Agnew discredits papers
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (UPI)—Vice President Spiro T. Agnew renewed his criticism of news media Thursday night, centering this time on newspapers and "the growing monopolization of the voices of public opinion on which we all depend."
"Many, many strong independent voices have been stilled in this country in recent years," Agnew told the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce in a speech following up last week's attack on the handling of news and opinion by the broadcasting networks. "Lacking the vigor of competition, some of those that have survived have, let us face it, grown fat and irresponsible."
He said, "I am against censorship in all forms" and "I do not seek to intimidate the press, the networks or anyone else from speaking out."
Agnew specifically discussed two large Eastern newspapers, the Washington Post and the New York Times, in speaking about the concentration of editorial power.
The Post is Washington's largest newspaper. He noted that "it also owns one of the capital's four television stations, an all-news radio station there and Newsweek Magazine—"all grinding out the same editorial line." He said he was not recommending breaking up the Post's holdings but "merely pointing out that the public should be aware that these four powerful voices harken to the same master."
Faculty aid city's search
Edwin O. Stene, professor of political science, is chairman of the screening committee for selection of a new Lawrence city manager. The committee also includes Francis Heller, dean of faculties.
The committee was appointed late in October to assist the Lawrence City Commission in selecting a successor for Ray Wells, who resigned to become city manager of Muskegon, Mich. The screening committee will submit names of five applicants for final selection by the City Commission.
"We have received about 25 applications," Stene said. "Application is restricted to persons invited by the committee to apply."
Stene said he expects interviews to begin in early December. Five names will be submitted to the City Commission in mid-December.
Dennis Kallsen, assistant city manager, is acting city manager pending selection of Wells' successor.
Nov. 21
1969 KANSAN 15
Agnew said the Times "did not carry a word" when 300 congressmen and 59 senators recently signed a letter supporting President Nixon's Vietnam policy. And he said that on Tuesday it had reported only on page 11 a statement by the Pope endorsing the way Nixon was trying to end the war.
"How is that for news judgments?" he asked.
Agnew summed up this way his views on the broadcast and newspaper handling of news and opinion:
"And a high wall of separation should be raised between what is news and what is commentary."
The White House said it was not given an advance copy of the speech. Asked if President Nixon had read the speech, Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler said, "No."
"I have not and do not condemn this generation of young Americans," he said.
Agnew also had strong criticism for dissenting youth.
"They contain in their numbers many gifted, idealistic and courageous young men and women.
"But they also list in their numbers an arrogant few who march under the flags and portraits of dictators, who intimidate and harass university professors, who use gutter obscenities to shout down speakers with
whom they disagree, who openly profess their belief in the efficacy of violence in a democratic society."
The vice president also chided his predecessor, Hubert H. Humphrey for his reply to Agnew's speech of last week. Humphrey accused the Nixon Administration of a "calculated attack" on the right of dissent and on the media.
"Yet, it is widely known that Mr. Humphrey himself believes deeply that unfair coverage of the Democratic convention in Chicago, by the same media, contributed to his defeat in November. Now his wounds are apparently healed and he casts his lot with those who were questioning his own political course a year ago."
Agnew also indicated the debate between the administration and the news media is not going to stop. He said he has been charged with attempting to stifle dissent. "Nonsense," he said. "The expression of my views has produced enough rugged dissent in the last week to wear out a whole covey of commentators and columnists."
He added, "When they (the media) go beyond fair comment and criticism they will be called upon to defend their statements and their positions just as we must defend ours.
"And when their criticism becomes excessive or unjust, we shall invite them down from their ivory towers to enjoy the rough and tumble of the public debate."
COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH
plus
DANNY COX
Sat., Nov. 29 at 8:00 P.M.
Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kans.
Tickets: $3, $4. $5. Available At: Jenkins Music, Magic Circus, Today Shop, Sandalwood, Memorial Hall, Discount Records, (Columbia).
THIS CAN GET YOUR HEAD TOGETHER
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Enjoy it.
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VI 3-1211
NOVEMBER 21,22
CASINO ROYALE
Starring: Woody Allen, Peter Sellers, David Niven, Ursula Andress, Joanna Pettet, Orson Welles, Daliah Lavi, Deborah Kerr, William Holden, Charles Boyer, Jean-Paul Belmondo, George Raft, John Huston.
Plus: The Searching Eye.
7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
50¢—Dyche
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