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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
August 22, 1974     Shelton Mason County Journal
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August 22, 1974
 
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| Telephone callers and people on the street have asked us what we are going to write about in this column now that King Richard has been relieved of his crown and scepter. All of them seem to infer that we have been obsessed a with the man and his henchmen for the past five years. That, of course, is ridiculous. A glance at the back files a P [I t, [3 Pt would probably show that during the Watergate Administration's incumbency we wrote no more than 200 pieces on the subject, a truly restrained reaction considering the (expletive deleted) they administered to the American people. A truly obsessed writer could have produced at least two, maybe three, more editorials during that period. But that is all water over the gate (or is it blood over the stonewall?). And there are many things about which to write. For instance, we might ask Governor Dan Evans if he could spare a few days away from sitting on the left hand of Ford the Father to solve the mounting problem of prisoners :/ escaping from state institutions. With a little concentration he might come up with an answer, in spite of jet lag and K pinnacle-power poop. We might explore the question of why more people don't tell hospital personnel, voting registrars and other data-happy types to go to bell when they ask for Social Security numbers. All it takes is a simple no and you can help delay that day when you answer only to a number, not a name. If you wonder what difference that makes, just remember the trouble you had arguing with a computer over an erroneous billing and conjure what will happen to you when a police computer mistakenly spits out your number as a crime suspect. Lots of luck. Another likely subject might be speculation on what has become of Billy Graham, Bob Hope and John Wayne. The three seem to have disappeared from sight. There are rumors from Palm Springs, Lend.on and South Africa that the three have abandoned their political careers for the fields of evangelism, comedy and moom pictures. We might inquire why the federal government is shipping about $25 million worth of tobacco to poor countries in this fiscal year under Title I of Public Law 480 - the "Food for Peace" program. Lung cancer is an extremely inefficient way to reduce a fast-breeding population. Daniel J. Evans, Governor Olympia, Washington 98501 Dear Governor Evans: It might be interesting to explore why Warren Magnuson asks the voters to return him to the United States Senate because of his long years and experience in that body. If he had been a member of the minority party during those years, it might be understandable, but why would a man who has been in the controlling party brag about what has happened since 1937? In the 38 years Maggie has been in Congress, the United States has been in three wars and won one, the national debt has gone from $36,424,614,000 to years, 1 have some knowledge of $473,300,000,000, an increase of 1,214% while the the pr0blem superintendents face population has increased 63%, and Congressional with the man year situation. I know that the Legislature expenditures have risen from $23,077,000 to $540,000,000 designates a specified amount of (2,248%). monies for salaries to each As a service to the Nixon loyalists, in the winter of their discontent, we might provide news of whether or not their hero is being kept toasty-warm by the $13,500 electric heating system the grateful taxpayers provided at his modest San Ciemente retirement shack. We might discuss the grand larceny being perpetrated by state officials under provisions of a retirement act which allows cast-off politicians to increase their pensions up to 400% by working a couple years at a higher-paying job. We might issue a plea to the new darling of middle-America, Gerald Ford, to devote time not only to the restoration of the bundling board and ice cream socials but the language we lost in an avalanche of misspokes, modified partial hangouts and inoperatives. And, it is a foregone conclusion we will have to write an editorial defending the first high school boy thrown out of school by his shaggy elders for wearing a crewcut. ~M~Bmm~mmm~nnm~m~u~m~ll~m~m~m~mm~|~l~l~ Mack McGinnis' I am a resident of the Dayton Community, located 8 miles northwest of Shelton in the immediate vicinity of the Washington Corrections Center, and 1 have a problem I am hoping you can hdp me with. We have resided in this area for the past 11 years and used to enjoy the peace and quiet of our secluded valley, but for the past two years, that peace has changed to apprehension and fear. The reason for this fear is the increasing frequency of inmate escapes from the corrections center. Since 1 have been employed with the state for the past eight department and that the office of O.P.P.&F.M. designates to each department head how to utilize these monies for "man years" in the employment of staff. How can security be maintained at a correctional facility when positions are cut from their budgets which would cause them to close down the towers at night. (WCC has seven towers. Three - 1, 4 and 6 - are manned during the day and only two - 1 and 4 - on the swing and graveyard shifts.) There is a "roving patrol" but it is obvious after the break on August 13, that they cannot do an adequate job of patroling the perimeter. This is through no fault of the custodial staff, for the layout of the center is quite extensive and two roving patrol units per shift is not eno ugh. The people in this community are the ones who have the most to fear for the close proximity to the center makes it a convenient place to acquire transportation, supplies, etc. What's more, these continued breakouts have made this area a less desirable place to live and hence the value of property could drop drastically. I bdieve that the center has an obligation to notify the residents of this area when a breakout has occurred, give a physical description of the inmates involved and whether or not they are considered "dangerous." Many of our children go horseback riding on the back trails and prior notice would keep them from becoming possible hostages. At the present time they only notify a small number of residents via stopping to ask if they have seen any strangers around the vicinity. The thing that is really worrying me is when are the department heads going to find it desirable to increase staff and enforce a more strict security system within the resident halls of i~lUlnlflllmMimlmmlllmllillllllmllllllllllllllllllllmHIIllllllmllllllll One bright spot in the football players' strike is that if it continues it'H help reduce the violence on television. (Clyde Moore in Columbus Dispatch) "But I am ashamed of beg#ng, Sir. I'm saving up for a pistol." William Ruckeisbaus, who was "fired or resigned" last October in a di ment with the President over his refusal to rure Watevgate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, spoke here to a meeting of legislators from across the Midwest. Excerpts follow: "'It's true that I started a law office in Washington. It's not true that Chuck Colson is going to be one of my partners. 'I used to he afraid to tell stories.., for fear that it had been heard before. But rye always been sustained by the words of Augustine B~.._rdo, who once said, "Never hesitate to say anything for fear that's been heard before, for in every audience there is always a significant number of people who have never heard anything.' "As ! was sitting here tonight, it struck me as an ex-state legislator that you are almost a perfect audience. Mark Twain, you know, once described a perfect audience as intelligent, witty, capable, iaquisitive.., and dru . "1 was asked to talk about the situation in Washington. But rve been gone for two hours and haven't the foggiest idea what's going on there." (B. J. Gilley in Indianapolis news) A football expert is a person who can tell ff a game is inter-divisional, inter-conference, intra-cunference or inter4eague. (Mark Beltaire in Detroit Free Press) "Sales Talk" says streaking was begun by a stock broker leaving town with all his possessions. (Wayne Mackey in Oklahoma City Times) gecretary, banding letter to the boss: "This one's marked 'Personal' but it isn't, really." (Gone Brown in Danbury News-Times) • )age 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, August 22, 1974 this facility? Are they waiting for someone to get killed or perhaps one of the daughters of the community to be raped and carry the scar of that experience with her forever? There have already been thefts of a truck, camping equipment, food, etc. What comes next? The simple solution for me would be to move, but - I have lived here a long time and my family has invested much time and love into making our home a peaceful place to live. Moving would not solve the problem for the rest of the community either. So I am asking your help. As a community what would be our best course of action? We seem to be getting a bit of run-around from the administrative level of institutions (state office level). Thanking you for any suggestions or help you might be able to give, I remain, Sincerely yours, Jacquelyn W. Tobin Route 10, Box 105 Shelton, Washington 98584 Editor, The Journal: 1 wonder what it is about a new mailbox that turns some people into stark raving madpersons? While on a drive the other evening I was noticing all of the new mailboxes or super large boxes were dented in or literally demolished by being pelted with rocks. What a waste - the owners of these mailboxes have spent quite a bit of money to install a suitable receptacle for their mail. Many have painted and fixed them up to be unique and individual. Then comes along some kook who has nothing better to do with their time than pelting mailboxes with rocks from cars. How sad it is that some people have never learned to respect the property of others. J. Tobin a footnote, ours catches this treatment on a rather regular basis. 1 have reached the point where I am saying, "What's the use in trying to fix it up any more?" Editor, The Journal: Because of tens of thousands of letters against federal land use control, the Land Use Planning Act was killed in the House. At that time Congressman John Rarick warned that the feds would try to get federal land control by administrative command. That was strong talk. Could the strongly expressed will of the people be cancelled by executive order? But it happened! In July Russel Train, Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), announced that his bureau had formed a new division to deal with land use problems. The New York Times reported that Mr. Train's plan could affect the whole nation. E.P.A. regulations published in the Federal Register last February have already established almost total control over U.S. construction industry. NOw E.P.A. requires that states present land use plans that include air quality considerations. Does Environmental Protection Agency plan to rule the nation by dictatorial order? The protection we need is from unelected agencies. Congressman Rarick calls this the "Congress and the public be damned" attitude of the executive branch. Land Use Planning has been established by the federal government although it was rejected by Congress. Congressman Rarick calls this "a frightening exercise of raw power by Washington's unelected army of social planners." Rarick, with other Congressmen, is working to limit the power of E.P.A. by amending the Clean Air Act to place those matters in local control. It is to be hoped that those tens of thousands and many more will back the congressmen in this effort. Winifred Bunker Editor, The Journal: I have complained many times about the Shdton.Matlock Road, but this time I am very upset about its condition. About two weeks ago, my daughter and I were donating our time and truck to haul lumber for a new fire hall. As we were driving, about three or four miles out of Shelton, we were struck by a logging truck and thrown into the ditch while he was trying to pass us. (! am not aiming this at the driver of the logging truck). Luckily we were only bruised. ! was driving at a speed which I thought was safe for a truck loaded with lumber. The logging truck was empty so he could travel at a faster rate of speed than !. Unfortunately, the road was not wide enough for both of US. If we can keep up with progress by sending men to the moon and back safely, it seems strange to me we can't keep up with progress in our own communities so we can have safe roads to travel. The school buses which carry your and my children to and from school also have to travel these TOO ROUGH, TOO NARROW roads. The road between Shelton and Grays Harbor has been in very poor condition for a very long time. We pay our share of gas tax and license fees and I am quite sure the truckers who have to put up with this road also pay their share. Does someone have to get: SERIOUSLY INJURED or KILLED before something will be done about this road?!! Mrs. Geraldene Brehmeyer Editor, The Journal: It has been said that you would print anything on your editorial page if it was signed. We know you can dish it out - now let's see if you can take it, especially from one of your peers. I submit the following article in the public interest. Thelma L. Puhn, FRANKLIN B. SMITH The American press has destroyed a Presidency of the United States. Al- though it is too late to help the victims and relieve the enormity of this act, perhaps the press finally will realize the need to reform itself and to rot. to its basic and historical mission. What the press helped to accomplish in this last week was a bloodless revolu- tion. It was done with precision, passion and piety. First it. was essential for Spiro T. Agnew to be driven from office. This was achieved through news leaks, specu- lative stories and other press behavior that once was considered unethical in our profession. Then, with Mr. Agnew out of the Vice Presidency, Richard M. Nixon became fair game and the press zealots hounded him unmercifully to the desired conclusion. The result is this: Less than two years after the Nixon-Agnew Administra- tion was resoundingly supported by the people, in a free •election, this nation today for the first time in history has a President unelected by the public he serves. The revolution was complete. The press, in effect, helped to over- throw our Government, and it did so through means and methods elearJ v sanctioned by'constitutional law or moral code. The First Amendment to the Con- stitution g u a r a n t e e s freedom of the press, hut the horrible perversion of that freedom is license, which must not be condoned inside or outside of our profes- sion. The platitudes about "shooting the messen=er of bad news s mply are not relevan[ here. The publication of news, good or bad, is the essential pro'pose of the American press, but news leaks. speculations and analyses are masquer- ades that are demonstrably lethal. If there is a place for press partisan- ship, and there certainly is, it is on the editorial pages. Often we are reminded by our colleagues that the American press, on its editorial pages, overwhelm- ingly supported the Nixon-Agnew Admin- . I i , FrankUn B. Smithis editor of the torial page of The Budington Free Press, Burlington Vt. istration during two national elections and therefore, they assert, the hardly could be accused, of anta towardthe administration. But apologists miss the whole point: The an- tagomsm, masquerading as news, aP" peared on the front pages. This is ho.w the press destroyed a duly elected PreS" dent. For nearly two years the press the front pages into an obsession the Watergate affair. The m a t t e r doggedly pursued by legions of with, an intensity of purpose never nessed before and most to be witnessed again. Why? Not it was a government scandal of dimensions, because only later did. gain that appearance, but rather cause of a highly partisan distaste for administration in power. We are told that "luck" major role in the progression of gate disclosures and allegations. break-in' at the office of a National Committee might have gone noticed, a Federal judge less than John J. Sirica might have pro., at the original trial, the tape might never have been revealed, and on. But the overkill in press Watergate was not a product of It was calculated and it was of everything for which this nation to stand. Now, the tragedy having reached culmination, the press must search collective soul and ask whether cause of responsible freedom mi ter have been served by a the basic purposes of news gathering news dissemination. The role of the press ought to of a spectator, alert and concerned, not that of a participant, intruding oartisan. Editor, The Journal: What a contrast in editors and philosophy. Your policy seems to be: 1. Grossly exaggerate a man's sins. 2. Never give a sinner any credit for any good he may have done. I am thankful there are some editors who can see both sides. Bob Slettedahl The following editorial fromthe Bainbridge Review accompanied Mr. Slettedahl's letter. re THE JUDGMENT of historians awaits the future, but Richard Nixon may win higher marks than he gets today from his contemporaries. Intense as they may seem to Americans. the issues of domestic polities are petty compared to the greater questions of war and peace and the relationships between nations. Here, Richard Nixon's record was a trium- phant one. We are holding conversations with China, the world's most populous nation, after a quarter- century of pretending the Chinese weren't there. We are making an honest effort to replace cold-war rhetoric with an era of accord between our eouhtry and the Soviet Union. Thanks to American efforts, a dangerous war in the Middle East has halted. And if the huliets are still flying in Southeast Asia, at least bur own military involvement there is finally over. Such accomplishments don't justify anY i things that happened here at home. President Nixon erred badly, and then In the end, those who suffered the were the very people who believed in Mr. and who believed what he said. Saddest of our eyes was a film clip that daughter Julie defending him as a But with all that, this flawed and man did something that perhaps nobody today's political scene could have done. I-Is a start at tearing down the walls of standing that adversaries in the world. If our children and their children grow world of peace because of the hopeful that were started by Richard Nixon, Watergate and its aftermath aren't very large in the perspective of historY. Editor, The Journal: "The King is dead. Long live the King." So said Paul Harvey the other day. But who ever heard of a dead king receiving $60,000 a year pension and $96,000 a year allowance for franking privileges and other benefits? He has always been "Slick Dick" and will continue to be until the day he dies. Only once before was he called to account, and fined a few thousand dollars, for mishandling funds in a deal in California. Like Agnew, he proclaimed to the wodd his innocence and said what a fighter he was and that he would never resign. Then, when he knew that "We the People" had a bellyful of his lies and tax evasion and coverups and aiding and abetting breakins and other misdemeanors and that he would be impeached and removed from office, did he scurry, like the rat he is, to hide behind his letter of resignation. He knew if he was kicked out he would lose all that beautiful green stuff that "We the People" will have to pay him and his wife for as long as they both shall live. While in office he feathered his magnificent nest in California to have to hide himself snugly in when the roof should fall. And don't think 1 have mixed my metaphors because rats do build nests, especially pack rats, of which variety Nixon is one. He has packed more plunder from the job he hdd than anyone can imagine. If "ignorance of the law" is no excuse when one has committed a crime, then "knowledge of the law" should make a criminal twice as guilty. And no one can say Richard Milhous Nixon is not a knowledgeable man. A smart man? No, never. Had he been smart he would never have been implicated in all the shameful things that went on while he was "Commander in Chief," as he so liked to call himself. He should be tried in a court of law, for falsifying his income tax returns; the same man, you or 1 or Joe well ashis in the Watergate affair, all those other men serving time . indictment. He had his fun and pay the piper. If he scot-free, we had words "liberty from our Another thing disbarred from were Agnew and that he will ever need law as long as "We pension him off. Believe it or not, t some.., oh, beck! can one say? Mailing Address: Box 430, Shelton, Wa. 98584 Published at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Mason Washington 98584, weekly. Second-class postage paid at Shelton SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $6.00 per year in Mason in advance -- Outside Mason County $7.50 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ......................