Citizens Speculate on 18-Year-Old Vote Effect How will the 18-year-oId vote influence futiure elections? At this point citizens can merely speculate. "Refreshing" is how Mr. Paul Badger, City Clerk of Park Ridge, described the vote. He stated, "In general, young people read and study more than many of the older voters do." He hopes that the 18-year-olds will "honestly study candidates." Out of 20 thousand voters in Park Ridge, Mr. Badger guesses that there are about three thousand registered 18- and 19year-old voters and that more may well register during vacation. Mr. Badger b also interested in seeing a young person elected alderman. He remembers that eight years ago a college student ran and "almost made it." Park Ridge 18-year-olds can vote in aldermanic, mayoral
and city clerk elections according to Mr. Badger. Where will the new voters vote? .According to Mr. Badger, 18-year-olds should vote where income tax is paid. Since their parents are paying the income tax, the 18-year-olds, he reasons, would vote in home elections by absentee ballot. Project 18 is a movement among young Democrats who lobbied for the 18-year-old vote. Tom Lanctot '72, a member of the organization, said, "Our purpose was to lobby for the 18-year-old vote. Now kids don't seem to have time to register." One of Project 18's aims, therefore, is setting up a "mobile registration office." Tom also mentioned that this year the Chicago Board of Elections Commission went out to encourage everyone to vote. The Commission canvassed to find out who had registered.
Cliris DeVoney, a '71 Maine West graduate, added, "Project 18 began four years ago. The National Democratic Council was established through it." Chris started registration campaigns in Philadelphia and Oregon. "Right now," Chris feels, "18year-olds see no immediate need to register. The referendum does not seem as important as national elections. When Democratic nominations come around, kids will vote." Mr. Milton Nelson, social science teacher, hopes to "bring in more government officials to talk to kids." He would like to see "seminars set up where students can work with representatives." "A government seminar," Mr. Nelson explains, "should try to co-ordinate theory with actual involvement." He is "interested to see how
many 18- and 19-year-olds take advantage of the vote." "Young people," he continued, tend to vote the same way their parents vote. If there is a generation gap as far as political values are concerned, the 18year-old vote will have no impact. "Government classes," Mr. Nelson relates, "can be more realistic. They can get down to the level where the individual can fit into the political scene not only by voting, but participation in a political party." "Compromise is a necessity." Mr. Nelson believes that "students of high school are idealistic. Part of democracy consists of the art of compromise. No one person can see all his ideals realized." Mr. Dale Wicherts, social science teacher, has "been all for the 18-year-old vote." He believes that students "should
take on responsibilities like voting." Mr. Otto Kohler, social science department chairman, believes it to be "extremely important to get people 16, 17 and 18 years of age involved in national politics." He hopes the 18-year-olds will not "continue the American tradition not to vote." He doesn't think that "young people will be as apathetic. They are far more sophisticated and know more."
No $. No Aid^ No Bookstore Lack of funds as well as poor participation and interest in the Key Club are threatening to close South's paperback bookstore. Key Club, a student service organization affiliated with Kiwanis, has run the paperback bookstore for several years. The club started with over 35 members. The membership has been dropping steadily with only 10 active members this year. According to Mr. Gerald Kantrovich, club sponsor, participation among members and officers has also been running low. Profits from the bookstore, according to Mr. Michael Deines, another Key Club sponsor and bookstore supervisor, range from 15 to 20 per cent per book. These profits were to go towards a scholarship fund, but last year's somewhat negative sales gain has diverted the first of this year's profits towards payment of that loss if the bookstore is to remain in operation.
Vol. 8, No. 4
Maine Township High School South, Park Ridge, III. 60068
Nov. 5,1971
Bill Uses Removal Power, Spurs SC Clash A dispute in Student Council Oct. 18 has arisen over the Student Council president's right to remove SC members for causing disturbances which prevent Council from conducting business. Some members believe Bill Dickens has misused his power and is unjustified in his removal of council members. The issue was opened after an uproar in Council. Bill asked for silence, but the noise continued. Ann Benedek, a senior representative sitting up in front v.-as singled out for talkmg, and Bill asked her to leave. A dis-
cussion ensued on whether Bill was right in removing Ann. Bill said that the situation was preventing Council from functioning. He added, "There will always be a person, a friend of the removed, who will object to the consideration of the chair causing a deadlock in the meeting. This wastes valuable time." "The poll taken at the time proves 18 were for my continuing of the power and 16 against which is enough against to discontinue my use of the power," Bill explained. Mr. Norman Anderson, Stu-
dent Council sponsor, s a i d "Disturbances cause representatives not to hear. Hence they give inaccurate reports to their homerooms which we've had many complaints about." Lynne LaJone, Student Council secretary, beUeves that "Bill shouldn't give up his power. This year we have a definite problem — order. The noise reaches such a degree that 1 can't hear to take the minutes." Lynne also pointed out that Bill gives a warning and only if the person persists is he removed.
War Behind the War
Conscientious Objectors Battle Draft Just registering for the draft can be a frightening experience according to one South student. "It's like selling your soul," he explained. Another compared it to paying a ticket, only worse. Something like handing your life over to someone else. .After registering, a young man is sent his draft card and a question form which allows him to request conscientious objector status. Current information on this process is unavailable from the Selective Service until mid-November. Draft boards arc wait-
ing for the interpretation of the latest Selective Service Act. A Maine South graduate, however, who applied for and received his status as a conscientious objector was willing to discuss his views on the procedures and ideas involved. Questions frequently asked of those considering C O . status usually concern situations such as the following. If the Russians were invading his town, would this person resist? Another is, if someone were pointing a gun at him. would he fight back? -According to Robert Huxtable
'New Word's' Arrival Postponed "The New Word Press, an underground newspaper, was scheduled to appear after school started," said John Sasser '73, New Word Press assistant editor. However, the paper may not start print until after the issue of open campus is decided in mid-November or in December or not at all, said Bill Dickens, New Word Press editor and Student Council president. Causing the delay are 'a few hassles we have met," John said. The main one is whether or not the Maine South administration has the right to review the paper before it is printed.
M r . M i l t o n Nelson recently participated in a national survey on the. 18-year-old vote.
John and Bill are trying to determine if such review is provided for by district policy or Illinois State School Pohcy. John stated that the case has been presented to the American Civil Liberties Union and that their decision is causing the delay. "If the- law allowing the administration to read the paper is a district policy, then we stand a good chance of changing it. If it is IllLnois iwlicy, we need to know we have the ACLU behind us before we risk getling in trouble," expressed John. He doesn't believe this wUl be a major problem. Another delay. Bill thinks, is the lack of major news.
'70, a registered conscientious objector, such questions have clear answers. "You don't have to say you won't defend this land if it is attacked, because that is not a war-related issue and also not a CO. related issue," stated Robert. He applied the same thought to self-defense. "Any sane person," he argued, "would defend himself if approached with intent to kill." Robert used these arguments since he feels that a person should not be forced to decide to kill, such as in war. He felt a re igious disagreement to killing people as well as a disagreement with the policy in what he felt was an immoral war. Robert is a member of the Conpregational Church and currently attends Grinnell College. To the best of his knowledge, almost any faith, even though it does not require it, will support CO.'s. Robert was not interviewed by his draft board. He hypothesizes that the same backlog of cases which delays the decisions as much as four or five months may also cause the board to eliminate this traditional but time-consuming step. Some of the other questions a CO. has to deal with include the subject of objection to all wars. Robert handled this prob-
lem by stating that he didn't know exactly how he would have felt about those wars since he wasn't alive to decide by experience. He does object to past wars, however, on the grounds of historical knowledge. He was a strong objector to the VietNam war, he emphasized, because of the experience of living through it. One of the most revealing parts of the process of applying for conscientious objector status, other than the candidate's own views, is. according to Robert, the letters written by witnesses. While no particular number of letters is required. Bob feels that a large number of convincing testimonials is better. Some of the best, he noted, come from ministers, teachers and other people of community influence. Others are written by people who do not believe objection is right, but who must admit that the person in question is a known conscientious objector. For more information, Robert suggested students contact the Midwest Committee for Draft Counseling, Ihe American Friends Service Committee or the Government Appeals .attorney who has some connection with the draft board. Another recommended source was the Maine Township Hotline.
Ann, who was singled out for talking, feels that if she set an example through which others will learn then she feels Bill was justified. However, she does regret that out of all the others talking, she was the only person removed. Ann stated, "I think BUI should give more of a warning and if he persists then kick that person out." On the other hand, Gordon Rowley, a representative, believes "Bill didn't misuse his power; he just kicked people out for the wrong reason. Removal should only be for a dire emergency not simply when one person is talking. All Council members should agree on the removal." Whether they are talking out of turn or not, Gordon believes representatives are speaking "sounds of thought."
Posswords
One Quarter Over Today Today the first quarter ends (Thank God for small favors!) The Senior Speaker Assembly scheduled for November 9 has been rescheduled for Feb. 1. The football game tomorrow at New Trier West starts at noon. Co-Ed Playnite, on Nov. 10, will include swimming, gymnastics, volleyball, and other popular sports. Festivities will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Bring your ID. The Fall Open House for parents with last names beginning with A-L will be held Nov. 17. Intra-Squad basketball w i l l start at 7 p.m. on Nov. 16. Taffy apples will be sold by Girls' Club Nov. 18. Seniors will take SAT tests tomorrow at 8 a.m. Nov. 11 is Fall Sports Awards Night. Presentations begin at 8 p.m. in the auditorium. Medical Careers Club is meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 3:45 in the cafeteria. French Club meeting f o r members and all interested French students will be held on Nov. 9 at 3:45 in the cafeteria.