C4A d isan Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan Editorials printed in The Michigan Daily express the individual opinions of the author. This must be noted in all reprints. FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1972 News Phone: 764-0552 Rumors inside the news ... as compiled by The Daily staff Laird andClark: Who's thie traitor? WHILE FEW PEOPLE would deny that almost every- one is deeply involved in partisan politics this year, ,there is some question as to whether or not some people should be involved at all. Two cases in point are Secre- tary of Defense Melvin Laird and former Attorney Gen- eral Ramsey Clark. Speaking before the GOP Platform Committee, Laird asked the Republicans to, "reject policies of planned weakness, of white-flag waving, of begging and aban- donment of our nation's role in helping to maintain peace." Like Laird, Clark has also entered the arena of partisan politics. Recently returned from a visit to In- dochina, Clark has come out adamantly opposed to Nixon's war policies. And along with Clark's report from Vietnam have come a barrage of criticism labelling him a tool of the North Vietnamese. Frank Fitzsimmons, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said, "He has prostituted his rights as an American citizen." Senator Hugh Scott, Senate minority leader, said Clark has in- jected Presidential politics into the prisoner-of-war is- sue. "I hope the American people will reject this sort of campaigning over the enemy's borders," Scott said. IF CLARK IS guilty of "prostituting his rights as an American citizen," then Laird is to be charged with the even more despicable act of prostituting his duties as a public official. In attacking McGovern before the GOP Platform Committee Laird used his position and credi- bility as a member of the administration to campaign for Nixon's reelection. As a public official Laird does not have the right to use his membership in the Cabinet to help reelect the man who appointed him. As a public servant Laird is committed to serving the needs of the people, not find- ing himself a job in November. Laird's attacks on McGovern can be termed nothing less than a blatant grasp for personal gain. The needs of the people would be much better served in the absence of politicians such as Laird. -LORIN LABARDEE Todov's Staff: News: Jim Kentch, Alan Lenhoff, Dione Levick Editorial Page: Carla Rapooort Photo Technician: Denny Gainer Summer Staff EDITORIAL STAFF Dan Biddle, Jan Benedetti, "Meryl Gordon, Jim Kentch, Lorin Labardee, Alan Lenhoff (co-editor), Diane Levick, Maynard, Chris Parks, Carla Rapoport (co-editor) Marilyn Riley, Gloria Smith, Paul Travis, Ralph Vartabedian. PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Denny Gainer. Rolfe 'Tessem, Gary Villani, Jim Wallace. SPORTS STAFF Bob Andrews. Dan Borus, Elliot Legow. Tall buildings Tenants in the Tower P 1 a z a apartment building (at William and Maynard Sts.) may be in for somewhat of a shock should the hotel catch fire, especially thtse living on the 26th floor. It seems that when local busi- nessman John Stegeman was build- ing the apartment structure, he was cautioned by city officials that the building should not be built higher than 20 stories. Stegeman continued building despite warn- ings and finally finished off at the 26th level. The cause ftrethe warnings? The Ann Arbor Fire Department re- ports that it doesn't have the fa- cilities to pump water higher than twenty stories. While fire-fighting equipment has been installed throughout the apartment building, a major fire is sure to require the fire department's assistance. Have you checked the height of your ceiling lately? Campus woes Campus Inn, as we know it, may not be with us much longer. Sourc- es in the County Clerk's office have discovered that Detroit Mort- gage and Realty Company is cur- rently awaiting a decision by Judge Conlin on its suit for payment of the mortgage on Campus Inn. Total value of the settlement be- ing asked, including mortgage and interest payments is $5,159,864. And that's just the beginning of the hotel's woes. Other creditors who are asking for money are: The Ann Arbor Bank, Huron V a 11 e y Bank, Butcher and Willits Ind. and the J. L. Hudson Co. Furthermore, owner John Stegeman owes Hud- sons $42,972 for the posh furnish- ings in Victor's Restaurant in the Campus Inn. Poor George Should the president get high? If you say yes, then don't vote for McGovern. A reported for t h e The Inn's almost out Village Voice swears the follow- ing story was told to him by a reliable McGovern aide: Senator McGovern had been to several parties where "jet set- ters" were puffing away on joints. Because McGovern has never smoked cigarettes, he had never tried to take a hit from a ;joint. But, the aide said, his curiosity was stimulated a bit. The inhaling problem was re- portedly solved a short time later when someone offered McGovern a hash brownie and the senate ate it. McGovern is said to have sadly remarked later that he didn't feel a thing. Further, we've discovered that Hubert Humphrey gets his kicks from a sandwich he makes from peanut butter, baloney, cheddar cheese, lettuce (union, of course), mayonaise and- for a little ex- tra punch - Hubert giggles and tops the concoction with pickle chips. A call to Pizza Bob's yesterday reveals that the rumor that they are planning to add a Hubert Hum- phrey "Loser" sandwich to the menu is totally false, at least for the present. Police pax If your local Ann Arbor police- man hasn't been receptive to your bribes, keep trying. This week, Ann Arbor Police Chief Walter Krasny bestowed pro- motions on 23 on Ann Arbor's fin- est. Unfortunately, for the "lucky" officers, none of the promotions was accompanied by a pay raise. As you may guess, money is tight at City Hall,, and apparently, the police brass are attempting to ap- pease the officers with a few stripes - but no bread. Try, try, try again Regent Lawrence Lindemer, the aristocratic Stockbridge Republi- can, has announced he will try to make it on his own this year as a University Regent. Lindemer has been an on-and-off fixture at the Regent's monthly meetings ever since he was ap- pointed by then Gov. George Rom- ney in 1968 to fill a vacancy. Larry likes the job so much he tried and ran on his own late that year. And lost. But the conserva- tive lawyer's fans (whoever they are) were not disappointed. In 1969, another vacancy became open, and the new governor, Bill Milliken continued the precedent of appointing Lindemer to the Uni- versity's governing board. But this year, Lindemer wantt all eight years of the- Regenta power trip, and, barring deaths of defections on the present board he's got to do it himself. Who doesii't get high? a ing small talk with the Chinese By D. ROBINSON BIDDLE NFORMAL NOTES taken by The Daily at a professor's house as luncheon is held for three visiting Chinese journalists: 11:45 a.m. Hitch over to China Prof's house. Decided to dress nice due to potential dignified presence of guests. Get r i d e from hairy fellow without shirt. "Just going up fourtblocks." "O,,ytoi going to the thina thing?" "Yeah." "So am I." 11:50 am. Hairy guy parks at Prof's house, revealsclean shirt. "I brought this shirt, the rules of- formality being what they are." Puts shirt on. Daily breathes sigh of relief. Enter prof's living room. All three Chinese guys appear to be cornered by at least seven guests each. Attempt to join in one dis- cussion and discovers with dis- may that 95 per cent of other people present are from China studies center and speak Man- darin and/or Cantonese like Bud- dha. Chances for question-asking go downhill. Three Chinese guys reveal fluent knowledge of English. Itaily breathes sigh of relief. One of Chinese guys says they visited Philadelphia. Girl in low- cut gown standing next to Daily remarks with laugh, "What a ter- rible place to start a tour of this country." Daily says under breath, "That is my home town, don't knock it." Girl in low-cut gown looks startled, laughs nervously. Daily says remark was made in jest. Chinese guy spots Daily's Mc- Tovern button, laughs, exclaims, "He's my body." My body? What the hell does he- "My buddy." "Oh. Yeah, mine, too." Daily breathes sigh of relief. PROF. IS HOLDING forth to small group in. corner. Over- hears, "You know, one of the largest Esperanto-speaking com- munities in the world is in Ha- noi." Sonofabitch. Appears that almost everybody present is taking notes. New York Times correspondent traveling with Chinese journalists takes notes on Prof's discussion. Uni- versity tourguide takes notes on telephone conversation. Chinese journalists take notes on discus- sion with scholars from China Studies. Daily takes notes on note-taking. Note-taking becomes topic of general amusement until some- one notices that three Chinese guys are drawing little pictures instead of writing words. Univer- sal attempt is made not to stare. Lunch announced. General sigh of relief. Wife welcomes guests to buf- fet table, host serves generous helpings of a gelatinous red sub- stance. Girl in low-cut g o w n - questions nature of substance. Host grins, says, "It's got to be aspic, 'cause jelly don't wiggle like that do." Girl laughs. Host's son and daughter cringe. TIMES CORRESPONDENT is celebrity with classy, well-re- spected byline. K. Hastings Chit- terling, or something. Daily og- les him for role as seasoned jour- nalist and war correspondent. Also ogling are girl in low-cut gown and several other females. Times correspondent exudes in- ternational savoir-faire, also has nice tan, carnation-colored t i e, silk socks, exciting stories. Has "all the news that's fit to print" look. Girl asks politely, "Don't you ever get terribly lonely in Sai- gon?" Faraway horizons look appears in Times man's eyes. Says, "I guess I have to keep moving too fast to get lonely." Girl sighs. Attention goes back to Chinese guys as Times correspondent tosses them a joke in Mandarin. Chinese guys chuckle, China scholars roar with laughter. Daily smiles politely. Someone whispers potential question to Daily: Did any of their ancestors help build t h e Great Wall? BUT OVERWHELMING n e e d to ask some kind of questions prevails. Three Chinese g u y s seem to answer everything with grin and laughter.Accost Times man, ask about political aspects of the tour. Times man says that for all intents and purposes there aren't any political aspects and that Daily shx-ld lay off asking things like, "What really happen- ed to Lin Piao?" Stuck for questions again. Also frustrated by language barrier: China scholars have monopolized conversation. Tones, gestures, laughter all indicate iteresting discussion, buttcould be Greek (si, Chinese) to Daily. Dubiously preparing to ask if they have pinball in China when University tourguide announces it's time to leave. Daily breathes sigh of relief.