DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970 | 1970-05-12 Daily Iowan Article: ""2,500 Vote For UI Strike""

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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-05-12 Daily Iowan Article: ""2,500 Vote For UI Strike""

[Handwritten] DI
May 12, 1970

2,500 Vote
For UI Strike
Some 2,500 persons, packed into the Union Main Lounge, voted overwhelmingly Monday night to continue a general strike on the University campus in a "nonobstructive, nonviolent way."
However, the vote came only after a University professor predicted campus violence for Tuesday by persons both "from the University and from the rest of the state . . . who hate everything."
Robert A. Corrigan, associate professor of American Civilization, received a standing ovation when he told the crowd he felt he could "guarantee. . . that the Faculty Senate will vote to abolish ROTC" on the University capus at its meeting today.
But Corrigan said he was "personally convinced that Tuesday's picketing would not be peaceful."
He warned, "the 2,500 here right now . . . are personally responsible for every death that occurs on this campus tomorrow (Tuesday)."
Following his address, Corrigan was booed and a move to censure him was made, but not recognized.
Discussion centered around recent strike issues and particularly a contested decision by the board of Student Publications, Inc., (SPI) dominated the rally.
Howard J. Ehrlich, associate professor of sociology and anthropology, charged that SPI board had withheld the appontment of Leona L. Durham, G, San Francisco, Cal., as editor of The Daily Iowan for "political reasons," and that The Daily Iowan publisher John D. Zug had personally delivered a story to the Iowa City Press-Citizen which charged that Miss Durham and members of her new staff had attempted a "take-over" of The Daily Iowan early Monday afternoon.
Ehrlich, pointing to an empty space on page two of the Monday Press-Citizen, charged that the newspaper had pulled the story from its slot upon learning that there was no factual basis for it.
Zug commented, "I talked to the Press-Citizen this afternoon, but the charges made here were not a part of the conversation. There was no reference to a take over or anything of the kind made."
Ehrlich charged that Lane Davis, professor of political science, said he "had been in consultation all week" with George W. Forell, director fo the School of Religion, on the question of The Daily Iowan editorship but that he had not consulted student members.
Both Davis and Forell are member of SPI board.
Moreaover Ehrlich said Davis had called Daily Iowan editor Lowell Forte, asking him to remain on as editor. Ehrlich said that Davis had stated "either he'd (Forte) have to remain on, or SPI board might be forced to shut down The Daily Iowan."
The charge, DAvis said, "is not true."
"Lane Davis is a fascist pig," Ehrlich charged. "I challenge him to come up here and debate on the issue of Student Publications."
Davis responded Monday night, 'I don't like abusive epithets. I try to resist the temptation to use them, and I don't wish to comment any further."
"Given Mr. Ehrlich's style of discussion," Davis added, "I don't wish to engage in debate with him."
In further action, the students at the rally passed a resolution demanding that the University fund the Hawkeye Area Draft Information Center. The result of the voice vote, however, was questioned by many students toward the back of the audience who felt the "ayes" and "nays" were equal in strength.

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[Handwritten] DI May 12, 1970 2,500 Vote For UI Strike Some 2,500 persons, packed into the Union Main Lounge, voted overwhelmingly Monday night to continue a general strike on the University campus in a "nonobstructive, nonviolent way." However, the vote came only after a University professor predicted campus violence for Tuesday by persons both "from the University and from the rest of the state . . . who hate everything." Robert A. Corrigan, associate professor of American Civilization, received a standing ovation when he told the crowd he felt he could "guarantee. . . that the Faculty Senate will vote to abolish ROTC" on the University capus at its meeting today. But Corrigan said he was "personally convinced that Tuesday's picketing would not be peaceful." He warned, "the 2,500 here right now . . . are personally responsible for every death that occurs on this campus tomorrow (Tuesday)." Following his address, Corrigan was booed and a move to censure him was made, but not recognized. Discussion centered around recent strike issues and particularly a contested decision by the board of Student Publications, Inc., (SPI) dominated the rally. Howard J. Ehrlich, associate professor of sociology and anthropology, charged that SPI board had withheld the appontment of Leona L. Durham, G, San Francisco, Cal., as editor of The Daily Iowan for "political reasons," and that The Daily Iowan publisher John D. Zug had personally delivered a story to the Iowa City Press-Citizen which charged that Miss Durham and members of her new staff had attempted a "take-over" of The Daily Iowan early Monday afternoon. Ehrlich, pointing to an empty space on page two of the Monday Press-Citizen, charged that the newspaper had pulled the story from its slot upon learning that there was no factual basis for it. Zug commented, "I talked to the Press-Citizen this afternoon, but the charges made here were not a part of the conversation. There was no reference to a take over or anything of the kind made." Ehrlich charged that Lane Davis, professor of political science, said he "had been in consultation all week" with George W. Forell, director fo the School of Religion, on the question of The Daily Iowan editorship but that he had not consulted student members. Both Davis and Forell are member of SPI board. Moreaover Ehrlich said Davis had called Daily Iowan editor Lowell Forte, asking him to remain on as editor. Ehrlich said that Davis had stated "either he'd (Forte) have to remain on, or SPI board might be forced to shut down The Daily Iowan." The charge, DAvis said, "is not true." "Lane Davis is a fascist pig," Ehrlich charged. "I challenge him to come up here and debate on the issue of Student Publications." Davis responded Monday night, 'I don't like abusive epithets. I try to resist the temptation to use them, and I don't wish to comment any further." "Given Mr. Ehrlich's style of discussion," Davis added, "I don't wish to engage in debate with him." In further action, the students at the rally passed a resolution demanding that the University fund the Hawkeye Area Draft Information Center. The result of the voice vote, however, was questioned by many students toward the back of the audience who felt the "ayes" and "nays" were equal in strength.