October 15, 1970 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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Letter box:
When is drug abuse acceptable?
The answer - plainly evident in the maneuvering in
Congress before passage of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse
Prevention and Control Act of 1970 - is:
When there is a buck to be made by drug manufacturers.
The House of Representatives specifically rejected a
manufacturing quota on amphetamines that would have
ended the flagrant overprescribing and overuse of legal
"speed."
Amphetamines account for eight percent of all
prescriptions. Eight billion pills are legally produce; each year
- 40 for every man, woman and child in the United States.
That figure could be increased and more children
introduced to the benefits of ampheta ines if some
public-spirited company would distribute bumper stickers
that proclaim: "SPEED CAUSES PROFITS!"
When is a traffic hazard not a traffic hazard?
The answer - supplied by the Washington State Highway
Commission when it recently ruled that 14-foot-wide trailers
and mobile homes will be allowed on the state's highways - is:
When it makes a buck for trailer manufacturers.
The commissioners, with the exception of Harold Walsh
of Everett, completely ignored the safety of the motoring
public when they approved the hauling of the 14-foot
monsters on 12-foot freeway lanes.
The commissioners coated their irresponsible decision
with the argument that the ruling would provide jobs during
the current economic depression and homes for the
low-income group.
Using this reasoning, it is obvious that the next step is to
encourage trailer-automobile accidents. The more trailers that
are demolished by an automobile traveling the legal 70 miles
an hour, of course, the more workers that will be required to
replace them.
Here, again, a new bumper sticker would be helpful;
perhaps one that says: "ACCIDENTS CAUSE JOBS!"
"With the mood this year, maybe instead of kissing a baby
The two decisions above, made by governmental bodies
following due deliveration, make it clear that the public
interest would best be served by a motorist high on "speed"
who smashed into a mobile home while on his way to work
in a trailer factory.
dome:
you should spank one."
This would provide profits for the drug company, profits
for the trailer manufacturer, and a job for the lucky worker
who replaced the deceased.
President Nixon may have some minor faults, but he
comes on strong as a strict Constitutional constructionist.
He was twice thwarted by the Senate in his attempt to
appoint Constitutional purists to the Supreme Court, but in
matters where he has control - such as the working habits of
his vice-president - he adheres strictly to that sacred
document.
Article I of the United States Constitution, as every
schoolboy knows, delineates the vice-president's duties
thusly:
"The Vice-President of the United States shall be the chief
fund-raiser for his political party. He shall travel throughout
the nation, even unto hamlets of 30,000, to denounce the
enemies of his party and those within his party who, from
time to time, disagree with the administration. In case of the
removal of the President from office, his death (should he
slip in a bathtub in California, Florida or Yugoslavia),
resignation or inability to discharge the powers and duties of
the said office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president.
He may also, if the mood seizes him, serve as the President of
the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally
divided."
Even a superficial perusal of the news of the day proves
beyond a doubt that Vice-President Spiro Agnew, with the
expert advice and strict-constructionist backing of the
president, is performing these duties admirably.
His predecessors, particularly Richard Nixon, Lyndon
Johnson and Hubert Humphrey, set a high goal, but through
diligence and television exposure, he has outdistanced them
all, particularly in the meagre amount of time he has wasted
presiding over the senate.
Although the senate has been in session for 950 hours
this year, the vice-president has presided over that body for
only 15 hours and 40 minutes. What this means to taxpayers,
of course, is that very little of the $62,000 a year they pay
him has been spent for frivolous purposes. His primary
Constitutional duties - fund-raising and patriotic
denunciation - have received the major portion of his time.
There were many who sneered when President Nixon
promised to turn this country around and get it started on
the right track, guided by the Constitution. The sneers, it is
now apparent, were unjustified.
The years ahead will see even greater strides in this
direction as his "no-knock" and "preventive detention"
legislation secures the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity.
Here's the latest news from the environmental front.
The Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun has
discovered that polluted river water can be used to develop
photographs. The paper's September 4 issue printed a
photograph developed not with chemical developer but with
water collected from rivers, ditches and canals near Mr. Fuji.
The resulting photo was fuzzy but recognizable.
By ROBERTCUMMINGS deductions of 10 per cent by
Gov. Dan Evans has had the March 31.
spotlight to himself in his With a gubernatorial election
statewid, campaign in behalf of just around the corner, the
his tax p~ograrff,'but now 'he is ~ Legislature isn't likely to go for
getting some competition.
Another Republican, Sen. Perry
Woodall, Toppenish, has taken
the stump against the tax
proposal, and also is campaigning
statewide.
Elsewhere on the tax scene,
the Association of Washington
Business polled its membership on
HJR 42 and received 254 replies.
Forty-three said they will vote
for the tax measure, and 196 said
they will vote against it. Another
15 still were undecided.
• New Ratable Threat
The 1971 Legislature will
face, among other things when it
first convenes, a deficiency
appropriation to finance the
public assistance program through
the remainder of the biennuim
ending next June 30.
The alternative will be ratable
ratables.
The 1969 Legislature faced
the alternative of a deficiency
appropriation or ratable
deductions of 8 per cent. It voted
the appropriation.
But there was a difference. In
1969, the money for the
deficiency was in the general fund.
This time it will have to come from
new or increased taxes.
Tax Freeze Debatable
Everybody agrees that if
Initiative 251, which would freeze
all state taxes at their present
levels, is approved by the voters,
it immediately will be challenged
in the courts.
But lawyers don't agree on its
constitutionality.
Some say it conflicts with
Article VII of the state
constitution, which says, "The
By ARTHUR WEEKS
Our Canadian neighbors have taken a big step
into the middle of the drug crisis. And rightfully
so. In the absence of racial tensions and direct
involvement in the Southeast Asia war, illicit drug
consumption is a major problem in Canada.
Authoratative sources contend that the problem of
non-medical drug use in Canada is at least, if not
more serious than here in America.
With near epidemic use of hallucinogenic drugs
prevalent in almost all the major Canadian cities,
their government responded with a federal inquiry
into the non-medical use of drugs - more recently
named the LeDane Commission Report.
The Canadian government had just released
over seven hundred pages of text and testimony,
the interim findings of the drug Commission which
is headed by Gerald LeDane, chairman of one of
Canada's most respected law faculties.
The findings of the Commission indicate a
wish to push Canada to the forefront in dealing
with the drug problem, one which now exists in
many of the world's so-called affluent nations. If
the Canadian government acts on the Commission
findings, her attempt at solution of the drug
dilemma may well prove to be a guinea pig of
much value to other nations, particularly the
United States.
Most notable among the Commission's
recommendations is the statement that existing
non-medical usage of drugs and prevalent attitudes
toward that use now renders existing laws
"unenforceable". To deal with this problem, the
Commission recommends that simple possession of
virtually all drugs (including marijuana and L.S.D.)
be made a misdemeanor with a fine of $100 for
first offenders.
Predictably, recommendations such as the
near-legalization of pot have fired intense public
debate. Doctors and scientists say there isn't
conclusive evidence either pro or con. Social
workers contend that the problem is now so large
that it must be dealt with out in the open. And in
the courts, chargc~ of simple possession of
marijuana are seldom, if ever, brought to trial.
Page 4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, October 15, 1970
power of taxation shall never be
surrendered, suspended or
contracted away."
But others argue this doesn't
apply to a limit on taxes. They
cite as an example the 40-mill
limit on property taxes which was
enacted by initiative four times
before it finally became a part of
the constitution.
Just as he expected, Supt. of
Public Instruction Louis Bruno's
proposal for a 12-month year, has
touched off an explosion of
protest.
But there are enough school
districts interested in the proposal
to enable him to launch the 14
pilot projects he seeks - if he can
persuade the Legislature to
appropriate the $5.42 million
needed to finance them.
The idea has been proposed
before, but always by legislators,
so some are certain to favor the
idea. The trouble is that much of
the opposition comes from
patents, and most of them vote.
Recently, a senior law enforcement official in
Canada admitted candidly that there are too many
users, especially under the age of thirty, to deal
with the problem through the existing legal
framework. If the less than conservative estimates
of the LeDane Report are correct, it would seem
that non-medical drug use in Canada today is of a
magnitude comparable to the comsumption of
alcohol during Prohibition in the U.S.
The LeDane Report goes on to state that often
it has been difficult to obtain reliable information
concerning the social nature of drug usage. Much
of the so-called drug cult remains underground.
However, contrary to the statement of the
Commission, the drug cult in Canada now seems to
flourish very well above ground.
Taverns (or beer parlours as they are called in
Canada), as well as hockey games (the national
pasttime) and, of course, rock concerts are heavily
scented with the smoke from marijuana cigarettes.
Even the concert halls of more establishmentarian
entertainment have not escaped the new smells.
It is not uncommon, particularly on the west
coast of Canada to find thriving marijuana plants
prominently displayed in the backyard garden.
And there are many unconfirmed reports of
marijuana smoking and other drug use by
professional athletes - especially professional
football players.
In conclusion, the LeDane Report gives special
emphasis to the need for research and
understanding of the social causes of this drug
phenomenon, one question the Report could not
answer.
There seems little doubt that if the Canadian
government eases the legal restrictions on the
possession of certain drugs - particularly
marijuana - the reasons for the rapidly increasing
use of them will become evident. It is doubtful
that the threat of a monetary fine (like a speeding
ticket) will keep the drug culture underground.
Whatever the final outcome, we would do well
to watch and learn from the Canadian drug
dilemma - something which our government will
likely be doing.
If the Legislature provides the
money, Bruno will select the
districts where the pilot projects
are to be launched, but~t~ey will
be picked on a voluntary basis.
Only districts wanting to try the
project will be selected.
And the plan is out of reach
of the larger school districts, such
as Seattle, Tacoma or Spokane.
Any one of these would need
most of the $5 million being
sought.
Bruno wants to set up two
pilot projects in each of the seven
congressional districts, so that
numerous variations of the
proposal - applicable to
individual areas - may be given a
trial.
Though Bruno's proposed
budget is more than $62 million
higher than what was
appropriated for schools for the
1969-71 biennium, it still is some
$88 million less than what he
asked for two years ago.
He originally sought $963
million, but by the time the
Legislature got through, it had
been trimmed to .the tune of more
than $150 million.
One of the reasons requests
for the 1971-73 biennium are
mote modest is accounted for by
lack of provisions for salary
increases. These could come later,
as Bruno is reserving the right to
negotiate this point when, he
hopes, the economic future will
be more predictable.
He says conditions could
result in either unchanged or
lower salaries, as well as increases.
But few people believe any
salaries will be cut, or remain
static.
It could be good strategy to
refrain from discussing pay raises
at this time, and also a
pyschological boost for the
Governor's tax proposal.
But it also is risky.
In addition to the $875
million, Bruno is asking for $160
million in special levy relief, in
the event the Governor's tax
program, on the ballot as House
Joint Resolution 42, is approved
by the voters next month.
But, he says, even if HJR 42
passes, taxpayers still will be
asked to vote some $80 million in
special levies each year of the
next biennium.
Another point, overlooked by
many but noted by Bruno, is the
fact that the Department of
Revenue estimates assessed
valuations will go up by 11.8 per
cent next year; 13.9 per cent in
1972, and 14 per cent in 1973.
Democrats Have Idea
House Democrats have passed
a resolution calling upon the
Legislature to limit the 1971
session to 90 days, if census
figures needed for redistricting
aren't yet available.
Editor, The Journal:
I find myself in conflict with
your recent editorials which
implied that a dress code for high
school students is an unnecessary
restriction upon their pursuit of
education.
One of the primary purposes
of the community high school is
to prepare individuals for entry
into the community. A
community which for all intents
and purposes and whether anyone
likes it or not, is one of
conservative views and principles.
To enhance rebellion in high
school students is to misinterpret
to them the type of society into
which they will be tumbling very
shortly.
The community high school
does not offer education for its
esthetic value. The academic
superfluity is better left to the
colleges and universities which
can offer these avenues to the
serious student. Generally colleges
and universities do not have a
direct responsibility to produce
individuals who will have to cope
with the conservative views of a
general public, and usually the
liberal college graduate is
prepared to blend his education
and employment qualities into
the responsibilities of the
community; he has something of
a tangible value to offer an
employer.
The student who wishes to
end his education at the twelfth
year, or for that matter the one
who finds higher education not in
his realm, these citizens t
qualified. They must
seventeenth or
prepared to enter into
manner in which they
the community
some indication
contribute a
of service. This is the
community high
Student leaders
liberal principles
encouraged by the
press, are for
individuals who will
other institutions
They will leave
student followers
become thoSe
qualified to offer an
something of tangible
loyal supporters who
in the community
been led down the
be left behind with
radical principles w
not fully
which are in
society in which theY
live.
This group
or near the
majority of
through the
Shelton High,
in which the
school academics
part directed -
produce
pushed out into
cope with the
values.
George M. Davis
Editor, the Journal:
Since it is now common
knowledge that many health
problems are induced by
pollution of our environment, it is
difficult to realize why the young
men of the Jaycees are
determined to add to the problem
b y a r tificially fluoridating
Shelton's safe and potable water
supply.
The Jaycees would do well to
heed the warning of another
young man, Ralph Nader, the
consumer protection advocate. He
pointed out recently in San
Francisco that "the urgent
consideration is total fluoride
ingestion - how much are people
taking into their bodies from
fluoride air pollution, from soil,
water, from products processed in
fluoridated water, from
pharmaceuticals, pesticides and
herbicides."
He charged that
"pseudo-scientific handling of the
problem by the Public Health
Service is indicated by one
outstanding point: Public Health
Serive never has responded to any
scientist on the question 'Do you
have data about total fluoride
ingestion from all sources,
products, etc.?"
The Public Health Service tells
us that water fluoridated at one
part per million is not harmful "if
it is the only source of added
fluoride." The Alameda, Calif.,
"Times Star" commented that
this becomes
of our expoSUre
sources of fluorides.
Shelton has
whose s
artificial kidney
people will
filters
artificially fl
They have Dr.
head of the
General Hospit~
center, to thank
of serious side
k His patientS on
idney unit deVe
disease after a
fluoridated war
ingestion
substance of bones
of some bone
spontaneously- Dr.'
a set of
machines and o
specialists 1o
searching for
for their centers.
If artificial
artificially fit
develop bone
year, what ca
kidney ailrn
drinking
day7
To use the
in dosing the
the old and
and obese is
procedure in
prescription item
arsenic. D.C.
J. L. Debban,
Editor, The Journal:
This is a thank-you to
Shelton, the little city with a big
heart.
Once again, Shelton was
called on to help, and once again,
Shelton came through with flying
colors. This time the call was a
benefit dance for Trudy Ellison,
who recently underwent open
heart surgery.
Everything to make the affair
a success was donated. The Agate
Grange donated the hall, the
sheriff's department donated a
deputy. LoC
door prizes.
boys donat
them). They
moving and
success.
The
on the
b u lging
who
Once
you Shelton."
Friends
by Doro
HIS NA/ E
Ww
"Probably a sad story behind that"