The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 24

SUfjcutrtria Dnila tCotom Vcilk Tuesday, March 28. 1978 La. News A-24 State's Computer Story Scheduled for Retelling The committee was inquiring into a 1973-74 audit that criticized Roem-er's office the freewheeling transfer of $4.76 million He testified that day among other things about a $600,000 payment from the Highway Department, which complained at the time that it had received none of the services for which it was billed. At the time, Roemer told the committee that his centralized computer agency sold services to other state agencies which did not have their own systems. He said the agencies were budgeted by the legislature for such expenses, anticipating that the funds would be paid over to the central system through the year.

He also said such transfers of funds were approved by the Legislative Budget Committee- However, the Highway Department and Charity Hospital in New Orleans protested that they received no services for the fees they were 1 asked to pay. The Highway Department already had its own computer system and did not fall into the category outlined by Roemer. Further, when the Highway Department balked and filled out a form for the Legislative Budget Committee's approval of the transfer, Roemer's office spiked their form and substituted one of its own. The substitute form lumped the $600,000 transfer from the Highway Department in with similar transact tions involving other state agencies. BATON ROUGE (AP) The twisted saga of the state's $6.6 million entry into the era of computers is scheduled for a retelling today before the Legislative Audit Advisory Committee.

A possible outcome is a squaring of the story told under oath by Commissioner of Administration Charles E. Roemer II about how state agencies were billed for computer services and why. Two years ago, the committee adopted the policy of requiring witnesses to swear to tell the truth under the penalty of perjury. Roemer consented to take the oath at that 1976 meeting, saying, "We took an oath when we took of-' lice." 1 2-T Code of Ethics Proposal Drafted Jazz clarinetist Louis Cottrell's funeral procession from the path of the procession in what was termed a lorms op for the march to the cemetary as the band more "subdued" ceremony. (AP Photo) plays slow dirges.

The "second line" was turned away Jazz Funeral More Sedate Than Usual The commission can take action only if someone files a complaint. Also, the present law does not cover local or par- ish officials and employees. The proposed bill drew the support of lobbyists for Common Cause. "We find the new legislation stronger and we support it," lobbyist John Carter told the subcommittee. The subcommittee discussed whether reports of possible wrongdiiing should be be made public.

"How do we protect rights in such cases without confidentiality?" asked Accardo. Subcommittee members agreed that would be a touchy matter, and probably would have to be worked out later. Basically, the new act would prohibit public employees and elected officials from particpating in any; transactions where they would receive special bene-fitss because they are a officials or public employees. Any citizen could file a complaint with the board or commission. In addition, both would have hearing officers who could initiate investigations.

The board would consist of five members one appointed by the governor and two each by the House and Senate. The commission would also have five members, a.11 appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. BATON ROUGE (AP) A legislative subcommittee is going to make another stab at trying to put more teeth in Louisiana's code of ethics for public employees and elected officials. Rep. Joe Accardo's subcommittee finished drafting a proposed bill Monday.

"The bill as it stands is probably not the way everyone wants it," said Accardo, of Laplace, "but it represents many, many hours of work." Accardo managed to get a similar bill cleared by a subcommittee and a committee during last year's legislative session. The House also approved it after tacking on scores of amendments. But the measure died in the Senate. This year's version will be presented to the House Governmental Affairs Committee later this week. Earlier this month, the subcommittee asked the committee staff to redraft the measure, providing for the so-called "two-board approach" a commission on ethics for public employees and board of ethics for elected officials.

The bill would cover all public employees at the state and local levels. The state now has separate ethics commissions for elected officials and state employees, but critics charge the commission for elected officials is ineffective because it can't initiate action against an official. By Bill Crider NEW ORLEANS (AP) The boistrous "second line" was de-toured away from the jazz funeral for Louis Cottrell one of the last of the old musicians who helped jazz grow up. Cottrell was a quiet man who usually seemed to be studying his audience with detached amusement, even when his fingers were rippling up and down his clarinet. When he died last Tuesday, at the age of 67, the family felt the traditional jazz funeral might be too much of a street circus.

So though he had a jazzy goodbye he didn't get "cut loose" in the usual way. "A lot of the older folks don't like jazz funerals because of the second line," said Henry Dudley, a marshal of the Onward Brass Band, after Monday's procession. "It gets to be a little too much out there." The "second line" is the parade of dancing, prancing, laughing people who form behind the march ing band when it struts away from the cemetery, dramatically shifting from dirges to joyous Dixieland. Switching from hymns to happy jazz symbolizes that the deceased has finally been "cut loose" from the travails of life. The problem is, it also cuts loose the crowd.

Cottrell's funeral service packed the Catholic church and about 1,500 people and four television camera crews stood in the bright sunshine outside waiting for the funeral procession. Though the traditional jazz funeral form was bent for the occasion, Cottrell had a lot of music at his sendoff. His jazz band played Sunday night at the wake. His old Onward Brass Band, accompanied by the organist, gathered in the choir loft to blow. "A Closer Walk With Thee" during the service.

When the hearse left the church, it was preceded by the Onward Brass Band. Normally it has about 10 pieces. This time it was beefed up to some 30 men by musicians adding their bit to Cottrell's goodby. They trudged slowly along the narrow street, hemmed in by some 3,000 spectators trudging along with them, playing "The Old Rugged Cross." But three blocks from the church they stopped at an intersec- lion. Normally, the marching band goes on to the cemetery even if part of the trip is by limousine due to the distance involved.

This time it was different. The hearse slowly worked around the band and the crowd and turned right toward the cemetery. When it was gone, the man with the big bass drum whacked out a new tempo. The band turned left. It struck up a rousing, "Oh, Didn't He Ramble." The crowd fell in behind, dancing, prancing, whooping.

The musicians disbanded a block away. "We just went a little piece to get the crowd off this street," said trumpeter Jack Willis. "Let them 'second line' a little. Some of those people act like idiots." Prosecutor Urges Jury to Convict L'Hoste NEW ORLEANS (AP) A prosecutor urged a jury today to convict Robert J. L'Hoste and his companions of cheating Jefferson Parish taxpayers in a sewer-repair kick- back scheme.

Prosecutor Ronald Fonseca detailed the case against L'Hoste and six other defendants and said the case had been proven not only beyond reasonable doubt, but "beyond any doubt." L'Hoste was accused of bribing Jefferson politicians to obtain $4.8 million in no-bid "emergency" sewer repair contracts between 1971 and 1977, and overcharging taxpayers by more than $300,000 to help pay the kickbacks. The official charges against L'Hoste, his contracting company and five other individuals and companies were, mail fraud conspiracy and racketeering. "What happened in this case is a tragedy a tragedy brought about by the very actions of the defendants," Fonseca told the jury. Briefs 'Babe Ruth of Bedroom' Scheduled for Sentencing Clark-Dunbar Presents id-Of-Moith Savings! Tremendous Savings In All Departments, Selected Closeouls, Many One Of A Kind Items That Must Go Come See Look at These Bedroom Examples! BEDROOM CLOSEOUT Your Choice 25 OFF Z' Oj) NEW ORLEANS (AP) A man described as the "Babe Ruth of the Bedroom" is scheduled for sentencing today almost a year after his conviction for a sex crime with a juvenile and six days after he was accused of another sex crime. Gerald Hatcher, 30, was described by a prosecutor in his trial last year as "the Babe Ruth of the Bedroom." Hatcher calls himself "Casanova." He was convicted of aggravated crime against nature with a 14-year-old girl a crime carrying a possible 15-year sentence.

Additionally, there are charges involving another underage girl pending against Hatcher charges he posed as a talent scout and coerced the girl to have sex with him. He was free on bond secured by his family's home when he allegedly raped an 18year-old woman Friday night. The woman had been arrested on shoplifting charges, but was released by two jailers who were later suspended for doing so. Hatcher, police say, picked up the woman, took her to a nearby bonding agency to make bail, then threatened to return her to jail if she didn't comply with his sexual advances. Dies in Blaze NEW ORLEANS (AP) Fire swept through a small apartment today, and Albetha Greene, 74, the sole occupant, died in the blaze.

Firefighters said the building was engulfed in flames when they arrived, and the intense heat prevented them from going inside. An adjacent residence also was damaged by the fire. Revenues Declining BATON ROUGE (AP) The executive director of the Bureau of Governmental Research says because of declining tax revenues, the state is going to have to finance municipal and local obligations, or cut them, or let local governments finance them. John Brewer told a legislative subcommittee studying property tax effects Monday that both the state and the New Orleans I metropolitan area arc in a bind be- i i High Speed Chase NEW ORLEANS (AP) Police said they arrested a motorist after a high-speed chase Monday through the French Quarter when he crashed into the front of a restaurant. Andrew Theriot, 29, of New Orleans was booked with attempted murder, resisting arrest and several traffic violations.

One officer fired six shots when Theriot ignored a demand to stop. The car crashed into Fat Jimmy's Restaurant. Deputy Shot BELLE CHASSE (AP) Plaquemines Parish deputy Raymond Gauthier, 29, was reported in satisfactory condition in a hospital after being hit in the back by a shotgun blast after he stopped a speedi rg auto Monday, the sheriff's office said. Two teen-agers from New Orleans were booked with attempted murder and possession of a stolen vehicle. They were Curtis Brown, 18, and Tommy Williams, 19.

The spokesman said Gauthier stopped the car near Belle Chasse because it was speeding at 80 miles an hour. State Archives Building BATON ROUGE (AP) A proposal for a $6.9 million new state archives building will be included in the administration's budget, Secretary of State Paul Hardy announced today. "Gov. Edwin Edwards wholeheartedly endorses the concept," said Hardy in a statement. "It will be included in the administration's legislative package in the upcoming session." Hardy said the absence of proper record preservation facilities has resulted in the destruction and loss of records which are an essential part of the state's heritage.

Because of a lack of spacp, the state has had to rent commercial office space for some current records and move noncurrent records into low-cost warehouse space. Shifting Burden UKE CHARLES (AP) District Attorney Frank Salter says if Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Henry A. Reid Is ever going to be prosecuted on charges he misused parish money and manpower, the state attorney general will have to do it. Salter, accused of conducting a political vendetta against the said Monday that he is getting completely out of the case and turning it over to the attorney general's office. Salter said he wants to let the case proceed on its own merits, without its being hampered by allegations that he has a personal and political grudge against Reid.

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St. Charles Parish deputies said llaydel was along in the car when it collided Monday with th train on the IllinoisCcntral Gulf tracks at Norco, First in Furnishings for Your Home 3600 Jackson St. Ext. Phone 445-0262.