The News-Item from Shamokin, Pennsylvania • 1

Be 11 ews Single Copy 15 Cents Vol. 6 No. 132 FIRST IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY CIRCULATION Shamokin and Mount Carmel, Thursday, February 21, 1974 filial vote on GOP Boyle trial led. tax cut bill stal -v-M 1 I I i i Republicans, provides a 12 per cent credit on personal income taxes for 1973, a reduction of the 2.3 per cent personal income tax to 2 per cent for 1974 and future years, tax exemptions for the poor and a cut in the corporate net income tax from 11 to 9.5 per cent. The 1973 credit would be implemented through reduced withholdings from April 1 through June 30 and on July 1 the new rate of 2 per cent would take effect.

The Shapp administration's $195 million tax package centers on a onetime-only 10 per cent refund of 1973 income taxes and poverty exemptions. Richard Doran, Shapp's executive assistant, said, however, the administration might now accept some form of permanent tax cut, a provision it previously opposed on grounds the economy was too uncertain. He said the governor was looking into "some alternatives" that would cut taxes permanently but not produce a deficit. "We will not reduce taxes in an election year only to force a tax increase after election," Doran said. Republicans disputed the $223 million tax cut would cause a deficit and assailed the Senate adjournment.

"What you have witnessed is the Senate Democrats following the orders of the present governor of Pennsylvania to prevent the people and businesses of the state from receiving maningful and significant tax relief," said minority HARRISBURG (AP) Senate Democrats have stalled a final vote on a Republican tax cut package while the Shapp administration searches for a compromise to shore-up Democratic support. The Republican-controlled House approved Wednesday a $223 million tax reduction plan which Gov. Shapp said he would veto if it reaches his desk. The governor said the measure would produce a budget deficit of more than $200 million in the next fiscal year unless taxes were raised again. Republicans had hoped to move the tax cut bill, after the 151-40 vote, to the Senate for an immediate final vote.

But majority Democrats, helped by the absence of two GOP senators, pushed through an adjournment motion until March 4. Several dissident Democrats said they would join with minority Republicans to pass the bill once it reaches the Senate calendar. That vote could still come on March 4 but in the meantime the administration said it is studying new compromise tax relief proposals which could be embraced by the dissident Democrats. Senate Democratic leaders also said they were working on a new tax plan with the leader of the maverick Democrats, Sen. Thomas Nolan of Allegheny County.

The House measure, which passed with 46 Democrats joining the Area reaction to shutdown: hearings delayed MEDIA, Pa. (AP) The hearing on motions by attorneys for W.A. "Tony" Boyle was forced into a third day of legal arguments on defense motions today after the former United Mine Workers Union president who is accused of murder became ill in the warm courtroom. Common Pleas Judge Domenic D. Jerome swiftly recessed the proceedings Wednesay afternoon when the 70-year-old Boyle, pale and gaunt, slumped against a table, holding his head in his hands.

"He felt a little faint, but he'll be all right," said D. Frank Kampfe, one of his three lawyers. Boyle was placed in a wheelchair by deputy U.S. Marshals and court attendants and taken to a nearby room where he was attended by a nurse. He then conferred briefly with his lawyers before being driven to Riddle Memorial Hospital where he is held under guard.

Boyle is accused of ordering the 196(1 slaying of Joseph "Jock" Yablonski, a UMW rival who unsuccessfully sought the union presidency. Indictments also charge him with murdering Yablonski's wife and daughter, all slain New Year's Eve in their Clarksviile, home. Under Pennsylvania law, Boyle can be found guilty of murder if it can be shown he helped plot the crime. A defense motion for a change of venue resulted in the shifting of the trial, scheduled to start March 25, away from Pennsylvania's soft coal fields to this suburban Philadelphia town. Boyle currently is serving a three-year prison term for illegal use of union funds during the 1968 presidential election.

He was flown here from the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners at Springfield, Mo. Boyle, who has a heart ailment, still is being treated from the after-affects of an overdose of sleeping pills taken at his Washington, DC, home last year after he was indicted for murder. A little man, his brown hair thin and greying, Boyle reportedly has lost aljout 35 pounds since the suicide attempt. In the courtroom he sat quietly between Kampfe and Charles F. Moses, his chief attorney, and listened intently to the technical legal arguments raised by defense and prosecution.

Moses made a strong pitch for disqualification of Special Prosecutor Richard A. Sprague who has been involved in the Yablonski investigation since early 1970 and has secured guilty pleas from four coconspirators and first degree murder convictions of our others. Sprague has vowed publicly to "get the man at the top," meaning Boyle, and Moses told Judge Jerome this was a vendeta that violated his client's constitutional rights. "Mr. Sprague could be a witness jn this case," Moses said.

"He's going to have to testify, to explain what kind of deals he made with people so they would testify against Tony Boyle." Sprague replied sharply that Moses was using a broad-scaled attack to try to keep those who have been admitted involvement in the Yablonski case from testifying against Boyle. "He can't stop that," Sprague said. Kampfe then appealed to the judge to force the prosecution to provide the defense with names and addresses of witnesses, all statements made by the alleged co-conspirators, all material gathered by police, and every piece of evidence collet-ted in the Yablonski investigation. Sprague, in a written reply, termed the defense request "frivolous" and Kampfe objected to that leader Richard Frame. The Venango County Republican said the adjournment was another delaying tactic to prevent tax relief so Shapp could overspend.

Democratic Leader Thomas Lamb countered that the tax cut would not take affect anyway until April 1 so the two-week recess will not affect the situation. House Democratic Leader Herbert Fineman of Philadelphia, said the tax cuts would force "an automatic deficit" of more than $200 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1 and usher in new generation of fiscal chaos and a new round of tax increases. Fineman's announcement that Shapp would veto the tax cut drew cheers from many House Republicans. Rep. Lee Taddonio, R-Westmoreland, said the applause reflected GOP thinking that a veto would hurt Shapp's chances for reelection next November.

"We will override that veto," promised Majority Leader Robert Butera, R-Montgomery. Rep. Ivan It kin, D-Allegheny, called the whole budget fight "a political charade," pointing out the tax relief package would save a $10,000 annual wage earner just 60 cents a week. "All we're going to give them is 60 lousy cents," Ivan said in disgust. "Do we jeopardize the fiscal stability of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 60 cents a week? That's the question." reported that he would continue to operate, adding that "I can't see leaving my customers stranded for the sake of a protest." "I'm out of gasoline right now," said John Boylan of Boylan's Service, Locust Gap, explaining that "I'm out of gas and don't know when I'll get a supply so that I can start pumping again." Most station owners said they had received no official notification from distributors of any plan for a shutdown.

Mannello Brothers of Kulpmont reported that the firm is not affiliated with an association. "We would have to see what others do before we make a move," a spokesman for the firm said when asked if his station would participate in the planned shutdown. "What sense does it make if we close down? asked an official of Miriello's Service Station in Mount Carmel. "There are only a few of us independents left and if we shut down we would not sell the gas we have and the distributors then would not hold our allocations. The big company-owned stations will get the gas and we wouldn't have any.

It just doesn't make sense." Charles Rupp of Mount Carmel said the only way he would close his station is if he had assurance that other would do it. He said the last time a shutdown was planned "I was the only on that closed. And I won't do it again." Service stations will remain open Reported kidnaped Reg Murphy, editor of The Atlanta Constitution, is pictured at work at his desk. The newspaper's news editor Edward Sears said early Thursday that Murphy had been kidnaped. Murphy's wife has confirmed that he is missing.

(AP Wirephoto) $67,202 stolen Merles decides not to contest charge By Harry J. Deitz and Terri Coleman SHAMOKIN While a shutdown of service stations throughout much of the nation looms tomorrow in the face of high costs and the possibility of antitrust action, most dealers of the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area reported today they "have no intention of going along with the shut-off plan." Contacted this morning by The News-Item, operators of local and area service stations said they will continue to pump gas until "our tanks run dry." The opinions were synonymous with those expressed earlier this week when a majority of area service station owners and dealers reported they would not comply with the odd-even gasoline rationing system announced Tuesday. The shutdown of service stations is expected to materialize tomorrow over the charge by dealers that they are being forced out of business. Several other grievances are included in the shutdown plan by the Pennsylvania Service Station Dealers Association. "But we don't belong to the big association," one area dealer said this morning.

"We have our own group in this section and as far as I know nothing definite has been decided in connection with a planned shutdown." An official of the Service Station along Route 487 near Knoeoeis proves said that dealers of Columbia County met last night but made no definite decision. "Personally, I expect to keep taking care of my customers, the official said." I plan to continue operating until I run out of a gas supply," A spokesman for Miller's Gas and Oil said he knew of no individual station owner who planned to close, but added that a shortage of gasoline could necessitate a closing if the February quota is exhausted. "I'll keep operating as long as there is gas in my tanks," said Ed Herr of Herr's Sunoco Service, Route 61, Paxinos. "I'm operating on a day-to-day basis and at the present time I haven't been compelled to limit gas sales." Herr joined other dealers of the area in reporting that "I haven't heard any concrete plans for a shutdown." Cal Lorenz, operator of a service station in Shamokin, said he was abiding by the regulations of the new rationing system, adding that "all my regular customers are cooperating with me." He said that any decision for a shutdown as a protest would have to be made by the distributor from whom the station he operates is leased. i Service stations in Kulpmont and Mount Carmel will stay open tomorrow as long as gasoline supplies are available.

Gus Veach of Kulpmont COURTHOUSE In surprise development this morning, Robert G. Perles, 108 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel, pleaded "nolle contendere" to a charge of larcetiy by employe. The plea, in effect, is the same as a plea of guilty and means that Perles will not contest the charge against him. Perles, a former bookkeeper at the county home and hospital, entered the plea before Judge Frank S.

Moser, but not until the original indictment was amended to reflect a sharp increase in fund shortages at the county home. Dist. Atty. Samuel Ranck said Perles was indicted Aug. 13, 1973, by a grand jury for taking onto his own use county home funds totaling $32,880.82.

Atty Ranck said, however, that since the indictment, and an expanded audit, additional shortages were discovered bringing the total to $67,202.70. Judge Moser approved Ranck's motion to amend the indictment to show the larger amount. Atty. Myron M. Moskowitz, counsel for Perles, did not object to the amendment, noting that it will eliminate the possibility of Perles being rearrested, arraigned again and compelled to appear in court again to enter a plea.

Judge Moser accepted Perles' plea after he made certain that Perles was aware of all his constitutional rights. Judge Moser said the charge could mean a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and up to $2,000 fine or both. The additional shortages of funds cover the period from July, 1969, when Perles was first employed as bookkeeper at the county home, to Jan. 31, when he was dismissed. Judge Moser directed that Perles' bail of $10,000 be continued.

Judge Moser deferred sentencing pending a pre-sentence investigation. State Trooper George Zelnick, who along with Lewis Witmer, county detective, investigated shortages at the county home, testified as to the results of the probe. Zelnick said Perles retained personal checks and government checks for the care of patients. He said Perles endorsed the checks, cashed them at West End National Bank, Shamokin. Instead of depositing the checks, he retained the money for his own use, Zelnick said Perles used the money to "entertain lady The trooper testified that the initial audit for the calendar year of 1972, disclosed shortages of $32,880.72.

The audit was ordered by county commissioners. The audit then was extended to cover the period from July, 1969, when Perles was first hired, to Jan. 31, 1973, (Continued on page 2) So says Peim State professor Burning culm banks energy answer 4 r' K' 5 1 Gasification of coal enjoyed great popularity in the early decades of the century, says Dr. Walker, particularly in Pennsylvania's numerous materials industries. "But with the ready availability of low-price oil and abundant natural gas around 1950 most gasification units found their way into scrap metal yards.

"Now that the price of oil has shot up, and the supply of natural gas has dwindled, a return to coal gasification seems very much in sight." Gasification units, the diameter of an oval backyard swimming pool, and about 10 feet high, are commercially available now, Dr. Walker points out, to produce a low BTU gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. "They could be used by most industries now relying on oil, natural gas or raw coal for the heat needed in processing operations," he says. More sophisticated gasifiers, capable of furnishing enough gas to provide electric power for a small city, are not far off, according to Dr. Walker.

"Our research is concerned with determining which coals are most suitable for use in different types of gasifiers. Anthracite, for instance, seems well-suited to fixed-bed gasifiers in which the softening of coal can present problems. Some of Pennsylvania bituminous coals which do soften upon heating will probably have to be used in entrained-bed gasifiers. "Commercial gasifiers are available which will accept culm and other refuse materials and be able to substantially convert their volume to a gas that can be used to bake bricks, heat glass, make aluminum, etc." The waste of this process will seem like mole-hills compared to the mountains now scarring, the landscape in places like north-eastern Pennsylvania, Dr. Walker contends.

"Research at Penn State and elsewhere has already developed promising uses for these solids to make cinder-blocks, as a base for highway pavement, and a soil-less medium for greenhouses." UNIVERSITY PARK Piles of coal refuse will very likely be eliminated, not by physical removal or even by revegetation, but by being re-burned for the valuable gases they contain. So says, Dr. Philip L. Walker, professor of materials science at The Pennsylvania State University and a long-time student of the gasification of coal. "The energy crisis is forcing us to take a new look at gasification and to perfect its technology.

When this happens, it will doubtless prove economical to feed culm and other refuse into gasifiers and utilize the resulting gas for industrial heat or power," he says. Some refuse-pile materials contain as much as 65 per cent carbon, says Dr. Walker. "This will, of course, burn indeed, some of it is already burning, in place. As goal gasifiers become more numerous in small industry around Pennsylvania and elsewhere, a new market will be created for the unsightly and barren refuse," he explains.

Why the mail is late temperature is maintained at 85 degrees. Task is expected to take several days. The mail, all fourth class, was in a trailer-truck that rolled Into the Chicago River while it was being transferred from one piggy-back train to another. (AP Wirephoto) Postal workers at Forest Park, begin task of sorting and drying 10,000 water-soaked parcels of mail which made side trip into the Chicago River. The mail, originally from New York en route to Salt Lake City, is being dried by blowers in warehouse where.