June 29, 1978 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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JourqMl pf OPINION00. 00you KNOW
Top-heavy hive ME?,00OREYoUP°,
The bees are coming home to roost in the state's
institutions. And the drones outnumber the workers.
Shelton's Washington Corrections Center, once the
focus of nationwide attention as the prototype of
enlightened penology, has now degenerated into a
warehouse for bodies.
The deterioration began during the administration of
Governor Dan Evans. Although the three-term charmer
appeared to have a genuine concern for the outcasts of
society who make up the populations of state institutions,
that concern was not reflected in the operation of those
facilities.
€
Evans legacy to the citizens of Washington is a
proliferating bureaucracy that is heavy at the top with the
high-salaried nobility of public servantdom and light at the
bottom with a minimum of the troops that do the work.
This teetering structure worked when the state's
economy was expanding and tax dollars multiplying. There
were enough workers to get the job done while the drones
of the nobility buzzed around the governor's throne and
jousted with the legislature.
But when added programs, inflation and dips in the
economy took big bites out of the budget, it was obvious
that changes were needed.
And changes were made; the changes that distinguish all
entrenched bureaucracies from the real world. Workers were
lopped off at the bottom, more drones hired, and
additional millions drained from the budget by personal
service contracts for drones with entree to the royal court.
At Washington Corrections Center this meant that guard
towers went unmanned, allowing prisoners to escape, and
personnel necessary for the testing, evaluation and
assignment of prisoners shrank to the point of uselessness.
Dan Evans inherited an institutions' program that had
made a start toward abolishing the barbaric treatment given
to prisoners, the mentally ill and the retarded. He left the
program a shambles.
And he had plenty of help from legislators-and drones
more interested in money, power, and self-perpetuation in
office than in public service and performance.
Then, eighteen months ago, into this mess was plopped
a new governor, the mistress of the smartass remark and
the meat ax.
Under Dizy Lee Ray's erratic hand, the mess has gotten
messier. In a misguided attempt to solve the problem, she
fell for the oldest fallacy in the know-nothings' book of
easy answers. Knowing nothing about either business or
government, she appointed a clutch of businessmen to tell
her how to run a government agency.
A chimpanzee should realize by now that businessmen
know nothing about running,a government. Busi!aesses are
run to make a profit: Govemments are formed toprovide
services. The two cannot be run with the same set of rules.
ltorrible Example No. 1" The United States Postal
Coitgoration.
Washington's last melding of business and government
in the prison business was a financial success but left
something lacking as a humanitarian effort. Four
businessmen built Washington Territory's fh'st penitentiary
in 1877 and signed a contract with the territorial legislature
to run it as a private business.
The contractors received a per diem amount for each
convict incarcerated, which returned a tidy profit. But
these champions of private enterprise made a sizeable
forttme by exploiting convict labor in a coal mine, a
brickyard, a cooperage, a sash and door factory and a
sawmill. The convicts also cut firewood for the railroad,
cleared hind, built roads and were leased out to work on
farms irl the area.
The operation became so odiferous that the legislature
concluded the nine-year public-private arrangement and
built a territorial penitentiary at Walls Walla.
So much tbr businessmen and prisons. Until the latest
move by Dizy, who this week appointed a 36-year-old
project manager for Pacific Northwest Bell as the secretary
of the Department of Social and Health Services.
The new secretary was a member of the business
"management team" that made the study for the governor.
One of its primary recommendations was the addition of
more drones to the already top-heavy DSHS structure.
The immediate result of that recommendation at
Washington Corrections Center was the dismissal of the
institution's last remaining psychiatrist and one of its two
physicians, both essential workers in WCC's diagnostic and
treatment program.
Governor Ray went into office with a mandate from
the voters to shake up the bureancraey. The monster DSHS
was the place to start. Somewhere on God's green earth
there is a dedicated, experienced government administrator
with the brains and guts to make an attempt at curbing the
drones and strengthening the workers.
Dizy should fiave kept looking until she found him.
Instead she has become a worthy successor to Dan Evans in
the open-purse-at-the-top, meat-ax-at-the-bottom approach
to state government.
She can go him one better by having her new business
expert put the convicts to work in the woods and sawmills.
Or maybe digging ditches for Ma Bell.
"Oracles must be very rich or very poor. Banality in the
mouth of the anonymous middle class sounds banal.
The same opinions acquire the weight of great wisdom
when amtounced by the New York Times, by a man
who has made $100 million in conglomerates, or by a
.tgt' who feeds on roots and berries in Boulder,
(dorado." Lewis H. Lapham
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, June 29,
! 'U'D BE
SURPRISE:P How. I
PEOI?LE I::ofl'l",,
C_.apitolCDome:
Hazardous cargo authority split 37 ways
By ROBERT C. CUMMINGS
Both short.range and
long-range defenses against the
perils of land transportation of
hazardous cargo are being built
by legislative committees.
The House Transportation
Committee's subcommittee on
safety headed by P.J. (Jim)
Gallagher (D-Tacoma) plans to
recommend statutory designation
of a lead agency to take charge
in the event of any accident
involving hazardous cargo.
The probable designee is the
Department of Emergency
Services.
Too Many Thumbs
in Soup
Gallagher said there are 27
federal and ten state agencies
which currently have jurisdiction,
with each "jealously protecting
its own area of responsibility.
"No one is in charge."
Though the Legislature can't
act 'until January, Gallagher is
hoping to get an informal
agreement on a lead agency to
and fire department personnel
who would be specially trained
to identify and deal with the
wide array of hazardous
materials which are now being
shipped across the state.
The plan, however, would
require funding - probably with
the major share provided by the
state - so must wait until the
next Legislature convenes.
We Knew It
All the Time
A survey conducted in the
Eighth Legislative District by
Representative Claude Oliver
(R-Kennewick) confirms that
women's rights wasn't the issue
said they were opposed to
women's rights. More than half
said they disagreed with the
Women's Council's activities, and
opposed spending tax dollars on
"unnecessary bureaucratic
functions."
More than 88 percent
approved of Governor Dixy Lee
Ray's decision to disband the
Women's Council.
In view of the 72 percent
majority by which the Women's
Commission was rejected, the
sentiments expressed in the
Tri-Cities probably reflects the
general consensus statewide.
Agreement on
in voter rejection of the bill One Point
, 'S
establishing a Women .... :, .,Th:H:°:use In,surance:
Commission last November. Committee has learned that the
Less than six percent of tankers serving Puget Sound
those replying to a questionnaire refineries are well covered by
lllllllllulllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Mack McGinnis'
take charge until the proper le'--00"'ommen
legislation can be passed. Col
In this he has the support of
the statutory Legislative Budget
Committee. Senator Paul
O,Conner (D-Sequim) says the
danger "is too pressing" to wait
until the next legislative session.
Plan for the Future
Meanwhile, Senator Peter
vonReichbauer (D-Vashon),
chairman of the Senate
Transportation Committee's
subcommittee on safety, has
called for formation of local
tactical squads to cope with
hazardous situations.
The squads would be
composed of law enforcement
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Overheard: "The reason so many Amedcans buy automobiles is that
they have to pay cash when riding a bus."
(Wayne Mackey in Oklahoma City Times)
Don Kite knows a girl who got her birth control pills, tranquilizers,
and saccharine tablets all mixed up. Last week she had the sweetest
baby boy in town and nothing ever bothers him.
(John Raudonis in North DeKalb Kiwanis Beacon, Atlanta)
A Women's Lib meeting at Lib headquarters had to be postponed due
to plumbing problems. The joan wouldn't flush.
(Claude McDonald)
insurance, but Chairman Jeff
Douthwaite (D-Seattle) isn't
satisfied.
He plans to hold another
hearing.
He is concerned about what
he calls "captive insurance
companies," which operate out
of Bermuda and were formed
through voluntary agreements
between oil companies and
tanker operators.
Meanwhile, he has learned
there is one point on which
environmentalists and insurance
companies agree - that tankers
are a high risk. The premium on
a 200,000-ton vessel runs about
$500,000 a year.
Members of the House
Re,enue Committ£e have
received the message contained
in the current "taxpayers'
revolt."
Though the sales tax
exemption on food becomes
effective Saturday, they so far
haven't considered any new
revenue measures to offset the
impact. In fact, they are
convinced that if state revenue
continues to run ahead of
projections at the present rate, it
will be possible to get through
the 1979-81 biennium without
any increased or new taxes.
Revenue has been exceeding
original projections by as much
as 20 percent over the past year.
Even revised estimates made as
recently as last February have
been exceeded by three percent.
The shortfall estimate,
including $400 million for full
funding of education, and the
impact of the sales exemption
combined may not exceed $200
million if current revenue trends
continue.
Weekend party at mid night
By JOHN GAAR
Film director Robert Altman defined a cult as, "A
group of people too small to be a minority and much too
small to finance a film."
The estimate seems accurate as each weekend about
0.10 percent of the King-Snohomish County population
gathers at a Seattle movie house to shout, throw rice, light
candles, sing and dance to their favorite flick - "The
Rocky Horror Picture Show."
Cult movies are like country music in that it's
impossible to tell the good from the bad. Still, any human
endeavor will draw a crowd. "Our intellectual marines,
landing in little magazines, capture a trend," was poet W.H.
Auden's chiding of the smug.
So your columnist went to the picture and asked why
people would wait in line for an hour to see a movie they
had seen before. Seen before? Some have seen it almost a
hundred times.
Currently, critics claim neither Johnny nor Janey can
read or write. Another educational deficiency can be
added: I doubt if they can think or articulate an idea
either. Why they like the film is a real trip to Alice's
Wonderland. One man said "You know" 18 times (I have
him on tape). Others, as wellspoken, relied on "I don't
know, it's just great."
Oh well, fans the world over lack critical faculties. At
least the people in line weren't as hateful and heartless as
many of their parents.
So I'll tell you about the film. It parodies horror films,
chiefly Frankenstein, and musicals of the 30s. Dr. Frank N.
1978
Furter, the main character, is a transvestite from the planet
Transsexual in the Transylvanian galaxy. Undeniably,
he's strikingly handsome.
Let me remove any lingering doubts - it's bizarre.
This information prompted one couple from Denton,
Texas to gasp, "Holy Mackerel." Their cousin had led them
to expect a musical and they liked "Oklahoma" and
"Carousel." "Y'all pulled the wool ovah mah eyes agin," he
noted. But they didn't leave.
If you don't mind the theme, which is played for
laughs, the film is surprisingly good. The music and dancing
are infectious, the acting is above average and there's no
bad language or nudity. But...
Fans who are in their late twenties, who pride
themselves on discovering the film last summer, even find a
message: "There is no harm in giving yourself over to
pleasure." Frank N. Furter transgresses and earns his
reward; then the cast does the Time Warp again, a very
popular and simple dance.
If you attend, go with someone who's seen the movie
as there is a steady din - people shouting - and you'll
need a guide/translator.
Remember the plea, "Don't send your children to
church, take them?" Try using your kids as the guide.
You'll learn more about them, what they're thinking, and
the shape of the future than you will asking them about
school.
And it's a lot more fun. They may no longer think of
you as an "old person" but, then, my daughter never did.
aRea ders 'Jo u rtta l :
Remember parable
Editor, The Journal:
C. Yerkes' letter of June 22
contains a factual error as well as
insulting snideness. Most people
are capable of reading around
insults but errors must be
corrected.
The area given for
Washington's reservations may be
correct. However, each Indian
does not have "75 acres of tax
exempt land."
First, much reservation land
(ahnost all on some reservations)
was taken from the Indians due
to the federal government's
policy of assimilation. This land
now belongs to "dumb
Americans" who pay taxes on it.
Second, much of the land
which remains in trust status
(tax exempt) is of no use to the
owners. Another federal policy
has caused land to become
owned by many (dozens in some
cases) heirs of the original
allottee. No single heir can use
or sell the land without the
consent of the others.
Injustice is not in the eye of
the beholder; it exists in the
of the recipients. It is absurd
claim that the Indians
anywhere near the amount
the white people dished
they lost most of their
they lost much of their
and many of them lost their
trying to keep the first two.
I don't know what axe
Yerkes is grinding,
fulfillment of the treaties
in 1855 between two
nations is not going to hurt I
but the most selfish
In fact, it is in our (I am i
Indian) interest to ensure
the federal government
trample on any minority
fights.
Remember the parable
the Catholic priest in
Germany: He said nothing
they took away the socialist, i
gypsy and the Jew; when
came to take lure no one
left to speak up!
Toby
Letters ignored
Editor, The Journal:
Those of us who respond to
requests for comments from the
public by agencies about to
make decisions of importance to
the people are beginning to think
that the decisions have already
been made, that our letters have
little if any influence.
Word that the U.S. Forest
Service plan for the Canal Front
(eastern Olympics) is for logging
as the predominant use of this
area, despite over 1,000 letters
urging more wilderness
preservation is a disappointment.
Their plan has wilderness study
for 16,000 acres and mostly
logging for 109,000.
Those who wish to see more
of the timbered river valleys left
in their natural state are told
that the decisions "must
continue to be based on
professional judgment without an
overreaction to public emotion."
However, environmentalist
groups have their forestry
specialists too and have pointed
out specific areas better left
unlogged.
The Olympic Park
Association has asked specifically
for preservation of the mostly
wild Gray Wolf river valley, Mt.
Zion, the Lena Lake corridor
and areas around Mounts EUinor,
Washington and
Mountain near Lake
The Gray Wolf area in
says David Pavelchek, Sierra
forestry specialist, has
timber regeneration potential!
"hardly land you'd want to
into a tree farm."
There is a July 3 deadline
public comment on the
Front plan. Send to Ol
National Forest, P.O. Box
Olympia 98507. Is there
use?
Frances R.
A friend
Editor, The Journal:
To Steve Patch: Thank
so very much for doing
marvelous story on a very
friend, Ethel Dinning. I cot
a real privilege to know
enchanting lady! Ever'
should get to know Ethel
now thanks to last
Journal a lot more people
make it a point to meet her
be as lucky as I to count her!
a very special friend, too.
Carmen
Harstine
Christians too prou00
Editor, The Journal:
I read the letter written
about the empty churches and it
made me think of my views, as I
can add a little to that letter.
I think the Christians are too
proud, filled with pride.
The pastors and deacons and
members of the board are filled
with self-importance, and they
figure they are the only ones
able to get behind the pulpit to
lead songs, prayer requests, etc.
Anyone other than them is
wrong, in the board members'
and pastor's eyes. The rest of the
people aren't good enough to be
used in church no matter how
long they've been converted.
But you never see the
deacons or pastors do any
physical labor for the church.
They leave it to the ones lower
than them. Lower in the pastor's
and deacons' eyes, anyway.
I've gone to church for quite
a number of years now, to the
same church, I might add, and
I've never seen some of our
deacons lift a finger in physical
labor to help clean or fix up
their church.
I not only call it being too
proud but it is a big case of
laziness, also.
And let's not forget the
husbands of the board memb
They are too lazy and expect t i
women in the church to do it ::
while they stand around
watch.But as we all see, some :
these same husbands don't 11'
a job and they also can't sup
their families. Living off w f¢l
and food stamps and taking i!i
couple foster kids brings in I1
money.
But, praise God for men ¢
become foster parents and W °1!'
to support their own families t.
way God's word tells them ti:
God's word says that "A r!
who can't support his 0
family is worse than an ini €1/|
So the lazy Christians l'jl ,
seen in the home as well s!
the church. But it is the past
and deacons who are the aZ!
of all. That's what most of
I
see.
s
The pastors and deacon .,
to be an example. So if '
people aren't doing an3 d
look at your deacons
pastors. They aren't d0i
anything but sitting idle in tit
pride and laziness. That's wb
the shame lies. ,,
Donna Mil
Route 5, Shelt
en
k
' .eltoq.
L
Mailing Address: Box 430, Shelton, Wa. 98584 Phone 426-41[
227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Mason County.J/
Seco nd-Oas? ;Sobs it:ggte°;a i? 58 4'h e/;ekl, Ywa sh i ng t o n. .J [
IPTION RATES: $7.00 per year in Mason County i1
$9.00 per year in State of Washington $]2.00 per year out o!
EDITOR AND PUB-UIS-ER - . ............. Henry G.i'
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