Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 17

Mail Censorship Charged at Polk By HENRY W. PIERCE Pott-Gatftt Staff Writer Polk State School and Hospital has been charged with violating federal law by censoring the mail of retarded residents and with prohibiting them from placing or receiving outside phone calls. The charges were made by the state Welfare Department's Western Region in a memo from Norman J. Taylor, deputy secretary of the Pittsburgh-based Regional Office, to Dr. James H.

McClelland, superintendent of Polk in Venango County. The memo, dated Feb. 9, was obtained by the Post-Gazette yesterday. BOTH INCOMING and outgoing mail is "opened and censored," the memo says, tion. as a regular policy of the institu velopes, along with directions (to the residents) for its use," He also admitted placing curbs on phone use.

He attributed this to an inadequate switchboard system. He said he hopes to install pay phones in the near future. WELFARE DEPARTMENT policy says parents of retarded residents must be informed that money is not to be mailed directly to residents unless the resident has shown an ability to handle money. Dr. McClelland said more than $30,000 a year is received at Polk through resi-dents' presence.

Walter Bennett, regional Welfare Deputy in charge of mental health and re tardation, yesterday said he has checked the six other interim care institutions in the Western Reeion and found no evidence of censorship or telephone restrictions. Charles Peters, executive director of the Allegheny chapter, Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children, declared: "It's inconceivable to us that people would not be given access to phones. Telephone use should be part of the process of helping a resident normalize." The issue at Polk was triggered by, a complaint from the father of a retarded girl who claimed he was temporarily prevented from placing a call to his daughter to tell her he would be unable to visit her during a special celebration at Polk. "These action are specifically prohibited by the Mental Health Mental Retardation Act of 1966," the memo states. The memo directs Dr.

McClelland to allow patients to use public pay phones, in booths, to make private uncensored phone calls and to read a resident's mail only in cases where the resident Is unable to read it himself and then In the resident's presence. Dr. McClelland has not replied to the memd. Yesterday, however, he told the Post-Gazette his institution does not censor mail but he admitted opening envelopes addressed to residents because "money is often enclosed in the en 9 ttfsbtttah Vosf dlasette SECOND SECTION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1973 Chureh Council Head Here Nixon Declares War On Poor, Cleric Says Phot Rfrfc ffViAinn, Fori new drill sergeant, works out on wax dummy. Organizing Meeting Held 1 mm Keacoats to rerrorm Perfi Drug Czar's Surrender Puzzles Feds Federal authorities said yesterday they are at a loss to explain why Samuel W.

Harris, who faces extended jail terms for evading taxes on his huge narcotics trafficking income, gave himself up less than two months after, his escape from Lewisburg Penitentiary. Harris, 27, formerly of Wilkinsburg, still was in the County Jail infirmary last night for unexplained reasons. He had appeared in the Chatham Center offices of the U.S. Justice Department Organized Crime Strike Force about midnight Monday after a friend had called to make the "appointment" with Strike Force chief Milton J. Carp.

Carp said he didn't know why Harris had chosen him since he had not prosecuted the minor drug violation case that had landed Harris in Lewisburg for a one-year term. Nor did Harris tell Carp where he had been since he fled Lewisburg in early January, Carp said. Harris, alleged to have made millions as the area's largest heroin trafficker, told Carp only that he "knew the federal government would find him" and that he "wanted to start serving his time." He faces a possible added sentence of five years for the prison escape and an additional 15 to 20 years in jail if convicted of the federal tax evasion charges for which he was indicted last November. He is expected to be placed under maximum security upon his return to Lewisburg. He was under minimum security and was a trusty at the penitentiary when he escaped.

In Park This Summer Six men dressed as British colonial infantrymen of the Western Pennsylvania frontier will join the Fort Pitt "Royal American Fife and Drum Corps" performances this summer at Point Park, it was announced yesterday. The volunteers were "mustered" last night at an organizing Shift Court Costs to State --Ellenbogen By GEOFFREY TOMB Pojt-Gaztttt Staff Wrlttr President Judge Henry Ellenbogen of Common Pleas Court has called for sweeping administrative changes that would shift court operating costs from the county to the state. The move would eliminate the votes of the county commissioners on court-related issues such as size of payroll and allotment of court space areas which last year cost the county $8 million. In a letter sent yesterday to Joseph A. James, chairperson of the county Home Rule Government Study Commission, Ellenbogen recommended that: The state assume all costs of operating the judicial system.

The separate, elective row offices of Clerk of Courts and Prothonotary be merged for administration by the courts. The office of Jury Commissioner be abolished. The office of county Register of Wills remain independent. WITH HIS LETTER which began, "Dear Mr. Jones" Ellenbogen said he felt his appearance before the seven-member commission was no longer needed.

"I believe that this letter, which expresses my thoughts on these matters, is preferable to my personal appearance before your commission," he wrote. The commission twice has sent the judge letters inviting him to make an apperance at his convenience to offer recommendations on court-related procedures. Clerk of Courts Robert N. Peirce a member of the of the commission, was critical of Ellenbogen's decision to send a letter rather than appear. "He does a disservice to the Common Pleas Court bench by not appearing in person to back up his reasons for making his recommendations and telling us how he arrived at his answers," Peirce said, adding that other judges will appear.

A spokesman for James said there would be no comment on Ellenbogen's letter until the matter was taken up at a regular weekly meeting today at 9:30 a. m. in Room 409 of the courthouse. IN HIS LETTER ELLENBOGEN reminded the commission that the state has been paying part of the costs of administering the local courts $2.2 million last year plus judges' salaries. However, the 800 employes of the local courts are on the county payroll.

As for consolidation of the clerk of courts and prothonotary offices, Ellenbogen said both offices are only administrative and clerical in function and not responsible for policy making decisions. He made no recommendation as to whether the resulting office should be elective or appointive. He said the Register of Wills office, which has judicial duties dealing with probate of wills, should remain independetit, either elective or appointive. Since terms of both jury commissioners expire this year, he suggested elimination of that office by the end of this year. Fired Cenlcr Director Sues to Regain Job Dr.

Charles Greenlee, who was fired last August as director of the Homewood-Brushton Health Center, has filed a suit in Common Pleas Court to gain reinstatement and damages. Dr. Greenlee had been the center's director for 2'i years before being fired by the board of directors. The center is funded by the federal government. meeting of the new unit at the Fort Pitt Museum, according to museum Curator Rex T.

Lohmann. HE SAID the men will be outfitted with British footsoldiers' uniforms and replicas of "Brown Bess" muskets of the 1760s under a $10,000 grant by the A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust Fund. And, to keep the discipline of the new Royal American Regiment all very British, the museum association has commissioned a U.S.

Army drill sergeant to whip the boys in line. HE IS SGT. 1 C. DICK WATKINS, recruiting sergeant in McKees Rocks and former drill instrutor for a similar, colonial-styled military outfit, the First Maryland Regiment of Fort Frederick. The redcoats will join the 14-man fife and drum corps in a formal presentation of the colors by the Fort Pitt blockhouse on Sunday, June 17.

Thereafter, the entire group will perform for tourists and district spectators every Sunday afternoon throughout the summer until Labor Day. 'Bikcway System' Asked by Mayor The Flaherty administration placed an ordinance before City Council yesterday that would establish bicycle routes in the city. The Parks Department is hopeful of having a "bikeway system" in operation by April 15. The measure, if passed, also will authorize filing of applications for state and federal support. The "bikeways" would be designated on certain streets in the city, to be marked by signs.

In some cases, bicycle lanes would be painted on the streets. The "bikeways" will not exclude or restrict motor vehicle traffic. Chatham College 'Names New Dean Mrs. Doreen E. Boyce, former assistant provost at Chatham College, has been named the college's dean of studies, and Richard L.

Morrill, former college director of the interim, has been appointed associate provost. Morrill will be responsible for a variety of experimental programs, faculty recruiting and a program involving free time for independent study. Mrs. Boyce will oversee student academics and continue as head of the economics By VINCE GAGETTA Post Gozttlt Stott Wrlttr The president of the National Council of Churches charged here yesterday that President Nixon has "declared war on the poor people and member? of this country's minorities" with his proposals to cut federal spending for social welfare programs. The Rev.

W. Sterling Cary, who is in. town for a four-day meeting of the council's governing board opening today in the William Penn Hotel, Downtown, said during an interview that the council and the whole church must work for the restoration of the funding cuts. NOTING THAT the council views itself as "America's social conscience," Mr. Cary said his delight in the news of the end of the Vietnam War was short-lived "because I saw President Nixon's budget-cutting as a declaration of, another war on the poor and on members of this country's minorities." He said he thinks President Nixon "is misreading the American will" when he rails for cuts in social program spending, and added that he feels Americans want to continue aid to ghetto education programs, assistance for low and middle income housing and welfare law reform.

"We hope the genius of the American political system will come to the fore in this instance," Mr. Cary said, "and that Congress will not simply say 'yes' to the President on his wishes to cut social -welfare program funds." Mr. Cary said the National Council of Churches, the country's largest ecumenical organization with 33 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican communions as members, is seeking ways to meet the Council Approves Ice Skating Rink In Schenley Park The Flaherty administration yesterday received final authorization from City Council to build a ice skating rink in Schenley Park. Though the vote to approve construction and set up a trust fund of state money to pay for the project was unanimous. Councilman George Shields declared he was casting his "yes" vote "with reluctance." Shields was angry at the administration for going ahead with drawings and a site selection for the rink without council's participation.

His sentiments were echoed by Coun-cilmen Richard Caliguiri and Robert Rade Stone. Both said council should demand that work being toward at least three more rinks in the Southside, the Northside and East Liberty. The new rink will be built near Schenley Oval and should be ready for skating next winter. It is designed to accommodate roller skating during the spring and summer. Penney Workers Reported Back J.

C. Penney today said that striking clerical and technical workers at its regional credit office in Green Tree have ended a nine-week dispute and resumed work. The employes walked off the job when the company refused to recognize the United Steel Workers as their bargaining agent following a National Labor Relations Board election. A USW spokesman said the union is fighting the company in the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB has scheduled a hearing for March 16 on a USW complaint charging the company with unfair labor practices for refusing to bargain.

Robert L. Owen, regional credit manager for the firm, said that during recent weeks more than 75 per cent of the 270 workers were on the job. The USW claims all are in the bargaining unit. Child Care at Pitt Available at Night A child-care center situated at the University of Pittsburgh's Nursery and Child Development Center has added sessions from 5 to 8 p. m.

Monday through Friday, in addition to regular sessions during the school year of 8 a. m. to 12:45 p. m. and 1 to 5:45 p.

m. during the week. Preference for the new evening hours will be given to Pitt evening students, although space mav be available to the general public, a Pitt spokesman said yesterday. REV. W.

STERLING CARY Soothing humanity's hurts. challenge of bringing salvation to the modern world. "We cannot forget the individual in our quest to change the world; we can not ignore the world and our efforts to save the individuals in it," he said. HE ADDED THAT the whole church must not wait for the poor and the oppressed minorities to prod it into action before it addresses itself to human needs. "We must," he said, "take upon ourselves the entire hurt of humanity without waiting for those who have been hurt and oppressed to push us into the fight." The council's governing board sessions will be held in the hotel today through Friday.

Stid3LLto tum Up CIS I DcNardo Backs Duquesne Light's Bcllcr-Air Plans A private weather consultant told the Allegheny County Pollution Appeals Board yesterday that Duquesne Light Co. can comply with general air quality standards at its Phillips Power Station if it succeeds in its aim to reduce emissions by one-third. The consultant, Joe DeNardo, of De-Nardo McFarland Weather Services, was employed by Duquesne Light to pather data to present to the board in support of Duquesne Light's request for a temporary variance from the county air pollution regulations. also works for the county, from whom his firm receives $20,400 a year to predict weather changes during ppriods of high pollution. DeNardo's calculations were challenged by Bernard Bloom, an air pollution engineer for the county, who charged that the mathematical assumptions on which the data was based were not appropriate for Phillips Power Station.

DUQUESNE IS asking for permission to exceed pollution limits at the Crescent Township station for Vh years until new pollution control equipment can be installed. At issue are two sets of standards one dealing with the level of pollution at the top of the smokestack, called the "emissions standards," and the other dealing with general air pollution, called the "ambient air quality" standards. A spokesman for "Duquesne Light said the company expects to be able to reduce "ambient air" pollution by one-third by this July a reduction DcNardo said would bring pollution levels within legal limits. BUT THE COMPANY wants until July, 1375, to bring stack emissions into compliance, DeNardo's contract with the county was cited "for the record" by board membep Emerson Venable, who downplayed the importance of a possible conflict of interest. DeNardo said the work he does for Duquesne Light is "entirely unrelated" to his work for the county.

But Bloom said later he considers the matter potentially serious. Work Out utMi I i I 1 .1 111 '1 JAISON'S I MONROEVILLE MALL SOUTHLAND BRADDOCK McKEESPORT Momovillt Mill ind SoulliUnd opn vty mlit. MtKwpott, rl. nrldnkopm nHSit. St.

nijhti. Post-Goiettt Photo by Aibtrf Frtfich Ranch in Bridgeville are getting their horses In shape for the spring riding season which opens in April. Dally workouts for the equine population of the ranch are held and scenes like the above are typical horses and riders etched against the spars winter countryside. The riders are ranch hands Andy McGraw, left, and Mike Klathake. Believe it or not, the cold, bleak winter will be over unmeday soon and Pittsburgh! will be turning to the great outdoors for sport and recreation again, So the people at Rolling Hills.