The Vernon Daily Record from Vernon, Texas • Page 1

ews Olii i-Campus Total 545 Lmpus enrollment at Vernon Regional Junior efor the 1978 Spring term is 545, down slightly from gregistered in the Spring of 1977, but up by 32 from -12 enrolled in the Fall of 1977, Registrar Roy leranders reported Thursday morning. Wiederanders said that enrollment in all credit hms for the Spring is 1,202, down by seven students the 1.209 reported in the Spring of 1977 and down by lm the 1.217 in all programs in the Fall of 1977. center enrollments for the Spring of 1978 as ared with the Spring of 1977 were listed as: Sheppard 492 up from 401; Burkburnett, 30, down from 54; 18, down from 48; Quanah, zero, down from lymour. 36. up from 35; Bethania Hospital, 61, down and Wichita Falls CDA, 20, down from 32.

Explodes in Gulf i'ORLEANS Coast Guard said a 492-foot ing three tons of explosives blew up in the Lf Mexico at midnight and planes and ships were ling the area for 26 crewmen. feppened about 420 miles southwest of New Orleans, nof debris or survivors had been spotted by aircraft mossing the area, the Coast Guard said. the emergency radio call at 11:55 last a ban said. said the ship was sinking, there had explosion in hatch No. 1, and they needed im- jte is the Eva Marie, of Liberian registry, which iroute from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Vera Cruz, A spokesman said the Coast Guard had verified radio SOS was genuine.

ists Close Gas Pipeline THRIE, La. gas shipments to isas, Ohio and Tennessee by Texas Gas Tran- ion Corp are being rerouted following a pair of bcular pipeline explosions at its gas compression i here Gas officials said that although the explosions fesday shut down 20 miles of pipelines, they were give their northern customers uninterrupted rerouting gas. (twin blasts sent flames soaring 40 stories in the air Irced two families to be evacuated from their homes. le was injured. Suspect Sought 'BRAUNFELS, Texas and the FBI parching today for a gunman who held up the New National Bank and briefly took the bank vice ent as a hostage.

iirge Erben, bank vice president who was the mayor Braunfels until last November, was forced to (ipany the bank robber after the holdup Wednesday loon, said T. L. Walker, bank president. (pair left in car with Erben driving, Walker and Erben was let out of the car two blocks from the (and walked back unhurt. robber drove on in the car, which was later found Boned.

Inappers Make Demand MS of wealthy industrialist lEdouard-Jean Empain have contacted the family lemanded a ransom, French authorities announced Ministry spokesman said the kidnappers ped proof they are holding the 40-year-old Belgian nan. Sources said they sent a letter written and I by him. 1 Berger, the ministry spokesman, did not reveal pount of the ransom demanded for the safe return of Jndsome heir to the Empain-Schneider group, one of e's largest industrial empires. But he said their did not appear to be political in nature. icano Leaders Rejected KIC0 CITY Five U.S.

Chicano leaders said sday President Jose Lopez Portillo rejected their prsupport from Mexico because the president 1 involved in the internal affairs of other met with Lopez Portillo Tuesday. 1 a news conference they oppose President legislation on undocumented aliens in because the administration plan is not specific. Go on Trial fTON tight security, the trial of four Houston policemen on charges of violating the f's of a young Mexican-American prisoner in their 1 began today in federal court. detection devices similar to those used at airports the lobby of the federal court house and all who entered the building were required. lin kevver Town Crier tow Example Now? again it has happened.

Fe Vernon people have talked, another pity has accomplished, member all the years when Altus Junior was something of a institution ed to Altus High School, Wilbarger County residents on January 20, to create a junior college district and a community even our size could do institution of this type, People of Altus ended their Rip Van W'inkle Ier developed a new and modem separate I after further state assistance and 1 nged the name of their institution to pn Oklahoma State College. constructed five initial buildings, then Thomas A. and Ethel King Phvsical 31'on Center. P( initial buildings and most iVe campus appeared to set the pattern for Mtus quest for a new college facility. 4 a new laiunj.

ne addition of the new Physical Education Plans were also made here for handball dn(j an indoor Olyrnpic-style swimming pool. andball courts and pool were cut out It problems. People at Altus cut back. They right on going. One of the newest completed ad (See TOWN CRIER, Page 2) Thursday JANUARY 2K.

he ernon aily ecord VOL. 5.1—No. 74 (AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS VERNON, TEXAS TWO PAGES 15c Per Copy PER CENT OF INCOME FROM SERVICES Local Hospital Tax Supported in Name Only By ORLIN BREWER Record Managing Editor Wilbarger General Hospital is having a difficult time showing a profit from operations before eventual goal of the institution if it can get average daily census figures to a higher level with new doctor auditors Williamson and Dickey, CPAs, report the financial condition of the hospital is cash flow There are some paradoxes relative to the institution. Officially, the hospital lost $69,336.62 on its operation in 1977, up from $36,737.79 in 1976. But that loss figure includes some $25,000 in payments which had to be returned to Medicare in 1977 from the 1976 fiscal year, and a declared depreciation on the hospital facilities of $125,090 during the year.

Actually, the hospital has on hand $435,094 in certificates of deposit and savings, an increase of some $105,000 above the $330,000 in fiscal 1976. The hospital also has roughly $23,000 more on deposit in banks, with the cash on hand at $137,135 up from $112,414 at the same date a year earlier Most people also consider the hospital a tax-supported institution. Although taxes do provide enough funding to make the difference between profit and loss during periods of low occupancy, the percentage of overall income received from taxes is so slight that the idea represents a frame of mind more than a reality. The audit of hospital funds just completed by the local CPA firm illustrates the point Taxes collected by the hospital district on a countywide basis during 1976 represented $177,789.77 at the 40 cent per $100 valuation rate, and $199,728 at the same rate in 1977. But the hospital operated on a budget of $2.03 million in expenditures during 1976 and $2.18 million during 1977, meaning that which go primarily to pay off bonded indebtedness on the hospital facilities rather than for less than 10 per cent of the operational cost.

The disparity between tax support and income for services provided by the hospital is even more marked than the expenditure figure would indicate. Total patient service and professional service revenues posted to the books during fiscal 1977 were $2.46 million, up from $2 16 million in fiscal 1976. But bad hospital bills that simply cannot be collected from the people out to be more than the tax support provided the hospital. The figure was $195,309.35 in fiscal 1976 and $245,076 in fiscal 1977. One of the biggest problems of hospital management is how to deal with this matter Auditors suggest that timely billing or collecting as the patient is dismissed could be a major key.

Charity care is another cost factor which can make a difference between profit and loss in hospital operation. Charity care cost the hospital district $24,441 in fiscal 1976 and $33,176 in 1977. This is an expense which is mandated by law for hospital (See HOSPITAL, Page Raging Storm Lashes Midwest REHABILITATING least four homes in the 2100 block of Bismarck Street, all rental property belonging to Avis Judd, are being rehabilitated with new and smaller windows, openings, interior work and new brick exteriors. Newly- renovated house, which was moved in and bricked, is shown in Local Scout Executive Quits Post Ronnie Benson of 2329 Paradise, Greenbelt District Scout Executive here since September of 1976, has resigned to join his father in business, authorities at the Northwest Texas Council office in Wichita Falls reported Thursday morning. Bob Bentley of Wichita Falls, program director for the Northwest Texas Council will serve as temporary executive for the Greenbelt District due to the resignation.

A new executive will be named as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Mr. Bentley told the Record he will meet with local Scout leaders at the monthly Scout Round Table set for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, in the Community Room of the First. Federal Savings and Loan Building.

At this meeting, Mr Bentley reports that he will discuss with leaders plans for the annual Scout-O-Rama and the Camporee A report on Scout Summer Camp will be made by Eagle Scout Jim Lindsey, and plans for Scout Week will be noted. Mr. Bentley, who plans to make twice monthly visits to Vernon and other towns in the Greenbelt District to assist with the Scouting program, states that the Council is taking applications for the position of district executive which requires a college degree with some background in Scouting, either as a Scout or a volunteer worker. The Greenbelt District includes the counties of Baylor, Childress, Cottle, Foard, Hardeman, King, Knox, Throckmorton and Mr. Benson is a graduate of Midwestern University.

He and wife, Margie, have two foreground. Bricks in foreground are for wood home out of picture at left, while two white houses in background, with portions of earlier window areas boarded up, are also scheduled to get new brick exteriors. (Record Photo) 38 NEW RESIDENCES 102 During Past Year his children. RONNIE BENSON Leaving Vernon Attack Claims Local Woman Miss Agatha C. Gandy, 65, died Wednesday night at her home at 1017 Paradise Street after suffering an apparent heart attack.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Sullivan Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles E. McIntyre, vicar of Grace Episcopal Church, officiating. Interment will be in East View Memorial Park.

Miss Gandy was born June 5, 1912, in Mitchell County, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. WE. Gandy. She moved to Wilbarger County with her parents in 1918.

She served as a program director at the Club. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Lucille Castlebury of Vernon; and one nephew. The family requests memorials be made to the Girls' Club of Vernon. The family will receive visitors between 5:30 and 6 p.m.

Thursday at Sullivan Funeral Home. Most of the public attention relative to available housing is generally focused on new construction, including new homes and apartment projects. But many local residents, because of inflationary costs in the construction industry, are simply improving the property they have. One location where upgrading of existing property is especially obvious is the 2100 block of Bismarck Street, where Avis Judd has completed bricking and remodeling a residence that was moved in, and is remodeling and preparing to brick the exterior of three additional residential rental properties. Just how extensive the remodeling process has been in the community is indicated by information provided Thursday by City Secretary T.

W. Daniel. Mr. Daniel said that 102 of the 199 construction permits issued by his office during 1977 were for residential remodeling. The dollar figure, which might indicate some of the economics realized, amounted to only $349,235 of the total of $4,084,434 in building permits for the year.

A total of 38 permits for new residents were issued, with dollar posts pegged at $1,469,500, and nine major non-residential permits were issued for new valuedat Weather Temperature readings for the 24-hour period ending at noon Thursday: degrees degrees Noon reading .............30 degrees Forecast: Mostly fair and warmer through Friday. Low tonight 23 to 30. High Friday 45 to 55. States Declare Emergencies construction $1,328,000. The remainder of the permits were for a variety of construction in other categories including remodeling of businesses.

Injuries Fatal To Burn Victim Mrs. E. E. Best, 85, died late Wednesday afternoon in a Dallas hospital after suffering severe burns at her home at 3000 Luna Street when the robe she was wearing caught fire, apparently from an open flame on her kitchen range. Funeral arrangements are imcomplete at Sullivan Funeral Home.

Mrs. Best was born Sept. 21, 1892. as Nettie J. W'ilkinson, at Crenton, a daughter of the late Mr.

and Mrs. John A. Wilkinson. The family moved to Texas about 1895 from Georgia and lived in the Grapevine area until 1902, when they moved to the Vernon area. They lived in the Fargo community.

She married E. E. Best in July 1913 in Vernon. She was a member of the Wilbarger Street Church of Christ. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs.

Frank Key of Vernon and Mrs. J. L. Goodrum, both of Vernon, Mrs. E.

L. Best of Lawton, Mrs. Clair Newland of Arizona and Mrs. C. Martin of Tallahassee, and two brothers, Mike Wilkinson of Vernon and Mack Wilkinson of Oklahoma City, Okla.

Twenty grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren also survive. Her husband preceded her in death in 1962 in Vernon. By PATRICK ARNOLD Associated Press Writer A storm of near-blizzard intensity jabbed into the upper Midwest today, making driving all but impossible and closing entire towns in some areas. Indiana and Ohio declared statewide emergencies, and countywide emergencies were declared in Michigan and elsewhere. Gov.

James A. Rhodes called the storm worst blizzard in Ohio Columbus and other communities were at a standstill. Schools closed and roads were blocked. Hundreds of cars were stranded along back roads and highways throughout the upper Midwest. The snow generally was 4 to 6 inches deep, but as much as 11 inches was reported in Minnesota.

Heavy winds caused drifts as deep as 10 feet in Michigan, where two storm-related deaths were reported. Meanwhile, flooding was reported in the Northeast as heavy rains combined with warmer temperatures to melt what was left of last snow storm, swelling creeks and flowing over roadways. Extremely intense winds were common. Gusts up to 80 mph forced the closing of the Tappan Zee Bridge a major link with the New York Thruway and New England north of New York City. A record low pressure system whipped in from the Gulf of Mexico and tore across the Southeast with hurricane force winds, heavy snow, bitter cold and rain.

At least four weather- related deaths were reported. A National Weather spokesman in Trenton, N.J., was talking about his own state, but could well have been looking at the weather picture throughout the eastern half of the nation when he said, you encounter one thing, inclined to encounter something Matewan, W.Va., hit by a disastrous flood last April, was under water again today. everyone moved this said resident Robert McCoy. Unlike last flash flood, the water rose about 7 inches per hour. McCoy said the flood was not nearly as bad as the one in April, but said the psychological impact was strong with memories of the earlier disaster still fresh.

State police in Kentucky closed all state highways in the western two-thirds of the state because of deep snow, while some residents of eastern Kentucky were forced to evacuate their homes when heavy rains prompted creeks to overflow their banks. Abortion Funding Is Okayed WASHINGTON (AP) The government announced today federal health care funds may be used to pay for abortions performed on the victims of rape or incest if the incident is reported within 60 days. Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph A. Califano Jr. generally adopted the position of two pro-abortion senators in interpreting abortion funding restrictions enacted by Congress last December.

interpretation of several disputed sections in the legislation was supported by an opinion signed Wednesday by Attorney General Griffin B. Bell. Under the new law, approved after months of standoff debate between the House and Senate, HEW was prohibited from financing abortions under Medicaid or other federal health programs unless the life would be endangered or her physical health severely damaged for a long period if the pregnancy were carried to term. 11 Viet Refugees Arrive in Crowell CROWELL (Spl.) A family of 11 Vietnamese refugees has arrived in Crowell to begin a new life far from their Communist homeland The refugees were met at the Wichita Falls airport Wednesday by a delegation of about 20 persons from the First Methodist Church in Crowell, headed by the Rev. Steve McElrov, pastor The Crowell church, along with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, has spoasored the move to the United States The congregation, which has rented and furnished a house in Crowell for the refugees, will continue to see after their needs for the next 30 days, while they adjust to their new surroundings.

The Crowell Cap Factory hopes to employ several members of the family in their operation. The family consists of two young married couples, a young single woman, an elderly woman, three children between the ages of six and 12, and two infants. The Rev. McElroy said the refugees speak and understand English, and have been working hard to improve their language skills. He said they left Vietnam more than a year ago, and had been staying in Malaysia since that time.

The refugees were originally expected to arrive sometime last week, but their departure from Malaysia was delayed for unexplained reasons..