The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 4

Opinion Page M)t guilt! antajgmpJ) VuhUJudCtttinmuifj Siatt 1846 FJJJnrj 14, 18J7 hjJn r. nO DAVIS U. MERW1N. rwmdruj WILLIAM G. DIESEL.

ENE F. SM ED LEY, suvi M.iniiin;l.Mi-.S'iriiial, liliixn, n.l.iy, NUn 1, 1S74 Cunningham, Dubin better choices for House in 15th now Time Flics By Fern M. Downs Withers Library Staff 25 Years Age March 1, IMt A breathless report by two boys to the Normal police Ute Monday night of large quantities of blood splattered on Sudduth road. quarter of a mile west of the Normal city limits, was investigated and the blood believed to be that of a slaughtered animal. Ralph McCown.

the officer who made the investigation, said there were no tire marks nor any signs of foul play. Sheriff's Deputy Harold Sylvester and Officer Bill Craig of the Normal police department made another investigation Tuesday morning. Toother they arrived at the conclusion that the mysterious splotches of blood had come from a slaughter house truck that had been driven over that route. SO Years Age March 1, The home talent show, The Family Fotygraft Album," given at the Lyceum Thursday evening drew a capacity house and even standing room was at a premium. The show was given as a benefit for the Chenoa Free Public library, and quite a sum was realized, Years Age March 1, IMt In prices on anything, and if people will once see our lines of goods and get our prices, they will say we beat them in both prices and nice goods.

Yesterday we opened up some of the handsomest chamber sets and dinner sets you ever laid eyes on, end we've made prices on them so they will sell quick. A handsome lamp makes a beautiful wedding present, and we show the finest line in the city. 99 Cent Store. 100 Years Age March 1174 The following books are missing from the Bloomington Library? Pope's Iliad, 2 Cuizol's Civilization, Talcs of a Grandfather, voL 1, Life, of Mendelssohn. It was time, cl course, that Rep.

Les Arends relinquished his seat In the U.S. House. His staying power saw him through 40 years in Congress. Arc was a factor. Refusal of his GOP colleagues In the House to name him minority leader may have deprived him of a career-climaxing post.

But the abomination which is the 15th congressional district certainly is no encouragement to veteran or beginner. Nonetheless, Mr. Arends retirement has attracted five Republicans and three Democrats to the primary election March 19. The travesty of districting can be Imagined by mentally drawing a line from Paxton, Ford County, in the southeast, to the northwest corner of DcKalb County, at Kockford's doorstep. Or draw a line from Metamora on the southwest to Aurora In the northeast North to south geography Is bad enough.

Worse, there is no easily identifiable community of Interest between the far parts. People density tilts the district to the north. HOW ABOUT A SUMMIT MEETING?" Thit cartoon by Bill Mauldin, who it on vocation, wi drawn in 1M4 but appear fully applicable to today's economic conditions. to the Editor- Normals problems Honan does do job various town projects (street repairs, sewer construction, etc.) are financed. She believes in financing our $3 million water improvements by the sale of general obligation, not revenue, bonds since this will enable us to pay off our debt sooner and will cost us less in interest.

to public possible via the system alone so that the council could be aware of community feeling on a particular issue before the work session discussion, rather than after. This combination of suggestions shows that Joe Honan recognizes that it is not easy for the individual citizen to make himself heard. He does more than offer to be available himself, he arranges for our voices to be heard by all the council IRA COHEN Normal Where should the voters in the south end of the district, particularly those living in Woodford. Uvingston and Ford counties turn? None of the candidates is a resident of any of those counties. TImtc can be no hometown hero in that sense.

And no candidate one knows as a neighbor. In the Paragraph's view, tho clwicc on the Democratic side is clear cut. Martin Dubin, political science professor at Northern Illinois University and DcKalb County Democratic chairman, combines the instincts of a precinct worker with the understanding of basic issues one likes to find in academics, lie would make a stand-up kind of representative and seems to know how to campaign. His opponents are Tim Hall of Dwight, a school teacher and Arends' opponent in 1972, and Em-mctt Slingsby of (Xtawa, also an educator who works for Michael Hakalis, state superintendent of public instruction. Hall and Slingsby arc 35; Dubin is 42.

Good ages for starting a congressional career. On the Republican side it docs not with other demands on his time. Mr. Honan's position would have been enhanced by a direct correction of the record, not resignation from the commission. That act is linked to the fact that other town officials apparently described his attendance as spotty.

It is our view that the Planning Commission, more than the town council, needs at least a few people with Honan's expertise in the field of urban gov-nment, planning and operation. Those skilled in the technical field of urban government arc hard to come by, even for high paying jobs in the field. One would hope Mr. Honan would reconsider his action if he is not one of the successful council candidates. mon as ragweed to a controlled force.

Some of the slings and arrows aimed in King's direction must be brushed off as the result of jealousies which have infected sheriff cam-, paigns always. Pettiness is raised to an art in the contests for this office and rumors rise and like mushrooms in Funks Grove. Mr. King's Republican primary opponents are honorable and sincere men. Neither Flovd M.

"Sam" Babbitt nor Harry E. "Tony" Win-tcrland is prepared to take charge of a modern police force. This is the direction the sheriffs force is going and this is the direction in which the Pantagraph will urge King and the County Board in the future. King has given the county good law enforcement. That's the main reason for having a sheriff.

He has had problems both in communications with other police agencies and per Joseph Honan's precipitous resignation as chairman and member of the Normal Planning Commission is a disturbing bit of business. Honan said he was reacting to misleading information presented at a caucus of the Illinois State University Student Association. Honan he received an unjustifiably low rating as a candidate for the Normal Town Council post he seeks. At issue: Docs he have a spotty record of attendance at planning commission meetings? As it turns out, Honan has missed only one meeting since he became chairman in 1973 and only a handful in the two previous years. Not bad for a non-paying post.

And certainly not bad for a member of high qualifications Bell grasps Editor, The Pantagraph: March 4 the voters of Normal will go to the polls to choose three members of the town council. My first choice to serve Normal for the next four years is JocelynBell. I She has a good understanding of our town budget and can explain how our Honan will listen Editor, The Pantagraph: At the League of Women Voters' candidates meeting Feb. 24, Normal council candidate Joe Honan suggested a couple of innovative techniques for gaining citizen input to be considered as policy formulation occurs. First, Mr.

Honan suggested a telephone message receiving service so that citizens could easily record their feelings on issues without having to find a councilman at home. An advantage would be that in a single call the information would be available to each member of the council. Second, Mr. Honan suggested that a bulletin board in the city hall or other public place could be used to provide background information on topics sched uled for discussion at the bi-weekly work session, This would make public input Normal lucky to Editor, The Pantagraph: Normal has a perfect opportunity to do itself a favor March 4 by electing Jocelyn Bell to the town council. Having worked with Mrs.

Bell on the Urban Beautification Task Force, I found her to be bright, creative, enthusiastic, organized and knowledgeable. She knows the projects and problems of Normal, having attended council meetings since last spring. She has a great desire to help carry out present projects and has good ideas on how to solve our problems. She is concerned about careful planning for Normal's future. She sees that Best candidate? HAROLD V.

LISTOM, boil down to putting a name in a hat. Hut there is no candidate who is better in all respects than any of his opponents. The Pantagraph endorsement goes to John A. Cunningham, 35, two-term city commissioner in Aurora and longtime committeeman (for a young man). Cunningham ran well in liis primary challenge of Les Arends in 1972.

For his effort he has earned the suspicion of some party regulars. Cunningham has the aggressive outlook and open mind so nticessary for good congressional representation. His most serious challenge comes from Clifford Carlson of Geneva, 58, GOP national committeeman and industrialist. Carlson filled a term left vacant by the resignation of Charlotte Rcid in the old 15th district, then stepped aside for Arends' candidacy in the new 15th. lie has a lot of political checks to cash.

That's important, especially in a five-man primary. Tom Corcoran, 34. former GOP staff director in the state Senate and director of the Illinois development office in Washington, D. in the Ogilvie administration, is endorsed by the Livingston County GOP and is the protege of State Sen. William Harris.

He lives in Ottawa. Also in the GOP primary are State Rep. Carl Soderstrom of Streator, an experienced legislator with labor support, and William McConkey, 31, of Aurora, an ISU graduate and recent employe in the federal bureaucracy with both HEW and the Commerce Department. Mr. Carlson would be no babe-inarms in Washington, and the professionals give him the best chance of winning.

The long run potential of Cunningham appeals to us, however. So we endorse Martin Dubin, Democrat, and John Cunningham, in the 15th district. And we wish Melvin's Leslie Arends the respite he deserves from the political battle. sonal relationships with some officials. Blame cannot be placed at King's feet alone.

We cannot remember, in 30 years of following police matters, when some police unit was not in conflict with another. If the choice is between a doormat and a hardnose for sheriff, we'd go the hardnose way. This leaves the matter of charges by some prisoners that they were physically abused by King or his officers without sufficient provocation. Those charges are being reviewed by proper federal authorities. As they now stand, the charges are that only.

Should the charges be shown to be substantially true in the months between the March 19 primary and the November election, the Pantagraph will support moves to defeat Mr. King or to have him removed from office. No Democrat sought a place on the primary ballot of his party. thin denied knowing of the Symington affair, and said that "ambassadorships have not been for sale" in his administration. BUT SOMEBODY authorized Kalmbach to receive money from Symington, and then to offer repayment.

That somebody is soon going to be named in a criminal indictment. He is going to turn out to be somebody who has been very close to Mr. Nixon. And there will be a fresh piece of circumstantial evidence pointing to Mr. Nixon's complicity in criminal actions.

As a final example, consider the matter of the tax deduction of $576,000 taken by Mr. Nixon for the gift of his vice-presidential papers. In his press conference, Mr. Nixon said, that the "papers were delivered to the Archives in March, four months before, the deadline," after which by act of Congress such gifts were not deductible. Only it happens that the papers delivered to the Archives by Mr.

Nixon before the deadline were for storage purposes, not as a gift. The gift itself, and indeed the evaluation of the papers necessary to make a gift, came after the deadline had Babbitt knows sheriffs job Sheriff endorsement to King Mrs. Bell favors a regional solution to Normal's water needs beyond the year 2000. By joining forces with Bloomington, McLean County, and possibly other counties, she believes that sources of water could be developed which one governmental unit could not afford alone. She also believes in studying the problem of solid waste disposal on a regional basis.

Mrs. Bell has been involved in governmental concerns for the last several years and is well qualified to be a council member. She has attended council meetings regularly for the past six months, so she is well prepared to devote her time and energy to this important job. I have heard her speak on several occasions, and I know that she really understands Normal's government and would make a positive contribution to it SANDRA ROBERTS Normal a big talker. He has experience at the jail and has been in the office under all ex-sheriffs.

He held top Investigator as his last job, and also at the sheriff's office. He has been a Republican precinct committeeman and has been elected constable. He's had the experience of all the jobs. He is qualified to be sheriff. VIVIAN WHEELER Bloomington Wrench for the quality of our life, knowledgeable about city government and has a cooperative spirit.

Mr. Wrench has proved himself to be one of the progressive members of the present council. He has a commitment to the development of downtown Normal and the kind of attitude which enables him to work well with our sister city of Bloomington and with the university. My third vote will go for either incumbent William Hammitt or newcomer Richard Pearson. Mr.

Hammitt has served faithfully. Mr. Pearson lacks experience in city government but has the capacity to learn and a commitment to serve the city. JAMES W.PRUYNE Normal Pearson qualifies Editor, The Pantagraph: I would like to endorse Rich Pearson as a candidate for the Normal City Council. He has been a Normal resident for live years.

He is presently employed as a work training supervisor at the Bloomington Area Vocational Center. His job requires that he work with many business men and women in finding jobs for high school students. Mr. Pearson has successfully worked with a wide variety of adults and young' people in the community. This kind of relationship is essential to that of a good elected official JILL HORENBERGER Normal To Letter Writers We want your opinions but make your letters brief and informative.

All letters are subject to editing, especially those running more than 350 words. All letters must carry the publishable signature and address of the writer. Editor, The Pantagraph: I am a friend of Floyd M. "Sam" Babbitt. He is a good man, father, and a man of his word.

He is a quiet man, not have Bell we need an updated plan so that our town can be a better place to live. SALLY ANN OLDENDORF Normal Backs Bell, The Pantagraph: Of those running for Normal's City Council in the March 4 election, Jocelyn Bell and incumbent Ralph Wrench seem most deserving of support. Mrs. Bell is perceptive in surveying the needs of the community, concerned Jocelyn Bell to spend on council work, enriching home life for her husband and children. Vision? Yes.

The persons we favor for election March 4 are incumbents William Ham-mitt and Ralph Wrench; also Jocelyn Bell as new member. MRS. MERRITT C. ACKLAND Normal Endorses King Editor, The Pantagraph: Having served as patrolman, sergeant and acting chief of the Normal Police Department for 26 years, working with other law enforcement agencies, including past sheriffs of McLean County; and having for the past three years been a civilian employe of the McLean County sheriff's police, I feel qualified to state that Sheriff John W. King has proficiently and progressively fulfilled the office of sheriff of McLean County and is the most qualified candidate for sheriff of McLean County.

I support his re-election. RALPH McCOWN Normal McPherren efficient Editor, The Pantagraph: Roscoe McPherren will make an excellent county clerk for the people of McLean County. He is interested in people and in good government. Efficiency in the office will be his goal, and the citizens will benefit. ROY M.

WlflTEMAN Bloomington The Pantagraph endorses Sheriff John King for nomination on the Republican ticket to succeed himself in office. This year is the first election in which an incumbent sheriff can succeed himself. The endorsement is made in full awareness of the controversy and charges centering on the operation of the sheriff's department and the treatment of some prisoners during Sheriff King's first three years in office. Still, King and the department have not failed in two highly important areas: 1. Effectively policing the county.

2. Producing, through the merit system, an improved force of deputies. King has proven able to run the department in a time of dramatic change from patronage to merit system; from a system under which special deputy badges were as com Joseph Kraft Nixon The President's latest press conference provides yet another indication that he is going to be forced from office before his term expires. But not because of physical signs, such as pouring sweat or misspeaking, which intrigue people who haven't bothered to follow the Watergate case. The trouble that plagued Mr.

Nixon in the press conference is the trouble which has hounded him ever since Watergate got going. The central fact the fact underlined anew in the press conference is that a mass of evidence points to Mr. Nixon's involvement in the vast array of crimes lumped under the general rubric of Watergate. TAKE, FIRST, the one piece of genuine news which emerged from the conference the news that the Watergate grand jury had sought to question Mr. Nixon personally.

The President tried to pass that off as a mere bagatelle. "It's a matter of record," he said. In a pig's eye. Actually Mr. Nixon's statement at the press conference was the first public acknowledgement that the grand jury had asked him to testify.

That fact is of fundamental importance. armor wears Editor, The Pantagraph: Three of the new candidates for the Normal City Council were asked personally about (1) their reasons for "running," (2) their views of council work, and (3) future city needs and how to meet them (other discussion, too). All interviewed were good, but we felt that Jocelyn Bell was the best. 1. She began attending council meetings way back in December.

Preparation? Yes. 2. She has had a community interest, as evidenced by her paiticipation as president of the League of Women Voters and member of the Beautification Committee of Normal. 3. We believe that "the home is the center but not the circumference" of a woman's world.

Mrs. Bell will have time Bell only candidate to attend meetings Editor, The Pantagraph: Last summer when I was a member of the, Beautification Commission in Normal, I got interested in going to city council meetings. I think the people in Normal would be interested to know that-Jocelyn Bell is the only candidate for the council who has been regularly attending council meetings (except the incumbents, of course). A person who is willing to spend that kind of time preparing for the job is obviously serious about being on the council and deserves to be elected. MELVIN WILLSIE Normal It was not Senator Ervin's Watergate special committee which wanted Mr.

Nixon to testify; nor the special prosecutor, Leon Jaworski; nor the House Judiciary Committee; nor the television commentators, nor the press, nor any of the others whom Mr. Nixon is pleased to regard as his enemies. The request for his testimony came from a jury of ordinary Americans. It can only mean they had reason to believe that Mr. Nixon was privy to important information about crimes connected with Watergate.

THEN THERE is the little matter of the plea entered by Herbert Kalmbach, the President's attorney, to illicit campaign fund-raising. The lawyer Mr. Nixon chose to handle his intimate personal business joined at least a score of other former close associates of the President in admitting guilt to activities related to Watergate. Among other things, Kalmbach acknowledged that he accepted a campaign contribution of $100,000 from J. Fife Symington, a Maryland socialite, in return for a promise of appointment to an embassy in a European country.

At his press conference, Mr. Nixon.