THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PUBLISHED SINCE 1889 BY THE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
(USPS 650-640)
FRIDAY, APRIL 7. 1989
VOL.99, NO.125
Andrew Morrison/KANSAN
A makeshift camp near the Kansas River serves as temporary quarters for a few of Lawrence's homeless.
Zap, a Lawrence homeless person, says his grandparents declared him legally dead after not hearing from him for more than six months.
Community leaders attempt to explain plight of homeless
bv Scott Achelpohl
Kansan staff writer
Myth and reality are two different things, especially when it comes to the public's perceptions of Lawrence's homeless.
City and social service leaders discussed the myths and realities of homelessness at a March 23 meeting in an attempt to move the issue higher on the city's political agenda.
The myths are that most homeless people in Lawrence are drug and alcohol abusers, mentally disabled a danger to them, but also on the streets, said Capt. John Churchill, director of the shelter.
But according to Churchill, the realities are that only 30 percent of Lawrence homeless people have drug or alcohol related problems and only 30 percent of them can be classified as mentally disabled. Only isolated cases present a danger to themselves or others.
Of 89 million households in the United States, Churchill said, 10 million are working poor, or those who lack housing and rent and meet their basic needs.
About 40 percent of Lawrence homeless never sleep on the streets, he said, but go to shelters, where they are often hired, otherwise hire from public view.
"The homeless are very private
people." Churchill said. "They don't even talk a lot to other people. They don't sit around and chew the fat. They're suspicious of society and of other homeless people."
Churchill said daily contact with the homeless helped him understand their needs.
"The handful of men living by the Kansas River are only a small minority of Lawrence homeless," he said. "There are 500 to 600 homeless people in Lawrence. We patrol at this shelter in February."
"The homeless usually ask me if they can stay the night, eat or have transportation somewhere," he said. "Some say they would like to work with the homeless and support in getting a job or assistance in cashing a check."
The needs of the homeless are far from elaborate. Churchill said.
Outside the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen, one of two Lawrence kitchens that feed the poor, a man
See HOMELESS, p. 6, col. 1
Bush may order military to help with oil cleanup
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Bush may order the military to help in the long-term cleanup of the massive oil spill in Alaska, it was disclosed yesterday as the administration made a federal takeover of the operation.
See related story p. 7, col. 1
"There's a lot of military already in Alaska," said Martin Fitzwater, White House press secretary. He told reporters that were the most likely to be chosen.
Fitzwater said that Alaska's congressional delegation had asked officials to consider using the military and said that they were considering it. He said the armed forces could help in washing oil from animals and then挖 up rocks and shorelines and then continue in the long-term effort.
Asked when the military might begin the work, Fitzwater said, "Recrimining about now."
He said a final decision was still pending.
"The concern is, we need a comprehensive way to deal with this continuing and long-term cleanup." he said.
"We've got to have federal control
now." Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska,
to Transportation Secretary
Samuel Skinner at the first of several
congressional hearings on efforts to
deal with the nation's worst oil
tanker disaster.
Although Stevens was joined by other senators who suggested that the president order a greater federal involvement in the cleanup in Alaska's Prince William Sound, Skimmer and Adm. Paul Yost, the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, cautioned against turning control of the effort over to the federal government.
"I am not prepared to federalize this spill," Yost told the Senate Commerce Committee, adding that such a move might leave an opening for Exxon to close their checkbook" and the government to assume cleanup costs.
He said that the Coast Guard had about $3 million in the fund that would be used for such a task, only enough for a few days.
That concern was not shared by Stevens, who said that the government could still trap an industry disaster fund of up to $100 million to cover costs and that Exxon likely would not be relieved of liabilities in any event.
Two staff physicians lose jobs at Watkins
Kansan staff writer
by Jennifer Corser
Two staff physicians at Watkins Memorial Health Center did not have their contracts renewed for next year.
Pat Walker, Watkins physician, said two physicians would not be returning next year because Watkins was cutting back its budget.
"I think it's a financial decision more than anything else," said Walker, who had his contract renewed.
Walker said the decision to cut staff was an attempt to make Watkins more cost-efficient. The remaining physicians should be able to see the same amount of patients while utilizing space and nurses efficiently.
Richard Schaffer and Marilyn Richartik are the physicians that did not receive contracts for next year. They are number of doctors from 11 to nine.
Richtarik declined comment
Schafer said he was told that if Student Senate had increased the restricted fee more for next year, thearians would not have been released.
Last week, the Senate voted to increase the restricted fee from $88 this year to $89.50 next year, which was $4.50 less than Watkins had paid.
cutbacks were not the only reason for the cut.
Schaffer said he was shocked that he was told he would be let go.
"I suspect that personality factors factor in, but I don't have any proof of that." Schaffer said.
However. Schaffer said financial
He said he had occasionally been pressured by Watkins administration to spend less time with student patients. He said that while the administration wanted physicians to spend a minimum amount of time with students and ask a minimum number of questions, he tried to spend more time with the students when they needed it.
"Sometimes with students, there's a little nurture needed here and there," Schaffer said.
He said the administration lacked tolerance for different views. In the medical field, there are always diffirences dealing with everything, he said.
"They basically see their views and what they want to see without considering others' views," he said.
James Strobel, director of Watkins, said it was policy not to comment on personnel matters.
Walker said he did not think any physicians had conflicts with the administration for spending too much time with students. Most of the physicians will spend as much time with the students as needed, he said.
Ueberroth deal would give employees part of Eastern
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — A group led by, former baseball commissioner Pete Ueberrohr agreed to buy Eastern Airlines for about $463.9 million in a deal that would give the strikepri carried船's employees a major share of the company, the parties announced today.
The deal, subject to approval by Eastern creditors and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, followed lengthy negotiations with Eastern's parent, Texas
Texas Air Chairman Frank Loreno said at a news conference that the agreement included about 10 billion in cash and the rest in securities.
The purchase was conditioned,
however, on Eastern reaching new
work agreements with its striking
unions by April 10.
About 500 striking Machinists jammed their union hall in Miami, chanting and cheering as they beamed the news about Eastern's sale.
Frank Ortis, vice president of Machinists Local 702 and Miami strike coordinator, said it was impo- ssed to the company to fare better under the new proposed
ownership until dealings with Ueberroth took place.
"However, we're willing to give it a shot," he said.
"To sum it up, it's a mammoth challenge," Ueberroth said. "I'm convinced that there is a spirit amongst the people in the company that I can help bring together to help this airline."
Miami-based Eastern has been virtually paralyzed since March 4 by a Mahnists support strike that has drawn the support of pilots and flight attendants. Eastern filed for reorganization and protection from creditor on March 6 to U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York as its cash dried up
Lorenzo will remain in charge of Eastern until the deal is approved, but Ueberhorn will participate in formulating the plan.
Airtex Air would get $200 million cash, Eastern notes worth about $185 million, plus Eastern assets valued at about $79 million, including Eastern's Miami-London and New York Montreal routes, plus eight landing slots and one gate at New York's LaGuardia Airport.
Senior class elects split ticket in voting for 1989-90 officers
bv a Kansan reporter
Next year's senior class elected a split ticket in yesterday's Board of Class Officers elections.
Bobby Jean, outgoing senior class president, said election of a split ticket, though unusual, would not cause any problems. There were no split tickets on this year's BOCO.
Three officers are members of the Prerogative coalition: Bill Kovack, Harrisonville, Mo. president; Gina Simunacu, Omaha, Neb. vice president; and Tim Raynor, Overland Park, treasurer. The Big Eight coalition's Karen Drees, Wichita, will be secretary.
"I think it'll work out pretty well," said Jean, Northbrook. Ill.. senior.
The Big Eight coalition swelt the junior class elections. Elected were Greg Hughes, Merriam, president. Mike Evans, Louis, vice president; Mike Rowe, John Muir, and Colleen Lawler, Kansas City, Mo., treasurer.
The Prerogative coalition won all of the positions in the sophomore class elections. Elected were Jeff Robbins, Overland Park, president; Aaron McKee, Wichita, vice president; Jia Silkesc, Wichita, secretary; and Molly Morrison, Salina, Allere. All were freshman class officers this year.
Voter turnout for yesterday's election was better than expected, Jean said. The election turnover was little.
Medicinal chemistry professor dies at home from heart attack
by Angela Clark Kansan staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Mathias Peter Mertes Jr., professor of medicinal chemistry, outstanding teacher, prolific
researcher and devoted fisherman, died yesterday of a heart attack in his home in Lawrence. He was 56.
School of Pharmacy, and a friend of Mr. Mertes. "I guess that it is the best way that he could die, full of plans for the future and in full capacity of his senses."
"He had been looking forward to going fishing, talking about his research and his sabbatical at Harvard next year," said chairman of the medicinal chemistry department in the
Mr. Mertes was responsible for many new developments in the field of chemistry through his efforts and those of his wife Kristin, also a chemistry professor at the University of Kansas.
Thought for the future characterized Mr. Mertz, said Carol Bower, a former student of his and
"He was so energetic," she said. "He was always referring to the future. He was so excited about what was going to be discovered in the field in these years. He always said he hoped he'd be around for it."
"He was a brilliant researcher" Mitsuchiro aid
They both had worked with Jean-Marie Lehnax years ago in the research that won the 1987 Nobel Prize.
"He was a brilliant researchist," Mitscher said. Mitchersaid said M. Martes' abiding interest was in anti-cancer drug treatments. M. Martes was a member of a steering committee for a recent $1.8 million grant given to KU, Kansas State University, and the University of Kansas Medical Center. The grant is for use in cancer research and to recruit and train new research scientists.
In addition to his work in anti-cancer drug research, Mr Mertes taught undergraduate and graduate studies.
"He really enjoyed teaching," said Sheila Holthaus, one of Mr. Mertes' students and Lawrence senior. "He was very concerned with students, and liked to be involved with them."
Perhaps because of his enthusiasm for teaching, he was cited twice for teaching excellence by the Rho Chi pharmacy society, was a HOPE award recipient and received an Amoco Teaching Award in 1986.
He also received several teacher of the year awards in the pharmacy school.
"He was the most straightforward person't he had ever seen," she added, a student and a former student of Mr. Mertz.
This was one of the traits that marked Mr.
See PROFESSOR, p. 6, col. 1