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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
October 15, 1970     Shelton Mason County Journal
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October 15, 1970
 
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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"