San Antonio Express from San Antonio, Texas • Page 3

Sell it faster! Call 225-1666 for the most effective want ad section. Phone firm room shown ASSOCIATED PRESS HOUSTON a little room, not much bigger than a large closet, on the 12th floor of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. office here where security agents can listen in on any phone conversation in the city. The room contains monitoring equipment which Bell security agent Jim Russell said can be used to tape conversations and to determine which numbers are being called by telephone customers. Russell conducted a tour of the room for news Tuesday.

It puzzled several newsmen since Bell officials earlier had stoutly denied that such facilities existed. But Russell said the equipment in the room has been used for years. Empowered Bell is empowered to monitor, or wiretap, telephone conversations when there is reason to suspect the telephone company is being defrauded. nothing secret about the room at he said, apparently as puzzled as the newsmen about the earlier denials that it existed. nothing wrong about it all," said Russell.

strictly legal. There's nothing clandestine about When Bell determines which line they want to monitor, he said, a connectin is made at a switching office. This, in effect, plugs equipment in the room into the selected line. Whenever the telephone customer makes a call, the machine records the number that is dialed, the duration of the call, the date and the time. When the need arises to ac- tuallv monitor the conversation, a tape recorder can be plugged into the machine.

The recorder automatically goes on, said Russell, when the telephone receiver is picked up. It stops recording when the parties hang up. Cutoff The security agent claimed that the recorder is equipped with a two minute cutoff so that it records only the first of the conversation. shooting for the he said. that we care what's Russell said the conversation monitoring part of the equipment has liecn iWiVWfM number still due San Antonio News readers were still waiting Tuesday for the Cash-O-Rama contest to offer a winning number for that huge $5,000 bonus prize.

The bonus prize grew from $1,000 to $5,000 by thousand- dollar leaps each week for the past four weeks when it went unclaimed. Once it reaches $5,000, however, it stays at that level until someone wins it. If no one claims it this week, it will be offered again next week. Since a winning number for the big prize yet run this week, you still have a chance to get in on the first number offering. It just might be your lucky number.

a Cash-O-Rama winner when a winning number matches the lucky number on your copy of magazine from Express-News. You have a chance at daily prizes of $100, $50, $25 and $10 and you also have a chance at the big $5,000 prize. Complete Cash-O-Rama rules are in the magazine. used only once. That was in 1972 when Bell was investigating unpaid long distance calls being made by a socalled device.

Monitoring of that line then resulted in the conviction of a San Antonio man, Michael Clegg, who is now suing Southwestern Bell for $31 million for damages resulting from alleged illegal wiretapping. Russell said evidence collected by the monitoring equipment is turned over to the FBI as part of the prosecution process. This evidence, he said, includes paper tapes listing the calls made and, when necessary, the recordings of the conversations. The FBI cannot wiretap telephones, under federal law, without first obtaining a court order and then following a set of strict rules. The phone company, how'- ever, can conduct unlimited wiretapping when telephone fraud is suspected.

The FBI has merely to subpoenea the information to receive the whole product of the wiretap. Russell said the monitoring equipment, called a Dialed Number Recorder, is used most frequently to trace harassing, obscene and nuisance telephone calls. Only the of the security agents, he told one newsman, prevents use of the equipment for unlimited, illegal wiretapping. ANTONIO December 11 1974 Page 3-A Bank, motel occupy renewal land Hospital officials and bankers Tuesday decided to begin a joint bank-motel development venture on a key parcel of downtown urban renewal land. San first television station celebrates its 25th anniversary Tuesday with a npme change.

WOAI-TV, Channel 4, became KMOL-TV. Vice president and general manager of the station Edward V. Cheviot, left, and Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Robert McDermott throw the switch turning on the lights for the new call letters. Channel formal opening was Dec. 1 1, 1949.

S.A. may get more tax from Ma Bell San Antonio officials plan two moves that probably will increase tax revenue paid by Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. One method will be to change the way the city assesses Bell property for tax purposes. City Finance Dir. Car! White said Tuesday.

The second will be to ask City Council to increase the two per cent franchise tax Bell pays the city. White said Bell pays a four per cent franchise tax other Texas cities. Hi1 said the Bell places on its property for tax purposes is different than the value given for rate-making purposes. Bell and city officials are attempting to resolve the discrepancy. White said.

He thinks a higher assessment will result and produce as much as an additional $1 million in tax revenue next year. $1.85 million The private utility paid the city $1.85 million in taxes for the 1973-74 fiscal year. White said. It's possible Bell will be assessed retroactively for past years if underassessment is proved. White said.

Bell offered the value of its property in the metropolitan area, including areas outside the city, at $220,230,000 for rate-making purposes. It's value for city purposes was $127,478,230. Officials are attempting to determine how much of the value used for rate-making purposes is outside the city. White said the franchise, which gives Bell exclusive telephone service rights in San Antonio, produces an annual tax revenue of $1 million. The two per cent tax rate has been in effect since 1938.

The county tax assessor Wednesday was to continue a review of Southwestern Bell property valuations, County Judge Blair Reeves said. Reeves said a comparison was being made between figures in statement of Bexar County holdings and figures in rate hike request now before City Council. Council figures were turned over to Tax Assessor-Collector Charles G. nn Tuesday, Reeves said. Reeves said if a discrepancy is detected in review f'- i the two sets of figures, a meeting would probably be held with Bell officials.

The county judge said if such a meeting were called, either himself, Davis or the county's board of equalization would meet with the Bell representatives. The Express erroneously reported Tuesday such a meeting was scheduled for Tuesday. valuation given for rate-making purposes was $220,230,000. The private utility, however, rendered its property value at $178,817,000 to the county for tax purposes, or a difference of $41,413,000. The agreement, proposed by the San Antonio Development Agency, ends rivalry between Santa Rosa Medical Center and the new Plaza National Bank.

Santa Rosa Medical Center spokesman Charles Heath outlined a plan for motel development with office and commercial space on land adjacent to Milam Park. Out-of-towners The medical center has wanted a motel there to provide accommodations for out-of-town patients. Plaza National Bank, through its spokesman John Cardenas, bid for the same and as a site for its bank and ultimately office and motel additions. In the final agreement worked out informally by the two parties, the Santa Rosa bid at $5.40 per square foot will be offered to SADA. The bank is to be assured adequate temporary space by March 1 and the medical center will supervise growth of motel facilities.

SADA plans a 10:30 a.m. Thursday special board meeting to review final details and award the bid. The parcel of land, bounded by Houston and Commerce Street, Laredo and Santa Rosa Street, faces the park and is within a block of the medical center. Total price Total price offered is $264,270. Plaza National originally countered Santa offer with a bid of $5.75 per square foot or $281.643.

Bank spokesmen agreed to withdraw their competing offer in favor of Santa Rosa with the joint venture understanding worked out. In related action, SADA awarded West Side State Bank additional land west of III and facing Pecos St The bank intends to expand its drive-in facilities. Price bid, at $3.17 per square foot, came to $284.583. State money could solve hospital ills Christmas program set in the a narrative presentation of the Nativity will be presented at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday in Central Christian Church, Main Avenue and Romana Plaza.

The event will be presened at the same hour Dec. 18-21 in the fellowship hall. Beaumont stalls Bell City councilmen again Tuesday, for the third time, delayed action on a Southwestern Bell request for an increase in telephone rates. regional division manager. Carlton Baker, said he will confer with his legal staff on possible legal action.

Baker had indicated earlier the company might sue the city. He said Bell is losing a day as result of the delay. State Sen Ron Glower has urged all Texas municipalities to delay granting rate requests by Bell Gen. Myers tells of haircut order By JAMES McCRORY A unified, statewide drive for direct state aid to financially strapped hospital districts was seen Tuesday as the best approach to solving problems of the districts. Bexar County political leaders Tuesday met to discuss the pending financial crisis of the Bexar County Hospital District.

All agreed the long-range solution would involve legislative action, probably in the form of a constitutional amendment to remove the prohibition against the state contributing to the districts. Represented at the breakfast called into emergency session by Dr. Harvey Komet, chairman of the board of managers of the hospital district, were the city, county, hospital district, and legislative delegation. State Sen. John Traeger, represented by executive assistant Eddie Klein, informed the board he would be illing to co-sponsor with other members of the delegation a constitutional amendment to remove the prohibition against state aid for hospital districts.

Tax burden Traeger said he agreed the present system for providing hospital care to the medically indigent is inequitable because it places an excessive tax burden on a restricted population. State Rep. Bob Vale, uean of the Bexar County House delegation, said the Bexar County Hospital District should join other hospital districts across the state and come.up with a solution of us can of you running hospital districts should get your heads together, confer with the legal minds, pray to the Lord, and come to us (with a unified Vale urged. pass the Komet promised. State Abe Ribak, noting the problems of the hospital districts have been to also urged going the constitutional amendment route.

He suggested perhaps a rider could be attached limiting state support a percentage say 25 per cent. State A1 Brown warned the hour is late if the hospital districts hope to do anything constructive in the session starting in January. County Judge Blair Reeves suggested a short-range approach of legislation forcing other counties to pay the hospital costs for indigents from those counties treated at Bexar County Hospital, and reimbursement by the state for teaching costs connected with the hospital. He also agreed on the long-range approach of a constitutional amendment. Expects deficit Warren G.

Harding, executive director of the Bexar County Hospital District, said meetings similar to that held Tuesday at Bexar County Hospital already have been held in Dallas and Harris counties, and other counties facing the same problems as Bexar County with the hospital district. Bexar County Hospital District is expecting a deficit this year near the $1 million mark, and projections are it could reach the $3 million mark in 1975. Other hospital districts not inclined to pump for state help in past sessions appear now ready to participate in a move on state financing of the districts. County Com. A.

J. Ploch suggested barring all indigent out-of-county patients from Bexar County Hospital, noting the constitution requires each county to take care of its own indigents. do we have to take care of their patients?" Ploch asked. much higher book, the Bible, says we are Komet explained. By ALAN BAILEY Brig.

Gen. Paul VV. Myers testified Tuesday he ordered Sgt. Jerome Verdi to remove his wig and have his hair cut to Air Force regulations. Gen.

statements came at the start of a special court-martial of Verdi late Tuesday after almost four days of pre-trial agruments at Lackland AFB. Verdi, a decorated Vietnam veteran with nine years of service, has pleaded not guil- CofC to hear Reagan Outgoing California Gov. Ronald Reagan will be the featured speaker Jan. 15 at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce 80th annual banquet. Chamber officials, who announced plans for the meeting late Tuesday, said it ill be at Villita Assembly Hall.

The program also will include a year-end report by the outgoing president, Brig. Gen. Robert F. McDermott (USAF, Ret Banker C. Linden Sledge will give inaugural remarks as the 1975 president.

Reagan, 63, was elected 33rd governor in 1966. The Illinois native spent 25 years as a movie-television actor before entering politics as a self-described As a young adult, Reagan said he was bleeding heart liberal. a New Deal But by the time he entered politics, he had swung to conservative views. lie switched his voter registration in 1964 from Democrat to Republican. His political career was catapulted when he delivered a fervent nationwide television plea for the presidential standard bearer in 1964 U.S.

Sen. Barry Goldwater. Reagan leaves the gubernatorial post Dec. 31 after serving for eight years. He has been mentioned as a sible 1976 GOP presidential candidate.

During the banquet, "outstanding of the chamber's President's Club will be recognized for a record $128,000 in new and increased chamber memberships during 1974. Tickets cost $12.50 per person. Businessmen are urged to purchase sponsor tables seating eight for $200. Banquet chairman C. L.

Todd said a capacity crowd is expected in the assembly building. He urged reservations to be made as soon as possible. The chamber's 1974 annual report will be included in a special eight-page insert the newsletter. It also will be distributed at the banquet, officials said. RONALD REAGAN to speak here ty to charges of disobeying military orders and for not conforming to Air Force hair grooming regulations.

Gen. Myers, commander of Wilford Hall USAF Hospital, said Verdi appeared before him on Oct. 11 and he ordered him to report back to him at 9 a.m. Oct. 15 without his wig and with a proper hair cut.

After defense objections, Military Judge Olan G. Waldrop Jr. would only allow the general to testify Verdi appeared in the same condition on Oct. 15 as he did on Oct. 11 Part of the defense attorneys Gerald Goldstein and H.

Leonard Court is to force the military to show that Verdi, who out-of-court says he has worn a hairpiece for two years, is in fact wearing a hairpiece. In pre-trial hearings, Waldrop has denied Trial Counsel Capt. Harlan G. motions to have Verdi remove the controversial $60 wig. Two colors At the start of the trial before six senior officers, Lt.

James DuBarry of Wilford Hall said he saw Verdi in the Orderly Room at the Hospital about Oct. 10 and hair to have two In his opening statement, Goldstein said Air Force regulations on males wearing hairpieces arc vague. The regulations say men can wear hairpieces to cover baldness and physical and they do not say who can or cannot approve the use of Goldstein said. During cross-examination by Goldstein, Gen. Myers admitted there was absence of in defining what is meant by baldness and physical Most of Tuesday was spent by the defense in interviewing the seven-man court panel that will decide fate.

Challenge The defense used its one peremptory challenge against Lt. Thomas S. Whisenant. Early Tuesday morning, Waldro denied a dismissal motion on the grounds of command influence. Goldstein Monday had charged Maj.

Gen. John P. Flynn had dissolved a previous seven-member panel that included younger officers and a woman officer on the grounds it was liberal." The court-martial resumes at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Building 5311 at Lackland AFB. GOLD Setting it straight A story in the Sun Antonio Express of Nov, 29 incorrectly said quoted El Zocalo, a Piedras Negras daily newspaper, as saying the two two of the 24 prisoners who escaped from the Piedras Negras jail had been recaptured.

The newspaper did not make that statement. In fact, Mexican officials Monday said the two Americans were still at large. YET MILDER. Warning; The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Oangerous to Your Health. 19 mg.

1.4 mg mcaime av. per cigarette. FTC Report.