Letters to the Editors

Dear Friends:

Sol Plafkin is way off-center in his remarks about Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and the Powell case [FE #26, March 15–31, 1967].

He forgets that Mr. Conyers was against stripping Powell of his seniority, even to breaking with the Democratic Study Group over this; he apparently does not know that Mr. Conyers fought vigorously for the most lenient recommendations of the special committee and voted to seat Powell on all votes that were taken. His judgment in accepting appointment to the Special Committee cannot be questioned—Powell needed his advocacy there.

The real tragedy of the Powell case is that so much time, money, energy and leadership have gone into the defense of a man who has outlived his usefulness to the Negro people, particularly those of his district whom he has not served for a long time.

The betrayal of the Negro people in the Reconstruction period after the Civil War was accomplished by men like Powell, not by men like Conyers. I wish we had a hundred more John Conyers’ in the House, to fight for peace, freedom and civil rights and liberties as he has!

Lucy Haessler

Highland Park

To the Editor:

The article “The M-16 rifle: sophisticated Cong killer” [FE #25, March 1–15, 1967] was interesting but hardly added to the general knowledge of the weapon.

The great flaw in the article is that Mr. Tichenor ignores the fact that the V.C. have a weapon of similar calibre supplied by the Russians. This weapon causes the same type of wound in our men; what’s more it does not jam like the M-16 in combat.

Of course this is not mentioned to support his claim of how inhuman we are not considering the massacres the V.C. daily perpetrate on civilians, and helpless captured soldiers.

Warfare at the time of the Hague Convention bears little resemblance to that of today, just ask those who fight if it’s a gentlemen’s war.

Larry M. Kunick

Marquette

Dear Fifth Estate:

Just heard today that poet Jim Thurber, of Berkley (and two other people whose names I don’t have), are in Webb County Jail, Laredo, Texas. Jim’s box number is 745. On narcotics charges. Probably possession of marijuana, but I don’t know that as a fact. Bail is set at $7,000 each. They are trying to get a public defender, which would reduce bail to $2,000 each.

Apparently for $250 apiece, at this lower bail, they can get a bail bondsman. They have on hand about $200. Hence, at least $550 is needed to bail them out. Their trial is scheduled for September, with a possible 5-year sentence, no parole.

I have contacted the Berkeley BARB and hopefully Max will print the news, and an appeal for money. If you could do the same in the FIFTH ESTATE, that would surely help.

Money can be sent to me at 2920 Harper Street, Berkeley, California 94703, or brought to the Fifth Estate offices or to Trans-Love Energies Unlimited, 4857 John Lodge.

Unless the money can be raised by Jim’s friends and sympathizers, he’ll have to spend the spring and summer in the Laredo Jail waiting for trial. The sooner the amount is reached, the sooner Jim and his two friends can be released from the County Jail and given the freedom to conduct their defense.

Thank you.

Doug Palmer

To the Editor:

Black Mask is a total farce! A bunch of new hippies trying awfully hard to make the scene. Protesting Vietnam? That’s a revolution, baby. [“Black Mask Answers Leary,” FE #26, March 15–31, 1967]

So what are you advocating? Revolution! Little bit confused, huh, Black-mask? Ever stop to think how far revolution ever got us? Yeah! To Vietnam.

So Leary steps in—try love—try religion. Never been done before? Afraid it might work?

Maybe Leary is not all there. He thinks he’s a god. Ours hasn’t helped much—maybe Leary can.

Revolution? Cram it, Black Mask!

Buckwheat Lord

Detroit