Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 28

One man's opinion GOP laundered poll for release lo press By BERNIE WYNN Republic Political Commentator Leaders of Arizona's major political parties had better keep in mind that while polling is a valuable technique it isn't a license to deceive, manipulate or defraud the voters. State Republican Chairman i Colter came close to transgressing in all three areas in November when he released a censored poll to the news media. The poll, taken in April to obtain information n- cerning the primary contest between then Congressmen Sam Steiger and John Conlan for the U.S. Senate, also contained a number of questions covering issues. Answers to those issue oriented questions were to be used by the GOP to help major candidates develop a m- paign platforms, hopefully not inconsistent with the positions a majority of the Arizona electorate favored.

This has been an acceptable practice in political parties since 1948, although the pollsters that year (remember?) didn't call the presidential race between Thomas Dewey and Harry Truman too accurately. However, there Is a serious ethical question involved when a political party makes use of the polls for anything but candidate guidance. During the general election, the chairman mailed out a censored version of his poll to the media in an effort to reinforce the candidates campaigning on the selected issues. Meanwhile, he showed other party groups the results of the poll, including a hasty look at some explosive issues the Republicans did not want publicly to acknowledge. The most notable was the controversial equal rights amendment for women, an issue not favored by Colter's conservative troops or conservative legislators of both parties.

According to Republican workers who attended one of the sessions in Tucson, the ERA got a favorable response, 3 to 1 in Pima County and 2 to 1 in. 1 Maricopa County. Those who got a peek at thef'Forbidden fruit were required to sign a. loyalty, oath not to the contents, 11 of immediate fexcommunication; Some disgusted Pima 'Republicans walked out of a meeting in June in'pro- test over such Watergate-type proceed, ings. When a newspaper reporter quizzed i on this point last week, Colter intemperately declared, "It was our result and our poll.

If some of those rabble-rousers in Tucson want to know what the people of Arizona think, they can go out and pay $16,000 for their own poll." This is hardly the spirit which will unify the Maricopa and Pima Republican factions, nor does it justify releasing portions of the poll publicly and hiding parts of the.survey not producing desirable propaganda. That's like, the'saying goes, having your cake and eating it, too. Both parties have an obligation to be honest, forthright, open and reasonably pure in heart. Politics already has a bad name and this kind of hanky panky does not help cure this image. Now on a brighter note, Colter is to be congratulated for getting some positive actions going in the GOP rebuilding program.

i State Executive Committee is weighing the merits of several new party programs, including the possibility of an experimental state convention for precinct workers in the spring of 1978. The idea is to give precinct committeemen some power in the party and to give the party some power over which candidates fly the GOP banner. Both are laudable goals. Right now it is virtually impossible for either political party to fill the vacant precinct posts. By law they are allowed one committeeman for each 400 votes cast for governor in the preceding state election.

Committeemen conduct door-to-door canvasses for new voters, carry nominating petitions, help get out the vote 'and meet every two years to elect officials. So to give them a meaningful piece of the action is wise if the parties are to survive. They would meet in the spring and review the credentials of the announced candidates for office and then vote their preference for each contest. They would not be limited to one candidate per race but could, although not likely, express preference for three or four or all the persons running. Although this would not stop anyone from filing as a Republican candidate, it would signify to the voter which candidates precinct workers thought had the credentials necessary to represent the party.

Babbitt pledges to continue state antitrust prosecutions By RICHARD MORIfo Arizona Attorney General Bruce Babbitt told a group of businessmen Thursday that his office will continue vigorous prosecution of antitrust cases. His comments came at a breakfast meeting before 60 members of the Phoe- i Chamber of Commerce at I Adams Hotel. Dennis Mitchem, chamber of m- merce president, introduced 1 Babbitt by saying that some business executives are worried that and his staff have created a nationwide impression that "Arizona is an antibusiness place." Mitchem said he was told that this image could prevent businesses from locating in the state. Babbitt disagreed, saying the antibusi- ness charge "was tantamount to saying businesses locate where there is the greatest amount of lawlessness." He said continued enforcement of antitrust laws is necessary to the free enterprise system. "We're serious about antitrust," said Babbitt, adding that laws preventing price-fixing and business monopolies "make this system work." He said "antitrust laws were never enforced here" before i administration.

Babbitt's staff has filed several major antitrust actions since 1974, including lawsuits against cement industry and liquor distributors. Babbitt also said he would "not use the state grand jilryj the governor as a dragnet to subpoena everyone who has said anything in the newspaper." He referred to a suggestion by Gov. Raul Castro that former Maricopa County Attorneys Moise Berger and Don Harris be subpoenaed. They have been quoted as saying they were pressured by somfe community leaders to block prosecution of white-collar criminals. After the breakfast, Babbitt said no decision has been reached on whether to subpoena them.

He praised local businessmen and civic organizations for their efforts to fight crimfe. He agreed with a questioner, who said legitimate businesses suffer from the wrongdoing of a few. Babbitt said the Phoenix 40, an organization of Iqcal busjness and professional men, lobbied strongly for anticrime THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Friday, Jan. 28, 1977 (Section B) Page 1 The Model computer system is Honeywell's new products. Valley Honeywell division introduces new co Honeywell information Systems Thursday introduced'a new.prpduc'f and marketing The" company, in press Phoenix and New unveiled advances in semiconductor circuit technology that will be used in'the new com-; puters.

Honeywell introduced what its largest computer the Model and three 'computers in its medium-to- large-scale line, designated the the and the Honeywell officials said the.technical advances in the are a sign of what the computer industry will bsrofferiiig in the 1980s. The marketing concept outlined by Honeywell was called the, "distributed systems environment" approach. Linking the large computers, such -as the with minicomputers and computer terminals through other up-to-date equipment and programs in an integrated system will be Honeywell's new marketing tactic, company officials; said. The approach will carry over from- general business computer applications into industrial process controls. The large computers will be able to store a million words in its main memory, and will be able to process data at volumes needed mainly by banks, large companies and government agencies.

A typical computer and supporting system will cost about $6.2 million or rent for $128,000 a month; The' firm has sold a' dual processor system to Metropolitan Life Insurance Go. for $1L1 million, officials One i main computer will go into Metropolitan Life's data center at Greenville, S.C., at midyear, and the other will go later to Scrantori, or Wichita, Honeywell said. The new will result in s-t a bl'e employment at Honeywell's Valley-based Systems Division, said Norman FeldrhaV vice president and general manager of the division. The division employs about 4,200 persons at five Valley locations, most of them at the plant on the Black Canyon Freeway south of Thunderbird Road. The circuits used in the new.large computer, Feidman' said 1 use mode logic" in a compact unit Honeywell calls the "micropackage." A mieropackage condenses into a squares the same number of circuits contained on a conventional 12- i'nch-by-12-inch wired circuit board, officials said.

A liquid cooling system to pass under the.micropackages and remove heat has been developed to. help accomplish the space-saying and faster communications made, possible by the smaller circuit units, Feidman said 1 Using a liquid is a departure from, the current practice of using air conditioning in the computer room, officials said. legislation sought by the attorney general. Hfe said businessmen have cooperated with his attempts to strengthen existing regulatory agencies, specifically the securities division of the State Corporation Commission, although stronger enforcement "might occasionally cause them problems." He warned the businessmen not to treat "local problems as partisan political issues." The previous generation of city leaders made that mistake, he said. Before Babbitt's speech, Mitchem said the media has misquoted him on a key issue of the sales tax election.

The chamber opposes the City Council's decision to raise the sales tax from 1 to 2 per cent on retail sales and eliminate the tax on food. The increase goes to the voters in 1 the Feb. 8 special election. Mitchem termed false a attributed to him that 7,500 jobs in city businesses would be lost unless the tax increase is repealed. He said he has stated repeatedly that such a job loss "could happen," based oh data he has been given.

But the actual number of layoffs, if any, could not be predicted. After 30 years, Phoenix finance chief will retire Tony Vicente, city finance director who came under sharp criticism last year after disclosure of problems in the city sales tax office, will retire in December, TheArizona Republic learned Thursday. Vincente, 61, confirmed reports of his pending retirement when questioned by a reporter. He will have worked 30 years for the city in! November. "I'm going to rest," said Vicente.

"It's been a tough 30 years." He said it has been his "long-range plan" to leave the city this; year. Vicente joined the city in 1948 as a junior accounting clerk. He was city auditor for 10 years. His major accomplishments, Vicente said, were securing preferred ratings for city municipal and airport bonds and investing city revenues in interest-bearing accounts. The past two city councils criticized Vicente for problems in the sales tax office.

Investigations by police and city audit personnel, which began in 1975, i s- closed- widespread mismanagement in the operation of the office. In addition, criminal charges are pending against two area homebuilding companies which allegedly did not pay the full amount of sales tax they owed the city. The council recently passed a revised sales tax ordinance and instituted other reforms. James Stively, former sales tax office supervisor, retired last year under pressure from the council and former City Manager John Wentz. Vicente oversaw operations of the treasury division, which included the sales tax office, the accounts division arid the purchases and stores division.

Vicente's title after the recent city reorganization was assistant director of property and finance. His duties will be assumed by Alex Cordova, director of property and finance, when Vicente retires. He is eligible for yearly retirement benefits equal to 60 per cent of his adjusted annual salary, which is the annual average pay during the past three years. Vicente currently earns $31,824 annually. REPUBLIC Republic oholo by Thelmi Heatwolt Hanna Scott, seated, visits with her 93-year-old sister Bee Smith.

Going strong at 100 Birthday honoree enjoying many years of good health By THELMA liEATWOLE SUN CITY Hanna Scott knew she was going to be 100 years old today, so she bought a long pink dress and new shoes for her birthday party. And she got a permanent at the beauty shop. "It. feels like a different head," she confided about her fresh coiffure. fe centennarian could not precisely explain her longevity, but she had some ideas on the subject.

"I've always had pretty good health," she said, "and I come from a long-lived family. Our family members are light eaters." Her mother lived to 92 and her father 85. Her sister, Bee Smith, 93, is here visiting and another sister, 97, lives in St. Louis. Mrs.

Scott moved here in 1973 to be with her son, Robert Bilbrough. "I don't believe she has taken $10 worth of medicine in her lifetime," said Bilbrough. "The only time she was in a hospital was when she- fell and broke her wrist over three years ago and that was the last time she saw a doctor." The birthday dinner arranged by Bilbrough at the Sun City Country Club will feature prime rib the honoree's favorite. The party cake iced in white will be inscribed "Mother years." Her grandson, Richard Bilbrough, is traveling from Brazil for the occasion. Four other family members are arriving from out of state for the event.

Mrs. Scott was born in England, and came to the U.S. with: her parents when she was 6. Before her marriage in 1899, she was a secretary in St. Louis.

She typed and wrote the Pittman system of shorthand in her duties for a company that made wax cylinder phonograph records. Later she lived in Colorado, then Milwaukee. Although she uses a lightweight walker to get around, Mrs. Scott likes to cook and go for rides with her She gets about for grocery shopping by pushing the cart in front of her. "She's as independent as a hog on ice," said her son.

Mrs. Scott has just finished en-. dieting a baby afghan, and last year she made five large ones. Recently, she made clay flowers, then painted them for a wall plaque. "I love to read," she said.

"I've Continued on Page E-Z Convicts reportedly made blade used on Tony Serra By JOHN L. SCHWARTZ FLORENCE An Arizona State Prison inmate, testifying for the prosecution, said Thursday that the weapon used to kill convict Tony Serra was made in the prison welding shop. William Warren, a burglar serving a 10- to 14-year sentence, said his cell- mate, George Warnock, bragged how well the foot-long bladed weapons were made i'n the shop. Serra, 42, a former business associate of convicted extortionist Ned Warren died in the prison Jan. 3 from multiple stab wounds during an attack in the prison's license plate factory.

The welding shop is in an area adjacent to the license plate plant. Four inmates have been charged with taking part in Serra's murder. They are Victor Cruz Mendoza, 32, doing 10 to 15 years for rape and assault with a deadly weapon in Cochise County; Donald Lee Dempsey, 24, five to six years for burglary and robbery in Pima County; Darryl Lynn Gray, 29, two to years.for attempted burglarly in Pima County and Earl Paul Snyder, 20, 35 to 50 years second-degree murder in Pima County. The four men appeared at a preliminary hearing on Serra's murder before Justice of the Peace Roy Nowlin in Final County. Implicating his cellmates again for knowledge of the murder, inmate Warren said when he arrived at work on Jan.

3 Warnock said "it has to be done this morning," implying Serra must be killed. Warren, also known as Bruce Berger, said Serra had taken time off from work because his life was threatened. He was killed the first day back on the job. Continued on Page B-2 Church accused of investment fraud A Phoenix couple filed suit Thursday in federal court charging that Glad Tidings Church of America Inc. defrauded them of $25,000 in an investment scheme.

The complaint was filed by Euel and Cinderalla Ballentine of 11834 N. 35th Aye. The couple accused the church of vfo. 4 STILL THOUGHT VOL POfOU THINK i PC fou LOVE Me THAN LIFE ITSELF? A LOT ABOUT lating federal securities law by committing fraud and' deceit in the sale of three-year, 8 per cent time-savings certificates. Defendants are the church, which operates KPAZ-TV Channel 21, 3551 E.

McDowell, and 11 of the church's officers and directors. Tom Meissner, attorney for the church, said he could not comment on the lawsuit because he hasn't seen it. The suit said the Ballentines invested $25,000 in the savings certificates after the church ran an, advertisement on Channel 21 in February 1975. The ad asked viewers to "invest your. money at 8 per cent by putting it in Christian television," the suit said.

Church officials offered the securities to the couple without disclosing that Glad Tidings was not engaged in an economic business operation and could not pay the interest on the i suit said. The church made two interest payments to the Ballentines, then stpppjed making payments on the it said. i The Ballentines asked for $100,000 in punitive damages and $37,100 in actual damages, including the $25,000 investment and $12,100 jn interest payable on the certificates. The couple also asked for an injunc- i to prevent the church from destroying its financial records. Channel 21, which has been beset by financial problems, went off the air last week after its transmitting equipment: was repossessed.

Glad Tidings is negotiating several parties, including Trinity Broadcasting of Arizona to sell the station, the church attorney said..