The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • 14

SUN "Maybe I WAS a Little Too Autocratic idth Them'9 AH BALTIMORE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1973 Worse than Watergate tm The White House once again has denied that President Nixon was aware of the Watergate operation, that he participated in any coverup activities and that he ever authorized the offering of clemency to, anyone in the case. We shall learn in the course of events, perhaps, whether or not these new denials hold up: whether or not it was mere partisan zeal on the part of subordinates that has undermined the very office of the presidency. Let us turn for the moment, then, to the continued unfolding of developments in another, and simpler and plainer, and balder, question which in its formal fundamental aspects is more serious even than Watergate. There are connections between Watergate and the Pentagon Papers case now on trial in Los Angeles, notably in the participation in both of the former White House thug-in-residence, E. Howard Hunt, who almost incredibly appears to have had the help of the Central Intelligence Agency with equipment to burglarize the office Daniel Ells-berg's psychiatrist.

But for all such interlockings, these are two separate matters, and in the terms noted above the White House role in the second is worse than in the first. Whatever Mr. Nixon may or may not have known about Watergate, it is beyond the bounds of comprehension that he was unaware of the progress of the Pentagon Papers trial and that he was less than Intensely interested in its course; as he still is, according to the report in the New York Times that at least twice in the past two weeks he has sought to prevent the release to the Los Angeles court of details of the Beverly Hills burglary only to reverse himself both times on the advice of administration officials who felt the contemplated invocation of the national security to be inadequate. (The White House, as might be expected, has called this report However that may be, Mr. Nixon's interest in the Pentagon Papers case is obviously direct, and fervent, and goes beyond any question of subordinate partisan zealotry.

It, was expressed most blatantly in the presidential summoning of the judge in the case, W. Matthew Byrne, to San Clemente, to be offered the directorship of the FBI. Granted that Mr. Nixon has in the past displayed a peculiar insensitivity to the integrity of the judicial process, and granted that perchance in this instance, in his concentration on finding a good man to head the FBI (Judge Byrne, declined to discuss the offer while a trial was in progress), he failed to see how the incident might be interpreted, his action still was a direct interference in the affairs of the judiciary. Watergate aside, this alone would be an ineradicable blot on his record in the presidency.

Letters to the Editor on Watergate Mandel as Peacemaker 3 Governor Mandel strikes a casual and paternalis--tic pose in acting as peacemaker between the Baltimore Police Department and City Hall. He gives Mayor Schaefer some limited power over Police Commissioner Pomerleau while conceding, yes, the Mayor "should have access to what is going on in the city of Baltimore." In addition, the Governor tells the city it can keep all money seized "in narcotics raids. But as kind as the Governor is in the giving, he certainly doesn't deserve all the credit. It is unlikely he would have acted at all had it not been for the growing public complaints by Mayor Schaefer and some city councilmen over; Commissioner Pomerleau's aloof behavior. The commissioner made it clear that he is appointed "by the, Governor and would' heel to no other official.

Even when the City Council and Mayor "questioned the commissioner's requests for supplementary appropriations, which Baltimore residents must supply, Mr. Pomerleau reportedly iwas ready to take some of his foot patrolmen 'off 'certain beats. The Governor, in assessing the situation the other day in Annapolis, said it was 'all "a personality problem" between the Mayor and the commissioner. But anyone watching the antagonism "between Police Headquarters and City Hall develop knows that it goes deeper than that. The power of appointing a police commissioner fell to the Governor approximately 100 years ago.

It is reported that the' city was rife with scandal and corruption then, and the police force had to be protected for the sake of law and order. But that seems hardly an appropriate reason for retaining such separations, especially when close and continuous contact between mayor and police chief is so essential today. In fact, the Schaefer administration has 'been clean of scandal and its appear- ance, unlike some other political organizations that have had to defend themselves at every turn. What the Governor should do, now that he rec-cognizes the Mayor's right to access, is work for a better, longer-term arrangement which would gradually transfer most departmental responsibiti- ties to the city. Of course, this would require some legal sanction in place of "the letter of agreement" handed the Mayor by the Governor this week.

What the city of Baltimore needs is not just a. directive telling the police commissioner to listen to the Mayor but guarantees that the commissioner will respond out of a sense of duty and respect. The Full Truth Sir: Respect for the office of the presidency does not mean that respect for the holder of that office should be held if it evolves that the President has not respected that office enough to preserve its integrity. The sooner the American people get the full truth, the better for the country, so we can pick up the pieces and start afresh. If it is established that the President had a part in tiie sordid Watergate affair, then he should be impeached.

Certainly the 1972 election followed the pattern of trickery of previous Nixon campaigns. Some of Jhis associates in the 1972 campaign worked with Nixon in previous campaigns. A notable example is Haldeman, who has been actively associated with Nixon for 20 years. We are grateful to the press foe pursuing the truth about Watergate and to Republican Senator Mathias for his courage in urging that the truth about gate be sought fully. Through the appointment of a prosecutor with no connection with the Nixon administration as advocated by the American Bar Association, there is a strong pos-sibility all.

the facts come out. Madeline Stotz. Arnold. Media 'Fixation' Sir: I have resolved to ignore media" (newspapers, TV etc.) until these opinion molders discontinue their contribution to the delinquency of our politicians.v' The "contribution to delinquency I speak of is fixation on the Watergate "scandal." I am amazed that for one set of politic cians to spy on or burgle from I another set of politicians is regarded as scandalous when murder, mayhem, rape, vandalism and arson evidently are tolerated. One can only conclude that politicians and the media find it less dangerous to punish unimportant activities such as Watergate but lack the courage to be effective about crime in our streets.

Christian Edward Rossee. Severna Park. The Anne Arundel Zoning Map All this is disruptive to good government, and especially to those planning and zoning officials who worked diligently for balanced zoning in the county. But in another sense, it only goes to prove that government and related politics cannot be conducted without public participation. Whenever elected representatives deny that they bound to run into trouble of some kind.

admiration of the great number of registered Democrats in Maryland who are independent in their views and who elected him to the Senate and will re-elect him in 1974.... Herbert J. Goldbloom; Baltimore. Compassion Recently in a press conference Mr. Kissinger remarked that we should have a feeling of compassion for the White House and administration, because of their involvement in the Water1- gate, arid forgive these men.

I might suggest that Mr. Nixon and his executive group might also offer clemency in return to those army men who fled this country to avoid the draft because of their anti-war feeling and religious background. Herbert Miller. Pikesville. Watergate Atmosphere Sir: The Watergate espionage, sabotage, burglary, bugging, conspiratorial scandal have kept us on the edge of our chairs recently, wondering what other member of the impenetrable presidential palace will be forced step out into the light of truth and day, no more to return.

There seems to be no limit, to the names of those involved or allegedly involved, and not unlike Mr. Agnew's golf balls, we are threatened by their daily release, from all areas and i The names of. the conspirators are certainly germane and essen-" tial to the investigation. But those who become obsessed with them are unwittingly ignoring the existing conditions under which "respectable" conservatives felt assured that they could with impunity, by any means and methods subvert the electoral process. Mr.

Nixon's insensitivity toward dissenting citizens. His callous efforts to muzzle and control the communications media and public opinion. His disregard for high court decisions and the constitutional responsibilities of Congress (to name a few), are all part of the same pattern and ominously produced atmosphere which ultimately led to Watergate. Unless and until we the people view seriously the contemptible and unconscionable activities of those in power, those direct threats to the democratic process will ultimately lead to its destruction. Leon Peace Baltimore.

Bugging Goal 'Sir: The big unanswered ques-, tion that "bugs" me about Watergate is what sort of skullduggery was being planned by the occupants that made it so important that it not get out by "bugging" or leaks of any kind? Let's investigate. E. Ridgely Simpson. Ruxton. Referenda Anne Arundel county's new 1 comprehensive zoning map, protecting the northeast section that includes Southgate, Marley Neck and other cohk munities, has been declared illegal, and stunned llocal officials are uncertain of the consequences." The ruling by Circuit Court Judge James Wray, overturned on appeal, could create chaotic development patterns in the area involved.

More serious still, it could affect other zoning maps covering a far broader range of land and population. Judge Wray, of course, had under consideration the effect of his decision, but the legal plea brought by citizens who objected to the way the 'northeast map was adopted. He found, as the petition complained, that the county council neglected hold proper hearings for each of 83 amendments dealing with hundreds of acres of land. The question of holding a hearing on every zoning amend-ment had bothered Anne Arundel councilmen for a long time. In fact, one council leader had com--plained that members didn't have time to listen to arguments on the numerous zoning amendments "that came" before them.

Since then, ironically, the Tcounty has adopted a policy of holding a public hearing on every zoning question. Anne Arundel attorneys are worried, however, that the Wray ruling may be' applied to other ordinance procedures, which do not require similar hearings. 'Much Ado about Nothing' Sir: Using a well known phrase from The Bard in my opinion the Watergate case is "Much ado about Nothing." I and many of my acquaintances (Democrats "and Republicans) consider the entire thing a boogie man conjured up by the press, the TV and the Democrats for sensationalism to discredit tiie Republicans. What are the Democratic and Republican parties anyway? They are not associated with any of the important government functions or departments. Just like big business, they are only a conglomerate of people who try to elect their candidates to public offices.

So why all the commotion about the bugging of their headquarters? The Democrats themselves have, no doubt, in all of the elections practiced the same thing-trying to find out what the Republicans were up to and they have been the lucky ones in that they were not caught. How many times in the years gone by have we heard about some big business trying to steal another's ideas and patents? So what's so gosh, awful wrong with the Republican's doing a little, bugging to find out what's cooking at the Democrats' camp? But alas, they were the unfortunate ones who were caught and allowed the press and TV to have a glorious heyday. Come on now, you press and TV people have had your day and it's tiresome to keep up this charade of blackening the Republicans' (and especially the President's) name. I am tired of listening or reading about it. Let's drop the whole darn thing and let the Congressmen get back to working on good old fashioned government law-making.

The whole thing boils down to the fact, that the press, the TV commentators and the Democratic party don't like the Republicans being in power so long, so they, hitched on to anything that will weaken the Republicans in the eyes of the voters and strengthen their own cause. John Joseph Baltimore. Election in 1976 Sir: The Watergate Caper brings forth the urgent need for the Republican party to put forward for 1976 someone other than Mr. Agnew as its candidate for the presidency. Though to date there have been no direct implications of Mr.

Ag-new's participation in Watergate, there will undoubtedly be recalled his statement that "I have full confidence in the integrity of President Nixon and in his determination and ability to resolve the Watergate matter to the full satisfaction of the American people." He will be saddled with the "Watergate Scandal" as Humphrey was with "Johnson's War" and justly so. On Tuesday, May 1, a testimonial dinner was held at the Baltimore Civic Center to honor the man who fittingly should follow Mr. Nixon in the presidency, the Senior Senator from Maryland, Charles McC. Mathias. It is, my sincere belief that tribute was paid to a man who is serving his state and his country with great distinction.

He has at all times maintained his poise and his integrity while expressing his opinions, though at times they be contrary to the opinion held by the Nixon administration. Only because of his conduct as a member of the House of Representatives was he, a Republican in a state with an enormous Democratic registration able to overcome that tremendous handicap and gain election to the' U.S. Senate. crooked politicians, are only to be obeyed by the common people and do not apply to their originators. Having always been a proud and patriotic American citizen, I never thought I'd live to see the day when the President of my country would not be an honored and welcome guest in my house.

Mr. Nixon has with his gross incompetence earned the right to this distinction, May "God Bless America," for the Nixon administration has created a need for his blessings unsurpassed in the nearly 200 years of our proud and glamor- ous history. Joseph K. Cox. Glen Burnie.

Verdict Sir: Amnesty for Nixon? Never! Impeachment? Yes! Joe Krauss. Baltimore. Blow Up? Sir: The Watergate affair seems to dominate the news media to the point of near elimi- nation of all events which in the country and the world. Our foreign policy takes a back seat. One has to ask the has not this so-called blown up beyond proportion? Are the Democrats using it as a smear against the Republican" party after their 1972 defeat? It is not fair to the country to air our dirty linen to the world, nor to cast aspersions on the office of the presidency of the United States.

1 The President is right, as like any other executive he has to' assume the responsibility of the acts of those under him and, as he stated on his TV report on the Watergate case, it takes his time from pressing issues. Meanwhile we are being forced to pay millions of dollars for lawyers to investigate Watergate and witch-hunt for scapegoats to-take the blame money which could be used for schools, hospitals, flood victims, pollution and numerous other causes important to our way of life. Also we are striving to balance our budget. Corruption is not confined to Washington. It is in our states, cities, industry and private busi-ness.

Before we throw too many stones, we, as a nation, should take a long look at our social structure and the slough into which we have allowed ourselves to sink. Edith F. Watkins. Baltimore. 'Super-Patriot' Sir: Of the opinions expressed thus far on the Watergate case I rate Henry Kissinger's 100 per cent and former Secretary of De- fense Melvin Laird's zero.

Not to be outdone by other knowledge- able, well-disposed men in public life witness Mr. Laird going the extra mile by insisting that if his opinion and the President's word turn out to be false, the country would be better off not knowing about it. How is it in the face of -all that has come to pass that Mr. Laird does not recognize the stamp of the super-patriot, zealot, implicit in such a remark? Until passions, whether noble or unrighteous, have a chance to blow over, the first thing the country can do without is more and better, zeal! The last thing needed is further evidence of, the 1 strain, or strains, accompanying that not very elegant rag that vaunts means over ends and appearance liber alles. Alice M.

Baltimore Norwegians appear to have learned of some of the pitfalls that can come from government by referenda. Last fall, following an emotional political debate, 53 per cent of Norwegian voters rejected entry into the Common Market. But today, according to a recent poll, 54 per cent would vote to join having seen what difficulties their government has undergone in getting a satisfactory trade agreement with Brussels. The Norwegian experience justifies Prime Minister Edward Heath's determination to base Britain's entry on the decisions of Parliament rather than plebescite. This is the essence of representative government, and it should be an object lesson to those in Baltimore county who want to put complicated questions on cable television to a popular vote.

Black September to Gray May Look into the Future Sir: I would like to predict that within the next 10 or 20 years someone is going to write a book entitled "The Rape of the American People by the Nixon Administration," which will reveal the whole truth 'about Watergate, the great grain robbery, campaign funds in Swiss banks etc. These revelations are going to make Teapot-Dome or any other crooked activity perpetrated by a big business controlled government look like a mere piggy bank, robbery. It would seem that the laws of this country, for the most part lobbied to passage by large corporations influencing and buying Rates by Mall Outside Baltimore 1 month I 2.75 2.75 I 3.00 6 monthl 113.00 (19.00 111.00 1 yer S30.00 30.00 122.00 PAID CIBCTJLATION 9 MONTHS ENDED 93072 Morning, 178.2681 Evenlnz. 199.8171. 76,083 Sunday 347,243 Member of the Associated Press The Associated Press Is entitled exclusively to the use for republication of all the local news printed In tills newspaper a well as all AP news dispatches.

THE SUN Published livery Weekday By THE A. S. ABELL COMPANY 501 K. Calvert Baltimore, Md. 21203 WILLIAM F.

SCHMICK, PRESIDENT likely to be matched by any appreciable cut in their-terrorist potential. The two guerrilla brigades stationed in Syria, for example, are composed of 3,000 to 5,000 men who are virtually under Syrian command. But a terrorist operation can be pulled off by a squad of, say, 20 persons striking anywhere and answerable only to the particular liberation group that sponsors them. Even if Lebanon is able to remove or restrict para-military fedayeen units, it 'still would have to deal with terrorists operating under the cover of the 300,000 Palestinian refugees living within its borders. Israel's raid on Beirut was the most dramatic effort- to date to let, Arab governments know they will be held accountable for terror attacks launched from their soil.

But whether the Lebanese government, or indeed some more firmly based governments, can deal with this problem is another matter. Any Middle East conflict is dangerous, granted the volatile and strategic nature of the region. Yet in contrast to Black September in Jordan, this appears to be only a Gray May in Lebanon. With the Soviet presence in Egypt much reduced and neither the U.S. Sixth Fleet nor the U.S.

Seventh Army on red alert, the two superpowers have gone a long way toward localizing the situation. Fe: dayeen units no longer seem quite so menacing a catalyst for large-scale war as they did in 1970. If they should be defeated in Lebanon, despite that country's internal problems, perhaps more Arab governments will see the wisdom of protecting their own interests by coming to an accommodation with Israel. 4 The war between the Lebanese army and Palestinian guerrilla forces promises to crimp, if not -obliterate, the capacity of the fedayeen to conduct independent para-military operations against Israel. "This is the logic-or, 'better, the illogic of the, latest fratricidal Arab fighting.

President Nasser, in an earlier day, found it prudent to eject the I Palestinian Liberation Army from Egypt's territory after it had drawn Israeli retaliatory raids. Then Black September, 1970, Jordan's King Hussein smashed guerrilla forces that had become an infinitely greater threat to his own government than $to Israel. Now Lebanon's President Suleiman Franjieh, having suffered the humiliation of Israeli raids in downtown Beirut, is trying to place tighter 1 controls on Palestinian units he has described as a potential army." 2 If Franjieh and his impatient generals are even moderately successful, the fedayeen would encounter greater restrictions than ever before "launching or even threatening to launch guerrilla raids from Lebanon. Instead, Palestinian military strength would be concentrated more and more in Syria, a country that has been able to keep a tight check on fedayeen within its borders. Palestinian guerrillas thus would need advance approval and I cooperation from Syrian authorities before mount-; ing any attacks from a stretch of border already bristling with Syrian arms.

And if past Syrian conduct is any guide, that permission would not be given lightly or frequently. It should be emphasized that the projected loss of the fedayeen's para-military capability is not I Cif Offices Kews nd Business 639-7744 Classified Advertising 539-7700 Circulation 530-1280 State News Offices Annapolis, Md. 269-0153 Eel Air, Md. 838-6000 Columbia, Md. 730-7219 Salisbury, Md 742-7797 Towson, Md.

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