The Daily Journal from Vineland, New Jersey • 14

Debates Focus on Life, Death Issues If-Vineland Times Journal Friday, Jan. 31, 1975 fff vWV I I It ft) ft OF BUSINESS INDUSTRY PROFESSIONS Insurance Executive Urges Jobs and Sales for Women technologically empowered group could control any person without consent undermining individual freedom only 29 per cent of the voters appeared tp agree that psychiatric examinations and neurological treatment should all be done in strict accordance with a person's choice. The group did acknowledge potential dangers, however, and in accordance with terms set forth by political scientist Dr. Peter Steinfels, who debated the merits of Callahan's proposed law, the voters agreed that prospective patients should be evaluated by medical personnel and others from appropriate fields. Workshops Create More Questions Workshops for further discussion followed each of the primary debates, where the conference participants related their personal experiences to support their previous votes on the proposed laws.

Physicians, for example, told how each case differs and how laws would not make any difference in a person's will-to-live" or a family's desire to try as many life-saving devices as possible. Other participants told of physicians who agreed with the family not to use machines to keep a body functioning. Some spoke of bankruptcy caused by keeping alive someone who would always be mentally deficient because of a temporary loss of oxygen to the brain. Still others suggested mercenary motives might prevent a person from getting the treatment he or she deserved if any form of euthanasia were approved. The conference gave no answers.

The debates raised more questions than solutions. If the votes are indicative of general public opinion, however, the two days showed that death is less a fear than the possibility of living on ma'chines, without a freedom "of choice. The votes also appeared to illustrate that social workers, scientists and students believe that the life sciences can improve the quality of one's life and that experimentation should be encouraged. According to conference coordinators, the discussions were among the first in New Jersey to bring science and the humanities together for public -Ata, -V, I RIGHTS OF THE ELDERLY are questioned by conference participant Gail S. Robinson (right) of Vineland and workshop leader Dr.

Robert Veatch of the Institute of Society, Ethics and the Life Sciences. Mrs. Robinson, who has worked in nursing homes, was among 250 participants from throughout New Jersey who discussed freedoms of the living and the dying. (Times Journal photo) By BONNIE J. IIOLLIS Sixteen states across the nation have proposed legislation before state assemblies that, if passed, will affect the life and death of every one of those states' citizens.

How one dies and when one wishes to stop mechanical devices that artificially sustain life should be a matter of choice, some individuals believe. A person should not be made to breathe when the brain has ceased to function or when hope for a normal existence is futile, many assert. New Jersey is among the states with no proposed legislation which would regulate "extraordinary" life-controlling devices or the employment of "heroic" measures to extend life beyond what some call "a meaningful existence." Last week, however, 250 physicians, scientists, social workers and educators from throughout New Jersey met at Stockton State College to debate the death and dying issue and to judge the ethical impact of other technological advances in health care. The debates, sponsored by Stockton's philosophy and religion program through a grant from the New Jersey Committee lor the Humanities, were conducted by members of the Institute of Society, Ethics and the Life Sciences at The well-conceived series of debates became decision-making sessions for the conference participants. Discussants laid forth the issues with proposals for federal legislation; colleagues offered rebuttals against the recommended laws, and the conference registrants voted defeat or passage.

Among the proposed legislation introduced during the two days were laws "facilitating death with dignity," governing psychosurgery and behavior modification and controlling genetic engineering. 50 Per Cent Support "Dignified Death" Personal experience obviously came into play during the initial session led by Robert M. Veatch, a Hastings Center member who has served as consultant to several large hospitals in the U.S. He countered the argument that to request the discontinuation of drugs and technology is to assume the role of God. Physicians are already playing God, he asserted, for every decision taken or avoided is a matter of life and death.

"Doctors have extreme problems in judging a patient's interest," Dr. Veatch said. "The physician does not know what is best for the patient's benefit and the doctor's decision alone is an assault on the patient's freedom." The "living will" is one means by which a person, while physically able, can guard against being kept alive by "extraordinary" mechanical means. In a dramatic plea for action, Veatch related the experience of a leukemia victim kept artificially living in both mental and physical anguish. The rebuttal which followed by Dr.

Marc Lappe. a biologist and research pathologist, urged defeat of Veatch's proposal on grounds that "by allowing the hastening of death, euthanasia may be extended to include the senile and debilitated." Dr. Lappe asserted that care for a person's dignity should be important prior I it: freedom. Nineteen per cent abstained from the decision. Psychosurgery Supported The proverbial admonition that "Big Brother may be watching" seemed to have little effect on 43 per cent of the conference participants as they also opposed strict control over psychosurgery and electrical stimulation of the brain.

Although Dr. Daniel Callahan, director of the Institute of Society, cautioned that a A By RUTH CEST.A A New York insurance executive uses her own success story to sell women on the idea of becoming insurance agents, and to sell male agents on the idea of recruiting more female clients. Meryl Grayer, who is manager of performance improvement for Metropolitan Life, also finds time to be a wife and mother as well as an avid fan of the theater, ballet and opera, and she writes articles for trade and consumer journals. Ms. Grayer recently attended a meeting of the South Jersey Underwriters Association and in her presentation urged the members to seek out female clients.

She also encouraged the hiring of women agents, who she claims can be very successful, especially in selling to business accounts. "Don't talk down to a woman client, recognize her intelligence and don't assume she intends to get married," Ms. Grayer advised in telling the underwriters how to sell to women. "We have 75 million insurance prospects being sadly neglected our women." she told the group. "Women make up 40 per cent of the work force but only 15 per cent of those with life insurance." she added.

According to Ms. Grayer, women need the same protection as their male counterparts. They need to be insured if they are to provide for the people who depend on them and have income security, she said. "The only reason more women are not getting insurance is that men aren't selling to them." Ms. Grayer added.

Of the 50 persons attending the breakfast meeting, only one was a woman. In encouraging women to get into the insurance field. Ms. Grayer said she believes insurance is really opening up to women now. She said jobs are available in sales and home offices.

Although she has not worked in direct sales herself. Ms. Grayer is a charter life underwriter, holds both B.A. and M.A. degrees and has completed numerous other courses, most of them in the insurance field.

A former actress in road company productions, television and movies. Ms. Grayer said she decided to get out of show Area Business Briefs to the time of death, not at the time of death alone. "The proposed bill carries with it a mistaken application of priorities," the pathologist stated. "It is unnecessary and would be harmful." Ironically, at the same time in Washington, D.C., pro-life groups from all over the United States demonstrated their support for a mandatory "human life amendment" to the Constitution that would guarantee life to all human beings from biological beginnings through all stages of human existence to death.

On the college campus, more than 50 per cent of those present voted support of the "death with dignity" proposal. Another 30 per cent opposed the drafted bill and 18 per cent abstained from voting. Mandatory Genetic Testing Favored In other conference sessions, the crowa appeared just as convinced that the quality of life might be improved with the alteration of natural life forces. Approximately 56 per cent of the voters believed that mandatory genetic testing should be done to determine disease or disease carriers. The proposal for genetic control included the prohibition of marriage between partners with certain recessive genetic conditions.

Failure to submit to genetic tests would prohibit receipt of any government support or aid medicare or medicaid, for instance. Only 25 per cent of the voting audience believed that the right of privacy is more important than government control or that genetic testing should be an individual's unusual and exotic plants such as the anthurium from Hawaii and the Bird of Paradise. They will write on such diverse subjects as the selection of plants for a particular area of the home, techniques and principles of planting, and the care of plants, including feeding, watering, light, temperature control and plant pruning. The public is invited to mail questions without obligation to "Plant Pal" at The Plant Gallery. 233 south Delsea and the answers will be printed in the column or answered privately, depending on the wishes of the person who submits the question.

ir? SEPERS A v. would encourage women to get into the insurance business There are a lot of opportunities for women today. business several years ago and took a job in a real estate office. When her boss converted to insurance, she went along, and from there worked her way up to her present position, alter transferring to Metropolitan Life three years ago. Asked if she thought she might be the "token" woman in her office.

Ms. Grayer admitted "there's always that chance "But even if that is part of the reason lor being hired, that does not take away from the tremendous opportunities for women and the value they have." she believes. "There are certainly still some areas of discrimination (in employment) against women, but this is changing." Ms. Grayer is in demand as a speaker at conventions and meetings, and she often takes her husband and 11-year-old son with her. Her husband.

Steve Held, works in public relations and advertising, and sometimes balks at "tagging along" according to Mb Grayer who has kept her maiden name. "But my son is impressed," she adds liopefuis in the field of insurance should concentrate their studies in the areas ot economics, business or math. Ms. Grayer advises t- a Heritage Bank, which has served South Jersey since 1812, is a member of Heritage Bancorporation, the fifth largest banking organization in the state. Big Boys Sold to Marriott The Cumberland County Board of Agriculture was one of several groups taking part in Farmers Week at Trenton.

Among those representing the board at the convention this week were Donald Johnson, past president, from Deerfield; Walter Badaracco, new president, from Vineland, and Leonard Sepers, new secretary, also from Vineland. JOHNSON BADARACCO Loren S. Riggins president of L. S. Riggins Oil Co.

was elected to the Board of Directors of United Jersey Bank-City National during the institution's annual meeting. Residing with his family at south Main Riggins is a graduate of Vineland High School and Bucknell University and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Apart from his extensive business connections, Riggins is probably most widely known for his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America The YMCA has also been an important area of his community activities. In 1965 Riggins received the Jaycees' Young Man of the Year Award.

)iu I 1 Jhr Public Invited to Send Questions On Care of Plants at Home i 4- i 1 1 I i v.t'w An advertising series in the form of a weekly column of questions and answers on many aspects of horticulture will start on Friday, Feb. 7 under the sponsorship of The Plant Gallery, 233 south Delsea dr. Entitled "Your Plant Pal Says," the column will be written by Sheva and Leslie Kotok, for whom more than 20 vears of experience in their own greenhouse as an avocation culminated in November with the opening of their own plant business. Mr. and Mrs.

Kotok began growing orchids as a hobby and kept expanding their interest until by now they have planted and raised more than 50 different types of orchids. They added many other 4 Bob Novick, president of Novick Chevrolet in Bridgeton, participated in the 58th annual convention and exposition of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in San Francisco. Novick, an NADA member since 1972, is president of Cumberland County Automobile Dealers Association, and a member of the New Jersey Automobile Dealers Association. The annual NADA meeting was attended by more than 10,000 franchised new car and truck dealers, manufacturers and representatives of allied industries. Highlights of the five-day event included 150 workshops.

Special sessions focused on the economic crisis. Frank Chiappine, president of Young Men's Savings and Loan Association, has announced the appointment of Mario D'Addato, West to the association's administrative staff. Employed in the banking and financial industries since 1959, D'Addato's experience includes six years as a supervisor of operators of bank proof machines and handled special projects at Vineland National Bank and Trust Co. He assumed a similar supervisory position at South Jersey National Bank in Millville and was treasurer of Century Federal Savings and Loan in Bridgeton before the appointment at Young Men's. According to Ray Compari, general sales manager of Airwork, Joe Smith, Airwork contract administrator, is credited with "outstanding performance" which led to the Federal Aviation Agency's (FAA) selection of Airwork as sole source for non-airline type jet engine overhauls.

The FAA recently signed a Rolls-Royce dart engine overhaul, repair and support contract with Airwork, a contract which completes a series of job awards for major turbine engine services. Mortgage Ceiling Drops to 9.25 TRENTON (AP)-The maximum interest rate for new mortgage loans in New Jersey has been lowered to 9.25 per cent. The one-quarter of one per cent cut was made Thursday by Banking Commissioner Richard F. Schaub at the direction of Gov. Brendan T.Byrne.

The governor said he sought the lower rate to encourage home sales now that mortgage money has become more available. He noted that some loans recently have been made at interest rates of 9 per cent or lower. CkZJ RIGGINS FIRST CUSTOMER Willi am J. DeBiaso. manager of Vineland Savings and Loan's newest branch office at 1771 south Lincoln presents Clementine Flaim with a full size blanket, just one of many gifts and prizes given away this week during the association's grand opening (Times Journal photo) Heritage Bank Joins Peoples With Free Checking Offer 1 1 1 I i i 'fl I Js4'' lf Heritage Bank, 37 west Landis has announced it will offer free personal checking to its customers, making it the second banking institution in Vineland to offer the service.

Peoples National Bank of New Jersey began free personal checking several months ago. According to Heritage Bank officials, existing customers will automatically receive the free checking program. No minimum balance will be required and no per check charges or monthly maintenance fees will be levied. In addition, deposits are insured up to $40,000 by the FDIC. Heritage has 42 offices located throughout southern New Jersey and one inPhila-delphia at 223 Market st.

Charles T. Dunn, senior vice president, said he believes the bank's timing will be well accepted because of the economy, which has made consumers more aware of saving expenses. Along with the opportunity to save extra dollars by having free checking, persons opening a free personal checking account may purchase a Novus 850 calculator valued at $25 for $15.95. The battery-operated, pocket model adds, substracts, multiplies and divides. J.M.

Broberg, president and chairman of the board of JB's, has announced the sale of the New Jersey Big Boy franchise to Marriott Corp. The sale price for the franchise and five full service restaurants was $850,000. JB's opened the first New Jersey unit in Dec. 1970 in Vineland with the most recent Big Boy restaurant opening in Oct. 1974 in Lawrenceville.

Other units in the state are located in Eatontown, Brick Town and Cherry Hill. Broberg said that proceeds from the sale of the franchise and restuarants will help reduce the company's long-term indebtedness and provide funds for JB's expansion plans in the West. STUDENT EXPOSURE TO INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT Students of the Business Organization Management class at Buena Regional High School have visited local business and industry to learn of production procedures, shipping and transportation. Tours include Scott Paper Wilmad Glass Co. and Minotola National Bank.

Shown here at Wilmad Glass Co. are David Roman, plant manager; Robert Kickish. teacher; Hilda Irizarry, BRHS sophomore, and Fred Donato, Wilmad employe. (Times Journal photo.