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Show , Max Lerner fij t gait fake ftibune Salt Lake City, Utah lion F ir- - Monday Morning August 27, 1973 Media Role Clear, Page 10 Now 4th Branch Direct Campaign Spending Laws Toward Increasing Donor Base When it returns from summer recess, Congwss will once again wrestle with the elusie problem of bringing reason and ethics to campaign financing. The Senate passed a stern new campaien spending bill prior to the recess The bill, approved during a time of great emotion stirred up by the Watergate hearings, suffers as a result The Senate bill is overly restrictive but what it most lacks is a fresh viewpoint approach was suggested in a federfinanced ally campaign spending study made more than a decade ago. The House, which is expected to fashion its own bill on the subject in September, would be well advised to consult the 1962 study. Any meaningful campaign spending law must first of all be an enforceable law. It must not have the effect of unreasonably restricting use of publicity means necessary in a free election contest And, unless the rules are realistic and backed by wide public support, they will be evaded at will. A new Another requirement, says Congressional Quarterlys Guide to the Congress of the United States, is that the laws have as equal effect as possible on the candidates who are already in office and well known and the candidates not previously in the public eye." And the laws must be free of loopholes. Actually, the problem is not one of how much money is contributed but how and by whom it is contributed and how it is shared by the major political parties. Shortly after liis election President Kennedy appointed a Commission on Campaign Costs. Like the reports of most such bodies, this one has gathered dust though some of its suggestions were implemented in the Federal Election Campaign Spending Act of 1971. The commission observed that A chronic difficulty in maintaining adequate support (for political parties) has been the lurking suspicion that contributing to political parties is somehow a shoddy business. This is unfortunate. Improvement of public understanding of campaign finance is essential . . . With the public now being exposed to Cam- paign financing a la Watergate it is not going to be easy to dispel the idea that campaign contributions are indeed a shoddy business. But the idea must be dispelled and soon. U.S.-Sovi- Cannon state-owne- d international understanding by selling discount tickets and lying about where the tickets were bought. In 1968, an agreement was reached detailing how Aeroflot and Pan American Airways would serve air travel between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. By terms of a CAB permit, Aeroflot tickets sold in the U.S. are to be bandied by Pan Am. And the Soviet airline was required to file a tariff schedule. According to the CAB Enforcement Bu- reaus complaint, from June to September; tickAeroflot issued about 120 one-wa- y ets for flights on its planes and sold them through a ticket agent in New York. A subterfuge was attempted, the CAB report alle 1972, Even with the Watergate memory fresh it probably is unrealistic to expect long time partisans to give their money to the opposition, too. Yet something of the same nature is being offered when federal financing of campaigns is proposed. President Kennedys commission concluded that active, widespread political participation is the key to successful democracy in the United States and that voluntary effort is the great sustaining force of political parties. Any new campaign spending legislation should start with that premise. Its thrust should be not to limit spending per se but to make certain that the money spent comes from a broad base of contributors rather than the well heeled and often self- - promoting few. ges, when the tickets were validated to look as if they were sold in Moscow. In addition, the CAB contends discounts were allowed contrary to regulations covering reduced fares. In all, an indictment that reveals state-ruenterprises know quite well how to cut a sharp competitive corner. When Sen. Cannon first raised the issue, he contended in a speech on the Senate floor that the Soviet Union had broken U.S. commercial aviation laws at least 100 times and that the Nixon administration, rather than take action, was arranging for more Aeroflot business here. Now, the enforcement authorities have asked the CAB to order Aeroflot to cease and desist its unlawful activities. The imagination vibrates at the thought. Nevertheless, Sen. Cannon has a point when he argues agreements with the Russians shouldnt be deceptive and the U.S. of the If the interscst against Soviets expect to increase trade and other business contacts here, theyll have to abide by rules and regulations along with privately owned and operated American firms. Through common suffering can better understanding grow. one-side- Another Viewpoint The Presidency: A Fateful Attraction From The Milwaukee Journal For more than a decade, the White House has been the abode of staggering tragedy. Dwight Eisenhower continues to be the last resident to depart a reasonably contented man. Ever since, each president, alter glimpsing greatness, has been struck down. John Kennedy, after giving the nation a burst of inspiration, was killed by an assassins bulk i, scarring the memory of Americas adults and children alike. Lyndon Johnson, after achieving one of the most remarkable strings of domes-new tic legislative triumphs m history and winning the 1864 election by an immense margin, was brought to his knees by the horrifying folly of Vietnam. And Richard Nixon, after making spectacular journeys to Peking and Moscow, opening a new era in international affairs and recording one of the biggest landslide election victories ever, has been devastated by the Watergate scandals. Pnbllc Faith Ebbs For Kennedy, it was over quickly. But for Johnson and Nixon, obsessed with them places in history, there was the anguish of staying on the job as public faith ebbed like blood from a deep wound. The Grant Cartoon and opened new ones, it was particthrough the media that the committee members made ularly TV their great impact on the popular mind, becoming an additive staple in the daily and nightly lives ot the people. Out of the press investigations and the TV and questions hearings came a cloud of doubts about President Ni'on. As long as he remained siof statelent, failing to respond to the hurricane ments and counterstatements, he isolated himself through them not only from the media but from the people. Whei he broke his silence it was to go to the people via TV and radio, with a carefully crafted speech that left many of them pretty The key word here is bipartisan, or even multipartisan where more than two major parties are involved. Boiled down the idea is that donors would pay for certain basic activities of both parties to insure that each was able to present its views without unnecessary regard for the abilities of their finance committee chairmen. n pestered the Washington administrtation until the Civil Aeronautics Boards of Enforcement filed a complaint Russian airagainst Aeroflot, the line. The charge is that Aeroflot violated an Sen. committee of inquiry followed up a number of leads One of the 1902 commissions recommendations is particularly timely in the wake of That individuals and private Watergate: including corporations, labor organizations farm unions, organizations, civic societies and other appropriate groups be encouraged to take part m and to make expenditures for volunatry bipartisan political activities. . Regulating The Russians Can s U.S. regulatory agency successfully discipline a Soviet operation? Nevadas Sen. Howard VV. Cannon (D) thinks it should. And how correct he is may determine the outlook for future agreements. Los Angeles Times If it was not clear before PresiNEW YORK dent Nixons press conference it is doubly clear now: The media are so crucial to everything that happens in our time that they have in effect become a fourth branch of the governing process. the When Watergate story began to break, it was the press that tracked down much of it When the senate Men of simple background, they had struggled upward, looking upon the White House as a Horatio Alger heaven, where the hardest working American boy gets his highest reward. Instead, it became a private hell. Some will argue that Johnson and Nixon, at least, had it coming- when the ill wind blew brutally, they were paying for misdeeds, or at least misjudgments. There is truth in that, yet no comsufpassionate person can find pleasure in such - cold. self-spu- free-flowi- The Grapes of Wrath The Public Forum Is this the American way? Apparently not! The Little Assurance Editor, Tribune: After spending $1.7 million and two years gathering information, a national crime commission recommends, among other things, that confiscation of hand guns can cut high fear crimes" by 50 percent in 10 years. If there could be any assurance that another law would control the criminal element where so many other laws have failed, I believe the American people, tired of present crime conditions, would endorse it. There can be no such assurance. Statistics from high crime areas which have had strict gun laws the longest show that severe gun laws failed to fulfill expectations and lessen crime. It should make for open season on householders if such an impractical recommendation became law and the gun keeping thug would have no fear that he might meet head on a gun owning citizen. am pleased to note (Tribune, Aug. 10) such recommendation together with other parts equally impractical, got the little approval in official circles that such a ludicrous report deserves. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, and the continuing attack from various quarters on the citizens right to own guns should be considered an attempt to nullify the nghts guaranteed by Second Amendment to the Constitution and should be vigorously opposed by all lawful citizens whenever I And no reasonable man can help wondering anew: What is there in some Americans that impels them to seek the presidency? What mixture o. ego, love of pomp, desire to serve, wish for immortality and almost irrational sense of indestructibility moves them to ask health and happiness for that elusive niche on the honor roll of greatness? It is puzzling Yet they keep coming, a bit awed, maybe, but each apparently believing that he can avoid the pitfalls of predecessors. It may seem a little crazy at times. But where would we be if in 1973 no one wanted the job? 4,t assumption of innocence. These men cried out for the blood of t e Presiof Bible thumping evangelists. Spouting scripture and sarcastic witticisms, Sen. Sam Irvin repeated and repeated the most If he (the President) is heinous of philosophies not guilty, let him come forth and prove it! He (the President) can prove his innocence by releasing the tapes. The press took up the cry In the eyes of the reader and viewer the verdict was dent with the fetvor guilty. Would these learned men guardians of our rights, protectors of our freedom, preservers c! force a law and defenders of our constitution change in our judiciary system? Would where the burden change our system of guilt rests with the accuser for one the burden of proof of innocence lies TOM BOORMAN Ogden Won't Be Forgotten Editor Tribune: Nixon is still trying to play down the purpose and importance of Watergate. In his speech Aug. 16 he said there are things to be done that will be of great importance to the American people . . . long after Watergate is will never be forgotten. Watergate forgottn. The Whiskey Ring, Colfax, Teapot Dome, Bobby Baker, vicuna coats were the outgrowth of selfishness and greed. While Watergate is the most sinister, hellish political maneuver ever attempted in the United States, it had as its purpose the establishment of a police state, a government and the destruction of every vestige of freedom guaranteed to the people by the Constitution. This fact is tarn out, indisputably to Nixon so, by Haldemans memorandum suggesting the almost complete deletion of the Bill of Rights from the Constitution. one-par- ty This one fact (if every other action in his entire political career was honest, dean, decent, truthful, open and above board) is grounds for impeachment. Haldeman, Chotner, Ehrlichman, Segretti and Liddy are descendants of the Huns The same breed and type of cold- - blooded Germans that gassed and incinerated 6 million men, women and children for Hitler John Mitchell cannot implicate Nixon without putting the noose around his own neck. And the coalition of Ehrlichman, Haldeman, Nixon is remiwe either hang togethniscent of the adage er or hang separately. All three of them are lying within a shell of mutual defense and the only chance to ever know the whole truth is a wedge to break up that coalition. "... The probable truth is that Nixon and Mitchell planned the whole Watergate scheme and were able to enlist the services of an army of lying, scheming hatchet men completely void of all honor, principle and character. Oh, there was some humor in his speech: He a candidate for office owes it to the said . . American people to conduct an honest, clean, Shades of horrors, decent, truthful campaign honor and incredibility. DEVERS C. OWENS Brigham City . they Ex- of proof in which with the Forum Rules Public Forum letters must be submitted exclusively to The Tribune and bear writers full name, signature and address. Names must be printed on political letters but may be withheld for good reasons on others. Writers are limited to one tetter every 10 days. Preference will be given to short, typewritten (double spaced) letters permitting use of the writers true name. All letters are subject to condensation. accused? If so, like them that members of the ty of preventing it is from these men and others we must protect ourselves. The press must share the responsibilisuch a nightmare! The Supreme Court now has the opportuntiy to renew our faith and sustain the proper use of our judiciary system as it now stands. Should they choose to do otherwise, how will anyone prove his innocence? Do we have any tapes? GERALDINE F.JELDEN Eureka Conscienti jus Candidate Tnbune: Tn response to R. Mecham (Forum. Aug 18) in support of George Romeny: Since when does Utah need a senator with a nationally known name? Most senators leave their home states known only fo their constituents and develop natonal reputations from their work in the Editor, Senate. What Utah needs is a man who will work hard representing Utah and in the course of that work, develop a national reputation. Donald Holbrook is just such a man I have worked with Mr. Holbrook for several years and know just how conscientious he is when it comes to getting the job done properly. What Utah needs is a senator who is intimately aware of the needs of this state as well as the needs of the nation Donald Holbrook is that man. MAUREEN J. SEIKALY There can be little doubt that he made good use of his resources ancf handled himself well. By his timing of the resignation of Secretary of State Rogers and the appointment of Henry Kissinger, he made certain of authoring an impressive counterdrama to the otherwise unchallenged drama of the Watergate question thrown at him. However swift the pitch and sharp the curve, he regained some of the authority he had lost in the whole Watergate process, although he has much still to regam. In the media area are three functions worth distinguishing. One is the media as a transmitter of news that is continually breaking. The press transmits it by a brief time remove but gives it some permanence. Radio and TV transmit it instantly, with TV as the supreme dramatic form Media a Prime Mover The second is the media as a prime mover, digging out news, starting and tracking down leads, not only responding to a news situation but taking an investigative hand in creating it. Whether we use the old phrases (the expose or muckraking role) or the new one (investigative journalism), the media cannot forego or neglect this function of theirs. It is difficult, sometimes dangerous; it requires both brashness and courage; it is often open to abuses. But it is there, as part of our time. The third is the media as critic and assessor of people and events, whether through columnists, commentators, editorial writers, or (don't underestimate them) the Letters to the Editor, where role. This, too, people function m a is part of the adversary function of the media. But to be done responsibly, it must be done with a fairness the media have not always notably-shown-. Obviously, President Nixon is not happy over what the media have done with him and to him. He noted the absence of questions on policy issues at the press conference, but what did he expect when the charges to which he had made no reply for months were like a cloud of witnesses against him? Vice President Agnew raised a more troubling issue in his attack on unnamed sources in the Justice Department for leaked news stones about him. It is troubling because there were similar leaks fron the Ervin Committee inquiry, especially at the start, which led special prosecutor Archibald Cox to plead for the secrecy of the grand jury process instead. If that secrecy has been breached, in Agnew's case, he has a genuine cause for gripe. As for the press, it is in the position here of having to transmit news in which it was not itself a pnme mover If we can get these roles and functions sorted out, the rest of the Watergate and Agnew stones will be less confused and painful. This goes especially for the President s own role. He has agreed to submit himself, on the great constitutional rsue of confidentiality, to the final judgment of the courts. In the meantime, he will be wise to submit himself again, sooner rather than later, to the ordeal through media. Joe McCarthy to Watergate. From point of order to point in time in one generation. There ire solemn moments our forefathers were spared, such as the poignancy of looking at your wnst watch and realizing that its battery has just died. Interland' Bad Carnival Editor, Tnbune- Hooray for Delores Clark, the irate mother (Forum, Aug. 20) whose daughter was denied a nde at the carnival dunng the fair at Murray Fairgrounds. I, too. felt this was a very poor carnival. There were absolutely no safety devices for children to use; no straps on the horses on the cars, small or any childrens nde. - merry-go-aroun- What Moves Them? 4 President has been allowed, by plan or folly, to be tried, not in the courts of the land, but by innuendo before a biased (if not stupid) Senate Committee. This committee appeared in the eyes of the viewer as judge and jury, diffenng in only one respect. They took no care to remain or even appear impartial; to judge in fairness. There was no such a proposition surfaces. fering. Look Out Below Media Nivons Tribunal n Now that he has finally come out of his cocoon and submitted himself to the Clequestions of the reporters at his San mente press conference, he made a far more effective impact on them and on his viewers and listeners. Whether or not he ever has to appear before another tribunal before his tenure is over, his crucial tribunal thus far has been the media. IIow, Without Tap es? Editor, Tnbune: How many times must we be assaulted by the phrase, Is the President of the United States of Ameica above the law? Rather should we ask ourselves, Is he below the law? Should not the President be afforded the same the protection guarantees, nghts and privileges of the law as any other human being? Any common man, accused of a enme, is indicted and guaranteed a tnal by a jury of his peers (carefully selected to eliminate bias). He is assumed to be innocent until his guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. X People enjoy the carnival and the children all beg to go on the rides. It is too bad when you have to tell your child that he cant nde because it is too dangerous. nde attendants to bo rude. I always not just a was to be for fun a carnival thought way to grab your money with no courtesy or concern. Unless more care is taken m choosing the next carnival for the fair, here is another concerned mother who will not be there I found the CHARMAINE DENTON West Jordan Lord, why can t you give us one generation of honest po!ltlcians-- ust one, with no scandals? |