University of Virginia Library

Confusion

Mr. Van Yahres then replied that council
could take no action on the matter because there
was some confusion as to whether or not the
council could act on the matter. Councilman
Joseph W. Wright then interrupted the mayor
saying, "I am certainly ready to act on the
treaty I reject it."

Councilman Kenneth E. Davis then added
that he too rejected the treaty calling it "a
piece of lie."

In the ensuing discussion, the question of
Council's ability to endorse a resolution was
considered. Councilman Francis Fife then
pointed out that the council had endorsed the
"Write Hanoi" effort and in doing so had
started something that it should not have
begun.

Mr. Fife added that the council was
beginning to get involved in matters over which
it had no authority or jurisdiction. "What
difference does it make," he said, whether
council voted yes or no because it could do
nothing about the matter. Mr. Fife said further
that "council should run the city and not
foreign policy."