Is it part of a plot?

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 15

Is it part of a plot?

(By

MIKE ROYKO

of the "Chicago Daily News.")

CHICAGO. The first question most people asked after President Ford’s narrow escape was: “Is it part of a plot?” So for some answers, I went to see a well-known expert in such matters, Perry Noyd, and asked him what he thought of the conspiracy theory. Mr Noyd is author of the best-seller, “You’re All In This Together,” and other books. He also delivers the popular daily telephone commentary: “Conspiracy Line.” He was already busy in his office, preparing evidence by drawing lines from spots on charts. In some cases, his lines stretched to charts in other rooms.

“Look at this,” he said, jabbing a spot with his finger.

“That’s Sacramento. Now watch.” He drew a line from that chart to a spot on a chart on the opposite wall. “This, is Moscow. Now watch.” He drew another line to a chart in the next room. “This is Havana.” He drew still another line from that chart back to the one marked “Sacramento.” “See how they connect?” he said.

“Then you suspect something?”’ I asked. "Naturally,” he said. “Things are never as they appear, as I pointed out in my book, ‘Things Are Never As They Appear’.’’ “Have you developed any evidence in the Sacramento incident?” Mr Noyd held up a picture of a large crowd of people. “Look at this,” he said.

It showed a large crowd of people. "Who are they?” “That’s part of the crowd that was there to see Mr Ford. Look closely. Do you notice something peculiar?” It looked like any other crowd picture. Noyd smiled the knowing smile that has become familiar to his many admirers, all of whom also have knowing smiles. “We know that this Fromme woman — if that is her real name — was dressed almost entirely in red, was she not?” he asked. That was true. Using a magnifying glass, he said: “Now in this crowd what do we see, Here is a man with a red tie. Over there is a woman with a red scarf. And there is another man with red trousers. And down here we see a woman with red hair. In this comer we see a young man selling red balloons. And over here — look at this — is a man with a red nose.”

“But he looks like a lush,” I said. "And red is a popular colour. Besides, it could be coincidence.” Noyd laughted indulgently. “There is no such thing as coincidence, as I pointed out in my book. “No Such Thing as coincidence.” “Then you don’t believe she could have been acting independently.” He smiled. “Does anyone act independently? Really indenendently?” Before I could work that out. Noyd said: “Let me show vou something else.” He began drawing another line from a spot on a chart in his closet to a chart in his washroom.

“There,” he said, “we have connected Sacramento with Mexico.” "Why Mexico?” “What does red symbolise?” he asked patiently. Before I could answer, he said: “Red is the colour of the cape waved at bulls to get them angry. And the closest country to us that has bullfighting is Mexico.” “That’s true,” I had to admit. “And it was Mexico that Lee Harvey Oswald was known to have visited at a time prior to the incident at Dallas.” “Ah-hah,” I said. “And who shot Oswald?” he asked. “Jack Ruby.” “And what colour is a ruby?” I gasped. “Are you beginning to see the connection?” he said, with his knowing smile. “I’m not sure.” “That’s right,” he said, triumphantly. That’s what I said in my book, “Can We Ever Be Sure.” “When will you have tonelusive proof?” “Tomorrow,” he said, as he picked up h : crayon. “Just as soon as I connect this final line.” “To where?” I said. But he had already disappeared into the basement.