Seventy-Third Year
EDiTED AND MANAGED Y $TUDENTs OF THE UNVExSrFT OF M CHGAN
UNDER AUTHORrIY OF BOARD IN CONTROL Of STUDENT PU3 -CATWN
*1 pii "re * STUDENT PU3LKCATIONS BLDG., ANN ARBOR, Mx H., Po N wo 2-3241
orials printed in The Michigan Daily express the individual opinions of staff writers
or the editors. TJis must be noted in all reprints.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Greek 'Police' System
An Intolerable Facade
1
'°
DAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1963
NIGHT EDITOR: KENNETH WINTER
Council Abdicates
Its Responsibility
AJTER SEVERAL YEARS of wrangling it
appears that Student Government Council
La ging to settle the problem of membership
selection In student organizations at its next
(wo meetings. Up for adoption is a long, in-
volved legalistic document which supposedly
protects Council from the charge that it is
exerclsing illegal authority when acting against
dbscrimmation in student groups.
Unfortunately the proposal is a failure. Not
0nly does it abdicate SOC's clearly delegated
power in the area but it confuses the whole
rnembership selection controversy.
There are two main issues which Council has
bo deal with. The first is the refusal of five
aororities to submit data on their membership
selection practices to SOC. This refusal is based
mn the grounds that Council does not have the
wer to establish rules requesting the sub-
isson of relevant information. The second
isue Is that of discrimination in nembership
election by student organizations. What is
zreeded here is a procedure whereby discrimi-
ikting groups will be forced to comply with
he anti-discrimination bylaw 2.14, and if they
efuse, punishment will be levied.
The two issues are unrelated. The five sorori-
les are not refusing to submit statements be-
ause they discriminate. They do not. They are
otesting Council's right to demand what they
otnsider to be private information.
INCE THE TWO ISSUES are unrelated two
separate procedures are necessary to resolve
hem. The question of the five sororities is the
Waslest to settle.
Last May 17 the Regents passed a resolution
+hich involved granting to SGC "the power
o establish rules relating to recognition of
tudent organizations, power to establish rules
'equirng the furnishing of relevant informa-
Ion and rules relating to precedures for
ettling any controversies which may arise."
Thus the Regents, the constitutional gov-
*rning body for the University has delegated to
10C the right to require the furnishing of in-
rmation. SOC passed a motion requiring such
ubmission; the sorority refusal therefore is
, refusal to abide by a ,policy of the Regents.
Council's next action is clear. A letter must
>e sent to each of the sororities demanding
hat they file or face the consequences. If they
till refuse then Council should withdraw rec-
gniton from them for failure to comply with
University policy. As far as the legal basis is
here, this should be all that is needed.
E SECOND QUESTION-that of discrim-
ination by student organizations in mem-
>ership selection-is also simple. SGC should
IFC Effort
In 'Watching
WJITH AUTHORITY goes responsibility.
Interfraternity Council is making a vig-
rous and sensible effort to assume direct
uthority over all types of fraternity violations,
Under the most forward-looking leadership
t has enjoyed in many years, IFC has ap-
ealed to Joint Judiciary Council and Student
government Council for authority to handle
oth fraternity conduct violations and fra-
ernity discriminatory cases.
Practically assured of getting both vestments
f authority on a permanent basis, IFC Presi-
ent Clifford Taylor and Executive Vice-
resident Richard Mandel must now be sure
tiat IFC will take, for this year and always,
tie responsibility that goes with it.
For even as the authority is being trans-
erred, both student councils emphasize that
tiey are still watching.
R THE APPEAL to Joint Judic, Mandel cited
"the Taylor credo that IFC should "watch-
og its own house." He simply asked Joint
udic to refer to IFC all cases concerning fra-
rnity conduct violations for disposal by the
PC judicial branch-the executive committee.
Judic granted the request, making Provisions
r its referral committee to send the appro-
riate cases to IFC. But at the same time, Joint
udic issued a warning.
As Judic Chairnan Harry Youtt expressed it,
le transfer was temporary, contingent on two
acts..
First, Judic retained the right to review IFC's
andling of these referred cases in April of next
ear. Second, and most important, Youtt issued
"strong recommendation" that IFC revise
s judicial structure to make it entirely sep-
rate from the executive one.
He was specifically objecting to "the policy-
dvising capacity" which the judicial executive
>mmittee, chaired by Mandel, serves in addi-
on to its judicial duties.
OBJECTIONS AND WARNINGS will no
doubt also accompany SGC's grant of
riginal investigative authority over fraternity
iscrimination to an IFC-Panhellenic Associa-
establish a membership committee to receive
complaints and make investigations. This body
would act like a grand jury. It would subjeona
relevant information, hear the concerned par-
ties and determine whether there is a basis
for the complaint.
If there is, two steps are possible. The
gathered information can be submitted to
Council for punitive action. Or Council could
draw up a list of penalties which the mem-
bership committee itself could levy with Coun-
cil reserving for itself a review function. The
proposed fraternity-sorority membership com-
mittee could work with Council's committee.
The legal basis for this procedure is also
quite explicit. The right of SGC to implement
bylaw 2.14 in the area of student organizations
was specifically included in the Regents resolu-
tion.
IN CONTRAST with the above, the proposal
Council is presently considering would set
up a three man membership tribunal com-
posed of a student, faculty member and ad-
ministrator. This body would. determine guilt
and levy penalties. SGC would merely rubber
stamp its decisions.
This "farming out" of controversial matters
to a body where students are in a minority is
an abdication of Council's responsibility. The
members are willing to set up the rules gov-
erning the settlement of the controversy but
paradoxically are afraid to make a final de-
cision. If the members really feel that they are
not responsible enough to make a final decision
then they should resign from Council, because
they are not responsible enough to act in other
areas.
In addition to its being an abdication of
Council's responsibility the proposed motion is
written in such legalistic terms that many stu-
dents find it hard, if not impossible, to under-
stand. This legal jargon, ostensibly put in to
protect Council, is unnecessary since the policy
of the Regents and protection against arbitrary
action are all that is needed.
COUNCIL IS now facing its most significant
decision in a long time. If the members
approve the present proposal, a boycott of the
coming SGC election on the grounds that
Council is a do-nothing body will be fully jus-
tified. If they face up to their responsibility,
clear up the present confusion over the two
issues and take it upon themselves to resolve
controversies, they will open the door to a
strong future.
-RONALD WILTON
Editor
t Vigorj"ous
Own House'
The request has of course not yet been of-
ficially made. Taylor has announced his in-
tention to submit an amendment to Council
tonight which would establish a fraternity-
sorority membership committee.
This committee, again in line with the
"clean thy own house" policy of Taylor, would
be given original investigative authority for
fraternity and sorority alleged discrimination
cases. It could also refer fraternity violations
to the IFC executive committee.
Placed into the motion currently before
Council, the amendment would still maintain
SGC's authority over discrimination, Taylor
has emphasized.
COUNCIL WILL no doubt accept Taylor's
assurances and amendment, but with res-
ervation.
President Thomas Brown has indicated his
aim to make a clear delineation of authority
for this Greek membership committee under
the SGC membership committee and to specify
the Greek committee's position generally in re-
lation to SGC.
SOC will doubtlessly also hold onto the
Taylor wording that SGC may act at "such
time that the SGC membership committee finds
that said (Greek) committee is not adequately
functioning."
In this way, regardless of Taylor's satisfac-
tory, assurances that -he is being co-operative
and not an obstructionist, Council will keep a
needle with which to goad a balky IFC if one
were ever to exist.
THE POINT IS that Taylors and Mandels
don't grow off the IFC vine every year. In
their effort to assume responsibility-complete
responsibility-for fraternity conduct, Taylor
and Mandel have done a commendable job of
placing IFC on a scale above both SGC and
Joint Judic which seem only too happy to pass
off power.
But, at the same time, this new authority
will give IFC responsibilities such that it has
never had before. Taylor sincerely pledges his
co-operation to SGC; the last IFC President
Jnhn Meverhnltz scrnei SC in nonhbtl
WAS NFRA\DP 5OMUU t L KE TIQS 7 MK6S 1 IfWIf'oV 1ALI AN
FISCAL REFORM PLAN:
Income Tax: /r..Justice'
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the
eighth in a series of articles inves-
tigating Gov. George Romney's pro-
posed fiscal reform program.)
By STEVEN HALLER
THUS FAR, the specific legisla-
tions included in Gov. George
Romney's 12-part plan have been
concerned mainly with moves
which would lower the amount of
tax-based revenue coming into
state coffers.
With the tenth proposal, we
finally see where the new revenue
will come from to make up the
deficit. It is this proposal, the
imposition of a system of state-
wide income taxes which will
either make or break Romney's
program in the Legislature.
Romney's proposal is a tripar-
tite system of flat-rate taxes, with
two per cent levied on the individ-
ual, 3.5 per cent levied on corpora-
tions, and 5.5 per cent levied on
financial institutions. The selec-
tion of a flat rate tax rather than
a progressive levy, according to
Romney, "will more accurately re-
flect what we expect to, be a
growing economy in Michigan."
Those who do not go along with
this idea have little choice in the
matter, since the new statecon-
stitution prohibits a graduated in-
come tax.
THE GOVERNOR has suggest-
ed that individuals be allowed the
usual federal exemptions of $600
for the taxpayer and each de-
pendent, along with deductions for
age and blindness. However, he is
inconsistent for he suggests that
the federal system of deductions
should not hold on the state level.
Under the federal system, one may
deduct either 10 per cent of his
gross income up to $1000 or submit
a list of itemized deductions.
According to Romney, his plan
has three primary results. For
one thing, "it will provide a broad-
er taxpaying base, in keeping with
the theory that everybody bene-
fits from state government, so
everybody should pay at least
something."
Of course, everybody supposedly
benefits from federal government
too, so what it all comes down to
is that the taxpayers will be get-
ting a big enough break by being
permitted to use their standard
$600 deductions; they shouldn't be
greedy about it, according to the
governor.
ANOTHER important outcome
of Romney's plan is that "it will be
simpler for the taxpayer: unless he
has more than $250 of non-pay-
roll income, his withholding will
be his tax return."
It will indeed be simpler for the
taxpayer, but it will just as surely
be more expensive for him as well.
The general plan seems to be get-
ting nearer and nearer to what
one wit called the "ideal simplified
tax form: 1) How much did you
make last year? 2) How much do
you have left? 3) Mail it in."
Furthermore, it is not neces-
sarily simpler for the state tax-
payer not to have to figure out
his exemptions. since he must fig-
tive expenses otherwise required
to check the itemized deductions
of taxpayers, who usually are in
the higherincome brackets, and
thus assure that there can be few-
er cases of dodging taxes through
padded expense reporting."
There are two good things that
can be said about this part. The
reduction of administrative ex-
penses will be a great help to
Romney's "economy kick." The
permission to submit itemized ex-
pense accounts is better off left
to the hands of the federal gov-
ernment, since "economy" seems to
be considered an obscene word to
some federal congressmen.
* * *
IMPOSITION of the corporate
profits tax will not mean that
businesses pay more taxes, since
the business activities tax would
be repealed and the corporation
franchise fee would be revised un-
der Romney's program. The gover-
nor also calls for businesses to pay
20 per cent less in property taxes.
At present, Michigan is among
only 14 states which do not tax
corporate profits, and Romney
points out that his proposed rate
of 3.5 per cent is lower than the
national average of 3.9 per cent,
"thus keeping Michigan competi-
tive with other states."
The question here is how these
figures were computed. If two
states each have a five per cent
income tax, but one is figured on
profits less federal tax liability and
the other is based on profits be-
fore such taxes are paid, they
should not both be counted the
same in any such computation of
averages.
Romney's tax on financial insti-
tutions will make up to some ex-
tent for the tax cut the banks
otherwise would realize through
his proposed repeal of the intangi-
bles tax., "Because the state is
permitted only a single tax on
banks, it is fair that the rate of
that single tax be somewhat high-
er than the rate of any of the sev-
eral taxes on individuals or cor-
porations," the governor notes.
* * *
ALTOGETHER, the state will
realize $306 million from the in-
come tax program, with $216 mil-
lion ($108 million for each per
cent of tax) from the personal in-
come tax, $81 million ($23 mil-
lion for each per cent of tax) ac-
cruing from the corporate tax and
$9 million coming in from the tax
on financial institutions.
Romney has described his in-
come tax program as "based ad-
mittedly and unashamedly on the
Biblical principle of tithing, where
everyone contributes his percent-
age according to his means. It is
equality of taxation. It is tax jus-
tice for all."
Romney is not the first Michi-
gan governor within recent years
to attempt to convince the Legis-
lature and the public of the neces-
sity of an income tax. G. Mennen
Williams tried it in 1959, but his
appeal for a graduated income tax
fell on deaf ears in the Senate
GOP caucus.
do an about-face merely because
the incumbent governor is of the
same party. In fact, it looks as if
Romney will be able to count on
more support from the "loyal op-
position" than from his own men.
* * *
IT HAS BEEN pointed out that
the majority of the people of this
state have come out against an
income tax and that "if the people
do not want an income tax they
shouldn't have to have one." All
this is well and good if the people
know enough about the Michigan
tax structure to realize what type
of tax is best. This is obviously a
rash assumption, however, so that
this objection may be discounted
with dispatch.
It has also been pointed out that
there is no assurance that the tax
rate will remain at two per cent,
and nobody can accuse Romney
of denying that the rate could con-
ceivably increase in time. But his
statement that "one certain way
to keep taxes down is to keep
spending down" is sound, and he is
making some headway along this
line already..
* * *
BOTH OF THESE objections can
be met by the governor's recent
statement that he will agree to a
ceiling on the income tax. Under
this provision, the voters will be
allowed to accept or reject any fu-
ture tax increase. This is a good
plan, for it gives those who cringe
at the thought of an income tax
time to come up with something
better.
Hopefully, this provision will al-
so aid in passage of the original
bill, since the major argument of
many legislators boils down to a
fear of what the tax rate will be
in the future.
MICHIGAN NEEDS a good firm
tax base, and for a better busi-
ness climate and a more equitable
structure nothing thus far pro-
posed by the governor's detrac-
tors has been mentioned that
would do any better. If they make
any pertinent suggestions at all,
they generally try to retain pres-
ent taxes that the governor's pro-
gram would repeal for one good
reason or another.
This is not to say that the gov-
ernor's plan is so great that it
should be passed without further
delay. But after the Lansing moss-
backs have had the chance to fili-
buster or submit their own ideas,
the Legislature should not ad-
journ without passing the income
tax legislation. It is only by means
of a tax such as Romney calls for
that his program can be based on
a firm foundation of "tax justice."
Indivisible
AN ATROCITY is an atrocity, is
an atrocity. Nd matter whether
it is committed by Russians, Nazis,
Frenchmen or Americans. Unless
this is kept firmly in mind one
succombs to the fallacy of be-
To the Editor:
j CERTAINLY AGREE with IFC
President Cliff Taylor that "It
is high time that the fraternities
and sororities clean their own
dirty laundry." This move is one
which I urged on leaders of the
fraternity system over a year ago.
But the suggestion at that time
was that the Greek system would
clean its own house outside the
structure of SGC, the campus-
wide group elected to make and
enforce rules concerning dis-
criminatory practices. The present
proposal would set up an intoler-
able facade in which a Greek
committee pre-empting the origin-
al jurisdiction of SOC's Member-
ship committee would "police" its
own member groups.
* * *
I CONTEND that the record of
fraternities and sororities vis-a-
vis the membership question has
shown that their commitment to
the Ideals articulated by SGC is
anything but strong. If I am
wrong, then let them set up this
often suggested structure under
their own aegis.
If they are able to deal suc-
cessfully with the problem, they
will have nothing to fear from
SOC's committee. It is naive to
think-even disregarding past per-
formance-that this group can
conscientiously carry out SGC's
wishes. Cartels are never given of-
ficial primary jurisdiction in en-
forcing anti-trust legislation.
It is possible that the Greek
group will get more cooperation
from the various chapters than
SOC's committee. But how much
more cooperation they would get
if they were not acting as SOC's
official representatives.
THE GREEK proposal to be
presented at tonight's SGC meet-
ing would have the effect of set-
ting enforcement back several
more months due to the necessar-
ily massive transfer of documents
and other purely administrative
problems.
Due to strong alumni pressure,
SGC has already temporarily de-
leted that part of its regulations
which would render the "recom-
mend system" ineffective as a not-
too-well-disguised tool for dis-
crimination. At least now they will
not be called upon to enforce this
clause which they so effectively
fought.
Before the end of last semester
several SOC members attempted
to convince concerned efaculty
members that students could deal
competently with this problem. If
the proposed amendment passes,
we will have been proven wrong.
Admitting that we have come up
against pressures which make fur-
ther enforcement of the Regent's
bylaw impossible we should turn
the matter over to a group more
capable of dealing with the prob-
lem.
-Ken Miller, '64
Free Speech . .
To the Editor:
IS THE NAACP afraid of Gov.
Barnett-or of free speech-or
do they think that because they
don't want to hear him, no one
else should be allowed to? It does
not matter-their stand is a direct
attack on the freedoms of speech
and association, and as such is no
more worthy of support than the
Black Muslims.
And Gov. George Romney?-he
sidesteps neatly by "questioning
the wisdom" of the invitation to
Barnett.i
The only man who comes out
with a clear commitment to free-
dom is President James Miller of
Western Michigan.
God damn the rest of their eyes.
-- Robert L. Farrell, Grad
Course...
To the Editor:
THERE has been so much acid
correspondence in The Daily,
The Ann Arbor News, and The
New York Times over problems of
direct action and especially civil
disobedience that the topic de-
serves some university recognition
and study. Why don't we have a
spring course or seminar on it?
There ought to be talents at the
University in law, history, sociology
and psychology that have some-
thing to contribute, and a home
for the course surely could be
found in one of these departments
or perhaps at the Center for Con-
flict Resolution.
Thoreau surely would have been
appalled if he could have gotten
course credit for staying in jail,
and Emerson no less appalled for
staying out. Perhaps some students
would have to finish their research
papers in jail, but there is nothing
better for insight than getting In-
side your subject.
Is anybody interested?
-William Paul Livant
Mental Health Research Institute
Viet Nam *..*
To the Editor:
MICHAEL HARRAH'S glib dis-
missal of all internal and for-
eign criticism of the Diem regime
in South Viet Nam deserves a
serious answer only so that there
can be some intelligent contro-
THE CURRENT military situa-
tion, and its expense to the United
States is well known. The more
fundamental question is whether
the Diem regime is indeed serious-
ly trying to further the develop-
ment of the people of South Viet
Nam or is merely maintaining an
oppressive and nepotistic regime
and having the United States foot
the bill.
I think the latter is demon-
strably the case. The results of
this are not only the expense to
the United States, but the creation
of a popular and internal opposi-
tion not only to Diem, but to the
United States. Diem's repression
of the religious leaders and stu-
dents in Hue and Saigon has
hardly endeared his government or
the United States to the people,
The Communists do not have to
push the war against Diem, he is
daily driving people into the cause
of the Viet Cong and ruining the
United States in Southeast Asia.
DIEM HAS hardly striven fo
military effectiveness against his
opposition. The policy of con-
tinuous rotation of army officers
from one post to another has
lowered morale and efficiency and
only served to make a military
coup less likely. The fact that the
bulk of the troops are guarding
roads leading to the capitol and
are far removed from the combat
zones also raises serious questions.
There is a more basic question
that Diem raises: what kind of
viable alternative can the United
States offer to the people of the
underdeveloped world? If the
Western alternative to Commun-
ism is only dictators who suspend
constitutions, drive religious lead-
ers to suicide, mistreat their
people, and attack universities,
then Westei n policy is morally
and politically bankrupt. There are
not enough money, guns and men
for the West to pursue success-
fully this type of suicidal policy
for any length of time.
IT MAY or may not be too late
to "save" South Viet Nam from
the Communists, but to continue
our support of Diem ,and his poli-
cies can only lead to ultimate dis-
aster.
--Howard Abrams, '63
Untruth ..
To the Editor:
THE SLOGAN of The Michigan
Daily is "Where Opinions Are
Free Truth Will Prevail." How-
ever, Edward Herstein's editorial,
"'Coalition' Foreign Policy Spells
Disaster," in the Sept. 11 issue of
The Daily is far from being the
truth.
Herstein is critical of former
President Eisenhower for being
alarmed by "the nationalization
(during his administration) of
millions of dollars worth of Amer-
ican businessmen's property by
Fidel Castro." What Herstein does
not mention is that Castro made
no reasonable offer to compensate
the owners of the seized propey.
Castro's offer, which was m de
only - for the American-owned
sugar and cattle lands, was a
promlise of payment in the form
of twenty-year government bonds.
The owners did not consider this
just compensation; Castro then
proceeded to confiscate the lands
without any compensation.
* * *
HERSTEIN is mistaken when he
says Cuba was forced to seek aid
from Communist countries because
the United States cut off all eco-
nomic ties and assistance with
Cuba and placed an embargo on
goods that could be sent there
from this country. These actions
were taken by the United States
government as a result of Cuba's
turning toward the Communists,
and not the opposite, as Herstein
says.
His claim that the Cuban revo-
lution under Castro has succeeded
is sheer hypocrisy. As "proof" of
this claim, he says, "The two
University students who went to
Cuba last summer said that it
had, and that the 48 other stu-
dents who went with them shared
their belief." Since this trip was
led by known Communists, as
President Kennedy said in a re-
cent press conference, it is ex-
tremely doubtfulthat they would
have allowed anti-Communists to.
go on the trip to Cuba.
Naturally then, these studethts
went to Cuba with the preconceiv-
ed idea that the revolution had
"succeeded," and under these cir-
cumstances, Castro was only too
-happy to show them his revolu-
tion's "success."
* * *
AN INTERESTING incident took
place during this trip that illus-
trates these students' naiveness.
ABC Radio was conducting a tele-
phone interview with one of the
students in Cuba. The student was
telling about the complete "free-
dom of speech" he had found in
Cuba, and just as he was going to
give an example of this, the Cuban
censor listening in on the con-
versation abruptly cut it off.
* 4* *
FINALLY, if the Communist
revolution in Cuba has been so
successful. as Herstein wants you
r"
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