Ghost of Hoover haunts FBI reform debate in 1978
Arthur L. Murtagh argues that Carter and Bell must restructure the FBI and purge hundreds of senior personnel to end Hooverian rule. He warns current prosecutions and new director William Webster won’t fix a system built on power, secrecy, and racial bias, calling for open recruiting reform and protection for whistleblowers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carter
Griffin Bell
FBI
United States
Arthur L. Murtagh
State University of New York At
New Paltz
N.Y
Bureau
Con
William Webster
L. Patrick Gray
J. Edgar Hoover
Congress
Martin Luther King Jr
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Bell
Ray’s Gamble With King Assassination Testimony
A graying Raymond James Earl Ray sits before the U S House committee, offering evasive testimony in a bid to cast doubt on a sole-actor theory and provoke a new trial. He seeks credibility by suggesting a larger conspiracy. Continued inquiry is urged to expose his escape from the United States and his precise role in the alleged plot.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Earl Ray
Martin Luther King Jr
Ray
King
Dr. King
London
United States
Evansville verdict overshadows tragic DC-3 crash
A DC-3 charter carrying the University of Evansville team to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was three hours late and loaded rapidly. A tail heavy cargo load and failure to remove rudder and aileron control locks caused a spin and fatal crash, killing all aboard. The National Transportation Safety Board cites haste and improper pre flight checks as key failures. Proper procedures and careful handling would have kept air travel safe, even for aging DC-3s.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
University of Evansville
Murfeesboro
Tenn
The
National Transportation Safety Board
Con
National Jet Services of
Indianapolis
Three Balloonists Win Global Parade of Pride
The New Mexico trio Larry Newman Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson celebrated after landing in France as first to cross the Atlantic by balloon. The public cheers reflected not only victory but a tribute to human resolve courage and cooperation in facing daunting barriers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Mexico
Larry Newman
Ben Abruzzo
Maxie Anderson
France
Atlantic
Wilderness plan for Southern Illinois forest preservation
Editor argues for designating federal lands in Southern Illinois as wilderness to protect dwindling forested areas. He cites opposition as lacking arguments and lists benefits: curbing off road vehicle damage, stopping logging, reducing grazing, and halting new road construction to preserve wildlife and recreational value.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Illinois
Southern Illinoisan
Hartsock
Argu
Call for probe into CIPS Illinois Commerce Commission ties
A reader endorses Poala Parish’s complaints against Central Illinois Public Service Company and urges an investigation of CIPS and the Illinois Commerce Commission. The letter accuses the commission of allowing a rate increase, calls for documentary evidence to overturn hearings, and asks citizens to pressure state lawmakers and vote to replace ineffective officials. The writer argues for a democratic push to curb utility power over consumers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinois An
Poala Parish
Central
Ilinois Public Service Company
CIPS
Murphysboro
Illinois Commerce Commission
Ilinois Commerce Commission
Springfield
Submitting Letters to The Southern Illinoisan
Readers are invited to submit letters on news topics under 300 words and may face edits for space and fairness. Sign with full address for verification. name and hometown printed unless occupation is relevant. Libelous, tasteless, or personal attacks lead to return. editors may add notes or request responses when needed.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Washington
Carbondale
Herrin
Marion
U.S. House Assassination Committee
Memphis
Evansville
Fred
Pete Rose
Southern Illinois
Lindsay-Schaub
John C. Gardner
William B. Cox Jr
Donald Hartsock
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