The York Problem
BY HERBERT D. KASTLE
Warfare, diplomacy, art, music, science, religion—have all
failed to secure peace for the world. But still there is hope
for Mankind. Another experiment remains: change the color
line—and let's see what happens....
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, February 1955.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
They sat around the table, thirteen men dressed in the prescribed blueof their office. They spoke quietly, without tension, and they allseemed alike. Commissioner Dobu summed up this meeting of the EarthCouncil of Prevention and Correction of Non-Conformity.
"It is to be regretted," he said, "that the juvenile deliquency problemremains unsolved in York. It is also to be noted, and included in thelocal reports of the sector captains, that the problem has existed somesix hundred years, since 3046, speaking in general figures. Therefore,the fault lies not with us—though this point is to be hinted at ratherthan stated per se, Peaceful Sirs."
The council members accepted his aside, with brief nods and briefersmiles, for the problem of York was nothing to smile at.
Dobu cleared his throat and continued. "Since the Federated GalacticBill of Inherent Human Rights forbids psychiatric treatment orsyndromic surgery against an individual's wishes, and since thepeople of York under the fanatic tutorship of their church mastersconsider psychiatry a sacrilege, there is no easy solution—no humanesolution. But people who have refused all advice, aid and educationfor six hundred years no longer deserve humane treatment. Therefore,as we have done on so many other occasions, and as has been doneby our predecessors, we present what we feel is the only solution.Namely, that York as a community, and the people of York as a whole,be eliminated in whatever manner the Federated Galactic Council seesfit. Sterilization appears to be the method most suitable. But eveneuthanasia would not be out of order."
Mala Wang yawned as she read the commissioner's report. It was like allthe others she'd sent to Galactic Council in the four years she'd beenwith the CPCNC. And nothing had ever happened; not unless you countedthe Report-Received flashes.
She inserted a fresh strip into the feeder, worked the keysefficiently, and began sending. "Federated Galactic Council, CentauriTwo, Code CPCNC-Earth. Most Peaceful Sirs: In the meeting of July,3646, the problem of York, its adult inhabitants, and more particularlyits juvenile delinquents...."
Some forty minutes later, she was finished. She shut off the feeder,opened the ejector, and waited. Before she'd finished buffing the nailson her left hand, the ejector began clicking. "Report Received" emergedon the tape. Mala shrugged and pushed back her chair, but anotherseries of clicks stopped her.
"Urgently request operator stand by for results emergency session,Federated Galactic Council, being called at this time. Business:Continuing reports of CPCNC-Earth on York Sector."
Mala stared at the tape, and slowly her eyes grew wide and herlips parted. Then she threw the inter-departmental switch and rangCommissioner Dobu. As soon as Dobu's face materialized on the screen,she said, "Peaceful Sir! I've just received a message that indicatesthe Galactic Council is going to take action on your reports!"
A half-hour later, the Earth Council of Prevention and Correction ofNon-Conformity was