The Morning Herald from Hagerstown, Maryland • Page 3

Page Three Thuridoy, April 197,6 Fire probers have cause, not suspects CHy tire investigators have pieced logether bow an arsonist set fire lo the Hagcrstown Lumber Company, 700 Frederick early Saturday morning. But they are not releasing pertinent details until the investigation is completed and suspects have been arrested, According to Deputy Chief Henry DeLauney, (here arc no known suspects at Ihis time, but investigators will be following several leads developed Wednesday. "We think we know just about what happened, how the fire started and what look place," DeLauney said Wednesday evening. "Now we have lo assemble the proof." He said the investigators Wednesday turned up "atot of additional information. Chief pel-auney confirmed earlier reports that someone forcibly entered the company property by "tampering" with a gate-lock.

DeLauney said (he rear gate had been locked by a company employe at 5 p.m. Friday. When firemen arrived on the scene shortly after 1 a.m., they found the gate open. They later determined the lock and been forced. Damage to the stockpiles of lumber and machine shop equipment was extensive and the loss was estimated at JaWlOQQ.

But the fire did not damage the main office; the lumber company was open for business this week. According lo Jennings Mullendore, president, the company is open for business Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. lo 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon.

"We are making a special effort to render (he same service we've always given," he said, Mullendore said the company plans lo rebuild as soon as insurance claims are settled Ke estimated the new buildings would be completed withM three monlhs. HagerslQsvn Lumber Company employs 25 people. Mullendore said Wednesday that "nobody was laid off and we expect to maintain what we have." Woman dies from injuries N'ineleen-year-old Jamie Louise Taylor of Rl. 2 died Tuesday of injuries she received in a irain-car collision March 3. Since Ihe accident, she had been in the intensive care unit of Washington County Hospital.

Officials had -reported suf- fered'massive head injuries. The accident occurred about a mite From State Line, at the Mason-Dixon crossing. A Penn CentraLtrain slammed into the passenger side of Miss Taylor's car and pushed it several hundred yards along (he tracks. Railroad officials said engineer Roy Staler, of the 1900 block of Gay Street, Hagerstown, had observed the car and had activated the train's emergency brake system. The crossing has no signal lights and no gales.

But an alarm bell at the crossing was sounding when Miss Taylor crossed the tracks, police said. Miss Taylor a 1971 graduate of Williamsport High School and office manager of Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. She was the daughter of James and June Taylor of Rt. 2. Funeral services are scheduled today at 3 p.m.

at the Gerald N. Minnich Funeral Home, MS N. Potomac St. Police log Youth's escape was short-lived A 16-year-old juvenile escaped holding cell In the courthouse Wednesday afternoon but was recaptured by sheriff deputies three hours later. Police said the youth was awaiting a juvenile hearing in Cir- Court lor an alleged motor vehicle infraction.

The incident occurred shortly after 2:30 p.m., when a deputy was needed lo subdue an upset woman, who had lost custody of four children in a court hearing. When the deputy tried to place the woman in the detention cell, she continued resisting. Police said the locking system on one cell was malfunctioning. The deputy brought the youth out of the cell he was occupying so the woman could be detained. When, the deputy turned his back lo subdue the woman, the.youth escaped.

He was picked up in front.of a restaurant in the 900 Hock Pennsylvania Avenue at 5:40 p.m. State frowns on Miller building cost By ARNOLD PLATOU A building City of Hagerstown hopes to purchase for 175,000 near City Park may have lo undergo from $450,000 to nearly II million in renovations, according lo a preliminary estimate. These monies would he used to convert the three-story warehouse and a nearby shed into civic activities areas, and storage and maintenance spaces for city vehicles and equipment, city oflicials suggest. However, the director of the state agency being asked to fund the purchase, said Wednesday the overall expense and tame proposed uses could place all funding approval in jeopardy. Director William Krebs said Program Open Space (POS) monies could'only be used to purchase parks and develop recreation, and then only on a limited basis.

The building is owned by the Miller Furniture Co. of Harrisburg, Pa. At present only a small part of the old building and its six-and-a- half-acre site is utilized. The city has taken a option on the building and is required by the option to purchase it by April 16. To fund the purchase, the pity has applied for monies through Krebs' office.

A decision on the grant application will ultimately be made by the state Board of Public Works. It is estimated that decision will be announced within a month. Fred Papa, a city planner who submitted the application, said the renovation estimate he made for the slate totaled about WM.OM. Papa emphasized that that estimate represents "the very highest they could It could cost maybe only half that amount." He said the estimate, the only one made thus lar, was based on proposed needs to clear the land, build a pit in the shed, for maintenance of Fire Department and other city trucks, reinforce floors, refurbish some electrical equipment and pave parking areas. But Papa said "no one really knows what this will cost because it hasn't been determined yet exactly how the property will be used.

When they get the building, they'll decide." John Ernst, the city Park Board member" who is a main proponent of the building purchase, was'Surprised to learn Wednesday night that the renovation estimte "is that high." He said the figure was "surprising" because it is higher than an estimate made by a Miller Lottery Maryland BALTIMORK (API--The wining numbers dram Wednesday in Maryland's state lottery game were: game: 626323. Millionaire finalist: 65409. Six-digit-SZTS. Five-digit-07225. Four-digil-4847.

Thr'ce-digit-088. TV Bonus: 39011. The tekvtalon carrwM zoom In on tin panel ditcunlng tta county wwer facllitlM plan. Sewer plan has low Nielsen By ARNOLD S. PLATOU Only about 125 citizens Wednesday night wanted to watch television the $500 TV program broadcast to audiences al five Washington County scbooJs lo bring Facilities Plan proposals into focus.

Despite the low turnout, a late start and man-on- the-moon-typc voice transmissions, the innovative public meeting seemed to be a success of sorts. The discussion sparked pointed questions from citizens on subjects ranging from: "When is sewer service ever going to arrive in Fountain Head?" to "Why might plans be changed in Ihe manner in which to sewer the Smithsburg area? 11 The public meeting, according to Hagerstown Mayor Varner Paddack, could be the first ever tried in Ihe U.S. by using TV as the medium to reach citizens in remote parts of county. Paddack, Facilities Plan Administrator Alike McGauhey, An- lielam Basin Task Force Chairman Max Fiery, County Commissioners' President Keller Nigh and several Plan consultants fielded questions from the TV audience. The purpose of the meeting was to explain the Facilities Plan being done here to measure the need for public sewer service and to detail the three alternatives to sewer county areas.

After more public meetings, a public hearing will be held this summer lo collect citizen comments before a final plan is chosen. Thai plan will represenl only the first step in the process to sewer the county areas under study. Design plans must next be developed, followed by a phased program of construclion. So, asked a woman calling in from the North Hagerstown High meeting room, when will sewers in Fountain Head become a reality? 1 None of the panelists could give a specific answer because they said there is too much planning still to be done. But one consultant engineer hazarded a "rough" guess.

"Mo earlier than two years'," he said, adding that Fountain Head remains the area of highest priority in Ihe A man calling in from Smithsburg High School asked why it appears the present sewage treatment lines at Smithsburg will not be extended to Cavelown and Holiday Acres as was planned several years ago? The consultant engineers explained thai sewer line routes are still to be determined. "In all cases," said one engineer, "we will make an attempt to use existing systems if they are economically effective and environmentally acceptable." In response to another question, the panelists said a proposal lo build sewage treatment plants in Conochocheague may not be a must. They said they are also considering tbe use of holding tanks that would collect sewage in those areas and would be periodically transported by (ruck to some present plants. Furniture Co. official that to both acquire the land and "completely replace the building today would cost 600 and some thousand dollars." Director Krebs said he had just received the city's application Wednesday and had not had a chance to review it.

Bui he said he plans lo "look at it closely" lo determine whether its proposed uses and renovations costs are feasible. He said that il any part of the site is to be used for projects other than those relating to parks and recreation, "the purchase application will be denied. Our money is certainly not for maintenance of vehicles" other than (hose used, by the parks department. Ray Johnson, a POS official who has reviewed the purchase funds application, said he has determined "the project would be useful to the city" but he questioned the cost. Mandel rescues county's finances By PAUL BERTORELLI ANNAPOLIS Gov.

Marvin Mandel is expected to sign today a bill that will allow the a i Com- missloners to increase the amount of money they can borrow lo meet cur rent ex- penses. Introduced as an emergency bill by the county delegation, the measure will go into effect as soon as it is signed, It allows (he board to borrow more than tbe $300,000 it is now permitted to use for taking care of short cash problems. A complex formula is included in the bill to limit the maximum amount which can be borrowed. Any amount that is borrowed under the measure must be paid back within six' months. The i i requested the legislation lo solve a chronic cash shortage which occurs at (he end of every fiscal year.

A companion bill to require the board to balance its budget each year may not make it through the Senate before the end of the session. Like of other measures, the balanced budget bill is caught in the logjam created by a Senate filibuster against the Baltimore subway. Another bill allowing the counly to purchase equipment at public auctions will be signed by a However, that measure will not go into effect until July 1. It was introduced by the delegation at the request of the commissioners. They claimed the county could save money by buying i such as heavy machinery at public auction rather than, buying it new.

PhctobjGaryFinstM County scratches from binding arbitration By SANDRA FLEISHMAN ANNAPOLIS The Washington Counly delegation has removed the county's name from a statewide bill to require school boards to abide by arbitrators' decisions on teachers contracts. The county was among aboul a dozen counties which backed out of the bill, according to Del. Irwin F. Hoffman, delegation chairman. Montgomery, Garrett, Carroll, St.

Mary's, Charles, Catvert and all of the Eastern Shore counties asked that they be separated- from the controversial proposed legislation, Hoffman said Wednesday. The a bill would force school boards to accept the recommendations of a third-party arbitrator on all "non-fiscal" items contracts. Mediators are presently called in lo setlle school board- teacher association disputes, but their suggestions are not binding. School boards, including Ihe Washington Counly Board of Education, have fought the legislation. The bill "would made negotiations worthless," according to one local board member.

"Teachers would make ridiculous demands" to force a compromise, he added. Hoffman said the county's name was taken off the bill Tuesday, but not at the request of the Board of Education here. "It was (he delegation's decision, 11 he said. "We want lo study what Ihe amendments have done." The bill has been heavily a in the House of a he said. Ttie Senate's version is boiik-d up behind Ihe current filibuster a Baltimore subway.

"There's so much debate over what they mean by non- fiscal matters," said Hoffman, "We an a between ad parties of what really docs mean." Some have interpreted the "non-fibcal" matters to refer only IQ salaries for teachers, a i a however, claim the arbitrator's decision would not be binding on any financial sections, such as pay for athletic coaches or fringe benefits. "I think we'd be better off waiting and seeing what just happens in the other counties where this passes," said Hoffman. Washington County could Itici! be included next year, he indicaled. The Senate can reslore Washington County to its version of Ihe bill and send that to the House for another vote- a said i Counly was still on the bill, but he expected its withdrawal. The Frederick County legislators had a "battle" Tuesday over the bill, he said.

"First they look their name off and then (Del.) Charlie Smith put it back on," he said. JOHNSTOWN. Pa. (AP)-The winning numbers in tbis week's Pennsylvania lottery "Double Dollars. Six digit 926751 Five digit 43064 Four digit 057u Three digit 269 Doubler JOHNSTOWN, Pa (AP)-The winning numbers in this week's Baker's Dozen lottery: Three Digit 954 Five Digit 12849" Shape up! City police 'volunteers'to trim their trunks By MAURY MACHT Hagerslovfn's finest are expected lo finer if a cily police department program of mandatory Supervised exercises works.

According to Police Chief Clinton Mowen, officers were selected "as volunteers" to participate the pilot project beginning Monday at the YMCA. If the 12-week program is successful, all the department's officers will be expected lo undergo physical fitness training. Mowen said he was concerned about the physical condition of some policemen. "I want our men lo be iii good physical condition. Some do not have the flexibility, strength or endurance they should have." The department has weight requirements but no conditioning requirements.

According to Capt. Donald Hamberger, the department has considered some type of exercise program for three years. About three years ago Hambcrgor, who is 44, and Mowen, 40, decided to get themselves "back in shape." They have worked cut regularly since then. "If we're going to stress this, we should abide by it too," he said. YMCA Physical Director Fred Vestal said the police program will be modeled after the National YMCA physical fitness program.

It was successfully adapted for 30 city firemen, who voluntarily participated in the train- Vestal said the officers will develop at a pace they ean safely withstand. The officers had physical exams, and Vestal was notified of any officer's limitations. None of the exercises will be unsupervised, he said. Prior to the sessions, which arc held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays In 45 minute Intervals, the officers will have undergone four simple tests to determine their present condition. They will be checked for percentage of body fat; for cardiovascular endurance to determine their heat recovery rate-, for flexibility; and for muscular strength and endurance.

Vestal said Ihe officers will be re-checked after Ihe 12- weeks to determine their progress. Capt. Hamberger said the department will monitor the results, and check if job performance improves. "This program is in no way intended lo embarrass anyone. It's geared lo the individual he's competing with himsell.

Vi'e want lo make sure the officers can cope in certain situations out in the street. They have to have stamina and physically fit," Kamberger said. The department is paying for the program, at a cost of $20 membership lo the YMCA per officer Ihe fee lor an adult membership)..