The Selma Times Journal Vol. 159, No. 238 Good Morning Weather Thursday, sunny. High in upper 60s. Light southeast wind.
Thursday night, clear and cold. Low in upper 30s. Friday, sunny. High near 70. Details, page 2.
Calendar Trained volunteers will help the elderly prepare tax returns each Tuesday and Thursday through April 14. Details, and other local events, page 5. State A federal jury convicted Coosa County man on charges of endangering the public by knowlingly storing 110 drums of flammable chemicals near Goodwater. Details, page 2. Nation At least seven people were killed when a twin engine commuter plane crashed and caught fire Wednesday while landing at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
Details, page 7. Sports The Birmingham Turf Club's opening Wednesday met with mixed reviews from Selma residents. Details, page 9, Musical tonight "Hey, Look at Us Now!" will open at 7. p.m. Thursday at Eastside-Pickard Auditorium.
Admission to the musical talent show, which is sponsored by Westside Middle School parents and faculty, is $3.50. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Classified BEDS Bunk beds, $100. 875- 3557. More bargains, pages 12-13.
Selma, Alabama Thursday, March 5, 1987 14 Pages in Feds indict 3rd By SUSAN HURST ROUNTREE Selma. undisclosed amount of cloth. Times-Journal Writer The indictment, handed down by a Coastal Industries in turn issued- a A third Selma businessman has federal grand jury in Philadelphia check for $22,026 to B.G. Mills, probeen indicted in connection with a earlier this week, accuses Bay of secutors say, and a short time later federal investigation of fraud, con- paying Bernard C. Colton, an $19,000 in cash and checks was spiracy, bribery and racketeering in employee of a Pennsylvania garment delivered to the California company.
the awarding of U.S. Defense maker, more than $22,000 in January Bay also is charged in the indictDepartment apparel contracts. 1986 to get the California company to ment with asking a representative of Larry Bay, former executive vice drop its bid. Colton's firm, H. Landau and to president of the now-bankrupt Gulf The indictment said Bay, a cover up the transaction by actually Apparel, was arrested in Selma consultant to Selma area clothing shipping some cloth to, Coastal Innow Wednesday on three counts of manufacturers, dustries.
obstructing justice aiding behalf" of Coastal Industries when H. Landau and Co. and its owner, and and was "acting on alleges the alleged payment was made. Emmanuel Landau, were indicted in abetting. The government Bay was involved in a scheme to per- February in connection with the govsuade a California company to drop According to the indictment, a fake ernment's ongoing investigation of its bid on a Defense Department con- invoice was issued to Coastal In- Defense Department garment contract sought by Coastal Industries of dustries on behalf of B.G.
Mills for an tracts. Judge nixes appeal to lift CO contract ban By SUSAN HURST ROUNTREE Times-Journal Writer A federal judge refused Wednesday to extend an order temporarily blocking the government from awarding a $25 million contract that Selma Ap parel lost because of its recent indictment on fraud charges. But an attorney for Selma Apparel said the firm may still be able to convince an U.S. Defense Department official to lift the company's suspension from receiving new contracts and award it the $25 million job. During a hearing in Mobile Wednesday morning, U.S.
District Judge Alex Howard said he would not extend a temporary restraining order imposed Monday because there was not enough evidence that the suspension. he believed the mere indictment of of Selma Apparel was arbitrary and the company, its owner James Utsey capricious as the firm's attorney and its former administrative vice claim in a lawsuit filed last week. president Allen Edwards on bribery, The restraining order expired at 5 fraud and conspiracy charges last p.m. Wednesday. month was sufficient to warrant the U.S.
Attorney Jeff Sessions said suspension. Selma Apparel's attorneys had to Despite the first-round loss Wedprove that Gerald Werfel, special nesday, Selma Apparel attorney J.L. agent for contracting integrity for the Chestnut Jr. said he believed the Defense Logistics Agency, exceeded company still may win the contract, his authority by suspending the firm. based on a letter Werfel wrote to a Howard ruled against Selma Ap- Philadelphia attorney who is also parel, however, after Sessions and his representing the company.
staff produced a federal regulation In the letter, Werfel said he was specifying that companies or indi- open to "any further suggestions" on viduals indicted on criminal charges Selma Apparel's behalf. can be suspended. "The judge viewed Mr. Werfel's Sessions said after the hearing that See APPAREL, page 12 Humanism is religion Judge banishes 36 books that preach secular humanism By GARRY MITCHELL Associated Press Writer MOBILE (AP) A federal judge Wednesday banned 36 textbooks from virtually all Alabama public school classrooms, saying they illegally promoted "the religion of secular humanism." U.S. District Judge W.
Brevard Hand said in a 172-page ruling that the use of the textbooks by the state violates the U.S. Constitution's prohibition against government establishment of a religion. "With these books, the state of Alabama has overstepped its mark, and must withdraw to perform its proper non-religious functions," possible, either. Hand wrote. "When you recognize that you are The decision came in a class-action the one in charge of your life, you will lawsuit filed by 600 parents and be way ahead of where you would be if teachers, sponsored in part by con- you think of your life as something servative fundamentalists, who that just happens to you." challenged the use of the textbooks in According to fundamentalists, Alabama public schools.
They argued secular humanism is the elevation of in a trial before Hand in 0c- transient human values over eternal tober that secular humanism was be- spiritual values, and secular ing taught as a religion in numerous humanists believe that humans can books. handle their own affairs without The textbook critics objected in divine intervention. particular to the teaching of value Hand defined secular humanism as judgments. religion, and said, "The court now In "Teen Guide," a home considers whether this religious belief economics book, for example, one of system of humanism is involved in the objectionable passages said, a constitutional controversy before "Nothing was 'meant to You are this court. the designer of your life.
If you want The judge's ruling went against 22 something, you can plan and work for social studies textbooks, nine history it. Nothing is easy. But nothing is im- texts and five home economics books. Reagan calls arms deal 'mistake' By TERENCE HUNT served me," Reagan said: "As his detached management style AP White House Correspondent personally distasteful as I find and ignorance about the details WASHINGTON President secret bank accounts and diverted and consequences of his arms toReagan, in a speech designed to funds, as the Navy would say, this Iran policy. erase doubts about his presidency, happened on my watch." Responding to the speech, acknowledged Wednesday night Reagan's remarks shed no light Senate Majority Leader Robert that his on Iranian initia- on the many mysteries of the Byrd, said, "It went tive "deteriorated" into an arms- Iran-Contra affair and said others way" but that "the president for-hostages deal.
will have to find out where the Iran should have recognized it was his "It was a mistake," he said. arms proceeds actually went. He. orders that authorized arms sales Noting he had not said much did not mention by name any of the to Iran." about the affair since November, key figures in the Iran-Contra af- Senate Minority Leader Robert Reagan said, "I've paid a price for fair, such as his former national Dole, R-Kansas, said the conmy silence in terms of your trust security advisers, John Poindex- troversy "isn't behind him yet, but and confidence, but I have had to ter and Robert McFarlane, or it's a start." He said future aid to wait, as have you, for the complete fired NSC aide Oliver North. the Contra rebels is now "hanging story." The Oval Office address marked by a thread." Declaring himself "angry" and Reagan's first response to the Dole added, "Some wanted an "disappointed" with "some who Tower commission's criticism of See REAGAN, page 12 Reagan Roussell's debut reaps new programs By SUSAN HURST ROUNTREE Times-Journal Writer Newly appointed Selma School Superintendent Norward Roussell began putting his stamp on the school system Wednesday night, winning unanimous School Board approval for at least 10 new programs aimed at motivating students and faculty.
Among those approved during Roussell's first board meeting were programs requiring parents to personally pick up their children's report cards and hold conferences with their teachers at least twice a year; requiring principals to give special attention to targeted students who are not scoring up to their potential on achievement tests; and establishing a center where stronger teachers could work with those whose skills need 1 Section plus Supplements 25 Cents Selmian Also indicted in February were Selma Apparel, its owner James Utsey, its former executive vice president, Allen Edwards, Gulf Apparel Corp. and Dallas Uniform. Numerous fraud and conspiracy-tobribe charges were brought against the Selma companies and individuals. All have pleaded innocent. The president of Coastal Industries, Sidna Kae Utsey, is the sister-in-law of James Utsey.
In the indictment released this week, Bay also is accused of trying to "influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice" by telling the Landau representative last January that Mrs. Utsey would lie about the purpose of the $22,026 payment. Mrs. Utsey could not be reached Wednesday night. Jim Rechel, an FBI agent assigned to the Selma area, said Wednesday he was taking Bay to Mobile for his initial court appearance Thursday before a U.S.
magistrate. Bond is expected to be set at that time. Bay, who was arrested without incident Wednesday, declined to comment on his arrest as he was being escorted to car outside the Federal Building in Selma. Photo by KEVIN GLACKMEYER Turning point Armed with a fork reminiscent of King Neptune's trident, Mike Hanco*ck of Hanco*cks Country Bar-B-Que, turns these boston butts over for their first of many turns. A cooking time of 8-10 hours is what it takes to bring out the best in these cuts of meat.
Ready to assist behind Hanco*ck stands Lewis Washington. Selma's young businessmen challenged polishing. Still under discussion late Wednesday was a proposal to require all high school students, beginning with next fall's junior class, to take a computer applications course in order to graduate. Board member Sheila Okoye, who proposed the computer requirement as chairman of the board's instructional services committee, said the change would cost the board about $25,000. The money would cover the cost of the computers, desks, chairs and othe materials needed to teach the course.
Roussell said, however, he did not think any additional teachers would have to be hired. Earlier in the meeting, the board See SCHOOLS, page 12 Landmark building may be demolished By JOHN JACKSON lapses or someone is injured on the Times-Journal Writer site. Three members of the Selma Police roped off the Bridge and Dallas County Historie Tender's House Tuesday after the Preservation Society Board of building's lower floor facing the Directors said Wednesday they Alabama River gave way. would agree to have the Although a replica of the house Bridgetender's House demolished could be rebuilt elsewhere, society if the recent water damage has put members Elise Blackwell and the house beyond repair. Jean Martin said the house's locaMayor Joe Smitherman and four tion not the actual building Selma city councilman met with a makes the house historically special committee from the significant.
The Bridge Tender's Preservation Society Wednesday House was built to mark Selma's morning at City Hall. first bridge over the river. After discussing the issue for Smitherman and the society almost an hour, the group decided committee will meet at the house action had to be taken immediate- Thursday meeting with contracbefore more of the house col- See HOUSE, page 12 By JANET GRESHAM News Editor Reaching back a quarter century, Selma Mayor Joe Smitherman on Wednesday pulled out an old idea and produced a new challenge toward economic development for Selma and Dallas County. Calling some 150 young Selma businesspeople to an impromptu meeting at the Walton Theatre, Smitherman told them that now is the time to form an organization similar to the "Committee of 100." That committee, he said, composed of 100 businessmen, literally took industrial development into its own hands back in the 1960s and is credited with bringing Hammermill Paper Co. to Selma.
That was not an easy task in the middle of the civil rights movement, he said, and Selma is again at a low ebb in its economy. Somehow, he said, local government, isn't getting the message across that Selma has greatly improved in the last 30 years. He said government can get entrenched in its efforts. "I think sometimes we put the same 'fabulous 50' on every committee in town," Smitherman said. Before the mayor finished his spiel, Selma a Attorney Ham Wilson was called onstage where he presided over the beginnings of the new group and later received unanimous approval to appoint an interim committee to set an agenda for another meeting, The group voted to meet at 5:15 p.m.
March 18 at the Selma Con- vention Center. The mayor wasn't alone in his call for volunteers in the industrial effort. Members of the original Committee of 100, along with Dallas County Probate Judge Johnny Jones, Chamber of Commerce President Shelton Prince, Craig Airport and Industrial Authority. Treasurer Joe Pilcher Economic Development Authority Chairman Cecil Harris and businessman Julius Talton all encouraged Selma's younger generation to get involved in the effort. "We're asking you tonight, not to just sit back and say, 'When is something going to but to help us make things happen," Jones told the group.
Harris said that despite EDA'S work during its organization and the hiring of director Calvin Miller to work full-time on getting and expanding local industry, involvement from the whole community is a necessity. Smitherman said the voices of Selma's business people will fall more loudly on higher government and industrial ears than those of its paid, local government employees. While encouraging the group to organize and act on its own, the mayor also gave assurances that local government would be there to support it and make suggestions if needed. The mayor's appeal comes on the heels of a year when one of Selma's largest industries, Beech Aircraft closed, and at a time when new See YOUTH, page 12.
