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Kennedy's Techniques
W7E have in Blair Lee’s account of Maryland’s part at
W the Democratic Convention, a clearer and first-hand
picture of John F. Kennedy’s successful campaign tech
niques. They are overpowering to say the least.
Senator Kennedy has had one strong ambition for
many years. Furthermore, he has had the complete
equipment to capture the next-to-last step in attaining
this goal—the Presidency of the United States.
Regardless of one’s political feeling, it is impossible to
imagine anyone not being impressed with the complete
thoroughness with which this man and his family and
staff went about accomplishing the victorious feat. And
we are even more impressed after reading Blair Lee’s clear
description of what transpired behind the scenes.
Young, intelligent, purposeful, ambitious, calculating
and charming John F. Kennedy will conduct a Democratic
campaign as near perfect as any you have ever seen. And
you can be sure that it will never be dull here in Montgom
ery County or any place in the country.
Adult Delinquency
THE more we hear about the actions of juvenile delin
quents the more we’re inclined to go along with the
well-worn cliche that “it’s not juvenile delinquency, it’s
parental delinquency.”
We strongly believe that well-adjusted, well-oriented
and well-regulated children will not continue to commit
the unending series of vandalistic acts that have heaped
Shame upon the modern-day community and that some
where along the line there must be a semblance of adult
neglect when such incidents recur.
[ Last weekend the Rockville Civic Center was serious
ly damaged by fire of an incendiary origin that from all
indications was set by children. Last weekend two floral
window boxes were ripped from the front of a drug store
in Olney, where the Rotary Club and the Northeast Mont
gomery Community Council have been trying diligently to
improve the appearance of the community by planting
flowers and shrubbery around public buildings and com
mercial establishments.
From Rockville city authorities comes further word
of damage of public buildings, parks and playgrounds. In
recreation areas maintained by the city, authorities pro
vide washroom and lavatories for the convenience of the
Citizens who benefit by their existence.
’ Yet, according to William M. Perkins, administrative
4ssistant to the city manager: “We have to build our
washrooms to look like pillboxes; we have to build cement
roofs and steel doors fo withstand the damage inflicted by
these vandals, and they still succeed in breaking in or
damaging fixtures.”
-
! There is mounting evidence that most of these acts
the handiwork of children because, among other rea
sons, mature adults would not indulge in such senseless
destruction. Yet they surely cannot be the handiwork of
normally-reared children who have the benefit of parental
guidance and companionship.
; Somewhere, there is something sadly lacking. The
American adult of today seems to be falling far short of
giving his offspring the proper guidance, instilling in him
the proper sense of values and a feeling of respect for the
rights of others.
; Children as a rule are impressionable and ready to
accept the rules of propriety and society if they are pre
sented to them in a reasonable and logical manner. But
if they are left to their own devices, unrestrained and
without guidance, they are apt to end up in mischief from
the very lack of something else to do.
' The parents who don’t know where their children are
or what they are doing after dark, Or don’t hold them ac
countable at other times, are just as guilty as the young
sters who perpetrate the offenses against society that
Have come to be so prevalent in these times. Ordinarily,
these acts are not the work of the children of parents who
gre strict but reasonable.
• A recently-enacted Maryland law, holding parents
financially liable for the damage inflicted by their chil
dren, has been invoked several times by Juvenile Court
Judge Alfred D. Noyes. It appears to be a somewhat
drastic measure, but nonetheless necessary where parent
al restraint is inadequate to curb juvenile infringement on
the property rights of others.
Robert A. Gibson
THERE is a strong and sincere feeling of regret among
( the citizens of this county and the faculty of our
school system that Robert A. Gibson has resigned as prin
cipal of Richard Montgomery High School to become
Superintendent of schools for Cecil County, Md.
* It seems to us that our School Board and Dr. C. Tay
lor Whittier, Superintendent of Schools, should not only
have regrets but real concern.
The citizens of Montgomery County have been willing
to have taxes increased to pay for higher school salaries
primarily because they thought by so doing the school
system would be able to keep outstanding educators and
to attract others for the benefit of our childrens’ educa
tion. However, there seems to be an inordinate number
of fine professional persons in our system who have been
Overlooked for promotions and an unusual number of
resignations.
•
; We are not at this time in a position to know whether
dr not there is a connection between these premises, but
it is something which the School Board should look into
itnmediately.
•
; Men of Mr. Gibson’s unique ability do not come along
everyday. We are sincerely sorry to see him go. His go
ing is Cecil County’s gain and we wish for him a bright
future. We’re only sorry his educational star won’t be
shining in Montgomery County.
Thursday, July 21, 1960
„ ... .111. .111 . I Jim ■■ "
County Comment
Democratic Convention
Had Surprises and Fun
Ruminations of a sleepless week-long
vigil at the idiot box:
Before the Democratic convention, we
were told that Stuart Symington was “every
body’s second choice.” At the convention, the
feverish demonstrations for Adlai Stevenson
—plus apparently sincere declarations of ad
miration for Stevenson from such Kennedy
supporters as governors Brown and Lawrence
—raised the suspicion that golden-tongued
Adlai was everybody’s first choice. But polit
ical conventions are not popularity contests,
and it remained for the big prize to go to
Kennedy. He, apparently, was everybody's
third choice and first commitment.
Kennedy’s decision to tackle the religious
issue at the outset, and the convincing two
fisted manner in which he did so in his ac
ceptance speech, emphasizes a major Ken
nedy advantage not possessed by A1 Smith in
1928.
Smith, the only other Catholic contender
In history, also issued strong disavowals of
any potential influence of church on state.
But Smith had to rely on the printed word
and on radio (then In its static-ridden child
hood) to communicate his message to the vot
ers. But there is no real substitute, where
personal integrity is on trial, for actual first
hand observation of the speaker. (The TV
exposure of the late Joe McCarthy is a cele
brated case in point.) Kennedy on television
seems to mean what he says, and the full
emotional impact of his words crashes right
into the living room. Whenever Kennedy’s
candidacy is compared with that of A1 Smith,
as it Inevitably must be over and over again,
TV is a practical aspect of the “religious is
sue” that cannot be minimized.
The youthful senator’s acceptance speech
Letters to the Editor
Silly Zoom-cmd-Brake
As a newcomer to Montgom
ery County I am curious to
know what kind of logic led to
the creation of the abbreviated
55-mile - an - hour zcne along
Veirs Road between Veirs Mill
Village and Rockville. To me, it
seems to be about the silliest
piece of highway planning I’ve
ever encountered.
All along Veirs Mill Road as
you drive out from College Park
you’re hog-tied by a 35-mile
speed limit that seems entirely
too restrictive on such broad,
straight boulevard. Then, all of
a sudden you see a nice, open
stretch of road and a sign that
tells you you're free to take
off.
O.K. So you step on the gas
Montgomery County
SENTINEL
CY M. CAMPBELL, Publisher
Byron Sedgwick, Editor
J. B. Za'.man. Associate Editor
W. H. Smith. Auociat* Editor
Established 1839 by Matthav* Field!
MEMBER MARYLAND PRESS ASSOC
AFFILIATE MEMBER NATIONAL
EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION
SENTINEL PUBLISHING CO.. INC
PubliahMi weekly. Thursday! at Zl3
East Montgomery Avenue, by the SenU
nei Publishing Co.. Inc.. Cy M. Camp
bell. president.
Entered as second clan matter at the
Post Office at Rockville. Maryland, un
der Act of Congress. March a 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Mall in Maryland and the District of
Columbia.
ons Year , MOO
brought to mind some obvious contrasts and
similarities with Stevenson’s first acceptance
speech in 1952. By contrast with Stevenson,
who donned the mantle of leadership with
touching humility and unmasked reluctance
(almost as though there were ants in the lin
ing), Kennedy seized his prize with vigor and
enthusiasm. And well he might, of course,
since he had been directing his not inconsid
erable energies to that very goal for the past
four years. But the gist of the message—“l
promise you nothing but work and sacrifice”
—stirred the echoes of 1952.
Political conventions, unparalleled as they
are for sheer drama and human fascination,
inevitably provide some humor-rich sidelights.
On the night Lyndon Johnson was given
the vice presidential nomination, his 16-year
old daughter was missing from the podium
because she was off frolicking at Disneyland.
Later, the senator rebuked her by noting,
“We didn’t come here to see Disneyland.”
Replied the undaunted Miss Johnson: “No,
and we didn’t come here to get you nomi
nated as vice president, either,”
Outside the Sports Arena, where impas
sioned Stevenson supporters circled in end
less clamor for their doomed cause, there
were placards that pleaded: “Vote for Adlai.
He’s a lousy golfer."
On the final evening, a troupe of Holly
wood stars entertained prior to the speech
making windup. One of them was Mort Sahl,
who suggested the following telegram to Jo
seph Kennedy, the nominee’s multi-millionaire
father: "Don’t be sad. You haven’t lost a son,
you've gained a country.”
The only possible conclusion: Ours may
not be the most effective system for choos
ing leaders, but it certainly is the most fun.
and, by gosh, just about the
time you're able to get up to
55 there's another sign telling
you to slow down. It's down
right senseless.
Furthermore, there aren't
any warning signs to indicate
that the speed limit is to be re
duced, and 99 out of 100 cars
are still doing 55 when they
hit the 35-mile sign. So if the
cops wanted to enforce the law
to the letter, they could arrest
just about everyone passing the
35-mlle sign.
There must have been a rea
son for the 35-mile limit along
most of Veirs Mill Road in the
first place, but it seems to me
it would make some sense if
Rimes of the Times
New Ideas
There are benighted people's minds. . . Which
stiU in darkness dwell. . . Most eager are they every
one. .. A new idea to quell. .. Ideas to them are always
bad. . . And better all discarded. . . And one who
argues otherwise . . Suspiciously regarded. . . An
adage says: “Be never first... The new to not abide...
Nor be the last the old ideas. To leave and lay aside.”
• . The telephone, the radio. . . Once figments of a
dream... And who would think a cart could move...
Unless hitched to a team! . . The bumblebee, the sa
vants proved . . . Should be inept in flight . . . And
while they argued pro and con... The bee flew off aU
right! . . So honestly, benighted souls. . . I pray you
change your tune... A decade more or less from now.
•. You’ll hitch-hike to the moon! Richard Hobart
Bob Bernstein
they raised the limit to 45 along
the whole stretch and cut that
silly zoom-and-brake section.
Harvey Williams
Sister City Program
When you read this, we will
be in Pinneberg, Germany,
Rockville's Sister Gty, because
you made it possible. We can
only say “thank you” to the
Sister Gty Committee and
everyone who made our trip a
reality. We will be sending
our news and views weekly to
keep readers informed.
Two happy travelers.
Betty White
Ronna Lower
An Opinion
We Saw Example Of
Kennedy Organization
We doubt if anyone has ever seen a polit
ical campaign as well organized as that of
Senator John F. Kennedy in his successful
fight for the Presidential nomination.
The Kennedy Clan knew what they want
ed for young Jack four years ago. The old
man, Joseph Kennedy, has had dreams of this
for many, many years. And the forces were
set into motion at least four years ago, may
be longer.
If the Senator, his brother Bobby, and
all of those closely associated with any of the
Kennedys, organized Democratic forces in
every state as well as they did in Maryland—
and it is apparent that they did—it is no won
der the young man from Massachusetts got
the nomination on the first ballot.
As you know, Blair Lee, 111, was tapped
by the Kennedy forces to head Kennedy’s
Primary race in Montgomery County. Joe
Tydings and Lansdale Sasser, Jr., along with
other bright young Democratic leaders, were
also chosen to head various phases of this
campaign. And even had Tawes wanted to
fight—and he thought seriously about it at
one time—he would have been plowed under
just as completely as others who dared to
oppose the Kennedy tanks.
Everyone knows that Mr. Kennedy had
very little opposition in Maryland’s Demo
cratic Primary this spring. Senator Morse
had entered the Primary but he could have
saved his time and money. Nevertheless, the
Kennedy advance men made sure that all was
right in Maryland. Practically all newspapers
in the Free State were given ads to tell the
people about Kennedy and his aims. And
Thoughts
Why Do Children
Always Say 'No'?
Have you ever wondered why young chil
dren always say “no” to the simplest re
quests?
Even when you know they’re ravenously
hungry, and you ask them politely to eat
their cereal, all you get is “no.” And when
their eyes are closing and you suggest that
it’s time for a nap, the answer is invariably
“no.”
Time to dress "no." Time to undress
“no.”
Many times, this negative response isn’t
accompanied by a shake of the little darling’s
head. It’s just a flat “no” along with that
wide-eyed innocence that parents find either
exasperating or appealing, depending on their
mood.
One of the explanations advanced by the
Spock-Gesell school of thought U that this
is a stage in their development, and that It
will pass. So you wait for it to go away.
But it doesn’t.
Another interpretation is that the child
Is antagonized by your tone of voice, or by
your attitude. You’re pressing, and that makes
him draw back. You must make a game
out of it So you smile. You challenge him
to see how fast he can eat, or undress, or
dress. It doesn’t work.
The other day, I ran into a woman who
claims her young son says "no” but nods his
head, “yes.” Furthermore, after giving her
this mixed reaction, he goes ahead and does
what she has asked him to do.
She told me she doesn’t use any special
technique in making her requests. She just
County Law
Brother Bill Is Told
The Boat's the Same
William B. Welsh, M. D.
Gabbs. Nevada
Dear Bill:
Received the letter about your recent trip
to Alaska. It Is too bad that the ore which
you located and which will assay at SSOO per
ton costs SIOOO per ton to mine. Needless to
say I am glad that you did not buy the 4000
acre ranch located in the Great American
Desert formerly belonging to Death Valley
Scotty for two million dollars. However,
please do not bring this land to the attention
of our City Council. They are now wearing
beards; are most ramstuginous and might
buy the land as a recreation area and send
my children out there.
You are not the only one who can take a
trip. I visited W’illiamsburg and returned to
Rockville via Norfolk and Baltimore on the
Old Bay Line. I would have flown, but my
spy kit was not packed and I was afraid I
would get shot out of the sky besides. I don’t
exactly blame you for changing your affilia
tion to Democrat as a protest against our
golfing administration; but I think it is un
fair of you to charge the Republicans with
having bought up the majority of the stock In
Spalding Bros, and Wilson Sporting Goods,
Inc. Furthermore, you are the only person I
have heard mention Sweet Swinging Sam
Snead, the West Virginia Hilly Billy as our
next Secretary of State. Furthermore, you
should count your blessings. Think what
might happen if he didn’t play golf.
Well, let me tell you about Williamsburg
■J&v
Wick Byron
smaller weekly newspapers like candidates
who know they exist.
Senator Kennedy appeared in Montgom
ery County on at least two occasions. And
each time he attracted a great number of
Democrats who were impressed with this
fresh young politician who could speak with
a broad “A” but not appear stuffy. He could
also smile pleasantly without seeming to
throw his personality at you. He could speak
well and say words as if he really meant
everything he was saying. And he seemed
to have a magic about him often called per
sonality—the type that makes people like you
for no special reason. They just know they
do.
At this time, there is no question in our
mind about the type of campaign the Ken
nedy people—and this seems to mean all
Democrats now that harmony reigns in the
Democratic Party (on the surface at any
rate). The campaign will be forthright, vig
orous and well-organized. And you can bet
if those appointed to head this county’s phase
of the Kennedy-Johnson campaign do not
come up to the Kennedy standard of political
strategy and action, no time will be lost in
getting new leadership capable of following
the magic formula.
Next week, Republicans will gather to
nominate their candidates for President and
Vice President. Most local members of the
GOP believe it will be Richard Nixon for
President. However, there are many who
wish it could be Nelson Rockefeller. But
Nixon has had seven years to build fairly
substantial political fences which are entirely
too strong to be broken by drafts or herds
from other camps.
'• . > /
J. B. Zatman
uses a normal voice level, with no cajoling
and no challenge, and the child consistently
says "no” and nods “yes.”
This made me think of the possibility
that the reason they say “no” is because it’s
the shortest and the easiest word in the Eng
lish language for them to learn. Perhaps
they want to go along with you and
psychiatrists tell us that children seek their
parents’ approval but they like the sound
of the word, "no.” It’s short and snappy
and firm.
I have a solution. Let’s use another word
to connote a negative attitude. Since chil
dren have difficulty with their r’s and l’s,
how about “irregularity,” or “irretrievable?”
Or we might pull in “anthropomorphic” or
that good old reliable “antidisestablishment
arianism.”
Then, when we want to say “no,” we’ll
substitute one of the jawbreakers. The child
obviously won’t be able to pick it up, and it
will be an easy task to teach him to say
“yes,” if he doesn’t already know it. As a
matter of fact, he will have to say “yes”
in sheer desperation in order to communicate.
We could also substitute one of these
multi-syllabic mouthfuls for “don’t want to.”
Can you imagine a two-year-old saying, "I
irregularity go to bed?” Or “I anthropo
morphic eat?”
Let ’em chew on that for a while. They
will give up quicker than you can say, "Eat
it or I’ll smack you.” This is bound to usher
in a new and brighter era of parent-child
relationship.
r \
Barnard T. Welsh
and not get in a niff-naw about politics. Do
you not remember when you and I, being age
ten and eight, (I suppose you are still two
years older than I) boarded the City of Nor
folk at Pratt Street in Baltimore and, like
Drake and Columbus, sailed forth across the
wine dark waters to a camp near Yorktown,
Virginia. Bill, the old ship is about the same;
it is only you and I who have changed along
the years. But even so there is not much dif
ference between the boy and the man, and
when I boarded her and looked again at the
mahogany rails, saw the rubbed brass fittings,
heard the bellow of her whistle as she cast
off and later heard the buoy bells ringing,
I knew the same emotions that I had known
forty years ago.
Later on I will tell you the Williamsburg
story, but for the present I only want to tell
you that while in Williamsburg I went to a
wiggery. A wiggery is a place where they
make wigs. There was a young man in the
wiggery dressed up like the Spirit of ’76
standing behind a counter explaining to the
sightseers the lost art of wig making. He
said that men then used them as a mark of
distinction (instead of running around in a
shirt with a patch over the eye). He became
heated up in his own conversation and said
while looking at me that people not blessed
with hair like Rockville’s Bearded Boys, Sam
son Ambrose Burnsides and Gargantua used."
to be put In the pillory. He considered me
and Mr. Clean threats to his profession and
mad* me feel unwanted.