THE TEST OF COURAGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 25, 2005
• Sequence Number: 53
• Publication Date: September 5, 1968
• Content Type: OPEN

Approved For Release 2005/08103 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
September 5, 1968 . CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE S 10315
At the indicated time and place per-
sons interested in the hearings may make
such representations as may be pertinent.
The subcommittee consists of the Sen-
ator from Arkansas [Mr. MCCLELLANI,
the Senator from Nebraska [Mr.
HRUSKA], and myself, as chairman.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Mr. MANSFIELD. Mr. President, I ask
unanimous consent that the distin-
guished Senator from Nebraska [Mr.
HRUSxA] may be allowed to proceed for
15 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. HRUSKA. I thank the majority
leader.
y~ THE TEST OF COURAGE
Mr. HRUSKA. Mr. President, the first
8 months of 1968 produced one of the
greatest tests of courage in this century.
January saw the first halting step of a
small country toward the goal of free-
dom. As the months passed, Czechoslo-
vakia moved a little closer to its goal, and
each month the Soviet Union became
more threatening.. The test of courage for
the Czechs and Slovaks was whether, in
the name of human dignity, they could
stand face to face with an overpowering
foe. The test of courage for totalitarian
Russia was whether it dared allow one
small country even a taste of freedom.
Czechoslovakia won that test of courage.
The Russians used military force ruth-
lessly, not to suppress an armed rebellion
as in Hungary, but to halt the mellowing
of Communist Party rule of a satellite.
Freedom of expression for the Czecho-
slovak people, in the view of the Krem-
lin, was the most dangerous threat to the
Soviet system. So the armed forces were
ordered - to crush the modest reform
movement of Alexander Dubcek's Com-
munist government.
The world watched the rape of Czecho-
slovakia. The courage of these people
was magnificent. The cowardice of Rus-
sia was blatant. The President of the
United States announced that the ac-
tions of the Soviet Union shocked the
conscience of the world. Other countries,
including Communist countries and
Communist organizations, joined in the
condemnation of this brazen act of
oppression.
Western Europe, the United States,
and the NATO organization were power-
less to do little more than offer sympathy,
express admiration for the heroic resist-
ance by the Czechoslovak people, and
issue statements criticizing the Kremlin.
The Kremlin may have underestimated
the fierceness of the resistance of the
people of Czechoslovakia, but I do not
believe for a moment that these leaders
miscalculated the reaction of the rest of
the world.
For our own Nation that has thrived
in freedom, it is especially painful to see
the small spark of freedom's light
crushed by the tread of Soviet tanks.
The proclaimed threat to Socialist or-
der that was being put down by military
might was the hint of freedom. News-
papers, intellectuals, students, men in
the street wanted to be able to talk and
think. At its best, the January move-
ment was not fredom as we know it-
for example, over 900 specific categories
of news were still to be censored in the
press. However, it was an important first
step in the relaxation of Soviet control.
Mere in the United States, in our
schools, in our Labor Day speeches, we
talk of the spirit of freedom and the drive
withiin men to be free. Perhaps, in this
modern cradle of freedom, we have for-
gotten how powerful a force freedom
can be.
There is a lesson we can learn : Free-
dom, decency, and dignity are incompati-
ble with the Communist system. Russia
'has not forgotten that freedom-na-
tional and individual-is its natural en-
emy. In the Soviet view, their system
was threatened, and they struck fast and
hard to preserve it.
The harshness with which the suppres-
sion was carried out suggests that there
has been little erosion in the historic
ruthlessness of Soviet Communist lead-
ership.
DETENTE
The brutal suppression of Czechoslo-
vakia not only shocked the conscience
of the world; it shocked the policymakers
in the White House. A military invasion
was, in their reasoning, the one step the
Soviet Union could not take because it
would threaten all the recent peaceful
developments and destroy efforts or pre-
tentions at detente.
For several years, the United States has
followed what-has been called a policy of
convergence. It assumes that as Russia
develops and prospers, its interests will
converge with those of the western de-
mocracies and the United States, and
detente will result.
To further this convergence, the Unit-
ed States has gone more than half way
in seeking accommodation in many ways
including working for East-West trade.
No treaty or agreement was too mini-
scule, because the steps were supposed to
lead to peaceful coexistence, as we un-
derstand the term, and ultimately even
to close friendship.
Sensible men cannot fault such at-
tempts to negotiate peacefully with the
Communists. But the degree of reliance
placed on the assumptions of convergence
in attaining our foreign policy objectives
has long been in question.
The subjugation of the Czechoslovak
people should force second thoughts on
even the most ardent disciples of the
theory of Soviet_meloriation.
Let me review briefly six major as-
sumptions underlying the United States
recent attempts at detente, and let us
consider them in the aftermath of
Czechoslovakia:
First. The growing independence of
Eastern European Communist countries,
"polycentricism" as this loosening proc-
ess is known, has convinced the Soviet
Union that it cannot maintain an empire
in which its own power is the final deter-
minant.
This tenet of detente has been proven
wrong.
Second. The growing demands of
Soviet citizens for consumer goods has
brought about an economic rationalism
in the Soviet economy and forced the
country to adopt certain capitalist tech-
niques. It has become increasingly ap-
parent that external aggression and
revolution are incompatible with the
wants and needs of the Soviet people.
The need of international. Communist
power dictated external aggression
against Czechoslovakia without regard to
economic rationalism. -
Third. After the years of Stalinist
terror, liberalization is the only path
which the Soviet Union can follow.
Terror is still an effective weapon in
the hands of those ruthless enough to
use it, - '
Fourth. After disappointments in at-
tempting to use Communist ideology, the
Soviets have turned to realpolitik in
world affairs. They will conduct inter-
national relations in terms of enlight-
ened self-interest and settle back into
conventional patterns of international
politics observed by traditional nation
states.
"Enlightened self-interest" this time
meant a violent reaction wrought by fear
of freedom.
Fifth. Faced with a "China" problem,
the Soviet Union has realized the neces-
sity of seeking aid from the West.
Russia deliberately alienated the West
in order to control Eastern Europe.
Sixth. The Soviets admitted during the
Cuban missile crisis they could not match
the strategic power of the United States.
Logically, then, Russia must come to
terms with the United States.
Strategic power was irrelevant in this
crisis, and the Soviet Union continues to
ignore the United States and NATO as
it threatens Rumania.
Mr. President, the deliberate, indefen-
sible attack on Czechoslovakia has shown
each of the premises to be wrong or mis-
interpreted. The conclusion drawn from
them was a miscalculation. Russia has
not been forced to follow peaceful ways.
It is these premises, nonetheless, that
have guided the detente mentality of our
relations with the Soviet Union in recent
years. Always fearing to -offend, we pur-
sued foreign relations and national se-
curity from a position of self-effacing
courtesy rather than a position of
strength and firmness.
It is under the protective umbrella of
detente that we have allowed- NATO to
deteriorate, that we have redeployed mil-
itary forces in Europe, and that, we have
considered substantial troop reductions.
It is under the protective umbrella of
detente that our Nation has announced
and pursued a program and. policy of
building bridges from West to East.
On August 20, 1968, it became fate-
fully obvious that the umbrella was illu-
sory. The premises on which our detente
policy was based were swept away when
Warsaw Pact troops crossed the borders
of Czechoslovakia.
OUR RESPONSE
Mr. President, our policymakers have
had a rude shock, and it is time to re-
evaluate and reexamine their decisions.
I urge, therefore, thoughtful and serious
review of U.S. policy in two critical areas :
First. A full-scale conference of North
Atlantic Treaty Organization foreign
ministers and defense ministers should
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
 S 10316
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE September 5, 1968
be convened to review mutual defense
arrangements in Europe.
Second. Concurrently, the United
States must review, in depth, its current
policy of bridgebuilding to the Soviets.
The announcement this past weekend
that NATO is reviewing defense ar-
rangements is a welcome one. But there
was no sense of urgency in that action.
The response belies the seriousness of
the situation.
I am not suggesting a provocative over-
reaction by NATO to events In Eastern
Europe. I am suggesting that the inva-
sion of Czechoslovakia, the rumored
threats to Rumania, and the' admitted
shift in the balance of power in Eastern
Europe requires a response equal to the
gravity of the situation.
The policy of silence followed by the
administration in the Czechoslovak crisis
was obviously ineffective as a deterrent
to the Soviet power play. The President's
warning not to loose the dogs of war in
Europe indicates concern over the con-
tinuing crisis. But we must go further
and take those nonaggressive steps
which will demonstrate the serious view
which the United States and its NATO
allies take of the actions by the "new"
Russia.
NATO's effectiveness must be scruti-
nized in the light of this most recent
Soviet action as a testimonial to Soviet
intentions. It ranks alongside the smash-
ing of Hur_galy, the installation of mis-
siles in Cuba, the underwriting of North
Vietnam's war effort, the recent increase
in the Soviet military budget, and the
building and deployment in new loca-
tions of formidable naval power,
The strength or, more accurately, the
weakness of NATO military forces ap-
parently gave the Soviets little cause for
concern. The Communist armies moved
with impunity on Czechoslovakia. They
will have similar freedom of action if
they decide to punish Rumania.
Cognizance should be taken of the re-
cent buildup of Soviet naval power in
the Mediterranean because it has further
upset the balance of power in Europe and
the Middle East. The Mediterranean is
no longer a Western lake. Russia also has
made striking gains in the Middle East,
where her influence is substantial for the
first time in U.S. history.
The nuclear superiority enjoyed by the
United States immediately after World
War II, and well into the 1950's, is gone.
Our nuclear deterrent, although vital, is
deterred. The balance of power in Europe
now rests with nonnuclear forces. And
the Soviets have an abundance of superi-
ority on the ground. Our belief in the
theory of Soviet mellowing has debili-
tated our entire military strategy. Now
it appears that NATO must be
revitalized.
Strengthening NATO does not mean
larger U.S. forces and support. We are
contributing our share or more than
our share now. It does mean greater co-
operation by our European partners.
A reappraisal of NATO should look
carefully into the reasons for the lack
of enthusiasm in Western Europe for
suport of this organization for common
defense. Has, for example, U.S. strategy
made NATO uncreditable in Europe? Did
General de Gaulle order NATO forces
from France from mere petulance, or
did he distrust the strategy that we dic-
tated In NATO? If so, does the credibil-
ity gap extend to our other partners?
These are questions the answers to which
have been made urgent by Soviet actions.
Mr. President, I will not attempt to
examine all facets of the need for re-
evaluation of our foreign policy in the
light of our horror over Czechoslovakia.
I do not have enough information or re-
sources to carry out an exhaustive exam-
ination. But I do feel that the repressive
steps taken by the Warsaw Pact nations
are a clear and obvious rebuke to those
who contend that communism is mellow-
Ing, It Is In this light that we must re-
view our policy of "building bridges" to
the East.
The implication of Czechoslovakia, as
well as other Soviet actions, suggest to
me that U.S. policy toward Russia in
recent years has been based on erroneous
assumptions, and has been dangerous to
our own best Interests.
Seventeen months ago, I argued in
this Chamber that the Communist threat
to the free world had become greater and
not less; that the increased threat was
not just military, or political, or eco-
nomic, but all of these-a strategic
threat.
I raise this subject not as a partisan
issue. Indeed, both party platforms rec-
ognize the real dangers offered by Rus-
sia today. The occupation of Czecho-
slovakia was called by the Democrats "a
shocking reminder that we live in a dan-
gerous and unpredictable world. The re-
imposition of Soviet tyranny raises the
specter of the darkest days of the Stalin
era and increases the risk of war in cen-
tral Europe, a war that could become a
nuclear holocaust."
The Republican platform, written be-
fore the invasion of Czechoslovakia,
pledges that:
Only when Communist nations prove by
actual deeds that they genuinely seek world
peace and will live In harmony with the rest
,of the world, will we support expansion of
East-West trade.
Candor is necessary to unravel the
issues of detente, and without recrimina-
tion, I' refer to my remarks on the floor
of this Senate on March 14, 1967, during
the debate on the Consular Treaty. To-
day. I repeat in part what I said then:
Basically, the entire matter boils down
to how one views the Soviet Union and the
International Communist movement today.
If the Soviet Union Is truly- undergoing a
period of deep and profound change, and if it
Is now charting a course of cooperation with
emphasis on peace rather than conflict.
then those who argue In the spirit of the "de-
tente mentality" for "restraint" on the part
of the United States and for expanded East-
West trade are entirely, correct. If. on the
other hand. the Soviet Union has not under-
gone a meaningful change in terms of its
long-range goals vis-a-vis the world, and
it it persists in declaring that Its ultimate
goal is victory over the United States and
other non-Communist countries, then the
decisions made In the spirit of the detente
and in such important matters as expanded
East-West trade are wrong and, therefore,
endanger in a most meaningful way our na-
tional security.
If we were in fact prepared to pursue. in
the most consistent and dynamic fashion
certain political objectives vis-a-vis Eastern
Europe and the soviet Union in return for
expanded East-West trade, then a very itrong
case could be made for a cautious and system-
atic expansion of the trade pattern with
those nations. Thus, if we are preps-ed to
make certain prc+clsse demands upon those
countries which Rant and need our trade and
credits necessary to support that trade, then
our objectives should be clearly spelled out
to the Congress of the United States and to
the American people. Mere expansion of trade
without accompanying concrete political
goals will come to naught. Only the interests
of the Communists will be served If we are
not in fact able to achieve the political objec-
tives which the Administration currently
promises.
Par from manifesting good will, the Com-
munists repeatedly underscore their own
desire to "win" over us, to defeat us
thoroughly, and to see us "buried." The
latter statement has been rationalized by
those who share the detente mentality as
a misunderstanding on our part, or a slip- of
the tongue by its author, Khrushchev. That
such is not the case is clearly indicated by
the mountains of evidence which have ac-
cumulated In Communist documents and
other Communist sources over the past years.
Mr. President, in Vietnam American
troops are being killed by Soviet-pro-
duced and Soviet-financed equipment.
From Cuba subversion is being ex-
ported throughout South America.
In Guatemala, City, the U.S. Ambassa-
dor John Mein was machiuegunred to
death by Castroite guerillas.
In the Middle East, Egypt rearms and
Soviet ships py the Mediterranean.
These are facts about the Soviet Union
that must be weighed today.
Czech and Slovak patriots did not
achieve freedom for themselves. They
did, however, reach up to the Russian
giant and strip away the mask of decency
and reason. In this nuclear age, we must
be willing to negotiate, but let us recog-
nize the ruthless nature of our adversary.
OUR agar OF couRA+3E
In the light of this most recent shock
of reality, I call upon the President to
request a meeting of foreign ministers
and defense ministers of the NATO
eountrLs; I call upon the Congress and
the administration to reexamine the
goals, the premises, and the Interpreta-
tion underlying our policy toward the
Soviet Union.
Just as for a man, it is difficult for a
government to admit it was wrong. It is
hard to search for realistic peace against
a ruthless adversary. Regrettably, the
optimists have nearly always been wrong
concerning Soviet Intentions. The threat
has not diminished but has been succes-
sively intensified-politically, economic-
ally, and now militarily.
This Nation cannot a'low wishful
thinking to color the facts and obliterate
obstacles. We must accept reality. This,
Mr. President, is the test of courage for
the United Stases.
Mr. DIRKSEN. Mr. President, will the
distinguished Senator from Nebraska
yield?
Mr. HRUSKA. I yield.
Mr. DIRKSEN. I wish to compliment
the Senator and commend him for this
very hard-hitting and forceful state-
ment with respect to the crisis that has
been 'engendered in Czechoslovakia.
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
 A ved For Release 2005/08/03: CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
September 5,~~~ CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE
I think it is patent now in every part perialistic Russia upon the Czechoslovak
of the world that, little by little, a fer- people. I treasure what the Senator has
ment has developed in the Soviet Union said because I know of his Czech back-
as the'people there reach out, not merely ground. Probably more than i .ny other
for more consumer goods, but also for Member of the Senate, Senator HRUSKA
the chance to express themselves; and is sensitive to the heartbeat of the Czech
the very fact that they have carried on people. He knows the ordeals through
these programs against the authors and which they have gone in their history, in
the writers of the Soviet Union who speak the effort to achieve freedom for them-
out freely is the best evidence I can selves and other people around the world.
think of as to whether or not the old I am especially impressed by certain
Stalinist viewpoint is coming back. aspects of what the Senator has just
The only sin .that was charged against said. He stated, if I may quote from his
Czechoslovakia, certainly, was that Dub- speech:
cek, their leader, refused to discipline at We must go further and take those non-
least 60 editors who were bold and cour- aggressive steps which will demonstrate the
ageous enough_to present, all over again, serious view which the United States and its
the story of Jan Masaryk, the great NATO allies take of the actions by the
Czech hero, on the front pages of their "new" Russia.
newspapers. When the Soviet demand The Senator further stated:
was made that Dubcek discipline those But I do feel that the repressive steps
editors, he very forthrightly refused to taken by the Warsaw Pact nations are a
do so. clear and obvious rebuke to those who con-
I noticed that of the five items that tend that Communism is mellowing.
seemed to be at the base of this matter I concur with what the Senator from
and its motivation, three of them, cer- Illinois said a moment ago, that too
tainly, deal with freedom of expression, many in hi h by individuals or by groups, or
whether
try have g taken the public attitude in this coun-
whether through the de that t we have
have
publications that ,-
S 10317
plating only to improve- the economic
and social conditions of their people.
The distinguished Senator from Illi-
nois [Mr. DIRKSEN] stated that the crisis
was created in Czechoslovakia a brief
time ago. I do not agree with him on that
statement. The crisis has been with us.
It was with us in 1962 when we thought
we had triumphed in Cuba by having
them pull out their missiles. However,
the fact is that Cuban military power
was greatly strengthened at that time.
The crisis has been with us. This is
merely another incident that demon-
strates that the purpose of Russia is to
conquer the world.
I commend the Senator for his state-
ment. My own view is that Russia's veto
of the action taken by the Security
Council revealed the weakness of its posi-
tion.
I deeply hope that our Government
will go to the General Assembly and
cause its members to go on record as to
whether in the spirit of the United Na-
tions they tolerate the action of one
world power descending upon a little na-
tion and telling that little nation: "You
shall not think. You shall nnt. anPalr Vn,,
On the heels of this matter comes Ro- .1ne aenaror from Nebraska further snail not pray except in conformity with
the to ls threat matter her freedom. stated: the dictates that come from on high, out
mania and e
Freedom is an indivisible e, it is in this light that we must review of Russia."
Freedom resident is and we do have fabrie take ac Mr. our policy of building bridges" to the East. Mr. HRUSKA. Mr. President, I ask
count of it. I am glad that the distin- Can we, Mr. President, continue tellin unanimous consent that I may have an
g additional 5 minutes, during which time
guished Senator from Nebraska has sug- our people throughout this Nation "Rus- I shall yield to- the distinguished Senator
Bested that the President now convene sia has mellowed, and the communistic from Iowa, the ranking minority member
our leaders and take a new look at our world is not a monolithic ap-eroonfi,,,, of -
pJuw y zjo iar as ii appertains to the So-
viet Union, because if this destruction
of freedom can go on, then, of course,
freedom is in jeopardy in every part of
the world, including the United States
of America.
We have those who think that commu-
nism is not a threat in this country, and
who shrug off and laugh off the sugges-
tions that it is. Mr. President, I went to
a lot of trouble and took an awful scold-
ing to carry on and keep alive the Sub-
versive Activities Control Board. I do not
know how much I was pilloried in the
press and in the letters of people; but
I was determined to keep it alive, because
it is the only board in the executive
branch of the Government that deals
with the matter of subversion and our in-
ternal security; and if it had done even
less than was alleged, I still would have
made that struggle to keep it alive.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
BYRD of Virginia in the chair). The Sen-
ator's time has expired.
Mr. HRUSKA. I ask unanimous con-
sent to proceed for 5 additional minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection it is so ordered.
to dismiss the idea that communism is 'rne PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
content
content to remain where it is, and that LAUSCHE in the chair). Without objec-
have no reason to be fearful of it? tion, it is so ordered.
The Senator has sounded a call to I Mshall r. HI not t take take a a great 1al of the time
awaken Americans to understand that the ,Senate commend deal the the ato
the maw of communism will never be m . I commend tno Senator
satisfied until it has attained domina- well most st high pralsnting not only a
pwhich
percep-
tion of free people, their souls, and their tive organized i analysis zedd of for but the situation atuation most in which
purposes everywhere, and it does not con- we find template sparing the United States. d oursple elves. have
I now go to the conclusion of the Sen- Many people been saying for
ator's statement: years that Russian imperialism has not
It is hard to search for realistic changed in the slightest, that only the
against a r d toss adversary. r peace raiments, the approach and the propa-
ganda have changed from time to time.
We have yielded time and again. We However, this travesty recently commit-
have gone forward under the assump- ted in Czechoslovakia indicates that
tion that there has been a relaxation of when a country or an area over which
Russian hostility to free people. Then the Russians have taken control devi-
the Senator makes the significant state- 'ates in the slightest from the basic prin-
ment that "regrettably, the optimists ciples of Socialist imperialism laid down
have nearly always been wrong concern- by Russia, Russia then moves, if it pos-
ing Soviet intentions." sibly can, to squelch the freedom that is
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- being developed in that country.
ator's time has expired. I think the six points developed by the
Mr. LAUSCHE. May we have 3 more Senator from Nebraska should be taken
minutes? to heart by every American. I certainly
Mr. HRUSKA. I ask unanimous con- urge the reading of his remarks not
senf-
l
on
y
o knoceedlor additional minutes. by every Member of Congress, but also
Mr. DIRKSEN. I commend the dis-
The
PRESIDING3OFFICER. Without by every citizen of our country that has ish tin Mr. HRUSKA. Ifrom
thank NebrashekSenaa. obMr. isUSCHEso ordered.
Mr. President, I have access to the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.
from Illinois for his kind remarks. been the object of abuse in the Foreign keep There are preaching thothat se there ere is ca a detente twho
Mr. LAUSCHE. Mr. President, will the Relations Committee and on the floor of sorts existence no t n our cou -
Senator yield? the Senate because I do not believe that eRussia. now between our f
ou r
Mr. HRUSKA. I am happy to yield to Russia has relented. truth. There is ther from the try and Russia. Nothing could more in-
the Senator from Ohio. The argument was made in a discus- tention on the parof the no Russians o
Mr. LAUSCHE. I, too, wish to express sion in the Foreign Relations Committee accommodate themselves to an asocia
commendation to the Senator from Ne- that there is no communism in this tion with civilized freedom than there
braska [Mr. HRUSKA] for the very force- world, that there is only socialism. It was ever has been. Their purpose has been
ful statement which he has made about stated that those governments in the world dominion, and it continues to be
the grave injustice perpetrated by im- Warsaw Pact with Russia are centem- world dominion. Every so often their
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
 ^ Approved For Release 2005/08/03: CIA-RDP70R0 38R0003 -r 5
,r`r"` G EccrnNAT RECORD - SE A 5, 1968
fangs show, as they did in this travesty
involving Czechoslovakia.
I know the world grieves about this
matter. But public opinion has very little
effect on Russian imperialism. The truth
of that statement has been shown from
time to time. It is only the opinion with-
in the Russian orbit itself that, I think,
may eventually have some effect on Rus-
sian attitude. The opinion of democracy
means nothing. The attitude and public
opinion of the free nations of the world
have no real effect on them. They could
not care less, and they have proven that
so many times.
I only hope that a great many of the
people who are saying that we should
soften our association with NATO and
build bridges with Russia will realize
their mistake.
Successful building of bridges de-
pends upon the solid foundation of each
abutment. If we have a solid foundation
at our end of the bridge butthe founda-
tion on the other side, in the Socialist
country, is based upon quicksand, we
have no bridge and no comity of action
or approach.
I again congratulate the Senator from
Nebraska on his very able presentation
and on his perception.
Mr. HRUSKA. Mr. President, the Sen-
ator speaks from a long background in
the field of international affairs. I am
very grateful to him for his fine remarks.
Mr. BYRD of Virginia. Mr. President,
I concur in many of the remarks just
made by the distinguished Senator from
Nebraska and the distinguished Senator
from Iowa. The world was shocked at
the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the
Cnviat Union.
1968, we sulferea irs,Das ca-n--, r...~..
represents 41.6 percent of all the casual- this body were nominated to head our
ties we have suffered during this war. ticket. But these nominations seem to
In that connection, Mr. President, dur- have been overshadowed by the pt_blic
ing the same 8 months. January through outcry over the television reporting of
August, the number of free-world ships the proceedings a-.Zd of the confrontation
going into the ports and harbors of lection outside of just the oo icevand ththe e col-plain North Vietnam totaled 98.
The figure of 98 free-world ships go- testers, and the troublemakers.
Ing into the North Vietnamese ports dur- Some reporters from my hometown
lug the first 8 months of this year com- press lime strong: opinions on this mat-
pares with a total of 50 ships which went ter, and I have in my hand three col-orma into those ports during the first 8 months umnsofwh is Sena! a Zsubmit f o t attenhe fn par-
of 1967. 9o ci see that the amount tion to the column by Dan Valen-
of free-world ld shhipping going into nto the ticularly tine. I do so because the title "Nothing
North Vet ing 19 ports has practically Serious" plies that this is a humorous
doubled
r. LAUSCHE. 1968. column. Dan ordinarily writes in a hum-
Mr. LALeld? Mr. President, will the orous vein. I do -tot believe he has writ-
Senator yield? ten more than three columns of straight
Mr. LAUS of . Can gint I yield. serious comment in a decade. But this
Mr, AUBCHE Gthe Senator in state time his report is straight and serious,
the na whose ships are it comes from personal observation
there? W Wns hich are the principal partici- at the convention. The column by Gor-
pants? don White also comes from personal ex-
of PRESIDING OFFICER. The time posuTe 111 GhiCa>ro.
of the Senator from Virginia has ex- I ask unanimous consent that these
ptre r. BYRD of Virginia. I ask unani- two columns and a column by Harold
Mr. may Schindler be printed in the REcoen at
macs consent that t I may proceed for r 3 this point.
additional minutes. There being no objection, the articles
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
objection, were ordered to be printed in the REc-
it is so ordered. ORD as follows:
Mr. BYRD of Virginia. I shall be glad 5saroua
to supply those figures. Noxxnic (By Tian valntinel
During this 8-month period, January
through August, a total of 98 ships car- I return from five days at the 1968 Demo-
ried cargo into those ports. Of those 98 cratic convention in Chicago disenchanted,
ships, 77 flew the flag of Great Britain, disappointed ... and with a creep fee.ing of
despair.
These 77 ships, 7'7 ships flying the flag I have seen the sleaziest element of our
of Great Britain, which carried cargo unthinking youth, manipulated by 7rofes-
to and from the North Vietnamese ports atonal nibble rousers, defy all stanch rds of
e
m
o
d t
r
lts c
during the first 8 months of 1968, corn- decency Y mt Keene?du
c nven-
t
ic
h
e
D
19. a
Taoln Ill
rin
d
I was in uzectiwtuva-a,a x...--?- .. -?-_--
u
g police cfiicers-who laid their lives on the
ago, and I have a warm feeling for the which carried n h dtig$Z~ ports
.-in we nep that the number line for unholy stretches of time to maintain
people of that land. the first
- .-A .,.Air
by the leaders of lour great. uac-vaaa. -away.,.,-.o ---- _
Then, 20 years ago, in 1948, as a result first 8 months of this year compared with
of a coalition government, the Commu- the same time last year.
nists were permitted to take over that Is there any wonder that our casual-
fine little country. Now again, in 1968, ties are increasing?
the heavy, mailed might of the Soviet is there any wonder that more and
Union is running roughshod over the more Americans are being killed and
people of Czechoslovakia. wounded? Forty-one percent of all the
Mr. President, the Soviet Union is casualties we have suffered during the
everir,, it great dage is also doiing igreatrdamage in the first 8 months of 196 occurred during
the furnishing of supplies to the North it seems to me, Mr. President, that
Vietnamese who, in turn, are causing while the peace talks are going on in
great casualties to the American troops. tan hand possible in the way of negoti-
k
ati
and
vocat
, .??
-??
now now I have been, almost, every wee
D LIKE THIS'.
o
viting attention to the casualty figures. an effort to bring the Vietnam war to a IT
This past week, the U.S. troops in conclusion-we must not let the troops For stretches of three and four yours at
ards-
Vietnam suffered 2,921 casualties. Mr. in Vietnam become the forgotten men, a ch police e Officers
andcers and stolid Nfacingtional the Guards-
President (Mr. GORE in the chatr), dur- I submit that these casualty figures-- men time stood
ing the first 8 months of 1968, January 2,921 killed and wounded last week- pies." The police were stoned and mauled. Our
r was
Thei
flouted 1 through August 31, the United States suggest
tr troops to become the are forgottentmen. We werer elledoat them by thousands of young
suffered 83,533 casualties.
The significant part of this, to me, is are being lulled into a false sense of se- malcoFinantents.
antes hours of this, a youth races
that of all the casualties we have suf- entity and as a result we are suffering up to a y, after officer and -his, a at youth with
fered in Vietnam, 41 percent have oc- heavier casualties. up o a p lic the edge and the es shoe L; a with foot--on of curred during the first 8 months of razor blade. To protect himself, t7ae police
1968-namely, January 1 through VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO officer subdue: the youth. This is the part
August 31. We have been engaged in fllmed by the TV reporters and flashed on the
Vietnam, in one form or another, ap- Mr. MOSS. Mr. President, with many air-just the incident of the -youth being
proximately 7 years, but we have been of my Democratic colleagues, I spent arrested-not ,he provocation!
heavily engaged there for more than 3 most of last week in Chicago at our na- In another isolated incident, a "Yippie"
years. Yet, during the first 8 months of tional convention. A celebrated former throws a brick at the head .>f a yot.ng police
Guard units w17o stood strong against me
barragai of vile language and tasteless ac-
tions of the "Hippies" and the "YipPies."
Yet, thanks to biased, emotional, undis-
ciplined electronic reporting, the police offi-
cers and National Guardsmen have been
pegged as the villains of this unsavory chap-
ter in American history.
Tele%ision, by its very nature, has only one
eye. Because it is essentially show business,
and not a news media, it can show only the
dramatic end-results of what is takir g place.
TV viewers were treated to segments of
young "Yippies" demonstrating in Chicago
being dragged and kicked while being
arrested.
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 :. CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
 Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
September 5, 1968 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE S 10319
officer. The police officer is taken to the hos-
pital. In retaliation, other officers drag the
youth to a police van.
The TV cameras shoot the segment of the
youth being dragged to jail. But no picture
of the police officer hit on the head by a brick.
The TV newsmen interview the poor lad in
jail . and he relates how the police were
brutal to him. But the TV cameras do not
interview the injured police officer in the
hospital.
To make things worse, these sequences
of so-called brutality, are shown over and
over again to the TV viewers across the
nation-creating an unfair sympathy for the
"Yippies."
When I left Chicago Friday afternoon,
more than 50 Chicago policemen were hos-
pitalized with wounds from bouts with the
the "innocent young people" protesting for
a better world. Two. Chicago policemen -re-
portedly had lye thrown in their faces by
"'Yippies."
An innocent woman was hit on the head
by a glass thrown from a top story of the
Hilton Hotel . Most of the lobbies in
major Chicago hotels were made unbearable
by the throwing of "stink" bombs by the
young hoodlums.
One of the "cute" devices used by the
protesting youths who keep shouting for a
better America was to fling a large potato
into a group of policemen or National
Guardsmen. Sticking out of the potato are
several razor blades, the sharp sides pointing
out .
Chicago's Mayor Daley has been labeled
"a Hitler" for his tough police enforcement
during the convention. But without it, the
city would have been riot-torn. And perhaps
the rest of the nation, too.
The long-haired hoodlums had vowed pub-
licly to "tear-up Chicago" . . . The police
kept them from doing it. That's their job.
The 1968 Democratic convention in Chi-
cago is an ugly chapter in the saga of the
United States. It will be a long time before
the bad taste is out of America's mouth.
ANOTHER SIDE TO VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO
_. (By Gordon Eliot White)
CHICAGO.-The Democratic Party and
Mayor Richard J. Daley of Chicago took a
partly bum rap here on charges of racism
and Gestapo tactics during the nominating
session Wednesday night.
National television coverage of the riot
areas was so restricted that only the final
stages of the protest could be shown, when
some. Chicago police had lost their self-con-
trol and were using their nightsticks freely
in a confused melee.
Earlier, thousands of Yippies had charged
into police lines with rocks, sticks, and bot-
tles flying. In a rapidly shifting pattern, the
protesters had outflanked the police and Na-
tional Guardsmen to get into the downtown
Loop area across an unguarded Chicago River
bridge.
What was shown on television in the Inter-
national Amphitheatre consisted of scenes
of helmeted Chicago police beating the dem-
onstrators as they attempted to load them
into paddy wagons, plus shots of the police
using chemical Mace and tear gas on crowds,
some of which were only bystanders. Some
film footage showed the police working over
reporters and cameramen.
There was, clearly, some brutality by the
police, who finally attacked almost anyone
in the riot area.
At the same time, bitterly disappointed
backers of Sen. Kennedy, Sen. McCarthy, Sen.
McGovern and Rev. Channing Phillips turn-
ed the rioters downtown into a symbol of
their own defeat.
Even thougtf4he police lost control at the
climax of the riot, when the demonstrators
had moved within range of cameras at the
Hilton Hotel, the television film could not
show the hail of bottles, rocks and caustic
solutions being tossed by the rioters, nor
the water glasses being dropped on police
from windows in the Hilton itself.
The police clearly made serious mistakes
in beating newsmen and bystanders, and
their strategy was faulty: If the bridges into
the Loop area had all been blocked, only a
few score of the rioters would have been
able to confront the police at the Hilton.
Also, the police several times hemmed in
groups of relatively passive demonstrators
who appeared to panic and try to break
through the police lines. Crowd dispersal
tactics generally call for leaving open an
avenue of escape through which demon-
strators may be channeled harmlessly away.
But the Hippies were not innocent. They
tossed stinkbom.bs into the Hilton and the
Palmer House and other Loop hotels, broke
scores of windows, smashed police car wind-
shields, and themselves manhandled many
bystanders.
The militants-nearly all of them white-
appeared to oppose the war in Vietnam, but
did not back any of the Democratic candi-
dates. At one point earlier in the week they
had threatened to mob Sen. McCarthy in the
Hilton, and jeered him as a Fascist, finally
chanting Ho Chi Minh, Ho Chi Minh, Ho Chi
Minh, at the Minnesota senator.
Yippie publications bitterly wrote off Mc-
Carthy, McGovern, and even Sen. Kennedy as
members of the "establishment" who had
voted for military spending bills in the
Senate.
At two points the police called in National
Guardsmen, who stood shoulder to shoulder
with fixed bayonets on their weapons. The
appearance of the guard in late afternoon
quieted the demonstrations, which later re-
sumed when the guard was .withdrawn. The
troops returned after midnight and quickly
restored order at the Hilton.
The Yi-ppies had threatened violence in
Chicago for weeks, and had trained their
cadres in guerrilla tactics in Chicago parks.
Led by Tom Mayden, of the Students for
the Democratic Society, David Dellinger, a
self-described Communist who headed the
1967 march on the Pentagon, and Jerry
Rubin, of the Youth International Party, the
protesters were carrying out what Staughton
Lynd has called the "politics of confron-
tation."
The liberal wing of the party threw the
disturbances at Mr. Humphrey's supporters
all night Wednesday, attempting to hang
"police state," "Gestapo," and "mindless bru-
tality" tags on their party's nominee.
Humphrey opponents spoke of "racism," and
an "aura of suspicion" as though the Vice
President were responsible for the demon-
strations, the police tactics, and all else that
the liberals objected to.
Some of the beaten newsmen may have
been mistaken by police for rioters. Large
numbers of cameramen, from both national
media and the Hippie press, plus some re-
porters, have been covering the convention
in tattered old cloths, sandals, and long hair
that could easily be mistaken for Hippie
attire. Some, at least appear to,have actually
taken part in the rock-throwing, though at
least 35 legitimate accredited reporters were
beaten in Tuesday's and Wednesday's
rioting. -
CONVENTION COVERAGE: WHAT REALLY HAP-
- PENED?
(By Harold Schindler)
The International Amphitheatre is empty,
the last gavel has sounded, and while Hippies
and Chicago police lick their wounds per-
haps this is the time-here in the Demili-
tarized Zone-to pause for a more pene-
trating look at television's coverage of the
Democratic National Convention.
Millions of stunned Americans watched
last week as the convention and its accom-
panying scenes of violence unfolded before
their eyes. But now, after sober reflection,
many of those viewers are wondering just
exactly what it was they did see, for reports
filed out.of Chicago during the weekend are
beginning to paint a substantially different
picture than the one which dominated liv-
ing rooms screens five days ago.
More disturbing than the incidents them-
selves is the nagging notion that much of
the convention confusion and police con-
frontation with demonstrators-both on the
floor and beyond the Amphitheatre's doors-
may have in a large part been brought about
by the presence of television.
(Sunday night the networks denied an
allegation by Chicago police that militant
demonstrators had been able to learn before-
hand the location of television cameras out-
side convention hall.) .
Since its appearance 20 years ago, commer-
cial television has been considered an en-
tertainment medium; an industry which ac-
cepts or discards programs solely on the
basis of rating, with an almost fierce dis-
regard for quality.
For weeks the political conventions have
been a source of heated competition between
the Big Ti'ree, each network scrambling for
viewers. NBC alone budgeted seven million
dollars f, r the Miami Beach and Chicago
sessions, exclusive of regular schedule pre-
emptions and the resultant loss of sponsor
money.
With that kind of cash at stake, the net-
works went all out to enliven Chicago cover-
age rather than risk a repeat of the GOP
convention,' described by Vice President
Humphrey as "a wake."
Once on convention floor, harried network
reporters, admittedly rankled because Chi- -
cago Mayor Daley had restricted their num-
bers, flagrantly created, nurtured and mon-
gered rumors among the delegates while an-
chormen treated these manufactured myths
as legitimate leads.
One video reporter, nailed a delegate with
this pertinent query: "And you're here on the
floor for what purpose, Senator?"
To which the bemused Democrat re-
sponded. "Frankly, Dan, I came down be-
cause you asked me."
"Of course," said the reporter.
That delegates were taking advantage of
the TV situation became obvious as the con-
vention continued. United Press International
writer Robert Musel wondered, "Since most
other delegates had gone to dinner, would the
New York delegation mixed choir have con-
tinued singing and swaying as long as they
did in the emptying amphitheatre if the cam-
eras had stopped?"
Efforts to sustain coverage from gavel-to-
gavel reached a low water mark when actress
Shirley MacLafne, attending as a delegate,
twittered, "I keep abreast of what's happen-
ing on my little TV set over there."
David Brinkley solemnly confided that
"nameless, faceless men" were dogging his
floor reporters, eavesdropping on interview-
ers. "We don't know who they are," he said.
And on CBS Walter Cronkite noted the con-
vention was being conducted "in a police
state."
For a man anchored to one spot during
the entire proceedings, he editorialized more
than homeviewers would have dared with the
facilities of all three channels and newspaper
coverage available to them.
Through it all the networks had a single
overrriding concern--one best summarized
by this lead paragraph from a publicity re-
lease:
"NBC News' television coverage of the four
days of the Democratic National Convention
attracted a national audience 16 percent
greater than CBS-TV's convention coverage
and beat ABC-TV's combination of enter-
tainment convention by 17 per cent during
the 201/2 hours of coverage estimated by Na-
tional Arbitron (a rating service)."
Would you believe that single sentence is
worth seven million dollars?
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
 S 10320
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -SENATE September 5, 1998
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE
NATIONAL GUN CRIME PREVEN-
TION ACT-THE TYDINGS BILL
Mr. MANSFIELD. Mr. President, along
with 17 other Senators, I have joined
the distinguished Senator from Maryland
[Mr. TYDINGSI in introducing S. 3634,
the National Gun Crime Prevention Act,
which provides for firearms registration
and licensing. To answer the questions
most frequently asked about the National
Gun Crime Prevention Act, I have, with
the-assistance of Senator TYDINGS, pre-
pared a brief document entitled "Ques-
tions and Answers on the National Gun
Crime Prevention Act," which I ask
unanimous consent to have printed at
this point in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the docu-
ment was ordered to be printed in the
RECORD, as follows:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE NATIONAL
GUN CRIME PREVENTION ACT
INDEX OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the National Gun Crime Preven-
tion Act?
Licensing of gun users will weed out per-
sons who, by reason of criminal record, drug
addiction, alcoholism, mental incompetence,
or age should not be entrusted with a gun In
the first place.
2. Why not just enforce existing state gun
laws?
Most states' gun laws are totally inade-
quate to protect their citizens. Many states
have practically no gun laws at all, eight
states have no law against felons buying
firearms. In 35 states lunatics can legally own
guns. Only 3 states require a license to own
or possess a gun.
Most state gun laws are either obsolete or
meaningless, such as a Texas law forbidding
carrying guns in a saddlebag, except when
you are traveling. Vermont's law forbidding
schoolchildren to have guns in the classroom,
or Arkansas' law forbidding using a machine
gun for offensive purposes. Clearly, existing
state firearms laws are totally inadequate, to
protect the public.
3. Congress just passed a gun law. Why do
we need another?
The law Congress enacted as part of the
Omnibus Crime Bill In June was a watered-
down compromise which, while worthwhile,
for practical purposes only requires that
pistol purchases be made in the purchaser's
home state. The new law does make It Illegal
to transport or possess a gun if you are un-
der indictment, a fugitive, a felon, an ad-
judged mental incompetent, an illegally
entered alien, have renounced U.S- citizen-
ship. or have been dishonorably discharged
from the armed forces, but provides no means
to actually prevent such persons from
making firearms purchases.
The provisions of the Omnibus Crime Bill
do not provide any way to trace a gun lost,
stolen, or used in crime. They provide no
way for gun dealers to determine whether
the man they are selling to Is who he says
he is, does not intend to use the gun In crime.
Is not a felon, addict, or mental patient or
otherwise disqualified from gun ownership.
These dangerous people can still get guns
by simply lying.
To make the law passed in June enforce-
able. we need firearms registration and
licensing. Firearms user licensing would pre-
vent criminals, addicts, lunatics, and juve-
niles from purchasing firearms, and registra-
tion would help find them if they used a gun
in crime.
4. Are registration and licensing proposals
merely steps toward confiscation of all fire-
arms?
Certainly not. Firearms ownership and use
by law-abiding citizens is a healthful recrea-
tion and does not contribute to the gun crime
problem. But we urgently need adequate rec-
ords of gun ownership to help trace guns
used in crime to their criminal users. Regis-
tration of all firearms Is the only way to
gather these records. And we urgently need
to deny access to firearms by criminals, ad-
dicts and mental Incompetents. A licensing
system, in which all law-abiding citizens au-
tomatically are entitled to licenses and all
criminals, addicts and mental incompetents
are automatically denied licenses, and which
punishes purch'ase, possession or use of a fire-
arm without a license. will severely Inhibit
criminal access to guns.
Those who oppose reasonable firearms con-
trol because they fear "confiscation" should
be much more concerned that the rapidly ris-
ing gun crime rate may well lead to public
demand for confiscation If reasonable meas-
ures to stem the gun crime rate are not taken
now. The threat of confiscation arises not
from reasonable action to stem the gun crime
rate, but rather from no action at all.
5. Aren't registration and licensing bills
actually just taxation measures?
No. The National Gun Crime Prevention
Act contains no fee at all for either licens-
ing or registration. It would be paid for out
of the general revenues. Direct controls
against criminal access to guns and good rec-
ords for tracing guns used In ?3rime-not
taxes-are the best way to control the gun
crime rate.
6. Are recistration and licensing constitu-
tfonalP
Yes, without question. Here's what the
Library of Congress says about the National
Gun Crime Prevention Act and the Second
Amendment's "right to bear arms"; "From
what we krow of the history and constsue-
tion of the Second Amendment, it would
seem that the majcr current proposals for
gun control are not subject to any serious
Second Amendment challenges." Library of
Conrgess Study UC4+3OB, 450/77 A--251: "The
Second Amendment as a Limitation on Fed-
eral Firearms Legislr.tlon," July 8. 1968)
The U.S. Attorney General has stated: "A
federal system requiring the registration and
licensing of firearms is a necessary and
proper means to two legitimate legislative
goals, the regulation and protection of inter-
state commerce and the preservation of the
peace of the United States ... it is within the
power of Congress to enact."
The bill also contains a special provision,
Section 936 i c), to conform to recent Supreme
Court decl:dons (Haynes v. U.S.) dealing
with the Bill of Rig 'its provision on self-in-
crimination,
7. What till the National Gun Crime Pre-
vention Act cost the gun owner?
The bill Imposes r.o fees. The operation, of
the licensing and registration system pro-
posed by the National Gun Crime Prevention
Act would he paid for out of the general tax
receipts of the country. As a law enforcement
and public safety measure, the cost of the
Act should be borne by all citizens. As orig-
inally introduced, the Act did provide a $1
fee for licensing and registration, but this
provision has been deleted.
8. How does registration work?
A gun owner simply sends a law enforce-
ment agency the makes, models, and serial
numbers of his guns and his own name and
address. It can be done completely by mail.
Then, when a lost or stolen gun it found, its
true owner can be discovered and his gun
returned to him. If a gun is found at the
scene of a crime, its last known owner an
be quickly traced. When a suspicious charac-
ter Is arrested with a gun In his possession,
its ownership can be quickly determined. If
the gun has been stolen or Is unregistered.
the suspect can be 'cooked for pcssession. of
stolen good:; or possession of an unregistered
weapon.
If a state enacts Its own registration law,
guns would be registered with- wht.tever state
agency the law designated. If the state fa'1ed
to act, guns would be registered with the
federal government:,
9. Must every firearm be registered?
Yes, otherwise mr,ny guns lost. stolen, or
used in crirae could not be traced.
10. Would private firearms sales be regis-
tered too?
Yes. All firearms transfers, by dealers and
private pen:ons, would be registered so that
up-to-date records of actual gun ownership
could be maintained.
11. Doesn't registration impose a burden on
the law-abiding?
Not a significant one. Everything can be
done by mail on a form like this:
FIREARMS RE3ISTRATION FORM
Name: ------------------------------------
Address - ----------------------------------
Firearm.
Make: -..---------------------_----------
Model: ----------------------------------
Serial # - ------------------------------
The registration would be free and per-
manent. No fees. No renewals.
12, But tron't criminals refuse to register
their guns?
2. Why not just enforce existing state gun
laws?
3. Congress just passed a gun law. Why do
we need another?
4. Are registration and licensing proposals
merely steps toward confiscation of all fire-
arms?
5. Aren't registration and licensing bills
actually just taxation measures?
6. Are registration and licensing constitu-
tional?
7. What will the National Gun Crime Pre-
vention Act cost the gun owner?
8. How does registration work?
9. Must every firearm be registered?
10. Would private firearms sales be regis-
tered too?
11. Doesn't registration Impose a burden
on the law-abiding?
12. But won't criminals refuse to register
their guns?
13. Must an owner of several guns register
eachof them?
14. What about weapons which have no
serial number?
15. What about antiques?
16. How does licensing work?
17. How about my son under 18 years old?
Could he still hunt and shoot?
18. What's the difference between registra-
tion and licensing? Do we-need both?
19. Must every gun be separately licensed?
20. Would there be any discretion to deny
a license?
21. Won't criminals get guns anyway?
22. Why not just punish gun crimes more
severely?
23. What about the argument that "guns
don't commit crimes, people do"?
24. What about the argument that "No
dictatorship has ever been imposed on a na-
tion of free men who have not just been re-
quired to register their privately owned fire-
arms?"
1. What is the National Gun Crime Pre-
vention Act?
The National Gun Crime Prevention Act Is
a bill Introduced by 19 Senators to help
detect and deter gun crime. It provides for
registration of all firearms and licensing of
all firearms owners and ammunition users.
It encourages state action by providing for
state pre-emption of the federal law. Where
a state enacts its own registration and licens-
ing law, the federal law would not apply.
Where a state fails to act to protect its own
citizens, the bill would provide a minimum
floor of federal protection in that state.
Registration of all firearms will give the
police the means to quickly trace guns used
in crime to their owner.
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
 September 5, Appfroved ForC~~UN/LO~IP7~~R000300190053-7
Some criminals may refuse to register their
guns and risk being jailed for having an un-
registered gun. But any suspected criminal
found with an unregistered weapon can be
jailed on that charge alone, even if no other
crime can be proved. So it will become very
risky for a criminal to have an unregistered
weapon.
13. Must an owner of several guns register
each of them?
He must supply the make, model, and
serial number of each, but could do to for all
his guns on a single form.
14. What about weapons which have no
serial number?
The bill provides that firearms dealers can
imprint serial numbers on such weapons for
identification purposes.
15. What about antiques?
No firearm manufactured prior to 1898 is
covered by the bill.
16. How does licensing work?
Licensing Is simply a way of denying fugi-
tives, criminals, addicts,, and mental defec-
tives access to firearms and ammunition.
Every purchaser, possessor, or user of fire-
arms or ammunition would have to have a
license, except for juveniles with their par-
ents' consent and hunters or sportsmen who
have borrowed a weapon for temporary use.
To get a license, you would simply submit
a Statement affirming that you are over 18,
have never been convicted of a felony or
,committed to an institution by a court on
the grounds. of alcoholism, narcotics addic-
tion, or mental incompetence, that you are
not under indictment or a fugitive, and are
not otherwise prohibited by law from obtain-
ing a weapon. In addition, you would supply
a physical description like that required for
a driver's license and proof of identity (in
the form of a draft card, driver's license, so-
cial security card, etc.).
If a state enacted a licensing law, the state-
ment and identification would be supplied
to whatever agency the state prescribed, but
if the state does not act, then to any federal
firearms dealer. The entire transaction could
be conducted by mail.
Issuance of licenses would be automatic to
all law-abiding ctiizens, without any discre-
tion on the part of the issuing officer. Denial
of a license would be automatic in the case
of felons, fugitives, adjudged alcoholics ad-
dicts and mental incompetents, and those
under 18.
17. How about my son under 18 years old?
Could he still hunt and shoot?
Yes, definitely. Although he could not own
a gun in his own name, the bill expressly
provides that he will be able to hunt and
shoot with his parents' consent.
18, What's the difference between regis-
tration and licensing? Do we need both?
Registration is a means of tracing guns
used in crime. Licensing is a means of re-
ducing the gun crime rate itself by denying
access to guns by known criminals, addicts,
and mental defectives. Registration Is a
means to solve gun crime once it has been
committed. Licensing is a means to prevent
gun crime from being committed in the first
place,
19. Must every gun be separately licensed?
No. Firearms purchasers, owners and users
are licensed,. not the guns themselves, The
purpose is to deny licenses to criminals, ad-
dicts and mental defectives.
20. Would there be any discretion to deny
a license?
Not where the federal law applies. If the
applicant is not under indictment, or a
fugitive, a felon, an adjudged addict, alco-
holic or mental incompetent, or under 18, the
license must be issued. The state could estab-
lish a different system, if they wish, just as
they can today.
21. But won't criminals get guns anyway?
If a licensing law were in effect a criminal,
addict, or mental defective could not legally
purchase, own or use a gun, because he would
not be entitled to a license. Thus, lawful
channels of purchase would be cut off to him.
Today they are not.
Today, in most states, criminals, addicts
and idiots have access to guns on the same
basis as the law-abiding. Even if, after en-
actment of the National Gun Crime Pre-
vention, Act hard-core criminals may be able
to get some guns, the small-time but fre-
quently deadly crook who holds up liquor
stores, bus drivers and filling stations or
housebreaks will find it much harder and
much riskier to possess a gun.
No one claims gun laws are airtight or
foolproof. The question is whether we should
do what we can to detect and prevent gun
crime or continue to do nothing, as we do
today.
22. Why not just punish gun crimes more
severely?
Heavier penalties for gun crimes already
exist, but haven't answered the gun crime
problem. Armed robbery is a more serious
offense than simple robbery; aggravated as-
sault is more heavily punished than simple
assault. Murder is the most heavily punished
crime of all. Yet the commission rates of all
these crimes are climbing intolerably. Armed
robbery increased from 42,600 crimes a year
in 1964 to 71,000 in 1967; aggravated assault
by gun from 27,700 cases in 1964 to 55,000
in 1967; murder by gun from 5,000 in 1964
to 7,700 in 1967.
Gun crimes should be more heavily pun-
ished. But clearly, heavier penalties do not
answer the gun crime epidemic. They do not
help solve gun crimes, as registration would.
They do not prevent criminal access to guns,
as licensing would. They do not bring gun
crime victims back to life, repair their
wounds, or return their property, Only dis-
arming the criminal can do that.
23. What about the argument that "guns
don't commit crimes, people do"?
Of course, guns don't commit crimes, but
people using guns certainly do. People using
guns last year alone robbed 71,000 Americans,
assaulted 56,000 Americans and murdered
7,700 Americans. People using guns murdered
John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and
Robert Kennedy, along with more than 25,000
other Americans between 1963 and 1967.
24. What about the argument that "No
dictatorship has ever been imposed on a
nation of free men who have not just been
required to register their privately owned
firearms?"
That argument does not hold water. It is
unsupported by fact and refuted by history.
For example, regarding the German occupa-
tions of Europe, the Library of Congress has
concluded:
"We can make no positive correlation be-
tween gun laws and dictatorships, as the fol-
lowing examples will show.
"First, four countries were examined which
are democracies now, but in recent history
came under Nazi dictatorships (Germany,
Italy, France, and Austria). One may reason-
ably assume that if gun registration laws
constituted a primary factor in the rise of
dictatorships, these countries would have
since revised their laws to prevent future
dictatorships, This has not been the case.
The four countries today have substantially
the same gun laws as those in force prior to
the advent of dictatorship. In fact, in Italy,
where gun laws were relaxed by Mussolini,
they have recently been restrengthened ap-
proximately to their pre-Mussolini level.
Secondly, two democracies were examined
which have not suffered dictatorships in
their recent history (England and Switzer-
land). Switzerland has had gun registration
laws since 1874, England since 1831.
^ i b M #
"It would be inaccurate of course to rug-
gest that a dictatorship would be uncon-
cerned about the possession of firearms by
its populace. Nevertheless these few exam-
ples would seem to indicate fairly conclu-
S 10321
sively that there is no significant relation-
ship between gun laws and the rise of dic-
tatorships at least in these countries."
TRIBUTE TO SENATOR HILL
Mr. SPARKMAN. Mr. President, a re-
cent issue of the Tennessee Valley Pub-
lic Power Association News contained an
editorial saluting Alabama's retiring sen-
ior Senator, Hon. LISTER HILL, and his
identification with the Tennessee Valley
Authority during all of the years of the
life of TVA. The editorial recalled that
Senator HILL, who was then a Member of
the House, coauthored the TVA Act
which was signed into law by President
Roosevelt on May 18, 1933. The editorial
is a fitting tribute to one whose congres-
sional efforts have meant so much to the
Tennessee Valley. I ask unanimous con-
sent that the editorial may be printed in
the RECORD.
There being no objection, the editorial
was ordered to be printed in the RECORD,
as follows:
HISTORIC HEARING
An,era in the development of the Tennes-
see Valley and TVA came to an end last
month.
It appeared to be a routine hearing on the
1969 TVA budget before a subcommittee of
the Senate Appropriations Committee,
But this hearing had significance far
beyond the TVA budget request for the new
fiscal year. It marked the final appearance
of U.S. Senator Lister Hill as Chairman of
the Appropriations Committee subcommittee
on TVA matters.
Senator Lister Hill is not running for re-
election. His term as Senator expires before
the next Congress goes to work.
And when he is no longer in the Congress,
TVA will have lost the best friend it ever
had. This is a broad statement, because TVA
has had-and still has-many knowledge-
able, capable Senators and Congressman
supporting its multipurpose program. But
close observers agree that no member of the
Congress has done as much for TVA as Sen-
ator Lister Hill. -
There was no major production made of
the- fact that the June 28 hearing was the
last TVA hearing at which Sen. Hill would
preside, TVA Board Chairman A. J. (Red)
Wagner and Board Member Frank Smith paid
brief tributes to the Senator, who responded
by thanking them "for those kind and gentle
words."
Red Wagner said there were developments
all over the Tennessee Valley which stood as
tributes to Senator Hill and his work. Direc-
tor Smith said that few things in American
government could equal Senator Hill's lead-
ership on TVA matterk.
But Wagner and Smith knew full well that
they had not adequately stated the signifi-
cance of Senator Hill's years of work in be-
half of TVA. It was impossible, with ordinary
words, to do so.
It was typical that at this appropriations
hearing Senator Hill was asking probing
questions about the need for added funds
for TVA's fertilizer and chemical facilities at
Muscle Shoals. The smile, the gentle manner
and voice, - the occasional "uh-wuh" as he
searched for the exact word he wanted-
these were familiar to those who have at-
tended TVA hearings over the years.' And
the Senator displayed his usual vast knowl-
edge of TVA and its programs.
But with Lister Hill it was more than
knowledge. With him it was understanding.
He knows, more than any other member of
the Congress, why TVA carries on its multi-
purpose program of water and power and
resource development.
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7
 S 10322
Approved Fojfll' MSI NAi.O DP7S0B0Q 8R000300~eptember 5, 1968
He should know why. He was-with Ne-
braska Republican Senator George Norris-a
co-author of the TVA Act, signed into law on
May 18. 1933 by President Franklin D. Roose-
velt. He was a member of the House-Senate
conference committee which threshed out
the final specifics of the TVA Act; and today
he is the only member of that important
conference committee still serving in the
Congress.
He once said:
"In TVA we tried something new and bold.
The heart of the concept lies In the fact
that for the first time in the history of Fed-
eral legislation Congress accepted the unity
of nature. For this one river basin the inter-
relationship of land and water, of trees and
pastures, of men and nature, was recognized
in a Federal statute."
"We gave one agency responsibility to
augurate a total program committed
full development of all nature's re
for all the people."
On May 18 of this year, TVA to
35th year.
During every one of those
the House, and, since 1938,
He helped write the TVA A
guidance.
Next May 18, when
and Influence, time
out of a legislative
In comments directed at "Mrs. Ameri-
can Housewife," Mrs. May bridged that
mysterious gap between the beef graz-
Ing on the range and the beef sizzling on
the patio barbeque grill.
In "straight from the hip" language,
she told the housewives why it would be
to their benefit to know the facts about
cattle production and income and why
factors which hurt t es oc dus-
try, such as infi , have a directr-
ing on the price of food.
Notinat the double-edged sword of
inflatjah cuts into the already low in-
c(Nof the producer, while adding to the
said:
Let's go where the action Is to pro-
test-not to the supermarkets, but to Wash-
ington, D.C., where inflation should be
attacked.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con-
sent that Mrs. May's excellent speech be
printed In the RECORD.
There being no objection, the speech
was ordered to be printed in the RECORD,
as follows:
A SPEECH BY Mss. JAa~ MAY or LARAMIE.
Wyo.
There is an old story that says you can't
kill a frog by dropping him in boiling water.
He reacts so quickly to the sudden heat that
gress. And TVA will, it deserves repeating,
have lost its best friend.
For Senator Hill and for TVA, this should
be an occasion for celebration, not sadness.
For Senator Hill, there Is a record unparal-
leled in American history in support of his
unique Federal agency. A plaque on his office
wall from the Tennessee Valley Public Power
Association makes some small attempt to give
him credit.
But the real credit, over the years, will be-
as TVA Chairman Wagner put it-the de-
veloped resources, the controlled floods, the
low-cost power, the growing, thriving re-
gion-all tributes to the genius and the
dedication of this brilliant, mild-mannered
gentleman from Alabama.
The Tennessee Valley salutes Its greatest
TVA statesman.
WYOMING RANCH WIFE "TELLS IT
LIKE IT IS"
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. President, in these
times of depressed prices for America's
livestock producers, many persons and
organizations have presumed to speak
or write at length about the causes of
this worsening situation.
Cattle producers themselves know
their problem and what causes it, but
because they comprise such a small por-
tion of the country's population, their
voice is usually lost in the din from the
consumer and from others who seek to
advise the world about the cattle
industry.
Every now and then someone comes
forth with a hard-hitting, right-to-the-
point explanation of the reasons for low
income to cattlemen and the ties that
bind the consumer and the producer.
Such an explanation was recently pre-
sented to a group of women consumers
by Mrs. James May, of Laramie-the
articulate c4ife of a cattleman in my
State of Wyoming.
too late. By then he is cooker!! People are
just as foolish. Take away their freedom over
night and you have a violent revolution. But
steal it from them gradually (under the guise
of "security," "peace," or "progress) and you
can paralize an entire generation. Look at the
income tax. It started with a harmless Bound-
ing l%. It would have been easy to have
jumped out of water as warm as this, but like
the frog, we waited while It climbed ever
higher. Try jumping nowt
Worst of all we never learn. Even today we
cannot believe that Medicare is the same
warm water that will one day boat us In so-
cialized medicine. We see no connection be-
tween farm price supports and nationalized
agriculture. And if we draw a parallel be-
tween subsidized teachers' pay and federal
sts." The tragedies of history are always re-
)eated by those who refuse to learn. To seek
I want to visit with you about apeet
f Beef which probably interests yo ost-
I'll late some of the thin that are in-
voly we, the ranche eeelve a small
amount pay retail. So what
happens between us and you, the consumer?
In the first place, only 60% of a carcass Is
edible meat and In the second place, only a
small part of a carcass Is steak, and there
are many necessary costs between beef on
the hoof and meat on the table.
Let's say the packer pays 25 cents a pound
for the whole steer-the meat, but every
other pound too-the hide, the hoofs, the
head, the bone, the blood, the water, etc. So
from a 1000 lb. steer he has only 600 lbs. of
salable beet left. This has brought the price
up to about 45 cents a pound. The packer
has had the costs of buying, slaughtering,
selling, delivering, etc., so he has to make a
Sew cents to cover these costs before It goes
to the retailer.
The retailer has many costs to prepare the
beef for the consumer. Rent, help, taxes,
equipment, refrigeration, supplies, advertis-
tng, losses due to trimming, shrinkage, etc.
Now I believe the housewife asks for some
of these costs because she wants her meat
packages. and pI.n ready, and she has to
pay for -t. I call it built-in maid ser,ice.
When the retailer buys the carcass he
pays the same price for every pound. But
a carcass yields much more of some cuts
than others; some cuts are in greater de-
mand than others. He has to sell the cuts
at varying prices-some for nearly twice as
much and some for less than half. The more
desirable and higher priced cuts represent
a small portion, while the medium priced
roasts, stew meat and hamburger, make up
a larger part of the carcass. The price the
retailer gets mus, average out to cover the
original cost plus the cost of marketing.
Consumer boycotts of food stores might
eliminate trading stamps and other gim-
micks designed to build sales, but there -is
virtually no chance that consumers will be
getting cheaper food in the future. Elimina-
tion of trading stamps and other promotion
might cut 20 cents from a $10 grocery bill.
Retail p.?ofits, food advertising, transporta-
tion and storing food amounts to 60 cents
of a $10 grocery bill. So here is a tctal of
70 cents or 7% from the grocery prices with-
out taking price cuts back to the farm.
But of tills total, only the stamps and gim-
micks quid be eliminated without also
eliminating the food processors, storers,
transpor-,ers and retailers. Food industries
are simply low profit operations and modest
levels of profit are necessary to keep them
In bualness.
We'd hike to boycott along with the women
who have this in mind. But first we'd have
ington D.C. against the basic cause of the
"symp an" toward which they have directed
their ycott.
Let o, a cattleman's wife, tell you how
it loo out in the country. For the past
six ye s our husband's share of the: food
dollar as consistently gone down. This has
mean that the budget to run our ranch, feed
and othe our faraily, has been mighty tight.
Mea while, we are told your husband's pay
he been Increasing. Chances are, as in
fluence. We are receiving the same price
today that we did 20 years ago, while our
production costs have gone up 25%.
These are the facts-from ranch to plate
is a smai profit operation; at the ranch level
it has been a hand to mouth deal for years.
The catt:e feeder has lost more than he has
made In recent years; the meat packing busi-
ness has the lowest net earnings of any
similar sized business In the nation; the net
earnings of the wholesalers and re jailers
would arlaze you because they are so slim.
What you are looking at is inflation. In-
flation finally catching up with the market
basket. You've been spared that unpleasant-
ness up to now oy every one on the food
team foregoing reasonable profits. But we
are backed to the wall now and boycotts
which might momentarily depress food prices
cannot provide a permanent solution.
So let's go where the action Ls to protest-
not to the supermarkets, but to Washington,
D.C. where inflation should be attacked.
Farmers and ranchers are a minority group,
but don't sell there short. Agriculture's prog-
ress has resulted in sharply lowered food
prices relative to Income. This both reduces
Inflationary tendencies and provides a larger
market for industry. U.S. consumers last
year paid out only 17.7% of their disposable
Approved For Release 2005/08/03 : CIA-RDP70B00338R000300190053-7