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profit and minimizes regulation of business in the public interest. Pray for a Loan Washington, D.C. Take a double-take: still it seems to be the case that something funny is going on in the Small Business Administration with some Republican Texas-Mexicans in the middle of it. Hilary Sandoval of El Paso is the SBA chief under Nixon. Two of Sandoval’s most important assistants are Antonio Gonzalez, the Catholic priest from San Antonio, and Albert Fuentes, none other. Fuentes was once a leading figure in PASO, the super-militant chicanos for a span of several years. However, Fuentes shot the angles, and when he ran for lieutenant governor the Observer did not endorse him. Gonzalez was one of the two or three most conspicuous leaders of the farm workers’ Valley March during the Starr County strike. There was always something personally ambitious about Gonzalez’ charisma. One wants a priest to come on like gang-busters, but is a little surprised to sense that the ma .1 is running for office, here or somewhere. I don’t know why this should be surprising: obviously some people who become ministers should have become politicians, and sometimes do. Bill Crook, for instance. In Washington, now, Father Gonzalez is identified as a key adviser to Sandoval; Fuentes wheels and deals, too, in those sanitary government halls. The suspicion has formed in the vile minds of certain 24 The Texas Observer Washington-watchers that small business loan applicants from Texas might get especially friendly attention if they are influential with segments of the TexasMexican vote that might vote for John Tower in 1972, a hard year for him with someone like Edward Kennedy running for president against Nixon. Already there are complaints, in Washington and ‘Los Angeles, that the Small The Historical Record As a history buff and former South Texan, I enjoyed Jim Lehrer’s book Viva Max! and look forward to seeing the movie. However, in slamming the opposition to filming the movie, the Observer’s May 9 article wandered off the historical base. There were substantial Alamo reinforcements from Gonzales during the siege. These volunteers answered the call from they must be considered among the most courageous defenders since their decision was made after the gravity of the situation was apparent. John Knaggs, 3703 Hillbrook, Austin, Tex. Thomas Eugene Barrington In the past I have borrowed space in these pages to say a few words upon the passing of such old stalwarts of the indigenous liberal movement of Texas as Dr. Bonner Frizzell and H. E. Perry. It is with a tragic sense of loss that I write now of a member of my generation, Thomas Eugene Barrington of Silsbee. Gene’s life came to an end on May 3 in an automobile accident near Beaumont. He was 31 years old, and never in that time did he back away from a fight. His death is an immeasureable loss to the cause of Texas democracy. Archer Fullingim, who wasn’t always on the same side with Gene on local issues, said it best for all of us who knew Gene, in these words from the May 8 issue of the Kountze News: “Gene Barrington had a brilliant mind and was a talented lawyer. He left an impressive influence and imprint on Hardin County. Gene was loaded with compassion, and that perhaps accounts for his being a champion of the underdog. He was fearless in his interpretation of the law. He argued that enclosed land containing parcels of different ownership could not be posted. … “Gene was a liberal Democrat and ardent conservationist. He contended that all streams ought to be accessible to the people. He defended little people and lost causes, as well as burning issues of the Business Administration is refusing loans to the struggling types of small business, including ghetto small business, that really need help. To get an SBA loan now you have to be in such good shape that you can do without it. Perhaps all will be well with the SBA. When a priest becomes a bureaucrat, perhaps the Kingdom of Heaven has found its office number. And perhaps not. R.D. hour. Fox and cat hunters and “dog people” idolized him. It did not matter to Gene when he championed a cause whether or not it was popular. A lot of people besides his grieving family are going to miss Gene. His place will be hard to fill. At times he almost seemed to be the conscience of Hardin County. He was a fervent advocate of a large Big Thicket park, not the smaller, so-called string of pearls. He wanted corridors bordering the streams open to the public. Hardin County is going to miss Gene Barrington, and though he died young his trend of thinking on conservation and enjoyment of the land could well be the trend of the future.” Dave Shapiro, 814 W. Woodlawn, San Antonio, Tex. 78212. Dallas Legal Aid Having been interested in legal aid in general and the Dallas Legal Services Project in particular for quite some time, I was somewhat dismayed to see that the only coverage given this fine project by your paper has concerned itself with one unfortunate incident. Regardless of the merits of the Jalet matter, it should not be overlooked that Project Director J. W. E. Taylor and his predecessor, Mr. Walter Steele, and their staff have done an outstanding job of making legal aid something really meaningful to many of the indigent in the Dallas area. I would hope that sometime in the future the Observer could give credit through some sort of feature article to the many accomplishments of the Dallas Legal Services Project. Miles L. Schulze, 9121 Pinewood Dr., Dallas, Tex. 75231. Delinquency While Mexican-Americans are struggling to find leadership that will be able to help them achieve the equal treatment they deserve, Texas liberals fill your letters to the editor column with arguments over Dave Hickey. That’s what’s wrong with Texas. Shame on them, but especially shame on you for encouraging this delinquency. Mary Louise Graham, Box 773, Pecos, Tex. 79772. Dialogue