The Portsmouth Herald from Portsmouth, New Hampshire • Page 1

The PORTSMOUTH HERALD PORTSMOUTH, M.H.. SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 16, 1977 VOL. IXC 16PAGES 20" copy 1.10 When's a half gallon not a half gallon? When it 9 a liter Staff Writer In wine there's truth, says the old dictum, but consumers are wondering if there isn't some legerdemain in the pricing of new-size bottles appearing on liquor store shelves. "Wine and spirit companies across the country are in the throes of converting their bottles to the new metric sizes. The familiar half gallon jug, for instance, is being scaled down to a liter and three quarters for whisky, scotch, and other spirits; and to a liter and a half for wines.

Is this good for the consumer? It isn't, as the mathematically astute sipper has probably figured already. What's happening is that the bottles are getting smaller, but the purchase price isn't dropping commensurately. That's an impression confirmed by no less an authority than the merchandising and accounts director for the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, Robert Herlihy, who blames the wine and spirit companies. "The industry as a whole has made a sham of the conversion process the interests of the customer aren't being served by the change to the metric system," he said. All bottles have to conform with the European metric standard by Jan.

1, 1980, but the new sizes have been permissible since last October. Thus the 1.75 liter bottles have gradually been replacing the half gallon size in the whisky, gin and vodka sections; and among the wines 1.5 liter bottles are ousting the bigger jogs. The U.S. standard measure has 64 ounces to a half gallon, but there are only 59.2 ounces in the 1.75 liter bottle, and the customer who selects a large-size bottle of wine now gets only 50.7 ounces. Unfortunately for him, the conversion has provided an ideal opportunity for the bottler to increase his profits--something the British found when their currency was changed to the decimal system a few years ago.

One popular brand of American blended ILS.Navy leads in desertions NORFOLK, Va. (AP) More than 1,100 members of the the U.S. Navy are jumping ship every month, the highest rate in the history of the service, an official report disclosed Friday. The Navy report says there were 12,880 desertions in the 11 months ending June 1, the Norfolk Ledger-Star reported. The newspaper, quoting a report obtained from Navy sources, said there are 450,000 enlisted personnel in the Navy and 31 of every 1,000 will desert this year.

Being absent without leave for more than 30 days makes a sailor a deserter. The Navy report said nearly all deserters turn themselves in eventually or are picked up, but only two of 1,000 are convicted of desertion. About 900 of them are "administratively separated," according to the report, "or convicted of the lesser offense of unauthorized absence and then given a bad conduct discharge." A sailor convicted of desertion can face a prison term. The Air Force desertion rate is less than one per the Army's is about one per 1,000, and the Marine Corps about four per 1,000, a Defense Department spokesman told the Ledger-Star. No-fault gets Carter nod WASHINGTON (AP) A Carter administration endorsement Friday strengthened the possibility that Congress will approve nationwide no-fault automobile insurance after a decade of considering it.

"II is time now to enact nofault," Transportation Secretary Brock Adams told the Senate Commerce Committee. was the first endorsement by an administration since the initial congressional hearings were held on no- fault in 1967. Sen. Warren G. Magnuson, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and author of the bill, said the administration backing would help push the measure through Congress after years of narrow defeats.

Adams said consumers under the present auto liability insurance system get back only 44 cents in benefits for each dollar in premiums. On the inside Lottery roundup Rambling UNII calendar Church news Import car sales Mars ton School roof Goal: More men Elton Orchards sale Capital TMbits P.ge Pige Page II Liter maid It's hard to tell (he difference at a glance hut (he 1.75 liter bnttle on the left is nearly five ounces smaller than the half gallon tattle lie Id by Joanne Tully, an employe of the state liquor whisky sold in New Hampshire "green fronts" now costs 1G.4 cents an ounce, full price, against lft.8 cents in the old half gallon bottle. One brand of cream sherry has risen from G.G cents an ounce in the discontinued bottle to 7.5 cents--though it and most other wines are usual- 'ly "on sale" in the N.H. stores. The hikes don't sound much, but when multiplied by the full contents of a boltle, and especially a caseload, the difference is substantial.

store at (he Portsmouth traffic circle. The half gallon, on Its way out, is (he better buy by a iM'iuiv an ounce in (his brand. (S(affPlioto) New Hampshire, like Maine, has a fixed markup on items it sells inte stores, hence distillers' and vintners' prices are automatically reflected on the shelves. The markup percentage in New Hampshire hasn't changed since and revisions apparently aren't in prospect. The Maine store in Kittery is allowed by special statute to vary its prices to compete with prevailing rates across the river.

LITER Please Turn lo Page Three Spirou snags budget CONCORD, N.H. (AP A conference committee of the New Hampshire Legislature Friday drafted a compromise budget, designed to appease rather than please the competing factions and interests that have maneuvered for the past six months. The budget includes a five per cent tax on the wholesale price of all soft drinks and syrups and powders for soft drinks. But final agreement on the budget was left in doubt by the request of House Minority Leader Chris Spirou, D-Manchester, to study the budget's impact before making a decision. The signature of Spirou, as a member of the committee, is essential before the budget can he submitted to the House and Senate next Tuesday.

The other seven committee members agreed to the budget. The budget calls for spending more than $1 billion during the next two years, and appropriates $421 million from the state general fund. However, state agencies would be directed to spend no more than 97 per cent of their budgets, with agency heads having the authority to decide where to make cuts. The net effect is to limit state spending in the general fund to about $408 million: The committee virtually ignored the proposals submitted by Gov. Meldrim Thomson Friday morning to cut $10 million from the budget, including more than $5 million from education programs.

Other areas Thomson proposed to cut were in aid to cities and towns, support for community mental health centers, and centers for the retarded. Thomson reiterated on Friday that he was opposed to a soft drink tax. But Marshall Cobleigh, a top aide to the governor, said he could not say whether the governor's opposition could lead to a veto of the budget. The $421 million total appropriation is virtually identical in its spending provisions to the budget adopted by an earlier conference com-, mittee and passed by the House but rejected by the Senate. However, that budget also contained an 8 per cent capital gains tax, and expanded Sunday sales at state liquor stores--two provisions opposed by the Senate.

The budget approved by the conference committee aiso includes one additional proposal designed to raise $2.4 million for the general fund. For the first time, groceries would be allowed to sell table wines. Chain stores would be allowed to sell at up to six locations. The six-store limit would also apply to the sale of beer. Under current law, designed to protect small "ma and pa" neighborhood groceries, chains are not allowed to sell beer at more than two locations.

The final draft of the committee represents an attempt at a compromise between liberals, who were willing to support new taxes to avoid cuts in state programs, and conservative supporters of the governor who insisted upon cuts. "AH sides have bent," said House Speaker George B. Roberts, chairman of the conference committee. BUDGET Please Turn to Three Cool T-birds compensate for heat It was hot on the ramp at Pease AFB Friday but the cool flying skills of the Thundcrbirds demonstration team more than compensated a crowd of thousands who flocked to the base's 21st annual open house. The Thunderbirds, performing a repertoire of precision aerial maneuvers during their 25th anniversary year, gave a dazzling display visible not only to the crowds at the air base but thousands all over the Seacoast.

Pease has been fortunate to get the Air Force demonstration team for several consecutive years, complementing ground exhibits that in 1977 proved as fascinating to visitors as ever. The base throws open its gates to the public again today for a militia muster for units from throughout New England. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:14 p.m. The five pilots who form the Thunderbirds amply demonstrated during the team's performance--it began in F84 Thunderjets in 1953--that highly trained flying skills allied to one of the Air Force's nimblest planes, the T38, can produce a spectacular show.

In a cloudless sky the team, commanded by Lt. Col. Dan Cherry, looped, rolled and bomb- burst its way through a program that never fails to rivet the earthbound watchers. Ribbons of smoke hung over the airfield in mute testimony to the pilots' skill at close formation aerobatics and split second timing. Among the watchers was.New Hampshire Gov.

Meldrim Thomson, who received a U.S. flag presented him by free fall parachutists from the Combat Control Team from Pope AFB, N.C. Several demonstrations were staged during the open house, including one by security dogs and their handlers, a Civil Air Patrol drill team, model aircraft enthusiasts, and the base Fire Department, that "rescued" victims from a burning airplane. Many different types of aircraft were on exhibit on the ramp, including a giant B52 bomber of the type that, it seems, will continue to be the backbone of the bomber force since President Carter's refusal to sanction production of theBl. Scores of people sought shade from the hot July sun under the giant plane's wings and fuselage.

The display included the FB111A bomber and the KC135 tanker based at Pease, and propeller- driven KC97 Stratotankers, formerly assigned to Pease, from Air National Guard units in Texas and Wisconsin. A display of light planes included a Fokker Triplane from the World War 1 era, Tiger Moths in RAF colors, and several other still- severiceable veterans. Jet setter The engine pod of a huge 1152 jot hnmhcr provided a shady spot for Ihls visitor lo the Tease AFB open house Fridny, The plnnc's wings and fusts Inge became an umbrella for scores of people wilting to watch the Tluindcrhinls demonstration (nun. For nclriitinmil piclures'plcnse turn to PaRoS. (Slnffl'holo) Weather SUNNY Tomorrow: PARTLY SUNNY (Full report.

Almanac I'nfjt 1 Latest proposal coming two years by J23 million. (AP. Wire Photo) Gov. Meldrim Thomson holds figures for his latest plan to solve New Hampshire's budget crisis. Thomson wants to slash state spending in the 100,000 acres, $25 for Indians WASHINGTON (AP) President Carter's adviser on Indian land claims in Maine recommended Friday that the federal government give $28 million to the Indians and the State of Maine turn over 100,000 acres for them.

Carter called the recommendations "fair, judicious and wise." But the President did not say what course he would follow. He met with retired Georgia Supreme Court Judge William B. Gunter, who has been investigating for the past three months the claims of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indians. Gunter said he was "hopeful we will get the consent of the two tribes." He presented his recommendations in a four- page report and suggested Carter make the recommendations to Congress to resolve a problem he said dates back to colonial days. "One of the most difficult and sensitive and controversial issues since I've been in office was to treat the Indians fairly and also to resolve questions hanging there more than 200 years," Carter said at the start of his meeting with Gunter.

The tribes have claimed more than 12 million acres, which amount to 60 per cent of the state's land area, and $25 billion. Gunter, speaking with reporters at the White House after conferring with Carter and White House Counsel Robert Lipshutz in the Oval Office, said the claim "isn't worth a fraction" of the $25 billion the Indians are seeking. "I don't think the tribes ever believed they'd receive $25 billion or 12 million acres of land," he said. In his recommendations, Gunter suggested that: --The two tribes be assured that they would be given normal benefits by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. --Maine be asked to continue appropriations for the Indians at a rate equal to the average annual appropriation over the past five years.

--The secretary of the interior be required to try to acquire long-term options on an additional 400,000 acres in the claims area for the Indians, who could then buy the land at a fair market value with tribal funds. He said if the state and the Indians agree to the settlement and the annual state appropriation, the other land claims should be wiped out. INDIANS Please Turn to Page Three CIAoffersnew light on secret drug tests WASHINGTON A The Central Intelligence Agency informed the Senate Friday it has uncovered documents shedding new light on secret drug tests carried out on unsuspecting Americans from 1953 to 1964. At the direction of President Carter, CIA Director Stansfield Turner hand-delivered a letter in which he told Sen. Daniel K.

Inouye, D- Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, that he is volunteering to testify on the subject "at the earliest opportunity." Asked by reporters how serious he thought the matter was, President Carter said, "I think it is fairly serious." The text of Turner's letter was made public by White House Press Secretary Jody Powell. It said the newly uncovered documents deal with: --Research on surreptitious methods of ad- ministering drugs. --Experimentation on persons who drug addicts or alcoholics. --Research on a knockout or drug that involved advanced cancer patients. --A possible improper payment to an unnamed private institution.

The letter said the documents pointed to "possible additional cases of drugs 'ing tested on American citizens without their beyond those documented by the Senate select committee on intelligence was chaired by Sen. Frank Church, in 1975. Drug tests, carried out under the "MK-ULTRA," take up a chapter in" the final report of the investigation by the Church committee. Maritime Days SATURDAY 9 a.m., Christ Church fair on Lafayette Road. 9 a.m., Tug of war on Lafayette Road, behind Dinnerhorn Restaurant.

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Community Education benefit in Market Square. 9:30 to 5:30 p.m., Sidewalk sales sponsored by Women in Transition, in front of old Post Office on Pleasant Street. 9:30 a.m., Maritime Days Sales continue. 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m., Street Fair on Ceres Street, with crafts, demonstrations, musical entertainment and food. 10 North American Tennis Championship (80 year olds and older) at Wentworth by the Sea. 11 a.m., Pease AKB open with second annual Revolutionary militia muster. 2 p.m., Innertube float from Dover Point to Kittery. 2 p.m., Eastern Star Fair at Masonic Temple.

5 p.m.,.Metawee River Theatre Company at Prescott Park. 5 to 7 p.m., Ham and bean supper at Masonic Temple. 6 p.m., Ten-mile road race starts at Market Square. 7 p.m., Christ Church auction on Lafayette Road. 8:30 p.m., Musical play, "Guys and Dolls" at Prescott Park.

SUNDAY 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., J. Edwards Golf Tournament for the benefit of the blind, held at Abenaqui Country Club, Rye, N.H. 10 a.m., North American Tennis Championships at Wentworth by the Sea, with 80 year olds and up competing. 12 noon, Canoe race in North Mill Pond.

4 p.m., Little Red Wagon at Prescott Park. 5 p.m., Franconia Notch Band concert at Prescott Park. 8:30 p.m., Musical comedy, "Guys and Dolls" at Prescott Park..