The Daily Tribune from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin • Page 1

THE DAILY TRIBUNE Fifty-Ninth Year-No. 17,033 INFORMING THE SOUTH COUNTY A A OF I I Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54494, Thursday, August 9, 1973 20 Pages, Two Sections Single Copy 15 Agnew: I won't resign WASHINGTON (AP) Proclaiming that he will not be impaled on a sword of "damned lies," Vice President Spiro T. Agnew has taken up his Own defense against allegations that he accepted political kickbacks. And Agnew insists he will not resign. Meanwhile, a federal grand jury which since January has been investigating political corruption in Maryland went back into session in Baltimore i morning, although federal prosecutors would not say whether Agnew was the subject of the session.

One of tire prosecutors told a U.S. marshal outside the grand 'jury room that no indictments were expected today. Breaking a self-imposed silence that lasted less than 48 hours, Agnew called newsmen together Wednesday to denounce assertions that he accepted kickbacks of $1,000 a week while governor of Maryland and a payment of $50,000 from one contractor after becoming vice president. "I a no intention to be skewered in this fashion and since I have no intention to be so skewered, I have called this press conference to label as false and scurrilous and malicious these rumors, these assertions and accusations a are being circulated," Agnew said. The reports that Agnew accepted kickbacks were published after he disclosed Monday that he was a subject of an investigation by U.S.

Atty. George Beall in Baltimore. The investigation involves allegations of bribery, extortion and tax evasion arising from kickbacks allegedly paid by building contractors, engineers Handgun ban called for WASHINGTON (AP) federal crime commission today urged all states to outlaw handguns except for law enforcement and military officers and to seize all those in civilian hands. The commission also said states should no longer impose jail sentences for the crimes of gambling, marijuana use, pornography, prostitution and private sexual acts between consenting adults. States should consider repealing laws against those activities, the commission said.

The recommendations were contained in a 318-page report by the National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals. The commission chairman, former Delaware Gov. Russell W. Peterson, delivered the report to Atty. Gen.

Elliot L. Richardson today. The 22- member commission, including present and former governors, state and local police officials and judges, drafted the recommendations after a two-year study financed by a federal grant. In a statement prepared for a naws conference, Richardson said the study "may be the most important report on crime control ever compiled in this country." He said the Nixon administration "is neither 'endorsing nor opposing the hundreds of specific standards and goals contained in the report." But over-all, he added, "it strikes a reasonable balance and sets out reasonable goals." In a strong attack" on handguns, the report said "the commission believes that the violence, fear, suffering and loss caused by the use of handguns must be stopped by firm and decisive action." The commission said that no later than Jan. 1, 1983, all states should prohibit the pos- session sale, manufacture and importation of handguns except for law enforcement and military officials.

It recommended no change in present laws regulating rifles and shotguns and said weapons collectors should be permitted to keep inoperative handguns. "The commission believes that private use and possession of handguns infringes on the right of the American public to be free from violence and death caused by the use of handguns," the report said. Acknowledging that many citizens keep guns for personal protection, the commission said "a handgun in the home is more likely to kill a member of the family than it to provide lifesaving protection from burglars and robbers." In support of the recommendation, the commission cited FBI statistics 'Showing that more than half of all reported murders were committed with handguns. Panel still favors plan for medical clinic site By Thomas Lonergan Tribune Staff Writer The sale of city land for $4,000 per a to a of Wisconsin Rapids doctors was recommended again Wednesday by the common council's public property committee. The doctors wish to construct a medical i i on city land in the vicinity of Hill and Dewey Sts.

A building for 20 to 30 doctors is planned. Dr. Norbert Arendt, spokesman for the doctors, said two out-of-town doctors have said they would move here if the clinic is built but he declined to identify them. Last month the council defeated a similar recommendation that 7.95 acres of land be sold at $4,000 per acre. The doctors are interested in purchasing only the amount of land needed for the building and a 300-space parking lot.

The amount needed is to be determined by an architect. The council voted to sell the doctors the land but the purchase price has been the point of disagreement for over a month. The council will meet Tuesday to act on the committee recommendation. The doctors are "willing to drop the issue tonight if that's what the community wants," Dr. Arendt told the committee.

Tne doctors last week issued a statement of purpose for development of the i i which was signed by 11 physicians and two dentists. The statement, which includes the doctors' i to buy the needed land at $4,000 per acre, was recommended for council approval on a two to one vote. Alderman Eugene Bukowski, i chairman, a Alderman Erwin Fleet voted for acceptance of me statement and Alderman Carol Broker voted against it. Alderman Harold Zager, another i member, is on vacation. Copies of the statement were distributed to all council members last week.

Mrs. Broker seeks a negotiating session between the city and the doctors to establish a price for the land. The $4,000 figure, the same price land is sold for in the city's industrial park, was set by the committee last month. Tnc price was proposed to the committee by Mayor Donald Penza. Mrs.

Broker said the doctors' statement "doesn't answer enough questions." She said it must be decided if the city sells the land at a low price whether there will be "strings attached" to the agreement. She also questions allowing dentists into the building when the doctors have stated the purpose of the building is to recruit primary care physicians. Dr. Norbert Arendt, spokesman for the doctors, slid primarily doctors would be in the building. He said its purpose is to recruit "people to help us and replace us." Dr.

Arendt would not say whether the doctors would negotiate with the city, until the group met and voted on the matter. Constructing the building for the doctors' financial benefit was disallowed by Dr. Arendt. He said he now pays $2.15 per square foot rental at the Doctor's 'Clinic and the projections for rental in a new building would be $8 or $9 per square foot. All doctors entering the building would pay increased rent and must abide by federal price controls as well, Dr.

Arendt said. He said there would be "no profiteering" on the part of the doctors because too many would be involved in the building to allow the favoritism of one group. All building tenants will pay a cost per square foot rental the building cor- See--Clinic site--Page 2 and architects to Maryland and Baltimore County political figures. Republican fund-raising efforts also are involved. Asked if he was unequivocally denying the kickback charges, Agnew replied: "I am denying them outright, and I am labeling them--and I think a person in my position at a time like this might be permitted this departure from normal language--as damned lies." In fielding a wide range of questions about the probe, Agnew also said: --He will not resign, nor will he even step aside on a temporary basis while the investigation is going on.

--He has "no expectation of being indicted." --He met with President Nixon for more than an hour on Tuesday, discussing the investigation. Agnew said he is satisfied with Nixon's expressions of support, although he feels he could stand on his own feet and isn't seeking support from anyone. --He finds his position a distressing one for a public official Mandatory allocation of fuel outlined WASHINGTON (AP) The Nixon administration today gut- lined an eight-point program for mandatory allocation of petroleum products but said it had no immediate plans to implement the proposal. "We are not now planning to implement a mandatory program at any specific time in the forseeable future," said President Nixon's top energy aide, Colorado Gov. John A.

Love. "We are attempting to develop the best program, however, in recognition a circumstances in the future may require such a program," he said. Love said the mandatory allocation program was being offered to give the public the opportunity to consider the problems involved and to make comments on how to help remedy the problem. He welcomed debate over the proposed program, saying that "this or any other mandatory program runs the great risk of reducing, not increasing, the available supplies of fuels." Love said a voluntary allocation plan announced earlier by the administration would remain in effect for the time being. Love said he has urged price controls "which fully recognize the need for increased supply." He said that an announcement will be made Friday on final Phase 4 rules which he said he believed "will facilitate increased imports of both crude oil and products, as well as increased domestic production He said the Phase 4 regulations will give special attention to meeting the problems of heating oil for this winter.

emphasized his intention "to do all in my power to insure thai fair play prevails" for independent petroleum dealers. Biron may get sewer plant aids By Jocsph Karius Tribune Editor The village of Biron is one of about 50 state communities which likely will receive federal and state aid during the next two years for a sewage treatment project. Biron was ranked 24th on a priority list for anti-pollution grants released today by the Wisconsin Department of Natr ural Resources. Other South Wood County communities, Wisconsin Rapids, Arpin, and Plttsvillc, were ranked far down on the list of 504 projects. With only $87 million available in aids for projects, those ranked below 50 are not likely to receive funding in fiscal 1973 or 1974, DNR spokesman said today.

(Pittsville was ranked 291, Arpin, 300 and Wisconsin Rapids 362.) The priority listing issued today still does not resolve the long-standing controversy involving Biron, Wisconsin Rapids and the Wood County Planning Office. Biron has plans for a $375,000 secondary treatment plant and over the past two years has been pushing for approval of aids to construct the facility. That approval has been delayed, however, by recent federal requirements calling for waste treatment facilities to be part of an area or regional plan. Such a plan for South Wood County submitted to the DNR this summer by the county planning office recommends Biron tie in with the Wisconsin Rapids sewage plant as the best "cost effective" means of solving the village's sewage treatment problem, Oliver Williams assistant administrator for the DNR's i i i Environmental Protection, said today his agency has not yet acted on the county recommendation. The DNR must certify the county plnn to the federal Environmental i Agency before final approval of any grants.

Most plans being certified now are for regional solutions, Williams said, but he noted Biron officials have challenged data used in the county analysis. "It's possible we might have to have a joint conference with Biron and the city and county before the question of cost effectiveness is finally resolved," Williams added. Today's priority listing is important In that Biron will he eligible for about 80 per cent of the cost of cither joining the city or building its own plant. Theodore Wlsniewski, assistant to the administrator for the DNR division, said the priority rating will not be changed by the specific project, or cost. The project cost listed In the DNR rating for Biron Is aids--Page 2 to be in, but is more concerned about proving his innocence than he is about whatever damage the charges may have done to his 'political future.

--If and when the Baltimore investigation goes to a grand jury, he will decide then whether to appear before it. Agnew said he had decided to break his silence on the charges because of defamatory statements being leaked to the news media by what he said the press characterized as sources "close to the federal investigation." One particular target of Agnew's displeasure appeared to be that Jerome B. Wolff, a Baltimore County consultant, had told prosecutors of alleged kickbacks beginning in 1962 and of the alleged $50,000 kickback for past and possibly future services. Within hours after Agnew wound up the 31-minute news conference, Beall disavowed any involvement on his part or the part of his assistants in the news stories Agnew assailed. "We have preserved and will continue to preserve secrecy of the proceedings until such time as public disclosure can properly be made," Beall said.

Agnew released the text of a letter from Beall to Judah Best, Agnew's attorney, which first informed the vice president formally that he was a part of the federal probe. It said Agnew was being investigated for possible violations of criminal statutes including conspiracy, extortion and bribery. It asked that Agnew or his representative turn over all his bank records and tax returns back to Jan. 1, 1967. Before the letter was released, Agnew had said he would turn over his personal records "at the appropriate time, in the appropriate way to the appropriate parties." An Agnew lawyer, Jay H.

Topkis, told the Baltimore Sun that no records will be turned over today. "Let me say right now, I have no expectation of being indicted and I am not going to face any contingent thinking of that type at this time," Agnew said to newsmen. "I have nothing to hide." Asked if he had ever received money for his personal use from companies doing business with Maryland or the federal government, Agnew replied: "Absolutely not." See--Agnew--Page 2 Today's chuckle A discouraged householder reports that he was about' to join an organization that fights inflation but they raised their dues. SHOWS POLICE MURDER SCENE Elmer Wayne Henley, 17; at the mass murder scene in Houston where he showed police the site where at least eight murder victims were buried and possibly more. Henley reportedly shot the man responsible for the mass murders, then told police the bizzare tale.

(AP Wirephoto) Murderer claims 8 in Houston HOUSTON (AP) Police dug up more of a boat stall today where eight bodies were found in shallow graves, all believed victims of homosexual perversion. Meanwhile, police in suburban Pasadena were planning to dig up the yard of a dead man a youth said was responsible for the killings. "When you're dealing with a nut like this, that is a sex pervert, you can expect anything," said police officer Breck Porter. "It would take a perverted, sadistic type of a clown to pull something like this, but I think there is more involved than just one man here," Porter said. The macabre story started Wednesday when a 17-year-old Houston youth led officers to the shallow graves in the city's southwest section and said he had killed the man responsible for the deaths.

The youth told authorities he shot and killed Dean Allen Corll, 33, of Pasadena after an all-night party in Corll's home, during which the yourh and two others had passec" out after smelling spray paint. Police said they found what appeared to be torture instruments in the Corll home. The youth said as he awoke, Corll was putting handcuffs on him and had already bound the other two youths. He said Corll told him he would have to kill all of them. The youth, identified by police as Elmer Wayne Henley, said he convinced Corll that he was an ally.

He said that when Corll put down a .22 pistol, he picked it up and shot Corll as Corll came at him. The youth said Corll had told him of killing some persons and burying them in the boat stall. Porter said the youth mentioned the names of three youths being sought by Houston authorities. "We checked with missing persons and those names checked out so we came out here and started digging," Porter said. First reports indicated that possibly only the three bodies mentioned by the youth might be found, but as the digging continued, more bodies turned up.

Some of the bodies were wrapped in plastic bags and bound with nylon rope. Many were badly decomposed. Authorities theorized some may have been in the stall as long as three years. "We expect we'll find more bodies," Porter said, pointing to the stall where less than half of the 15 feet by 35 feet floor had been dug up by Houston city jail trustees. Porter and Pasadena Del.

David Mullican both said they believed more than one person was involved in the killings. Mullican said that among the items found in Corll's home was a "long board that had holes in each corner and ropes so he could tie someone spread eagle." He said police also found nylon rope similar to that which had been used to tie up the unearthed bodies. "It looks like a case where a guy who liked perverted sex activities has been killing people to cover up his acts," Mullican said. Positive identification of the bodies will be a following autopsies, Porter said. Once-Over THE DAILY 1 TRIBUNE Deadline passes, but mall contract is still unsigned On the inside How does the new 'informal probate' work? See Page 5.

Mid-State Technical Institutes Phase II contracts awarded; construction could start next week. See Page 11. Two Wisconsin Rapids runners enter marathon at Hurley. See Page 8. Kevin Cooney wins pitchers' duel as Wisconsin Rapids Twins end skid.

See Page 8. Four area stock car drivers among leaders for state championship series finale. See Page 9. Area 4-H clubs plan for fairs, trips. See Page 15.

Nixon and Agnew are each handling their separate crises differently. See Page 3. Rain possible Tonight should bring lows around GO and a chance of scattered showers or thunderstorms, with Friday expected to have a high in the 70s, with more clouds and more possibilities of rain. At this point, the weather for the weekend doesn't look too promising, with partly cloudy skies and a chance of some rain both Saturday and Sunday. Wednesday's high in Wisconsin Rapids was 82, with a low of 71, along with .43 of an inch of rain.

Today at 6 a.m., it was 64 and at noon we had 74 degrees under partly sunny skies. By J. Michael Kelly Tribune Staff Writer The developers of a proposed $6-7 million shopping mall in downtown Wisconsin Rapids are "dragging their feet, and if they don't get moving, we'll put it (the mall project) out to public bidding," according to Redevelopment Director Robert Harkins. The planned mall would be located in an area bounded by W. Grand and 4th, Hale and 7th Sts.

The developers, Harold Nobler and B. H. Levine of Schoficld, have had sole rights to do preliminary planning on the mall since last November. This March, the developers and the Wisconsin Rapids Redevelopment Authority agreed to negotiate terms for a final contract on the mall. According to the terms of the the developers had until last Monday to produce letters of Intent from renters Daily Tribune collection notice This is collection weekend for all Daily Tribune city and motor route carriers.

Your cooperation will be appreciated. of 50 per cent of the 193,000 square feet of rental space in the mall and final information on building plans and financing. Then they were supposed to sign the final, formal disposition contract on the mall. But the developers haven't been very prompt, according to Harkins. "Every i we request something, they either ignore our request or submit it late," he said.

A meeting between the developers and the Authority, which was to be held Monday, has been postponed because of disagreements on the final contract. Nobler said. "We want to meet with the Authority, and we're waiting for them to contact us about the meeting." Nobler said the developers had asked for "a few minor changes in the contract," and were waiting to see what the Authority had to say about the changes. Rut Harkins doesn't agree with Nobler's contention. "A few changes? They've got eight pages of changes, many of i a unreasonable and would he tossed out the window by HUD." HUD Is the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the federal agency which is financing the Authority's part in the mall project.

of the a requested by the developers include giving them first option on other lands the Authority may buy, having the Authority pay title insurance, and a host of other technical changes dealing with transfer of stock and other conditions of construction and financing. "This contract has to he approved by HUD," Harkins said, "and if they see nil these changes, they're just not going to approve it," Harkins said Authority officials were a i a reply to the developers concerning the contract changes. "When they get that, they'll have maybe 10 days to respond, and if they still don't like it, then we may have to bring in another quarterback," he said. Until the actual contract is signed, there would be no penalty if either the developers or the Authority backed out of the deal. If the Authority began advertising for a new developer, Levine and Nobler would Sec--Mall--Page 2 0 Itn by NIA "Thai's no prowler out there.

our golf-nut neighbor going to get a tee-off time.".