Mt. Vernon Register-News from Mt Vernon, Illinois • Page 1

TEMPERATURE Thursday high 62 low 48. 7:00 a.m. today S3. Downtown at noon 59. Ml.

VERNON REGISTER-NEWS MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OFCIRCULATIONS A 6 N-PARTISAN NEWSPAPER SQUARE DEAL FOR ALL SPECIAL FAVORS FOR NONE FORECAST Fair, colder tonight, chance of frost. Lows .13 to 38. Saturday fair. High in .508. VOLUME 178 MOUNT VERNON, ILLINOIS, FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1973 2 PAGES PER WEEK SINGLE COPY 1 GETS GARMENT FACTORY WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE? Lincoln.

water-well housing bears sign asking for more water for the community. Overflowing of nearby Kickapoo Creek has flooded farmer's fields surrounding the well house. (AP Wire- photo) Neighborhood Program Still In Limbo Here Mayor Roiland Lewis and City Manager Ray Botch returned from a Washington D.C. huddle with Housing and Urban department officials with assurance only that the Mt. Vernon Neighborhood De- velopmentProject would be looked at again.

Lewis and Botch were in Washington in an attempt to have funding restored for the five year program announced last year. HUD announced earlier this month that no more money would be forthcoming. Joining Botch and Lewis in making their appeal to HID were Illinois senators Adlai Stevenson III and Charles Percy joined by Alabama Senator John Sparkman. HUD officials conceded that Lewis and Botch had brought them information which had not been previously supplied by the Chicago HUD office, but made no firm commitment concerning the program. All they promised was that they woidd consider the new facts, would confer with HUD officials in Chicago, and that an announcement one way or the other would be made next week from Chicago.

At stake is a $5 million program to renovate a deteriorated neighborhood north of the Mt. Vernon State Fairgrounds. First year fuhding has already been received, but it will all be on planning and preliminary work. Botch and Lewis had hoped to convince HUD to give the city the NDP funds alreadv allotted the citv through June 1974. By that time, the city hopes that President Nixon's proposed special revenue sharing program will have been passed.

This program, it is felt, would provide the city with the money it needs to complete the program with out the need for further HUD funds. Super-X To Move To New Location; Kroger To Expand The Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has reported that Super-X drug store will move into the fwmer Carp's store at the Park Plaza shopping center "in due time." When Super-X makes that move, Kroger's will expand into the present drug store, the Chamber said. Super-X is owned by Kroger of Cincinnati. Goes To Illinois Senate PASS BILL TO KILL TAX ON MEDICINE Name Hastings President Of Dowzer Plant James G. Hastings has been named president of Dowzer Electric, Mt.

Vernon, it was announced this week by Frank H. Roby, president of Sola Basic Industries, Milwaukee, Wis. JAMES G.HASTINGS Hastings has been executive vice-president of Dowzer since August, 1971, serving under Charles J. Covington, who has now become chairman. Before joining Sola Basic in 1967, Hastings served years at Honeywell.

In 1970, he was appointed vice president of Hevi-Duty Electric Division. He attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul, and the University of Minnesota, majoring in chemical engineering. He also served four years in the United States Air Force.

Hastings resides at 707 Kensington with his wife, Bonnie, and their five children. lU. (AP) Another tax-relief measure, this one eliminating the sales tax entirely on medicines and on medical supplies, has cleared the Illinois House and has "been forwarded to the Senate. The bill, sponsored Rep. Eugene Schlickman, R-Arlington Heights, passed by a 140-5 vote Thursday in the House.

It would remove the five per cent sales tax entirely from items ranging from aspirin and bandages to prescription drugs. "Those who drafted the state sales tax plan expected that the legislature would make reasonable exemptions from the sales tax," Schlickman said. "This bill does not completely do that but it leads in that direction." Now the Schlickman plan has been added to a sales tax relief plan sponsored by Speaker W. Robert Blair, R- Park Forest, passed earlier this session by the House. Each measure is now before the Senate.

The Blair proposal would reduce the sales tax on food bought at the grocery store and on prescription medicines from five to three per cent. That bill, approved 140-1. would not have applied to nonprescription drugs or medical supplies. Names Illinois Disaster Area NIXON TO INSPECT FLOODS By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS President Nixon makes an aerial inspection today of flooded areas in the Mississippi River valley where about 10,000 persons have been left homeless and damage estimates have climbed to more than $200 million. Ten persons have lost their lives in the flooding along the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers and their tributaries in seven states.

In some areas the highest flood-levels in recorded history were expected to worsen after new rains last week fell on top of earlier heavy spring downpours. The Mississippi River at St. Louis reached 42.16 feet overnight and was rising. The previous record of 42 feet was set in 1785. In Washington, Nixon declared flood-stricken parts of Illinois major disaster areas and moved to make federal aid available.

The help will consist primarily of temporary housing, unemployment assistance, low-interest loans, debris clearance and repau-s to roads, bridges, dikes and levees. Nixon was to fly over some of the flooded areas en route to a ceremony at Meridian, honoring Sen. John C. Stennis, D- Miss. The crest, or highest flood level, of the Mississippi swept past Hannibal, during the night, but the saturated levees upriver at Quincy, remained in serious jeopardy, a spokesman for the U.S.

Corps of Army Engineers said. The Corps of Army Engineers at St. Louis estimated that if the river reaches its expected crest of 43.5 feet there on Saturday $136-milUon in damages will have been done in Missouri and Illinois alone. "A few more inches can mean a hell of a lot when you're talking about the Mississippi," a spokesman said. To the south, the National Weather Service reported no rain expected in Louisiana or Mississippi through Sunday but said there is a chance of showers on Monday or Tuesday.

"Three Legs, Eyes As Big As Flaslilights" A "Monster" At Enfield By DENNIS MONTGOMERY Associated Press Writer ENFIELD, HI. (AP) Henry McDaniel says he shot and wounded a monster on his doorstep and is worried it may come back to get even. McDaniel, 50, said he had just returned from a meeting Wednesday night when he heard something scratching on his door. "It had three legs on it," he said, "a short body, two little short arms, and two pink eyes as big as flashlights. It stood four and a half to five feet tall and was grayish-colored." "It was trying to get into the house." he said.

McDanirrl, an antique dealer, said he slammed the door and grabbed a pistol and a flashlight from the dresser in his bedroom and returned to the front door, opened it and spotting the monster about 12 feet from the house. He fired four shots. "When I fired that first shot, I know I hit it," he said. "The creature gave out a hiss," he said, "much like a wildcat's, judging from his imitation of the sound." covering 50 feet in three jumps. It fled through some brush along a railroad embankment that runs near the McDaniel home.

State police, summoned by the frightened McDaniel, arrived too late to spot the creature but discovered its tracks in the soft earth about the home. McDaniel said the track was like a dog's except that it had six toe pads. One of the troopers, James Masser, said McDaniel appeared rational and sober. McDaniel said he was sure it wasn't a dog and was positive it wasn't a kangaroo because, he said, he once had a pet kangaroo while serving with the Army in Australia. Asked how he was able to note so many details of the creature in such a short space of time and in the dark, McDaniel said.

"I have a photostatic memory." And then he recalled that the creature's body was "almost like a human body." He said some school children told him they had seen a similar creature at the school ball park. "If they do find it, they will find more than one and they won't be from this planet, I can tell you that," he said. Enfield is about 10 miles west of Car mi, White County, in Southeastern Illinois. Set Your Clock Ahead Daylight Saving Time To Start This Sunday CHICAGO (AP) Spring ahead, fall behind. That's the catch phrase an astronomer recommends to householders confused twice each year in setting their clocks to and from Daylight Saving Time.

In the spring next Sunday this year the hands are moved ahead one hour. In the fall, Oct. 28, in 1973, they are set behind an hour for the return 4o six months of Standard Time. Dr. Lee Simon, astronomer of the Adler Planetarium of the Chicago Park District, urges all to memorize the catch phrase as a protection against turning up at church Sunday two hours after the start of services.

This happens to the confused who in the spring mistakenly set their clocks back an hour. Simon said the practice of adjusting clocks to take advantage of additional daylight in summer originated in England during World War 1 when hydroelectric power was in heavy demand. By cutting an hour l)etween sunset and bedtime, he said, demand for electric lighting in the evenings was reduced. Vote 19 On $1.9 lillillion Junior High Bond Issue Here GETS QUINTS FOR BIRTHDAY Karen Anderson, 28, and her husband, Eric, await arrival of what was expected to be quadruplets. Three boys and two girls were born Thursday afternoon in Bess Kaiser Hospital, in Portland, Ore.

All five weighed less than three pounds, but officials said they were in very good condition, all breathing on their own. It was Mrs. Anderson's 28th birthday. The couple lives in Brush Prairie. Wash.

(AP Wire- photo) New Building, Remodel Old Holly Jester Dies; Former Mt.V. Fire Chief HoUy Jester, 81, of 802 N. 9th died at 9 a.m. today at Firmin Desloge Hospital, St. Louis.

He was a member of the Mt. Vernon Fire Department until his retirement in 1948. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Myers Chapel, with the Rev. Everett Lemay officiating.

Burial will be in Oakwowl cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel after 5 p.m. Saturday. Mr. Jester was born Sept.

14, 1891, at Newcastle, Ind. He was first married to Ella Warren, who preceded him in death in 1955. He married Fay Sanford on Oct. 13, 1961, in Mississippi. She survives.

He was a veteran of World War II, a member of the American Legion, a member of the Veterans of World War and a Mason. He was a member of Park Avenue Baptist church. Mr. Jester is survived by his wife; a son, James, of Mt. Vernon; two daughters, Mrs.

Leroy Rueffer, of Mt. Vernon, and Mrs. Harold Myers, of Mt. Vernon; two step-daughters, Mrs. Warren Kinison, of Mt.

Vernon, and Mrs. Roy Ragan, of Essex; 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mrs. Eva Adams, of Mt. Vernon. A son, Lloyd, was killed in World War II.

Menard Escapee Is Recaptured MENARD, lU. (UPI) A Menard State Prison honor farm inmate who walked away from a dairy barn detail Tuesday evening was picked up Thursday night in St. Louis, prison officials said today. Norman Barker, 33, was apprehended in St. Louis.

Over Rejection Of Appointee Governor Is Upset By JOSEPH R.TYBOR Associated Press Writer CHICAGO (AP) Gov. Daniel Walker said today the Senate rejection of Mrs. Mary Lee Leahy as director of the Environmental Protection Agency was reprehensible, "terribly and shameful. Walker denied at a news conference that Mrs. Leahy's rejection Thursday was for solely political reasons, resulting from a continuing feud with Mayor Richard J.

Daley of Chicago. He said Mrs. Leahy had begun an investigation into the city's system of controling air and water pollution. Walker also said another state investigation is looking into the expenditure of millions of dollars in state and federal money by city agencies, under the (Continued on Page 2) GRANNY DIES Actress Irene Ryan, known to millions of TV viewers as Granny on "The Beverly Hillbillies, died Thursday in Santa Monica, after suffering a stroke. She was 70.

(AP Wirephoto) By STEVE KORRIS Register-News Staff Writer On Saturday, May 19, the Mt. Vernon Grade School District 80 board will ask the voters of the district to authorize a $1,880,000 bond issue to finance construction of a new school building at Casey Junior High, and alterations of six current school buildings. The District 80 board met in special session last night and passed a resolution calling for a referendum on the long-planned bond issue. Tony Siros, of the architect firm of Fields, Goldman. Magee, presented cost estimates on the complete project, and offered estimates on the resulting change in the tax rate.

Preliminary figures showed that the increase in the tax rate would be around 28 cents per $100 assessed valuation, Siros said. The new 38,000 square foot school structure, referred to as Phase II of the junior high expansion, would cost about $875,000, while the overall price including development and equipment purchase would reach $1 ,120.000. Siros told the board. Remodeling of the old junior high building would run $340,000, and architect's fees would be $104,000, bringing the Casey Phase II tag to $1,564,000. The planned additions and improvements, the board figures, would raise the junior high capacity to 800 students, compared with the present 590.

Sixth Graders However. the board decided to abandon its original plan to house sucth graders at the junior high along with seventh and eighth graders. Supt. Lew Hilliard explained that the three-class Middle School concept would be "too expensive," and would also place too many students on one sphool site. He noted that the six city elementary schools are in (Continued on Page 2) Country Set Leases Mode Day Building TO REOPEN PLANT IN ONE WEEK Within a week a new industry will be operating in Mt.

Vernon. It was announced today through the industrial development committee of the Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce that Country Set, a nationally known woman's garmet manufacturering company, has agreed to occupy the former Mode O'Day plant at 1525 Herbert St. Country Set is a member of a conglomerate headed by Consolidated Foods Chicago, a corporation which had a 1972 net sales of $1,745,959,000. The Country Set operation is centered in St. Louis at 1520 Washington within more that 100.000 square feet of space, where more than 300 are employed.

It also has a manufacturing plant in a 35,000 foot building in DuQuoin where more than 300 are employed in two seven hour shifts, Monday through Friday. Strongly financed and not requesting any concessions in accepting the Chamber of Commerce's invitation to set up business here. Country Set management made it plain it would strive diligently to create a favorable public image. Country Set will open its business career here with a cutting operation employing a maximum of 25 with intentions of creating a work force of more than 135 as business warrants, which they feel could occur over a period of six months to a year. It is the intention of management to consider the manufacturing of its product here which is now being done on a contract basis outside its current two plants.

Plans of Country Set in the one time Mode O'Day plant on Herbert St. were outlined Thursday night to former Mode O'Day employes during a meeting in Ontral Trades and Labor Council, 17th St. at Fisher's lane. Inasmuch as the cutting operations of Country Set do not correspond with Mode O'Day production, only those who meet Country Set's system immediately will be employed, while others will be subject to a training period as they are needed when production increases. "It is our said a representative of Country Set management, "that in due time all former Mode O'Day employes who desire, can become associated with Country Set." Closing negotiations with Country Set in St Louis Thursday were Nelson Cowen, operator of his own insurance agency and prior to this business a woman's garmet manufacturing ploye with 30 years experience, and Bob Polsall, Chamber of Commerce manager.

They closed the transaction, a leased building agreement between Mode O'Day headquarters at Burbank. through James Duncan, assistant vice president of product marketing, and top management of Country Set. including Herbert C. Meyer, vice president, and Thomas Rhoades, director of manufacturing. Also in the conference was Carwin L.

Diel, Country Set controller, a native of Mt. Vernon and son of the late John Diel, whose mother resides at 2204 Casey. Meyer told the Chamber of Commerce, are (Continued on Page 2).