Simpson's Leader-Times from Kittanning, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Where Day's News Was: By United Press International LAJES AIR BASE, Azores President Nixon returns to Washington today from the Middle East where millions cheered him during his eight-day peace mission. An aide indicated the hope those cheers will ring in the ears of the 535 members of Congress who may consider Nixon's impeachment. MOSCOW I Soviet Union has confirmed the death of Marshal Georgi Zhukov. 77, its greatest hero of World War II. Zhukov.

known as the "Eisenhower of Russia" died Tuesday afternoon in a Kremlin hospital, but official confirmation did not come until today. His funeral will be held Friday. BELFAST I A hidden bomb blasted an electric utility in the Northern Ireland city of Armagh today. It was the latest attack in an Irish Republican A campaign to force Britain to abandon the beleaguered province. A I I -White House communications director Ken W.

Clawson says "Nixon-hating partisans'' are trying the President by innuendo through a series of memos leaked from the House Judiciary Committee. "It is time to stop the leaks. It is time to open these closed-door proceedings to ttie sunshine of truth," Clawson said. WASHINGTON I -Some members of the House Judiciary Committee think evidence on one of President Nixon's own tapes proves he knew of the Watergate cover-up four days earlier than he has insisted he first learned of it. The point may seem minor but could be crucial.

If the tape does establish that, it could. undermine Nixon's Watergate defense. WASHINGTON (UPI) A $20 billion a year international food effort called "Plowshares for Peace" is Sen. George McGovern's proposal to prevent mass-starvation among the world's hungry. The South Dakota Democrat also called on President Nixon and Secretary of State Kissinger to "place the great world food and population problems at the top of their agenda" in their travels through the Middle East, Western Europe and the Soviet Union.

DETROIT (UPI) Ford Motor Co. today closed three more assembly plants, bringing to 22,750 the number of workers idled because of a week-old strike. The walkout interrupted the flow of parts from a key Illinois stamping plant. Watergate At a Glance: Vol. 86, No.

144 15 cents Wednesday, June 19, 1974 Kittanning-Ford City-New Bethlehem Weather forecast cloudy, showers. To Family and Watergate Nixon Flies Home LAJES AIR BASE. Azores I President Nixon agreed to continued U.S. support for Portugal in his last diplomatic discussions of his exhausting Mideast tour today before heading home. Nixon took off from the Azores for Washington at 10:35 a.m.

EOT. Awaiting Nixon upon his return to Washington in late afternoon was a warm welcome by his daughters and aides--as well as the Watergate and impeachment problems that have been in his background during his five-nation "journey for peace" in the Mideast. "We have just had a very constructive exchange of views with regard to the problems our two countries faqe." Nixon said after a two-hour meeting with Portugal's new president, Antonio de Spinola. "I have assured him that he will have not only the understanding of the government of the United States but to the extent that we are able, our support in meeting" Portugal's means. Nixon, showing the wear and tear of his nine days of travel, described his trip to the Middle East "as a very long and arduous journey." There was no mention by either of the two leaders of -a renewal of the lease for U.S.

use of the Azores base itself, a subject that some officials had said would be discussed. The lease on the Por! uguese island base expired Feb. 3. A greeting by members ot the Cabinet and Nixon's family was planned for his late afternoon return in Washington. Also awaiting him were the Watergate and impeachment problems that, the President has On Port of Panel Believes Evidence Found Of Earlier Watergate Knowledge WASHINGTON I -some members of the House Judiciary committee think found evidence on one if President Nixon's own tapes that he knew of the Watergate cover-up four days earlier than tie has insisted he first learned of it.

The point may seem minor but could be crucial. If the tape does establish that, it could undermine Nixon's Watergate defense. It would throw into question his contention that, acting decisively and swiftly, he initiated "intensive new in- i i immediately upon learning on March 21, 1973, of his administration's complicity. The tape the heard Tuesday was of a June 4, 1973, conversation. In that conversation, according to Chairman Peter W.

Rodino and some other members, Nixon acknowledged knowing of "the possible involvement of White House personnel" in the If Budget Not Passed Governor Vows To Shut Down State By United Press International --Some members of the House Judiciary Committee say a Nixon tape shows the President knew about the Watergate cover-up as early as March 17, 1973. Nixon has said he learned of it four days later, on March 21, and immediately launched inquiries. But one committee member said interpretation of the tape did not contradict Nixon's version. --A staff report by the Senate a a i distributed to members for their approval, says Nixon's 1972 campaign "spanned the entire spectrum of corrupt campaign financing." It recommends a nonpartisan government commission be created to police financing of future elections. --Ken W.

Clawson, White House communications director, said "Nixon-hating partisans" have leaked slanderous innuendos about the President from the secret House impeachment hearings. William P. Dixon, a House Judiciary Committee staff employe and former campaign aide to 1972 Democratic candidate George S. McGovern wrote a number of committee memos that were leaked. But no one charged he was responsible for leaking them.

--Chief U.S. District Court Judge George L. Hart granted immunity to E. Howard Hunt Jr. and David R.

Young for testimony they are expected to give in the Ellsberg break-in trial, beginning a week from today. Young was codirector of the White House "plumbers." Hunt is currently appealing his sentence in the Watergate break-in case. --Former Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst was questioned by the Senate Judiciary committee on the Justice Department's early handling of the Watergate case. Deaths of the Day (Details on Page 16) Mrs.

Harry C. (Ethel Mae) Decker, 83, of New Bethlehem RD 3. Miss Jennie Olcus, 70, of Karns City RD 2. HARRISBURG (UPI) Gpv. Milton J.

Shapp says he will shut state government down before he signs stop gap appropriations if the legislature doesn't pass a budget by June 30. Stop-gaps would continue to fund vital state operations even though.Shapp has not signed a budget. He made it clear at a news conference Tuesday he will have nothing to do with them. "I have not accepted stop gaps since I have been in office," Shapp said. "The stopgaps that were accepted by -my predecessor led to the fiscal collapse of this state by the end of 1970." And if the budget isn't passed, that means there would be a repeat performance of last July, when for nearly two weeks state workers faced "payjess paydays" and welfare checks were stopped.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has amended the $3.88 billion Democrat budget into a House-passed bill. That should speed up the budget process, but there are other problems with the spending plan. The Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL) has warned that the proposed budget could lead to massive deficits and a tax increase if state spending is not cut back. Shapp said he would "make sure" he is not forced into the deficit situation that would lead to the tax increase. He said he would not allow "such fiscal chaos" happen.

"I will make sure the state is not spent into deficit situations similar to what I inherited when I became governor," the. governor said. He also urged the legislature to pass the budget and said he would work with legislative leaders to draw up a compromise before the deadline. In another budget area, Shapp said revenue estimates for the end of this year have been revised, and the state should have a $130 million surplus at the end of June. Earlier the projected surplus was $100 million.

Shapp would not comment with any depth on questions about the PEL report, claiming he has not met with PEL officials to discuss their sources and recommendations. PEL is a private agency respected by both Democrats and Republicans for its accurate analyses of fiscal issues. Both parties have relied on PEL estimates during budget battles in recent years. According to the PEL study, the $313 million tax relief plan passed earlier this year and a 12 to 13 per cent increase in state spending could lead to deficits twice as large as Shapp had predicted. (See 2 on Page Two) cover-up as early as March 17.

At today's closed-door session, the committee was to look into the very event which brought life to Congress' impeachment inquiry --the firing of Archbibald Cox as special Watergate prosecutor last Oct. 20. The issue is whether Cox's firing represents part of an obstruction of justice by Nixon. Also under examination is whether the famous 18 2 minute gap in another tape can be considered destruction of evidence. After they had heard the June 4, 1973, tape, members disagreed on whether it showed Nixon had revealed knowledge of the cover-up prior to March 21, 1972.

So staunch a Nixon defender as Rep: Charles E. Wiggins, R- said the tape showed Nixon had at least an "inkling" of his administration's involvement in the cover-up. Rep. Walter Flowers, paraphrased Nixon as saying maybe I know of something around March 17." But, he said "it was not a definite admission." Rep. Delbert Latta, R-Ohio, however, said he heard no admission at all.

been away from for more than a week. Nixon will spend one night in Washington before going to Key Biscayne, for the weekend to rest from his exhausting Mideast trip, review his accomplishments and prepare for a Summit i next week to Moscow. "The diplomacy on this trip has opened the door to peace in the Middle East and the nations in the area now have an opportunity to walk through that door." Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler said in assessing the trip. Although the crowd at Lajes Air Base on the tiny Atlantic island of Terceira consisted of a few hundred residents and U.S military families, it was as enthusiastic as larger ones. They mobbed Nixon, pushing so close his hair was mussed.

Children crushed by the crowd could be heard crying. The President, enthusiastically shaking hands, was so surrounded by people that only his head and an upraised arm could be seen. Summing up, Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler said Nixon (See 1 on Page Two) Tired first Lady Stays in Limousine LAJES AIR BASE, Azores (UPI) A tired Pat Nixon stayed in the presidential limousine while her husband mobbed by several hundred well-wishers at the U.S airbase. She put her arm out an open window to shake hands with some of the' women and children, including Portuguese residents and families of U.S..

military personnel. "Is that Pat Nixon?" asked an awed little girl. The President was not far away, but surrounded by well- wishers who got so close they mussed his hair. "Only his head and outstretched arm were visible as he shook as many hands as he could. The well- wishers pressed so tightly that some children cried.

Nixon looked fatigued, but seemed to love the warm reception. NATO CONFERENCE KICK-OFF--Demonstrators mingled with crowd outside Senate Chambers during opening ceremonies of two-day NATO conference irt (UPI Telpphoto) Ottawa. There was some shouting, sign waving, but otherwise it was a quiet demonstration. Vinyl Chloride Cancer Scare Spreads From Factory to Homes WASHINGTON (UPI) --The vinyl chloride cancer scare has jumped the fence from grimy factories to surrounding neighborhoods with frightening new statistics from Connecticut. It ultimately may be tracked into the homes.

of almost every American consumer. The mystery surrounding vinyl chloride suddenly deepened this week with the first figures showing what may be two confirmed cases of people who developed liver cancer -not because they worked with the plastic chemical but because they lived near plants where it was produced. Officials at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health are calling them the first "downwind cases." The deaths occurred in the towns of Bridgeport and Stratford among people who lived as far as miles from vinyl chloride plants in the past 30 years. One of the Connecticut victims was a housewife. The other was by the government as a Puerto Rican plasterer who immigrated to New York and later lived --and died --in the vicinity of one of the Connecticut plants.

The same figures from the Connecticut Cancer Registry also show two other cases of liver cancer that have been confirmed as the first incidents involving secondary exposure. These people worked not with the basic vinyl chloride gas but in turning its powder or pelletized version called polyvinyl chloride --into consumer products. While only about 6,500 U.S. workers are employed in plants where basic vinyl chloride gas is handled, about 700,000 come into contact with it in its later The health implications for that industry only now are beginning to be realized. And the.hazards to people living near plants where vinyl chloride is processed are only just being discovered.

Health officials do know that about 6 per cent of the 6 billion pounds of vinyl chloride gas produced in the United States every year escapes into the air --usually through factory smokestacks. The Environmental Protection Agency recently surveyed seven chemical complexes in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Louisiana, California, Ohio, Delaware and New Jersey and found no evidence of an stages while turning the widely imminent health hazard; but it iplastic into everything stresses that its findings were told the $12 Where To Put Oxygen i Hospital Property Sale Creates Problem for Health Center Board White House Claims Nixon 'Being Tried by Innuendo' Winning Number I Pa. I The winning number selected today in the Pennsylvania weekly 50-cent lottery, top prize $50,000, was 798626. The millionaire finalist number was 63869. The compact car bonus number was 883582.

WASHINGTON (UPI) A White House spokesman says President Nixon is being tried by innuendo through a series of memos leaked from the House Judiciary Committee's closed- door impeachment inquiry. On top of that, he says, some of the memos were written by a former McGovern campaign worker now employed by the Judiciary Committee. "The purposeful effort to bring down the President with smoke-f illed room operations by a clique of Nixon-hating partisans is an affront to the sense of fairness of every American," Ken W. Clawson, White House communications director, said Tuesday. "It is time to stop the leaks.

It is time to open these closed- door proceedings to the sunshine of truth." Saying he was speaking only for himself, Clawson protested that leaks damaging tb Nixon have been coming from the impeachment inquiry with "the alacrity of a carnival barker at the country fair." He said Chairman Peter W. Rodino, D- N.J, has let the committee get "out of hand," and the inquiry has become "a charade," a "trial by innuendo." Clawson was protesting a series of leaks, many based on memos written by William P. Dixon, who works for a i i a subcommittee chaired by Rep. Robert Kastenmeier, but has been loaned occasionally to the full committee's impeachment inquiry staff. An aide to Kastenmeier said Dixon worked in the 1972 presidential campaign of Sen.

George S. McGovern, both in the Wisconsin primary and at the national level. At the request of Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee, Dixon wrote 14 memos on aspects of the impeachmentinvestigation. The memos did not represent committee conclusions, and Clawson called them "one- sided." Some that were leaked were based on filling in "unintelligi- bles" in Nixon tapes. They attributed to the President racial slurs, a remark that Former Attorney General John Mitchell should take the Fifth Amendment if called to testify and a promise to accept "some culpability" for Watergate hush money.

Committee Republicans also were angered by the memos. No one has accused Dixon of leaking them, but Rodino ordered him not to write any more of them. The Armstrong County Health Center Board of Directors got together last night to discuss the "blackout." The blackout which concerned the board was not an electrical power shortage, however, but being kept in the dark about the sale of property owned by the Redevelopment Authority of Armstrong County which surrounds the old Armstrong County Memorial Hospital building, the health center site. In particular, board members complained about the sale of one parcel of land to Michael Gribik of Ford City allegedly to be used for a supermarket. The tract sold for 80 cents per square foot.

It seems the hospital had located its oxygen tank on the Gribik property and an underground line runs under an alley to connect the tank (now removed) to the hospital. Also on the site is a block building, used as a storage shed by the hospital, which doubled as a shield should the tank explode. The unpublicized sale of the hospital project property came to light at last Monday's Kittanning Borough council meeting, when councilmen approved the sale, after huddling with Charles A. Nath, executive director of the Redevelopment Authority, in a closed-door in caucus session. Officials say immediate approval was necessary, because of federal deadlines for filing funding applications and the fact that this redevelopment project must be completed before 1975.

Hanging over the councilmen's heads is the knowledge that should amendatory applications be turned down, the borough will have to come up with $75,000 to finish the work. Wednesday (June 12) the Redevelopment Board approved the sale and Friday (June 14) the county commissioners did the same. All three government bodies must approve such transactions. Health center officials learned of the importance of the Gribik property after a recent tour of the old hospital conducted by Wally Silvis, veteran maintenance man. It was during this outing, board members first become aware of the oxygen line and reasons that the block building was constructed.

It was noted last night, when the board released the Gribik tract and other property to the Redevelopment Authority when plans to build a geriatrics center foiled, nothing was said about the line, tank or barrier wall. Now the health center people are wondering where to locate an oxygen tank and what the cost will be? They feel certain safety factors and accessibility will enter into the decision and costs will be substantial. Russel W. Haller, board president, had these comments on the situation, "I don't know if I want to use the word deplore, but that's about as close as I can come to it, the lack of liaison between council, redevelopment and this board." He then told the board that he attended the latest council meeting on other business and no one told him about the hospital property sale being on the agenda. "I'm highly critical of the efforts of Redevelopment and borough council in not notifying us to be there to get our inquiries into the sale of these lands that we would have some input, Haller said, adding, "I don't care what they sold that land I think that this hospital project is the biggest thing going in down there and it's going to be the big jobholder in the area." He again attacked the lack of liaison, lack of concern between the groups involved in the project.

"So it's done. What he asked his colleagues. (See 3 on Page Two) from seat covers to briefcases. State Demo Treasurer Faces Trial for Macing BUTLER, Pa. (UPI) William R.

Casper, treasurer of the Democratic State Committee, has been ordered held for court on 11 charges of macing and one charge of criminal conspiracy. Casper, who also is Butler County Democratic chairman, was ordered held after appearing Tuesday before Justice of the Peace John M. Banyay, who dismissed 17 of 28 counts of ma- cing against Casper. Banyay also dismissed conspiracy and macing charges against two Pennsylvania Department of Transportation a i a superintendents in Butler County Mark H. Rhodes and Jerome B.

Geibel. Rhodes had been accused on two counts of macing and one of conspiracy and Geibel had been charged on five counts of macing and one of conspiracy. Frank R. Harvey, now a PennDot assistant superintendent in Mercer County, testified that Casper, also head of the state's parimutuel racing division, allegedly told a meeting at the PennDot offices in June, 1973 that assistant superintendents and equipment operators should be told to contribute $120 and laborers $60. The Butler County district attorney's office and state police conducted the investigation into the macing charges.

LOCK HORNS--Charles A. Nath (left), executive director of Redevelopment Authority of Armstrong County, and Russell W. Haller, Kittanning businessman and president of Armstrong County Health Center Board, hash over prob- lem of what to do about oxygen tank and line at old hospital building. Site where tank was located was owned by Redevelopment Authority and was sold last week to commercial interests. sketchy and it told the billion-a-year industry it should take immediate steps to reduce neighborhood exposure to the iowest practical level.

For the average consumer who may be wearing, carrying, using or otherwise living with some polyvinyl chloride product almost every waking moment, the health implications are less clear but no less a cause for concern. Nixon Pushed Compromise In Mideast CAIRO (UPI) What President Nixon said and did on his eight-day Middle East tour brought home to the Arabs and Israelis an important message: The material and moral power of the United States is there to help them live and let live. With one hand, Nixon pledged material aid. With the other, he opened their eyes to the need for mutual accommodation to achieve peace. That he succeeded in doing this can be seen in significant statements from all sides.

Egypt's President Anwar Sadat said Nixon's visit left the Egyptians with "greater hope for the success of peace efforts." Israeli Information Minister Aharon Yariv said, "I think this visit has the potential to strengthen the elements on which a process can be based that can lead to settlements that eventually can lead to peace." Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger said in Jerusalem "it is our conviction that for the first time the Arab states, even the more radical ones like Syria, are talking about a continuing state of Israel." Saltsburg Area Man Killed in Cycle. Crash SALTSBURG, Pa. (UPI) Frederick Hill, 35, Saltsburg RD2, Indiana County, was killed Tuesday night when his motorcycle struck an automobile pulling out of a service station on Pa. 286.

The driver of the car, Edna M. Graham, 55, Saltsburg RD2, was not injured. The accident occurred in Loyalhanna Westmoreland County about a mile west of here. On Inside Pages Amusement 15 Classified Ads 18-19 Comics 14 Deaths 16 Editorial 4 Financial 20 Sports 12-13 Women's Pages 6-7.