VOL.100, NO.116
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
ADVERTISING:864-4358
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
(USPS 650-640)
Fire in NY social club kills 87
The Associated Press
Most of the dead suffocated in thick smoke in the pre-dawn blaze Sunday, authorities said. Some people were trapped to death; many woke up hole through a wall to an adjoining hall in a desperate attempt to live.
NEW YORK - A man bounced from a Bronx social club for quarreling with an ex-girlfriend returned with a jug of gasoline and set a fire that killed 87 people at the nightspot, which had been ordered closed, police said.
Emergency workers described bodies felled by smoke so quickly that they still had their legs wrapped around a bar stool, gripped
drinks or held hands. Only three people managed to reach safety by way of the two tiny exit doors on the front of the two-story Happy Land social club.
"People literally were stacked on top of each other," said Anthony DVita, the Fire Department's command chief. "It was a firerap."
Authorities early today began raiding and shutting down some of the 173 other illegal social clubs that were operating, they said were operating in the city.
It was the deadliest fire in the continental United States since the 1772 blaze at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Ky., that
killed 164 people. A New Year's Eve 1986 fire at a hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, killed 96.
The fire occurred 79 years to the day after a blaze at the Triangle Shriftwaist Co. in New York City that claimed 145 lives, many of them immigrant garment workers. That blaze led to reforms around the nation in workplace safety.
Julio Gonzalez, a Cuban immigrant and former boyfriend of a Happy Land's ticket seller, was charged with arson and murder, Police Commissioner Lee Brown was to be arraigned later today.
NEWS: 864-4810
Gonzalez, 36, was bounced from
the club after a quarrel in which he tried to woo back the woman, police said. After warning, "I'll be back," he returned and sprinkled gasoline on the floor, said Lt. James Malvey.
Gonzalez cried with remorse under questioning, said Lt. Raymond O'Donnell, a police officer who had heard he did it. "O'Donnell said
The impoverished Latino neighborhood near the Bronx Zoo was thick with mourners, who were asked to identify relatives from snapshots of the bodies posted on the wall of a high school.
Killed were 61 men and 26 women, most of them Honduran
and Dominican immigrants
"Most of the bodies were in dance clothes," Emergency Medical Services specialist John Browne said. "They were out to have fun."
Alva Romero, a Honduran immigrant, lost six relatives, including a daughter, both brothers and a sister. Jerome Ford lost five relatives. The local Honduran soccer club lost several players.
Happy Land was ordered shut in November 1988 and again a year later because of inadequate exits, sprinkler systems, emergency lighting and signs, Dinkins said. It had no liquor or cabaret license.
New count to increase federal aid for county
Ice queen
KH stalento will
When in doubt, accessorize
By Leslie Wright Special to the Kansan
big, big and ethnic
— these are the words
best * describe
a accessory this
spring.
Sterling silver, wood and faux ivory are popular materials for jewelry. Felt cowboy hat, silk scarves and jewellry courtesey of Dillard's.
In jewelry, pins are more prevalent than in past seasons, said Cathy Crawford, department manager at Dillard's department store on the Plaza in Kansas City. Mo. Large gold pins in the shape of anchors other metallic shapes also sell well.
are selling well, she said.
Midge Grinstead, manager of the Natural Way, 820 Massachusetts St., said pins were not the only important access this spring.
At Harper's, 835 Massachusetts St., employee Andrea McKee said the most popular style of earrings was big and chunky.
"We've been selling lots of jewelry, especially earrings" she said. "All kinds of earrings are popular. Guys are still buying earrings too, but now they are also buying dangling styles instead of just posts."
Another big seller is the ethnic look, which can be seen in many of the accessories at Dillard's. Large necklaces adorned with seashells or ivory-colored beads in the Southwestern style are big sellers this spring, Crawford said.
The influence of the Southwest also can be seen in purses and hair items at
Dillard's. Purses in blue denim with leather patches are a new trend. Also popular are barrettes in Southwestern-inspired colors such as peach and light green.
Bells and scarves this season reflect various ethnic influences. Brightly-colored woven Guatemalan belts were worn last year, and remain so this spring.
Russian belts, which feature a leather belt fastened by metal stars, sickles or other Soviet symbols, are another ethnic favorite. Both of these styles have sold well at The Natural Way, where the main criterion for belts is uniqueness.
Scarves are the only accessory which have become smaller this season. At The Natural Way, scarves are more refined, Grinstead said. Beaded, sheer and batik scarves are the newest styles. At Harper's, scarves are more romantic and flowing, signaling a trend toward a softer look.
the colors.
"We're really moving back into primary colors. You never used to see that," she said. "We have some really orange-yes, and a lot of bright oranges and yellows. Not neon colors, just bright primaries. We have some great teens in yellow or red."
While everyone seems to agree on what colors are in for spring, designers cannot decide on a uniform skirt length for women.
"We're still seeing all lengths," Furse said. "But it seems that the more casual the skirt, the shorter it is."
Johnson said she saw a trend toward shorter skirts, but not minis.
"We're selling more pants than ever before." he said.
"Shorter skirts, that come right to or at the knee, are popular," Johnson said. "Split skirts, the longer ones, are also making a comeback."
For spring, women's pants remain tapered at the ankle, with a slightly fuller leg. The Buckle is offering a scalloped rayon pant with a balloon look, but also is offering tapered-leg pants.
Furse said the lack of a definitive skirt length made women turn to pants as an alternative.
Lack of consensus about appropriate skirt length is allowing some interesting alternatives to appear as well.
"We're not into a lot of skirts," Rodriguez said. "People want a full-flowing, shorter skirt. We have a great piece from Peps we call the 'skort'. In the front, it looks like a mini, but from the back, it's shorts."
Rodriguez said that the 'skort' was one of
"The football look, so to say, is out," she said. "Should pads are becoming more contoured to the body. There aren't as many drop-waisted, really full dresses. We carry a lot of knit dresses that are very slimming."
"Girls don't have to worry about things like getting in and out of a car when they're willy-nilly."
his most popular items, and attributed its popularity to its comfort and wearability.
Johnson said shoulder pads were slimming down.
Basic Levis are really popular," Lenie said. "The Levi 550 has a relaxed leg and tapered ankle, which everyone likes. Girbear, Guess?, and Pepe jeans are also in demand."
Jeans for both men and women are also moving toward more slimming looks.
Hans Lenie III, assistant manager of King of Jeans, 740 Massachusetts St., agreed that the basic five-pocket look was in this season.
Jeans for spring will be bleached and faded as people try to move away from fall's darker colors, Lenie said, but black jeans remain popular for evening and going
Acid-washed jeans are on their way out in the '90s as naturally faded, stonewashed jeans take their place.
"A lot of guys don't feel comfortable in a baggy or pleated jean," Rodriguez said.
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University Daily Kansan / Friday, March 23, 1990
Hungary
Socialists expect to lose vote
The Associated Press
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Millions of Hungarians cast ballots yesterday in the first free national elections in 43 years, and many expressed hope for the future and fear of the Communist past.
Premier Miklos Nemeth, a reform-minded Communist and a key engineer of the nation's conversion to democracy, declared moments before he voted that he was relinquishing control with a clear conscience.
As in East Germany, where Eastern Europe's first free ballot in decades took place March 18, the Communists were expected to fare poorly in the elections. They competed with 11 other national parties for parliament seats.
7B
Despite occasional rain showers, voter turnout appeared brisk at Budapest polling stations, with election officials reporting a turnout of nearly 50 percent in some wards by four-fourths.
new irregularities were reported p.m., when the voting officially ed. Several international environs monitored the election. ameth, who voted at a state-run orgenarden serving as one of 11,000 ag stations across the nation, to predict the chances of his list being elected. The state since reform-oriented Coms formed it after defecting the Communist Party in Octo-
comments reflected wided acceptance, even among black leaders, that he would not despite its role in steering Huno democratic reform.
be the only thing I hope for is that a big government is created," said, adding that only aument not hamstrugh by theitation could deal with the itsailing economy.
end of crediting the Socialists' hunteering to play by demourules, most voters remember accesses of more than four Communists that have Communists unpopular fout the Blair blue.
don't consider it an act of God if I make it into government," he told reporters. "I will手 hold me reins head high and with a conscience. I don't have bitterheart my heart but satisfaction."
jury's last elections were in when the Communists won a majority, largely through a year later, they consolidated and forced all other parties outence.
without the monthlong camer $94 parliamentary seats, which attempts to be the electorate's committee to a multiparty system.
e-election opinion pollsIndie Socialists would finish no than fourth place, with a am 10 percent of the overall
of 5,000 people published by e MTI news agency less than t before polls closed indicated right-right Hungarian Democrum would finish strongest, seats.
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