Vol. 99, No.7 (USPS 650-640)
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PUBLISHED SINCE 1859 BY THE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Tuesday September 6, 1988
Fire at reactor Safety system extinguishes fire at Soviet nuclear plant
The Associated Press
MOSCOW — A nuclear power plant caught fire in Lithuania yesterday, but automatic safety systems extinguished the flames before radiation could be released. Tass, the official news agency reported
Tass reported that no one was injured by the blaze, which began at 12:08 p.m. on Friday and second reactor of the Ignalina power plant in Lithuania, a Russian republic.
The chief dispatcher of the Soviet Comic Power Ministry, Erik Pidrokov, who controls the systems automatically kicked in and that the fire had already been put out by rescuers.
He said no radiation escaped the plant, and there were no injuries to anyone. The reactor, one of two at the plant, was shut down after the accident.
The news agency's prompt reporting of the fire may reflect the new official policy under Soviet leader Mikhail Kaitselk's drive for more
openness, especially about important events such as accidents.
The Soviet Union waked days before informing the world of the nuclear weapons used by the Cherubsky nuclear power plant. The first report on the accident came from Swedish officials after high levels of radiation were discovered in the water.
The world's most nuclear power accident killed 31 people and sent out a cloud of radiation that stretched worldwide. It led to a major re-evaluation of the safety of nuclear power in the United States and in many other countries.
The government newspaper Iwerks reported on Thursday that Lithuanian's Cabinet had ordered construc- tionMapped on a third reactor at fernal.
The newspaper reported that numerous safety violations were committed during construction of the building and were repotted on the third unit
Tass said a commission had been formed to investigate yesterday's accident.
Court to hear case
States in nuclear compact could change
By Daniel Niemi
A Nebraska court will hear a lawsuit tomorrow that could affect that state's role in the five-state low level radioactive waste compact, of which no one is on its record.
The lawsuit, to be heard in Lancaster County District Court, seeks to block an attempt to remove Nebraska from the compact.
Although officials would not speculate on the outcome if Nebraska pulled water from a reservoir was considered a front-runner for the waste depository when Nebraska
The suit claims that an initiative filed by a citizens' group called Nebraskaans for the Right to vote has been filed against Bob Crawbey, Lincoln. Beh, attorney.
The initiative, scheduled to appear on Nebraska's November ballot, would repeal the law allowing Nebraska to join the Central Interstate Low-level Radiactive Waste Compact. The initiative would also require voter approval of any future level radiative waste deposit site.
Crosby's firm represents Lincoln civil engineer Hail Schroeder and non-ne棘拉a utility companies: Woll Creek Nuclear Operating Corp. Water Power and Power of Little Rock, Ark. Louisiana Power and Light of New York.
Orleans, La., and Gulf States Utilities of Patron Rouge. La. The companies operate five nuclear power plants, and supply the form of tools and clothes or other items that have been irradiated, that would be stored in the Nehraska
If the court decides to block the initiative as a result of the lawsuit, then Nebraus would remain in the compact. If the court upholds the initiative, then Nebraus votes against it, whether to null out the contract.
Nebraska was chosen last December as the host state for the compact. The other members of the compact are Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Richard Paton, project manager for U.S. Ecology of Kentucky, the contractor hired to plan and build the new power plant, had the technical characteristics, potential for waste volume and transportation were used as criteria for selecting a
Paton said only Nebraska scored high in two of the three categories, but he said the potential for waste volume. Kansas scored high in the environmental category.
Paton said that no state was a leading contender should Nebraska
Please see WASTE, p. 14, col. 4
TIS THE SEASON
KU Republicans, Democrats prepare for election
By David Stewart
Keneman staff writer
Welcome to the election season.
Traditionally, the shot that begins the races for public office is fired on Labor Day. Hardcore stumping for votes has begun for every race from the presidency to county sheriff.
The KU Democrats and the College Republicans will involve the University of Kansas in the race through their preparation for the 1982 vote. Both groups are KU contacts to national, state
About 90 people attended the KU Democrat's first meeting Wednesday in Alderson Auditorium at the Kansas Union. The group meets every other Wednesday.
Douglas Johnston, KU Democrats president,
said that to get the KU student body to vote
Democrat, the group would set up information
boots on campus in October, organize debates
with Republicans, put up posters and bring in guest speakers.
He said that Rep. Jim Slattery might speak to the group on Oct. 20.
Also, state senate hopeful Michael DuPree will be having a campaign party from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
About 140 people attended the College Republicans' first meeting on Thursday in Aldersport Auditorium at the Kansas Union. The College Republicans meet every other Thursday.
Brett Fraizer, College Republicans chairman,
said the group hoped for big turnouts at other
functions they plan this semester, such as a
candidates' forum and picnic from 4 p.m. to
6 p.m. Sept. 18 at Centennial Park, Ninth and
lowa streets.
That morning, Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole will be at a breakfast in Topeka with Phil Menhardt, who is running for U.S. Representative
Berne Norwood, who is running for state representative in the 40th district, will speak at a memorial service.
Although the groups are batting to get their candidates into office, both will be working toward the common goal of registering student voters and getting them to the polls.
Traditionally, voter turnout at KU is low.
Brenda Eisele, Republican precat committeeman for the KU campus, said, "We get an average of 16 voters at Allen Field House." The KU poll are located in the field house.
Frazier said that to get as many Republicans to register and show up at the polls as possible, the College Republicans would do an informal study of them in their living groups beginning this week.
The KU Democrats also will be trying to get students to the polls.
Please see ELECTION, p. 8, col. 5
Eureka Downs betting on success
Winning the crowd over, placing bets and showing horses
By Barbara Joseph
Kansan staff writer
EUREKA — John Freeman had never bet on horses before.
The 21-year old cabinet-maker from Independence lined up behind one of the 50 betting windows at Eureka Downs on Saturday and Sunday. The winner, Mr. Vitti to place and Imit Pepper Bomb to show in the first race.
It was i p m. a brisk wind wind whip the flags. The tote板 button flashed the odds. A bell rang. The crowd leaned forward.
Creeman was on his feet joining the thousands who urged on the nine horses. The horses pounded 300 yards, leaving a leg of dirt and shred in their tracks. Just 15 seconds before Boaring Girl elicited and Easy City to win.
"And they're off," the announcer shouted.
Pari-mutuel horse-racing had
turned to Kansas
Freeman was out $6.
Roaring Girl netted owners Koith and Laura Wilcox of Ochelta, Okla, a portion of the first race's $2,000 purse.
"This is a dream come true," Laura Wilcox said from the winner's circle. "I wanted to win this because it's making history."
The thousands who attended the first day of pari-mutuel horse-racing in Eureka came in overalls, jeans, shorts and dresses. They were cow-
Please see RACING, p. 11, col. 1
Roaring Girl, left, battles Pac N Arrow, middle, and Ima Pepper Bomb in Kansas' first quarter horse race.
Race track profits still questionable
Kansan staff writer
By Barbara Joseph
EUREKA — A sign on the back of a chair at Eureka Downs reads, "Part-Mutuel Improves Roads/School's."
But will it if? By how much? And when?
Were the questions remain unanswered at this point.
One reason is that no one knows how profitable pari-mutuel betting will be.
The developers of propose, horse and dog tracks at Wichita, Hutchison and the existing track at Eureka have yet to agree on racing seasons that don't overlap, a factor that Jimmy Grenz, the state Racing Commission's expen sive as essential to their success.
Wichita, Hutchinson and Eureka developers must present revised, non-overlapping schedules to the community this Friday in order to participate.
Grenz said the commission also had approved a horse and dog race development for Kansas City, Kan., and a dog race tractor for
"There is ample evidence to support the idea that Kansas could support three tracks," Grensz said Friday in a telephone interview. "There is doubt as to whether all posals could be supported."
Eureka Downs, which opened
last Saturday, has applied for 72 days of horse race on weekends from April through October. The developers want to race greyhounds year round. Hutchinson develops want 61 days of ostrice racing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from March to autumn.
Kansans also can attend races in Oklahoma City, Claremont and Sallisaw, Okla., Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Omaha, Neb.
Another unknown about the benefits of paired-mutual betting is exactly who the monies will go to and in what amounts.
Projected handles, or amounts wagered, for the five Kansas facilities are close to $185 million for next year, using figures provided by a law firm in Kansas. Lawkson would get three percent of that, or about $5.5 million.
State law provides that 60 percent of the $5.5 million will go to an economic development and initiatives fund, part of which will benefit Board of Regents schools colleges and universities.
Thirty percent of the $2.5 million will go to county reappraisal funds, and 10 percent will go to a juvenile detention facilities and correctional institutions' building fund.
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