Newport Daily News from Newport, Rhode Island • Page 1

VealKer Data Wednesday SUB Rbei A.M. Sell 4:33 P.M. TWei high A.M. P.M. Low 3:31 A.M.

P.M. Mwidjy'i Temptratores Ugh 43 low K. tocal Forecast Partly cloudy lonighl, snow flurries, windy, colder. Low arar 28. Wednesday a cloudy and colder.

(Detailed Report on Page 2) ESTABLISHED IMC VOL. 173--NO. HKO NEWPORT, K. TUESDAY, JANUARY, 7, 1969 16 PAGES 2 cenls PHJCK TKN CENTS Park Board Barred From Land Swap City Solicitor James S. O'Brien yesterday filed foi the city Council's meeting tomorrow night an opinion 'that three acres of Miantononri Memorial Park can not be taken over by the Newport Housing Authority The authority wants to erect a civic complex on a sec tion of the World War I memorial land along Hillside Avenue.

In return, the authority offered, to give six acres of land in the Girard Avenue park: Last June, O'Brien told i Council the deed by which The city the park cifv obtained historic Mianton- from the late Helen L. Piielps om'i Hill prevented the The deed was filed Julj tonomi Memorial Park Com-112, 1921, and the state law set mission from letting the park ting up the commission was land be used for anything but passed in April, four months purposes. iprior to the conveyance of the 1 The Housing Authority lo the city, newcd its proposal in Decem-j The park was set up as a bcr and the Memorial Park memorial to lhe Newport men Commission cited O'Brien's op-1 who gave their lives during inion, but the Council, in sup-j World War I. The park com pirt of the authority, pressed some 30 acres of lane the commission to swap the and has the last large stand of land. In his opinion filed yesterday O'Brien said, "After carefully studying this matter.

al- woodland in the city. In a related opinion from the solicitor, the Council was i would certainly facilitate the construction by Ihe Newport Housing Authority of a community center which would be of great benefit lo tie people of the city, yet, the Mianlon- o'mi Memorial Park Comm's- iion, being charged with the control of said park, has the duty of approving or disapproving said request." O'Brien further indicated' the commission itself could not per- 'mil the swap, because of the deed of gift of the park. He "The deed clearly sets forth that the premises shall be forever used and maintained as public park for the free usVof the public, and that the park should be devetopsd in accordance wild certain a a in existence in 1921 and that I commission already authorized' by the General Ajr iembly' shall have, control of 'laid park in strict with uses of the p. consistent; with use, such as concession stands, amusements and parking. The opinion was rendered after the Council requested the solicitor to determine' whether or not a portion of'the park could be used for tlie purposes of holding the Jazz Festival or Folk Festival.

O'Brien ruled, "It is clear that the commission has sole control over the use of the park and, therefore, any consideration of using a portion of the park for the Jazz and Folk Festivals be approved by the commission:" private corporalion cannot: use a portion of the public park for private profit; whereas a ijonv; corporation could possibly: be allowed to use a portion iof a jjiiblic pirlc wherf the en'tral: public would be al- lowed'and private persons or- would 1 he. BETWEEN PHONE CALLS Gov. Chafee, leaving office today, recounts how he set down one telephone, picked up another, and started wheels turning that will make h'm secretary of Navy Jan. 30. (AP Wirepholc) Nixon Acted Fast To Sign Up Chafee I (AP) -Gov.

John H. Chafce indicated a a he was about (o bandon ihe possibility of going Washington with the new Rc- ublican administration, whe received the. telephone call hat lined up lhe job of Secre- ary of the Navy for him. The 45-year-old Republican leaves office i today afler iree conseculive two-year erms as Rhode xccutive, said he was on the elephone with an aide to Presi- ent-elect Richard M. Nixon ist Friday night when'he; re- eived a call from'Secretary Mefvin aird.

Chafee said he was.talking Peter administration's cb'ut," and was had to make his plans for-the uture and if Nixon lead.ers hjid im in mind for a'position; tb'ey ad-better move.fast.- Peace Conferences Gain Backing From Saigon .0 SAIGON (AP) Presi dent Nguyen Ca 0 Ky denied.to- day that he is the author of a plan to split the Vietnam peace talks info three sections plan which North Vietnam and the Viet Cong are certain to reject. But Ky did not deny that the plan was under consideration bj the Saigon government. Through a spokesman. Ky said that all suggestions made by him or others al the Paris talks had been approved in advance by President Nguyen.Van Thicu. "The vice president strongly denies foreign repo.rls saying he is the author of a peace project or scheme," said the spokesman, Reports from Paris said the new plan was being discussed in Saigon by.Thicu and South.A'iet- nam's national security council.

These reports said the plan pro. vides: 1, The United Slates. South Vietnam and North Vietnam would discuss mililary questions in Paris. 2. Represciitalives or'Saigon Hanoi would meet perhaps on-a-ncufral ship off the demilitarized zone between North and South Vietnam, 0 discuss relations between the two Vietnams.

The negotiations could include talks on.such internal affairs as communications, trade and ci vilian traffic. 3 Representatives of the Sai. Son government and 'he Viet Cong's National Liberation Front would meet in South Vietnam, perhaps in Saigon's presi- dential'palace, South Vietnamese political and sccuri- problems. An official source close to the Saigon delegation in Paris said the United Stales has been fully jiformod. of the proposals and "President Johnson himself 'avors them." The Saigon delegation, however, officially disclaims responsibility for lhe plan.

The Ky format undoubtedly would be unacceptable lo Hanoi and the NLF because it the NLF out of the 'aris negotiations denies it in- ernational recognition, and cinforcej the Saigon contention that the Viet Cong and the NLF are controlled by North Viel nam. The status of the NLF, insists it is the only true representative of the South Viet, namese people, has been the chief bar to the expanded peace talks Asked about (he proposal a a news conference Monday, North Vietnamese spokesman Nguyen Thanh Le these subterfuges only serve -t 0 sabotage and delay the conference." U.S. efforls to end the procedural dispute received setback Monday when announced that Hanoi and the NLF rejected as absurd all U.S. proposals for seating arrangements at the proposed four-par- in Paris. Norlh Vietnam's rejection reinforced the general opinion Paris that there will be no irogrcss toward the conference able until after President-elect S'ixon is inaugurated arid Henry labot Lodge replaces W.

Av- "Then, brrng' the other phone Chafee "That's a very efficient operation they've got." Chafee said he got no flat offer of the job from Laird that night but the offer was made final after he reached Washington over the weekend. The announcement was made by Laird Monday. "I have always been interested in affairs--Army arH Navy," (he ex-Marine said. Chafee declined lo rule out further, political activity in Rhode Island. "Things 1 lie-said.

he said he considered the position.as Secretary of the Navy, ''a very important position to the country. I also think 'will -be- very interest- He said he considered'the job a-great onportunity, and. quoted frp'nu: Shakespeare, "There. in the affairs man-'which taken at flood eads on. to fortune (Cassius Brutus.

'Julius Caesar 1 In.other words, Ghafce-sait "The postman might not knoc Gov. Licht Cites Need For New State Taxes standards, non-profit corporations to rebuild the inner cities and'provide Jobs, new homes for the elderly, creation of a "statewide metropolitan coalition" to coordinate the efforts of all segments of Ihe population. He also proposed another constitutional convention to revise the state Constitution, which was written in 1812. Lichl said one of his mapr legislation. tics commission to "closely examine, regulate and control all essential public utilities." On the subject of "law and order," Licht promised to call a "continuing" governor's conference on law and justice, establish a police training program assistance to police in the fight against organized crime and new firearms posed the establishment of "Uttie State Houses" where citizens could express their concern! directly to the administrative branch" of slate government.

The Little State Houses would be in existing buildings in key goals will be providing addition-! 1 mad hls Ji cm lrl in ro-! 11 conclusion of a lengt areas of Ihe more direct state. To allow participation al consumer proleclion. He pro government on a national level he proposed legislation providing for a direct presidential primary in which voters would iindicafc their preference for al consumer protection, ne i UIL-U iui repealing lh stale's fair speech outlining tlin mien io; s.i i a pledged to a specific trade laws' "to insure our -citi- goals of Ins administration a i a the presidency. PROVIDENCE Gov. Licht, his inaugural message this afternoon, called upon Rhode slanders to join wilh him in the formation of a "partner- shin for progress to include all iranches of government, cili- ens representing every corner Of our community, every segment of our society." In his speech to lhe General Assembly, Licht acknowledged hat the state faces serious fis- 1 problems--a subject he used baiter Chafce during lhe elec- ion campaign, "New taxes are necessary," Licht, who has proposed a ax on' earnings from investments and savings in lieu of an ncome tax.

"We canot at this point make final determination as to the axes required," Licht said, 'but we can and do say. lhal we not propose a in- lax nor increase the sales ax rate." He said the investment and iavings lax would be "the cornerstone of our dded that he plans to "rxam- nc all options that are open lo Mulv; a eoionr to raise necessary'reve- a a when prescnla- against the installation of-street mcnt totaling WS.Jb, a ue to meet lh state's financial tion of ans proposals for lights on only dog zcns the most competitive prices available 1 and creation of a three-member public ulili- and solutions to problems facing stale government. To realize this parlnership, Licht pro- The address covered a wide (Continued on 2) Architect 111 Dog Track Delayed An overflow crowd dissipafedi In other action, the by George B. Gold for quicklv from Middletown Town rescinded an earlier decision 44 tires for the Police Depait- 1 nf.rlrntt inflllna OR a i 3 a Licht categorized his prbp.os-. Ueo and comments to the legisla.

ure by topic. On economic he said 'the state' must become "more aggressive and imaginative" in' selling its advantage's, especially in tourism arid.oc'eah- ology. He proposed creating recreational building authority and forming a pcrrnanentvcb'un- cil of economic On 1 ised attention diing facilities" at -Theodore Francis Airport arid rail service-for the stale. Turning-, to urban problems, Licht proposed a- plan sla'tewide minimum Samco Marine Inc. Ellen racing track was scut at lhe a minute.

li 1 in ad- 1 was Carney FilzGerald at diiion to lighls on Clayton $1,216.60. Sam. Cokinos, president of Street, Honeyman Avenue and. The building inspector's an- Iniia! report for 1368 showed 451 before the Town Cpuncil-at i SV as reported the Newport permits had been issued for to inform it that illness in the'Electric Corp. has dropped its projects a i $3,147,066 in Boston architectural firm street light rale by $5 a year, value.

Fees collected during Randall Colcord had hich i i more lighls a amounted lo $6,856. held up completion of the final than' originally planned. A breakdown of the various drawings. Petition of Coastal Food Ser- types of construction' follows: i said he hoped to.vice I foi' victualling 31 ncw dwellings, 51 miscellan- ha've his rea- house 'license, for 'a' fried chick- 12 garages, 74 additions dy'fo'f the next Council stand 1 at' 160 East a i a 53 plumbing, ing 1 Jan. made was a 32 septic system commitment.

'installalions, 8 demolition of The proposed'track A-vacancy, on Planning 12 removal of build- p'uilt on site on East Board created by the near-the-'PortSr lion of William Cardpza was nc mouth line, on a i of nurse-'Henry B. Ward of 8 Stockton rv Ijrive." and 29 public sewer con- neclidns. A communication was (Continued on Page 2.) Premier Resigns ercll Harriman as the chief U.S. negotiator on Jan. 20.

'sfHits 7 Per Cent NEW YORK' f.AP) Firs s'alional City-Barik New Yorl anhounded Tuesday an incrcas its prime rate fo a new all ime high of 7 per cent from per cent. The prime rale is Ihe interes commercial banks charge the! biggest and most creditworthy corpora lions. Increases- in the prime rale -are usually reflected in higher interest costs for loans to individuals. Major banks on Dec. 18 boosted the prime rale to 634 per cent from per cent, raising it to the highest level in history The.

Philadelphia National j1l Bank joined in the raise lo 7 per cent, and other banks were expected lo go along. BOSTON (AP) The First National Bank of Boston announced today an incerase in Is prime interest rale to seven per.cent,.effective immediately. The action followed a similar ncrease by the First National Cily Bank of New York. GFs Scour Delta Viet Cong Slip From Trap SAIGOtt (AP) Battling under the light of flares, a (ask force of 600 American infantrymen Iricd lo encircle an oul- mimbercd Viet Cons company in lhe marshy Mekong Delia Monday The Viet Cong force was believed to number 100 or more, and the Americans reported killing 4S of them. Bul lhe rest away somelime before dawn today.

U.S. casualties were eight killed and 11 wounded. Rarely in recent months have Viel Cong' iroops been brouahl In bailie in such force in the dclia. llelicoplcr-borne infantrymen of the U.S. 9th Division fanned out In the area today, dying to track down Ihe sur- yivors.

A U.S. spokesman said the enemy hand was evidently a main for Viel Con? company, which normally numbers about 110 to 1.10 men. Most of Hie enemy forces in the area have.recently been operating or.pl.a-- loons. These groups usually Bather only for planned operations, and il was speculated a this force may have been assembled to break the lull in the delta or was on the march to reinforce enemy unils closer lo Saigon. The fight erupted when a company of the 9th Division's 1st Brigade ran into a concealed bunker complex in a marshy (hatch of nipa palms on the north bank of (he Mekong River about 69 miles southwest of Saigon.

The Viet Cong opened up from Ihe concealed log bunkers, and lhe initial fire cut heavily into the Americans. Helicopter gunships came speeding in to blast the Viet Cong with rockets, and more in- were ordered up. As Ihe Americans tried to close a around Ihe Viel Cong, circling flareshlps spewed Gatling gun fire into' the-enemy position. Reports from the battlefield indicated the ballcred Viet Cong. of (heir bunkers and made it to the banks of the Mekong a few hundred' yards away.

Otherwise the day's military reports told of isolated, small- scale actions and more large caches of enemy arms and supplies turned up by lhe constantly patrolling allied forces. The U.S. Command said about 70 tons of imimlions and weapons and. 12 tons of rice have been found in nine days of sweep oporalions throughout th country. Much of-it was seized the 3rd Corps area that surrounds Saigon, "The loss of this materiel amj 'cod," said the U.S.

Command, "has undoubtedly had a significant impact on lhe enemy's ability lo initiale und-or sus- lain combat in certain areas-of the coiinlry." i Witnesses said the bomb 'killed Tri was thrown by two youths who escaped on a motorcycle. The government called it an act of terrorism by lhe Communists," hut Saigon'news- papers hinted Tri-might have been lhe victim of political opponents. One English-language newspaper said Tri had received threatening letters from "unknown in the past few days. The government today also freed-10 Viet Cong prisoners al a POW camp outside Bien Hoa (o what it lermcd "humaniiari- an purposes." The men. clad'in fresh while shirts and blue trousers were given the en.uivalcnl of $4.25 each as pocket money, kjaded in a truck and returned lo their native villages.

A government spokesman again.declined to.say Whether lhe release was connccled with the freeing New Year's Day of hree by (he- Viet Cong, lan Leljandii By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Premier. Abdullah a i under since-the Israeli rut International ed in his a government spokesman- President Charles-Helbu has not accepted it yet "Dr. Yafi believes. a new situation demands a new. government, 1 said the -spokesman.

1 "Big decisions have to and Dr Yafj believes the presj- dcnt should have the opportunity of choosing a. new if he so wishes." Bcirul newspapers reported that legislators national coalilion to replace'-Yafi aixl his our-man Cabinet, who have been severely criticized for Ihe undefended state of the 'Beirut The newspapers speculated hat a pro-Egyptian former premier Kashid Karami. might become the next premier. He led he Nasscritc revolt against President Camille Chamoun ec i nce Sunday 1958, when (he U. S.

Marines rac ii sources said includes spare; parts-and training of crews. Israel'ordered 50.new Mirage fighters from.Fran.ee before the 1967 -war, de Gaulle banned delivery of Ihem immediately afler the ivar and ever since has been openly ioslile to Israel. Ah Isra.cli. Defense Ministry spokesman, Mordechai Bar-Kai, said lhe French action "is considered mainly as a political step--acule more in the political meaning.than in" the immediate impact on the security position." Israeli government support; But since' Is raW attack'; on -fiefrut. 28 mounting 'de- mind, from fpr'full-backuig for the'guerrilla movement.

Meanwhile, France was reported 'tti h'aye cut off delivery if all mililary equipmciK-lo Israel including-jet plane spare parts, a move that cojild cripple the force: a is Israc l' prime-strike weapon. The Israeli air force of French jet fighters scored the tirsl knockout blow in Ihe Arab- Israeli war of 1967, virtually destroying the Jordanian, Syrian and''-Egyptian air forces in a mailer of hours. Since then Israeli's Myslcre and Mirage 'fighters have repeatedly altacked Arab posi- ions, particularly in Jordan, iii County for six years Associalion attended the parly meanwhile made public a record $2.24 billion budget--S571 million earmarked for defense r.nd "special reserve." The meaning of Ihe special reserve was not disclosed, bul the exact amount (Continued on Page 2) called in lo help put down ivil war, and his appointment night result in a more militant tance toward Israel Yafi's Cabinet also was put nder pressure by newspaper cporls lhal it was rounding up Palestinian guerrillas' lo placate sracl A rally in Sidon, a town lose to Iho Israeli border, ircalcncd strikes and unless the guerrillas eve released. Hie Lebanese govcuimcni.has maintained lhal no-Arab uerriUas crossed its border to Hack Israel and ie guerrilla movemenls only retaliation for fue'rrilla 'ajtacks on le'merils and patrols. An Israeli spokesman in Paris aid lhe embargo has been.in ef- Informed Is! Ihcir air force Aides Here Turn In Their Badges Joseph -G.

Silvia; sheriff of mcmbcrs of the Newport Bar ewport County for six years Associalion attended the parly, artillery: and during the Republican A so prtscnt or (h steak sup- on Israeli set- istralion, will turn over his of- wcrp Newport police Cliicf siin- per were Newport Police Cliicf fice lo H. of 71 a alsh, Po. lice Chief-Myles Mosher, Mid- Police Chief llussey, of has enough spare.parts lo last "many but Ihe Paris spokesman said: "We. regard this slcp as having a possible, dangerous effect on our air' force." The French was expected lo add 'urgency to Israel's requests for quick clcliv- Merton Road tomorrow. McGann, who was sworn as high sheriff to day in Pi idencc, is expected lo be at ir, nls LI.

CTmdr. Courthouse tomorrow ilson, head of Naval Silvia said he is not sure what Sccllr iiy am i va 's fcl- he will do in lhe future, bul nw workcfs the Court- that a had several offers. lolltc Incorporated in the event was 9 I Tm" 1I ncxl Fri(la of inc o.m. LLI L-ULII i sion. Associale Judee, Paul J.

and lhe birthday Nero Ihanked the men for of 3ui Sc Del i services they performed and Cil.v Solicitor James S. O'Bri- ery of 50 U.S. F4 Phantom jetiwishcd them. Ihe best of liick.cn and Judge Del Nero and announced Detective Sjt. a i the heads of (lie departments on.Dec.

27 il had agreed lo sell'Pcckhani of Middle-town was said farewell lo the sheriff and he.pl.incs lo with dcliv-piaster of 'ceremonies nishl his men. cry 16 begin some lime tin's i at a farewell parly for. ihe slier- Committee members year 'and' to continue throughNtf. clerk and deputies. It Mary Koziara, juvenile proba- 1970 jwas a the -Marks) res-lion 'officer, Paula Kyle of Iht The J200'million package deal on' I Men's Probal ion office and 1 I 75 per cent of the teclive Sgt.

Pcckham. LAST DA? ATjCOimTHOUSE District Court Associate Judge Paul J.U)ol bids- farewell lo High Sheriff Joseph Silvia, who is.standing next to.him, and' seven deputies and Cleave court jobs lo- deputy, William Sullivan (back row left), will slay on. Leaving art, from left in front, Frank Almeida, Frank Johnson, Cletk Helen Adair, who will remain a week; George Peladeau -and William Blake and in rear, William Alger, Arthur.Mar- ihjll and.Thomas;Gillis, (Daily Newi Photo).