The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 1

Vol. 96 No. 263 Alexandria-Pineville, Monday, December 4, 1 978 25 Cents ing Out From Twister Digg ossier other outbreak of looting, the city was closed to all except residents and emergency personnel. In Heflin, a small farming community near Bossier City, one man died and six people were injured. About 100 miles to the northeast, in El Dorado, a tornado swept out of a storm about 3:30 a.m., killing Lurlene Helms, 53, and injuring six people, including five members of her family.

The winds drove a dozen pine and oak trees into the Helms' combination frame house-mobile home, police said. In a storm-related death in eastern Arkansas, a 7-month-old boy drowned in high water in his front yard at Helena. Officials said the parents of Charles J. Sparks left their mobile home to check the level of flooding near their house caused by the same storm system that spawned the tornadoes. The door to the house was left open and the child apparently rawled outside and was swept away by high water.

At least four tornadoes touched down in the Mississippi communities of Rena Lara and Poppersville. One person was injured, two house trailers were overturned and several buildings damaged. Still more tornadoes ravaged Tay-lortown, and Marianna, Ark. Bossier City clearly was the scene of the worst destruction. "The amazing thing about this disaster is the amount of damage to buildings the structural damage throughout the area and the so few casualties," said Maj.

Gen. O.J. Daigle Jr. of the Louisiana National Guard. "When you fly over and see some of these houses completely dismantled, you wonder," he said of the death count.

"I'd say there was over (Turn to A-2) BOSSIER CITY (UPI) National Guard cleanup trews and utility repairmen worked in near-freezing temperatures today along a tornado's eight-mile corridor of destruction that left the homes of 1,500 people damaged or destroyed and caused $100 million in damage. The tornado was one of a series that struck scattered communities in northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas and western Mississippi early Sunday. Five people died four from the tornadoes and one in a storm-related drowning more Related Stories on C-4 than 200 were injured and hundreds of homes and other buildings were damaged or destroyed. Despite the extensive property loss in Bossier City, two young sisters who were asleep when the storm hurled a car through their bedroom window were the only fatalities in the northwest Louisiana city. "He (God) must have been with us," said Mayor Marvin Anding.

"I can't believe we had only two deaths with the miserable, miserable mess we have out there." The unusual late-autumn tornado hit before dawn Sunday. It was caused by unseasonably warm air that settled over northwest Louisiana in the path of an approaching cold front. The temperature was down to 33 degrees as workers assembled today for the massive job of removing trash and restoring utilities. The city's first freeze of the season was forecast for tonight. National Guardsmen armed with rifles and billy clubs patrolled Bossier City today, where a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed.

To prevent an r.j(x li SWUW -wx ullB'i I An estimated 1,500 people were left estimated $100 million damage, homeless. (UPI Photo) Smashed and overturned cars litter the parking lot of a Bossier City apartment complex Sunday after a tornado ripped through the city. The twister killed two children, injured more than 200 others and caused an Army Orders Crackdown On Sexual Fraternization Vernon Man's Death Not Tied To Vote Probe, Coroner Claims Edwards' daughter, Amie Ruth Dais, testified before the grand jury looking into alleged vote-buying in connection with the Nov. 7 Congressional election in the 4th District between Democrat Claude "Buddy" Leach of Leesville and Republican Jimmy Wilson of Vivian, according to the Dallas newspaper. Leach defeated Wilson by 266 votes and Wilson has charged votes were purchased by Leach supporters.

Jones said he originally handled the case as a routine traffic death fatal accident Saturday night because of "peculiar circumstances." But Jones told The Town Talk today there is no definite proof that the incident was murder. "I don't see any way it can be tied in," he said. "There's no real proof at all." Leesville police said George Edwards, believed to be about 80 years old, was struck by a pickup truck and killed Saturday night as he and his wife were walking home from a church function. LEESVILLE Investigation of vote-buying in Vernon Parish took on a new twist over the weekend with the death of a man whose daughter had allegedly testified before a federal grand jury in Alexandria last week. There were also reports today that persons who testified and their relatives are seeking FBI protection.

The Dallas Morning News reported in a copyright article today that Vernon Parish Coroner Dr. Jones is withholding a ruling on the WASHINGTON (AP) The Army has ordered a crackdown on sexual fraternization between male and female soldiers of different rank because of "an increasing number of incidents of inappropriate relationships." The move follows a study that reported a "creeping advance of sex fraternization throughout the Army" and said man-woman relationships particularly dating between officers or noncommissioned officers and enlisted women are causing serious discipline and morale problems as the role of women in the Army grows. The report includes "socialization, courting and marriage" as examples of fraternization. It has been learned that Army headquarters last month sent out a message instructing all commanders to "counsel those involved or take other action as appropriate" in cases of relationships which can "reasonably be expected to undermine discipline, authority or morale." The directive said commanders should act "if relationships between service members of different rank cause actual or perceived partiality or unfairness, involve the improper use of rank or position for personal gain" or are otherwise detrimental "to good order and discipline." There was no indication in the message of what would constitute "appropriate" action. One Army source, who asked not to be identified, said that "it's been dropped in the lap of the commanders." Army officials said they have no statistics available that would bear out the message's reference to an increasing number of "inappropriate relationships." There was no public announcement of the new Army order.

The other services have issued nothing similar. but he has received several calls from persons who think the "accident" was intentional retaliation for Edwards' daughter's testimony. Jones said he is withholding a ruling, probably until Wednesday, so anyone who has concrete evidence that may indicate the incident was murder, can speak out. If enough proof surfaces, Jones said an autopsy can be ordered. But because the body was embalmed Saturday night, an autopsy may not be helpful, he said.

Jones said he did not receive any calls until after he had released the body to a funeral home. Sources in Vernon Parish have told The Town Talk and other newspapers that vote-buying did occur during the recent elections, and some residents have claimed both sides purchased votes. The grand jury returned no in-(Turn to A-2) Randolph-Scott Work-Incentive Funds in Doubt, Officials Say plained. "The bill says that we carry this out to the extent that funds are available, and that's what we are doing with federal funds." "Basically, what we have done is to, in effect, continue the program," he concluded. Act 512 of 1978 was written to shore up what its authors considered laxity in the handling of unemployment eases.

It requires persons receiving unemployment checks to report to job interviews or vo-tech classes as ordered by unemployment officials or lose their benefits. Unemployment Security is required to place all persons able to work in a job placement, training or work program. The director, however, has the power to exempt some persons, particularly union members, for up to 12 weeks. The act also allows vo-tech schools to set aside a certain number of class positions for persons referred from the unemployment office. Scott and Randolph hoped the bill would encourage the idle to look for work and training, plus make job information and training accessible to them.

"There are an awful lot of provisions in there that simply wouldn't involve any more manpower" or (Turn to A-2) Town Talk Capitol Bureau BATON ROUGE State unemployment officials say they don't have enough money to carry out a new law designed to force the able unemployed to look for work and submit to job training. But the two Alexandria legislators who sponsored the law say many of its provisions could be enacted without extra funds. "As far as I'm concerned it's not being carried out," Rep. John "Jock" Scott said of the Work Opportunity Act he pushed through the Legislature this year. The law took effect in early October.

Bureaucratic foot-dragging "was one of the things we were most worried about" when the work bill was being discussed. Sen. Ned Randolph, lead author of the bill, explained. He said government agencies have a natural resistance to change. But Unemployment Insurance Director Carl Brewster Jr.

said the law made very few changes. "The only basic difference between what we were doing and what the bill calls for is the fact that the state Legislature would, in effect, fund us to do more of whafwe were currently doing," Brewster said. The Legislature failed to provide the extra funds, he said. "The program was already In effect," he ex- Don't Moke Christmos Sod Memory The countdown has begun in ear- While it seems like an eternity to nmv- nest. Christmas is three weeks from a child who mailed Santa a three Don make this Christmas just today.

page gift list months ago. three another sad memory for these chil- weeks is not a very long time. dren. Don't wait until tomorrow to Before you know it, you'll be tak- make contribution to the Doll 'imw down Orations, sweeping up and Toy Fund. fftiH Pine needles on your living room The children can't wait.

a Qvils 'a floor and making New Year's resolu- Mail your donation to the Doll and fsshf nrf Fun. Alexandria Daily Town rlfA As you trcc "I'liaments away Talk, P.O. Box 7558, Alexandria i until next year, you'll feel a little 71.10K. FiJrT)miir" sad Christmas is over. After Previously a JLXyiX weeks of waiting, it will seem to Acknowledged $736.90 E5r have ended too quickly.

Today's Contributions But you'll have good memories to Steve and Mori Moss 10.00 jfflt-fW tide you over until next year. Mary L. Lazarone 5.00 the needv children of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Central Louisiana may not.

10.00 Their only memories may be of Don the Builder 25.00 DaVS Until disappointment made that much Mr. and Mrs. Mark Crockett 10.00 greater by weeks of anticipation. Today's Total $60.00 CnriStmaS That's why they need your help Total to Date $796.90 Tday U.S. businessmen hit Japanese Prime Minister-Designate Ohira said U.S.

businessmen are too lackadaisical in trying to sell goods in Japan but conceded Japan's economy has built-in barriers to outsiders. B-5. Federal funds said misused A Senate committee charged today that there has been a misuse of federal funds earmarked to help businesses operated by socially or economically disadvantaged persons. B-8. Six Sections 56 Pages Dederich: Synanon chief ruled not fit to be arraigned.

B-7. Regular Features Ann Landers C-3 Business, Markets B-5 Comics, Crossword, Horoscope. Dr. Lamb A-5 Editorials A-6 Focus C-l Obituaries A-3 Sports B-l TV and Movies C-5 Want Ads D-4 A freeze warning is in effect tonight, when temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s. (COLDER "fiC Veather Toys that teach Tnvi opo mnm than nlnvthlnp for children according to the second article in a scries on buying toys.

The educational values of toys can be unlimited. C-2. Violence in schools slows Violence in America's public schools continues, but guards in hallways and a get-tough attitude among educators has stopped or even reversed its spread this year. D-3, Warmer weather should return Tuesday. Little chance of rain is forecast.

Map, details on C-7. Mark lane's behavior The scandalous deportment of attorney Mark Lane in his relation to the Jonestown catastrophe Is the one thing that anyone can do anything about In the whole, sordid mess. A-6. Tomorrow The Town Talk will feature: An interview with a U.S. Customs import specialist.

A report on the Rapides Coliseum Authority meeting tonight. Mail Edition Four Sections In accordance with U.S. Postal Regulations.