Bennington Banner from Bennington, Vermont • Page 1

Cloudy Skies Variable cloudiness with no important temperature changes tonight and Wednesday. Low temperatures tonight will be in the upper 40s and low 50s. Yesterday's high, 78; low. 49. Today av 7 a.m., 50.

Sunset, 7:18 p.m.; sunrise, 6:23 a.m. The moon is at Apogee 252,000 miles from earth. ennm Bennington, Vermont, Tuesday, September 7, 1985 anner Founded weekly in 18-11, daily in 1903 No. 19,857 10 Cesits In Viet Nam U.S. Marines Launch Peninsula Offensive SAIGON (UP!) Thousands Tuong of U.

S. Marines and Vlelna- which mese Infantrymen today launched a big offensive against a suspected Viet Cong stronghold on a narrow peninsula 20 miles south of Chu glal. The Allied Peninsula last month killed 600 guerrillas In the biggest American victory of the war. The Marines hit the beach at dawn today In ampliibious tractors. By mid-afternoon, military troops were trying to trap the spokesman reported theLeather- guerrlllas with their backs to ne sea A military spokesman said today's assault was comparable in size to the Marine campaign on the nearby Van Greetings LUDLOW, Vt.

(UPI)--President Johnson made sure Miss Ida M. Fuller had a happy birthday when she turned 91 Monday. Miss Fuller, first person to receive a Social Security check, also was tho first paid under a new retroactive Increase In benefits. The check arrived Monday accompanied by a letter from President Johnson. In the letter he said, "I am happy you can receive this bonus check on your birthday.

I hope you receive It, and many others, In good health." Later Johnson telephoned Miss Fuller from his LBJ ranch and wished her a happy birthday. Miss Fuller received Social Security check No. 00-000-001 in January of 1940 when she was 05. She said she was "highly honored that the President called. It was a wonderful birthday present." Miss Fuller then sent a telegram to Johnson saying, "My thanks, along with the thanks of all older Americans, go to you, Mr.

President. necks had seized a 600-foot hill which dominates the Ban Lang An Peninsula 345 miles northeast of Saigon. Marine planes strafed the landing zone before dawn and a barrage of heavy artillery shells was fired into the peninsula from the cruiser Oklahoma CUV) flagshlp of the U.S. 7th Fleet. The offensive was dubbed "Piranha" after the man eating South American fish.

The Viet Cong has been reported increasingly active in the Ba Lang An coastal region. Only Monday guerrillas ambushed and inflicted casualties on two platoons of Vietnamese soldiers 55 miles to the south. The' Marine amphibious forces met no opposition in the cove today when their tractors crunched ashore. Explosives had been set off on the beach before the landing to detonate any Communist landmines buried in the sand. Vice Adm.

Paul B. Blackman, 7th Fleet commander, watched the landing from the Oklahoma. Last month's anti guerrilla mission near Chu Lai was called "Starlight." In other ground fighting today, several companies of U.S. Marines moved into the second day of a search and destroy sweep six miles south of Qui Nhon. Spokesmen said the Leathernecks killed 25 guerrillas and captured three others during the first day of the operation.

Two other Marine patrols, fanning out Monday from Da Nang, killed five Viet wounded two others and captured three suspects. China Federal Court Rejects Milne Remap Petition Bennington Rescue Squad personnel load Norman Peltier Oil of Hoosick Falls, N.Y., into the ambulance for the trip to rr7 Putnam Memorial Hospital following a one-car accident Sat- Wuy urclay night in Old Bennington. Peltier went off Main Street rr 1 opposite the Bennington Museum and rammed a power pole. 1 fiOSpltul The i a was one a mber investigated by state and local police over the long Labor Day weekend. Series of Minor Accidents Keep Area Police Hopping State and local police were ly Friday evening in Arlington on field.

The car was considered a called upon to investigate a rash U.S. 7 near the intersection with total loss. of accidents over the long holi- Vermont 313. Two Arlington and three Ben- day weekend and while there was Taken to Putnam Hospital for nington youths escaped injury extensive property damage and a treatment of injuries received when a car one of them was driv- number of injuries, only oneper- in he mishap, but released later ing crashed off Prospect Street son remained hospitalized Tues- in the weekend was Everett E. day.

Bryant, 43. He was a passenger Reported in "fairly good" con- ln a 1953 studebaker sedan oper- dition this morning at Putnam atet by Arthur E. Bryant, 17, Memorial Hospital was Norman also of Springfield. The other two Peltier, 56, of Hoosick Falls, cars involved were a 1958 Mer- N.Y., who suffered Revere head cury ope rated by Robert E. Stan- and chest lacerations when his 29, of Rutland, and a 1965 car went off Main Street Saturday Forc station wagon operated by night in Old Bennington and plow- Elizabeth O.

Conover, 44, of ed head-oil into a utility pole pjttsfield, Mass. All cars were headed north and the Stanwood and Bryant vehicles had stopped but the Conover vehicle approaching from their rear did not stop in time and collides with the rear end United Press International Pakistan reported its American made jets shot down 24 Indian planes today in its biggest victory of the undeclared Kashmir war that has spread more than 2,000 miles from Karachi to Calcutta. While air and land battles raged over wide areas Communist China broadcast an official offer of "firm support" to Pakistan and accused India of intrusions and provocations along the Indo-China border. Pakistan said eight Indian ail- force Canberra jet bombers hit the city of Karchi today, killing "many" persons. India reported Pakistan air raids as far east as Calcutta.

As the scale of fighting increased constantly, United Nations Secretary General Thant prepared to fly to Rawalpindi and New Delhi to try to halt the hostilities. would reject Pakistan's appeal strlctions" in view of the rapid- for British military assistance Jy escalating war. This could under security arrangements of mean internment, the Central Treaty Organization civil defense officials in Cal(CENTO). No help was expect- cutta said after a 28 minute ed from the Southeast Asia a i ra id alert that it was "not Treaty Organization (SEATO) a practice rehearsal but the of which Pakistan also is a re ai tiling." However, no bombs member. A Pakistani military were reported dropped, spokes- Air raids were reported on man in Karachi reported down- chaklala Airport on the out- Ing of 24 Indian planes today in air battles over India and west and east Pakistan.

He also reported a series of Pakistani air raids 200 miles southeast of Karachi in the Rann of Kutch area. The Pakistani spokesman said Pakistan troops and armor had halted an Indian thrust in the Lahore area. He said the Indians attacked repeatedly in brigade strength near Lahore but were turned lack. Pakistan claimed its army in North Bennington early day evening. Driver of the 1958 B'ord convertible was Anthony L.

Ennis, Se-" ACCIDENTS Page 10, Col. 3 the Bennington Mu- BURLINGTON (UPI) Barre attorney Donald Milne on A three judge federal panel to- behalf of the 276 senators and day denied a last-gasp effort by representatives, based on a the defunct Vermont Legislature House resolution. A similar re- to perpetuate lawmakers' terms solve, passed by the Senate through 1966. wasT thrown out by the panel U.S. Circuit Judge Sterry Wa- lerman of St.

Johnsbury and his fellow panelists, District Judges Robert Anderson and J. Joseph Smith of Conneccicut, filed the order denying the petilion today in U.S. District Court here. The petition was based on an llth hour resolution passed before the 1965 Legislature lapsed into history by court order on July 1. The petition was brought by Inspection Snag Hits Arms Plan terms of the legislators lapsed July 1 and special elections will be held this fall to select a 30 member realigned Senate and a 150 member reapportioned House.

The state opposed the petition on the grounds that the original resolution directed Milne to appeal to the Supreme Court. The opposite seum. Peltier was headed west when he went off the road and struck and broke off the utility pole bringing down several wires, including at least one live one. Power was off in nearby sections while Central Vermont Public Service Corp. crews repaired the damage.

Peltier, who was alone, dragged himself out of the car and collapsed in a nearby field. A Bennington Village Police officer, who was one of several assisting Old Bennington Police Chief Joseph Young at the scene, noted it was lucky Peltier didn't encounter the live wire and become electrocuted. A Bennington Fire Department truck was called to the scene and firemen doused a small fire which broke out in the front end of the auto, which set the power Deadline for the filing of nom- people," he said, only in part oTtheTryant car which in turn mating petitions for local legis- humor, "disturb my slumbers at latlve candidates is only a day an unreasonable hour, I will shoot Plumb said he will be in ran into the Stanwood car. Two brothers received bad cuts and bruises Sunday afternoon when the Volkswagen in which they were riding went out of control and ran off Vermont 9 in Woodford just east of the Bennington town line. Operator of the car was Preston II.

Maxwell, 29, of Spencer Port, N.Y.; his passenger was Stanley W. Maxwell, 31, of Pittsfield, Mass. Both were taken to the Putnam Hospital by the Bennington Rescue Squad but were released after treatment. According to state police, Preston Maxwell reported he had skirts of Rawalpindi, the Pakistan capital, and on four other Pakistani cities including Karachi. An Indian Defense Ministry spokesman in New Delhi admitted Indian forceswere being stopped in the Lahore area.

But he claimed major victories over the Pakistani armed forces. India said its jets destroyed nine American-made Pakistani planes Monday and damaged two others while losing eight. He said Pakistani para- was "in full and effective con- i troopers dropped behind Indian trol" throughout West Pakistan I lines for sabotage purposes had Pakistan asked the Soviet although Indian forces still were been rounded up. Union for support but informed on the Pakistani soil they in- The spokesman also reported sources In Moscow said the aded Monday. Indian jets knocked out 16 Pak- Russians so far had taken an the same time Pakistan istanl Pattonand Sherman tanks, Impartial attitude" in the threatened a new invasion of 14 artillery pieces, two light India In East Punjab where Sikh religious leaders have demanded a separate homeland and have argued bitterly with India.

"The government regretfully announces the Pakistan army might march tlirougli Sikh territory," the statement said. This mountainous ara is directly below Kashmir. There were indications in Karachi that the India high Figures released by the Ben- commission personnel stationed nlng ton Graded School District their might face "certain re- tnjs morning shO that enrollments In the three village schools have reached an all-time high. The opening day enrollment at Bennington High School was 716. By Sept.

18, 1964, twoweeks after school started, 677 students were enrolled at Benhi. The Cora B. Whitney School reports that 165 youngsters showed up for classes on opening day. their candidacies. One other ex- Thls f)ve more tnan had been pected candidate who has yet to officially announce is the veteran Republican town representative from Woodford, Mrs.

Daisy Myers. In Subdistrict 3 (south), one fighting. Russia has been giving massive aid to India. The United States which has supplied about $6 billion aid to India and about S3 billion to Pakistan was reported considering a review of its program in an effort to end the fighting. British Prime Minister Harold Wilson held an urgent series of conferences in London with Indian and Pakistan onficials but there was no indication of success.

Informed sources said Britain anti-aircraft guns and between 30 and 40 army vehicles. Area School Enrollments Set Record Candidates in Mad Rush As Films Deadline Nears pole ablaze also. The Bennington pulled to the left to avoid hit- Rescue Squad took the injured ting a dog which ran into the man to the hospital. road, causing the car to go across A Springfield, man was in- the highway and roll over several jured in a three-car collision ear- times before coming to rest in a Barre attorney decided to bring TM, -i the matter before the three VemiOllt WCCkCIld Judge panel because the highest tribunal no longer is a party in the Vermont case. After the resolve requesting extension of terms was passed, Gov.

Philip H. Hoff called it "an exercise in futility" and refused to sign it, Legal observers in Montpelier had lermed the latest move by Milne "absolutely absurd." Still pending, and the last legal barrier to the elections this fall, is a petilion in Chittenden County Court by W. Clark Hutchlnson. The former Rochester Republican representative wants an injunction to bar the elections which ho claims vio- lale the state constitution. WASHINGTON (UPI) Con- GENEVA (UPI)--The Soviets today accepted a neutral nations' proposal for a trealy banning underground nuclear tests above a certain size coupled with a moratorium on smaller tests.

Semyon K. Tsarapkln, the chief Soviet negotiator at the 17-nation disarmament conference here, said the Soviet Union is "ready to agree without delay" to such a trealy. The Wesl opposes such an agreement because it would not include on-site inspections to prevent cheating. The United States has repeat- edly stressed that although 11 gressmen faced at least another can detecl and identify large month's work on President underground nuclear explo- Johnson's "Great Society" leg- sions, inspection is necessary to Islatlon today, but there were stop any nation from conduct- signs that adjournment fever was beginning to set In. Some lawmakers were of the opinion that, after eight full months of work, the only way they'll ever be able to get out of town for the year is to start killing off some of the President's bills.

Among the measures still on derground explosions above a Johnson's "must" list for ap- magnitude of 4.75 on the sols- proval this year are the Imml- mic scale-an explosion equiva- gratlon reform bill, home rule 'lent to the Hiroshima bomb. 'or the Dlstricl of Columbia, Egypl proposed a moralorium highway beaullficatlon, money on all smaller explosions under- for the war on poverty and for- 'grountl. 'E" a 'd, farm legislation, The 'MOSCOW trealy docs not "right to work" law repeal, Include any inspection arrange- and aid to higher education. raen The Johnson strategy was ob- One Hunting Death; Roads Fatal Free MONTPELIER (UPI) wood Lagrow, 61, of East Berk- Vermont ended the 78 hour La- shire who died instantly when he other probable a bor Day holiday weekend with- a blast struck him in the chest. am who has not officially out a fatal traffic accident Authorities said the youngster, announced but who Indicated last Out a lacai iranic HLLIULIU.

1,1 away and a number of expected them. candidates and others who have Manchester during the day Wed- officaally announced their in- nesday but will be at his home, tentions have yet to file their and awake, during the early petitions with appropriate elec- evening hours. tion clerks. Plumb said 113 signatures of One of those yet to file but who county residents are the min- has nominating petitions circulat- imum required to have a valid ing would be the second Demsen ate nominating petition, ocratic candidate for the two Ben- A number of official or ex- nington County senate seats, Mrs. pec ted candidates have also yet Elsworth E.

Jannicky of Arling- 0 file for six House seats for ton. Mrs. Jannicky Is expected the Bennlngton-Woodford legis- to formally announce her a tivD district, candidacy later today. The district, No. 3, has been County Clerk George H.

Plumb, divided under the new re- with whom the petitions are to apportioned legislative plan into be filed, reported this morning three subdistricts for which there that no candidates have yet sub- be two representatives each, mitted their nominating petitions. The Republicans apparently The petitions must be filed if the av a full slate of two candidates' names are to appear candidates for each of the sub- on the ballot for the primary elections Oct. 19. Two Republicans have of- flcally announced their Intentions to file for theSenateseats nington Village PresldentSalva. enrolled by Sept.

18 last year. At the Bennington Elementary School, the number of children in grades 1-6 reached 501. No figures for the kindergarten were available this morning, but the Republican candidate, Mrs. Lu- of kindergarteners at cia B. Howard of Monument Ave.

Elementary Scnool ls expect to file, and Allan B. Angney Jr. of Arlington, one of the two Incumbent county senators, who announced his candidacy sometime ago. The only accidental death reported by State Police during the weekend occurred at Montgomery where a 14-year-old boy mistook a man for a bear and shot him in the chest. The victim was Kenneth El- Fever Haunts stop any ing smaller clandestine tests.

The was presented to the disarmament conference on Aug. 17 by the United Arab Republic. It suggested extending the 1963 Moscow treaty which bans nuclear tests on the ground, underwater and In the air to un- vious; Get os much as he can through congress this year while the momentum lasts, then permit the lawmakers tb adjourn early possibly by June next year so they can have the summer to campaign for the fall elections. iiiuiiiimiiiuuiiimiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiuui On the Inside The Chanticleer, Charles John Stevenson, tells about Hand Melons near Cambridge, N.Y.--page 4. A full page of county briefs on page 5, and reports on area brides on page 3.

Columnist Alan Sophrin is Introduced to the John Birch Society--page 4. whose name was withheld, mis- we ek he had full Intentions of took Lagrow for a hear and filing is Robert M. Wilson of fired into some brush. pippin Knoll, the oilier incumbent The falalily free weekend counly senator, is attributed partly to the new plumb said thai Ihe official "Project Failsafe" launched deadline for filing thenonilnaling this weekend to cut down road petitions is midnight Wednesday deaths. but he made clear that he ex- The Departmenls of Public pects prospective candidates to Safety and Motor Vehicles their papers to him much teamed up for the program, during which warnings were issued to drivers disobeying laws of courtesy and safety, but not flagrantly enough for court action.

The commissioner of motor districts but Democrats apparently will be far short of a full slale. In Subdistrict 1 (north) David Ben- Allen of Airport Road, one of the Republicans, has filed his tore Santarcangelo, who Indicated nominating petitions, Bennington this morning he fully intends to Town Clerk Miss Mary Hodeck, who is also the legislative district's election clerk, reported this morning. The oilier expecled candldale for the GOP from this suhdistrict is Joseph J. Caracciola, a former Bennington town representallve in Ihe old legislature. Alfred Arnold, a Democrat, has announced his candidacy from this district.

In Subdlslrlcl 2, (east), no candidates have yet filed, according to Miss Ilodeck. One Republican, Everell S. Llllle of Soulh Stream Road, and one Democrat, Mrs. Ethel Bruso of 206 Beech have both announced and the one and apparenlly only Democratic candidate from this Subdistrict, George Van Santvoord, Bennington's lown represenlallve in the leglslalure dissolved this year, have both filed their nomlnallng petitions. Also expected to file Is a second Republican candidate, H.

James Wallace of Old Bennington. Miss Hodeck said thai midnight Wednesday is the deadline for candidates to file their nominating pelllions, bul she, loo, asked thai Ihls be done earlier. She noted that among other things the names on the pell- lions have to be checked for validity and if the candidate finds he needs more names he will have some time to do so If he brings his petitions Wednesday. Miss Hodeck said a candidate needs 50 signatures of residents In his sulxllslrlcl lo have a valid nominating petition. Reuben Levin, the first candidate to enter the local race for ed to exceed last year's 110.

By Sept. 18, 1964, the enrollment at the Elementary School, including kindergarten, was 605. Enrollment figures in all schools are expected to change somewhat during the nexl two Wires Cross: Mamies Use Tear Gas on Reds SAIGON (UPI) A Marine battalion commander, apparently unaware of strlcl policy lo Ihe conlrary, used lear gas day lo drive women and sus- pecled Viet Cong from caves and lunnols during an operalion near Qui Nhon, a military snid the Viet Cong were using the women as shields. The lear gas was effective, the spokesman said, Find the women and suspecled Vlel Cong six seats In the slate leglsla- Brner with nothing morn ser- ture, has become the first lo lous lear-filled eyes, withdraw. IIe emphasized that it was Levin said thai Ihe reason lear gas only, and nol a com- for his decision Is lhat he ex- binatlon lo produce nausea, peels Gov.

Philip H. Hoff to reappoint him lo the state boxing earlier than that. "If any of these commission. This would mean a possible conflict of Interest If he were also lo be elected to See DEADLINE Page 10, Col. 7 The spokesman said the bal- iallon commander used the lear gas on his own Inillalive and lhat permission would not have been granted had a request been made to the American Military.

Furious Hurricane Betsy Belts Bahamas vehcles may suspend without a hearing the licenses of persons given the warnings. BURLINGTON (UPI) Two persons Injured in separate accl- denls during Ihe Labor Day weekend were still in critical condition today at Mary Fletcher Hospital, here. A West Charleston man, Earl Dane, 23, suffered a broken neck when flung from his auto after it careened off Vermont Route 5A In Charleston Saturday night. And Mrs. Gwendolyn Bree- toe crash at Route 7.

in Charlotte two on U.S. NASSAU, The Bahamas Relentless Hurricane Betsy stationed Its fury on this Bahaman capital for more than two hours today hammering the helpless island with 140 mile an hour winds and raging seas. A spanking-new Duich fright er sent a frantic SOS from near Hurricane Betsy's center today but later lold Ihe Coasl Guard it could limp through mountainous seas unassisted. The Sarah Elizabeth, "so new that it didn't even have a radio call signal," had reported It was In danger of foundering and was being washed toward Egg Island before its radio went dead at 3:15 EST. The Ccasl Guard had dispatched a cutter and asked several merchant ships to assist the 227-fool Sarah Elizabelh in the Bahamas, "The ship reported again by radio just before 8 a.m., however," Ihe Coasl Guard said.

"She said she was in Ihe Providence Channel and thai everything was under conlrol and she needed no assislance." Islanders feared Belsy would be the worst storm lo rake Ihe Bahamas since 1929 when scores were killed. There were no Immediale reports of casualties bul properly damage was extensive. The 1 Miami Weather Bureau indicated the treacherous storm may again change its path and try to go ashore on the rich Florida Gold Coast or the Keys. "All interesls ever southern Florida In the area of the hurricane warning display are urged lo complele final preparations against this dangerous hurricane," an 8 a.m. EOT advisory said.

The advisory said "radar tracking Indicates thai Belsy has teen nearly stationary during the past two hours." Us position was. located about 190 miles due east of Key Largo, and virtually atop Nassau. Winds up lo 100 miles an hour plucked shullers from shop windows. Power lines crackled In the streels. police were senl into the streets on special patrol to prevent loot- Ing, and found them deserted.

Palm fronds, coconuts and other debris cluttered the picturesque slreels. The native shacks strained under Betsy's mighty fury. Some 500 American tourists i-ere stranded. They huddled in Belsy was "really clobbering candle-lit hotel lobbies for hur- the Bahamas," the weathermen rlcane parties, said. netsy surprised Ihe islands High seas and rains senl when It rioubled-hack Monday ter swirling through the Island morning after standing motion- streets.

At Nassau, the city's less north of the chain for al- famed Bay Street with Its most 24 hours. was sucked straw market and tourist shops southward by a low pressure was Inundated. area..