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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1974)
A," 1r . . ..- , Ho monday, april 8, 1 974 lincoln, nebraska vol. 97, no. 42 L Rockefeller extols moral value; anti-abortionists protest speech A UNL antiabortioh group staged a protested Nelson Rockefeller's appearance at Saturday's Nebraska Republican's Founder's Day luncheon. By Wes Alters Former New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller told Nebraska Republicans Saturday that Americans must put Watergate behind them and return to the "fundamental principles on which this nation was built." Speaking at the Nebraska Republican Founders Day luncheon at Pershing Auditorium, Rockefeller said Americans must become tougher as individuals and "not look to Washington for all the answers. "We need a return to moral, ethical and spiritual values the fundamental principles on which this nation was built,", ha said. Rockefeller was governor of New York for 15 years before resigning last December to begin work on two national commissions. During his administration he worked for welfare and court reforms as well as for drug abuse legislation. An otherwise warm reception for Rockefeller was interrupted by about 25 persons carrying anti-abortion stickers who walked quietly out of the auditorium as Rockefeller was introduced. The walkout was part of activities planned by VITA, a UNL ant-abortion organization charging Rockefeller with using his influence to "encourage acceptance of the philosophy that unborn children are expendible." In 1972 flockefeller vetoed a bill to repeat a 1970 law permitting abortion for any reason. The veto was not overridden. . About 100 persons marched and carried anti-abortion signs in front of Pershing Auditorium during the luncheon. Many of the protestors said they were from Omaha, North flatte, Columbus end Grand Island. in Rockefeller's remarks to the crowd of about 1,500, he said answers to national problems "will be found, as they always haye, in the hearts ano minds cf the 200 million Americans. "What we don't need is more government regulation of our lives," he said. "We need government incentives and penalties designed to encourage private individuals and free enterprise to meet the needs of the land." He called the Watergate affair a "national tragedy" but insisted that "honesty and integrity is still the hallmark of politicians and government representatives. . "I know of no profession with greater integrity," he said. "Politics is a noble business of free people. What we need is more people involved." Rockefeller said Americans should not let the Watergate affair draw their attention from other issues. , "The Constitution guarantees every American the right to a free trial and that includes the President," he said. "Let's let the constitutional processes go forward and get on with other urgent business." He said critics of President Nixon should look at "the great record of the Nixon administration. ' "Let's not lose sight of his courage and dedication to this country through the accomplishments of his administration," he said. . Former New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller (center) addressed Nebraska Republicans at Pershing Auditorium Saturday. Grassroots campaign for Weed Authority By Annette Sims "If elected, I promise to tell the Watergate Grand Jury all." "In your yard you know he's right." So read soma of the campaign slogans for Roger L Welsch, candidate for Lancaster County Weed Control Authority. "Just because our cause is a serious one ... we haven't lost our sense of humor," Welsh said. Welsch, UNL assistant professor of English, said he is running for a position on the Weed Control Authority (WCA) because "I know a lot about weeds." His interest in weeds stems from his study of folklore whirh 'mrUuitm fnnrt mtnm nf different cultures, he said. Some foods Americans eat, such as pork, are considered trash by some other cultures, while plants Americans consider noxious weeds are eaten by peoples of other cultures, he said. Welsch, . who has taught Free University courses in edible wild plants, said, "We have groceries growing all around us in every ditch. They're not just edible-they are sumptuous." Welsch said his decision to run for the WCA began as a whimsy. "I planned on running as a joke, but the more I thought about it ... it seemed that's the way it has been in the past." ,' Welsch . said . many of the urban candidates in the past hava ben business' executives and insurance men who ran "to get their names in tha paper. They could care less shout weed control "After talking about it (with friends), we decided it would be wise to have sensitive representation f om the urban area, too." , Five members are on the authority, two representing urban areas and three representing rural areas. Part of the authority's membership is chosen in elections held every two years. Members serve 4-year terms. Welsch is one of six candidates running for four slots in the May 14 primary election, which this year is for electing urban members. The work of the authority includes spraying and mowing of weeds, seed cleaning and crop inspection. The members meet once a month. Welsch said he believed that the weed control boards of the past have been ' made up of people who could not adequately differentiate hetwfn harmful weeds and healthful plants. If elected, Welsch said ha might suggest the substitution of weed spraying and mowing with the planting of less troublesome weeds which would crowd out those which are troublesome. Welsch said his stand is not as innocuous as those of previous candidates have been. "Have you ever heard anyone campaign for weed control authority?" hi asked. I probably would have a better chsnc if I kept my mouth shut, but I think it would be more meaningful to be elected for my position," ; Welsch't candidacy has bean endorssd by Euef! Gibbon' of Grape-Nuts commercial . fans. Gibbons, who has written a scries of books about wild food ' and nature, stated in a letter about Welsch: "I believs someone vd-sj appreciates tha richness of the plant fife about m and would like to preset m these treasures for posterity should be cn every board cr committee that has part in deciding which plants shall be saved an which shall be eradicated. Gibbons knew of Welsch because when , Gibbons became ill and could not speak at the National Meeting of the American Camper's Assoc., Welsch took his place. When Welsch decided to run for the authority, he wrote to Gibbons. Gibbons sent back an endorsement of Welsh s candidacy. "He knew I was not just another crank," Welsch said. Welsch, who will be lecturing in Gibbons' home state of Pennsylvania on May 14, election day, said he wrote a letter to Gibbons suggesting they get togethfir for a victory celebration. "I told him i would bring some homemade wine," Welsch said, "but then I'm not sura if you drink white or red wine with Grape-Nuts." If Welsch is successful in the primary election, his campaign plans for the general election in November include a G9-cent-a plate beans and welnies fund raising dinner, complete with a huge weed salad. A benefit concert with banjo music by Steve Hansen, member of the Bluegrass Crusade, also is being planned. Roger Welsch T-shirts also have been ordered. The campaign to date has been funded by donations from Welsch '$ 10-member election committee and from friends. Welsch, who has never before run for political office said he didn't know how to gauge his chances of winning. "I'm counting on the vote of an enlightened electorate," he said. "I hope there are enough people who'll find out what I stand for and sympathise with that stand to elect me." ' 4 Ok t