Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 232

MORE FRESH FLOWERS FOR SIZES 38-48. A beautiful idea! Sheer garden-print coat with flounce hem and floaty solid sleep show it Diggs, Inc. received a $145,000 bank loan, partially guaranteed by the Small Business Administration. Last November, the two remaining Diggs facilities were merged with the Stin-son funeral homes. Although Diggs disclaims any interest in expanding his funeral home business to Washington D.C, a recent measure before the District's city council included a proposal to allow out-of-town undertakers to become funeral directors in the district without having to wait the two years now required.

Diggs said the bill was not designed to help him. Because of public criticism, he said that he has asked that the measure be withdrawn. But according to a House legislative clerk, the bill is still pending. Despite the criticism, it is unlikely Diggs' stronghold on constituents in the 13th District will be weakened. Referring to the reapportionment that expanded the 13th District during Diggs' rule, an ex-employe said, "they've given him a district he could win until he dies." Even his opponents agree that the majority of the district's 460,000 residents about 70 percent of whom are black have grown so familiar with the Diggs name that defeating him would be nearly impossible.

"I don't think you'd find anyone in the city who hates Charlie Diggs, or many in the 13th District who will vote against him, even though I don't think he's been responsible to the people of the district," said La-Nell Buffington, who plans to oppose Diggs on the Republican ticket this fall "He needs to spend more time in the 13th District helping the people on welfare and those without homes," she added. His former wife, Anna, who remains friends with her ex-husband, has a different opinion. "I think Charlie has met his obligation well, despite what his critics say," she said. "He gives the appearance of being easy-going, but he's a very responsive and hard-working man. I would be proud to have my son follow his father into politics." 0 Washable nylon in blue, pink or maize.

0 "I think wo vcro Justly criticized for our position In Angola'9 Angeles where he is in college and works for the city. A third daughter, Alexis, 24, lives in New York. When her busy travel schedule allows it, Janet attends social functions with her husband, and returns with him several times a year to Detroit, where her family still lives. Their spacious two bedroom, tri-level Capitol Hill townhouse is in one of the oldest and most charming sections of Washington. The cherry tree in their backyard, they've been told, was planted by Aaron Burr over 150 years ago.

The eclectic decor of the house flows from Regency to Chinese Chippendale. Pine wood floors, large Asian area rugs, and carved moldings around the living room fireplace, are accentuated by a geometrically designed wooden room divider and a carved leather vanity with inlaid gold leafs that Janet bought from an Italian craftsman in southern France. Diggs' low attendance record in Congress because of the time he spends in Africa, he says has been the biggest rallying point for his detractors. Congressional Quarterly, which rates vot JUST ONE OF I -1 I' ti i ''Kwffv 5 i -I OUR GREAT VALUES, it 12.90 ing records and attendance, lists Diggs as voting 65 percent of the time in 1975, compared to an average of 91 percent for other Democrats in the house. According to the "Almanac of American Politics," a service guide which rates politicians by their voting records, and "Citizens Look at Congress," a publication compiled by Ralph Nader researchers, Diggs' major shortcoming is his high absenteeism.

When he does vote, the reports add, it is in accordance with the views of liberal organizations. "I have never deliberately missed a vote," said Diggs. "I do deliberately miss quorum calls and a lot of times these things get thrown together with voting calls. If I'm on the telephone, or with a constituent, I'm just not going to make it." "It's misleading to look at a member's attendance record and evaluate his performance based on that alone, because that's just one part of what we have to do," he said. During an average work week, Diggs divides his time almost evenly among' his three assignments; the D.C.

Committee, the African subcommittee and the 13th district (he is in Detroit about 35 weekends each year). Additionally, he must allow time for the Michigan delegation and black caucus meetings. In addition to his congressional duties, Diggs, a licensed mortician, remains active with his family's funeral home operation, which by 1974 had been reduced from four to two homes, just two years after the House of i4 THE SET 1- HI IT? 33 IM i FP-5-16-76 TELE-SHOP 24 HRS. MCLUOMG SUM)AY 547-9600 LANE BRYANT DOWNTOWN NORTHLAND EASTLAND WESTLAND SOUTHLAND OAKLAND PONTIAC GRAND RAPIDS FLINT SAGINAW TOLEDO.