18 May 1965
Page 1
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Newspaper
Berkshire Eagle
Location
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
May 18, 1965
Page
1
The Massachusetts Crime Commission released a final report blaming the state legislature for widespread corruption, waste, and poor leadership. It cites ties between lawmakers and firms doing state business, details payments to legislators, and calls for accountability without recommending legislative changes. It also covers Turnpike Authority findings and ongoing indictments of political influence.
Boston UPI report notes Massachusetts House minority leader Rep. Sidney Curtiss and other legislators pressed the Crime Commission to name those accused of taking more than 100000 in fees via the Turnpike Authority. Senators and officials reacted as Gov. Volpe and Atty. Gen. Brooke planned to study the comprehensive findings before comment.
Massachusetts Crime Commission urges major reforms including a three member public safety commission, head of State Police appointed by the commission, a new organized crime unit in the State Police, civil service for the Registry of Motor Vehicles and all Registry staff, and moving the Registry and Motor Boats Division into DPW. DPW reorganization would replace the current five member board.
Boston report details a plan to publish the Massachusetts Crime Commission's report without appendices for one dollar, with appendices at three dollars. It proposes a major overhaul: a three member merit service commission, elimination of the civil service commission’s quasi judicial role, creation of a professional personnel administrator, expanded veterans preferences, and a no freeze job policy. It also calls tighter campaign finance rules, police arrest powers without warrants for in presence gambling, felony status for illicit gambling proceeds, a strict no fix traffic ticket law, reorganization of finance and health agencies, and an expanded toll road board. An investigative division in the attorney general's office would probe corruption, and grand juries could grant witness immunity. Sanford J. Fossed dissented on this last recommendation.
Berkshire Downs reports a $197,404 daily average handle for the first half of its 24 day 1963 meet, up from past years but far below the $240,000 break even. Owner B A Dario says losses persist though Saturdays reach the needed level, with Fridays dragging the average down.
President Johnson asks Congress to scrap right to work laws banning union shops in 19 states and extend the 1.25 dollar federal minimum wage to 4.6 million low paid workers in retail hotel restaurant and laundry sectors. He also endorses overtime pay expansion and wider unemployment benefits while urging reform of Taft Hartley section 14B to unify national labor policy.
In Santo Domingo the Dominican junta threatens an all out drive on rebel holdouts after rejecting a U S peace plan. Tanks mortars and fresh troops move on northern areas as battles surge near a U S patrolled corridor. Casualties mount with nine dead and 64 wounded reported in hospitals.
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