Journal and Courier from Lafayette, Indiana • 3

Journal and Courier Trims Rep, Myers says Congress will cut Reagan budget plan PAGE B-4 Inside At a glance Metro 2 34 J33 o) Q) Obituaries, Weather. What's happening JUDITH K. AUSTIN Friltnr Feb. 17. 1S82 Telephone 423-5511, Ext.

225 FiiMcssa kej to if- Lugar tiles candidacy INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Sen. Richard Lugar officially became a candidate for reelection Tuesday the same day Rep. Floyd Fithian, became the third person to announce he'll seek his party's nomination to oppose the incumbent. Lugar filed petitions signed by 14,872 voters asking that his name be placed on the ballot for the Republican primary in May. Asked for his reaction to Fithian's surprising decision to drop out of the secretary of state race and begin a Senate campaign, a bemused Lugar reiterated his belief that "what was going on in the Democratic Party was their business." Lugar added, "I will observe what happens as an interested political spectator and wish everyone well." So far, Lugar is unopposed for Lugar said that even though the nation's economy is mired in the recession, he still supports President Reagan's economic recovery program, including the individual income tax cuts that will take effect in July.

"The general themes are absolutely right, and I agree with those," he said. By JEANNE NORBERG Staff Political Writer A Fithian-Lugar race for the U.S. Senate will boil down to a "referendum" on President Reagan's economic package, 2nd District Democratic Congressman Floyd Fithian predicted Tuesday at the Lahr House downtown Lafayette. As more than two dozen supporters, including Tippecanoe County Chairman Richard T. Heide and Lafayette Mayor James Riehle, watched and applauded, Fithian launched headlong into his campaign to unseat Sen.

Richard Lugar, R-Ind. Heide had said earlier that day, "I'll support Floyd Fithian whatever he decides to do." Riehle had said, "I'll help him in any way." His adrenaline obviously pumping, Fithian told the press conference gathering that his decision to abandon his seven-month-old race for secretary of state in favor of a Senate bid had been "pretty sudden" a "decision of the heart." He first had given it serious consideration last Wednesday night, he said. It was so sudden, he said, he now faces the "horrendous problem" of collecting 500 certifiable signatures from voters in each of Indiana's 11 congressional districts plus 500 more statewide by Tuesday to qualify for the Senate race. He explained his reasoning in many ways. First and last he talked about President Reagan's economic package, which Lugar has supported.

"It is hurting people" and will "wreak havoc" on the American economy. The place to stop this "reckless experiment" is in the Senate where "the battle line" has been drawn, Fithian said. The bottom line, Fithian said, is that he has the best Democratic campaign organization in the state with a real chance of defeating Lugar. Since July, when Fithian announced for the secretary of state race, party leaders "everywhere I've gone" had urged him to instead take on Lugar, he said. The Senate campaigns of two other Democrats, state Sen.

Michael Kendall and Floyd County Prosecutor Stephen Beardsley, "haven't taken off." Rather than being divisive to the party, his candidacy has sparked renewed interest, Fithian said. "Finally, we have a horse to run against Lugar," Fithian paraphrased the comments of many of the party leaders he has called since Friday. With him to head the ticket this year, Fithian said, several other Democrats have taken heart at their own chances. i For example, Fithian said, Bloomington Mayor Francis X. Mc-Closkey announced Tuesday he is "strongly" considering a run for Congress from the 8th District.

Another "very fine" candidate has called to say he'd like to run for secretary of state, Fithian said. When asked, Fithian denied he was being "opportunistic" by entering the race, which he had rejected in July, now that criticism of the president's 1983 budget proposal is mounting. "I haven't heard anyone in the press corps who thinks Dick Lugar is weak," Fithian responded. Just before the question, Fithian had said, "It's going to be a tough campaign, but it's not a fool's errand." Fithian also brushed off criticism that he is pulling the rug out from under Kendall and Beardsley, who have been saying Fithian talked them into running in the first place. Fithian explained the party had been looking for a credible candidate to run for Senate but had struck out, with', former U.S.

District Attorney Virginia Dill Mc-Carty and Congressman Dave Evans. Then, Fithian said, he talked to a half dozen others, including Kendall and Beardsley, "whom I didn't know from Adam." Both are "fine candidates" and "articulate men" who "I think" have been "talking the right issues," Fithian said. "Either would be a fine senator." But, their campaigns "haven't taken off." Looking forward to taking on Lugar, Fithian said, "Dick Lugar is going to have more problems than a one-armed paperhanger By contrast, Fithian said, "I'm Staff Pboto REP. FLOYD FITHIAN DURING LAFAYETTE MEETING Decision to run for Senate 'pretty sudden' probably the only Democrat in the state delegation who voted against every single piece of the (president's) economic package and then against the package itself." Lugar is "a senator who voted for all of it." Should he lose the May 4 primary, Fithian said he will not run for secretary of state. Candidates have until June 14 to file with their party for its state delegates' nomination for the secretary of state office.

Jasper, Newton hill water signed INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A measure allowing the Department of Natural Resources to restrict the use of water for irrigation if there is a water emergency in Jasper or Newton counties was signed into law by Gov. Robert Orr this week. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Walter Roorda, R-DeMotte, and Rep. Jim Jontz, D-Brookston, was introduced after massive irrigation at Fair Oaks Farms, owned by Prudential Insurance was linked to the temporarily dried-up wells of residents of nearby Parr last summer.

And while Prudential did help pay to dig new wells or put in new pumps, local residents feared more wells might go dry in the coming summer and asked for legislation restricting water use in emergencies. The bill sets up a system to register large water users and provides for investigation of complaints by the Department of Natural Resources. Another bill signed into law by Orr requires public officials convicted of felonies to be removed from public office pending appeal. The governor also signed a bill that allows county welfare departments to charge would-be adoptive parents processing fees if they don't follow through and adopt a child. The convicted felon law would temporarily remove a public official from office until the conviction is reversed, set aside or vacated.

If his term has not expired, the office holder would be reinstated with back pay after the conviction is overturned. If the term has expired, the office holder would merely receive back pay. The measure takes effect immediately. After Sept. 1, county welfare departments will be able to charge for time and travel costs for visiting the home of parents interested in adopting children who don't follow through with the adoption.

Orr also signed a bill that requires the Department of Insurance to simplify insurance policies dealing with nursing home care by March 1, 1983. Theft incidents may be related White County Police still are investigating the theft and attempted theft of two trucks Tuesday. The incidents seem to be related, police said. A 1979 GMC 4-wheel-drive pickup owned by Jerry L. Long, Burnettsville, was reported missing at 8:17 a.m.

Tuesday. The truck, valued at $6,500, was taken from in front of Long's residence sometime between 5:15 p.m. Monday and 6:58 sum. Tuesday, police said. And at 8:43 a.m.

Tuesday, White County police investigated the attempted theft of a Dodge truck from Terry Landis, Idaville. They said an unknown suspect took the truck but deserted it at a street corner when it stopped runn-. ing. A $75 Savage rifle was taken from its rear window mounting. That incident occurred sometime between 7:30 p.m.

Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday. J-, v- 1 i ft llL Mmt :iw.iT'iiMir-iri mi i run ina mm" i irn'in-f -i in t-i i Concentration With clenched lists and a determined look. lean Hopp oiKlrklin urges Clinton Central were rewarded as her Bulldogs beat the Cougars 7SSS. on the Clinton Central boys basketball team as it battles Carroll High Came story.

Page CI. (Stall Photo by Frank Oliver) School's team. Hopp efforts Tuesday night during the game, played at EtiEOT bill draws missed srecscSioia INDIANAPOLIS (AP) A bill requiring parental notification before a minor can have an abortion will set Indiana's teenagers back 10-12 years, says an Indianapolis psychologist. Dr. Diane Brashear, marriage and family therapist and vice president of Planned Parenthood in Indianapolis, said the governor could be doing more harm than good by signing the legislation into law.

She said pregnant youngsters may decide not to discuss their situation with their parents until it is too late to terminate the won't see their parents as an alternative," she said. Dr. Earle Robinson, director of Meridian Women's Clinic in Indianapolis, believes females up to age 16 need parental guidance regarding abortions while those older can make their own decision. "The law will circumvent the ability of -people to have a free choice," he said, ad-v ding that if the women could talk with their parents the problem probably would not exist. "To the parents, sex is a very big thing," he explained.

"To the young women, sex is what you do like going out and getting a hamburger. "A lot of families who think they are the best counsel for their children really aren't in touch with them. There's peer pressure on teen-age girls about pregnancy. Many think of it as a status symbol to be pregnant. I've had 14, 15 years old ask me, 'Why can't I get pregnant? My friends have babies.

The boys ask what's wrong with me because I can't have a They don't know what they're bargaining for until it's too late." Mary Pat Marstall, president of Indiana Right To Life, said Tuesday her organization was very pleased to see the bill passed. "We feel that a minor facing the issue of abortion should have the support of her family in this decision. On any other medical procedure, a minor can't be treated unless there's a written note by parents," she said. "Abortion has been the exception, and I feel this is a much more emotional situation for the girl than getting a cut sewed up." For those children whose parents may react negatively, Marstall believes the portion of the bill allowing a judge's waiver of parental consent provides adequate protection. "The governor has not seen the bill yet and will withhold comment until he does," said Nancy Barnard, an aide to Orr.

The bill would make it a Class felony for a physician to perform an abortion on a minor without parental notification or without a waiver from a juvenile court judge. Violations would be punishable by a prison term of 2-8 years andor a fine of up to $10,000. The bill would be effective Sept. 1 if Orr signs it. Brashear said adolescents have "a built-in mistrust." She said the legislation forces the teen-ager in two different directions.

"When you try to control or force something, a large number do the opposite. I'm concerned with the number of young people who will lie, go out of state or go to illegal abortionists. There's always one fringe physician, at least one, who'll take advantage of the situation. The teen-agers "If the girl isn't mature enough to go through the court process, she isn't mature enough to make the equally important decision of abortion," she said. One doctor said he was worried about what the bill would do to physicians.

"The law is sort of vague about what a physician has to do to notify the parents," said an Indianapolis doctor who asked not to be named. "If just a phone call is required and the physician talks to a voice on the other end of the line that says the abortion is okay, then he performs the abortion, the physician could be in legal trouble. He may think he's talking to the parent when he's really not. "How do you validate it? If a savvy teen wants an abortion without her parents finding out, she could lie just as easily as some do when they forge a signature for birth control pills," hejsaid, pregnancy. The legislation also may lead to an increase in self-induced or illegal abortions, Brashear predicted and added others may elect to leave the state to have the operation done.

The bill was approved by the current General Assembly and sent Gov. Robert D. Orr for bis signature..