Hattiesburg American from Hattiesburg, Mississippi • 1

Hattiessfourg AMERICAN mld vol 57 HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI Ffldoy, June 30, 1972 Associated Press News Wlrephoto ewFfifly DOH LOCAL WEATHER Partly cloudy and warm through Saturday. Slight chance of showers or thun-dershowers this afternoon and fa'- til on tf S(gD(ol fx -0) 20 por cont raise largest in history 'KrT yc i McGovern lost 151 delegate seats from the California primary when the Democratic Credentials Committee overturned the first ruling which gave him all 271 seats. AP Wirephoto) BACK TO WASHINGTON-Presidential hopeful Sen. George McGovern talks to a young McGovern worker early Friday morning after returning to Washington's National Airport. rwy May bolt if beaten blow wi mm Wilbur D.

Mills, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, has said he favors 20 per cent and that this can be soundly financed. Mills helped draft the Church amendment. The increase would be paid in all the three Social Security cash programs retirement, family survivor and disasbility. It would boost the average payment for an individual, now $129 a month, to $158. For a couple, the average would go from $223 to $271.

The minimum, now $70.40 a month, would be raised to $84.50. The maximum payment for an individual retiring this year, now $216.10, would go to $259.70. The amendment would finance the increase both by boosts in the present tax base, the amount of annual earnings on which taxes are paid each by the employe and worker, and the rates. The present base of $9,000 would go to to $10,800 in 1973 and $12,000 starting in 1974. The rate, now 5.2 per cent, would be raised to 5.5 per cent next year.

These changes would boost the maximum tax, for a person earning at least $10,800, to $594 next year and, for a person earning $12,000 to $660 in 1974. The maximum tax this year is $468. However, Church emphasized that persons earning $9,000 or less actually would ay smaller taxes in the next 25 years under his amendment than under present law. The reason is that under present law the base stays at $9,000 permanently but the (Continued on page 12) f-J lr ill A I JL "shabby back-room dealing." Today McGovern said he is sure the Democratic National Convention will overturn the Credentials Committee's decision. The committee's 72-66 vote SERIOUS FISCHER A serious-faced Bobby Fischer is shown in a New York Kennedy Airport coffee shop about midnight as he apparently was preparing to fly to Iceland for his world championship chess series with Russian champion Boris Spassky.

Seconds later Fischer broke away from the group of photographers and reporters and raced out into a driving rain. Icelandic airlines said he did not board a plane. Story on page 15. (AP Wirephoto) Inmates rejoice; Nixon returning U.S. tfo Paris peace flalks to apportion the 271 delegates among nine candidates, rather than awarding them all to McGovern, fueled the unrest simmering in a party searching somewhat uncertainly for harmony bet- "I have always felt there should be a federal law for the control of handguns The problem there is to write the law in such a way that it is precise and deals with that kind of handgun which ought to be controlled." Cautioned Congress against any inflationary or inadequately financed increase DA asks public aid in area-wide probe By CARL P.

LEUBSDORF AP Political Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -George McGovern said today the Democratic Credentials Committee's action slicing his California delegate strength may actually work in favor of his getting the party's presidential nomination. "In the sense that it's so flagrant and such an obvious inside deal to subvert the will of the I think it may rebound in our favor," the South Dakota senator said. McGovern, who was angry Thursday about the" committee's decision to strip him of more than half of the 271 California delegates, appeared calm while being interviewed on the CBS Morning News. "I've had a short night's rest," he said. Thursday, McGovern had threatened to withhold support from the Democratic ticket if fie loses the presidential nomination because of what he called George County man killed in wreck LUCEDALE A 36-year-old George County man lost his life Thursday night in a one-car accident near Lucedale.

Highway Patrolman Hack Brewer identified the victim as Burnice Melton Howell of Rt. 3, Lucedale. He was dead on arrival at George County Hospital. Brewer said Howell was alone at the time of the accident and apparently lost control of his car on the wet road. The wreck occurred 12 miles north of Lucedale on Vernal Road in Greene County.

Howell's body is at George County Funeral Home. Arrangements are incomplete. He is survived by his wife, one son, one daughter and other relatives. By JOE HALL Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate adopted today a 20 per cent across-the-board increase in Social Security benefits the biggest such boost in history. The Senate action came in the face of a warning by President Nixon that such an increase would either strain the economy or push taxes up for millions of workers.

The increase was added as a rider to a bill extending for four months the present $450-billion national debt ceiling. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Frank Church, D-Idaho, also would raise payroll taxes in 1973 and further in 1974 to pay for the boost. In addition, it would put into effect for the first time automatic cost-of-living adjustments in Social Security. The Church amendment would provide $8.5 billion in annual additional benefits for the 27.8 million recipients, the largest increase since the system was first set up in 1935.

The effective date for the 20 per cent would be Sept. 1 so that it first would be reflected in checks received Oct. 3, a month before the presidential national elections. The debt limit legislation was expected to clear the Senate by mid-day and go back to the House. There Republican leaders were threatening to block any action on the 20 per cent today although they said they might be willing to take 10 per cent cent.

The adoption of the Church amendment represented a Senate decision to lift the general Social Security increase out of the big Social Security increase out of the big Social SecurityWelfare bill which passed the House last year and which has been pending more than 12 months in the Senate Finance Committee. Church said it appeared the bitter controversy over welfare reform in the bill might never be settled so that it was necessary for Congress to go ahead on the across-the-board Social Security hike. The House in passing the big bill, voted for a 5 per cent Social Security increase. But since that time Rep. die of heart 7 hours apart Freeman Funeral Home, Waynesboro, and the body was taken to Colonial Funeral Home, Columbia, where services will be held at 3 p.m.

Saturday. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Mr. Jones was co-owner of Jones Thornhill Oil Field Maintenance Repair Service and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, three sons, Terry Miles, Leonard Troy and Tony Merl Jones, a daughter, Mrs.

Betty Boler, all of Columbia; three grandchildren; five sisters, Mrs. Lloyd Williams, Mrs. Elbert Windham, Mrs. Tim Carr and Mrs. Ruby Sanderson, all of Waynesboro and Mrs.

May McKee of York, Ala. Services for Edward Leroy Jones will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wayne County Funeral Home with burial in Serenity Gardens. Mr. Jones was a veteran of World War II, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the East Mississippi Council and Calvary Baptist Church.

Survivors are his wife, a son, Elroy E. Jones of Franklin, six daughters, Mrs. Billy Dean Triggs and Mrs. Joe May Leuthold, both of Ocean Springs, Mrs. Carolyn Ayres of Gulfport, Arlene, Kathy and Peggy Jones, all of Waynesboro; and five sisters.

Colmer acts on busing WASHINGTON (AP) -Chairman William M. Colmer of the House Rules Committee has issued an ultimatum to the Judiciary Committee to act on antibusing legislation by Aug. 1 or risk losing jurisdiction. Colmer, told the House Thursday he would ask his committee to send the legislation to the House floor for a vote if the judiciary panel fails to act. The Rules Committee has that authority and has exercised it in the past when other committees refused to act on legislation.

The Judiciary Committee, headed by Rep. Emanuel Cel-ler, has had before it for more than a year a proposed constitutional amendment to prevent busing of pupils from one school district to another to achieve racial balance. It also has legislation for a moratorium on forced busing until Congress and the courts finally settle the issue. ween regulars and reformers. That decision and another due today on a challenge to one of the pre-eminent old-liners, Chicago Mayor Richard J.

Daley, portended (Continued on page 12) in Social Security benefits. Saw the economy making great strides, while cautioning that he plans to do more to reduce unemployment. Vietnam was the dominant topic. Nixon said the United States "will return to the negotiating table on the assumption (Continued on page 12) "The concern is over those public officials who may be receiving gifts or kickbacks in return for awarding work and contracts to particular individuals or companies. "According to Sections 2027 and 2028 of the Mississippi Code, it is against the law for any person to promise, offer (Continued on page 12) Area brothers attacks about Two area brothers died of heart ailments Thursday in Waynesboro within seven hours of one another.

Miles C. Jones, 58, of Columbia, was fatally stricken shortly after noon at the home of a sister. He had gone to Waynesboro to visit his brother, Edward Leroy Jones, 61, who died at 7 p.m. at Wayne County hospital. Edward had been hospitalized for some time after suffering a series of heart attacks.

The other brother was stricken unexpectedly. Edward was Wayne County supervisor of Beat 2. Services for Miles Jones were held at 10 a.m. today at The weather Official weather report: 8 a.m. temperature 79 degrees.

Highest 96 and lowest 68 during preceding 24 hours. Rainfall 1.6 inches. River stage 4.5 ft. Sunset today 8: 12. Sunrise Saturday 5:57.

Forecast: Mississippi Generally fair today, becoming partly cloudy tonight and Saturday. Widely scattered mainly afternoon and evening showers or thundershowers near the coast through Saturday. A little warmer central sections today. High today and Saturday low to mid 90s Low tonight upper 60s to mid 70s lawmen By The Associated Press "They ought to let us out in the yard for our own Independence Day," rejoiced one Washington death row inmate upon learning that the U.S. Supreme Court had barred capital punishment as it is now imposed.

But if the iews was generally welcomed in U.S. prisons, some public officials and law officers took strong exception to the decision handed down Thursday. Utah Atty. Gen. Vernon G.

Romney called the ruling "one of the most terrible decisions we've had out of the Supreme Court in years. It is probably the biggest judicial afterthought in history." Several officials predicted the ruling would have a major long-range impact on parole procedures. Legislators in some states said they would work to reinstate capital punishment, an option which the court left open under certain circumstances. Whatever the ultimate effect, the immediate reaction on death rows was cheering, elation and relief but also some measure of concern about what would happen next. "It's like having one foot out of the grave," said Curtis X.

Davis, 25, a convicted murderer in Pennsylvania. "It's quite a relief." "They ought to let us out in the yard for our own Independence Day," declared Ernest-James Tyler, 43, oldest man on Death Row at smoke. They had to land several hundred of the troops at alternate sites. Officers said they encountered no heavy organized resistance, but the troops clashed sporadically with small groups of North Vietnamese soldiers and five enemy tanks were reported knocked out. South Vietnamese tanks and armored personnel carriers advanced up Highway 1 behind the paratroopers, about three miles north of the My Chanh River.

They found the shattered hulks of four enemy tanks which South Vietnamese marines had knocked out when Quang Tri worry Washington State Peniten tiary at Walla Walla. In Michigan City, several of the death row inmates were less than happy with the decision. "I had a better chance of winning an appeal with the death penalty," said Charles A. Frith, 31, of East Chicago. "I don't care for the ruling," (Continued on page 12) Long weekend for city and I countyofficers Both City Hall and the County Courthouse will be closed Monday and Tuesday in celebration of July Fourth.

There will be a garbage pick-up Monday, but no trash collection on Tuesday. State and federal offices will close Tuesday only, as will banks. The American will not publish Tuesday, The University of Southern Mississippi will be open as usual Tuesday. William Carey College will not have Tuesday classes but will be on regular schedule Monday. postoffice will be closed Tuesday and there will be no regular deliveries'.

The Hattiesburg Library will be closed Monday and Tuesday. The Forrest County Health Dept. will closed Tuesday only. Province fell on May 1. Infantrymen with the armor collected a number of abandoned heavy weapons.

Small groups of North Viet; namese snipers still lurked in bombed areas behind the paratroopers' front lines, and several South Vietnamese positions along Highway took sporadic artillery fire: President Nguyen Van Thieu flew to Hue and conferred for an hour and a half with his senior commanders in the drive to retake Quang now in its third day. He was smiling as he came out of the conference. Government military (Continued on page 12) By FRANK CORMIER Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -President Nixon has announced the United States will return to Vietnam peace talks in Paris on July 13 because he sees "a chance for more serious discussions." Holding his first television-radio news conference in 13 months, Nixon gave no clue Thursday night to the nature of presumed secret dickering that is bringing both sides back to the conference table. In fact, he coupled his veiled optimism with a statement that "we have been disappointed in the past with regard to these discussions" suggesting history might repeat itself. The Paris talks have been in the deepfreeze since early May.

During a 43-minute session in the floodlit East Room of the White House, the seemingly relaxed chief executive also: Repeated high priase for Vice President Spiro T. Agnew but declared he won't make known his choice of a 1972 campaign running mate until the Aug. 21 Republican National Convention draws nearer. Expressed hope the courts will uphold the death penalty as a deterrent to such federal crimes as kidnapping and skyjacking. Endorsed, in perhaps stronger language than before, legislation to tighten controls over cheap and readily available handguns.

taken place in various diplomatic discussions. It is enough, he stated, to say that both sides considered it in their interests and "we thought there was a chance" for negotiating progress. However, he acknowledged "we have been disappointed in the past" with "no significant results" from 149 meetings in the Paris parley begun 3'i years ago. Nixon may have had in mind, most recently, his April 26 announcement of resumption of the Paris sessions "with the firm expectation that productive talks leading to rapid progress will follow District attorney Rex Jones, who already is pressing an investigation of Hattiesburg city finances, today issued a statement asking the public to cooperate in an area-wide probe into activities of public officials. The DA's statement follows: "During the next few weeks the district attorney will be making a thorough and detailed investigation into any kickbacks, gifts, or expenses being paid by individuals or corporations to public officials or their agents in return for business awarded to these people or companies.

The investigation will include both Forrest County and Perry County and any information that the members of the public can provide would be appreciated. Anyone having such information against or about any public official, including the Mississippi State Highway Department, is requested to contact the district attorney's office. through all available channels." But, after two public sessions April 27 and May 4 and a May 2 secret meeting between presidential adviser Henry A. Kissinger and North Vietnam's Le Due Tho, Nixon reported that "all we heard from the enemy was bombastic rhetoric and a replaying of their demand for surrender." Administration sources have been saying that North Vietnam now is reviewing its policy, as evidenced by the return from Paris to Hanoi of Politburo member Le Due Tho and chief negotiator Xuan (Continued on page 12) South Vietnamese press Quang Tri City offensive President vague about peace talk resumption By RICHARD PYLE Associated Press Writer SAIGON (AP) Helicopters leapfrogged hundreds of South Vietnamese paratroopers over their supporting armor today and landed them within four miles of Quang Tri City as Saigon's forces pressed ahead with their offensive to recapture South Vietnam's northernmost province. Associated Press correspondent Holger Jensen reported that the assault zone was so heavily pounded by U.S.

B52 bombers before the dawn lift that some of the helicopter pilots couldn't see through the clouds of dust and By LEWIS GULICK Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) In reviving the Paris peace talks, President Nixon is vague about what evidence he may have that Hanoi will change its stand on the war. Nixon told newsmen Thursday night that "we will return to the negotiating table" July 12 "on the assumption that the North Vietnamese are prepared to negotiate in a constructive and serious way." But when asked "what took you back to the Paris peace table?" he said it would not be useful to indicate what has.