LETTERS

D Gets Its Grade

I regret to point out some errors in your June article “Report Card Time for Dallas Legislators.”

To my knowledge, no member of the Armstrong family asked Fred Agnich to reverse his stand “on his tough predator control bill this session.” Nor did we ever request permission to shoot coyotes from a helicopter. We don’t even own a helicopter.

I agree with your grading of Fred Agnich’s character as an ’A’. I don’t think he bends his principles for anyone.

Anne Armstrong



Recently your magazine ran an article on Dallas County state legislators which made several remarks concerning State Representative Sam Hudson. I do not believe the article was very accurate.



During the last session of the Legislature Rep. Hudson was able to get bills passed by both houses of the Legislature and signed into law which:



(1) Allowed the organization and incorporation of consumer co-ops in Texas. Before this bill was enacted and signed intolaw, such cooperatives could not be incorporated in the State of Texas. When foodbuying and other types of consumer co-opsare organized in Texas in the future it willbe because Rep. Hudson’s bill enabled it.



(2) Provided for the sealing of juveniledelinquency files so as to give youthful offenders a chance to make a decent life for themselves as adults without having to bear the stigma of their childhood escapades.

(3) Designated the State Department of Public Welfare as the state agency responsible for administering a day care program established by federal law and financed partially or totally by federal funds. Under this bill, which became law, the State of Texas no longer has any excuse for not taking advantage of Federal Child Care programs and providing free or low cost child care to working mothers.

(4) Required that mortgage companies and other mortgagors give certified letter notice of intent to foreclose at least 21 days prior to foreclosure and sale of property. This means that mortgage companies will be required to not only post notice at the County Courthouse, all that was previously required, but in addition they will have to send notice to homebuyer by certified mail with proof of service. This will curb some past abuses faced by homebuyers who had their mortgages foreclosed and homes sold from under them without any kind of personal notice.

(5) Raised the requirement for posting contractor performance bonds for state and public agency contracts from $2,000 to $15,000. This means that for public contracts under $15,000 no performance bonds will be required of the contractor. This opens the way for small businessmen, many of whom are minority contractors, to obtain state and local contracts under $15,000 without having to post bond.



There was one other bill which Mr. Hudson got through the legislature and it provided that persons below the poverty level could appeal in forcible detainer and eviction cases without payment of court cost or posting bond. Unfortunately, Gov. Dolph Briscoe vetoed this bill.



In addition to the foregoing successful bills, Rep. Hudson authored several other pieces of legislation which failed to get approval in both houses of the legislature. Among these was a veteran’s bonus bill; a bill to provide civil damages for extortionate credit practices. A bill requiring Texas Courts to allow any person on public assistance to proceed without having to pay court costs or post bond in legal proceedings and lawsuits; and a bill which would require all graduates of Texas schools to have specifically been taught and tested on the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The latter bill was introduced in response to polls which showed many people to be unaware of the contents of the Bill of Rights and the Declaration.



With regard to the legislation he was able to get passed into law, Rep. Hudson spent much time and effort working with other legislators and testifying before committees. The co-op bill presents a good example of this kind of effort. Many members of the Legislature were uneasy about it and several were opposed to it initially. This fact caused the co-op bill to be voted down in House Committee on one occasion and to be sent to subcommittee twice. It took no little effort on Rep. Hudson’s part to finally get the bill out of committee and onto the House Floor. Even then, after it had passed the House, Rep. Hudson had to go over to the Senate side and virtually repeat the efforts he had expended in the House. Finally, after helping to get the co-op bill through the Senate, where a couple of minor amendments were added, Rep. Hudson had to press for House concurrence with the bill as amended by the Senate. After that was done, he contacted the Governor’s Office and was present at the signing.



This kind of effort had to be expended for each piece of legislation Rep. Hudson passed and for some which didn’t. Hence, it is incredible that not a hint of this can be found in your article.

Stanley Gaines

Legislative Assistant for

Rep. Sam Hudson, Dist. 33-c



Put That in Your Pipe

If Robert Finklea (“Tobacco Roads,” August) considers himself one of those with an understanding of pipe smoking, then he should appreciate the fact that the pipe a man /or woman smokes is often an expression of that person’s personality, and therefore should not be judged as “ludicrous or ugly.”

Perhaps the publishers should pay Mr. Finklea more, so he could afford a Chara-tan; perhaps he could then afford more in-depth objectivity.

F. Dave Whitaker



There are so many erroneous statements in your “Tobacco Roads” articli; that clarification for your readers is in order.

The Crowe Pipe & Tobacco Shop has blended its own formulas on premises from highest quality tobaccos ever since it opened its doors on April 26, 19fi9. Individual personal blends are a specialty. If you prefer such names as Balkan Sobrani; Red and Black Rattray; Reserve 7; Troost; After Hours and Medal of Honor, etc., these too are available.

Crowe’s was the first shop in Dallas to offer on premises pipe repair. It still does – offering quality repair in the shortest length of time.

The largest selection of name-brand pipes in the city are here. Some of these are Charatan, Ben Wade, Savinelli, Comoy’s, GBD, Dunhill, Nording, Jobey, Harcourt, Caminetto and Lorenzo, as well as fine block Turkish Meerschaum. Top quality cigars are in the humidor. Sherman Cigarettes are also available for your enjoyment.

The February, 1974 issue of Esquire will provide you with the name of the man who reported “The Best in Dallas.”

Walter E. Crowe



Gunning Down GofF’s

Re your recent article featuring Goff’s (“Unlinking the Chains,” July): They did, at one time, have the best hamburger in Dallas. However, there are now many places where you can get a great hamburger and not have to look at a wall full of dead animals. With so many people interested in wild life conservation these days and with the younger generation pretty well turned off so-called “sport killing” there are many of us who will find a less depressing place to eat.

Wynn Brannin