The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 3

Los Angeles Times Sept. 8, 1971-Part! 3 Senate OKs Bill to Treat Drunks, Not Jail Them Offenders Would Go to Health Clinics for 'Drying Out' BY JERRY GILLAM Times Staff Writer SACRAMENTO -A bill to permit treatment of public drunks as sick persons rather than criminals was approved Tuesday by the state Senate. A 31-4 vote sent the legislation, sponsored by Sen. George Deukmejian (R-Long Beach), to the Assembly where it has a fairly good chance of passage. The lower house previously had approved a measure to set up pilot detoxification and rehabilitation programs for alcoholics in San Diego and San Francisco counties.

The idea behind the Deukmejian bill is to stop the so-called "revolving door" court process of repeated jail sentences for public drunks. There were 250,000 arrests for public drunkenness in California last year, according to Deukmejian. Civil Procedure Provided This legislation would eliminate public drunkenness as a crime and substitute a civil procedure allowing a law enforcement officer to take a drunk into protective custody. The drunk would go to a county mental health facility for a 72-hour drying-out period during which 'he would be encouraged to seek further treatment after release. Deukmejian said this would save counties substantial funds in court costs that could be used for treating public drunks.

However, Deukmejian said if a person commits another crime while intoxicated, such as starting a fight in a bar, he will still be charged with the offense, regardless of his drunkenness. "The time has come to take this step," he said. "We should treat our public drunks as sick persons--not criminals. 'One Big Revolving Door' "We will continue to have one big revolving door in our courts unless we can reach some of these people with treatment. "Alcoholism is the No.

1 health problem in the U.S. today, surpassing cancer and heart attacks." An opponent, Sen. Clark L. Bradley (R-San Jose), argued a public drunk has no one to blame but himself for this condition. "He can be not only a public nuisance but a public menace," Bradley said.

"This will only lead to further disrespect for the law. "The public drunk is, generally speaking, a disreputable person put into this position by his own weakness." Bradley added he felt the present system was all right until a "positive cure" for alcoholism is found, and called detoxification centers "glorified drunk tanks." Counties would have until July 1, 1973, to set up facilities to handle the public drunks under the Deukmejian bill, which is supported by the city of Los Angeles, PANTHERS PLAN TO LEAVE OAKLAND, MOVE TO ATLANTA ATLANTA (-Plans to move the national headquarters of the Black Panthers to Atlanta from Oakland were announced here today by Huey Newton, minister of defense for the Panthers. "It's only logical that the liberation of black people begin in the South, where their oppression started," said the leader of the black militant group at a news conference. The Black Panthers were founded five years ago on the West Side of Oakland by Newton and Bobby Seale, the party chairman. "We must look to the South for the thrust of black liberation.

The South is where the contradiction (slavery) started," Newton said. Police Chief Charles Gain of Oakland declared: "I think it would be very propitious for Oakland. If he (Newton) thinks Atlanta would be a better place, I wholeheartedly agree with him. My congratulations to Atlanta." WAITING--Faces reflect mixed emotions as youngsters wait for doors to open at the St. Vincent's Elementary School at, 2333 S.

Figueroa St. Times photo by John Malmin WARM, SMOGGY AIR BRINGS BASIN HEAT, HUMIDITY Warm air from mile-high winds sank through a mass of cool, moist, smoggy air today and brought coastal Southern California these uncomfortable conditions: Temperatures that reached 89 by noon, en route to a predicted high of 95. The average maximum reading for Sept. 8 is 83, the record, 100. Humidity of more than double what normally occurs with September readings in the 90s.

A reading, which wouldn't be noticeable with a normal 83, brings steaming humidity at 95. A high of 93 is expected Thursday. Suspect in Robbery Killed by Deputy A 22-year-old La Puente man, suspected of robbing a service station, was shot and killed by a Los Angeles deputy sheriff early today. Authorities said Larry Dean Sackett of 13676 Harstville St. died instantly from one bullet wound in the head.

The shot was fired by Dep. Richard Pierce as Sackett tried to run from a carport at 646 Laura La Puente, officers said. Sackett was not armed, and no weapon was found in the area, according to the Sheriff's office. Officers said an armed man matching Sackett's description robbed the station of $80. One of the attendants jotted down the license number of the car driven by the gunman.

Officers said Pierce found a car matching the description in carport at the Laura Ave. address. While checking out the car, Sackett appeared, saw the officer, and ran, according to officers. Pierce gave chase, and confronted the young man a few yards away. Sackett allegedly reached toward his pocket, and Pierce thought he was drawing a weapon.

The officer fired once, hitting Sackett in the head. Officers conducted a search of the area, but no weapon 'was found. More Details Given of 'Mistake' Deputy Shootings The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department today revealed details of the mistaken shooting of two plainclothes officers by a third at an East Los Angeles stakeout. According to a spokesman, this is what happened: Three members of the Sheriff's metropolitan squad went to a small frame home at 3313 Folsom St. about noon- Tuesday, looking for a suspect, in a weekend theft of an expensive truck.

The three, Sgt. Tom Segars and Deps. John Hawksley, 33, and Gerald Boyd, 25, were unaware that Sgt. J. Roger Wagnon, 51, a member of the downtown auto theft detail, already was inside de the house.

And Wagnon was unaware that the metro officers were assigned to the case. Hawksley and Boyd approached the house, knocked on the door and reached for identification cards. Wagnon not recognizing them thought they might be the suspects for whom he was waiting and that they might be reaching for their guns. Wagnon, a 21-year veteran of the force, opened fire, wounding Hawksley in the left chest and Boyd in the right arm. The two thinking they were being fired upon by the suspect returned the fire.

From the street, Segars saw gunflashes from inside the house, saw his fellow officer fall. He fired a shot toward the doorway. Crouched behind a car on the opposite side of the street, he saw a man he recognized as an officer. It was Wagnon, who had left the LAWFORD TO WED ROWAN DAUGHTER Actor Peter Lawford, 48, formerly married to the sister of the late President John F. Kennedy, plans to wed the 21-year-old daughter of comedian Dan Rowan.

Rowan, star of the television show, "Rowan and Martin's confirmed today daughter Mary would wed the actor Oct. 31, her 22nd birthday. Spring Byington, Film, Stage Actress for 70 Years, Dies at 84 Spring Byington, the veteran character actress best remembered for her five-year starring role in the "December Bride" television series, died Tuesday at her Hollywood Hills home after a brief illness. She was 84. A native of Colorado Springs, Miss Byington began her acting career at the age of 14 when she joined a stock company in Denver.

In the long career that followed, Miss Byington appeared in more than 30 stage plays and 75 feature films, including "Little Women," "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "The Charge of the Light Brigade." But most recall her as Lily Ruskin, the often scatterbrained but wise mother-in-law of the CBS radio and television situation comedy "December Bride." That role, which won her an Emmy nomination in 1958, "elevated the stature of the meddling, stereotyped mother-in-law to that of family heroine according to one TV critic. The series ran from 1954 to 1959. Miss Byington also played a sup porting role in the NBC. Western series "Laramie," in 1961. Miss Byington leaves two daughters, Mrs.

Phyllis Baxley of Holly- at Stakeout house and had gone into the street. Segars identified himself as an officer and told Wagnon the two men he had shot were sheriff's deputies. Hawksley was under intensive care Wednesday in County-USC Medical Center. The Sheriff's Information Bureau reported that his condition had stabilized but was serious. Boyd.

underwent surgery for repair of a bone in his right arm and was reported to be in "good shape" at St. Francis Hospital. A departmental spokesman said no disciplinary action was anticipated in the case. 3 Free of Interest Conflict, San Diego County Counsel Says SAN DIEGO (R--The San Diego county counsel says there was no conflict of interest when three public officials accepted privileges at a San Diego country club but the county grand jury may be interested in the situation anyway. The officials--Supervisors William A.

Craven, Planning Commission member Albert L. Hogan and former Supervisor Robert Cozenshave a admitted they received free memberships or guest privileges at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club but have said there was no conflict of interest when they voted on zoning matters requested by the club's Robert Berrey, the attorney for the Board of Supervisors, said no conflict existed, if you, as indicated, have no interest in the Lomas Santa Fe application. All three have said they owned no stock in the firm. "It just seems so ridiculous to think anyone would give preferential consideration for such minor monetary treatment as the paying of green, fees," said Cozens, now director of the state Department of Motor Vehicles. A Lomas Santa Fe zoning request came before the board Tuesday and six members of the county, grand jury were waiting in reserved frontrow seats to hear the vote.

With Craven voting no, supervisors denied a request by the developer to increase the population density of a 6.6-acre parcel of land and postponed the action six months pending a review of further information. Sickle Case Suspect Will Be Extradited AUSTIN -Texas honored the request today of California Gov. Reagan for the extradition of Clarence Otis Smith to California to stand trial in the "sickle slaying" attacks. The approved extradition papers were forwarded to the sheriff of Cameron County, where Smith has been held in the Brownsville. jail in lieu of $87,500 bail on a murder warrant.

He had been turned over to FBI agents in Texas after he was apprehended in Mexico where he said he had gone on a vacation. Reagan's request was based on a warrant charging the former Auburn, garbage collector with assault with intent to commit murder in the death of two persons at the Bear River campground July 12. Two others were wounded. Judge Dismisses Las Vegas Hotel Ownership Case BY GENE BLAKE Times Staff Writer Charges against the former Emprise Corp. in connection with alleged hidden ownership by underworld figures of the Frontier Hotel casino in Las Vegas were dismissed today in federal court.

Visiting U.S. Dist. Judge Gus J. Solomon of Portland ruled that the company, which has since been reconstituted as a new entity, was not properly served under New York law. Government.

attorneys said they would appeal Solomon's ruling. Also under consideration, they said, is indictment of the new Emprise Corp. The Buffalo-based holding company has large financial interests in numerous racetracks. It also operates concessions at many tracks and sports stadiums through a subsidia- ry, Sportservice, Inc. Other Charges Stand Solomon refused to dismiss charges against six individual defendants-Anthony Joseph Zerilli, Michael Santo Polizzi, Anthony Giardano, Peter James Bellanca, Jack Shapiro and Arthur James Rooks.

He also denied a motion to shift their trial to some other district. A hearing on other motions will be held next Thursday and trial was set for Jan. 18, 1972. The defendants are charged with conspiring to use interstate travel and facilities to acquire a concealed interest in the Frontier for Zerilli and Polizzi and to distribute its profits in 1966 and 1967. The hotel has since been acquired by billionaire Howard Hughes.

SEEKS NEW IMAGE Jackson's Father Asks Moratorium on Black Crime SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) -Lester Jackson, whose two sons were killed one year apart by lawmen, today called for a one-year moratorium on black crime to "save our aggressive youths, the black race, and construct a new black image." Jackson's eldest son, George, was killed in the bloody escape attempt at San Quentin, Aug. 21. Jonathan, George's 17-year-old brother, was killed Aug. 17, 1970 in the Marin County Civic Center shootout. "My sons are dead," Jackson said.

"Our angry leaders are getting knocked off one by one." Jackson, a postal employe in Pasadena, called for a one-year moratorium on "black crime in any form." Our very survival from this day on will depend on how much individual sacrifice we can make to avoid becoming involved with prejudiced law enforcement, prejudiced juries, prejudiced "It is imperative we become our brother's keeper in this concerted drive to clean our own house," Jackson said. His sons, Jackson said, ran into the frustration of American justice and "had their heads handed to them." Pair in Cowboy Hats Rob Store of $10,000 Two men wearing cowboy hats and overcoats and using sawed-off shotguns held up a liquor store early today and escaped with $10,000. The men forced two employes of the Vermont Ave. store to lie face down on the floor of a back room while they cleaned out the cash register and safe. The bandits then warned the employes not to move for four minutes and escaped.

Spring Byington wood, and Mrs. Lois Helmbold of Santa Barbara, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A family spokesman said private funeral services were pending. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital, Woodland Hills. BUILDING BURNS Plastics factory at 620 which touched off a dozen explosions.

The Venice, was destroyed by fire Tuesday night loss was estimated at $150,000 by firemen. Times photo by George R. Fry.