Battalion/Page 5 February 14, 1983 Health Deptartment to be investigated Plowing through staff photo by David Fisher Hollingsworth licago, liller wb iosed. A member of the Texas A&M rugby club plows with the Fort Worth rugby club Saturday. The rough a batch of defenders during their game mud was a residue of last week’s rain United Press International AUSTIN — The special pro secutor assigned to handle mur der charges against a Texas City nursing home also will investi gate the failure of the State De partment of Health to follow up reports of abuse and neglect at that home, Attorney General Jim Mattox said Friday. Former Galveston County assistant district attorney David Marks was named by Mattox to investigate and prosecute the 2- year-old case against Autumn Hills Convalescent Center Inc. “I think that the records indi cate that there were at least as many as perhaps 50 different in dividuals that died (at Autumn Hills) under some questionable circumstances,” Mattox said at a news conference. The corporation and eight employees were indicted in 1981 on charges of murder by neglect in the deaths of eight patients. The indictments were dropped because of legal flaws, and the corporation later pleaded no contest to a charge of involun tary manslaughter. The plea bargain was re scinded last month at the re quest of new Galveston County District Attorney Mike Guarino. Marks, who was fired from his job as assistant district attor ney for opposing the plea bar gain, said he expected new in dictments to be returned within two months. Both Mattox and Marks said investigators for the state De partment of Health had warned high-ranking department offi cials of continuing problems at Autumn Hills, but the warnings were “disvalued.” They said the Health Department’s actions or inactions in the case also will be investigated. ‘‘It’s pretty obvious that the field staff had given ample warning of the need for action, and those warnings had not been heeded by those higher up,” Mattox said. “I think the responsibility for not shutting those institutions down or not bringing about proper care must lie in the hands of either the Health De partment or in the hands of the Medicaid Fraud Unit of the attorney general’s department,” he said. Mattox said as many as eight people on his staff would work on the case along with Marks, who will be based in Galveston. He said his office was called into the matter because of the ex pense of the investigation, which already has cost $250,000 and probably will top $500,000 be fore it is concluded. The attorney general said the case would serve as an example to other nursing homes that “the people of Texas are not going to tolerate the kind of mismanage ment and lack of proper care that is exhibited in this case.” “I’m going with the intention of convicting that corporation for murder and perhaps some of the officers and employees of that corporation for murder,” Mattox said. >rs ositive testimony allowed Textbook hearings opened . Si T1 United Press International kU.ll JSTIN — The State Board ■ducation opened the tex- n languajtlk adoption process to all on nited Stale ly. The move was hailed by branchol tments of the old system, neofsixbnlh limited public input to nited State as constm )lbook critics, extbook selection will nev- anyone come down here and say what they want, whether it’s true or not,” she said. Mrs. Gabler has claimed the proposed changes would turn schoolbook hearings into a de bate over personalities and phi losophical beliefs. She accused opponents of the old process of only wanting to negate the influ ence she and her husband wielded. The board also adopted a re commendation calling for an ex pansion of the textbook commit tee from 15 to 27 members and defeated a proposal to do away with the board’s yearly public hearing on books recommended for adoption. to “recot lithe same again in Texas,” tel Hudson, Texas Coordi- cetotheti |i of People for the Amer- Germans ijWay, said Friday. “Quite ly, we are surprised and inly appreciative that the board went this far,” he d 198 try of country nificantw eto Texas, she said it will maryoftk nmigrants Ihe state board, meeting as a inittee of the whole, Ited several recommenda- pres made by an ad hoc commit- n the Texas textbook selec- process and scheduled a id the ptf tal vote on the proposals played atst rday, tateunivets Under the recommenda- nefunding:I, people vvill have the right er for Hmlbuf negative comments and fete positive testimony on osed books during yearly ook hearings. ^ »'exas citizens will now have fix c., Armoui a Foods f million in* ■eed that il* ed federal |r opportunity to participate I in the process,” Hudson lople for the American Way tan opposing the existing [ess, which limits testimony oodsCoJ Igative appraisals of a book, ichor Hod lyear, claiming the system s undue influence to book |, such as Mel and Norma ler of Longview, he Gablers, strict fun- jentalists, have virtually lopolized the hearings for the pricinfiears, gaining national atten- and influence. Texas is the sst textbook buyer in the itry — spending $60 million ear. ofAmerin f 0 me, it’s not over,” Mrs. rCorp.T ler said. “Every year they made changes. I’ve never any problem with them TS-O Prescriptions Filled Glasses Repaired BRYAN 216 N. Main 799-2786 Mon.-Fri. 8-5 Sat. 8-1 COLLEGE STATION 8008 Post Oak Mall.. 764-0010 Mon.-Sat. 10-9 p.m. Texas State * Of^TICAE 3C Since 1935. (0 CL 0) CC Ken’s Automotive 421 S. Main — Bryan 822-2823 ‘‘A Complete Automotive Service Center” 0 ® Tune-Ups • r.inti-hoc tstaKes CL E o o Clutches • Front End Parts Replacement • Standard Transmission Repairs All American Cars Datsun-Honda Toyota 10% Discount with Student I D. *• i (Master Card & VISA Accepted) o o 3 ■o ro o > c JUDI SHEPPARD MISSETT A wild A woolly workout using jazz dance movements & swinging music for fitness, friendship & fun! Unitarian Fellowship Hall 305 Wellborn Rd. Mon. & Wed. — 4:30 p.m. Tues. & Thurs. —4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. New session begins Feb. 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ND Rugby The long... £ the short of it Originally designed I for the rigorous ^port * of rugby,these stylish all-cotton • 1 [ON 5-1515 Stndent Service Fee Hearing Sunday Feb. 13 — Friday Feb. 1® Times & Room assignments will be posted in S.G. Office 216 MSC All Students urged to Attend inter nat ional shorts have two roomy side pockets and a drawstring waist They look so good and fit so well, you'll want several pairs A . T 5'. j 4 <•* "Ml:; & /N long unhemmed version of the classic rugby short, these rug