The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 16

OTIS aiAXDLDC. fullLhef Ixautivi Vict Fksm at ind Genet! Ui2itf tntUAM F. THOMAS Editor CHANDLER. 1944-1960 CIAS1IS CHASE, Vice PresiJcafr-TrcJuctica lOStRT JjOSDEU, Vice PreiJent AdminfaittttoiiCcnual XIGIASD S. ROBINSON, 'kt President- Aaistait to the Publiiki VANCE STICKEII, Via JAMES BASSETT, Assocute Uitof JAMES EELLOTS, Auodatt Editor ANTHONY DAY, Editor of the MtorM Paftt ROBERT J.

DONOVAN, Asiocut Eiiiei FRANK P. HAVEN, Uantjlflff mat )' 14 Pert II THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 20, 1 972 A Frontal Attack on Crime I Sfon Mtidzs hues HARRISON CRAY OTIS, IS8M517 HARRY QIANDIXS, 191M914 7 1 A i tm. 4 If- li The nation has become so accustomed to them that perhaps they have lost any shock value, but statistics on rising crime in the United States are appalling. In the past six years the number of serious crimes (murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft) has doubled from 3 million to 6 million. These figures are taken from the FBfs Uniform Crime Report, and yet, grim as they are, they do not tell the whole story.

Only murders and auto thefts are accurately reported. Research surveys indicate that barely two-thirds of all robberies are reported; half to three-fourths of rapes, assaults, burglaries and larcenies are not reported. Moreover, more than half of all those arrested for serious crime are under 19 years of age, and one-fifth are 14 or younger. It is evident that our system of criminal justice must be strengthened. How to achieve this goal is the subject of an extensive report by the Committee on Economic Development, a nonpartisan group of national business leaders.

The committee, while granting that "crime is not an alien, isolated phenomenon and is "deeply rooted in the ills of our society," focused on the administration of justice. Dealing with the courts, the police, the prisons and the criminal laws, the committee's report has received far less attention than it merits. Among its proposals are: Establishment of an independent Federal Authority to Ensure Justice to coordinate the fight against crime. Creation of a centralized department in each state to take over all criminal justice activities. A unified statewide judicial system would be established to operate all but the federal courts, while county and other local governments would be relieved of all obligations except maintenance of police forces.

Restructuring of police departments to place greater emphasis on suppression of serious of- Expenditure of. substantially more money on correctional institutions to reverse "a debacle of major proportions in the nation's misguided and underfunded correctional efforts." Modernizing the administration of the courts, while simultaneously appointing more judges. Modernizing the laws to conform with developing public attitudes toward morality and criminal conduct In this category, the committee advocated the elimination of criminal penalties for the use of marijuana and the legalization of "private, unorganized Legalized gambling, the committee said, "would deal a major blow to organized crime by depriving it of its main source of income." Governmental operation of gambling facilities was suggested as one approach. The committee concluded that a ban on the private possession of handguns is an essential step toward reduction of violent crime. The report, entitled "Reducing Crime and Assuring Justice," said, "A reluctance to face the facts has worsened matters.

Reaction (to rising crime) has been slow and weak at every governmental level" The CED's proposed reforms are so far-reaching that they are certain to stimulate controversy and dissent On some aspects of the report, the organization itself was not unanimous, but the study should be welcomed as a frontal attack on a major weakness in our society. "You already "And give my best to Jimmy!" Letters to The Times Justice for the Navajos The 150,000 Navajos comprise the largest richest and most progressive of the American Indian tribes. Assets of the tribe are estimated at more than $200 million, managed, as is the government of the tribe, by the Navajo's own tribal council. So it is not surprising that the Bureau of Indian Affairs has proposed turning over to the tribe direct control of the annual federal appropriation for Navajo programs, an appropriation which, in the last fiscal year, totalled $110 million. The program, about which there is some disagreement in the Administration, is further evidence of the American government's attempt to shift from Washington paternalism to true tribal self-determination.

Two years ago, the Zunis received direct control their federal aid, but it is a small program, only 31.4 million last year. Federal funds have been made available through the Bureau of Indian Affairs for education, pro grams for economic development including industrialization and tourism, and a variety of community services such as credit and finance, law and order, tribal operations and government social service and housing assistance. Health services are not included; they have been provided separately since 1955 through the U.S. Public Health Service. With implementation of the new plan for the Navajos, more than one-fourth of the annual $400 million budget of the Bureau of Indian Affairs would go directly to tribes for their administration.

Ultimately, the tribal representatives of all the nation's 800,000 Indians would be offered the option of direct financial control. This proposal is recognition of the right of the Indian to handle the programs established in his behalf. It is belated recognition by the white man of the competence of the red man. It is an act of justice in a field where justice has too often been an afterthought Health Care for County Residents Mayor Yorty's Veto of Antinoise Ordinance I recently moved from the peaceful tranquility of the Hollywood Hills to the Mid-Wilshire area to be closer to my office. The noise pollution problem in this area at times is beyond description, especially the trash trucks that arrive anywhere from 6 a.m.

on, six days a week. We have more trash trucks than people on this street at certain times of the day. This isn't counting the power mowers, lawn edgers, sandblasters, helicopters, motorcycles, air conditioners and automobiles with faulty mufflers that, when mixed in with the trash trucks, raise the decibel level to the intolerable. I am not what you would call an avid fan of Mayor Yorty anyway, but when he vetoed the proposed antinoise ordinance, I decided that it was time Los Angeleg started seriously looking for a new mayor. Along with his recent oil drilling decision, plus his ridiculous attempt at the Presidency of the United States, I think we have had enough of the good Mayor.

GARY JAMES BRANCH Los Angeles Re your editorial (July 13), "The Veto of the Noise Mayor Yorty happens to be dead right in stating the City Council measure is more sham than substance in sponsoring this ordinance. We are all interested in enjoying life in an atmosphere that is as noise-free as reasonably possible. But the "sham" Is apparent most particularly in that Councilman Arthur Snyder, the measure's sponsor, is the councilman for the 14th District where the worst noise polluter is the low-flying police helicopter, particularly in the evening and throughout the night. Councilman Snyder is well aware that this source of noise is excessive and disturbing. To sponsor an ordinance that allows excessive noise from the low-flying police helicopter at 2, 3 or 4 a.m.

and at the same time infers that the music from the ice cream vendor's truck is excessive noise and a source of irritation makes no sense at all. Further, to place enforcement of the noise ordinance in the hand3 of the police, when the police with its low-flying helicopter is the worst offender of all, renders the situation somewhat ludicrous. IRENE HANGER Los Angeles Mayor Yorty's veto of an antinoise ordinance should be of no surprise. What do you expect from a disc jockey? CHARLES ZEMONT West Covina Noise polutlon if not soon arrested can jeopardize the mental and physical well-being of the city's population. The medical profession is greatly disturbed about it and frequently warned us of the constant din and city noises.

To emphasize on it they point to the multitude of people who must wear hearing devices for comfort and necessity. Like most large cities, Los Angeles is suf- reminded too that there are moral -I codes to adhere to. I After all, it takes two to tango. LINDA GREY I Los Angeles y0 -1- Thank you for the article by Al- i bert Szent-Gyorgyi, Nobel Prize- winner in medicine. Always this good man has loved peace, loved ty, longed only to serve them.

ButT each of his great works has perverted. Finally, when he discovered Vitamin he was happy. How could that be an offering to the god of war? But it was. Without this antidote to scurvy, submarine warfare could not work. Isn't man a peculiar animal? GLADY FOREMAN rv Los Angeles Wrong Headline As a woman I want to protest your, handling of the McGovern Today's headline (July 15), which I read, "McGovern Retreats on Salin-; ger," should have read, "First Worn-', an Political Party Chairman in U.S.i History Elected." ETHEL DAVIS Los Angeles Bobby Fiscber I hope the Russians realize that 1 chess champion Bobby Fischer is the exception and not the rule hi bad manners among American; professionals.

'I for one, hope Bori3 Spassky re-' tains his world championship if for no other reason than having a strong stomach! CAROL BLACK Woodland Hills Air Fare Rationale In answer to Anton M. Leader's query (June 30) a3 to why it costs more to fly to New York than to Haj 1 waii, and to scoff at the theory from Mort Braus (July 11) that the continental air, being heavier with pol-; lutants, is more difficult to fly through: Everyone knows that the air fares are fixed in the East by xenophobes who, having heard of California crackpots, crouch in fear behind their Fun City barricades of smirk and insolence and try to make a visit to them more costly than it's worth. Unless, of course, they are invited here; in which case they eagerly, come out and soon become known as California crackpots. HERB MEADOW Los Angelee Daily ridH Dm. 4, 1H1 BUSINESS AMD EDITORIAL OFFICES Tftnn Murtr Iiwt Lm am.

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k- iwflaasi (Xiwal Saaw Wftaa) Natiarak Dm v. fering from excessive noise and is progressively getting worse. SOLZWEIG Los Angeles 'Watermelon Hoax' I have read with great interest the account of the "great watermelon hoax" and the usual demands of the bleeding hearts for the hides of the originators, from suspension to transfer to firing. Having spent 31 years as a police officer, I have seen a few incidents -of similar nature. Every police department has a few comedians or nuts who once in a while enliven an otherwise grim day-to-day existence with a spur-of-the-moment antic as these officers did.

As is usually the case, such antics are aided and abetted by other officers and, yes, newspaper of whom adds his little bit until the matter snowballs all out of proportion, leaving the originators wondering what the heck they started. Naturally police officials publicly denounce such antics while privately smiling to themselves, and such matters are usually resolved by transferring the "culprits" to a less desirable assignment. Needless to say, such transfers act as a deterrent to others who may entertain similar notions. PETER BROEHL Anaheim What in heaven's name is wrong with a policeman having a sense of humor? My family and I enjoyed reading about the watermelon prank. It was funny and didn't hurt anyone.

I think Councilman Billy Mills is leaning over backward to find fault with the Police Department. ETHEL BECKER Woodland Hills In these days of tenseness and frustrations, it's nice to read about a practical joke where nobody really got hurt. Anybody who would listen to a story about a watermelon being dropped two stories without breaking up should be taken in. THEODORE S. BAKER Manhattan Beach Frasier's Burial I read with interest that Frasier, the sensuous lion, was buried in a grave "marked by a simple white cross." I would like to know who the individual i3 that ascertained old Frasier's religious preference.

Isnt it possible that the grave should have been marked by a star of David, or whatever markings are used by the Hindu, Moslem, Buddhist, etc. faiths? Or perhaps no marking at all if Frasier was (God forbid) an atheist. Of all the markings, It would seem to me, the least likely would be the cross considering the historical appetite of lions for Christians in their diet R. W. WEINSIIENKER Beverly Hills S.

Moral Leader? I was very touched by the noble Ideas expressed by Albert Szent-Gvorgyi in his article (Editorial Pages, July 6), "U.S. as a Moral Leader? Not If You Count He seems to be a true humanitarian, but why does he not address himself to the leaders of North Vietnam who are" tfying to impose th ir Communist regime on South Jailing and nacring their own people? Maybe they should be ple who must not be neglected or given second-class care. Medical center facilities are less than adequate or desirable. The study disclosed that It's up to supervisors to correct the condition now that all the alternatives have been explored and the facts made known. The intensive study has been completed.

Its results have been reported. Now the Board of Supervisors must decide how Orange County will keep its commitment to provide health care for the poor and make available to all residents the medical 'services unavailable outside the county medical center. Some people, including several supervisors, have indicated that they would like to see the county abandon its operation of the medical center. The law requires only that supervisors see to it that indigents receive medical care not necessarily to provide it directly. But a study of all possible alternatives found that -the county's continued operation of the medical tenter and health department is potentially the most responsive approach 'to the community's needs.

Recommendations also included much-needed modernizing and upgrading of the medical center and the opening of a series of decentralized community out-patient clinics similar to the one now operating in Santa Ana. The report found that private hospitals are not willing or even able to handle the health needs of the indigents. That leaves little alternative for the county supervisors but to stay in the hospital business and make the recommended improvements. And the community clinics must be opened to bring medical care closer to those who need it Without more community clinics, outpatient care will remain unavailable to many and, when available, will continue to be dispensed impersonally in overcrowded facilities requiring needlessly long waits. Increased federal participation in community health care is anticipated.

Even so, the study foresees continued county responsibility for the needy and growing demand for public health resources. Indigents currently comprise about 10T of the total county population. That's about 150,000 peo The Beach Dispute We are told President Nixon was displeased during a Fourth of July tour of the new San Onofre State Beach on the Marine Corps base south of the Western White House. The President found few surfers and swimmers taking advantage of the miles of prime beach leased more than a year ago to the State of California over the strenuous objections of the Marines. Mr.

Nixon discovered the state has done very little In the way of providing public amenities. So the President decided to use his influence. At his insistence, state park, federal. Marine and Navy officials met hurriedly to discuss, and correct the situation. The result: the federal government will provide $170,000 to be matched by the state for the immediate installation of beach comfort stations and a temporary fresh water supply.

Mr. Nixon has good reason to take action. His attempt to give the state several miles of Camp Pendleton beach was blocked by the Corps' friends in Congress. Although a long-term lease was worked out the state is moving much too slowly hi opening the area to the public. We hope the state has learned something valuable from this fortunate display of presidential intervention.

Let's speed up development of the newly acquired beach. And, equally important let's increase public pressure to obtain, by gift or lease, the entire Camp Pendleton beachfront despite continuing Marine Corps resistance. All 17 miles of beach, not just a few held by tenuous lease, rightfully belong to the public, not to a handful cf marir.es for military maneuvers a few days a year. T-x wimi tm wi.irt tartan tt na4.