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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
September 25, 1969     Shelton Mason County Journal
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September 25, 1969
 
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Editorials: $kirtsophrenia The tumult and shouting over the length of skirts on Montesano High School girls points up once again what happens when educators forget what they are hired to do. While angry parents and school administrators argue before a judge, the main purpose of the schools, learning, is lost in the noise of the battle as kids, parents and teachers waste their time in senseless bickering. Courts throughout the country keep reminding school officials to concentrate on what is in the student's head, not how much hair is on it or how much cloth hangs below it. Fashion dictates that, and fashion changes from year to year. The school administrator who sticks to hard and fast rules on skirt length and hair style is liable to spend more time in court than in school. The death, attributed to lung cancer, of Senator Everett Dirksen sent us to the adding machine when we read he was a three-packs-a-day cigarette smoker. At that rate, if the late Senator started smoking when he was twenty, he would have inhaled 1,160,700 malignancy sticks by the time of his death at 73. That's a lot of tar over the tonsils. There may be hope for those frustrated Sunday hunters who empty their rifles at a disappearing deer two miles away on the next ridge. A gun nut has figured out that a .30 calibre bullet fired at 38 degrees elevation would travel 490,000 yards, or 279 miles, on the surface of the moon. If the same condition prevailed on the earth, a trigger-happy nimrod could fire from his rooftop in Shelton and bring down a buck on the outskirts of Penticton, British Columbia. The electronic idiot box is numbing the brains of more and more of the populace, but the book publishing business is apparently still holding its own. A Cincinatti priest-linguist and a choreographer have collaborated in publishing a do-it-yourself "Dancing for God" manual. The illustrated volume teaches a person to master such movements as the "clergy stomp," the "step curtsy," the "sway step," the "beggar step," the "prayer step," the "joy step," the "paddle turn" and the "kneel and incense step," Capitol dome: Go ahead, dear,. ha ,mhzer i g ....... the capltOl".ltt. Tc;ilt, but 'don't At people in theUnitedStafes be SurpHstl ,it d6ne. take drugs to help them get through the day. Thesepeople At Gee. Dan Evans' request, Atty. Gen. Slade Gotten is are not junkies addicted to hard narcotics, nor bearded hippies tripping on LSD; they are ordinary, middle-class people who take pills to sleep, to keep calm or to stay awake. These pills, most of them legally available by prescription, are what are called psychotropic drugs; according to Hugh J. Parry of George Washington University, researchers until recently have been so dazzled by the glamour of narcotic and psychedelic drugs that they know almost nothing about the psychotropics - the "drug of choice" for most of America's pill takers. (Public Health Reports, October 1968) There are three kinds of psychotropic drugs: sedatives (like Seconal, Phenobarbital, and Doriden); tranquilizers (like Miltown, Equanil, Librium, and Compoz); and pep pills, which can keep you awake and help you lose weight (like Dexedrine, Elavil, Preludin, and No-Doz). Dr. Parry has available the first data from what will be a four-year study, of the way American adults use these drugs. The first survey of a nationwide sample, done in May 1967, showed: * More people want to calm down than want to wake up: Of the 25 percent of adults who reported using psychotropes in the year before the survey, 13 percent have used sedatives, and 14 percent have used tranquilizers, while only 7 percent have used stimulants, * Young people (18-20), on the other hand, would rather wake up: Only 4 percent are using sedatives, 12 percent tranquilizers, and 14 percent stimulants. * Women are much heavier users than men: 31 percent sad been taking psychotropes during the year, compared to nly 15 percent of the men. White people are twice as likely to be taking sychotropes as Negroes: 26 percent of the whites in the ;ample had taken them in the last year compared to only 13 ercent of Negroes. Jews use far more of these drugs than any other group: 17 percent of the Jews in the sample were taking them, :ompared to 23 percent of the Protestants and 24 percent of atholics. Most (36 percent) of the drugs Jewish respondents ake are tranquilizers. The percentage of users increases with income: For hen, from 15 percent of those with incomes under $5000 to ',2 percent of those earning $10,000 or over; for women, tom 26 percent of those with income under $5000 to 42 rcent of those with $10,000 or more. Parry has some interesting speculations about the source bf these patterns. The rather heavy reliance of women and ews on psychotropes may be the obverse of their higher ales of abstinence from alcohol. Where men and gentiles ake to drink when life is too much for them, women and ews are more fikely to reach for a Miltown. The finding that legroes, who have relatively high rates of "escape drinking,'" re far less likely than whites to use psychotropic drugs seems back up Parry's thesis. n00u.'lwi0000Jfi..- Founded 1886 by Grant C. Angle Phone 426.4412 ailing Address: Box 430, Sheiton, Wash. 98584 Published at Shelton, Mason County, Washington, every Thursday. "Our public relations department has come up with one answer for both air and water pollution." Rock festival legislation is probably doomed Entered as Second.Class Matter at the Post Office, Shelton, Wash. _ while Lieutenant Governor, also ;a 4Shelt0n-Mason C0unty Journal- Thursday, September 25, 1969 By: ROBERT C. CUMMINGS without success, though both he There has been a lot of tall and Cherberg did survive the recently about legislation to primaries to make it into the control rock festivals, such as the finals. one recently in "the shadow of Why anybody with political looking into the possibility. Most discussed is legislation which would make sponsors of such events responsible for what happens at them. The idea, of course, is to curb the open sale and use of dangerous drugs, which was reported by everybody who went near the recent festival. Legal experts say, however, that in order to pass constitutional tests in the court, such a law couldn't single out rock festivals as such. It would have to be broad enough to cover numerous other events, such as sports events, possibly county fairs and maybe even conventions. And the responsibility would have to extend to all illegal acts - not just violations of the narcotics laws. Such a bill might generate so many objections from such a wide variety of groups that it wouldn't have a chance. HIGH COST OF MONEY It wasn't because of legal btrriers that the State Board for Community Colleges rejected the 7.37 per cent interest bid on its revenue construction bonds. The 1969 Legislature had raised the interest ceiling on these particular bonds to 8 per cent. But if the board had sold the $22 million offering at 7.37 per cent, the interest over the 40-year life of the bonds would have amounted to $45 million, more than twice the amount being borrowed. An earlier maturity date would have resulted in a lower interest rate, but the anticipated revenue wouldn't have met the retirement requirements. The trustees decided the bond market couldn't remain in a chaotic state indefinitely and it might be wise to wait a while. SEATTLE'S MESSAGE The message in Seattle's recent primary election seems to be that its voters don't want a state elective official running their city. Legislators they will accept, elect them to their council, and poss/bly to the mayor's office. (The present mayor, Floyd Miller, is a former legislator, as well as the two nominees). But a statewide elective official is another story. Secy. of State Lud Kramer isn't the first to try and fail. Lt. Gov. John Cherberg tried four years ago. After he ran the first time as a gag, Victor A. Meyers made two serious bids for the mayor's office 'r  atlgiog+ .w.gnts to be mayor of t'atai'ge city remaill&,& mystery. The position served as a springboard to the governorship for former Gee. Arthur B. Langlie, but for all others it has been a political dead-end. During 80 years of statehood, there has been on," Governor out of the Seattle Mayor's office. It doesn't look like very good odds. WHAT NOW? A failure in the Seattle mayoralty election, on the other hand, just about kills any chance of a sertous bid for the governorship. Kramer probably could be re-elected Secretary of State, if he wants the job, but it is doubtful if he will run again. He is ambitious and the Secretary of State's office never has been enough challenge for him. Stymied for advancement in polities, he undoubtedly will go into some other field. If an attractive opportunity opens up in private industry, he might retire before the end of his term. FREE-WAY REVOLT The Legislature's Joint e Committee on Highways ]s becoming increasingly concerned over the "revolt" against freeways in metropolitan areas. Sen. Richard Marquardt, R., Seattle, chairman of the subcommittee on urban transportation, says it must be recognized. He estimates the Seattle city council's decision to study the R. H. Thompson Parkway will delay that project another two years. Rep. Al Leland, R., Redmond, vice chairman of the joint committee, says that when the R. H. Thompson was authorized in \\;, 'I 1959, its cost was estimated at trailers and campers, but the $59 million. Today, the estimated study probably has come too late. cost is $1 I0 million. There already are so many of Leland said the cost of six both - trailers and undersized projects in the Seattle-King cars - that it will be difficult to County area was estimated at a impose restrictions against either. :' t0f#d, of .$218.12 Inllhon at th ..:: ,: .,. . . ...... time of authorization. The M*anWhtle, the Legtstative estimated cost for those six projects today adds up to $360.6 million. The six projects, besides the R. It. Thompson Parkway, include the third Lake Washington Bridge, authorized in 1963 at an estimated cost of $26 million, which has soared to $55 million as of today. HIGHWAY "TRAINS" The 9e-day "trial" permit for three-trailer motor freights on Interstate 5, which was granted by the Highway Commission last July, will be expiring soon. There ts considerable speculation whether it will be renewed. A spokesman for the commission staff reports very little mail has been received on the subject since the first flurry. The Automobile Club of Washington has gone on record against it, and a resolution opposing the practice was introduced at the Good Roads Association convention recently, but it died somewhere along the way without reaching a vote. COMPACTS EYED The Joint Committee on Highways' subcommittee on motor vehicle standards headed by Sen. Hubert Donohue, Dayton, meanwhile is studying hazards created by undersized as well as oversized vehicles. It has a legislative mandate to determine appropriate standards of speed, power and size of vehicles. Undersized vehicles not readily visible to drivers of conventional cars are receiving attention as well as slow-moving vehicles towing "Come in, gentlemen. You're just in time for cocktails!" Council's committee on commerce, trades and professions is tackling the problem of industrial site inventories. The committee has learned that when land is zoned to reserve it for industrial site purposes, the land owners often boost the price to a point beyond which a company is willing or able to pay. On the other hand, when land is permitted to remain unidentified until needed by industry, local services aren't available to assist the industry in its establishment. Possible approaches under consideration include statewide zoning; revolving funds for small communities so they could provide public facilities to industries wanting to locate in their area, and cataloging of available industrial sites now existing within the state. MYSTERY IN DRUGS This same committee also is delving into the unrelated problem of disappearing drugs, which came up during a meeting to discuss proposed legislation to put public members on the State Board of Pharmacy. As discussion diverted to other subjects in the pharneeutieal field, disappearance of drugs between the time they are produced and finally sold was mentioned in passing. One company estimated that 5 0 per cent of legally manufactured drugs are diverted to illegal uses. The committee decided to pursue this subject further, and see if legislation could be enacted to alleviate the problem. HIGHWAY FINANCE EYED In the field of highway financing the Joint Committee on Highways is preparing to provide for more careful legislative study of budget increases than ever before. A subcommittee on appropriations and budget headed by Rep. Al Leland, Redmond, has been interviewing candidates to fill a new positiort of fiscal and program analyst. Some 65 applications were received as the result of nationwide recruiting activities. The purpose is to have all members of the committee fully briefed on all aspects of the highway budget which is submitted to the 1971 session. With the budget approaching $1 billion biennially, it has become necessary for the committee to rely heavily on staff analysis. The Flapdoodler- Don't knock grass ef you haven't tried it By STEVE ERICKSON She was probably thirty, but she looked like she had through a mangle with a tl 50-year cycle. Standing there before the judge she did everY compels the human body to do, except die. And thai imminent. The charge was illegal possession of narcotiCs. "Marijuana?" asked the judge. She couldn't speak. "Morphine," said her attorney. _.aft# She sagged and drooped and hung and leaned.7e0 had physically come apart at the joints and fallen w ,f the " uld It#w " noor nobody m the courtroom we surprised. "You'd better take her back to the jail and #,,re ! something," said the judge. "She's in pretty bad shape. Pretty bad shape. A quivering, quavering monument to drug abte and ignorance that.produces such total wrecks. . _. s0e of and should be legalized. ,, d, Only it's not marijuana, it's "pot," "mary jane, especially, "grass." why did the judge take one 100t But if it's really harmless at the human garbage heap in the front of him and assur she was a marijuana case? ,oi On the way out of the courtroom she muttered t.°f:tt." matron that "Y' better get me outa here b'fore ls  to Too late, She did pass out. They had to carry " jaiL Back to jail, where I suppose they followed the judf's instructions and "gave her something." about the only Gave her what? More dope, probably. It's thing that works when you get that bad. ttt Fighting fire with fire is what this sort of treatte and about now she's probably wishing she had never li# tt that first match. The one she used to burn her first, harmless pass. Oh, well. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. People might think you're afraid. Besides, everybody's doing it. Isn't even habit-forming. Booze is worse for you. No hangover. Puff. Go ahead. If it gets too bad, they can always takeY# back to your cell and give you something. If they're real cruel, they'll even give you a mirror. Let's talk books: A very angry ex-Peace Corpsman By LLOYD A. COOK Mr. Alan Weiss is a very angry young man. If his aim was to upset those in authority, make them seem timid and inept, he has done well. In his fast moving, funny yet bitter book "High Risk/High Gain" (St. Martin's, 1968), he tells about Peace Corps training as he found it in a summer workshop at Columbia University in 1963. He would, he hoped, after two months of intensive preparation, be sent to Nigeria as a teacher, along with some 200 fellow trainees. Weiss left M.I.T. when in reach of a doctorate, traveled the world for a while, then was accepted as a Peace Corps volunteer. He wished, in his words, "to be part of something bigger than myself." The task he wanted to undertake was to carry to less welloff countries at their request the best of American ideals and technical know-how. This would cost these places nothing and any place could end it at will for any reason. This struck the author as a unique kind of foreign aid. What went wrong with the training program? It was not at all what Weiss had anticipated, in fact nothing was right. An I l-page application to flu in, a Civil Service check, a series of dull lectures, written content tests, psycho-stress tests, several self reports, group therapy, more dull lectures, individual conseling and constant surveillance. "We got the works, the gold fish bowl." Not included in this inventory was the pleasure of watchg girls undress in an adjacent dorm by use of binoculars. The program was, says Weiss, "a sick circus," bitten by the great American disease of "play it safe, do not tip the apple cart." The summer in training was dominated by a fear, not of failing in Nigeria, but of never getting there. A fifth of the trainees were terminated, though Weiss himself got to Africa. It is not known how he did there for he was kicked out for breaking a rule when he sent for his fiance in order to marry her. No importation of women in Peace Corps work abroad! There was an imcompetent teaching staff. For instance, a most academic "head shrink" came on late, left in a huff. made to teach when any too much. error of all was' Weiss group had spent a Puerto RICO. workshop outgroup, this implies. overconcern I would example of from its sad errors in too much war times, l workshops one quite methods are badly used, t But there is consider. The author it man, a verY from what is the ego leaning apt retort, not precedure. ! rebel in anY and what short and done. A word Corps. that foreign funds that home. budget 1966, Corps in fact, crRies of The strings" fort the host needed. In 13,800 me limit) in ecpeets number ratio of men two to on are black and service in 3,000 volunteers