When asked about legalizing marijuana, Mr. Walker recalled that it took 2,000 years for men to find cigarettes fatal. Without any conclusive medical evidence, the candidate stated that he was "not ready to add marijuana to the already long list of lethal things we (meaning the government) have legalized."

The biggest response of the day came from a question concerning the legalization of beer. Mr. Walker felt that any country that allows its 18‑year‑olds to vote in its elections and die for its causes should allow them to drink beer.

Besides, he chuckled, "1 don't know many 18‑year‑olds who haven't had a can of beer"

In summing up his speech, Mr. Walker called for a Democratic victory and added that his victory would be a "victory for people and a victory to make the government work better for the people of this state."


On November 16 Abner Mikva, the Democratic candidate for the 10th congressional district, spoke to students in L‑101. Mikva said that he felt marijuana should not be legalized but that there should be no punishment for smoking; however, Mikva advocated strong laws for pushers.

The speakers presented at Maine West are part of a political forum aimed at getting students actively involved in politics.

'We need your support!' This phrase echoed throughout the auditorium the past week as Abner Mikva, Senator Charles Percy, and Dan Walker called for more student participation in politics when they addressed the students of Maine West.

Senator Percy addressed a crowd of about 1,000. The Senator, arriving about 35 minutes late, focused most of his attention on the war in Vietnam.

Percy emphasized that the war, for the most part, was a mistake of the American government. He further added that he would like to see a bill introduced in Congress which would prohibit the President from moving troops without congressional consent.

Percy made several comments on the accomplishments of the Nixon administration, praising Nixon for his efforts in improving relations with Communist China and Russia.


Speaking on October 30, Dan Walker, the Democratic candidate for governor, spoke about issues of concern to most high school students.

He spoke on the need for cutting waste in education, saying that many good students eligible for scholarships do not get them because there are not enough funds. If elected, Mr. Walker proposed to increase the state public support of higher education.