Balzhiser Withdraws Viet Nam Resolution

Fifth Ward Councilman Richard E. Balzhiser last night ; cided not to escálate debate over ' his resolution relating to the wars in Viet Nam and formally withdrew the proposal. list week Balzhiser had introqjuced a resolution supporting the" United States' policies in Viet Nam and condemning those vvho use civil disobedience to protest U. S. actions. "The purpose was to pass the resolution before Veterans' Day." Balzhiser said in withdrawing his resolution. ipt to act on the resolutioi uast week was thwarted Uvhen f hè fiye Democrats on the rouncil voted against immediate action. The item had not previously been on the agenda, and according to council rules an tem can only be added through unanimous consent of the council. The six Republicans on the council last week voted for immediate action on the proposal. Third Ward Councilman Robert P. Weeks said that although Veterans' Day has passed ,"I don't think the occasion for it (the resolution) ever existed." He said he believed Viet Nam policies of this nation should be debated "but not in the chamber of the Ann Arbor City Council." Weeks also termed Balzhiser's resolution "oversimplified." A hassle, during which sev5ral councilman were speaking simultaneously, broke out when Democrats said Balzhiser was against demonstrations. Balzhiser vehemently denied this, stating he was for debate on "constitutional grounds." "I regret that you didn't read it (the resolution) carefully or were embarrassed by it." Balzhiser said to the Democrats. "I feel it was appropriate and you (the Democrats) clearly went on record, which is your prerogative." Democrats then retorted that they did not go on record for anvthine. asserting .that as ti ,veek's volé was a "procedural ;rror" because a roll-call vote should not be held if anyone Dbjects to having an item added to the agenda. Democrats said they were not voting on the body of the resolution, but vvhether to act on it immediately. Several students who had taken part in anti-Viet Nam protests here were in the audience and had asked for an apportunity to speak. However, when Balzhiser dropped the resolution from the agenda, they chose not to speak. In a communication to the council, the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti branch of the Women's tional League for Peace and Freedom said it wanted to express its "uneasiness" over Balzhiser's resolution and wished to commend those councilmen who stopped it from being "steamrollered" through. The womens' group questioned how the City Council could give blanket approval to Viet Nam policies when "even the Adra inistration is not in agreement." The group also commended the sit-in demonstrators who were arrested at thfgggL 1ÏSY vi7am65 1 i to stand t . and addir tors were