Casper Star-Tribune from Casper, Wyoming • 6

April 11, 1971 6 Sunday Sor-Tribun, Caiper, Wyo. i I 1 1 Inside Report Politics in Calley Case Republican cloakroom that a pardon was in Mr. Nixon's mind. What is not debatable is that early the evening of March 31 the President was weighing political reaction to the intervention into the case he was then planning. According to the White House, that was the night he supposedly awakened from his sleep to suddenly decide he must do something about the Calley case to show respect for the U.S.

uniform. The next morning, he ordered Calley's release from the Ft. Benning, stockade (a step, as we have reported, decided upon well before by the Army civilian high command). Indeed, that very same evening of March 31, an unusual event occurred at Costin's Restaurant in downtown Washington which casts further doubt on the middle-of-the-night decision story. Costin's was the scene of a dinner meeting by the Republican Regulars, a semi-secret society of conservative Congressmen, now outraged over the Calley verdict.

The speaker happened to be White House political aide Harry Dent, who told them not to worry. Dent was not specific, but everybody thought he was promising White House intervention. This political flavor was increased the next evening when Atty. Gen. John Mitchell, the President's premier political adviser, was interviewed over television by David Frost.

Instead of defending military justice, the Attorney General declared: "I am disturbed by the overall picture." When Mr. Nixon two days later announced he would personally decide the case, there was reason to suspect Mitchell's grand design of combining the 1968 Nixon-Wallace vote for 1972. Calley had been adopted by Gov. George Wallace vote for 1972. Calley had been adopted by Gov.

George Wallace as a national hero, making Mr. Nixon vulnerable to Wallaceite defections if he supported the court martial. Overwhelmingly, White House aides applauded the political shrewdness of the intervention. There were some Republican dissenters, however, inside and outside the White House. By ROWLAND EVANS and ROBERT NOVAK WASHINGTQN-Suspicion that President Nixon's motives in entering the Calley case were political are, reinforced by the fact he telephoned his Mouse floor leader, Rep.

Gerald Ford of Michigan, to check Congressional sentiment before his intervention That has produced sober second thoughts among a minority of thoughtful Republican Congressmen worried that their President is playing politics on a sensitive judicial question. Besides that, Mr. Nixon's call to Ford generated talk-which certainly seems untrue that he is considering a pardon for Lt. William L. Calley Jr.

What's more, a handful of White House aides feel the President was not only playing politics but bad politics. They believe the hysterical public reaction against the court martial conviction of Calley for murder at My Lai had subsided when the President burst in. He would have been better advised, they feel, to keep quiet or endorse blindfolded justice dispensed under written law. On March 31, two days after Calley's conviction, the President placed an early evening call from San Clemente to Ford, the House Minority Leader, in Washington. He noted the White House was swamped with protests and wondered whether the same was true on Capitol Hill.

Ford was then asked by the President to sound out Congressional reaction to the news that he was considering a wide range of options in dealing with Calley. Ford related this conversation the next morning, April 1, over breakfast to Michigan's Republican Congressmen, giving the impression Mr. Nixon was ready to intervene. Although there were one or two dissenters, the Congressmen were delighted that the President was following public opinion. In the ensuing conversation, there was talk of pardoning Calley.

Some Congressmen got the idea Mr. Nixon the night before had discussed a pardon. But Ford told us flatly the President did not mention pardoning, and several Congressmen at the breakfast say Ford did not -either. Nevertheless, word filtered into a shocked House Photo by Chuck Morrison "He is risen. He is not here.

The Star-Tribune Thinks An Offset to Monopoly The Case for Tuition Grants A Window Speaks for Easter CASPER STAR-TRIBUNE 1 1 1 South Jeffereon Box 80 Casper, Wyoming 82601 Telephone AC 307) 237-8451 Published Daily Second Class postage paid at Casper, Wyoming 82601, by Wyoming Publishers, Inc. WILLIAM J. MISSETT Publisher and Editor The Casper Daily Tribune Est. Oct. 9, 1916 (by J.

E. Hanwoy). Casper Morning Star est. 1949. Carrier Subscription Rates Doily and Sunday.

1 Month 2.75 Mail Subscription Rates -Daily and Sunday 1 Month 2.75 3 Months 8 25 6 Months 16.00 1 Year 30.00 Sunday Only 6 Months 7.50 I Year 14.00 The Casper Star-Tribune reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement. Paid Circulation March 1971 (Includes Annual Sales) Daily Sunday City Zone. 13,548 13,806 Retail Trading Zone. 7,673 7,969 AllOther. 6,760 7,844 attract students.

Schools that are doing a poor job would be compelled to shape up or close down. Not the least of the prospective advantages, the ACU report suggests, would be a new cost-consciousness in public school systems. Private schools, hoping to earn a profit, would have a strong incentive to produce quality education at lower costs. Some of these questions will be argued in coming months before a three-judge Federal court in Missouri. There a number of Catholic parents are directly challenging the State's effective monopoly through an ingenious combination of First and Fourteenth Amendment arguments.

The suit may not succeed, but it will focus national attention on the idea of tuition grants. The idea's time will come, but it will not come until the public's dissatisfaction with public education boils over. From Newark to San Francisco, as teachers strike and discipline falters, that dissatisfaction is mounting. Ultimately it will find political outlet. peccably liberal pages of New An idea that has such diversified support must have something going for it.

This one does indeed. Our public schools are in deep trouble, for reasons summarized by the ACU's chairman M. Stanton Evans in a couple of crisp sentences: "The needs and desires of our society are enormously diverse. Yet our system of public education is remarkably uniform and rigid." Brozen and Weil put it this way: "There is no one best way to educate; there is no single set of knowledge that is most worth having for all students. Our current school system tries to ascertain what is best for everyone and then provides an education that pleases almost no one Uniform curricula are forced on schools with dissimilar student bodies." Under a voucher system, by contrast, parents could take their fair share of a State's educational appropriation and go shopping.

They could "choose among schools and among varieties of educational offerings." Public and private schools doing a good job would Louis Globe-Democrat believes that "tuition vouchers are the answer" to problems of both public and private schools. This bold and innovative proposition originated, if I am not mistaken, in several of the Southern States in the wake of the Supreme Court's school desegregation decree of 1954. Virginia experimented extensively with tuition grants in this unhappy period. As it turned out, the high court found the plan unconstitutional in its actual operation, but the court carefully avoided a ruling on the concept as such. For a time, the idea languished.

Then it suddenly revived a couple of years ago under precisely opposite auspices. The U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, which is chiefly concerned with the needs of poor blacks, provided a grant to the Center for the Study of Public Policy in Cambridge, Mass. In March, 1970, the Center produced a preliminary report endorsing educational vouchers, prepared by a liberal of im-peccable credentials, Christopher Jencks; he in turn promoted. the plan in the im By JAMES J.

KHPATRICK WASHINGTON The American Conservative Union weighed in this week with a first-rate report and recommendation on a proposal that is attracting increasing attention across the nation: Tuition or vouchers, intended to provide an alternative to the public schools' effective monopoly on education. The ACU's study is the work of Professor Yale Brozen and Roman L. Weil of the University of Chicago. They make a persuasive case in favor of the plan, and one by one they refute the arguments against it. Not content with merely issuing the report, the ACU is mounting a national campaign to push the idea in receptive State legislatures across the land In throwing its weight behind the voucher system, the ACU Joins a number of others who have been attracted to the concept that in education, as in business, competition is the life of trade.

A task force of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the plan. Bills have been offered with substantial support in California, Indiana and Kansas. In Missouri, the St. speaking with the Angel at the tomb.

If you look to the end of the Angel's wing tip and above the heads of the two women, you will see the face of Jesus." The "Resurrection Window" was donated to the church'in 1907 when the Gantz Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated by the Rev. L. C. Thompson. The structure replaced an earlier one which had been built in 1893.

The church and the window were constructed to the memory of Mary Elizabeth Gantz, mother of Mrs. Milton Coffman of Casper. L. L. Gantz was a pioneer wool grower of Natrona County.

The church building which contained the window was razed in the 1950s, but Mrs. Coffman sent the window to Denver, where it was repaired and restored. When the new building was dedicated June 2, 1954 the window was placed in the south narthex of the church, above the high altar. Workmen who had repaired the window-praised the artisanship and said that no craftsmen today could duplicate the fine type of glass. Whether that is a correct appraisal or not, the window after 64 years remains as both an historic and a religious symbol.

On this Easter Sunday it would be as well that we should let it speaker in an ecumenical sense, as representing the aspirations of mankind. Rather than the traditional and general discussion of Blaster and what it means, it might be worthwhile today to discuss a particular subject which is applicable to the story of the Resurrection. We refer to the stained glass window which is reproduced in part on this page. The window is in the First United Methodist Church at Second and Durbin. It will be understood that in choosing this one we include all.

There is a bit of history concerning this window and a rather surprising element, but beyond that it represents the inspiration and the hope of Easter Sunday. "Come and Meet Jesus" was the title of a sermon prepared for the second Sunday in Lent by the Rev. J. Stanley Fixter, pastor of the church. The subject was changed from another one which the minister originally had scheduled.

Mrs. L. R. Earnshaw, a long-time member, had pointed out to the pastor on the previous Sunday that a picture of the Christ was included in the Resurrection window. "She took me down to the north end of the church and above the altar where the huge Gothic green and yellow stained glass window is located, and she pointed up to the main scene," the Rev.

Mr. Fixter: commented. "It depicts the three" women, Mary Magdalene, Mary, mother of James, and Salome Coffee Break A Question for Arts Commission Hoover Called National Monument A Bill to Update Election Day bygone era- and does the monument tell us something about. Mr. Hoover-fulfills all these qualifications." "WelL if you won't put him in storage, are you at least thinking of moving him to a less conspicuous part of town?" "Frankly, we are giving that some consideration.

If the pressure continues, we may authorize a new spot for him away from the Justice Department." "Where?" "We have a wonderful site we're looking at right now, near the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception." In 1966, the National Governors Conference adopted a resolution calling for the designation of a national holiday for federal elections and providing for simultaneous closing of polling booths throughout the nation. Now a group of senators has Fewer Trains to Ride No Miracles Likely The seemingly indestructible rumor that cellophane strips from cigarette packages can be traded for guide dogs for blind persons is making the rounds in this area. "It just isn't true. It never has been true and we can't convince people of the truth," Edward Murray, Regional Consultant of AFB for this area, said. "That rumor has popped up in one form or another for the past twenty years, and the hoax means heartbreak for the blind person and needless work for those who collect the bands." Murray went on to say that the only way a blind person can get a guide dog is by direct application and that no blind person is ever refused because of lack of funds.

The cigarette band hoax takes many forms sometimes supposedly eight pounds of the red bands would be enough to get a guide dog, sometimes ten pounds, sometimes 5,000 or 10,000 individuals trips. There have been similar types of rumors if saved, empty cigarette packages and tea bag labels supposedly can get guide dogs. They are aU untrue. The American Foundation for the Blind serves as a clearinghouse for information about blindness and promotes the development of educational, rehabilitation, and social welfare services for blind and multi-handicapped deaf-blind children and adults. Hoover in storage, there will be a big gap in our national history." "But there has been an outcry "lately to replace' him with something modem and more up to date." "The National Fine Arts Commission faces this dilemma every day.

Dp you stay with the old or go with the new? It is our feeling that Mr. Hoover is the only living national monument left in Washington, and we would be doing a great disservice to the country if we tore him down." "I can see that from your point of view," I said. "But what about progress? You can't ignore the needs of the capital." "You must keep in mind," the man said, "that Washington is a tourist town, and people from all over the world come here to see the foundations of this country. The first sight everyone wants to see is J. Edgar Hoover.

For 47 years he has been one of the main attractions. Children have grown up with his legend. He is an inspiration to every American. We would not be fulfilling our function if at this late date we took him off his pedestal." "I appreciate history as much as anyone," I said. "But if the Fine Arts Commission refuses to replace Mr.

Hoover, he could be the head of the FBI forever." "Perhaps, but our business is to protect this nation's landmarks. We're not concerned with politics or the demands of the times. All we ask ourselves is Does, it fit in with the old architecture of the city, it jffl.jynbjaru:ej.pf a By ART BUCHWALD WASHINGTON Once again the critics are yelling for J. Edgar, Hoover's resignation. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs last week demanded that Atty.

Gen. John Mitchell replace the FBI leader. Other senators have asked the President to force retirement on the 76-year-old Hoover. The trouble with this is that neither John Mitchell nor the President of the United States has the authority to make Mr. Hoover quit.

What very few people realize is that J. Edgar Hoover is a National Monument and the only one who can alter his status is the National Fine Arts Commission. The National Fine Arts Commission is composed of seven people who have the authority to declare which monuments in Washington stay and which ones go. There is no possible way of moving J. Edgar Hoover unless the Fine Arts Commission decides he no longer serves an historical purpose.

So far, the commission has been reluctant to declare Mr. Hoover surplus. One commission member told me, "The test of an historical monument is whether it represents an era that every- one is interested in." "What era in history does J. Edgar Hoover represent?" I "The Dillinger period. Hoover is the only monument we have in Washington com-.

memorating the wonderful days of put would end speculation that reports from one area of the country, after its polls had closed, could affect voting in another area where polls remain open. Supporters of the measure believe it would improve the American voting record, one of the sorriest in any democracy. In 1964, only 62 per cent of those eligible voted for one of the presidential candidates, and generally less than 50 per cent vote in off-year congressional elections. While the Governors Conference recommended a 24-hour election day, the Senate bill calls for not less than 12 hours, which would appear to be ample. In order to achieve simultaneous closing, booths in the East would close at 11 p.m.

Eastern Standard Time and all others would conform, closing at 10 p.m. in the Central time zone, 9 p.m. in the Mountain zone, 8 p.m. Pacjfic and 6 p.m. Alaska-Hawaii time.

Whether to call a national holiday for this purpose is something else. Employes: are granted by law the right to take time off to vote. Out here in the West the situation appears to pose no problem, although it may do "so in thelargercentefyof pd introduced a bill for those purposes and to change the day of election to the first Monday after the first Sunday in November. The measure deserves consideration. If approved, it would take effect Jan.

1, 1974, to give the states ample time to enact implementing legislation. Peter Dominick, Colorado Republican, speaking for the bill, said it should cause increased participation in elections, it should focus attention on the importance of voting, and cause less interference with business than Tuesday balloting. Tuesday was selected in 1845, Senator Dominick said, because of sentiment against requiring some service likely will be vastly improved. At first, however, Railpax will concentrate on eliminating the little things that often make rail travel today unpleasant late trains, surly crews and ticket agents, dirty cars and the multitude of other abuses that have become common on all but a handful of railroads. By cutting down on the number of trains, Railpax will be able to use only "modem" rail cars built since 1950.

If that doesn't sound impressive, keep in mind that some passenger cars running today are 40 years old or older. New equipment is several years in the future. Even if Railpax ordered new cars today, it would be up to three years before they could be delivered Airlines Style Many of the "improvements" envisioned in passenger trains have been accepted practice on the airlines for years. By DONALD S. PHILLIPS WASHINGTON (UPI) -Rail-pax, the government-backed corporation set up to preserve the passenger train, will produce no miracles.

A ride on a Railpax train on May 1, the takeover date, will be pretty much like it was the day before except there will be fewer trains to ride. Only 184 of the remaining 285 passenger trains will be left, most of them along the Eastern Seaboard. With inadequate funding, no new eauioment the same train employes and a planned first-year, deficit of $100 million, Railpax hopes to use little more than smart marketing and guts to. reverse the decline in rail passenger traffic that has held steady since J929, when 20,000 trains crossed the country. Aiming For Convenience There will be improvements, of in jhe long haul, voters travel on Sunday in order to reach their Dolline Dlaces.

This is an. a I anachronism in the modern world, a horse and buggy provision in the day of superhighways. Sictiultineouriprosing "of Who Said It? Advice is seldom welcome. Those who need it most like it least: Megiddo.