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Erwin called ‘outrageous’ A strong majority of U.T.-Austin students voting in a recent referendum rated Frank C. Erwin’s performance as chairman of the U.T. Board of Regents as “outrageous.” The The U.T. Regents have adopted an enrollment control plan at the Austin campus that will hold freshman-sophomore enrollment next year to this year’s level. New freshmen will be accepted in the following order: All candidates ranked in the top 10% of their high school classes. All candidates ranked in the top quarter, but not in the top 10% of their high school classes. All additional candidates who, on the basis of special talents, hold or will be awarded competitive scholarships recognized by U.T.-Austin. Others who meet enrollment requirements. Chairman Erwin emphasized that the Regents do not want to make U.T.-Austin the state school for the academic elite, because admitting only the top students might bring U.T. the sort of troubles faced by Berkeley. The Austin campus has an enrollment this year ‘of 39,089. Despite limitations next year, it is expected to reach 42,000. The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville has given $3,000 and ten acres of land in Hidalgo County to the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee to build a Rio Grande Valley union center. It will be situated between San Juan and Alamo. Political intelligence Rumor has it that Cesar Chavez, leader of the U.F.W.O.C., may come to the Rio Grande Valley next spring to launch a major organizing -drive among migrant workers. Antonio Orendain of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee reports in his October newsletter that Armando Castro, the first chicano student president within memory at McAllen High School in McAllen, was suspended from three days and removed from office permanently by the school principal. Castro’s crime? Petitioning for the right to distribute literature in the school. San Antonio’s Edgewood Independent School District, a predominantly chicano district, has decided to allow the American Friends Service Committee to provide training for high school counseling staff members on the draft. Edgewood also has ended corporal punishment for students. Souvenirs, anyone? An Austin law form is trying to sell the guns used by Charles J. Whitman to kill 14 persons from the University of Texas tower and two persons elsewhere. The money will be added to Whitman’s estate, now estimated at $40,000, and in turn will be divided among the families of the victims and those seriously injured or disabled by Whitman who have brought suit against the estate. The 13 guns for sale include the rapid-firing .30-caliber carbine used during Whitman’s 90-minute shooting spree. Last year Whitman’s father, Charles A. Whitman, Jr. of Lake Worth, Fla., lost in an attempt to get possession of his son’s guns in a suit in which he described them as “things of sentimental value.” Overheard at a reception for those attending the tax institute sponsored by the UT Law School Oct. 30: UT President ad interim Bryce Jordan talking to the wife of a lawyer from a small Texas town. The woman said what a delight it was to be back in Austin and how she always took a walk through the campus and along the Drag to see what had changed since she was a student. “Oh, I wouldn’t recommend making that walk tomorrow,” said Jordan in alarm. “You know the peace demonstration is set for tomorrow afternoon and I really don’t think it would be safe for you to walk there.” One of Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes’ aides recently convened a meeting of bright, young lawyers in Houston. He told them that Barnes had a staff of people who tended to flatter him, since they are on his payroll, and a large circle of older lawyers and businessmen who contribute to Barnes’ campaign funds and give him advice. But what Barnes wanted from these young lawyers was not their money or their support he wanted their ideas. He wanted to hear from people who have no vested interest in giving him advice or criticism. “An interesting ploy,” commented one of the lawyers later. “Maybe he’s just after a free brain trust. But, well, it sure would be nice to have a winner. .. .” Thou shalt not leaflet Houston On the telephone to the Harris County Sheriff’s office “What is the law on leaflet distribution?” “Call the Houston Police.” On the telephone to the Houston Police “What is the law on leaflet distribution?” “Gee, I’ve never come across that one before. I don’t know. Why don’t you call the City Legal Department?” On the telephone to the City Legal Department “What is the law on leaflet distribution?” “I think THEY just passed a new one. Why don’t you call the City Secretary?” On the telphone to the City Secretary “What is the law on leaflet distribution?” 16 The Texas Observer “On Oct. 13 the City Council passed a new law which states that:” The term handbill\(includingthosesubclassifie das”commercial”and”noncommercial” sh all be con st r ue d t oincludeallmaterialregar dl essof th eir compositionincludingbut notlimitedtothoseofpaper,cardboard, cloth ,wood ,le ather,rubber ,plasticsubstances. .. . “Can I have that again?” The term handbill\(includingthosesubclassifie das “commerciarand”noncommercial” shall be construe d toincludeallmaterialregardlessoftheircompositionincludingbut notlim ited toth ose ofpaper,ca rdboard, cloth ,wo od ,leath er,rubber ,plasticsubstances. . . . “Can I get a copy of the ordinance?” “Yes.” One copy of a 16-page Houston City Council ordinance copied at fifty cents a page costs $8. Eight dollars later I have the law in my hands. It makes all commercial leafleting illegal and allows only non-commercial leafleting. If, after reading your leaflet the city secretary decides you qualify as a non-commercial leaflet, you get to pay the $10 per thousand leaflet “clean up fee.” Past the front page one finds that: “It shall be unlawful to drive upon the streets of the city any wagon, automobile, or other vehicle upon which is placed or attached in any manner any painted sign, placard, or advertisement.. ..” The law excepts commercial markings on vehicles but it is uncertain whether it covers George Bush, Lloyd Bentsen, Paul Eggers, Preston Smith, KLOL Mobil Units, KILT Pollution Fighters, the Automobile Association’s Drive Safely campaign, and Love It or Leave It bumper stickers. MITCH GREEN Mr. Green is news director of KPFT-FM in Houston.