"Civic leaders" and city councilmen began screaming for drive against deviates, especially in French Quarter. Usual charges that droves of homosexuals were invading New Orleans from other cities such as Los Angeles, which they had reportedly deserted en masse after they'd all been forced to register with police (Inaccurate. Persons convicted of felonies, not homosexuals in general, are required to register, and constitutionality of that is being challenged.). One councilman said police were lax, that he'd observed great numbers of "men with blondined hair and awful looking people all day and all night in the French Quarter," but police made only 86 arrests in two years on charges of lewd behavior or wearing clothes of opposite sex. Police Supt. Provosty A. Dayries said "You can't just point to someone and say he or she is a deviate that is one of the frustrating things about the problem." Top Vice-Squadder Rene Sabrier said he'd toured many other cities and they all had same problem. There were demands for mass arrests, for padlocking all "homosexual hangouts," or lifting their licenses, or constant harrassing raids. And loud complaints by Aaron Kohn of Metropolitan Crime Commission, and others, against courts for "dealing kindly" with persons arrested in such places. Apparently the courts felt arrests should be made only on specific charges supported by real evidence.

Mayor's half brother, Jacob Morrison, legal counsel for Vieux Carre Property Owners' Assn., was appointed head of citizens' committee to bring in recommendations on how to deal with homosexuals in New Orleans. State Rep. Edward LeBreton, who'd undertaken similar job for legislature, reported the matter wasn't so simple: "The med-

one

ical profession is divided in opinion as to whether it belongs to the general practitioner or the psychiatrist and the medical and legal professions can't agree on whether it's a criminal offense or a medical problem." Rep. Le Breton might also have noted that no one has ever bothered to prove gratuitous as-. sumption that homosexuality is either criminal offense or medical problem. July 22: Supt. Dayries sent vicecop Sabrier and his squad out and 18 persons (mostly bar employees) were arrested at several 'deviate bars," on charges of vagrancy, disturbing peace and "no visible means of support." 30 others warned to stay out of such places. Most charges were dropped next day. Those arrested already had their names and addresses bannered in several newspapers. Another clipping (undated) reported "sweeping drive" which arrested 325 "undesirables" in one night.

A letter denouncing witchhunt, signed by Victor G. Bakus, appeared in New Orleans STATES: in a secular state, professing

to be democratic, morals are of private concern only, so long as the rights of others are observed . . . .

... anyone offended by either the entertainment or the clientelle of a public establishment has every right not to patronize the place.

"I consider it a piece of unmitigated gall for anyone, be he District Attorney or City Councilman, to tell me what I may see or with whom I may associate without endangering my morals. I must confess that were I to seek guidance in matters of morals, I should not likely turn to politicians.

"I sincerely hope that thoughtful citizens of New Orleans having regard for the rights of others will make known their disgust and opposition to Salem barbarity. . .