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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-02-05 Daily Iowan Article: ""Placement Hearing Continued to Today""

y Iowan and the People of Iowa City 1 (of2)

Has Spring Sprung?
   Partly cloudy and little cooler today. Fair and warmer tonight and Friday. Highs today 27 to 35. Lows tonight 15 to 20.  DI

Associated Press Leased Wire and Wirephoto
Iowa City, Iowa 52240 - Thursday, February 5, 1970

Placement Hearing Continued to Today
by Karen Good

After four hours of testimony from three prosecution witnesses and one defense witness Wednesday, a hearing on a Dec. 10 Placement Office protest was continued until 10am today.

Only one of the six defendants - Randy Miller, G. Cedar Rapids - appeared at the hearing. The five other had voted in a meeting Tuesday afternoon to boycott the hearing and demonstrate they thought it illegitimate. 

The hearing drew a capacity crowd - 120 - for the first two hours.

The hearing, which was to begin at 2pm, was delayed until 2:30pm while Student Body Pres. Phil Dantes conferred with hearing officials trying to gain recognition for two associated justices he has appointed Tuesday night.

The two justices - Howard Ehrlich, associate professor of sociology, and Steven Ford, assistant professor of business administration - finally left the hearing after it became apparent that former Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Theodore Garfield, appointed by University Pres. Willard Boyd to preside over the hearing, would not recognize them as members.

"We cannot be heard here and cannot serve here. Therefore we shall leave" Ehrlich said.

Both left and did not return.

Two student observers, also appointed by Dantes Tuesday night, remained.

They were Bo Beller, A2, Glencoe, who remained for the entire session, and John Casy, G. Iowa City, who left after two hours, calling the hearings "too much like Perry Mason".

During the firs thalf hour of the hearings, Shelly Blum, L2, Iowa City, one of two defense attorneys for Miller, attempted to establish ground rules for the hearing.

Garfield told Blum that evidence entered during the hearing would be entered upon Garfield's personal discretion, saying that he would allow more evidence than is the procedure of a 

Saylor also testified that he had stood at the door, keeping students from entering the Placement Office.

In cross examination, Miller's second attorney, Al Parrish, L3, Camden, Ala., asked Saylor whether he thought it was his duty to keep students out of the Placement Office despite the fact that the office is to be open during business hours for all students.

"In this case, I was directed by my boss to play it by ear, and I decided that, considering the intentions of those students, I should block the door," Saylor said.

Did it ever occur to you, sir, that you may have prompted what happened by your actions?" Parrish asked.

"No", Saylor replied.

Mary Sowers, G. Buffalo Center, a defense witness, testified that she has been with Miller the entire time - from the time of the rally in the Gold Feather Lounge Lobby to the actual protest in the Placement Office.

She said Miller had taken part in none of the activities.

In responses to a question from Parish, she said that the only persons who were "excited" were persons who worked in the Placement Office. None of the other persons there were upset she said. 

Helen Barnes, a prosecution witness and Placement Office director, testified she thought the protest " was a very disruptive time".

"There were seven or eight recruiters in the Office at the time, and they were having a very difficult time carrying on interviews," she testified.

Parrish, in cross examination, asked Miss Barnes whether it was her duty to make up Placement Office policy.

"Yes, it is my responsibility. However, until this year we had a committee of faculty and students who helped make policy," she testified.

"Do you make policy as to who can apply at you office? For example, do you tell a student with a beard or long hair they cannot apply?" Parrish asked.

"No, we try to get them to cut their hair or shave their beard or we have them apply to VISTA or the Peace Corps instead. Most employers don't want long-haired people," she said.

Miss Barnes also testified that she tried to keep the protesters out of the Placement Office.

"Did you ever consider that your actions may have prompted what occurred? Don't you think that when there have been protests there again and again maybe something is wrong with your policy?" Parrish asked.

Miss Barned shrugged.

At this point in the hearings, Jerry Sies, corresponding students, Iowa City, and Fred Purdy, G, Hazel Park, Mich., both spectators, challenged Garfield by attempting to question the witness.

"Didn't you ever consider the poor people working for General Electric, and the strong hand of the Labor Department, which is trying to settle this strike?" Sies asked Miss Barnes and Garfield.

"This isn't a legitimate hearing. Students are the ones who should decide on this hearing," Purdy said.

Garfield asked both Purdy and Sies to remain silent. He said their comments would be entered into the recording and records of the hearings.

Parrish then asked Miss Barnes whether she thought she could have done anything to stop the protesters.

"No, They were being very obscene and disruptive," she said.

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y Iowan and the People of Iowa City 1 (of2) Has Spring Sprung? Partly cloudy and little cooler today. Fair and warmer tonight and Friday. Highs today 27 to 35. Lows tonight 15 to 20. DI Associated Press Leased Wire and Wirephoto Iowa City, Iowa 52240 - Thursday, February 5, 1970 Placement Hearing Continued to Today by Karen Good After four hours of testimony from three prosecution witnesses and one defense witness Wednesday, a hearing on a Dec. 10 Placement Office protest was continued until 10am today. Only one of the six defendants - Randy Miller, G. Cedar Rapids - appeared at the hearing. The five other had voted in a meeting Tuesday afternoon to boycott the hearing and demonstrate they thought it illegitimate. The hearing drew a capacity crowd - 120 - for the first two hours. The hearing, which was to begin at 2pm, was delayed until 2:30pm while Student Body Pres. Phil Dantes conferred with hearing officials trying to gain recognition for two associated justices he has appointed Tuesday night. The two justices - Howard Ehrlich, associate professor of sociology, and Steven Ford, assistant professor of business administration - finally left the hearing after it became apparent that former Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Theodore Garfield, appointed by University Pres. Willard Boyd to preside over the hearing, would not recognize them as members. "We cannot be heard here and cannot serve here. Therefore we shall leave" Ehrlich said. Both left and did not return. Two student observers, also appointed by Dantes Tuesday night, remained. They were Bo Beller, A2, Glencoe, who remained for the entire session, and John Casy, G. Iowa City, who left after two hours, calling the hearings "too much like Perry Mason". During the firs thalf hour of the hearings, Shelly Blum, L2, Iowa City, one of two defense attorneys for Miller, attempted to establish ground rules for the hearing. Garfield told Blum that evidence entered during the hearing would be entered upon Garfield's personal discretion, saying that he would allow more evidence than is the procedure of a Saylor also testified that he had stood at the door, keeping students from entering the Placement Office. In cross examination, Miller's second attorney, Al Parrish, L3, Camden, Ala., asked Saylor whether he thought it was his duty to keep students out of the Placement Office despite the fact that the office is to be open during business hours for all students. "In this case, I was directed by my boss to play it by ear, and I decided that, considering the intentions of those students, I should block the door," Saylor said. Did it ever occur to you, sir, that you may have prompted what happened by your actions?" Parrish asked. "No", Saylor replied. Mary Sowers, G. Buffalo Center, a defense witness, testified that she has been with Miller the entire time - from the time of the rally in the Gold Feather Lounge Lobby to the actual protest in the Placement Office. She said Miller had taken part in none of the activities. In responses to a question from Parish, she said that the only persons who were "excited" were persons who worked in the Placement Office. None of the other persons there were upset she said. Helen Barnes, a prosecution witness and Placement Office director, testified she thought the protest " was a very disruptive time". "There were seven or eight recruiters in the Office at the time, and they were having a very difficult time carrying on interviews," she testified. Parrish, in cross examination, asked Miss Barnes whether it was her duty to make up Placement Office policy. "Yes, it is my responsibility. However, until this year we had a committee of faculty and students who helped make policy," she testified. "Do you make policy as to who can apply at you office? For example, do you tell a student with a beard or long hair they cannot apply?" Parrish asked. "No, we try to get them to cut their hair or shave their beard or we have them apply to VISTA or the Peace Corps instead. Most employers don't want long-haired people," she said. Miss Barnes also testified that she tried to keep the protesters out of the Placement Office. "Did you ever consider that your actions may have prompted what occurred? Don't you think that when there have been protests there again and again maybe something is wrong with your policy?" Parrish asked. Miss Barned shrugged. At this point in the hearings, Jerry Sies, corresponding students, Iowa City, and Fred Purdy, G, Hazel Park, Mich., both spectators, challenged Garfield by attempting to question the witness. "Didn't you ever consider the poor people working for General Electric, and the strong hand of the Labor Department, which is trying to settle this strike?" Sies asked Miss Barnes and Garfield. "This isn't a legitimate hearing. Students are the ones who should decide on this hearing," Purdy said. Garfield asked both Purdy and Sies to remain silent. He said their comments would be entered into the recording and records of the hearings. Parrish then asked Miss Barnes whether she thought she could have done anything to stop the protesters. "No, They were being very obscene and disruptive," she said.