Mexico Ledger from Mexico, Missouri • Page 1

18 PAGES iHrxtro Mexico, Thursday, Fefrvary.26, 1976 Phone l-nn- 12 2nd Year Nn 0 Cents CLEARING TONIGHT 60s TOMORROW Ask More Time On FEC Law By DONALD M. ROTHBERG Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) Common Cause, a citizens group that has lobbied for election law reform, said today it will ask the Supreme Court to extend its deadline for restructuring the Federal Election Commission. The group planned to file its request later in the day. Senate leaders also were considering whether to ask the court for an extension. Kenneth Guido, a lawyer for Common Cause, said his group and probably others would ask the court for a 30- day extension.

Senate Republican Leader Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania said he planned to discuss with Majority Leader Mike Mansfield, the possibility of asking for an extension. Meanwhile, the commission discovered it has an extra day before some of its powers, including certification of presidential primary matching funds, expire because of a recent Supreme Court decision. After scheduling a special meeting for Sunday to certify matching funds just before the deadline, the FEC general Epperson Into Prison Tomorrow HANNIBAL-Russell Lee Epperson will be taken to the department of corrections in Jefferson City tomorrow to start serving three life sentences, to run one after the other, for the first degree murders of his wife and two children. Sheriff William Rothweiler said today he would transport Epperson to prison tomorrow. Marion County officers have had custody of the young Mexico man since fall when his case was transferred to the Hannibal Court of Common Pleas on a change of venue.

Yesterday afternoon Judge James R. Reinhard overruled a defense motion for a new trial and formally sentenced Epperson to life imprisonment for each of the murders, the terms to run consecutively. A jury in January had found him guilty on each count and fixed the life term in each. Judge Reinhard set Epperson's appeal bond at $250,000 and ordered him remanded to the custody of the Marion County sheriff to be transported to the state department of corrections. Defense Attorney David V.

Bear III indicated earlier that he would file an appeal with the St. Louis Court of Appeals. Judge Reinhard also ordered Audrain County to reimburse Marion County for any costs already paid for in conjunction with the case and ordered that Audrain be liable for any other debts incurred in the trial. Mr. Bear, on his motion for a new trial, argued that there was no reason for police not to have obtained a search warrant, and that the prosecuting attorney, Thomas I.

Osborne violated rules in his closing argument by mentioning the fact that the defendant did not testify. In the written motion, Mr. Bear listed 17 reasons for which he claimed his client should have a new trial. Most frequently mentioned was the allegedly unlawful warrant- less search of the defendant's home which Bear said was in violation of his rights. The state insisted this was not really a search and a warrant was not secured due to the fact that police regarded it as more of a missing persons case, Mr.

Osborne said. Prosecutor Osborne said the constitution prohibits an unreasonable search and seizure but the police did not consider this unreasonable as they were just trying to locate Mrs. Epperson and the two children. Mr. Osborne said he feels sure the Missouri Court of Appeals will affirm the decision and not overthrow it Bear argued that the Supreme Court of Missouri and the United States has said many times that the test of reasonableness is not left up to the police officer; it is left to a fair and impartial magistrate when he issues the search warrant.

counsel's office found a Supreme Court rule providing that such a deadline cannot fall on a Sunday. Thus, the commission's ability to exercise all its powers will continue until Monday night. The final certification meeting originally set for Sunday was changed to 4 p.m. EST Monday. Rep.

Wayne Hays, D-Ohio, has postponed any further House action until Monday on overhauling the commission to meet the Supreme Court's objections to its present structure. In the Senate Rules Committee, Republicans raised protests today against using a bill sponsored by Hays to reconstitute the commission and make other changes in the 1974 campaign finance law. Sen. Robert P. Griffin of Michigan, the deputy GOP leader, said the bill would "pull the teeth of the FEC in many respects." He said no testimony had been taken from the commission, the Justice Department or Common Cause.

Majority Whip Robert C. Byrd, said he expected Congress to act on an election commission bill early next week and that an extension of the deadline might not be necessary. In any case, the commission will remain in existence, and the FEC staff said it will continue to accept matching-fund applications. Byrd said a bill could be made retroactive. Common Cause had lobbied for passage in 1974 of election law changes that created the commission to monitor campaign contributions and expenditures and to disburse federal funds to presidential candidats.

Betty Takes Rest PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) Betty Ford plans some rest today at Marco Island before resuming her first campaign trip as the wife of an incumbent President. She is to appear Friday at a Founder's Day dinner at the University of Miami. President Ford will join her Saturday morning for more campaigning for votes in Florida's March 9 presidential primary. State Senate Votes Improved Pensions JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.

(AP) Better pension systems for legislators, judges and elected officials and a measure protecting underground utilities from damage by construction received final approval in the Missouri Senate Wednesday. The upper chamber also sent the House a bill authorizing the $5 million purchase in federal revenue sharing funds for Marillac College in St. Louis. The change in the pension system allows those persons now covered under it to stop paying the 5 per cent of their salaries which goes toward the retirement benefits. The elimination of the payments increases lawmakers' salaries $420 annually.

The measure also eliminates a 7 per cent pension contribution payment by employes of the state Highway Department. Other state employes' payments in the retirement plans ended a number of years ago. The utility bill requires the companies to provide the county recorders of deeds with the name and location of where they can be notified about the information of the place of buried cables, pipes and wires. Construction workers must first get the names and locations of the buried cables before they can begin work. Another pension-related bill was given first-round approval by the Senate which exempts teachers' retirement benefits from state income taxes.

Wednesday's Senate session was cut short when construction workers said they needed to enter the chamber to investigate a leak in the Capitol. Under the state pension bill, Missouri would pick up the costs of the eliminated contributions. Highway Patrol and Highway Department employes would also be provided a health plan under the Senate- passed bill. The Senate also approved and sent the House a measure approving $10,000 to existing and proposed ambulance districts in the state over the next two years. State Fair Ticket Price Hike Approved JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.

(AP) An increase in ticket prices for the state fair, final approval for some appropriations bills and defeat of an attempt to revise distribution of state aid to public schools kept the House busy Wednesday. It gave preliminary approval to a 50 cent hike in admission prices to the annual state fair in Sedalia. Under the measure, children under six years of age would be admitted free. The four budget bills sent to the Senate fund the public debt, public education, Revenue Department and the executive branch. The rise in ticket prices for the fair was caused by inflation, the bill's sponsor The school aid funding measure was aimed at finding a more equitable distribution process for state aid to public schools.

Opponents argued the change would penalize many districts now trying to increase local efforts to support education. After more than an hour of debate, the 163-member House fell eight votes short of the necessary margin for victory. Fifteen members were absent from the vote and one member attended the debate but cast no vote. Normandy Democrat Wayne Goode, sponsor the bill and chairman of the House Education Committee, said the measure was not a complete answer to the distribution problem, but said it would result in a "much more fair" process of doling out the state funds. A similar bill, passed by the House last year, was killed in the Senate.

Many critics this year predicted a similar fate for the measure if it had passed the House Wednesday. Currently four Senate bills designed to alter the distribution process are in Senate committee and they have little chance of gaining approval since the session is already heading into its final two months of debate. Final approval was given by the House to a resolution which authorizes the state to contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for contraction of recreational areas in northern Missouri. Congressmen Sue Postal Service To Stop Closings WASHINGTON (AP) Forty-four members of Congress sued the Postal Service today, asking for a court order against closing unprofitable, small post offices and saying the agency is carrying out "a massive assault on the country's small communities." The Postal Service says post offices are being closed only in communities where service would not be reduced.

Rep. Paul Simon, leader of the group of 41 representatives and three senators who filed the 50-page lawsuit in U.S. District Court, said the action is being financed by several associations of postmasters. The Postal Service responded in a statement: "The congressmen by joining with the postmaster associations in effect endorse make-work or featherbedding, and their actions can only serve to damage the Postal Service's efforts to resolve its current financial crisis." The agency said that some of those who voted against additional appropriations for the Postal Service last fall are now suing in an attempt "to hamper us in implementing the only remaining route available to us cutting postal costs." Six members of the congressional group appeared at a news conference to announce the lawsuit. Asked how they would finance the continued operation of unprofitable rural post offices, Sen.

Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, said, "Raise taxes, if need be." The congressmen asked for a preliminary injunction to prevent the Postal Service "from closing any post office in response to its operating at a deficit. They also asked for an order that would prevent the Postal Service from making any change that "will generally affect the closing or consolidation of post offices on a nationwide or substantially nationwide basis without first submitting a proposal therefore." Joining Simon and Gravel in the law suit were: Reps. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa; Martha Keys, Jerry Litton, John McCollister, JoeSkubitz, Gene Taylor, Charles Thone, R- William Randall, and Richard Ichord, D-Mo. Band To Mark Bicentennial The Red and Gray Band of the freshman class at Mexico High School, directed by Robert Murta, will present a program of American music on a Bicentennial theme for its Winter Concert Friday. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

at Emmons Hall at the high school. The band will open with "My Days Have Been Wondrous Free" by Francis Hopkinson, one of the first American composers whose works have: survived. Also on the program are a musical setting of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Norland Overture, "Enchanted A Simple Serenade arranged byf James D. Ployhar based on music by Bach; Jazz in a Mellow Mood, "Whose "Waltz Scenario" "Caribbean Holiday" and "Marcia Latina." Members of the band: Flutes, Christi Alewell, Julie Brown, Rhonda Campbell, Jane Coatsworth, Donna Dillard, Terry Evans, Patty Gamblian, Elizabeth Jane Hotop, Robyn Hycz, Lynn Johnson, Sally Mainprize, Rebecca Miller, Sarah Miller, Carol Mudd and Sue Worstell; Oboe, Carmen Haynes. Clarinet, Linda Allen, Janet Brown, Deanne Cartee Penny Hamilton, Marcia Hampton, Sonja Harris, Marjorie Henderson, Kimberly Lue, Susan Maupin Janet Rainey, Sharon Sheets, Melissa Staples Michelle Steele, Jill Stuart, Mike Thomas, Kim Wheeler.

Bass clarinet, Chris Dobyns, Terry Lovelace, Penny Umstattd; alto saxophone, Steve Alton, Rich Arnold Jim Fierge, Elizabeth Henderson, David Kehl, Marga Nowlin, Karen Schremp, Harry Williams; tenor saxophone, Marcia Zeigler; baritone saxophone, Andy Ekern. Cornet, Steve Anderson, Eldon Benus, Morgan Berger, David Black, Roger Brooks, Matthew Brown Rick Campbell, Ken DuBus, John French, Mike George, Mike Gonzalez, Kermit Head, Scott Hunt David Maupin, Bob Pasley, Rusty Rivers, Michael Rodenbaugh, Brian Smith, Michael Snell, Richard Toalson, Rodney Winter; French horn, Daniel Beamer, Stephen Bybee, Charles Crews, Martin Kehl Max Vinyard. Trombone, William Davenport, Christopher Finck. Stephen Griffin, Kenneth Hancock, Gregory Harper, William Kuhlman, David Lee, Greg Maximovitch Mark, Niederschulte, Mark Smith and Kevin Weatherspoon; baritone horn, Greg Dollens, Frank Pearson, Paul Reznicek; tuba, Scott Andresen, Craig Hampton; Drums, Glenn Brown, Lance Davis and Bradley Reed. Uncle Sam Owns Part Of His Heart TACOMA, Wash.

(AP) The federal government owns part of Gordon McNiven's heart. And when the atomic energy that keeps it beating isn't needed any more, McNiven must return it. McNiven, 27, was picked to try a new concept in pacemakers pacemakers with atomic power. Pacemakers have kept hearts beating for 15 years, using batteries for power. McNiven's will run on a pellet of plutonium and could last as long as 25 years or more.

The plutonium belongs to the federal government, and if McNiven no longer needs the nuclear power it must be returned to federal authorities. Democratic Field Into Massachusetts BOSTON (AP) Democrats running for president, led by newly advanced frontrunner Jimmy Carter, are turning their attention to Massachusetts and the second primary test of the election year. The Bay State primary next Tuesday involves more Democrats and less Republican activity and introduces new rules and a highly volatile issue, busing. The Democratic field in Massachusetts includes the five candidates in Tuesday's New Hamsphire primary as well as three others Sen. Henry M.

Jackson of Washington, Pennsylvania Gov. Milton J. Shapp and Alabama Gov. George Wallace. Carter, the former Georgia governor who polled 30 per cent of the vote to lead the field in New Hampshire, predicted Wednesday he would win, place or show in the second primary test.

Following Carter in the New Hampshire voting were Rep. Morris K. Udall of Arizona, Sen. Birch Bayh of Indiana, Former Oklahoma Sen. Fred Harris and Sargent Shriver, the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 1972.

The key stumbling block for Carter and the others could well be Wallace, who chose to start his primary campaign in the only state that voted Democratic in the presidential election four years ago. Wallace already has devoted an extraordinary amount of time to Massachusetts. Most others will spend a good part of the next five days here, but Carter aides say their candidate has planned a bare four hours here bringing his total Massachusetts time to 85 hours. Udall, whose second place finish in New Hampshire led him to declare himself the leading progressive candidate, said Wednesday he believes Wallace could get 15 per cent of the vote in Massachusetts. Other estimates have been higher in the seven-way race which could be won with 20 or 25 per cent.

President Ford is considered the heavy favorite on the Republican side in a lackluster contest with Ronald Reagan, the former California governor who took 49 per cent to Ford's 51 per cent in New Hampshire. Ford aides designated Reagan the "phantom" opponent because he lacks an official organization here. But his television and radio advertising has reached both Massachusetts and New Hampshire audiences. Reagan, campaigning Wednesday in Illinois for the Mrs. Dora Rae Sudbrock Dies; March 16 primary there, released a financial statement putting his net worth at $1,445,571.

The statement, released without comment, said his income for the five years ending in 1974 was $528,518 and estimated his 1975 income at $282,253. It showed Reagan paid taxes of $135,380 from 1970 to 1974 and an estimated $119,332 for 1975. Schools in Boston, Massachusetts' capital city, are being desegregated by court order and busing an explosive issue is expected to figure prominently in the state primary election. Both Wallace and Jackson have courted the antibusing vote. None of the other Democrats have made direct appeals for the antibusing vote.

Wallace challenges audiences to "shake the eye teeth off everyone who have done what they've done to you" by giving him "a good vote." But publicly, Wallace, who polled 7.2 per cent of the 1972 Massachusetts primary vote after one appearance, is modest in his expectations, saying only his status has "improved." Jackson, meanwhile, forecast triumph in Massachusetts. "This is the final drive to victory," he shouted at a rally Wednesday night. Udall has contended that Continued on Page 5) Detroit Mayor Predicts More Bankrupt Big Cities WASHINGTON (AP) The nation's economic recovery may be ended by a series of bankruptcies by large cities later this year unless Washington provides more money, the mayor of one threatened city says. At hearings by the congressional Joint Economic Committee Wednesday, Mayor Coleman Young of Detroit said his city will face default after July 1, if some kind of financial aid is not forthcoming. "Philadelphia will not be far behind," Young said, "nor will Boston, San Francisco and some others." He said despite recent cuts of about 18 per cent of Detroit's payroll, the city faces a $44.3 million deficit at the end of this fiscal year June 30, and a potential $103 million gap next fiscal year.

Young, whose city is plagued with rampant unemployment in part tied to a slowdown in the automobile 146 Vehicles Piled Up In Crash Series STUTTGART, West Germany (AP) In a dense morning fog, 146 vehicles piled up today on the Stuttgart- Heilbronn autobahn in southwest Germany, killing two persons and injuring 30 others. A total of 130 autos and 16 trucks were involved in three dozen chain reaction crashes at the Ludwigsburg-North interchange when visibility dropped to about 100 feet, police reported. Both sides of the four-lane freeway were blocked until midday while 70 policemen, wreckers and 13 ambulances untangled the wreckage and victims. Fog prevented use of helicopters. Industry, said that unless money comes, he may have to cut another 5,000 from his reduced work force of 19,403.

President Ford's fiscal 1977 budget drew fire from other witnesses. Gov. Hugh Carey of New York, where New York City narrowly missed default last year, said it is a "hard shift in a backward direction." "What the present budget suggests is not a thoughtful retrenchment, based on a balancing of human needs with economic needs. It pulls back on commitments that have represented the social philosophy of this country for the last 45 years," Carey said. On the same topic, but at a different hearing, two governors differed on the effects of the Ford budget on cities and states.

Gov. Robert D. Ray of Iowa told the Senate Budget Committee he believed Ford staked out a good middle ground position to attack Today's Smile When a sudden storm blew up at sea, a young woman, leaning against the ship's rail, lost her balance and was thrown overboard. Immediately, another figure plunged in the waves beside her and held her up until a lifeboat rescued them. To everyone's astonishment, the hero was the oldest man on the octogenarian.

That evening he was given a party in honor of his bravery. "Speech! Speech!" the passengers cried. The old gentleman rose slowly and looked around at the enthusiastic gathering. "There's just one thing I'd like to know," he said testily. "Who the hell pushed inflation "the destroyer of the finely tuned relationship we call in this country state and local government." "State and local government can provide the leadership and impetus for constructive direction and change," Ray said.

But Gov. Patrick J. Lucey of Wisconsin said Ford's budget proposals "do not do enough to stimulate the economy" or to lower unemployment, and will leave the states in an impossible fiscal position. "They will leave already hard- pressed state governments with an impossible choice between reducing public services and increasing taxes," he said. Lucey estimated Wisconsin's loss of federal funds at $100 million, 10 per cent of what it has been getting from Washington.

"The states are simply not in the positon to make up the difference," Lucey insisted. Reagan Hurt, Gov. Bond Says JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Gov. Christopher S.

Bond says he thinks President Ford's New Hampshire victory hurt Former Gov. Ronald Reagan's presidential chances. Bond said New Hampshire should have been Reagan's strongest state since it is known for its large number of conservative voters. "I thought Ford would be doing well to come close," Bond said after returning from the National Governor's Conference Bond has supported Ford for some time. Earlier in the year.

Bond was listed as a possible vice presidential candidate to run with Ford. Mrs. Dora Rae Sudbrock, 43, 720 N. Craig St. died Wednesday at 7:55 p.m.

at the Audrain Medical Center where she had been admitted as a patient since Feb. 18. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Precht-Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. J.C.

Montgomery, pastor of the Mexico United Methodist Church, to officiate. Visitation will be Friday after 7 p.m. at the funeral home. She was born on Nov. 30, 1932, in Mexico, the daughter of Chester and Effie DeTienne Floyd, and was formerly married to John Sudbrock.

She was employed at the Sears store in Mexico for several years and was a member of the Mexico United Methodist Church and the Orpheus Music Club. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Duane (Shelley) Harvey of Mexico, a son, Steve Sudbrock, one grandson, James Stephen Sudbrock, both of Centralia and her mother, Mrs. Effie Floyd of Mexico. Preceding her in death were her father and one son.

Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Committee Delays On Contempt Action WASHINGTON (AP) Leaving the door open for a compromise, Rep. Bella S. Abzug says she's willing to talk to U.S. intelligence chiefs before pressing contempt action against five agents who refused to testify about government interception of private cables.

The New York Democrat's subcommittee voted contempt action Wednesday against three FBI agents, a former FBI agent and a National Security Agency employe after the five refused to testify on their roles in the cable interception program. The FBI witnesses said Atty. Gen. Edward H. Levi ordered them not to testify and the NSA employe said his orders came from Deputy Defense Secretary William P.

Clements. But in explaining his position, NSA employe Joseph J. Tomba relayed an offer from NSA's director, Lt. Gen. Lew Allen, to explore ways to supply the precise information the subcommittee needs.

The Justice Department later released letters to the panel from Levi and Clements showing they had offered to let the witnesses testify if arrangements could be made to limit their testimony to avoid discussion of subjects the agencies feel are sensitive. Rep. Abzug contended she has been trying to work out any difficulties to get the testimony she needs and said "If they have some problems, they can come in and tell me." In other intelligence-related developments Wednesday: Senate intelligence panel voted to give the Justice Department its files on intelligence mail-openings and domestic electronic surveillance for determination if criminal charges should be filed. newsman Daniel Schorr said the New York weekly Village Voice is not paying him any money as a result of his arranging publication of the House intelligence committee's secret final report. Schorr said he has to recognizes that some people think he made a mistake in arranging publication of the report, adding that "if something is perceived to be a mistake, that makes it ipso facto a mistake." He said he felt obliged to have the secret report published because not arranging for its publication "in effect would be the final decisive vote for suppression of the report." Schorr said the pendulum in Congress and possibly in public opinion has swung from wanting intelligence improprieties exposed to disdain for exposure.

"And I got hit by a swinging pendulum," he said. Rep. Abzug said she wants the five agents to testify on how the 29-year cable interception program known as operation Shamrock worked and whether it is still continuing in another form. The Senate intelligence committee has reported that agents regularly picked up or looked at cables and telex messages from three international communications companies to and from designated individuals and designated targets. Intelligence officials testified the operation began in January 1947 and was terminated last May 15.

But Rep. Abzug said "there is circumstantial evidence" the government might still be intercepting telex messages, printed messages sent over telephone lines..