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4 Volume 72, Number 84' Tuesday, February 4, 1964 Letters To The Editor Qtye Satfit alar ifrcl 70 Years of Editorial Freedom Published daily except Mondays, examinations periods and vacations, throughout the aca demic year by the Publications Board of the University of North Carolina. Printed by the Chapel Hill Publishing Company, Inc., 501 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, N. C. Shifting Since we stopped publishing two weeks ago during final exams, the civil rights situation in Chapel Hill has de teriorated considerably. Resentment is bubbling in all directions and there have been several incidents of violence. Thanks to the cool-headed efforts of Police Chief William D.. Blake and his firm police force, however, there ap pears to be little likelihood that things will get seriously out of hand. Chief Blake has made it clear he and his men will countenance no incidents from any one, and for this he deserves the sin cere gratitude of everyone. Students, as well as townspeople and others, who think it might be cute to heckle or harass demonstrators, should remember this. If it has nothing else, Chapel Hill has an integrated jail. Now what about the situation? Where is all of this protest and resent ment leading? That's the million-dollar question. From here, things look rather bleak, and chances for any sort of honorable solution to our situation appear slim indeed. The civil rights demonstrators are not about to cease dramatizing their desire for an end to segregation in Chapel Hill; the Board of Alder men is no more likely to pass a public accommodations ordinance now than it was before demonstrations began. One fact needs to be reported, how ever. It is that the civil rights move ment here is gaining grass-roots A Significant The Rev. Mr. B. Elton Cox, a mili tant integration leader from High Point, N. C, has raised the ghastly spectre of the possibility of self-immolation in Chapel Hill. Speaking at the First .Bap tist Church. Sunday afternoon, Cox told about 250 whites and Negroes that he is considering burning himself, and suggested other Negroes do the same. "If these Negroes can don uniforms to fight for the United States in for eign countries, then they certainly ought to be able to give their lives for the basic right of human dignity in their homeland," he said. Cox has brought to light a prospect too hideous to imagine, but one that i i Gary Blanchard, Dave Ethridge Co-Editirs Business Manager .... Art Pearce Managing Editor .... Fred Seely Advertising Manager Fred McConnel Associate Editor Hugh Stevens News Editor Bob Samsot PJwto Editor .. , 1 Jim Wallace Sports Editor Curry Kirkpatrick Asst. Sports Editor John Montague Reporters'. Mickey Blackwell, Administration Peter Wales, Campus Affairs Editorial Assistants: Linda. Riggs Dale Keyser Shirley Travis Contributing Writers: Jim Neal John Greenbacker Suzy Sterling esse And. Editors, The Tar Heel: Since several references have been made to WCHL's October interview with Jesse Helms and the tape recording of it in our files, it seeems appropriate to clear the air concerning just what we have record. . Because of an engineer's nigth mare, a once-in-a-thousand-in-terviews technical problem caus ed a vital portion of Mr. Helms comments to be lost. They were missed when an overheated tape recorder just decided to stop working. However, enough of what he said is still on tape to generally conclude that (1) In deed, as he has said since, he did not offer to debate the Daily Tar Heel editors on his station but, (2) neither did he specify that his "prime time" for a "confrontation" would be be given only to Messrs. Friday andor Aycock. Following is a transcript of the portion of the interview with WCHL's Flip Latham . relating to - the proposed debate. It be- The Onus Of 'Gradualism strength among local, older Negroes. This appears to be related to the fact that demonstration leaders are begin ing to move into the areas of employ ment and housing discrimination, which are infinitely more important to Negro parents than being able to eat where they wish to. Our own position remains the same as it has been. We subscribe to the ends of the demonstrators and we appre ciate the fact that there has been little progress towards racial equality with out prodding from demonstrators. We challenge the basic premise of many whites who sincerely believe in the cause of equality but think "gradual ism" is the only way to achieve it. For their basic premise is that the Negro must bear the onus of "gradualism," not the recalcitrant white. We think it is about time that the owners of Chapel Hill's few remaining segregated busi nesses bear this onus that they get used to the idea of serving all on an equal basis, rather than requiring the Negro to wait until they are ready to serve him. This goes for the areas of employment, education and housing as well. We think it is a position . deserving of neither praise nor condemnation. It is the only honorable course open to us all as Americans and as human beings. The sooner we recognize this and act accordingly, the sooner will demonstra tions here and elsewhere be unnecessary. New Mood Of would surely generate reactions on both sides that would be unparalleled by the demonstrations to date. But what would be the effect of this threat if it were carried out? We have serious doubts that the phoenix of understanding and racial equality would arise from these flames, but rather the opposite might well occur. We might find the Bar netts and Wallaces warming their hands over the fire as the United States is unfairly embarrassed over a prob lem that most people are conscientious ly trying to solve. Cox says he is advocating others to do the same thing. This is grossly ir responsible and unfair on his part. Jf the Rev. Mr. Cox decides against self immolation, but reaches others suffi ciently dedicated and sufficiently un balanced to burn themselves, their death would be on his hands. We doubt Cox really wants that burden to carry. But the fact that we must, at least emotionally, feel the prospect of a self immolation to be remote should not hide from us what we must learn from what Cox said. It provides a shocking insight into the Negroes' deep-seated frustration and .the means to which he could go in venting this frustration. It also provides stark insight into the growing bitterness of many Negroes over the white man's never-ending counsels of "patience." It is obvious we had best take note of this new note of desperation, and take note quickly. gins with a discussion of the Tar Heel's invitation to Mr. Helms to come to Chapel Hill to debate the Communist speak er ban law: HELMS: "...I would ques tion your statement that the students are more affected than anyone else (referring to a statement earlier in the conver sation by Latham) that is at least not res ipso loquitur . . . it's debatable. They (the DTH editors) say they cannot get anybody (to debate). They have invited Clarence Stone, I be lieve. They have invited Mr. Orange County Representative Phipps, but isn't it curious to you that they haven't invited even one of the legislators who signed the bill? LATHAM: Well, I think it is, yes. But ... HELMS: Would you want to explain that for me? LATHAM: No, sir, I was just trying to get your opinions. I don't ; know too much about it. Entered as 2nd class matter at the Post Office in Chapel Hill, N. C, pursuant to Act of March 8, 1870. Subscription rates i $4.50 per semester; $8 per year. Desperation rm tie I. got back in the States just about the time that this thing went through the legislature. HELMS: Well, I would .think that it would, of course I'm not a" college editor and I don't think like one obviously, but if I were going to get someone to defend a : bill that had been passed by the legislative body, I would first think of the per son who wrote the bill, who happens to be Secretary of State Thad Eure and the Attor ney General of North Carolina. I would certainly invite the At torney General who has defend ed Jt. I would consider inviting the Assistant Attorney General who wrote a very comprehen sive brief on the subject. I don't know that I would first go to a legislator. I don't know whether Mr. Phipps signed the bill or not. I think he did not. I would not necessarily go to the presiding officer of the Senate. I would get somebody ... and I cer tainly wouldn't go to an editor of a newspaper or of a tele A Graduate Editors, The Tar Heel: Since my graduation from the University in February of 1961, I have done my best to keep abreast of the University, its pro blems and accomplishments. Cer tainly, those of you who are stu dents now have been witness andor participant to many events. Since 1961, UNC has been frequented by crisis, conflict and excitement of several kinds. My subscription to The Daily Tar Heel has enabled me to keep "up with these events. The Gag Law (and along with it the charge by some North Caro linians that Chapel Hill is infest ed with Communism), the racial demonstrations that have just re cently encountered such base ness, the apartment rule last spring and the accompanying im plication that the faculty and ad ministration are removing some of the student autonomy, the "anti-fraternity movement," Ote- lia Conner, and the great UNC victory in the 1963 Gator Bowl, to name a few. The Gag Law, to be sure. handcuffs us all the state, the nation, and, of course, the Uni versity and its inherent right to impart the truth. Chancellor William B. Ay cock has been in finitely bold and courageous on our behalf. He has fought and is fighting like a champion to rid the school of such a handicap. . This handicap is now spelled out in capitals with the realization that it is delaying if not prevent ing the American Physical So ciety from meeting here in 1965. That Chapel Hill is infested with Communism is also a mis directed charge. Most any town that houses and is dependent upon a genuine university must reflect the somewhat liberal at- itudes of that university. When ever there is real freedom there will be extremism, both right and left, to some degree. More rigid controls over such liberties usually serve as a catalyst, in creasing such extremism. Since the late '50's there, have been civil rights demonstrations Editors, The Tar Heel: "Come now, and let us reason saith the Lord . . ." (Isiah 1:18). "For God is not the author of ,r confusion, but of peace . . ." (1 Corinthians 14:33). "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the chil dren of God." (Matthew 5:9). The racial question in America today is one of such magnitude and complexity, especially with regard to its psychological na ture and social aspects, that I have refrained from even men tioning the words "integration" and "segregation" in print, or orally, as often as possible. It is a controversy fraught with emotion on both sides and there are even those on both sides who would deny that the problem even HAS two sides! My reluctance to discuss inte gration vs. segregation is not (I think) based upon fear or cow ardice. It is based, rather, upon my ignorance, and lack of wis dom. I have no glib answers; nor can I suggest a long list of workable solutions. Yet, I am not disinterested, or unconcern ed. - My interest is in ALL people of the ENTIRE nation; and. I am concerned, like uncounted mil lions, over the fact that this na tion is torn asunder by internal strife. I am neither white nor Negro; my birth certificate bears the word "INDIAN." But I AM wise enough to know that no great problem was ever solved solely with emotion. If there was ever a time when Americans needed to be cool-headed and vision station, regardless of how emphatic anyone of these men had been. Now, secondly, are you aware of the nature of the invitation? LATHAM: What do you mean exactly, sir? HELMS : Have you read the letter which extended the in vitation? LATHAM: No, I understand from the editor that first of all an excerpt from the editorial was sent out to each of you, and then after that a formal request was made. Now, that's what the editor of the Daily Tar Heel says. HELMS: Well, the first I knew of it I received a tear sheet from the editor with a terse note asking me to come to the campus. The letter in no way described the nature or the size of the suggested meeting, where or how it would be con ducted, or under whose sponsor ship it would be held. I'll tell you the truth. Even if I had been invited to defend mother- Compr JL I v HP TFT J litis in Chapel Hill. When I was a student most attempts were di rected to the desegregation of the local theatres. These demonstra tions were orderly and peaceful. Today they seem to be of a dif ferent personality, perhaps be cause the places that are not de segregated have held out so ada mantly since this all began. Thus, they are the most determined not to desegregate. On the other hand, CORE and NAACP seem to be strongly organized in Chap el Hill now, and they are just" as adamant in wanting to achieve equal rights for all. Certainly this is a worthy objective and we should all strive for it. But, let us not be intolerant and let us not be caught in the emotional frenzy which sometimes accom panies self - righteousness. Our adversaries have given us the example of how not to behave. I wish to congratulate those of you who have fought for stu dent autonomy. Certainly, it is one of UNC's virtues and bul warks of strength as a Univer sity. For years the University administration has prided itself on the very fact that it has en couraged student autonomy and that it has complemented the well-being of the academic at mosphere. To allow the admini stration to remove these student powers would result in a genuine loss to the students as well as an atmosphere of hypocrisy. During the past few years the UNC fraternities have faced se vere criticism from the DTH staff, students, and occasionally, the faculty. Obviously, any worth- Which? Editors, The Tar Heel: You can hit a man on the head with the butt of a gun and in jure his brain. There are laws against this. You can hit a man's self-respect with a "WHITE ONLY" sign and injure both his personality and his spirit. WTiich is the greater crime? Closs Peace Wardlaw raise: The reasonable, it is now. Nor will threats and denuncia tions solve anything. It should go without saying that anything which cannot be accomplished legally, morally and within the bounds of good taste, probably should not be accomplished at all. No matter what the- cause is, either worthy or unworthy, its proponents should, first of all, determine who are its friends and who are its foes. Since a cause must have supporters in order to succeed, it is the height of folly for its proponents to at tack its friends. Speaking as one member of a minority group which is- even smaller than that of the Negro, and basing my observation on two years- actually spent in' Chap el Hill, I can tell you in all sin cerity that Chapel Hill is not the enemy of Negro progress. At least seventy-five per cent of its businesses are not segregated. Much of this desegregation was brought about not by legislation or agitation, but by voluntary endeavor. Is this the thanks CORE hands out to those who, in good conscience and often at great personal sacrifice, have furthered the same cause CORE professes to be furthering? Do threats reflect good will? They do not; they reflect, rather, a lack of gratitude and apprecia tion. And senseless threats may set the Negro cause father back in a day than it has gained in a century. Fortunately, Chapel Hill- is a tolerant town; but that is not to toe hood or Christianity, I wouldn't do so under, the invitation of two college editors who gave me no more facts than they did. I- think it was a completely im mature way of handling it. Of course, I think it is obvious that it was calculated to produce a rejection of the invitation, but I. doubt that they could get any body to accept an invitation under the circumstances. LATHAM: You think that it was just in the nature of the request itself that was sort of distasteful, in other words. HELMS: Well, it was to me. They've got to show me some more planning on a meeting be fore I would even consider it. Now they come back with an editorial saying, that I am afraid and make certain other personal statements, or impli cations, which are somewhat , amusing because I've been called a lot of things, . Mr. Lat ham, but I've never been called a coward ... LATHAM: Well, the' editorial Looks . Back At UNC while system or organization can stand criticism and constructive criticism can' be helpful. r feel that I can speak with some authority on fraternities as I was initiated at Miami Uni versity of Ohio (generally con sidered the "Mother of Fraterni ties" as Beta Theta Pi, Phi Del ta and Sigma Chi were all found ed there) and transferred my membership to a UNC fraternity. During my experiences as Secre tary of . the IFC at Chapel Hill, I came face to face -with many of the current problems. Sure, there is discrimination within the fraternities. I person ally fought this issue in my own house as wre had unknowingly pledged a Jewish boy. Most of us wanted to initiate him, de spite threats from our national chapter that they would with draw our chapter. In the end, Face The Facts Editors, The Tar Heel: I have been impressed by the position of THE TAR HEEL on the racial situation in Chapel Hill. We cannot solve this prob lem by burying our heads in the sand. It seems to me that too many whites are prone to take refuge in every possible legality, while all around us swirls the overwhelming, real issue the question of morality. And then they wonder what is going on, and why there can't be peace . for a while longer. It should be obvious by now that there will never be any peace until we stop trying to take refuge in legalities whatever merit they may in themselves possess and face the real issue. Certainly, the businesman may at present refuse to serve a Ne gro because it is his legal right to do so but over and above the legal aspects of the situation there remains a moral issue that simply will not go away. What must the Negro do to convince us of this? Robert G. Coffeen Solution say that it is a soft one. I seri ously doubt that' CORE will be able to threaten it into doing any thing which, in the judgment of its duly installed Aldermen, is not in the interest of ALL the people of the town. Governor Sanford has spoken out against CORE threats. He speaks for the official State of North Carolina, and opposing him would be utterly foolhardy. He has been a true friend to ALL North Carolinians in the past, and minority groups should not even WISH to oppose him. It seems to me that the ele ment of face-saving has entered the picture, now that both CORE and the State have spoken. Well, all is not lost. CORE, or some other group furthering the Ne gro cause, can simply make a public statement saying that out of appreciation for Chapel Hill's tolerance and good will in the past, no further demonstrations will be carried out. That would assure those who have been friendly to the Negro cause in the past, or at least tolerant of the movementt, that their friend ship was really appreciated. Both Federal and State laws have been abused in the past; and whether they were abused by one side or another or both sides a continued disregard for the law1 can lead only to grief for ALL Americans. One simply does not enforce the law by breaking the law. Patience is a godly virtue, and here it will pay off in huge div idends. Lew Barton that I have before me now . . . HELMS: I have it before me. I got it since I got on the line. LATHAM: It says ". . . he turned down our invitation with the irrelevant suggestion that we invite J. Edgar Hoover to express his views on the sub ject." HELMS: Well, of course it's a matter of opinion whether that's irrelevant. LATHAM: Yes. HELMS: Do you think that's a matter of opinion? Mr. Hoover has been very outspoken on this subject. He is very concerned about it. So area great many people in government who I suspect are somewhat better in formed than the editors of the Tar Heel. Now I would be cur ious as to the motivation be hind this.- Is this the idea of the editors of the Tar Heel, or is there some other group interest ed in this thing? If so, why did they deliberately avoid contact ing the introducers of the bill? Why was Secretary of State WCHL he was "balled" by two members of the house, all other members being in favor of his initiation. Ideally, there must not be dis crimination because of race, col or, creed, etc. But realistically, it is different. Keeping in mind that the fraternity is a social in stitution, think of yourself plan ning a party. Wouldn't you in vite the people most akin to your likes, dislikes, and thus those who would be most likely' to get along with each other. This is, essentially, what the fra ternity tries to do in the selection of its members. Most fraternity men do not relish the thought of turning any man away. They would like to pledge as many as are interested. Some students have advocated through -the DTH that the Uni versity should prohibit those fra ternities who discriminate from being on the campus. Before the University can consider such a move, it should tear down some of its own barriers. Granted, the school should be praised for al lowing integration as early as 1954. This is commendable. But, why is it that there are no Ne- Leaders? Editors, The Tar Heel, Chapel Hill has about as high ly concentrated brains in that area as any comparable town of its size in the United States. My great - grandfather, my grandfather, my father and I worked there, and my brother Ed Caldwell still serves there with the Dekes. I waited on many Carolina alumni during my boyhood who are now lead ers in this and other states: Lenior Chambers, Watts Hill, Bill Pless, Leo Harvey, Bob Vaughn, the Spaugh boys, Al bert Coats, Allen Martin, Gus Travis, "Wop" Femister, and Reid Russell. Wherever these men are I am sure they are making a contribution to the society in which they live. It is embarrassing to those who love the University and its traditions to read of the un favorable publicity that the town is now getting because those who are able to lead are not assuming their responsibility in finding the solution to the racial problems that are facing Chapel Hill today. The hot, but not too gentle, winds of change are blowing across the whole universe to day, but tomorrow these winds might become a hurricane. The so-called Christian World has the greatest opportunity of its lifetime to put into practice the principles and philosophy that was emulated in the life of the I rowly Carpenter of Nazareth over two thousand years ago. E. B. Caldwell Asheville Illusion Editors, The Tar Heel: Many dictionaries define alco hol as a stimulant. Many advertisers would have us believe alcohol is uplifting. Many people drink alcohol to get that good-feeling illusion. However, medical science has proven alcohol is not a stimul ant. It is a deterrent that makes a person dizzy first, then drowsy. Some become the life of the par ty, in their effort to overcome the drowsiness. Pretending they feel good, giving a false impres sion that has come down thru generations. This false impressions has in duced men to drink the stuff, of ten with tragic results. If people were told the truth about alcohol, there would be less alcoholics today. J. L. Bulla Morehead City Interv Eure left out of this thing? Why was Mister Burton left out of it? There are a lot of questions about it. Now I don't think that anybody is reluctant to discuss this thing. As a matter of fact we'll be glad to have a con frontation on this station and I hereby authorize you, sir, to say so on your radio prog . . . (here the infernal tape record er chose to garble several seconds of the interview, but a kick or two made it begin again as Mr. Helms continued) . . . I think this can be arranged and we will cancel out prime time to provide such a confrontation . . . and furthermore, we will not be vague about the details of the thing. LATHAM: Okay, well that's mighty fine. HELMS: That's about all I have to say about it. I think the editors of the Tar Heel need to ' approach this thing with a little more maturity than they have, and certainly if they expect to get an acceptance of their in groes on UNC athletic teams? Certainly, there have been cap able ones who could have made it, both athletically and scholas tically. Bobby Bell (who became " AU-American football playf--at Minnesota) and Walt Bellamy (who was an All-American bas ketball star at Indiana) are two Negroes I know of who probably would have been available to UNC if this apparent discrimina tion did not exist. I would like to say that being a fraternity member contributed' more than any other single fac tor to my happiness in college. It was a wonderful refuge from the perplexities of academic life in that it gave me opportunity to relax and enjoy myself among friends, when the time could be spared. It gave me a place to bring my dates and entertain them through its various social programs. More important, it taught me to live with other men, respect their opinions and ideas) and work with them in building a better fraternity, University and community. Perhaps, UNC, like some schools, can allow new fraterni ties on campus and thus absorb as many students who wish to join. Miami of Ohio has Negro fraternities and everyone seems happy with this arrangement. Finally, those of you who are students now need not feci iso lated, for Chapel Hill and the University are very much alive. indeed. Both are facing the cur rent problems, local and foreign, with the courage, foresight, and dedication that have character ized the University for years. Jim Noyes, Jr., '61 Quantico, Va. Ouch! Editors, The Tar Heel, I am writing in regard to your recent letter implying the narrow mindedness of the Chap el Hill merchants as a whole. As the daughter of a mer chant of this town, I resent the tone of the editorial criticizing this town's principles in the matter of integration. Over the past year I can re member many times sitting down to dinner without my fath er, who had an integration meet ing to attend or a board meet ing that he couldn't miss. I am not saying that we did not ex pect this, he was president of the Merchants Association, and we : knew that his job carried with' it a lot of responsibility. But , who can forsee difficulty in a year like the last one? When an Editor of the Daily Tar Heel can say that Chapel Hill mer chants do not strive for a peace ful settlement to this problem, then, I am also entitled to voice the opinions of the opposite side, if, indeed, sides must be taken. I know for a fact that many of the merchants of this town have actually pleaded with the hold outs to integrate peacefully. Meeting after meeting has been held after store hours, when father should be home with their families, not conducting business. Many cups of coffee have been drunk around tables at eleven o'clock at night, while merchants discussed integration. No, we are not fully integrated in this to ATI, but we're 95 per cent so, and much of that has been done over the past year, with the help of 95 percent of the merchants of this town. It is narrow mindedness like yours that sets the cause of the Negro people back. If editorials are to be printed, they should be printed factually, working and striving for a goal through pub lic knowledge of a problem, not by bhiming a group of peo ple who are working overtime to preserve the peace of the town they live and work in. Sincerely yours, Karen Kemp ew vitation. (END OF TRANSCRIPT) That's it, fellows. Somehow I feel in your zeal to air your grievance, both you and Mr. Helms' have remembered only what you thought he said ... or wanted him to say. And, indeed, he may not be a coward, but I don't remember his mentioning Messrs. Friday or Aycock until word got around that Major McLendon wanted to "take him on". Maybe Mr. Helms has heard what we have, that he and his cause may not be a match for the persuasive Major. At any rate, the WCHL inter view referred to so many times as proof of something-or-other doesn't prove a lot because of the garble, but what we have of it is new in print for anyone to argue over as long as they wish. Sincerely, Jim Heavner WCHL RADIO
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Feb. 4, 1964, edition 1
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