The Burlington Free Press from Burlington, Vermont • Page 12

The People's Forum 1 THE IURLINGTON FREE PRESS In Our si Readers Express Strong Views on Vietnam War i ju tt 11. onj VnrVi-irLHi! nJ lirivllipr In Vietnam and demanded the South husbands and brothers in Vietnam. Since sons, of the U.S. stood up Noisy Snowmobilists FEBRUARY 19 6 8 TUESDAY Anlell's Return to Vermont JAMES B. ANTELL OF BURLINGTON, president of the United States Jaycees, returned to Vermont for a brief but busy visit over the weekend.

He left quite an impression here, and there appears to be little doubt but that Vermonters will be hearing and reading a great deal about him in the immediate months years ahead. Antell was a highly personable and capable young man before he left Vermont last year to assume the Jaycee presidency. Obviously he had to be, in order to win election as the leader of this national organization. But he has matured greatly during the past few months, and his Jaycee experiences appear to have given him an aggressive confidence which could serve him well in future campaigns. His tenure in the "Little White House" at Tulsa, ends in a few months, and apparently he will return to Vermont soon after that, though he will have another year An Abundance of Polls Answer to Protesters Thank you, Peter Garon, for your letter in Wednesday's Free Press.

It came at exactly the right time for families such as ours who are personally involved in the war in Vietnam. We all must listen and read about war protests and peace demonstrations day after day. How we long to say certain things but use discretion, and hold our tongues, lest we be called "war lover" or "non-Christian." Nobody likes war. (Our son is in mud up to his knees and has been unable to wash or shave for three weeks). The Vietnamese people are starving, yes they are.

(Army supplies were held up and our son had to go out and slaughter wild chickens with his machete so he and his buddies could eat). We are killing innocent civilians. we were ambushed," writes our son. "My Sarge is dead. Three of my buddies were hurt bad.

One of them will lose his leg below the knee. I'm All this is not to say war is good, or moral or even legal. But how, dear protesters, can you forget for one minute that our sons are suffering and bleeding for something they don't completely understand either, while you are here talking "Peace" from pulpit and soap box, warm and comfortable and safe with no REAL involvement in this war. Well, you may protest our country's policy, but temper your misguided remarks with a prayer for our sons. Oh, and while you're at it better pray that our sons forgive you.

Our son wrote in one letter, "Send me a peace demonstrator for Christmas." MRS. CAROL W. MORGAN Burlington, Vt. Fighting In Vietnam I have sent the following letter to Senator Aiken: I feel impelled to write you regarding our servicemen in Vietnam. I have two boys who are currently with the armed forces outside the U.S.

Although they are not directly connected with the conflict in Vietnam, they well could be at any time. It is my strong opinion that the Vietnamese should be sending their own young men into action at a far greater rate than they are. It is their country why aren't they fighting for it? Don't you think it is about time the Senate 4 i 5 On the Wrong Track A. MA, FREE fffSSS William S. White w.

Ms I 4 1 3ZW NJfetfi THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS nine months away. And American voters are going to be terribly dizzy by that time, if they read all the polls and surveys which will be published in the interim. Yesterday, for example, we read the following: A Louis Harris Survey, which reported that President Johnson enjoys more public confidence than Richard Nixon. A Gallup Poll, which found that a large majority of Democratic voters prefer President Johnson to Senator McCarthy. A survey by Congressional Quarterlyt which discovered that Governor Rockefeller is the choice of Republican members of Congress as the party's strongest potential Presidential nominee.

(Incidentally, not a Victor Riesel Investigation of Powell this is not the same kind of war as worm War II, I am aware of the inward emotions for all those concerned for I too have a son-in-law, and may someday have more, who will have to face war and death in our fighting for freedom wherever it may be and when. War is a horrible thing for all of us involved. Someday I pray, the world can live in peace with one another but until that time comes, my heart goes out to all our men in the armed forces of the United States wherever they may be. It is important that we all work to support and keep up the morale of our fighting men. BEATRICE SMITH SUTTON Burlington, Vt.

Thanks for Vietnam Map Thank you for putting a map of Vietnam in The Burlington Free Press. In school we have a friend in Vietnam; his name is Jack Allen. We are sending things to him. MARTHA MEYER South Burlington, Vt. Remember Our Pledges! Just a little over 30 days ago, we, the civilized people of this universe, were exclaiming and pledging to one and all Peace, Justice, Security and our hopes for a better year that was ahead of us.

We pledged our effort, our full intellectual capacity and abilities to work together to attain our proclamations. We declared that the useless killing of our loved ones in the Middle East should stop! We declared that we wanted no more "Hot" summers! We declared that we would have no one leave our shores and return if they ridiculed our democratic way of life! We declared that no one should come ashore and utter vulgar untruths about our society. We declared many other intentions to bring "Peace to all Men of Good Will" and now, let's see what we have done in just over 30 days. We have "stranded" a U. S.

Navy vessel in foreign waters! We have "deserted" 83 loved ones in Korea! We have allowed the "King" of Bimini to come ashore and utter vermin against our society! We have allowed the Communistic Cell to dominate our decisions! We knew in advance and even predicted that Hanoi would kill more of our loved ones! We have declared, "Remember Pearl and I say, don't forget Pearl Harbor, but let's remember our prayers and declarations made on Dec. 25 and Dec. 31, 1987! BERNARD L. SUMNER Winooski, Vt. Differing Viewpoints Reference your editorial headline, "A Weird Method of Protesting," and the last line, "Really, how silly can some people get?" I agree, but I also saw a parallel in this editorial to the withdrawal of funds by "Christian Churches" from the Vermont Council of Churches.

Isn't it funny how at one time it is weird and silly, but at another time it is sensible and wise. I guess it all depends on which side of the fence one is standing. MRS. BARBARA W. EMERSON Burlington, Vt.

Snowmobile Nuisance Through your column I wish to protest to the Underhill snowmobile owners who-shatter the quiet of the night with their noisy machines. Night after night I have been wakened between eleven and midnight by roaring excursions round and round the nearby fields unfortunately not on my property. Because they are my neighbors, nothing has been said up to now. But, having to face day after day an early rising for a hard day's work after a night of broken sleep, I feel something must be said and done. Is there not a law against disturbing the peace? Wat constitutes a public nuisance? ELEANOR W.

CLARK Underhill, Vt. NEW YORKERS BOTH LIKE TO SAVE THE Thrift recognizes no boundaries or geographic barriers. For many years Northern New York State residents have been saving at the Burlington Savings Bank. In bygone years many would come to Burlington by ferry, usually on Thursdays, and do their savings banking in person. Recently saving-by-mail has been the more popular method.

Older and younger generations have recognized this mutual savings bank as a good place to save. Interest recently cred ited at Snowmobilists, please note! Those of you vho insist on moving around in your incredibly noisy monsters at all hours of the night are net endearing yourselves to your neighbors. I for one do not appreciate being wakened out of a sound sleep at midnight by your cacophony of coughings and splutterings. May I suggest a Golden Rule for all snowmobile operators: Confine your little demons to their dens after 10 p.m.! MARY B. FELL Underhill, Vt.

Where the Statue Belongs As a resident and voter of Isle La Motte, I feel it is my duty to do my utmost to get the statue of Samuel de Champlain to its final resting place here on Isle La Motte. The first place he landed in the state of Vermont was here on Isle La Motte in 1609 and a gala celebration of 300 years was held here in 1909 and still another of 350 years in 1959, at which thousands of people from near and far attended. If the people of Vermont think it belongs at Highgate; why didn't they have all the celebrations there, instead of here at Isle La Motte? Soon the people will want every historical landmark moved from its rightful place to some place else to make the town or city famous. Maybe we ought to mov St. Anne's Shrine up to Highgate along with the statue as not enough people can find it on this, "out-of-the-way" island BARBARA LABOMBARD Isle La Motte, Vt.

League Backs Billboard Bill The Vermont League of Women Voters supports "measures for the protection of Vermont's scenic and natural resources while developing economic potential." The "Billboard Bill" is one of these measures and has been studied and endorsed by the State and Burlington Leagues. Do you want to see an end to off-premise signs and billboards? You can play an important role in this exciting and imaginative legislation. Call your representatives and make your wishes known to them immediately. They are your spokesmen in Montpelier. MRS.

N. C. GARLAND, President Burlington League of Women Voters Burlington, Vt. Highway Accident Statistics The National Foundation for Highway Safety has announced Feb. 25 as National Highway Safety Sunday.

Those interested art asked to obtain brochures, free for the asking, by writing to the National Foundation for Highway Safety, 3086 Westville Station, New Haven, Conn. 06515. Statistics taken from this brochure show that 88 million licensed automobiles driven by 105 million licensed drivers traveled nine billion miles on our highways; that accidents have caused 4,400,000 injuries in 1966. Of these, 1,850,000 were disabled for life of whom 37,000 died within 100 hours. 32 per cent of fatalities were drivers under 25 years of age.

(Not all of our young people are being killed in war). Fifty-five to 80 per cent of all accidents are caused by drinking or drunken drivers. Of these the drinking driver is by far the greater problem. There are more of them and they are the ones who think they can handle their liquor but will not believe that they cannot handle a car at the same time. Their lack of judgment (it dulls more with every drink) could be your bad luck, whether or not you are injured in an accident, because it is more and more accidents that make higher insurance rates as well as higher medical costs.

Get these brochures and present them to your pastors, asking them to prepare- a sermon for Highway Safety Sunday. ETHEL B. CROWE, Publicity Director Vt. Woman's Christian Temperance Union Middlebury, Vt. VERMONTERS MUTUAL SAVINGS BANK WAY Vermonters have traditionally been thrift minded; They want a good rate of interest for their savings and the knowledge that they will be safe and available when needed.

Green. Mountain State residents know that the Burlington Savings Bank has an unblemished record for safety and follows a century-old practice of paying the highest rate of interest consistent with safety and sound banking principles. Join other regional residents, Vermonters and New York Staters alike, who save at Vermont'! largest bank. nually compounded quarterly iV2 Vietnamese began immediately to draft its own men to at least match the number of American servicemen over there! I know very little about politics, running governments or foreign affairs. This I do know the American servicemen over in Vietnam have been let down by us here at home and I think its about time we all stood up and be counted.

The least we can do is demand he gets the physical help of those he's fighting for. JANET C. GARROW Burlington, Vt. 'Self-righteous Pilgrims' I have just finished reading the heartrending story of our group of Vermont Christmas pilgrims to Vietnam, and of their great sacrifice in leaving their loved ones at this season of the year when one wants especially to be with their loved ones. Heart-rending, yes, to hear and read the smugness, the self-centeredness, the utter conceit of the self-appointed angels of compassion.

They came to show our boys (our poor trapped sons and relatives) that we are behind them, that we are in support of their dying like trapped animals in the jungles that "it's OK with me, fellows!" How could they, in their short hasty trip, hustled about and treated like VIP's, know the anguish and the terror that lay in the hearts of these boys so young yet to die, trapped in the quick sand of Vietnam, when they can't walk alone, or even sleep in the barracks without the fear that they might be stabbed in the back, or shot from behind a bush, or an upstairs window? So our poor pilgrims were dog tired how do you think our boys feel? Caught in a war where they are not only hated by the North but the South Vietnamese as I'm afraid the only reassurance this self-righteous band of pilgrims brought was to themselves. How many boys have died since our weary pilgrims returned? But they died, happily, of course, remembering the friendly sightseers' faces remembering how the plane door slammed shut, leaving them behind. MRS. A. WILSON Williston, Vt.

Vietnam Trip Applauded I have enjoyed reading in the Free Press the Vietnam Diary reports by Joe Heaney. It has brought to all of us, a closer understanding of the situation confronted by those involved that believe in and are fighting for freedom, as well as the inner feelings of our boys from the United States who are giving the best years of their life for freedom for others and ourselves. But most of all, I feel a deep appreciation and gratitude to our fellow Vermonters who left their families at Christmas time, to give moral support to be with our armed forces in Vietnam. These men air paid their own fare or were sponsored by private individuals, to make this trip to bring our feelings of faith, appreciation, good wishes, concern and gratitude to our men in Vietnam. My heartiest expression of understanding and appreciation to Mac McClure, Joe Heaney, Douglas Meredith, The Rev.

George Lawrence, Robert Moore, John Thompson, Peter Val Preda, Derick Webb, De Witt Mallary and Samuel Fishman for making this trip to bring messages of courage, faith, support and our belief to those in our armed forces in the ideals for which they are fighting. Having lost a husband, at the age of 23, in World War II, who deeply believed in fighting for his country and freedom for all, I am deeply aware of the sorrow, worry, grief, frustrations for the families who have troops in any battle area. It was nevertheless sought by President Johnson in order to grant to Congress that consultation it always wants and that status it always demands. Fulbright now pretends that the words of the Gulf of Tonkin resolution did not or do not mean what they so plainly said when he himself read them out to the Senate four years ago. So for weeks agents of the Foreign Relations Committee have fished in every quarter, no matter how sleazy, to find soembody or anybody willing to utter the ultimate falsehood that it was really not the Communists who opened fire in the Gulf of Tonkin.

THIS ATTEMPT BY FULBRIGHT AND other implacable doves to slander their own country in wartime has no parallel in history. To be sure, a group of Roosevelt-haters and Japanese apologists sought to whitewash the Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor, but even they withheld their main efforts until the shooting had stopped in the Second World War. While Fulbright works at his incredible enterprise, the Democratic floor leader of the Senate, Mike Mansfield of Montana, proposes that the United States falsely "confess" that our intelligence ship Pueblo was in North Korean waters at the time of its seizure, if this unexampled national self-debasement would avoid a confrontation with the Korean Communists. Four hundred self-described writers and editors publish an advertisement stating they will refuse to pay federal taxes so long as the United States will not cut and run in Vietnam. This is so obvious an incitement to insurrection that the Washington Post and the New York Times decline to print it.

Still, the peaceniks predictably manage to get it into the Far-Leftist hippie magazine Ramparts, into the hysterically anti-war New York Post and Into a thing called the New York Review of Books. In all this squalid scene there are giant relieving factors. There is the unshaken resolution of a Democratic Administration and of a great bipartisan majority in Congress. There is the superb responsibility and patriotism of the Republican Party, in and out of Congress. of Jaycee duty as national chairman.

There have been numerous reports that he would seek the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, and these reports became quite believable over the weekend. John J. Daley, the present lieutenant governor who is the only announced Democratic candidate for governor this year, sat at the head table Friday night when Antell spoke here at a dinner in his honor. Daley must have been impressed by Antell's polish and enthusiasm; most everyone else was. Daley, as a speaker, is dull and unoriginal; Antell would add considerable spark to Daley's campaign.

Democratic leaders must realize this, and thus pressure probably will be exerted on Antell to run for lieutenant governor. Whether or not he jumps into Vermont's political arena this year, he is one of Vermont's "bright young men" who will be heard from, sooner or later. Republicans have been forewarned. single Democratic member of Congress named McCarthy as the Democrats' strongest candidate). Numerous reports from other sources, including one which says Bobby Kennedy definitely won't oppose Johnson and another one which declares that Kennedy will take over McCarthy's opposition campaign.

What do all of these polls and surveys and reports mean? Not much at the moment. But they make for fascinating reading. And they will become more fascinating in March, and April, and May, and June, and so on and on, up to election day in November. But don't get discouraged, friends. You could be living in a country where polls aren't taken because voter sentiment counts for nothing.

Too much politicking is better than none at all! A 1 1 memorandums, communications between the Office of the Clerk of the House and Powell or his former employes from Jan. 3, 1967 to date. Original clerk-hire appointment forms for the beautiful Y. Marjorie Flores executed in Powell's name. All original personnel records, including Personnel Affidavit forms, Withholding Tax Certificates, Health Benefits Forms and Waivers for Life Insurance executed by all staff employes of the Committee on Education and Labor and clerk-hire employes of Powell for both the first and second sessions of the 89th Congress.

The jury also subpoenaed all original and microfilm records including, "but not limited to," deposit slips, ledger cards, and other banking transactions relating to the bank accounts maintained by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms for Powell from Jan. 3, 1965 to March 1, 1967. The chief clerk of the Committee on House Administration was also ordered to bring in all original records and supporting papers relating to Powell's travel costs for about the same period. THIS REPRESENTS JUST PART OF THE paperwork the grand jury has been doing to determine if Powell has violated six sections of U.S. Code Title 18.

In effect, this means that the two U.S. attorneys, peeled off from Fred Vinson's staff for this temporary duty, are looking into possible bribery of public officials and witnesses, relations with same labor and business organizations, conflict of interest, false claims against the government, improper use of public financial records and willful concealment of facts about fraudulent statements. It is no secret that some important House members are saying privately they expect an indictment. Nor is it a secret in Powell's intimate circle that he is sick at heart over the highflying, high spending and high living and ubiquitous sneering which were his trademarks for decades. When he returned to Bimini recently, he went solely to pick up his winter clothes which he had asked Harlem friends to ship down.

He had intended to barnstorm the land. But then he learned that the heat coming out of room 3812 over at the U.S. District Court House is enough to keep him warm and in hot water for a long time. No wise man should write off Adam Clayton Powell. But the shingle on that End of the World Bar of his docs read prophetically.

OU-Ttim A diet is for people who are thick and tired of it. On the 150 yard sixth hole of a Texas golf course, a quail ran across the fairway and the green. "Look," exclaimed one of the foursome, "a partridge on a par three." Mother explaining a stag party to young daughter: "A stag party is where they stagger." A small town is a place where the street lights dim when you plug in your razor. 'Doves' Slander America WASHINGTON THERE'S SOME-thing prophetic about Adam Clayton Powell's favorite pub, the End of the World Bar, down Bimini way. The self-exiled, ex-Hariem Congressman, operating out of his self-made limbo, may soon hear some grim news from the special grand jury sitting over at the 3rd Street U.S.

District Court House here. Under sharp prodding from two attorneys from the Justice Department's general criminal division, the jury has been scrutinizing far more microfilm and House Labor Committee records than has been publicly reported. Not the least of these are what can be generously described as Reverend Powell's campaign contributions received during the special April 11 election in New York's 18th Congressional District. It is required that candidates running for federal office file two sets of documents with the House Clerk on funds they have received personally. One report should go in at least 10 days before the election, the other 10 days after.

Since grand jury proceedings are secret, even here, it is not possible or ethical to report what the two U.S. attorneys from Fred Vinson's Criminal Division are presenting. But the general impression is that Adam Powell reported he got very little, if any, money. And the government, quite aggressive now, Is not quite certain of all this. But we should know soon what they have on the dashing part-time expatriate who refuses to take his Congressional seat.

VIRTUALLY EVERY SCRAP OF PAPER he authorized from January 1965 to March 1967 during his last two years as chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee' now is in the grand jury's hands. Cases of House documents and microfilm were subpoenaed by the Criminal Division on Jan. 9. The subpoenas were served on House Clerk W. Pat Jennings and House Sergeant at Arms Zeake W.

Johnson. They were ordered to deliver the cartons of Powell documents on Jan. 18. Thus was approved by the House on motion of Majority Leader Carl Albert. What the jury wants to know is how Rep.

Carl D. Perkins of Kentucky, who succeeded Powell as Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee last January, could cut the committee's operating expenses by $200,000 In a year and slash its traveling expenses by $50,000. The grand jury believes it will find some of the answers in the subpoenaed House records. The material subpoenaed from the office of the House clerk consisted of: All original records of any nature, including vouchers and Form T-4 records, relating to travel from Jan. 3, 1965 through March.

1, 1967 of Powell, his office staff, and the employes and administrative staff of his committee. All records and correspondence relating to telephone expenditures from Jan. 1, 1967 to date, including his phone credit card W. 225-4365-032. AH original payroll sheets for something called the Education and Labor Investigating Committee for August and September 1966 (covering payments to a Sylvia Givens).

Original payroll sheets for January and February 1966 on payments Carol T. WASHINGTON IT IS NOW CLEAR beyond reasonable doubt that the Asian Communists have opened a supreme offensive in both military and propaganda terms keyed to an American election year and designed to destroy the American will to persist in Vietnam. What is tragically and almost unbelievably clear also is that aid and comfort to the enemy of a kind never before imaginable is coming from an embittered extremist home-front leftist-isolationist minority in high places and in low. The issue before this nation has never been plainer and never been uglier. It is whether the shrill noise-making tail is to be allowed to wag the dog; whether the few who endlessly scream are going to overcome the many who patiently endure the national duty.

The Communist invaders of South Vietnam hurl suicide actions against the maximum security areas of Saigon, not excluding the American Embassy, while the Communists of North Korea hijack an American naval vessel in violation of the elementary right of freedom of the seas. MEANTIME, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE Senate Foreign Relations Committee, J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, prepares a so-called investigation intended to rewrite history and to blacken the integrity of the very resolution, adopted all but unanimously by Congress, under which the war in Vietnam is being fought. After the Communist attacks upon American ships in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964, Congress passed that resolution with precisely two dissenting votes in the 100-vote Senate and under the leadership of the same J. William Fulbright.

So it proclaimed in simple, unmistakable words that the President was not only authorized but directed to take such measures as might be necesuary. It was, strictly speaking, an unnecessary thing, for the President as commander-in-chief has undeniable authority and inescapable obligation on his own to protect American I an BURLINGTON SAVINGS BANK VERMONT'S LARGEST BANK North lurlmgton Ironcrt Ethort Allen Shoppinj Center Member Federal Depont Irtturonca Corporation.