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Marley building battle is over

To the editor,

I was surprised upon reading Monday's editorial (Likins: change Marley building name) this morning requesting a change of the Marley building name.. the annex to the main Agricultural Forbes center.

It seems hard to realize that you can still fight the battle of Don Bolles car bombing that led to his death. More than twenty years have passed, and I, for one (who protested much earlier that the dedication to Kemper Marley was totally unnecessary), had even ventured the thought that within even a shorter time span the name Marley to students of this era might easily conclude that the name was really 'Marlowe,' the great friend of Wm. Shakespeare.

Although I never met Marley, I did meet his wife when she loaned some bronze western cowboy sculpture to the Arizona Historical Society here in Tucson. She was certainly, in every aspect, a serious and quiet individual. I'm sure, if only from the movies, you would realize that men involved with liquor [and] racing, which allegedly have Mafia or gang-style affiliations, would never discuss this type of business dealings with a wife! What could she possibly tell the press?

It seems very likely that Kemper's involvement also involved associations with hoodlums. How did he escape being convicted? This might be a project you could lend yourself to. But I'm sure even reporters must learn certain situations are dangerous - war, political dissent, etc. and what is lost is you.

It was Mrs. Kemper who chose to give to the University of Arizona because her husband was a cattleman. I think there is still a ranch at Arivaca.

Quite frankly, $6 million today seems like peanuts, when you could raise enough interest in today's agricultural community to give $6 million out of their pockets. The building at this point may already need repairs.

I am of complete accord, however, that the name be changed. Mrs. Marley has died, so she would not be humiliated further. You might ask one of the sons. It might be called Plant Sciences. I would be inclined to think only a history major with a paper to write knows the story or is particularly interested. Is it worse than Nike money or sweatshops in Asia?

Charlotte M. Cardon

Tucsonan