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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 1975)
From me to be sentenced today Moore stands guilty of assault Associated Press U. S. Dist. Judge Samuel Conti, who let Sara me Moore plead guilty to a charge that she tried itill President Ford, says that, before he passes ntence, he wants to find out if the woman was volved in a conspiracy. Conti, canceling Miss Moore’s scheduled trial San Francisco, Tuesday said he was convinced [at her last-minute change from innocent to lilty was “voluntarily, knowingly and intelli- mtly given.” With Tuesday’s events. Miss Moore became esecond person to stand guilty under a federal Mcovering assault on the president. In Sacramento, Lynette (Squeaky) Fromme, ovicted last month of trying to kill President jrd, faces sentencing today hy a judge who says ■wants to discourage other assassination at- mpts. Conti concerned with refusal Conti expressed concern about Miss Moore’s refusal to say under oath whether anyone encour aged her or helped her plan the attempted assas sination of Ford before Sept. 22, the day she fired a shot at the President. “I’m not completely satisfied with some state ments she made as to who assisted her in forming her intentions to commit this act,” said Conti. The judge urged her to give probation officers further information on the possible involvement of others in the attack on Ford. Such a disclosure, he said, “could assist in possible mitigation of sentence.” Conti said he would sentence Miss Moore on Jan. 15. He has the option ofsendingher to jail for any term up to life. Her attorney. Public Defender James Hewitt, urged the judge to order a jury trial at which he could provide Miss Moore with a defense of in sanity or diminished capacity. “I think the case was very defensible,” Hewitt said later. But Conti declared: “The court finds that, after reviewing all of the evidence, a jury of reasonable minds could find the defendant guilty as charged and there is a factual basis for the plea.” Moore repeats guilty plea Miss Moore, a matronly bookkeeper who turned FBI informer and infiltrated the radical underground, showed no reaction to the judge’s remarks. She stood before the bench and once more calmly entered her plea: “Guilty.” Earlier, she admitted on the witness stand that she fired a shot at Ford as he left a downtown hotel and said she meant to kill him. A bystander deflected her gun, and the bullet missed the President. But she evaded questions which raise the pos sibility of conspiracy. “Did you intend to assassinate Mr. Ford prior to Sept. 22?” the judge asked. “Yes,” replied Miss Moore. “Did someone else encourage or assist you?” asked Conti. Miss Moore replied, “As to that particular date, I acted alone.” “How about some other date?” he asked. “I’m not going to answer that. Judge,” Miss Moore said. However, prosecutors say they have no evi dence of a conspiracy and don’t feel Miss Moore’s remarks indicate one existed. Fromme may make statement The short, red-haired Miss Fromme, a fol lower of convicted multiple-murderer Charles Manson, was judged guilty Nov. 26 of trying to kill Ford in Capitol Park here on Sept. 5 when she pointed a gun at him. Miss Fromme, 27, who made several attempts during the trial to speak on Manson’s behalf, was also given permission to make a statement before being sentenced today. She had been banned from most of her trial because of her refusal to remain silent. When the verdict by the jury of four men and eight women was announced, U.S. Dist. Judge Thomas MacBride said that he would select a penalty that would serve as a “deterrent to ones who might commit the same crime.” Miss Fromme faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. She was convicted under a federal law passed following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. At Miss Fromme’s trial. Secret Service agents testified she pointed a .45-caliber at Ford from about two feet away as he shook hands with well-wishers. The gun did not go off, but several prosecution witnesses testified that they heard a clicking sound as if Miss Fromme had pulled the trigger. Authorities said the gun contained a magazine with four cartridges in it, but a round had not been cocked into the chamber so the gun could not have been fired. The defense said Miss Fromme had intended to publicize her demands that Manson should have a new trial and that she had not meant to kill Ford. The prosecution contended she was unable to fire the gun because she had little knowledge of how a .45-caliber pistol works. Manson and four of his followers are serving life terms for the killing of actress Sharon Tate and six others in 1969. ; r I l i > i i i i > i > t i t ; i \ tl r i Cbe Battalion Vol. 69 No. 57 College Station, Texas Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1975 Bentsen: employment the issue Associated Press WASHINGTON — Sen. Lloyd Bentsen says nployment will be the leading issue in the 1976 tesidential campaign, and restoring optimism to le United States by improving the economy list be the top priority of the winner. Bentsen, a first-term senator from Texas seek- gthe 1976 Democratic presidential nomina- in, believes the Ford administration’s eco- rnnic plans will prohibit full employment until ter 1980 and that without economic growth, iprovements in education, health care and insingwill not be achieved. Bentsen also made these points in an inter- iew: ^e 1975 tax reductions, some $16 billion, tould be extended but cuts should not be as tep as those proposed by President Ford, cross-the-board spending cuts should also be iposed, a goal generally shared by the Ford ministration. ^ Oil price controls should be phased out “over period of months” and price controls on natural 8should be abandoned over a period of years. (Too much emphasis has been placed on TSoviet and U.S.-Chinese relationships to Kexclusion oftraditional U.S. allies with Japan, rii'n America and Africa. ’ 1 Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger has led to “institutionalize” foreign policy in the 1 late Department, making it, instead, “an exten- bnofhis own personality.” f "I feel jobs will be the foremost issue of the ^campaign,” Bentsen said. “Healthy, stable Kinomic growth is the key to fighting both job- sness and rising prices.” He said confidence is “the biggest asset and source this country has,” but it has been “fid- led away by this administration and the previous Iministration because of the lack of credible adership and because of economic malad- inistration. We can’t restore optimism, put people back payrolls, stop inflation, provide for health education, housing and the other concerns mericans without a reasonable growth in our lomy. This must be our No. 1 priority.” His economic positions are built around three uggestions. He has proposed offering a tax credit to en- ourage increased hiring. He would create a outh employment service to reduce unemploy- lent among young people and he would estab- isli a “national job clearinghouse” to link the nemployed with jobs throughout the country, lax credit to ‘cost nothing’ The senator said the employment tax credit fould cost nothing, because the reduced tax re- eipts would be balanced by a greater saving in educed unemployment compensation payments ! ! the government. I’d give a 10 per cent employment tax credit Mi the first $8,000 of salary for hiring the unem- doyed who have been out of work for at least six he said. The six-week provision would employers from simply hiring each tfher’s workers. Hiring would be required at svels greater than in 1974 or 1975. He predicted that such a scheme would pro- luce “permanent jobs, not make-work jobs” for DO,000 to one million persons in two years. See Bentsen, p. 6 feeks, ’ irohihit Yezaks Welcome Third Officer Gold bars were pinned on new Army officer George brother’s rank a buff of the sleeve shortly after George C. Yezak (center) by his sister and brother, also Army was commissioned at Texas A&M University, second lieutenants. Patti and Herman give their Three-thousand budgeted for C.S. beautification By JERRY NEEDHAM Battalion Staff Writer The College Station City Council Thursday night took a decisive step toward the beautifica tion of the city. The council unanimously supported the use of $3,000 for maintenance of 150 trees to be planted by the arbor committee of the Bicentennial Committee. The money for the trees is being donated by area residents through the Bicentennial Commit tee. The city will plan where to plant and the types of trees to be planted. Maintenance for the trees for the first year is expected to cost about $3,000. Maintenance costs are expected to be $20 per tree for the first year and $8 per tree for the next two years. The College Station Community Appearance Committee made four recommendations to the council concerning the Oak tree decline problem in College Station. Oak decline is a disease of oak trees currently affecting many .local trees. The council accepted the committee’s recom mendations to express gratitude to Dr. E. P. Arsdel for his work in analyzing the problem, to delay any official action until further study is completed, to bring a description of the symp toms to the attention of residents, and to caution citizens against contracting with unauthorized personnel to eradicate the disease. The Community Appearance Committee also prepared and presented a booklet entitled “A Guide to the Selection and Care of Shade Trees” to the council. The city will make free copies of the booklet available to residents. In other action, the council: • Initiated steps toward the creation of a joint traffic action committee in conjunction with Texas A&M and the Texas Highway Department. • Raised the homestead exemption for those 65 years of age or older from $3,000 to $5,000. • Rezoned a 3.72 acre tract next to the Bank of Home for holiday? By LEE ROY LESCHPER JR. Battalion Staff Writer The University Police Department has re leased a set of suggestions for students to safeguard property left on campus during Christmas holidays. Police Chief O. L. Luther recommended the following: • Don’t advertise for trouble by leaving your valuables out in the open, or in an unlocked room or car. • Be sure door and windows are locked. This should be done even if the room will be empty for a few minutes. In addition turn out lights and unplug appliances.' • Park cars in Parking Lot 9 (west of Puryear & Law) if they will be on campus during the holi days. Cars may be parked in this area beginning Wednesday, Dec. 17 at noon. The University Police will give special attention to this lot during the holidays. • Make a current list of property. Include serial A&M from an apartment-building district to a general-commercial district. • Rezoned a 17.26 acre tract on Texas Avenue between U-Rent-Em and Hardy Gardens from a single-family residential district to an apartment building district. and model numbers; describe color and size of items. Also mention any identifying marks or defects. Record this information with the Univer sity Police. • Engrave ID or social security number on all moveable items that do not have serial numbers. Marked items are difficult for thieves to sell, but easy for police to identify. • Register your bicycle. Invest in a large case- hardened chain with comparable lock and secure it in a safe, visible area. Locked bikes can also be left in rooms during the holidays. • Don’t leave credit cards in a room or the glove compartment of a car. • Don’t keep unnecessary credit cards. If only one card is needed and the company sent two, destroy the extra card. • Report credit cards that are lost or stolen to the company and police immediately. • Remember that $400 million worth ofproperty is stolen yearly and that only 5 per cent of stolen property is recovered and returned to the rightful owners. Don’t be a victim of these statistics. Lock up valuables Ripoff? College costs rise sharply By STEVE MOORE Battalion Stall Writer Muttered comments such as “What a ripoff]” and “Why is it so high this year?” are not unusual around registration time. The cost of a college education has risen shar ply over the last four years and Texas A&M has not been excluded from this economic trend. “Student tuition is responsible for about $3 million of a $61 million budget,” said Robert Smith, Assistant Controller of the Fiscal De partment. Tuition rates are set by the state at $4 a semes ter hour for a Texas resident. This rate includes a $50 minimum, requiring the student to register for at least 12 hours to break even. Tuition rates for non-resident and aliens are set at $40 per semester hour and $14 per semester hour respec tively. Both rates include a $200 minimum. A required student services fee is set at $1.65 per semester hour. “ This fee covers the services at the Memorial Student Center and the In tramural program. It entitles the student to re ceive The Battalion, admission to most athletic events played at the University under the au spices of the Athletic Department. The fee also includes Town Hall programs along with lectures and arts performances,” said Smith. The Student Services fee has a maximum limit of $19.80. For an additional $10 the student recieves football tickets to all home games. The Building Use Fee, required of all stu dents, is set at $6 per semester hour, an increase of $4 per semester hour over spring semester 1975. “This fee covers bonded indebtedness in curred for the expansion, air conditioning and/or rehabilitation of the MSC, G.Rollie White, Au ditorium, Library, Kyle Field and the Student Health Center,” said Smith. The Student Center Complex Fee, a mandat ory fee, is for purposes of operating, maintaining, improving and equipping the Student Center Complex. Also required is the Health Center Fee which covers the services of the Student Health Center. The $10 property deposit is charged to insure against loss from damages or breakage. “This fee is paid by all students and is refundable upon request when graduating or leaving the univer sity,” Smith said. A $3 fee is required of all incoming students for an identification card. Along with the above required fees, there are also several fees pertaining to selected course material and activities. A fee ranging from $2 to $8 is charged for each laboratory course. This fee covers the cost of various teaching aides used in the laboratory. The $10 Physical Education fee is required of students taking P.E. courses. This fee covers part of the cost of P.E. equipment, laundry, uniforms and other essentials of the program. The $8 R. O.T.C. fee covers the handling cost of uniforms, such as sewing on patches and pre paring the uniforms for service. A registration and parking permit fee is re quired of students who drive automobiles on campus. The rates are as follows: $15 per semes ter, $27 for 9 months, $36 for 12 monffis and $12 for the summer session. There are also a number of optional fees. A $2 fee is charged for one’s picture in the yearbook. This covers photography costs. A fee of $9.50 pays for the yearbook itself. For a fee of $15, students living in apartment areas surround ing the campus have access to the shuttlebus. To cut some expenses, Mr. Smith offered a number of suggestions. For those concerned with housing costs, an unairconditioned dorm is cheaper. Likewise with a private phone. Al though it may mean some extra walking, parking permits are not mandatory if an off-campus spot is available. There is also a cheaper 5-day meal ticket as opposed to the 7-day plan. University released from EMS contract By PAULA GEYER Bryan from a contract for a new ambulance simi- Battalion Staff Writer l ar to the “modulance” now being used by Sher rill. City officials told the BVDC that it did not The Brazos Valley Development Council need the ambulance since Sherrill’s was already (BVDC) voted Thursday to release Texas A&M serving the area. University from responsibility for a contract for A pre-natal work program was also approved to some Emergency Medical System (EMS) radio help teenage girls pay for child delivery. The equipment for the University Health Center. program will be funded with $67,000 from the Dr. C.B. Goswick, director of the health Texas Office of Community Affairs, center, said in a letter to the BVDC the health Income from the six-month program would go center did not need the equipment for communi- toward the costs of deliveries, cation to hospitals and ambulances. Two park projects were also approved for Cas- Thecentercurrentlycommunicates with other tie Heights Park and Williams Park. Both parks hospitals using the radio equipment at the Uni- are in Bryan. versify Police station located next to the health The projects involve $40,000 each for acquisi- center. tion of additional land and development of the The University would have been required to parks, pay $700 for the equipment and the rest of the The city of Bryan will pay $20,000 on each cost would have been paid by the BVDC. project with the remainder coming from the The total cost of the equipment is $2,909. Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. The unused equipment will now be transferred In other action the BVDC executive commit- to the city of Bryan where the equipment will be tee tentatively approved a budget of $456,000 for installed at Sherrill s Ambulance Service. the 1976-77 year. The rest of the council will vote The BVDC also voted to release the city of 0 n the budget in January. Campus THE LAUNDRY ALLOWANCE for the tyring semester has been increased. Male stu- knts’ allowances have been increased from |2.00 per week to $2.25 per week. Female stu nts’ allowances have been increased from 11.45 per week to $1.65 per week. • HENRY C. DETHLOFF, author of the Cen- tynnialand Pictorial Histories ofTexas A&M, will !>ethe guest at an autographing party and recep tion on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p. m. in the lobby 0 fthe Forsyth Alumni Center. City THE ARBOR DAY committee of the Brazos County Bicentennial organization will be plant ing trees in Bryan-College Station. Those wish ing to contribute should send a check to Arbor % Committee, P.O. Box 1776, Bryan, 77801. Texas TWO MEN robbed the Western State Bank of Midland yesterday. Police said that one man rob bed the bank of $6,932 and met an accomplice in a get-away car outside of town. • THE ASSOCIATED MILK PRODUCERS INC. and four individuals yesterday filed a suit in state district court in Dimmitt against the Texas Animal Health Commission, seeking to force the state to put into effect federal regulations for the control of brucellosis. Brucellosis is a disease that causes cows to abort their calves. • A HOUSE COMMITTEE scheduled a special hearing today in the hope that it can “clear up confusion” over the effect of the new federal vot ing rights act on Texas. The committee said it is considering trying to create a state office to assist local governments in “preparing the detailed submissions of changes in election laws, rules, procedures and regulations which the Voting Rights Act requires local and state governments to file with the Justice De partment. ” National DONALD K. SLAYTON, 51, one of the na tion’s original seven astronauts, has been named deputy director of flight operations for approach and landing tests of the space shuttle, Johnson Space Center officials announced yesterday. Slayton will be in charge of planning and im plementing a program to determine how to best land the space shuttle. The shuttle is a reusable spacecraft which is launched like a rocket into space and returns to earth like an airplane. World LEBANON’S 15th cease-fire in her eight- month old civil war appeared near collapse today as Christians and Moslems battled in Beirut, Tripoli and five other villages. Rocket fire erupted in four Beirut suburbs dur ing the night. It spread to the city’s main banking district and three downtown squares, and there were heavy machine gun exchanges at daybreak in several parts of the city. Beirut’s hotel district and the adjoining Jewish quarter were the focal points of battle last week. Possible beating investigated Quinlan mercy-death suit slowed by court papers Associated rress TRENTON, N.J. — A newly revealed investi gation to determine if someone tried to kill Karen Anne Quinlan before she lapsed into a coma could complicate her parents’ battle to allow her to die. Court papers filed Tuesday in Rock Island, 111., disclosed that Miss Quinlan, 21, had a lump on the back of her head and several bruises on the lower part of her body the night she was admitted to a hospital, last April 15. The New York Post, which broke the story before the court papers were filed, quoted un named sources as saying authorities also are try ing to determine if a pimp and an “older woman” who worked at a massage parlor may have some how been involved. The investigators also want to know whether Miss Quinlan was illegally supplied with the bar biturates and tranquilizers reportedly found in her blood and in urine tests the night she was admitted to the hospital, the newspapers said. A judge last month rejected a request from the young woman’s parents that would have allowed doctors to disconnect the machinery that has kept Miss Quinlan alive for eight months. Miss Quinlan’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Quinlan, argue the young woman is in a vegeta tive state, with no chance of recovery, and have taken the case to New Jersey’s Supreme Court. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 26. William F. Hyland, New Jersey’s attorney general, said he wants to see if foul play was involved in producing the coma. “There was no apparent explanation for the existence of certain bruises on her body,” Hyland said. “The existence of the bruises created an additional responsibility for me to inquire further as to how and why they had been sustained or inflicted.” The papers, filed in Illinois in an attempt to secure the return of a witness, referred to possi ble violations of the law, including “atrocious assault and battery and assault with intent to kill.” Despite the information in the court papers, however, Hyland said, “We don’t know if we have a crime, we have no suspects, we don’t have any targets.” Should criminal charges result from the inves tigation, sources said, they would pose serious complications to the outcome of the parents’ suit. A key question would be whether any assailant of Miss Quinlan would become subject to a murder charge if she were allowed to die. In a 1974 case in California, Andrew D. Lyons was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Samuel Allen Jr. The defense argued that the shooting didn’t cause Allen’s death because the victim’s heart beat until it was removed for a transplant. A judge ruled, however, that Allen was dead at the time of the transplant, that he had died of brain damage caused by the gunshot. The intervention of outside forces would be even more of an issue in the Quinlan case since she is considered to be alive by all medical and legal standards. Whether a court would jeopar dize an eventual defendant’s case by allowing her to die is a tough legal question. The court papers filed in Illinois, issued by a New Jersey judge, summoned William Zywot to testify before a grand jury investigating the newest aspect of the case. Zywot, who was with Miss Quinlan the night she lapsed into a coma, said through his attorney Tuesday that he would appear in Trenton later this week.