A study of Karok, an American Indian language spoken in northern California, provides an argument for CV theory over moraic theory from compensatory lengthening. In a previous study, moraic theory is argued to be superior to CV phonology in accounting for compensatory lengthening; it is shown here that compensatory lengthening in Karok cannot be provided with any systematic accounting in moraic theory, while it is given a systematic account in CV theory by invoking empty C's. Phonological processes relevant to the discussion include vowel lengthening, glottal stop insertion, and mono-syllabic gemination. Analyses of these three processes are presented within the framework of CV theory, and the same processes are then considered within the framework of moraic theory. Data and generalizations are drawn from a third study. (Contains 4 references.) (MSE)