THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
KANSAN
The University of Kansas
Thursday February 2,1978
Vol.88, No.84
Lawrence, Kansas
Small crack in oil tank causes leak
Staff Writer
By PAM MANSON
A minute amount of fuel oil has been seeping out of one of the University of Kansas' underground storage tanks for at least six months, probably through a hairline crack in the steel structural engineer with the State Architect's Office said yesterday.
The 250,000-gallon tank, located near the plant on campus now holds about 150,000 gallons.
"The seepage is so small I can't even say how much it is," Richard Perkins, associate director of maintenance, said. "My guess is that there's a hairline crack in the wall of
Now the seaport is caught by a 125,000-gun
assist each basin built under the tank,
orking at 80 ft/s.
The seepage in the tank was discovered last summer when state architecture officials were visiting the campus. Holley said the architect's office then suggested that KU inspect the tank because the seepage could get worse.
PERKINS SAID the only way to thoroughly inspect the tank was to empty it of the oil and inspect it from the inside. In order to do this, you have any other usable storage tanks, the oil in the tank must remain there until it is used to generate steam heat for the campus, he
The university has been using oil from the tank since Jan. 25, when gas service was curtailed because of problems in maintaining pressure in pipes that bring gas from Oklahoma to Lawrence. Monday natural gas service was resumed percent higher than KU to cut its fuel oil usage about 7,500 gallons a day to 7,500 gallons a day.
"We'll hold the oil as long as necessary," Perkins said. "If it takes through next winter to empty the tank, we just wait until then to get inside and inspect."
WILLIAM SALOME, manager of Kansas Public Service Gas Co., said yesterday that full service to KU probably would be resumed within a few days.
The architect's office approved an oil-spill See SEFPAGE page seven
Show stopper
A halffire frisbee demonstration knew the smallest fans happy last night at the KU-Kalahoma State basketball games.
SIM N Photo by TIM ASHNER
Aaron Gottlieb, Overland Park, hoisted to the shoulders of his father, Jerry, for the halftime. The older fans stay suppied with snacks and drinks as they wait for the game.
Student affairs office considering changes
By BRIAN SETTLE Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Officials of the departments under the office of student affairs are being asked to give initial response by tomorrow, with possible changes in the structure and reorganization of the office. Daw Ambler, executive vice chancellor for student affairs said yester-
The memo whose contents were not released, was distributed to all departments in the office of student affairs on Jan. 20. Student affairs held jurisdiction over 11 university departmentes, including the dean of women and admissions and records.
However, Ambler said on final decisions on any specific changes had been made.
"Based on previous discussions, we'll probably make some changes in our approach," she said, allowing only for thoughts and opinions from department heads concerning how they feel.
we can best accomplish our goals and missions.
Speculation had reached the media, he said, that the dean of men's and the dean of women's departments would be combined into one department.
"WE'RE NOT looking for reduction of staff but rather to strengthen the staff," he said. "I don't anticipate dropping anyone in this, even want to hint at that possibility."
Ambler said any rumors concerning changes were taken because he hadn't given final decisions.
*With eleven units, all of our offices obviously engage in services that are found in our community.*
He listed as an example two services—healing and advising—that all offices engaged in resu-
"We're concerned where a function is being done by all offices where it could be done."
County earns few funds from championship greens
See AFFAIRS page seven
Alvaram Hills Golf Course is listed as a prestigious championship course by the United States Golf Association, but it has brought little money to the county's tax
County tax records show that Alvaram Hills paid less taxes for each acre and green than the Lawrence Golf and Country Club, which is not a championship course. And because the file for Alvaram's Hidden Valley Nine was misplaced in the county assessor's office in 1975, no taxes were paid on the nine holes for two years.
Darwin Rogers, county assessor, said the college was responsible for the lost file. However, he said in a lower assessment for Alvaram Hills than for the country club was fair when he made
"WE DIDN'T KNOW what it would be like out there," he said.
What Alvamar Hills is like now is much
different from when Rogers appraised the original 18 holes, which opened May 15, 1968. The first 10 holes, the jayhawk, were followed by the Hidden Valley Nine, which opened in 1972. Another nine holes, the Orchards, are surrounded by a wall, with Knight Anderson, course superintendent, said.
The course was declared eligible for national tournances, Anderson said, after the USGA inspected it for length, difficulty and area for spectators.
A national women's golf tournament will be held at Alvamar in 1980, but he said a national tournament earlier than 1980 was possible.
"We've been contacted by different
therapists. There's a possibility that
it could be next year."
Despite Alvamar course improvements and credentials, the original assessment of
See ALVAMAR page seven
Letter-writing campaign to urge state funding of women's sports
A push for legislative funding of women's athletics at the University of Kansas gained momentum after last night's meeting of the Women's Athletic Council.
Gov. Robert F. Bennett has announced a proposal of $85,115 for women's athletics, which was the amount requested by the University.
Tracy Spellman, adviser to the council, said last night that a letter-writing campaign urging the Senate Ways and Means Committee to support state funding of women's athletics should be completed within two days.
Spellman said a mass meeting of women
TITLE IX states that "equal athletic must be provided for members of both sexes" may be provided.
athletes was scheduled for Feb. 22 to discuss the need for state funding and to explain
-UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN-
State Sen. Paul Hess, R-Wichita, said recently that although it had not yet been scheduled for discussion in the Ways and Measures, his forecast for the bill was optimistic.
"It's chances of passing are reasonably See CAMPAIGN page seven
See CAMPAIGN page seven
The University must comply with the provisions of Title XII by July 21, 1978, or risk expulsion.
From the Associated Press, United Press International
News Capsules
Carter promises canal protection
WASHINGTON—In the second “fireside chat” of his presidency, Jimmy Carter said last night that he would not hesitate to send U.S. troops to defend the Panama Canal. The statement came during a strong plea to the American public to support Israel and to endorse the general treaty, which comes up for debate in the Senate next week. See story page two.
Man charged with Kansas murders
Student loan bankruptcies banned
WASHINGTON- The House yesterday voted to continue a five-year ban on declaration of bankruptcy to avoid repayment of student educational loans. The action came during the Legislature's first revision of the nation's bankruptcy laws in 40 years. The revised law will be sent next to the Senate.
TOPEKA—A man arrested with the help of a police dog will face murder charges in the two die of two young women who were killed in Manhattan and Topeka within 24 hours of each other. Police yesterday charged Albert Dale Williams, JJ, Station WY, with the assault of a receptionist for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. See page two19.
Locally . . .
Valentine's Day is near two weeks away, but Darnell Valentine left his calling with the Dede Hawkins 8-6 victory in Allen Field House. The Wichita State defeated the Jayhawks 8-6 to victory with 21 points.
Lifers await outcome of death penalty bill Sides form in controversy
Prison days become routine for lifers
By JOHN WHITESIDES
Staff Writer
Don McQueen sat in a straight back chair in a dingy, almost empty storage room, and asked what the date was.
When told, he remarked that it was his birthday. He was 32.
A visitor wished him a happy birthday, prompting a sudden outburst of laughter from McQueen.
Birthday greetings don't mean much to McQueen, one of 325 inmates sent messages of life imprisonment at the Kansas State Penitentiary.
"Yeah, sure," he said.
MCQUEEN IS a wiyr man with a wispy mustache. He wears sunglasses and a colorful knitted wool cap pulled low over his forehead. After previously serving six years at Lansing for armed robbery, he was convicted in Wichita over two years ago for first-degree murder. He has served 28 months of his sentence but says he was framed.
"I almost forgot about it," he said. "This place is kind of a mental strain."
"I was very bitter when I was used back here for something I didn't do," he said. "It's been more of a strain this time than last time. I guess last time I was younger and could handle things better."
Under different circumstances, many of the lifers at Lansing would be facing execution. Instead, the absence of the death penalty in Kansas leaves them facing a long, almost endless stretch of prison life.
"THERE NOT much you can do to get away from the routine. That bell is always there," says Terry McCain, 28, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 1974. "You spend a lot of time in your cell alone."
The utensils form a distinct group in the prison community. They serve the longest sentences and possess the least hope. Their existence is dominated by the prison bell, which signals to them when to eat, when to work and when to return to their cells.
In Kansas, all Class A feliones, such as first-degree murder and agravated kidding, carry a mandatory life sentence. A lifer who commits the same offense in Kansas will be charged.
Though they wouldn't be directly affected, the possibility that the Kansas Legislature will approve a new death penalty bill is viewed as a threat by many.
"I DON'T KNOW, neither one seems to be humane alternatives to me. Can't there anywhere, anywhere, anybody who can come in to help the people here and make them normal members of society rather than killing or caging them?"
"When you take away 15 years you have taken away most of a man's life," says Greg Musselman, 30, who has served two years of his sentence for first-degree murder. "What's more humane, locking a person up in a cage for 15 years or killing him?
"If you're robbing a store and something goes wrong," he said, "somebody gets hurt and you're staring at a possible death penalty, you're going to turn around and make sure there are no witnesses.
McQueen said he thought the death penalty would probably be used more often against people and thought the current discussion was more easily moved.
McClain agreed that the implementation of the death penalty might have a reverse effect and actually increase killing.
"It all politics, they need something to talk about and it can get them votes," he said. "It’s not going to stop crime, it’s not going to keep it down."
"I think the whole issue stems from the public's phobia about 'killers,' he said. "It seems like justice to the public for us to be
"A LOT MORE innocent people are going to be shot."
"Well, I know all the lifers here, and I can say that it won't do anybody any good by killing them. It would be a mistake to execute
For the lifers facing what seems like an endless stretch of time, prison life can be a depressing and damaging experience. Each
For Musseman, coping is made easier by the knowledge that his case is under appeal, and that he still harbors hope that he will be
See LIFERS page five
By JANET WARD and PEG SPENCER Staff Writers
Death penalty
The words hang in the air, still and ominous. And they always have provoked emotional arguments in the Kansas Legislature.
Yesterday the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee began an annual round of hearings.
Again, legislators, pro and con, have drawn the battle line. The arguments are clear.
Supporters of the bill are cautious, saying it is an effective deterrent to crime but wanting a fair and impartial system of implementing it.
Opponents say capital punishment does not deter crimes and discriminates against those who commit them.
THE BILL, as passed by the House, would
On Jan. 18, the Kansas House passed a bill that would make capital punishment an option in first degree murder cases. The bill passed by a vote of 77 to 48.
S nate President Ross Doyen, R-Concordia, said he thought the proposal was as fair as it could be but hoped it would never have to be used. However, "if it would save someone's life," he said, "it would be worth it."
Janet Price, American Civil Liberties Union spokesman, who has been lobbying to defeat the bill, said yesterday. "On paper it all looks good; but when it is carried out, the nonwhites are dying at a number higher than their number in the population."
give juries the choice of imposing life imprisonment or a death sentence for persons convicted of premeditated murder, aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
Aggravating circumstances could be murders for money and murders committed while serving a prison sentence or as part of a kidnapping, rape or robbery.
Mitigating circumstances would include the defendant's not have a significant criminal history or being under the influence of a mental or emotional strain.
A separate sentencing jury would be impaired after conviction, and any death sentence automatically would be reviewed trial judge and the Kansas Supreme Court.
JAMES MASUDA, professor of political science at KU, said the stringent restrictions were an effort to meet U.S. Supreme Court guidelines. The court rules that a state's death penalty statutes constituted cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth and Fourteenth amendments because they were arbitrarily and randomly administered. Juries, the Court said, needed more attention as to when to impose the death penalty.
State Rep. Dick Brewer, D-Topeka, said the reason he became actively involved with the bill was that he was "pretty well connected" to parity in the House wanted a death penalty.
As an attorney and chairman of the See CONTROVERSY page five