Document:LP News 1974 May-June Issue 20
Crane, Royce Seek LP Chairmanship
As of May 6th, when this issue of LP NEWS went to press, Ed Crane and Scott Royce were the only two declared candidates for the LP national chairmanship. Other candidates may well appear prior to or during the national convention, and our publication of these two campaign biographies does not constitute an endorsement of either candidate. We hope that every LP member--and convention delegates in particular--will study this information, however, in order to be able to make an informed choice for the national chairmanship.
Edward H. Crane III is 29 years old, and is employed as a portfolio manager by a major national investment counseling firm. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and holds an MBA degree in finance from the University of Southern California. Ed's political experience began in 1962, when he campaigned for Joe Shell in the California gubernatorial primary against Richard Nixon.
He was a member of Youth for Goldwater, and worked as a precinct captain in Berkeley during the 1964 Presidential campaign. Ed was a delegate to the founding convention of the Libertarian Party in Denver in 1972; he also attended the 1973 convention in Cleveland, and every meeting of the national Executive Committee. From September of 1972 through March of 1974, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Libertarian Party of California. In that capacity, he attended dozens of local organizational meetings, and delivered five editorial responses on television, and seven editorials on radio. He was also campaign manager for LP Vice Presidential candidate Tonie Nathan in 1972, and is now an editorial assistant for Reason Magazine.
He is running for the LP national chairmanship on an eight-point platform, as follows: 1) Insure a continuation of the decentralized structure of national LP and affiliated state parties; 2) As a first order of business, encourage development of state LP organizations in states where none now exists, using mailing lists extensively; 3) Intensify fund-raising activities through personal mailings to selected prospects and individual meetings with potential large contributors; establish a permanent national LP fund-raising committee; 4) Send out written news releases to media continuously, to keep LP name in front of media, and make them aware of libertarian alternatives to contempory politics; 5) Seek funding for a full-time Executive Director who would implement decisions of the ExecComm; provide office facilities and paid secretarial staff; office to be located in same city as national chairman; 6) Assist state LP's in qualifying for ballot in 30 states for 176 elections, with goal of outpolling People's Party, and, hopefully, American Party; 7) Develop new literature aimed specifically at rational liberals and rational conservatives; 8) Co-operate with libertarian educational and non-political groups.
Eric Scott Royce, 22, is a researcher for a legal defense foundation in Washington, DC. He received his BA in government from the University of Virginia, where he was active in College Republican affairs, and editor of The Shadow, a libertarian-conservative student newspaper. Scott has been a political activist for seven years, starting as a Teen-Age Republican. He has worked with several Washington-based lobbying groups, and has had considerable experience in Capitol Hill affairs.
He has been a member of the Libertarian Party since 1972, and has served as Region VII Executive Committee Representative since the fall of that year. As Region VII ExecComm rep, he has been extremely active, helping to organize LP groups in Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey. He is currently Executive Director of the Virginia LP, and editor of the Virginia LP newsletter. He is best kno1m to LP members around the country as editor of The Royce Report on Congress, a semi-annual evaluation of each Senator's and Congressman's voting record, as assessed from a libertarian viewpoint.
Scott believes that his location in the Washington, DC area and his relative proximity to the "media capital" of New York City make him an advantageous choice for National Chairman; one of the first things he would do is·seek funds to establish a permanent LP office in Washington, DC. Other top priorities, in Royce's view, are expansion into states where we as yet have no LP organization, and "intensive preparation for the 1976 Presidential election.11 He believes strongly that the LP should "encourage--or at least not disparage--the efforts of Congressmen and Senators who are in substantial agreement with the libertarian philosophy.
It is important," he states, "that we do not alienate potential allies by attacking those who are at least inclined in our direction, when there are so few men in government who are at all sympathetic to our viewpoint, and so many who are openly and totally hostile.11
Hospers, MacBride early favorites for ’76 nomination
If the LP1s 1976 Presidential nominee were being chosen in Dallas this June, the leading contenders would be the man who carried our banner in 1972, and the man who gave him an Electoral Vote. At least, that's what's indicated by the informal "straw poll" we took in last month's issue. 65 LP members--or about 2% of our total state and national membership--sent in ballots giving their first three preferences for 176. A total of 40 different individuals were named, but only four were named by more than 10% of the poll participants. In first place was Dr. John Hospers, our 1972 nominee, who was named by 33 respondents, or 51% of those answering. Running close behind was Roger MacBride, named by 29 respondents, or 45% of those participating. Running a distinct third was Murray Rothbard, mentioned by 22 respondents, or 34%, followed by Tonie Nathan, our 1972 VP candidate, who was named by 15.respondents, or 23%, From there to fifth place was a long drop; the nunber-five choice was Congressman Steve Symms, mentioned by 5 participants, or 8%. Ed Clark and Tony Sutton followed, with four mentions apiece (6%). Ed Crane, Milton Friedman, Congressman H.R. Gross, Jerry Tuccille and Fran Youngstein each garnered three votes; of this group, all but Tuccille are either too young to run, or most unlikely to accept our nomination. It must be borne in mind that there is still at least a year {and possibly two) until the nominating convention, and a lot can happen between now and then. A strong showing by one of our Senatorial or Congressional candidates this fall, for instance, could catapault a new contender into the front ranks. Nonetheless, at this stage, the four front-runners named above would seem to have a definite edge unless someone mounts a determined effort to challenge them for the nomination.
Very Important Notice
The LP National Office will be closed during the month of June, except for information by telephone, and emergency cases. Mail will not be processed; all new memberships, renewal and material orders will be held, and forwarded to the next party administration. In early July a bulletin will be sent to all National LP members and LP NEWS subscribers, giving the party's new address; mail sent to the Aurora PO Box will be forwarded. The next LP NEWS will be issued in early August. So, if you need anything from LP National, order it now or wait until July.
N.Y. party seeks 50,000 votes to gain ballot access
Starting next year, voters in New York State will have the opportunity to register as Libertarians, and the Libertarian Party line will appear permanently on the ballot in all future elections, if the Free Libertarian Party succeeds in its goal of getting 50,000 votes for Governor in this November's election. If this goal is achieved, the Libertarian Party will be the third national party to achieve permanent ballot status in New York; the Liberal and Conservative parties, which already have permanent ballot status, are not national parties. With this goal in mind, the FLP endorsed the largest slate of candidates in its three-year history, giving its backing to a total of eleven aspirants at the 1974 FLP convention, held March 29-31, Optimistic about the probability of success, the New York Libertarians point out that 50,000 votes is less than 1% of the usual vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor--a realistic figure to attain, in view of Fran Youngstein1s success in her 1973 New York City mayoralty campaign. [Editor's note: Fran received almost 9,000 votes, or better than one-half of one percent.] Extensive media coverage and advertising, including heavy TV spot emphasis, is planned for the months ahead. Jerome Tuccille, the noted libertarian author whose works include several successful books and whose articles have been published in the N.Y. Times and elsewhere, received the FLP1s - endorsement for Governor. His campaign carries special importance, since the party's goal of achieving a permanent line on the ballot hinges on Tuccille1s receiving at least 50,000 votes.
For this reason, and because of Tuccille1s status as a nationally-known author, it is expected that local and even national news media will be following this race closely. Tuccille has already received publicity from several radio stations, the N.Y. Times, and the nationally distributed Gannett News chain. For U.S. Senate, the FLP endorsed Percy L. Greaves, Jr., close associate and disciple of the late Ludwig von Mises. Author of the bestselling book “Understanding the Dollar Crisis,” as well as many other well-known books, Greaves recently turned down the endorsement of the Courage Party {New York affiliate of the American Party) because of certain unlibertarian planks in their platform. Previously, he had resigned from the executive committee of the N.Y. Conservative Party when they endorsed Richard Nixon for President. Other candidates endorsed by the FLP were: Louis Sicilia for Lieutenant Governor. Sicilia ran for Manhattan Borough President last year, and was one of the party's strongest vote-getters. Leland Schubert for Attorney General. He is currently secretary of the FLP .
For Comptroller, the FLP endorsed Dr. Robert Flanzer, a Brooklyn dentist who formerly served as a captain in the Strategic Air Command.
For Congress in the 17th District, Ken Kalcheim, a leading figure in the tax strike movement.
For Congress in the 25th District, Sanford Cohen, who started his campaign 22 months before election time, and who has received much media attention already.
For State Assembly in the 1st Assembly District Virginia Shields Walker, head of the Committee for the Repeal of Condemnation Laws.
For State Assembly in the 21st A.D., Mary Jo Wanzer, organizer of the Nassau County Free Libertarian Party of New York.
For State Assembly in the 71st A.D., Alan LePage, another tax rebel.
For State Assembly in the 99th A.D., Guy Riggs, Guy ran for this same seat in 1972, as the Free Libertarian Party of New York’s first candidate for public office.
EDITORS NOTE: More information on eachof these candidacies is available from the Free Libertarian Party of New York office, Room 201, 15 West 38th Street, New York, New York, 10018. The Free Libertarian Party of New York asks that anyone wishing to contribute to any of these campaigns send money directly to that campaign, and not to the Free Libertarian Party of New York office. Your editor suggests that the Tuccille and Greaves campaigns, in particular, merit special support from LP members around the country.
Other News of LP Candidates
LP NOW HAS 32 CANDIDATES IN FIELD
As of May 6, there were 32 LP candidates running for public office in nine states around the country; the final total is expected to approach fifty. Of the 32 so far running, 11 are in New York, 11 in California, and the other ten are scattered in other states.
Three of the 32 are running for Governor (John Hospers in California, Jerry Tuccille in New York, and Charles Mayer in Wisconsin); three Three of the 32 are running for Governor (John Hospers in California, Jerry Tuccille in New York, and Charles Mayer in Wisconsin); three are running for U.S. Senate ([[Bill White in California, [[Percy Greaves in New York, and Kay Harroff in Ohio); and seven are running for the U.S. House of Representatives (Manny Klausner in California, John James in Colorado, Jerry Millett in Louisiana, Bob Steiner in New Jersey, Sandy Cohen and Ken Kalcheim in New York, Karl Bray in Utah). The remaining 19 are running for various state and local offices.
John Hospers, back in California, after a swing around the county, is average a speech every other day; on his recent tour, he gave talks in Michigan, New York and New Jersey. Bill White is running hard for Senate, and has produced an excellent campaign brochure explaining libertarian principles, and their applications to the issues today; contributions should be sent to White for Senate, 11811 Larnel Place, Los Alstos, CA 940222. Hal Jindrich, who is on the ballot for the June 4th election for California Superintendent of Public Instruction, is running on a “sell the schools” platform. Send contributions to Jindrick for Superintendent, 555W. Middlefield #S-201, Mtn. View, CA 94043; this is an important one , as early favorable publicity will help all our other candidates. Lloyd Taylor, the California LP’s candidate for State Treasurer, has announced that if elected, he will “refuse to collect taxes, refuse to spend money, and refuse sign payroll checks for 95% of the state employees.” Send contributions to Lloyd at 310 Sansome Street, Suite 909, San Francisco, CA 94104. Dave Merrick, running for County Supervisor in Santa Cruz County, has issued a campaign brochure that calls for abolition of zoning, repeal of laws that “legislate life style,” and a phaseout of welfare programs and taxes.
In Utah, Karl Bray polled 10% in a survey of voters asking their choice for the GOP nomination; Karl ahs dropped out of the GOP race, now that the LP is ballot-qualified in Utah, and will be running on the LP label. He was recently stopped by twelve armed police cars, and his car searched for a machine gun—which, needless to say, he didn’t have. Karl is currently suing eight IRS employees for $3,155,000 in connection with his being falsely arrested last year.
In New York, Ken Kalcheim is campaigning on a tax rebellion platform, and will seek the GOP and Conservative parties nominations in his district, as well as the FLP endorsement he has already received. Meanwhile, upstate, Sandy Cohen continues to make speeches nearly every day, and held an anti-inflation rally May 4th. His writeup in Playboy is now scheduled for June, he informs us.
And in New Jersey, Bob Steiner is building his campaign around the slogan “I’ve had it!” He reports a good response to his campaign so far.
In Oregon, Paul Pferdner is running for legislature on the platform that he is “a tax reducer, and not a tax user.” Contributions to: Citizens for Pferdner, PO Box 14901, Portland, OR 97214.
NOTE: Addresses of candidates not given here were published in previous issues.
EDITORIAL
On defining the “lunatic fringe”
In our last issue, we had an editorial entitled 110n falling off the edge," in which we discussed the bizarre behavior of the American and People's Parties, and pointed out that there is a lesson to be learned from their experiences. That lesson, we said, was that 11any third-party movement must always be on guard against becoming too narrow in its appeal...and must al1ways be wary of its own lunatic fringes."
And, apparently, most of our readers understood what we meant. A few, however, wrote in to ask if this was meant as an "attack on anarchists."
The answer is "No." It was not meant as an "attack" on any philosophical group. In fact, if you re-read the editorial, you will note that the word "anarchist" never appears.
Rather, the editorial was aimed at those so-called 11libertarians11--of whatever stripe- who see their viewpoint as the only valid one, and would gladly destroy any organization which does not promote their own views exclusively. And this includes the extreme ortho-Objectivists, the monomaniacs who want to turn the LP into a single-issue party, and the rabid atheists who call for a "removal from party office" of all religious libertarians. as well as some (but not most) anarchists.
If the LP is to succeed, we must seek to broaden our appeal, and not to narrow it. We should work to recruit all who are in fundamental agreement with our Statement of Principles ...whether they now consider themselves ACLU Liberals, Birchers, Miseans, Objectivists, Jeffersonians, or, yes, Anarchists. The only proviso we should attach is that they be willing to work with one another to promote the ideals we all share (as defined by the Statement of Principles), rather than seeking to "rule or ruin."
The troubles of the American and People1s Parties, we believe, amply demonstrate the folly of any other policy. -/- DFN
LP GROUPS ACTIVE IN NATIONAL TAX PROTEST
Libertarian Party members around the country joined forces with members of SIL and the Liberty Amendment Committee on the weekend of April 13th, to stage a nationwide series of protests against taxation. Altogether, National Tax Protest Day, 1974, was the largest one-day project ever undertaken by the libertarian movement.
Seventeen media newsmen attended the joint LP-SIL press conference in Washington, DC on Friday April 12th, and coverage was given both by Metromedia TV and NBC Monitor News, nationwide.
LP groups around the country distributed over 35,000 copies of the special leaflet prepared by National LP, plus an estimated equal number of locally-produced items; SIL also distributed material, and total estimated volume was in excess of 150,000 pieces.
Among the most active LP groups were those in California, Florida, Utah, Oregon, Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Nevada; demonstrations in front of IRS offices and post offices, and in shopping centers, produced good news coverage in all these states. In New York, Free Libertarian Party candidates Sandy Cohen and Guy Riggs led demonstrations; in Colorado, a rally scheduled for the 13th was postponed due to a blizzard, but was rescheduled for the 26th, and drew some 75 people to hear Congressional candidate John James.
Our leaflet was also distributed by Liberty Amendment Committee activists in Louisiana and Michigan; Dr. R.S. Jaggard of Iowa mailed out 2,000 copies to members of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, and we have received a number of inquiries as a result.
Altogether, there were anti-tax demonstrations in more than 50 cities around the nation, and many millions of Americans were exposed to libertarian ideas as a result--and were made aware that the LP, alone among America1s parties, opposes taxation on principle.
A PERSONAL NOTE FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN AND YOUR EDITOR
It hardly seems possible that almost three years have passed since that first meeting of the Committee to Organize a Libertarian Party in Westminster... but they have. And rarely have three years been so busy. Looking back, it seems almost impossible that so much has been accomplished in so short a time. In only 34 months, the fledgling LP has grown to approximately 3,500 members--making it the third-largest "minority" party in the country, and tied with six-year-old SIL for largest libertarian activist organization in the world. We've sent out over 250,000 pieces of material (most popular: the recruiting brochure, which has sold 55,000 copies). In addition, our various state parties have distributed over one million pieces o[ literature.
And it's all been fun. Through the LP, we've meet some of the nicest (and morally finest) people we've ever known. We've had a lot of exciting and memorable experiences we'll never forget. But, to be honest, we've kind of worn ourselves out. Ninety-eight pages of LP NEWS, hundreds of phone calls, and thousands of hours doing "party work" have left us pooped. So, while we've enjoyed it immensely, we're looking forward to taking it easy, and letting others carry the banner of liberty onward and upward to ever-greater heights--as we are quite sure that they will.