Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 1

Christopher Reeve? It's Superman Details on Page 1B slate Partly cloudy, windy High 42, Low 25. Details on Page 19D 0S Volumo 148, Number 225 ON GUARD FOR 147 YEARS Friday, December 15, 1978 1978, Detroit Frw Press, Inc. 6-Day Home Delivery Easy-start home mortgage approved fee dial 222-6464 Payments smaller al Hrsl calls for monthly payments of $420. Under the graduated plan, the payments during the first year would be $318 a month. The monthly payment would increase in each of From AP end Free Presi Slaff WASHINGTON In an effort to help younger home buyers, the government Thursday authorized savings and loan institutions to offer home mortgages with lower payments during the first few years that a person owns a house.

"This should appeal particularly to young Action Line solves problems, gets answers, cuts red tape, stands the first five years, reaching $457 in the fifth up tor your rights. Write Action Line, Box 881, Detroit, Mich. 48231. year. It would continue at that level until the loan is repaid.

Or dial 222-6464 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The plan already is offered on many loans families whose incomes are likely to rise," guaranteed by the Federal Housing Admtnis Robert H. McKinney, chairman of the Federal tration commonly referred to as 1HA Home Loan Bank Board, said after the board My sister, who is on ADC, had problems with her washing loans.

approved the plan. machine recently, so she called Bob Repair on Ellsworth in Detroit to fix it. Bob's Repair was on a list of facilities The reverse annuity mortgage allows older ings and loan institutions will be allowed to offer starting Jan. 1. It was not known, however, how many will begin offering the new mortgages.

The nation's 2,012 federally chartered savings and loans are covered by the board's action. There are 2,034 other institutions with state charters that are not covered, but many are able to offer similar mortgages under state regulations. The effect of the board's action In Michigan was not immediately known. Officials for savings and loan companies either were unavailable for comment or said they wanted to study the new mortgage plans before discussing them. The plan may allow as many as 2 y2 million THE THREE PLANS are the graduated payment mortgage; the reverse annuity mortgage and the variable rate mortgage.

The graduated payment system starts with lower payments than a normal mortgage, increasing for five years on the assumption that the family's income will also increase. Most people now buy their houses by making the same monthly payments for the entire life of the mortgage. Under the graduated plan, as before, the interest rate remains constant throughout the life of the mortgage, but monthly payments are lower during the first few years of the loan. For example, a standard home mortgage of $50,000 at 9 2 percent interest for 30 years more families to buy houses at a time when supplied by the Department of Social Services. The depart home owners to borrow on the equity of their house and repay it when they sell or take it many would otherwise be priced out of the market, he said.

out of their estate. A savings and loan would ment gave her a $65 repair voucher and she added $35 to pay for the Job. But after the repairman left, the machine still didn't work. When we called Bob's Repair back, we were told that the Job wasn't guaranteed. I don't think this is fair.

have to present a plan to the board for "We are very excited and pleased with approval on a case-by-case basis. today's action," McKinney added. The variable rate mortgage is perhaps the THE BOARD approved a package contain- L.M., Detroit Neither does the Wayne County Department of Social Services. After we reported incident to Social Services rep, ing three new types of mortgages that sav- See MORTGAGE, Page 19A PLYMOUTH CENTER TERMED WORST department contacted Bob Repair and got your $35 back. Department also got promise that its $65 would soon follow, and sent your sis second repair voucher so she can get machine fixed again.

Welfare department had better luck contacting Bob's Repair than Action Line did. Department gave us phone number it used to contact company, but when we called it woman who answered told us it wasn't Bob's ntal D1 Report asts Me solutions number. Next time we tried we found telephone disconnected. Social Services rep said department provides recipi ents with list of appliance services to guide them in selecting repairmen, but admitted that list isn't exactly up to date. Rep said memo has been circulated around department with instruction to avoid Bob's Repair, added that company won't Lansing panel calls worth be included on next list.

for 'vibrant advocate' TUB VMS OF of cheer as A few years ago my dad had a seat warmer that plugged Into the clgarct lighter in the car. CAPITAL PUNISAVH0VT fW 2 CVER-, BUT of heller health care By HUGH McDIARMID Lansing Bureau Chief UJE STILL HAMb Cleveland The seat has lost its heat, and I'd like to get a replacement for him this winter. I've checked a number of local stores, but TJE HOT SGfiT can't find one anywhere. Can 0 'V V' 5 rr A i I lAV ill LANSING A legislative investigative committee has concluded that "chronic abuse, neglect and inadequate care" are occurring in most of Michigan's mental health institutions you try your luck? nears aeiamt G.B., Livonia and that conditions at the Plymouth Center for Human Devel opment are the worst. We've got just the thing to take chill off dad's derriere.

Action By WILLIAM HART Free Press Slaff Writer Line tracked down seat rv rLr CLEVELAND Early Thursday morn The committee also is making wholesale recommendations for improvements, beginning with a plea to Gov. Milliken for appointment of "a vibrant advocate for mental health" to head the state's mental health system. warmer in winay uiy, ai j.u Whitney a mail-order au- ing, 13 months to the day since he took office and 31 hours before the deadline that could make this the first big city since Detroit in The criticisms and recommendations are part of a final draft rrT7 supplier. Bun warmer runs off 1932 to default on its bills, Mayor Dennis J. report from a 14-member joint legislative committee estab lished eight months ago after Free Press revelations of wide Vt) (h HI Mfi car battery and covers entire Kucinich bent down and picked a dime off of spread abuse at the Plymouth Center.

front seat to keep passengers' posteriors toasty as well. Hot the lustrous marble floor of city hall. The committee co-chair You never know, he murmured under scat is manufactured by Ster men are Rep. David C. Rollis ter, D-Lansing, and Sen.

Jer his breath. Straightening up, he grinned at the small group of aides who had accompanied ling Products of St. Paul, but company Is discon ome T. Hart, D-Saginaw. Its tinuing product because demand has fallen off.

Whitney him from a TV studio where he had appeared on NBC's "Today Show." official report Is expected to be issued by the end of the only has few of the $7 warmers left in stock and parts Let see," he said. "This brings It down Inflation program is working year. manager is holding one for you. Others Interested in obtaining one of remaining seat heaters can write J.C. Whitney at to $15,499,999.90." Everybody chuckled, then crowded into 1917-19 Archer P.O.

Box 8410, Chicago, 111. 60680. MEANWHILE, the investi gation has singled out Piym outh for special attention For several years now, my daughter has been wearing a an elevator to return to the center of a financial and political firestorm that has raged ever since the 31-year-old Kucinich became the country's youngest big-city mayor last year. calling it "a worst case on copper bracelet engraved with the name of a serviceman continuum institutional life' U.S. says missing in action from the Vietnam war.

We'd like to find out what happened to this soldier, but don't know where to turn. in the Michigan system. According to the investi Do you? THE MAYOR'S JOKE referred to the most gation, Plymouth's deteriora' T.T., Adrian A ir From UPI and AP WASHINGTON Trea sury Secretary Michael Blu immediate crisis: $15.5 million in debts due to six local banks by 4 p.m. Friday. The city, tion came over a period of years, largely as the result of National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia has news you want, but unfortun inadequate top-and middle menthal said Thursday that everyone agrees, does not have the money.

The banks have remained ominously silent as level management, attrition in ately it isn't good. Organization has list of American service President Carter's inflation-control program is beginning men whose whereabouts remain unknown, and rep told professional staff and Insuffi cient monitoring and respon to work, especially in the cm siveness by the central office See MAYOR, Page19A Cleveland council and banks delay de AP Photo cial foreign currency ex' changes and U.S. money mar of the Department of Mental Action Line that captain named on your daughter's bracelet is still unaccounted for. League was formed in 1970 by relatives of servicemen who were missing or prisoners in Southeast Asia. Since then, group has worked on securing info on MIAs and helping in rehabilitation of POWs.

The league, which is supported entirely by contributions, is still Health. Cleveland Mayor Dennis Kucinich: "I think I've been able to help a lot of people in this job." kets. fault action until last minute. Page 4A. "A situation such as that which was allowed to develop and fester at Plymouth Center DOISES FOUND IN FLORIDA He told the congressional Joint Economic Committee that Carter's plan is the best way to avoid a recession, and he emphasized that the presi must never be allowed to hap pen again," the report said.

trying to determine status of 2,494 unaccounted for servicemen (compared with government figure of 204). Group is also investigating reports from Vietnamese refugees that there are still Americans in that country. For more info, write 1608 St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20006.

Bracelet your daughter has was produced in 1970 by group called Voices in Vital America. That group has disolved, but many THE REPORT did not as dent will not back down in the Grisly clue to missing teens face of criticism. sign specific blame and, in fact, does not even mention "Let there be no mistaking the name of Dr. Donald of its members now belong to National League of Families. By ERIC SHARP our determination," he said.

"There will be no waffling Smith, the former mental health director who resigned Free Prej Staff Writer and no wavering. We intend in March after the first wave Bones found scattered in a patch of low brush near Daytona to persist because controlling of revelations about condi Beach, are believed to be those of two Metamora, inflation is absolutely essen i I I r.lfv i lei 1 pi tions at Plymouth. Dear Roaders Action Line editors consider every request you send us. tial to the achievement of the youths who disappeared while on vacation in August, police said Thursday. The Plymouth Center is a social and economic goals We publish the most interesting and helpful answers.

A spokesman for the Volusia County Sheriff Department state-run institution for the hich are at the core of Presi We regret that we cannot answer or acknowledge in Daytona Beach said scientific tests would confirm if the mentally retarded in North dtnt Carter's policies." individual requests. vilie Township. It is one of 23 skeletons were those of James R. Boucher, 17, and Daryl B. Barber, 19, who were last heard from when they called Blumenthal said that al institutions operated by the though inflation is still high, Boucher's parents Aug.

12 to say they had arrived safely in Mental Health. there are signs that the presi Florida. The report said, "Perhaps dent's efforts are starting to Volusia deputies said a Tampa man, John Carter Cox pay off. the most crucial element the Michigan mental health system has lacked for a number whose nickname is "Snake," was arrested Monday and has been charged with eight counts of forgery of traveler's checks "It is apparent that this James Boucher Daryl Barber of years is effective belonging to the missing youths. Boucher's car was parked by Cox's trailer home, the deputies said.

commitment to responsible economic management Is beginning to take hold," he said. "We are beginning to see a Florida police said Cox was located primarily through the The committee Issued a The question President Carter said he hopes consumers and state and local governments will act as "prudent shoppers" by refusing to purchase goods manufactured by firms who increase prices too rapidly, in violation of the administration's price guidelines. Will you be a "prudent gentle warning to Milliken to find a new director who will efforts of two private detectives James Byrd of Detroit and Bob Brown of Orlando who were hired by the parents of the missing youths. change in tone, a modification in expectations in the foreign sound off be "a vibrant advocate for mental health" and who will exchange and domestic "WE KEPT HOPING that we'd find the boys alive, but the money markets. She said that her son had a summer job at a mart and that Barber, a 1975 graduate of Lapeer West High School, worked for Metamora Tool Co.

Young Boucher, a senior at Lapeer West, had not decided which college he would attend, his mother said. The Bouchers' telephone Monday was still being answered occasionally by a tape machine. On the tape, Mrs. Boucher's voice said, "This is the Boucher residence. We will accept all collect calls from Jim Boucher and Daryl Barber and anyone See BONES, Page 19A "As the full realization of serve "as TMHE individual responsible" for the state's mental health system.

police called yesterday and said they were pretty sure the bodies in Florida were Jim and Daryl," Fay Boucher said. "We never gave up hope until they were found." the extent of our measures She said she and her husband, Eugene, who works for a Milliken already has estab-See MENTAL, Page 8A and the degree of our determination to persevere spreads, I believe we will see further How you voted plastics firm, were delighted last June when Jim, the oldest of their five children, won $10,000 in a Detroit News Motor City Bowling Tournament. dollar strength in the "He ordered a new car, a Camaro, and put a down payment STORY BEGINS SUNDAY YES, 79.6 percent. COMMENTS: "I will whenever it Is was raised on sowbelly and beans and I can go back to that if I have "I think the administration should publicize the names of companies that don't line has to be drawn somewhere" consumers keep He said that the average on it," Mrs. Boucher said.

"He was going to use the rest to go to college. He only took $400 with him on his vacation." person will begin to see results of the program through lower inflation by spring or Holiday gift for the family summer. paying what the supplier asks, prices will continue to go up." NO, 20.4 percent. COMMENTS: "Around Christmas it's inside today Blumenthal asserted, "The program we have launched is the best guarantee for avoiding a recession. hard to be a prudent never be able to buy going to buy whatever I want, regardless of the "Carter isn't one to be lecturing about impossible." There are risks, to be sure but certainly the risks of recession with the program are far less than the certainty "The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.

They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) So begins what turns out to be a wonderfully funny and warming story of Christmas that you and your children can enjoy all next week, starting Sunday in the Free Press. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" was written six years ago by Barbara Robinson and has since been called one of the best Christmas stories ever. In excerpted form, it will appear in six installments, through next Friday. And after the double-size first installment in the Sunday Comment section, weekday chapters will be accompanied by another holiday feature, reprinted pages from "The Anti-Coloring Book." It's a special sort of coloring book designed to stir youngsters to think and create not just color in the blanks. The big-enough-to-color pages will appear Monday through next Friday along with "Pageant" story on the Free Press Back Page.

We think your kids will like this holiday whether or not they're old enough to read to themselves. And we think you probably will, too. of recession if inflation were ANN LANDERS 3C OPINION 13A BUSINESS NEWS 11.160 SPORTS 1-IOP CLASSIFIED 14-19C STOCK MARKETS 13-16P COMICS 17-19P TELEVISION 14B DEATH NOTICES 14C THE WAY WE LIVE 1-8C EDITORIALS 12A ffSifex ENTERTAINMENT 1-IOB illri FEATURE PAGE 1B XdLjL) HOROSCOPE 17D THURSDAY 385 MOVIE GUIDE 18-190 MICHIGAME (3-digit) 992 OBITUARIES 9C MICHIGAME (2-digit) 36 Tomorrow's question Mickey Stanley was released Wednesday by the Detroit Tigers, See INFLATION, Page19A Teamsters leery of re after more than 13 years with the ball club. Do you think the Tigers made the right decision? To vote YES To vote NO vised wage guidelines. Page ha: Call 961 -3211 Call 961 -4422.