tional committeeman.
What's Your I.Q.?
Nina or ten correct Is superior;
seven or eight Is excellent; flva ei
six Is good.
1. Is Bermuda a peninsula,
group of islands or a conti
nent? 2. Of what Army was Gen
eral William Booth the found-
3. With what subject does a
miscegenation law deal?
4. What number. is repre
sented by the Roman numer
als DCCC?
5. Did the U.S. acquire
Puerto Rico from France,
Italy, or Spain?
6. Francis Scott Key wrote
both the words and music for
The Star Spangled Banner;
true or false?
7. The words, "When In the
course . . ." are the opening
words of what document?
8. Is wormwood a tree, an
aromatic plant, or the prod
uct of termite Infestation?
9. Do you associate the
name of Arnold Palmer w
golf, bridge or football?
10. Ice cannot -become
colder than 32 degrees F; true
or false? ,
Answers: 1. Group of Is
lands. 2. Salvation Army. 3.
Interracial marriage, 4. 800.
S. Spain. 6. Falsa. 7. Declara
tion of Indapandanca. I. Aro
matic giant. 9. Golf. 10. Falsa.
Heidelberg, Germany -UNi-Among
2d rules for happy liv
ing posted in U. S. Army
family houses here the brief
est Is: "Curtail domestic
squabbles. "
Km
NATION A l
WEDNESDAY. MAY , 1962
To Avoid Racial 1 'Problems
A few years ago there was a minor flap in
Medford when the U.S. Weather Bureau assign
ed a technician here who happened to be a Negro.
After some arm-waving, some tut-tutting, and
a bit of vicious rumor-mongering, the forces of
humanity and justice and legality lined up to
gether, the family was accepted in the neighbor
hood where they lived, and little more was heard
of the "problem."
A year or so later, the meteorologist was pro
moted'and assigned to a new job elsewhere. And
that was that.
1MEDFORD once had the reputation of being
a "sundown" town, where Negroes (and in
some cases, Orientals) were not welcome, and
were often told to be on their way by sundown.
This is no longer true, and Negroes are not
as scarce here as they once were. Many of them
are entertainers here for engagements ranging
from a few days to several weeks. The sight of
a dark face no longer creates a sensation.
The day will come when more and more of
our neighbors will be those of different ethnic
origins, as population moves westward.
IHEN this day comes, it would be well to be
prepared for it, and for the panicky hue and
and crv which inevitably
who still believe that color, or creed, or nation
al origin, are valid measures of worth.
Oregon is among the leaders in progressive
civil rights legislation, and the bureau of labor
has been active in seeing that it is both under
stood and enforced.
The basic state civil rights laws are these:
A 1953 law banning discrimination in places
of public accommodation (hotels, restaurants,
etc.) on grounds of race, creed, color or national
origin.
A 1957 law banning discrimination on similar
grounds in all public and most private employment.
A 1959 law banning
estate agents in the showing or leasing or sale
of property.
A 1961 law banning discrimination in places
where personal services are rendered the public
(barber shops, beauty parlors, etc.).
FORMER Gov. Charles A. Sprague, editor and
publisher of the Oregon Statesman in Salem,
and retiring chairman of the Oregon advisory
committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission,
comments:
"Thus Oregon has plenty of law. What it needs
is better respect for the law. Enforcement of these
laws is in the hands of the civil rights division of
the Bureau of Labor, which is sympathetic to their
purpose, and has been discreet in enforcing the laws,
using education and persuasion before taking legal
action."
No matter how "discreet" the enforcement,
there will be some who resent the fact that the
law says they must accord equal treatment to
those of differing coloration or origin.
cut that is what the
accord with the ideals voiced in the Declaration
of Independence, and in
also in accord with our
our democratic ethic.
"IX7ITH adequate laws
' a matter of heart
those who are different as American citizens
with the same rights as the rest of us.
lhe precepts of Christianity indeed, of all
morality instruct us that
as we would wish to be treated. And this is not
limited to white Anglo-Saxon Protestants, either.
Beyond this, the panic which sometimes oc
curs in a changing society
ing increasingly heterodox simply is without
foundation, in most cases.
Governor Sprague adds:
"The remarkable fact-only it isn't remarkable after
all-is this, as members of minority groups are per
, mlttcd to have the same privileges In the way of per
sonal service, Jobs, housing, education, the bogeys
fade away. Those of 'other' races and religions are
usually so fully Americanized Hint they will fit into
the various levels of our social structure without dis
aster. "To repeat: Oregon's laws against discrimination
are now quite adequate. The people need to 'grow up'
to the principles embodied in the laws. In all com
munities, persons should be ready to exert leadership
so that conflicts which may arise may be handled
wllh speed and equity."
SOME may say, "Why
Till 111 UltUlUI U.
Perhaps not, at the
had in the past, and the conditions will arise in
the future which could become a "problem"
if we permit it.
The only way, in the long run, to avoid "racial
problems" is to face up squarely to the fact that
this is 20th Century America, a land dedicated
to the equality of opportunity of all men, and to
insist that this equality
of our community, no matter what their name,
their color, their religion, or where their ances-1
tors lived.
If the rights of citizenship are denied to some, I
iihithey are precarious for
Sixth of Six
It was wfth considerable gratification that we
read that former Major General Edwin A. W;rtk
er, a candidate for the Democratic nomination
for Governor of Texas, came in sixth in a field
of six. 0
He will, he says, "continue the fight against
Communism" presumably by continuing )
make slanderous allegations against some of the
nation's most respected citizens, E.A,
will be raised bv some
discrimination by real
law says, and it is in
the Constitution. It is
highest aspirations and
on the book, it becomes
and mind, in accepting
we should treat others
on the way to becom
worry. We have no prob-
moment. But we have
shall apply to all citizens:
,
everyone else. E. A. I
Dennis the Menace
o
'Wduip you like to fat uiMcMotrsia? From
A PAPER SACK? LIKE AlU WORKMAN?
... Communications ...
Letters to tha Editor must bear tha nam and address of lhe writer, although under
certain circumsiancea tha use of a pan name or initial for publication is permissible.
Tha Mail Tribune reserves tha right to adit all letters with a view to clarification and
condensation. Letters submitted for publication must not exceed 400 words. The letters
printed in this column do not nacassarily represent tha views of tha paper; in fact tha
contrary is often tha case.
On Bearing Arms
To the Editor: Your editor
ial of 42962 and the letters
that have followed have all
expressed the thoughts and
fears of the average person,
and more truly those people
who find a comfort in the use
and possession of firearms.
The threat embodied in this
very unAmerican bill touches
still deeper those, who like
myself, have lived by a gun
for years, those who have
lived in a country where meat
was an essential only to be
had by use of a gun and man's
only protection against living
things, both man and beast,
depended upon his firearm.
It was both assurance and in
surance. Those of us know the
comforting feeling of a fire
arm hung from his belt or
clutched in his hand, a man
alone in an unsettled land,
many miles from civilization
and law enforcement.
Then there are those whose
monotonous and mundane life
only allows a few days each
year into nature, perhaps bag
a deer or some other game,
restore their health and know
a satisfaction not found under
other conditions. Those who
look forward to getting out
in the timber and hills and in
contact with the way of living
that has produced the back
bone of Americanism, free
and self-reliant.
It is impossible for this
class of people to sit quietly
by while some self-styled re
former snatches another great
chunk of freedom, of which
we have loo little left.
Registration is the first step
toward confiscation.
If you are a good American
prevail upon your Representa
tives in Washington to kill
this atrocious bill presented
by Rep. Victor Anfuso of N.Y.,
and protect your right to own
and use firearms in protec
tion of person and property
as well as for hunting.
To disarm the public and
place all control of legalized
firearms in the law enforce
ment agencies will not serve
the best Interests of the peo
ple. Criminals can and do ob
tain firearms without the con
sent of the law.
Self preservation is the first
law of nature, so to disarm the
honest citizen would create
an unequal and unriesired bal
ance of power.
No, let the Second amend
ment to the Constitut ion
stand, permitting the people
to "Keep and bear arms."
C. R. Burrlll,
119 Crater Lake ave.,
Medford.
Porter His Man
To the Editor: I heard Mr.
Duncan on T.V. Monday eve
ning. He seems to be accusing
Porter of pro-Communist lean
ings. That is the Nixon for
mula. Mr. Poole must have
hit him where he is vulnerable
or he would not have scrcam
e dso loud. Mr. Duncan must
lean a little to the Birch side.
Well, anyway, Porter is my
man.
Ray Prichard
414 South First st.
Central Point, Ore.
Musical Evening
To the Editor: Last night. I
had the extreme pleasure to
attend the Choral Concert at
St. Mary's High School, pre
sented by members of the
Marian Choir, the Boys' Glee
Club and the Choralettes. Such
a wonderful blend of talent,
effort and enthusiasm had the
effect on me of bringing back
to life those latent feelings so
often lost when hijn school
days are over.
1 hope that as many Med
ford people as possible will
read and follow my example
and attend repeat perform
ances of this concert, which
wibe given on Wednesftiy
and Thursday evenings at
,
V9
fM GETTW'oM TttIR
NERVES, HUH?
p.m. at the school on Black
Oak Drive.
From the opening note of
"America" to the final chorus
of "The Buccaneer," no one
could deny the depth of feel
ing, the test of musical train
ing and the boundless spirit
so evident in the Choral Con
cert presented last evening by
the young men and women of
St. Mary's High School. And
the enthusiasm of the per
formers was matched by the
audience.
The first portion of the pre
sentation was devoted to very
listenable classic and religious
choral numbers interspersed
with capable solos. An espe
cially outstanding con tribu
tion was made by Miss Mari
lyn Guldan and Miss Sarah
Robinson at twin pianos play
ing Grieg's Concerto in A
Minor.
The second part of the con
cert was titled "Musical Selec
tions from The Buccaneer".
And musical it was. A mini
mum of staging and costum
ing was used and this par
ticular comedy in music was
given completely void of
dialogue. So closely knit wore
the actions and music that the
barest narration was required
to keep the thread of the story
together. It was lighthearted
and gay and wonderfully ap
pealing. No special mention of In
dividuals would be in order
and no denial could be made
that all did their parts with
capable stage presence; flaw
less articulation and ardent
appreciation of their under
taking. These young people
of St. Mary's deserve the
highest praise, as docs Sister
Miriam Joseph, their teacher
and instructor. If you live in
or near Medford, make it your
business to enjoy a most
wonderful performance on
either Wednesday or Thursday
evening at St. Mary's High
School on Black Oak Drive.
Curtain time is at 8 p.m.
You'll be more than glad that
you did.
Bill Dugan
325 South Holly st.
Medford
Surprised at Bob
To the Editor: As I watched
Bob Duncan on TV Monday
evening. I couldn't help being
surprised by his attack on
Charlie Porter. In 1960, when
Charlie was running for Con
gress against Dr. Durno, Bob
campaigned hard for him in
both Jackson and Lane coun
ties. Charlie's position hasn't
changed since 1960 and Dun
can spoke very highly of his
record and performance then;
I wonder why at this late date,
he has seen fit to attack Char
He for the very things he ap
plauded him for in 1960? The
only possible reason I can
think of that would account
for this change is that Bob is
feeling the stress of the cam
paign. Listening to Mm last eve
ning. I couldn't help remem
bering that this was how the
Republicans campaigned
against Charlie in 1960: Dr.
Durno used the very same ap
proach. Could Bob have really
meant what he said? It's hard
to believe. He will be using
Jap plywood next.
Remember Bob. Charlie has
nrver thrown any mud at you.
Wilbur L. Gardner
Jackson County
Chairman.
Return Porter to
Congress Committee
Medford
Na Need for Experts
To the Editor: How could
the earlier settlers, of this
beautiful valley have made
it uie parame ii is, wuiuuii
the help of the big "I" on
the hill? It's unfortunate they i
had to struggle along before
an expert came to the valley j
to tell us how wrong they I
have been.
MEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON
U.S. Policy
Shows Some Evidence of Growing Success
By PHIL NEWSOM
UPI Foreign News Analyst
Just a short year ago. Pres
ident Kennedy met in Vienna
with Nikita Khrushchev and
learned at
first hand the
nature of his
enemy. It
seems p r o fa
able that out
of that meet
ing was born
the determi
nation for
what since has
Newsom become ad
ministration policy. This
week, in Canberra, Secretary
of State Dean Rusk has been
explaining that policy to U.S.
partners in the ANZUS Pact,
Australia and New Zealand.
That meeting followed two
others with U.S. allies in the
NATO and CENTO agree
ments, altogether involving
20 nations.
It was at Vienna in early
June that Khrushchev served
an ultimatum on Kennedy-
How very timely the de
linquent personal taxes were
brought before the people,
many who have been out of
business for years, some dead
and others who had never
been notified. I understand it
takes a few years to make
up the County Home Rule
Charter. The delinquents of
the past few years are now
revealed to the public, just as
they try to push the Charter.
The paper could scarcely have
been off the press before a
letter was published advising
we need Home Rule to keep
it from happening again. It
was all very well planned.
Do we need the American
Municipal Association to send
in experts to change our local
government? Why should
these people be imported to
reside a few years then tell
us what to do? If the Board
of Commissioners are non
partisan, and appoint officials
of their choice, then any So
cialist, Communist or what
have you could be appointed.
Home rule never brings
rule by elected home folks.
It brings rule by appointed
experts, over whom the tax
payers and voters have no
direct control. It takes full
management of local govern
ment with no regard to the
rights of the people. They
will make the decisions on
all major issues including
taxation and assessments
without referral to voters.
An efficient way to fleece
the people whose only func
tion would be to pay them.
Ask those who have lived un
der Home Rule in other
places.
We agree there needs to
be a change in our present
government, but not by Home
Rule. Why jump from the
frying pan into the fire?
A government big enough
to give all the people all they
want is a government big
enough to take away every
thing they have, including
personal liberty.
As Christian Americans
let's try to keep what little
freedom we still have by DE
FEATING Home Rule.
Mrs. Ernest Santo,
204 Lozier Lane,
Medford
Should Not Ba Misled
To the Editor: Either Mr.
Don Stathos is deliberately
trying to deceive the people
of Jackson county or he is
politically naive in saying that
a sales tax would lower prop
erty taxes. As a candidal- for
state office he shnnM k
aware of the state's financial
and tax structure. At the pres
ent time the state is consider
ing ways to broaden its tax
base and the sales tax rrmM
only be a means of increas
ing taxes, not lessening them.
It is certainly all right for
Mr. Stathos to favor a sales
tax, but the voters should not
be misled.
Mary Lubbers
Box 186
Phoenix, Ore.
Tha First
To the Editor: Av.
vhere a stunt flyer 'flew a
Plane thru a cardboard house
SO VOT! Aye vas der first
person in der vorld to drive
a vun cylinder pasteboard
Brush car thru a vooden barn.
Everett Acklln
Ashland, Ore.
Is Ha "Way Out"?
To the Editor: In all the
glib arguments in Communi
cations favoring "Home Rule"
I notice that the writers care
fully avoid, or are wnpfnllv
ignorant of. tjy fact that vir-
mnu.v au mr orive Tor Home
Rule," or "Metro" O. ern.
ment, as well as the "experts"
who do the governing, comes
from 1313 E. 60th st , Chicago
III.; that this giant political I
cancer cell, whose political)
of Strength Over Past Year
that the allies get out of Ber
lin and declare it a "free
city" by the first of the year
or lose all their rights there
in a separate Soviet peace
treaty with Communist East
Germany.
In Washington and in week
end conferences at Hyannis
Port, Ma., -vita) State De
partment and defense officials
and with U.S. ambassadors
summoned home from abroad,
the U.S. reply began to take
shape.
It was a steady buildup of
U.S. military strength, accom
panied by clear warnings to
Khrushchev that any move
against Berlin could touch off
a nuclear war.
In Europe, two U.S. am
bassadors explained it to this
correspondent this way:
"The President is determin
ed that the United States shall
not be swayed by Soviet tac
tics of hot and cold, and that
U.S. and allied military
strength must be built up to
meet any condition." -
In the past year there have
been tangible results.
An important one was that
the end of the year passed
without Soviet action.
Militarily, the United
States:
Increased its manpower in
Europe.
Resumed nuclear testing.
Turned over five nuclear-
leukemia attack's and abol
ishes divisions of free govern
ment, is financed by tax free
foundations; that "M e t r o"
government is the core of a
movement to establish in the
United States a Soviet-style
arrangement - dividing the
nation into metropolitan areas
- each governed by an ap
pointed expert in direct viola
tion of the Constitutional pro
vision that each state shall
have a Republican, or check
and balance, form of govern
ment. And further - that the gov
ernmental merging of city
county under a county man
ager is only the first step to
ward a "Soviet" United States,
with step No. 2 being county
regional, obliterating county
lines, and step No. 3 being
regional-state, fusing the
states together; each step
taking us deeper into the ex
treme danger of centralized
power and dictatorship.
The Metro-drafted "model"
Constitutions, charters, and
laws, which are so 'sloganeer
ed as "strengthening the gov
ernment are, in fact, dis
guised proposals for the abol
ishment of Constitu t i o n a 1
rights, and for overthrow of
our form of government by
interstate compact. Do I
sound "way out"? Is this
really happening?
The answer is yes. Miami
Dade county is an example of
"Metro" step No. 1, com
pleted. Southeast Michigan
represents step No. 2, county
regional, in formation. North
east Illinois represents step
No. 3, regional-state, where
the states of Wisconsin, Indi
ana, and Illinois are impli
cated.
If anyone should even sug
gest that those who are so
energetically and insistently
pushing "Home Rule" were
subversive, I would be the
first one to jump to their de
fense. For I don't think that
the majority of them have the
least conception of what
Metro "Home Rule" really is.
However, if they do succeed
in destroying our traditional,
Constitutional Repu b 1 1 c a n
form of government, which
has made our country the
greatest nation on earth, they
will have accomplished the
primary objective of the Com
munist party, U.S.A.
L. C. Powell
316 S.E. Eighth st.
Grants Pass, Ore.
All Questions
To the Editor: Was that
long list of delinnuent npr.
sonal taxes published at this
time to Dring out the laxity of
our county government and
encourage us to vote for coun
ty home rule?
Now under county home
rule how would they go about
collecting it?
Take the property away
from those who can't Dav. or
reduce our property taxes so
we can:
Personal DroDertv Is nnr
tools that are used to make
a living. If that is taken away
irom us, what next?
I am all questions.
Burrell Wyant
Lake Creek, Ore.
For Padgham
To the Editor: When I heard
the brief hut sensible state
ment by Democratic candidate
for the State Senate Henry
Padgham on television the
other night. I was favorably
impressed again, as I have
been so often in the past, by
the quiet effectiveness of this
outstanding local citizen.
Successful in his own busi
ness for many long years,
Henry Padnham has always
been ready and willing to put
his shoulder to the wheel in
all the causes that benefit the
people of this community.
armed Polaris submarines to
NATO.
Built up its European weap
ons stockpiles and permitted
disclosure that it was experi
menting with floating arms
depots in Southeast Asia.
These depots permit the Unit
ed States to fly troops to any
emergency area and to have
weapons and equipment al
ready awaiting them.
Disclosed that it has set as
a goal the ability to fly two
divisions to Europe within a
matter of days.
Relaxed its nuclear secur
ity to the extent that it now
will permit its NATO allies
to know the locations and ex
tent of nuclear stockpiles in
their individual countries. It
gives the allies reassuring
knowledge of U.S. striking
power and its consequent de
terrent force on the USSR.
In his report to the nation
on his Vienna meeting with
Khrushchev the President
enunciated another important
point of U.S. policy. He said:
". . .The chances of a dan
gerous misjudgment on either
side should now be less. . .
The men on whose decisions
the peace, in part, depends
have agreed to remain in con
tact." Public health, the schools,
welfare problems and com
munity betterment, his own
church and the local U.N. -all
have had his dedicated
time and attention.
As chairman for the Citi
zens for Kennedy campaign in
Jackson county during 1960,
he demonstrated the same
quality of leadership and
know-how that he brings to
every public project in which
he participates.
As a life-long Democrat and
native of Jackson county, I
shall be proud to vote for
Henry Padgham for the State
Senate on May 18.
Mrs. Lewis Ulrich
839 Minnesota ave.
Medford
Irish Mafia
To the Editor: My under
standing of the basis of the
Home Rule Charter is that
all county residents of legal
voting standing may vote in
the selection of Commission'
ers. Further, all candidates
may be from urban areas.
Further, municipalities are
exempt from rulings of these
Commissioners. Thus the su
burban areas may be con
strued as being taxed without
representation. How is this an
improvement over the State
Legislature ruling us?
It seems to me that this
proposal is a step away from
Constitutional G o v e r nment
and toward a Government of
executive fiat, similar to that
being practiced by the Irish
Mafia in Washington, D.C.
C. B. McGarvie
P.O. Box 28
Rogue River, Ore.
On Its Belly
To the Editor: I believe it
was Napoleon who said: "An
army travels on its belly." He
need not have stopped there.
According to the idea of
"Materialistic conception of
history," all progress travels
on its belly. After that the
mind and emotions take over
and clears the way for "belly
logic."
The greatest conflict in the
world today is the struggle
of the old economic and social
system to survive. We have
pet names for the old order
such as the "free world," our
way of life, segregation, God
loving and God fearing men,
but it all adds up to the
struggle against change. A
contest between the haves and
the have nots. It has ever
been thus.
This writer receives litera
ture from most every source
gratis, due to the human de
sire to please and enlighten
others of the human race.
Everything is read with in
terest and profit except health
insurance and other "axe
grinding" material. We are
too busy to turn private grind
stones. One element of interest is
literature of Dan Smoot of
TV fame. He not only travels
on his own belly but also on
a dog's belly. In short he sells
dog food on TV. I have never
eaten any of his sponsors' pro
duct and therefore am in no
position to speak with author
ity on it. My specialty is psy
chology and social science.
And from where I sit Dan is
a great comfort to true in
tellectuals in their camp. He
is in the fortunate positon of
making hay in any kind of
weather. That is because he
gives the impression of beins
objective in his comments. He
sounds a warning to the old
order and great cheer to the
new. Both right and left ex
tremists can embrace him as
an authority as well as a com
rade in arms, or Ai speaking
terms anyway.
This writer does not know I
the source of Dan's informa
tion but the conduct of right
wing politicians tends to sub
stantiate and give substance
to his general thesis. But as
all roads lead to Rome, Amer
ican statesmen and pollcfans
can be pardoned fi? their coiP
In short, the President will
keep on talking but he be
lieves his policy of strength
is paying off.
Strictly
Personal
By Sydney J. Harris
(c Field Enterpriiei Inc.
RESPECT FOR LAW
A British jurist with whom
I was lunching not long ago
made what I thought was a
strange re
Ta" " s?i mark. "One:
of the prob
1 e m s with
Am e r I c a n
criminals," he
said, "is that
they have con
tempt for the
law."
"Isn't that
Hams exactly what
makes a criminal?" I asked.
"Do criminals elsewhere in
the world have more respect
iur me law;
"Oddlv enoueh. lho w
he smiled. "Let me explain
what I mean. Your American
Prosecutors, bv and laraa
out to get convictions, because
tney want to pile up a good
record in office, and thus be
re-elected.
"For instance, when I was
Visiting in Michigan not Inn
ago, a Circuit' Judge publicly
reprimanded the prosecutor's
office for presenting witnesses
wno were favorable to tha
state, and suppressing wit
nesses whose evidence w fa
vorable to the defendant in an
assault case.
"This, I gather, is fairly
standard practice in America.
The prosecutor is not consid
ered - nor, in most cases,
does not consider himself -as
an agei.f of all the people,
whose task it is to defend in
nocence as well as to prosecute
guilt. He is primarily a puni
tive agent, and like a base
ball player, he is judged by
the number of 'hits' he gets
at bat."
"And this isn't true else
where?" I interjec:ed.
"By no means," he said.
"In many countries, the ac
cused feels he will get a
square deal in the prosecutor's
office. In Britain, for instance,
such officials are not elected,
and therefore they are under
no political compulsion to
amass a high record of con
victions. "The effect of this is very
evident on the criminals -and
especially on the rate of
repeater's in different coun
tries. Very often, when your
criminals come out, they have
a chip on their shoulders.
They feel that the processes
of law and justice are rigged
against them, and they are
bitter.
"In this rp.snppl T mnn
he explained, "they have more
contempt for the law than
elsewhere. They see deals be
ing made, sentences reduced
for one man and not for an
other, and even when there's
no direct corruption - and I
don't suggest there is much
corruption of that sort - there
is a tremendous inequity of
treatment.
"You Americans," he went
on, "keep emphasizing tha
punitive aspects of handling
crime - severer sentences,
stiffer laws, and so on. But
in Britain, where the
rate is much lower, the aver
age sentence is much shorter
than in the U. S. The differ
ence is that our justice is
swift, sure and even-handed.
Our criminals, In a curious
way, respect our laws and
their process - and that is our
greatest advantage in keeping
the crime rate down."
Shivelys Plan To live
In Mexico for Year
Ashland - Guadalajara,
Mexico, will be the home ad
dress for Mr. and Mrs. Thorn.
ton T. Shively, Ashland.
Shively, reference librarian
at Southern Oregon college,
has received a year's leave of
absence to do advanced study
there.
Shively. who has written a
number of articles and stories
for national publications, has
been on the staff at SOC since
1958, shortly after receivins
his master of library science
degree at Hastings college, Ne
braska. The Shively's plan to
leave for Mexico in June.
I- I
victlons and choice qf roads.
It is quite obvious to the least
astute that we live in a
changing world and change
is gaining momen'm. And it
travels on Its belly.
Walter Reece.
77 Manzanita St.,
Ashland.
1