Playground Daily News from Fort Walton Beach, Florida • Page 1

Rain-Fed Creeks Force Evacuations CREEKS FULL OF WATER The bridges over Big and LlUle Alaqua Creeks, some 18 miles east of Nicevilte along U.S. Highway 20, were almost completely submerged by mid-afternoon Wednesday. Closed since early morning, more than two feet of water covered the bridge at 3 p.m. Highway 20 was closed due to the flooding and families living in (he low-lying areas adjacent to the creeks were forced to flee their homes. At least a dozen families, carrying what valuables they could manage, escaped the rising waters.

Highway 20 was covered in areas by more than four feet of rapidly rising water. Officials at the site said there was no relief in sight. (Photos by Sheila Braxton) Good Morning! Today is Thursday, July 31, J975 By SHEILA BRAXTON More than a dozen Walton County families were forced to abandon their homes to rising flood waters Wednesday while emergency personnel throughout Okaloosa County anxiously monitored threatening conditions and readied for possible evacuation of persons in low-lying areas. "We just don't know what's going to happen by morning," Okaloosa County Civil Defense director Tom Nichols said late Wednesday. "We'll keep a close watch throughout the night and be ready to move folks if necessary." Several Walton County residents fled their homes near the Big and Little Alaqua creeks early Wednesday when continuing rains forced the muddy waters more than six to eight feet over their banks.

U.S. Highway 20 was closed to traffic throughout the day and stood as much as four feet under wafer at mid-afternoon. Emergency personnel throughout both counties feared "the worst is still ahead" with another four to six inches of rain expected Wednesday night. Flood conditions in north Okaloosa County are always the worst after rainfall in south Alabama has a day or so to swell the rivers in Florida, Nichols said. Some 26 roads and bridges were closed by 8 p.m.

Wednesday and more were expected to be shut down before morning. Almost all the roads closed were in northern Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Those closed include: (Continued on Page 2A) "Reason and virtue alone can bestow liberty." --Shoftsbury Year Okaloosa Pages 15 Cents Ford, Brezhnev Agree On SALT Summit Date ROMANCE UNDAMPENED Some folks just don'f let anything them down. These hitchhikers declared it would take a lot more than a "summer shower" to keep them indoors. Trying to flag a lift along Mar Walt Drive this young Fort Walton Beach couple said they had no particular destination in mind.

"We just wanted to see what kind of people this much rain would bring outdoors," they explained. (Photo by Sheila Braxton) Sugar Prices Hiked by Processors liy United Press International Two of the nation's largest food processors Wednesday 1 raised wholesale prices on flour and sugar. The higher flour prices were the firsl solid evidence of the impact of Russian purchases of U.S. grain. Besides the Soviet wheat deals, a sugar expert said Rus-.

sian purchases of raw sugar on international markets were responsible, in parl, for the boost in sugar prices. The increases in flour and sugar prices followed substantial hikes earlier this week in coffee prices and a prediction by Chairman Arthur F. Burns of the Federal Reserve Board of higher prices for bread as a result of the Russian wheat purchases. In Minneapolis, General Mills, one of the nation's largest --Dateline Canadian Based Attack Reported By United Prfis International LAKE CHAMPIAIN, July 31 An American schooner sailed two men who said under question- Ing thai Gov. Guy Cerleron in Canada would launchan attack In the future from St.

John's Que. millers, raised wholesale flour prices 1.6 cents a pound effective Friday. The increase affects flour purchased on grocery shelves and not bulk flour used in the mass production of bread and other bakery products. The higher flour prices, however, were the firsl solid evidence the Russian wheal purchases are driving up consumer prices in the United States. "Ithas todo with the developments in the world and domestic grain markets, especially the Soviet Union developments and the possibility of drought there and Iheir purchase of American grain," said Lou Gelfand, a spokesman for Pillsbury, another major miller.

"Since July 3 KansasCily September wheat futures have gone from $3.10 a bushel to $4," he said. "This would justify an increase in family flour prices of $2 a hundredweight. But Gelfand said Pillsbury was waiting for the U.S. Department of Agrfcullure Aug. 11 crop report before deciding whether to match Ihe General Mills increase.

Meanwhile, Arnstar, the nation's largest sugar producer, raised its wholesale prices effective immediately. The wholesale price of a five-pound bag of grocery sugar rose to $1.64 from $1.54 two weeks ago. It was as low as $1.21 on July 1. HELSINKI (UPI) President Ford and Soviet leader Leonid I. Brezhnev, in a "very constructive" private summit Wednesday, opened Ihe way for the two to meet in Washington in October and complete a treaty limiting strategic nuclear weapons.

Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger said if Ihe diplomatic momentum continues, "chances are good" for the pact. The Ford-Brezhnev session went so well that the two leaders were able to push ahead into preliminary discussions of U.S. efforts, to mediate an Arab-Israeli interim agreement although that topic had not been on the agenda until their scheduled second meeting Saturday. Kissinger told a news conference "progress has been made" on SALT II, the nuclear arms limitation pact on which Ford and Brezhnev agreed in principle at Iheir Vladivostok meeting in November, 1974.

"If that progress continues we think chances are good that an agreement can be made," he said. The two leaders spent so long al their meeting thai the ceremonial opening of the 35- nation European security summit here had to be delayed 10 minutes for Ford's arrival. "I felt the high-level discussions, the discussions concerning strategic arms limitations, the total atmosphere, was very constructive," Ford fold reporters as Brezhnev stood by his side at Ihe entrance to the U.S. embassy residence. "It was businesslike, very friendly and I am sure that when we meet again on Saturday further progress will materialize," the President said.

He described the discussions as "very constructive, very friendly, very businesslike." Kissinger said Ihe talks proceeded "on the assumption" thai the Brezhnev trip to Washington in Oclober was on track. Under Ihe Vladivostok agreement, the Soviet Union and the United Stales would work toward a 10-year pact limiting each side to 2,400 offensive nuclear weapons, including 1,320 with multiple warheads. Acceptable verifica- tion procedures and other The President began the day disagreements have slowed Wednesday al a one-hour progress. working breakfast with British Brezhnev appeared in top ri me Minister Harold Wilson, form at his meeting with Ford, Foro is scheduled lo speak despite persistent recent re- ports of his ill health. But U.S.

delegation members who attended a dinner given by President Urho Kekkonen of Finland for all the summit leaders Wednesday said Brezh- nev slipped oul quietly before the toasts and returned to the Soviet embassy. Friday at the East-West security conference shortly before the Russian Dragged Away From Moscow Embassy MOSCOW (UPI) diplomats said Wednesday Soviet police knocked down, choked and forcibly dragged away a Russian man attempting to enter the American Embassy here on the eve of Ihe European Security Conference summit called by the Russians to ease contacts between East and West. The Helsinki, Finland, security conference agreement does not have any status as a legally binding document and has been sharply criticized in the West and by Soviet dissidents who feel the Kremlin leaders will agree lo something on paper without altering domestic policy. "I'm just sick that this incident took place, especially when that agreement is being signed in Helsinki," one diplomat said. "It's jusl business as usual," said another.

The American diplomats said the unidentified man frantically attempted to resist, but was set upon by at least four policemen who forcibly removed him, presumably to a police shack near Ihe embassy gate. One U.S. diplomat happened on the scene at the height of the fight, which took place Tuesday morning only steps outside the archway thai forms Ihe embassy's main entrance. Although the police attack was not explained, the diplomats said it was only the latest in a series of incidents involving harassment of Russians attempting to enter the embassy. According to the diplomats, when the American official arrived on the scene two policemen were holding the man on the concrete pavement of the embassy driveway.

One policeman was holding his shoulders and the other had his hands around the man's throat. The Russian did noV cry out, but thrashed his arms and legs frantically, they said. Martin Reinstatement in Question By CATHY BLUM The dismissal of bribery charges against Walton County Commissioner Conley Martin doesn't necessarily mean he will be reinstated as a com- nissioner, a governor's aide said Wednesday. The charges were dropped Tuesday by the state attorney's office because a "key witness" was unavailable and some tapes concerning Ihe alleged bribery could be ruled inadmissable. Martin was charged wilh accepling a $250 bribe from south Walton Counly contractor William A.

Harris in early February. Harris was apparently not the key wilness the state at- lorney's office referred to. The Daily News contacted him by telephone in his Santa Rosa Beach home Wednesday, Harris said he was unable to talk about Ihe case becausp it might hurt the investigation and the Slate Attorney's Office had told him not to. "I'll be happy to give you a statement when this is over, but I don't feel Ihis is the time," he said, Harris said in earlier court appearance that Martin had accepted the money in exchange for Martin's vole in the county's acceptance of roads Harris had constructed. Martin said the money was a personal loan and payment for equipment rental and that if he more information about the case before a decision on Martin's reinstatement was made.

"A suspension can cover broad grounds-il can go beyond the charges filed by the State Attorney. We will have lo review the whole file on Ihe mailer and talk to the Stale Attorney before we do anylhing," he said. "Just dropping the charges does not a a i a i a someone in a case like this," Schnill said. Congress Votes Pay Increases WASHINGTON (UPI) The House Wednesday voted 214 lo 213 for a cost of living pay increase that could reach 8.6 per cent for members of Congress and others like Vice President Nelson Rockefeller and former President Richard Nixon. The House acted less than 24 hours after the Senate, on a 511-29 vote late Tuesday, approved the pay increase plan endorsed by President Ford as a means of keeping key lop-scale federal em- ployes from leaving government for more lucrative private jobs.

Called a necessity because of the increased cost of living since the last congressional pay raise of 41 per cent on March 19C9, the size of the pay boost will actually be determined by the gap between private pay and that for comparable jobs in the federal government. That gap, as reported to Ford last week under the 1970 comparability act, is 8.66percent. Ford has until Sept. 1 to accept that figure, after which it would automatically become effective Oct. 1.

Or he can lower it, which some sources say he will do, recum- mending a 5 per cent pay increase. In that event, either body of Congress would have 30 legislative days to veto his plan, which would automatically restore the boost lo 8.66 per cent. If that rate prevailed, Rockefeller could expect his $62,500 a year pay to increase by about $5,400. Since pensions for former signing of a nonbinding Euro- presidents'are pegged to cabinet-level pay now a year pcan peace pledge. Nixon could expect about a increase in his annual pension.

The increase, if set at 8.6per cent, would cost about $50 million. It also would go lo federal judges, now paid $40,000 a year, and top scale federal employes, the so-called supergrade workers, wliu arc now prohibited by law from getting more than $36,000. The absence of pay increases for those categories for six years has resulted, backers of the plan said, in judges resigning their lifetime appointments and key bureaucrats quitting for private jobs. Ford said getting lop-level advisers in the White House has been hampered despite a special provision that lets him pay such persons up lo $40,000 a year. South Korea Asks for Membership UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.

(UP!) South Korea lias applied for full membership in the United Nations, diplomatic sources said Wednesday. The application was expected to provoke a major controveisy since North Korea has insisted that only a unified Korea should enter the world bmly. This position has been supported by China and the Soviet Union. At present, both North ami South Korea maintain observers missions at U.N. headquarters in New York.

The application was personally transmitted lo the United Nations by Ambassador Tong Jim Park, South Korea's permanent observer to the U.N. INDEX Amujementi 6-7B Bridge Column 3 Claulfitd 1.7H Comlci ao Crouworci Puiite 2H Dear flo Editor i Horoscope JH ObltuarlAi 7 A Okalocia Dlgeil 7ft Sport' I.7C TVScheiluls Womin Thc 400-page accord climaxes a 20-year Russian drive for international acceptance of the Eastern and Central European borders of (he Soviet bloc Ihe Kremlin imposed in the aftermath of World War II. Ford has come under criticism al home on grounds Ihe agreement sanctions the Kremlin map of Europe and offers little in return. could have talked to the grand jury the indictment would not LEADERS MEET have been handed down. Communist Parly chief Leonid Brezhnev holds on lo arm of oveprnor ln As ew President Ford as the two leaderspreparelo shake hands following KoveVnor would nave (7h a vp la ks 1hey hell Wednesda VTM of the European governor would have to have Conference i Ford a very conslruc private summit on nuclear arms control wild Brezhnev before attending the conference.

WEATHER Cloudy with 80 per cent thance of rain today. Winds southerly 15 to 35 raph and gusty. Highs upper 70s, lows mid70i. Island Pi.r high tide 3:57 a.m., low tide 3:57 p.m. East Pass high tide 5:25 a.m., low tide 6i43 p.m.

Sunup 6:03, sunset 7:41, (UPI Photo) Kent State Shooting Film to be Viewed FWB Council, County Draft Sewage Plans By BILLIE ROBERTS Members of Ihe Fort Walton Beach City Council and Okaloosa Counly Commissioners met Wednesday with consulting engineers to adopt a plan for the new sewage treatment facilities planned for soulh Okaloosa Counly. Representatives of other area governments were invited, but none attended. Thc proposed system utilize land spread disposal and Ihe current cost projection is between $19.8 and $23.9 million by 1995. The figure includes maintenance anil operation costs up until that date bul does not include land cost. Officials were unable lo come lo an agreement on whether the new syslem should be managed as separate city and county systems, or if they should be combined into one system, or ica water and sewer district should be created lo manage the system.

Engineers working on the project said that the initial phase of construction for the facility will be closer lo $5 million and would be funded up to 75 per cenl by the federal government If Hie plan is approved by the Environment Protection Agency. The plan adopted by the group calls for a combined carrying system to carry sewage from the western end of the county to a central system that would lead lo central plant proposed by the city and then lo percolation field on Sewage from Okaloosa Island would be fun neled into the city system and then into Ihe central syslem. Other city sewage and county sewage would be pumped lo the central syslem, to the proposed central plant and ultimately to the percolation field. Sewage from the Garnier's Beach area would be sent directly from the plant to Ihe percolation field. The proposed system would provide for Ihe incorporation of Fort Walton Beach, county, and other systems into one system which would utilize present facilities.

According to the consulting engineers, the system would accommodate the projected 1995 population of 130,000 in the total service area. We system would be able to handle 10 lo 11 million gallons of effluent. County Commissioner Dee Parkton said that he felt the projected population figures were unrealistic and much too low. Engineering consultant Lester Maples said that an Environmental Proteclion Agency sludy showed lhal sewage systems were often built too large and lhat the current EPA philosophy was to build only what you need. "This maybe O.K.

if you don't need the extra capacity for 25 years, but if you need il sooner, Ihen the reasoning is not so good. They are trying lo keep the initial cost down and make the best use of the funds that they have available," said Maples. CLEVELAND (UPI) Attorneys in the $48 million Kent State civil damage suit trial argued Wednesday over whether a former student's motion piclure film of the 1970 Kent Slate shoo I ings should be shown to the jury. U.S. Dislricl Court Judge Donald Young called (he film taken by former Kent student Christopher R.

Abell potentially Ihe single most important piece of evidence and ruled the jury will see it. Attorneys for Ihe defense argued that the film, shot from the fiflh floor of a dormitory about one-half mile from the scene of Ihe May 4 shootings contained a spliced segment. They said Ihe splice occurred at the point where demonstrators were moving toward Ohio National Guard troops. The defense maintained an important part of the film could be missing. However, they viewed the film during Ihe noon recess and dropped Iheir objections to it being shown.

Jurors were expected lo see it Thursday and an expert wilness was expected to be called to give his interpretation of the film. Abell. lestificd Wednesday that demonstrators did move up Ihe hill behind Taylor Hall on Ihe Kent campus toward the guardsmen before the Iroops unleashed Ihe 13-second barrage of gunfire that killed four students and wounded nine The suit, which asks damages from Ohio Gov. James A. Rhodes, former Slalc President Hobcrl While and various members of Ihe guard was filed by parents of those killed and wounded in the shoolings..