| Cruisin' the Past |
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| Cruisin’ the Past by Ed Dooley |
Keeping up with Politics
Here we are in 2008 on the eve of one of the most important presidential elections in
recent times. It promises to be a turning point in our nation’s history. Both candidates say
they represent “change.” But it seems to me that we have heard this before, as in the 1960
presidential campaign. Like so much else that we experienced in our high school days, the
political landscape back then was evolving, passing from the staid Eisenhower years to
“The New Frontier” of John F. Kennedy. The nation seemed poised to take a new
direction. Young people were inspired with a new sense of purpose. The future looked
vibrant, the possibilities endless. And many of us at Catalina followed events with keen
interest.
Our political awareness still surprises me as I look back on those high school years.
Despite a general focus on studies, sports, and good times, many of our classmates were
well informed and outspoken on the important issues of the day. While we may not have
had political clubs at Catalina, and we did not stage student demonstrations in favor of this
or that candidate, the issues were thoroughly debated by members of the Catalina
Forensic Club and in Mrs. Lackey’s speech class or discussed in American problems
classes. Moreover, we could always rely on reporters from The Trojan Trumpeteer to seek
out and interview important political figures who came to town or to the school.
One of these political visitors was Representative Stewart Udall, who visited the CHS
American problems class in October of our senior year. A Democrat from Arizona’s District
2, Udall spoke about the recently passed labor reform bill and opposition to it from George
Meany, president of the AFL-CIO from 1955-1979. Reporter Wallis Jacobus wrote,
“Questioned about committee investigations, Mr. Udall said he felt that Congress didn’t do
enough investigation. He explained that this is the way Congress tackles its tough
problems. ‘Our one great shining star was the labor reform bill. This is truly a bill the
American people wanted passed,’ he said.” Later in October, the CHS debate team placed
highest at a special speech program at the University of Arizona on the question,
“Resolved: that the 1959 labor legislation is or is not justifiable.” (Udall later served as
Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, from 1961 to 1969.)
Another well-known Arizona politician to visit the American problems classes was Senator
Barry Goldwater (R-Arizona). Reporter Mike Gregg questioned the Senator about
President Eisenhower’s hesitation to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act in the recent steel strike, a
delay Goldwater criticized by saying, “It will be many years before the economic loss will be
made up… The strike has cost the country over 20 billion dollars.” Gregg went on to write,
“Sen. Goldwater has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate for 1960 by two
different parties: the Republican Party and an ultra-conservative group in Washington, D.
C. Commenting on this he stated, ‘Only a fool would say he didn’t like the idea, but I know I
could do more good for the U.S. as a senator.’” As we later learned, Senator Goldwater
had higher ambitions.
One of the most astute interviewers from the Trumpeteer was Bill Moore, a member of the
class of 1961 and editor-in-chief of the newspaper our senior year. In November of 1959,
he interviewed Senator (D-Minnesota) and Mrs. Hubert Humphrey during their visit to
Tucson. He also interviewed Norman Thomas, a six-time presidential candidate and former
head of the Socialist Party in America. Thomas spoke to the social studies classes in
December of 1959. Moore quoted Thomas, “We have to abandon war to have a
reasonable hope of living…. Ninety billion dollars is spent on arms each year – on
something we all don’t want. When you think of how many things we do need… Two-thirds
of the people in the world are living on the border line between starvation and hunger!”
Moore’s article continued, “After pointing out many other shortcomings the Americans have
(e.g.: juvenile delinquency, segregation and entertainment immorality) Mr. Thomas asked,
‘How can we assume the role as the leaders of democracy to the rest of the world?” For a
high school located in an affluent part of Tucson, in a state known for its ultra-conservative
politics (although Tucson was a bit more liberal than the rest of the state), the fact that the
Socialist Norman Thomas was invited to speak to the social studies classes and received a
polite welcome is a testimony to the broad-mindedness and evenhandedness of our
students, teachers, and administrators.
Without a doubt, Moore’s most important political interview took place in April of 1960 when
he interviewed Senator John F. Kennedy, who was running for the office of president. The
following is the full article that Moore wrote for the Trumpeteer.
“Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Mass) told the Trumpeteer last week in a special interview
that he doesn’t think ‘the religious issue will divide the country because we’ve advanced
beyond that stage.’
“Asked if he would withdraw from the race if the religious issue did divide the nation, the
Democratic presidential front-runner replied:
“ ‘That’s a presumption I’m not prepared to face. I’m in this race, and I’ll continue to run,
allowing the voters to decide. The Constitution has already answered that question when it
stated there should be no religious test for holding office.’
“The 42-year-old politician didn’t seem too anxious to give his views on Arizona’s proposed
public accommodations act (that would make it illegal for restaurants and motels to
discriminate against minority groups).
“Before answering the question, he paused for some time, and his face turned a light red.
In a somewhat harsh tone, he stated:
“I have no comment. I think it would be unwise intervention on my part, into the affairs of
Arizona. I wouldn’t attempt to answer that one… In principle, of course, I’m in favor of it as
they have it in Massachusetts.’
“Then, with a smile on his face and a much happier voice, he shook hands. And he was off.”
That was typical Bill Moore. You could always depend on that keen young journalist to ask
penetrating questions.
In May 1960, the Trumpeteer went to the Pioneer Hotel for an exclusive interview with
Senator Stuart Symington (D-Missouri) who, like Kennedy, was running that year for the
Democratic nomination for president. He was quoted as saying that the “payola craze” of
the time might have spread to the political coverage of national magazines. Symington
explained, “Any candidate with a lot of money can easily get the right stories about his
family and self printed in slick-covered magazines.” With words that sound familiar to us in
2008, the article on Symington went on to say, “he would have a better chance of beating
the GOP’s Nixon than any other Democratic Presidential possibility. ‘I have a lot of
experience in management,’ the former St. Louis businessman pointed out, ‘and, since the
Presidency is the highest management office in the free world, I’m the best qualified.’”
Today, the claim is “executive experience.”
President Eisenhower never visited CHS, but Jim Klein traveled to Washington, D.C. to
meet him. Jim, taking part in an event known as the “Annual Boy Scout Report to President
Eisenhower,” flew to Washington “by jet” to attend the 50th anniversary of Scouting in
America. One Eagle Scout was chosen from each of the 50 states to attend the annual
report to the President, and Jim was the Arizona choice. He also met J. Edgar Hoover,
director of the FBI, as well as Supreme Court Judges.
It’s an impressive record. In the space of one academic year, our high school was visited
by or sent reporters to interview some of the most well-known political figures in our nation,
ranging from the far Left to the far Right. I don’t recall an unusual amount of interest in
politics among our classmates, but there was a definite feeling that knowing the issues and
knowing the candidates was part of a complete education and a civic duty, even in the far-
off, mountain-ringed, southwest desert town of Tucson, Arizona.
Here we are in 2008 on the eve of one of the most important presidential elections in
recent times. It promises to be a turning point in our nation’s history. Both candidates say
they represent “change.” But it seems to me that we have heard this before, as in the 1960
presidential campaign. Like so much else that we experienced in our high school days, the
political landscape back then was evolving, passing from the staid Eisenhower years to
“The New Frontier” of John F. Kennedy. The nation seemed poised to take a new
direction. Young people were inspired with a new sense of purpose. The future looked
vibrant, the possibilities endless. And many of us at Catalina followed events with keen
interest.
Our political awareness still surprises me as I look back on those high school years.
Despite a general focus on studies, sports, and good times, many of our classmates were
well informed and outspoken on the important issues of the day. While we may not have
had political clubs at Catalina, and we did not stage student demonstrations in favor of this
or that candidate, the issues were thoroughly debated by members of the Catalina
Forensic Club and in Mrs. Lackey’s speech class or discussed in American problems
classes. Moreover, we could always rely on reporters from The Trojan Trumpeteer to seek
out and interview important political figures who came to town or to the school.
One of these political visitors was Representative Stewart Udall, who visited the CHS
American problems class in October of our senior year. A Democrat from Arizona’s District
2, Udall spoke about the recently passed labor reform bill and opposition to it from George
Meany, president of the AFL-CIO from 1955-1979. Reporter Wallis Jacobus wrote,
“Questioned about committee investigations, Mr. Udall said he felt that Congress didn’t do
enough investigation. He explained that this is the way Congress tackles its tough
problems. ‘Our one great shining star was the labor reform bill. This is truly a bill the
American people wanted passed,’ he said.” Later in October, the CHS debate team placed
highest at a special speech program at the University of Arizona on the question,
“Resolved: that the 1959 labor legislation is or is not justifiable.” (Udall later served as
Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, from 1961 to 1969.)
Another well-known Arizona politician to visit the American problems classes was Senator
Barry Goldwater (R-Arizona). Reporter Mike Gregg questioned the Senator about
President Eisenhower’s hesitation to invoke the Taft-Hartley Act in the recent steel strike, a
delay Goldwater criticized by saying, “It will be many years before the economic loss will be
made up… The strike has cost the country over 20 billion dollars.” Gregg went on to write,
“Sen. Goldwater has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate for 1960 by two
different parties: the Republican Party and an ultra-conservative group in Washington, D.
C. Commenting on this he stated, ‘Only a fool would say he didn’t like the idea, but I know I
could do more good for the U.S. as a senator.’” As we later learned, Senator Goldwater
had higher ambitions.
One of the most astute interviewers from the Trumpeteer was Bill Moore, a member of the
class of 1961 and editor-in-chief of the newspaper our senior year. In November of 1959,
he interviewed Senator (D-Minnesota) and Mrs. Hubert Humphrey during their visit to
Tucson. He also interviewed Norman Thomas, a six-time presidential candidate and former
head of the Socialist Party in America. Thomas spoke to the social studies classes in
December of 1959. Moore quoted Thomas, “We have to abandon war to have a
reasonable hope of living…. Ninety billion dollars is spent on arms each year – on
something we all don’t want. When you think of how many things we do need… Two-thirds
of the people in the world are living on the border line between starvation and hunger!”
Moore’s article continued, “After pointing out many other shortcomings the Americans have
(e.g.: juvenile delinquency, segregation and entertainment immorality) Mr. Thomas asked,
‘How can we assume the role as the leaders of democracy to the rest of the world?” For a
high school located in an affluent part of Tucson, in a state known for its ultra-conservative
politics (although Tucson was a bit more liberal than the rest of the state), the fact that the
Socialist Norman Thomas was invited to speak to the social studies classes and received a
polite welcome is a testimony to the broad-mindedness and evenhandedness of our
students, teachers, and administrators.
Without a doubt, Moore’s most important political interview took place in April of 1960 when
he interviewed Senator John F. Kennedy, who was running for the office of president. The
following is the full article that Moore wrote for the Trumpeteer.
“Senator John F. Kennedy (D-Mass) told the Trumpeteer last week in a special interview
that he doesn’t think ‘the religious issue will divide the country because we’ve advanced
beyond that stage.’
“Asked if he would withdraw from the race if the religious issue did divide the nation, the
Democratic presidential front-runner replied:
“ ‘That’s a presumption I’m not prepared to face. I’m in this race, and I’ll continue to run,
allowing the voters to decide. The Constitution has already answered that question when it
stated there should be no religious test for holding office.’
“The 42-year-old politician didn’t seem too anxious to give his views on Arizona’s proposed
public accommodations act (that would make it illegal for restaurants and motels to
discriminate against minority groups).
“Before answering the question, he paused for some time, and his face turned a light red.
In a somewhat harsh tone, he stated:
“I have no comment. I think it would be unwise intervention on my part, into the affairs of
Arizona. I wouldn’t attempt to answer that one… In principle, of course, I’m in favor of it as
they have it in Massachusetts.’
“Then, with a smile on his face and a much happier voice, he shook hands. And he was off.”
That was typical Bill Moore. You could always depend on that keen young journalist to ask
penetrating questions.
In May 1960, the Trumpeteer went to the Pioneer Hotel for an exclusive interview with
Senator Stuart Symington (D-Missouri) who, like Kennedy, was running that year for the
Democratic nomination for president. He was quoted as saying that the “payola craze” of
the time might have spread to the political coverage of national magazines. Symington
explained, “Any candidate with a lot of money can easily get the right stories about his
family and self printed in slick-covered magazines.” With words that sound familiar to us in
2008, the article on Symington went on to say, “he would have a better chance of beating
the GOP’s Nixon than any other Democratic Presidential possibility. ‘I have a lot of
experience in management,’ the former St. Louis businessman pointed out, ‘and, since the
Presidency is the highest management office in the free world, I’m the best qualified.’”
Today, the claim is “executive experience.”
President Eisenhower never visited CHS, but Jim Klein traveled to Washington, D.C. to
meet him. Jim, taking part in an event known as the “Annual Boy Scout Report to President
Eisenhower,” flew to Washington “by jet” to attend the 50th anniversary of Scouting in
America. One Eagle Scout was chosen from each of the 50 states to attend the annual
report to the President, and Jim was the Arizona choice. He also met J. Edgar Hoover,
director of the FBI, as well as Supreme Court Judges.
It’s an impressive record. In the space of one academic year, our high school was visited
by or sent reporters to interview some of the most well-known political figures in our nation,
ranging from the far Left to the far Right. I don’t recall an unusual amount of interest in
politics among our classmates, but there was a definite feeling that knowing the issues and
knowing the candidates was part of a complete education and a civic duty, even in the far-
off, mountain-ringed, southwest desert town of Tucson, Arizona.
| Dwight Eisenhower |
| John F Kennedy |
| Stewart Udall |
| George Meany |
| Barry Goldwater |
| Hubert Humphrey |
| Norman Thomas |
| Stuart Symington |
| J. Edgar Hoover |