The Kerrville Times from Kerrville, Texas • Page 5

Times Photo By Susan Sander A FLEDGLING Carolina wren looks back way to get home safely, at his nest, as he tries to figure out the best PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS Democrats Debate In Houston By MICHAEL L. QRACZYK Associated Press Writer HOUSTON (AP) Seven Democratic presidential contenders, trying to emerge from a crowded field and establish an identity, ripped President Reagan's performance in office while breaking little new ground in the first nationally televised debate of an election year still six months away. "The real winners are the American people," Sen. Albert Gore, said after the two-hour performance Wednesday night on the Public Broadcasting System "Firing Line" program. "And I don't mean that to be a political cliche." "Everyone did well," added Rep.

Richard Gephardt, D-Mo. "Most of us are unknown and it was our first chance to get known." Going in to the appearance at Houston's new Wortham Theater, the affair was seen as an opportunity for the seven to introduce themselves to the American voter. "MANY PEOPLE who watched tonight may have seen many of these people articulate their point of view for the first time," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said. "What leaders must do is raise the comfort level of people." Gore, Gephardt, Jackson, former Arizona Gov.

Bruce Babbitt, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis and Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois took turns in what program host William F. Buckley described as "Reagan bashing." The seven fielded eight questions, with topics including arms control, energy policy, the economy and budget, trade policy, tax reform and Cuba and Central America.

In virtually each instance, the answers turned into a criticism of the Reagan administration and how they would offer better leadership. "A LOT OF FOLKS knew them only as the seven dwarfs," Jody Powell, a former aide to President Carter, said afterward. "I doubt folks would come away with that impression. But I got a sense they didn't want to spend much time beating up each other. And that's sort of a new departure for Democrats." The candidates engaged in little conversation among themselves or the hosts, choosing for the most part to simply answer the questions.

Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Robert Strauss, who joined Buckley as host, said the program was better than he had expected. "There were no losers," he said. There also was no obvious winner, but neither did it produce the kind of blunder that could doom a candidacy before it begins. AT THE OPENING of the two-hour program, the seven candidates and two co-hosts emerged before the crowd of some 2,000 from a trap door under the stage. Gore gazed around in apparent awe while the others sat solemnly in their blue leather chairs.

Babbitt and Gephardt wore gray suits while the others selected blue. In front of them, on small white tables, were pitchers of water. Jackson chose orange juice. Although each had note pads, only Biden and Gore used them. Gore and Jackson, seated together, whispered to each other frequently while another candidate was speaking.

Jackson, the only one of the seven who has formally not declared his candidacy, many times gazed out into the crowd, and on one occasion pointed and smiled at someone he recognized in the audience. He also was the only one of the candidates to stand while making his final statement. In the opening question in which a raspy- voiced Buckley asked whose presidential portraits should hang in the White House Cabinet room Babbitt said he would include President James K. Polk as a reminder that a darkhorse candidate can win election to the presidency. Gore apparently intended to say the same thing, only he identified the man as James K.

Knox. BIDEN ACCUSED Reagan of failing to confront the difficulties posed by the AIDS epidemic and of planning to "nuclearize the heavens" with his Star Wars program, while Gore scored the president for permitting public officials to shred documents and steal public funds. Simon termed Reagan's legacy grim, and Babbitt accused Reagan of talking about the budget deficit but never submitting a balanced budget. Dukakis called the administration's policy in Central America doomed, while Gephardt noted he eight times led the House effort to cut off money for the Contras in Nicaragua. Although they spared no criticism of the Republican president, their disagreements with one another were gentler.

Simon noted proudly that he voted against last year's tax overhaul bill. Biden, who voted for it, said a few moments later, "With all due respect I think Sen. Simon is wrong." THEY ALSO DIFFERED on the imposition of an oil import fee, with Dukakis insisting the fee was nothing more than a tax. Gephardt said the lack of a Reagan energy policy was as serious as the budget deficit and arms control problems and the import fee was needed to get the oil industry back in business. "We have stuck our heads in the sand on energy," he said.

The questions were supplemented by 90-second autobiographical videotapes provided by each candidate and a 60-second example of the candidate in action on the campaign trail. Public opinion polls conducted since the withdrawal of former Sen. Gary Hart of Colorado in May show a large undecided bloc of voters, with none of the seven remaining contenders emerging as a replacement for the departed front-runner. The Democratic debate was the earliest of many that will be staged by television networks, newspapers and other organizations. A "Firing Lane" program for Republican presidential hopefuls is planned for September from Los Angeles.

"The American people don't know many of us very well," Biden said, assessing the debate. "It was my purpose to attempt to answer the questions and demonstrate to the American people I had a grasp of the issues." "Given the format, I think it was a lot of fun, and everyone got in some good points," Babbit said. Mattox Sues Teacher Retirement Fund AUSTIN (AP) The Texas attorney general's office has sued the $17 billion state Teacher Retirement System, alleging that control over some $34 million in assets was wrongfully transferred to a non-profit corporation. TRS officials responded that the transfer, involving a foreclosed-on Houston office building to a system-controlled unit, was a legal and prudent action that protects the fund. "We believe this was the safest and most prudent course to take on behalf of the retirement fund, and that it was perfectly legal and appropriate under Texas law," said Edward H.

Wicker, chairman of the system's board of trustees. "We would be delighted for the district court to review this arrangement." 9.9% APR CONSTRUCTION FINANCING No down payment Pre-cul materials Free home building semmai Framing assistance available TEXAS TOLL FREE 1-MO-252 3077 Attorney General Jim Mattox said Wednesday he was seeking an injunction, dissolution of the non-profit corporation, restitution to the retirement system and damages. The TRS is one of the nation's largest investment pools. Mattox said he was concerned that "tens of millions in TRS assets may have been squandered." The TRS fund, whose investment earnings pay pensions for public school teachers, financed a $34 million mortgage on a Hous- ton building called One Eldridae Place in 1985. In late 1986, the fund foreclosed on the property after the primary tenant filed for reorganization under federal bankruptcy laws.

The retirement system set up the non-profit corporation to hold the building in trust. Bruce Hjnemaji, TRS executive secretary, said the trust insulates the fund from lawsuits that might arise because of accidents, fire, or other liabilities Miles Homii Ext. 1M Pharmacy Thursday, July 2, 1987 KERRVILLE DAILY TIMES-5 SCmwllr tkuly New Alamo Movie To Hit Big Screen To Be Shown At New IMAX Theater In S.A. Coupons By DAVID SEDENO Associated Press Writer SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) A new movie about the siege of the Alamo will be shown on a gargantuan-size screen that will let viewers feel as if they are fighting alonside Jim Bowie, film producers said. Production on "Alamo The Price of Freedom" will begin on July 13 at Alamo Village in Brackettville, about 100 miles west of San Antonio.

About 50 films on the Texas shrine have been shot at the Alamo set, including the 1960 feature, "The Alamo," starring John Wayne. The new movie will be shot in 70mm film and will be shown at an IMAX theater whose screen measures 61 feet by 84 feet and allows for a panoramic effect, said Doug Beach, a spokesman for Texas Cavalcade developer-owner of the film and theater project. The theater will open March 6, 1988, the 152nd anniversary of the start of the battle in which 189 defenders, including Bowie and Davy Crockett, died while trying to defend the mission from Mexican troops. The battle for the mission came during the revolution that led to Texas' freedom from Mexico. The battle will be a focus of the film, which will be shown in the theater that will be located a few blocks from the Alamo.

"What this screen does is give you a panoramic view. It gives you a sense of being there. It creates a sense of participation," Beach said. "This is a great medium to tell the battle story. We want the audience to feel like they were there." Beach said the 40-minute movie will start with the arrival of Col.

William B. Travis at the mission and will culminate with battle scenes. In between, however, the defenders' personalities will be portrayed in vignettes. The screenplay was co-written by Kieth Merrill and George McAllister, a Texas rancher and historian who spent 12 years researching the project. "What this screen does is give you a panoramic view.

It gives you a sense of being there. It creates a sense of participation," Beach said. "This Is a great medium to tell the battle story. We want the audience to feel like they were there." About 600 people will be involved in the six-week production, including 400 re-enactors, a group of historians who specialize in authentic re-enactments of the famous battle. The re-enactors will be wearing authentic costumes of the era and also will double as Mexican troops invading the Alamo, Beach said.

"One of the things that is so fascinating about this project is that truth is more interesting than fiction," Beach said. "What this does is gives this film authenticity, unlike any other films that have been made about the Alamo." The cost of the film is estimated at $2.8 million and the cost of the 430-seat theater is tagged at $3.7 million, Beach said. Texas Cavalcade is the general partner of Rivertheatre Associates, which is producing the film. The major investors are Pace Foods and Luby's Cafeterias, both based in San Antonio. Developers hope to attract 350,000 in the first year and to add to the 3.5 million visitors who tour the Alamo annually, Beach said.

"We hope that people will go to the Alamo and then see the movie and then go back to the Alamo for a second time," he said. "This is a very, very moving story. You can't see it or read it without being moved." 895-2288 Junction Hwy River Odks CHOP STEAK Mushroom Sauce Served with 2 Choices From GORDO'S GARDEN Homemade Roll or Cornbread 2.99 Reg. 4.55 Valid Thru Thurs. 7-9-87 ALL IN PARTY BRISKET Si RIB PLATTER Served with 2 Choices From GORDO'S GARDEN Homemade Roll or Cornbread 3.99 Reg.

5.99 Valid Thru Thurs.7-9-87 ALL IN PARTY CHOPPED BARBEQUE SPECIAL 2.99 per quart $6.00 Value Serves 4 to 5 people TO GO ONLY Valid Thru Thurs. 7-9-87 nmEmnnoi ALL IN-STOCK PATTERNS EXCEPT CLOSEOUTS LEKXOR JJOANNA SPECIAL PURCHASE PATTERNS IN SKK VINVl BUNDS OIHER SHK I QJSIOM OKIHK GREAT HOME MAINTENANCE VALUES! ACRYLIC LAHX SPtUAl b-PAfK intlltK HOlVtSltK CAltlK IK01UKCOVIK BKHSHlS SAVl OUR ENTIRE CARPET DEPARTMENT ON SALE! We would like to wish you a Safe Happy July 4th In Observance of this day there will not be 5 pharmacist on duty SnflEMIklSldrJft tulaiiutiun Muiru.iiir "(Kt-i In Si ivi Armstrong Conguleuin jsliluii Plus Sundial Soldiun Sun Hum I )4 Kerrville 1024 Junction Hwy. 895-4100 ASKSHIKWIN VYIUIAMS HOMtOWNIKS Salt- hut-. 2.