New Jersey Nightly News; 05/11/1979

New Jersey night. Was Rebecca suable in Trenton and Clayton Vaughn in Newark. Good evening. In the news tonight three policemen were injured at that dangerous chemical that Elizabeth. Is more mortgage money available. But at today's higher interest rate and there's more debate on gas rationing and more effects of a possible fuel shortage on trucks and trains. Good evening Rebecca. In sports ball Bhavana has a report on New Jersey's premier high school track athlete Carlos of Wellingborough high. And on a closer look we'll talk with the head of the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. We'll talk about membership problems. More trouble today at the controversial chemical dump site in Elizabeth three Elizabeth policemen were treated for chemical inhalation after a corroding 55 gallon drum ruptured spilling what officials believe was nitric acid into the air and onto the ground. Jack Conway was at the scene and filed this report. Workers scramble to neutralize the acid while firemen poured water on the abandoned

trailer that held the hazardous cargo. The spill occurred late in the morning as workers tried to transfer the contents of the old 55 gallon drums stored in this trailer to say first 65 gallon drums packed with special sealants. They had just begun that transfer when one drum ruptured spewing a yellowish cloud into the air. Two policemen were overcome by the fumes and workers rushed to put on gas masks sealing off the area and contain the leak. Today's spill only serves to underline the real dangers in moving chemical waste from this site. Many of the barrels used are very old corroded and weak. Well that's just the curation that's part of the danger that people say well why don't you just pick up these chemicals and get them out of here. It's not just that is the problem picking them up you just don't pick up a 55 gallon drum with your bare hands. You have to use mechanical lifts. Ironically the spill took place even as state local officials were meeting to draw up plans to remove the rest of the nearly 40000 barrels of chemical waste.

Officials estimate have been dumped here. Today's problem did not require mass evacuations. These workers at a nearby plant were allowed to finish their work day. Officials hope this will be an isolated incident but there are no guarantees. The diffusing of what some of call the chemical time bomb here promises to be wrong and dangerous. Elizabeth. I'm Jack Comedy Central Power and Light Company has lost its bid to get an interim rate increase while his request for that 113 million dollar rate hike is being decided. Jersey Central filed for the increase a week ago. The State Board of Public Utilities aside hearings on it for the week of the 21st but the company also asked that since a decision probably would not be made immediately that it be given the raise on an interim basis the BPU said no to that. Jersey Central wants the higher rates because of the accident of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant. The 25 percent of the Three Mile Island were back in.

The mortgage rate in New Jersey was officially set at 10 and a half percent today an increase of 1 percent. Bankers predict the increase will mean an end to months of waiting for many people who wanted to buy a house but couldn't get a mortgage. Mike Power reports. For six months it's been hard to buy a house in New Jersey because banks weren't giving many mortgages at the old interest rate of nine and a half percent the president of the New Jersey Bankers Association said banks couldn't make any money for the state. Some other states are those who. Have simply been prohibited from making such loans. Over recent months when New Jersey had the lowest mortgage interest rate ceiling I mean sorry state. For it predicted that as of now anyone with a 20 to 25 percent down payment will be able to get a mortgage. The new rate in New Jersey is a little higher than the mortgage rate in New York and a little lower than the rate in Pennsylvania. To put this in perspective let's say you got a $50000 mortgage to buy this house. The new rate is 10 and a half percent the old rate

is nine and a half percent. Your monthly mortgage payment under the new rate would be $37 higher. That extra payment is worth it. If you're one of those who believe that mortgage rates won't drop any time soon and the price of houses will keep going up the state's banking commissioner believes just that. I would go personally go through the bank tomorrow if I could. A little while we sat and saying that mortgage because if I wait a year the rate of appreciation in houses in the state of the jersey average is 12 to 15 percent a year. Commissioner V Yankee can under the law raise the mortgage rate to 10 and three quarters percent. But he says he doesn't think he'll have to anytime soon. In Mercer County I'm Mike. Our. Gas rationing plan defeated by Congress yesterday would have meant realm of a billion generous allocations for New Jersey a disillusioned President Carter told reporters today he's not going to submit any revised proposal after his defeat in the house but instead is now challenging Congress to come up with its own plan in 90 days.

Most of the New Jersey House delegation voted for the plan. Mariam Rosso reports. New Jersey's delegation voted pretty much along party lines with nine Democrats favoring the Carter plan. And for Republicans turning thumbs down the only New Jersey Republican to go for the rationing plan was Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick. Mrs. Fenwick also has some pointed suggestions about how to save energy. But if we're going to convince the people of this nation that we have a shortage those who are seeking high office in both parties had better stop jetting around this country for political speeches. There is nothing convincing about a gas shortage when we see this on the front pages of papers every single day. Jim quarter was one of New Jersey's congressmen who voted against the proposal courters office told us today that a lot of congressmen were irked by the way the plan was rushed through with no chance to amend it. But courter says he's confident

that Congress will meet the president's challenge and come up with a rationing scheme to use if gas shortages do crop up. But Democratic Congressman Andy McGuire from Bergen County says he thinks the house is irresponsible and won't be able to come to any agreement. McGuire says it would be disastrous to have a shortage and have no rationing plan. And so he urges the president not to give up and to keep on trying for some program that Congress will accept in Trenton. I Mariama Rosso. The cost of diesel fuel has risen sharply in recent months in some cases more than the cost of gasoline. Reporter Steve Taylor says the state's biggest diesel users the trucking companies are complaining about the price hikes and worries about diesel supplies. Restructuring of Camden County is typical of New Jersey common carriers. Although with 800 tractors and trailers it may be bigger than most and the company's president voices an industry wide complaint when he talks about what's happened to the price of diesel fuel over the last eight

months. We've had an increase from 52 cents to 64 cents a gallon. We use approximately. Two and a half million gallons of our own pumps. So I mean if we go outside we purchase another. Cold proximately three 40000 go only outside this $300000 additional cost that we will have inside of one year. If you're alone we know remembers the last time diesel fuel prices rose quickly in 1974 a time when fuel shortages were common. He says he hasn't had any trouble getting diesel fuel since then but he's preparing for it. We have. Purchased some paint products which we've had since last fuel shortage in 74 and they're standing by all loaded with fuel in case of any shortages. You anticipate any. I guess I wouldn't be investing that money if I didn't anticipate some kind of shortage. All the diesel fuel in the world won't help the trucking companies can't make a profit. And Irv Wiener says with rising fuel and labor costs he's not making a profit now. Truck rates are set by the Interstate

Commerce Commission and the industry is pushing to raise those rates immediately. Well the rates will have to go up eventually and when they do that'll be a little more inflation that all of us feel. In Pennsauken. I'm Steve Taylor. Contract talks aimed of averting a strike between gas delivery men and Getty Oil Company have been recessed after the union says Gabby dropped a bombshell. The oil company announced it's replacing fifty seven of its drivers. The company says it can save almost a million dollars by hiring drivers from another transportation company. The union says it's in a state of shock because of the move and that move has renewed the possibility of a job action by gasoline delivers Clayton. Amtrak part of the nation's often maligned rail industry has found some good news in the higher gasoline prices. There's been a substantial passenger increase on Amtrak particularly within the last few months when gas prices started getting closer and closer to a dollar a gallon. But even though train passengers find themselves saving money by ditching their cars some are paying a

higher price for discomfort. Geoffrey hall reports. Amtrak's reservations have increased so much that many passengers on long distance runs can't get seats. But that's only part of the problem. The other problem is getting new cars to replace old ones and track officials in Washington say most of the cars were built shortly after World War 2 and should have been replaced years ago. Nevertheless the rail line recently added 500 new cars to its fleet. But officials say that's not nearly enough. So passengers frequently find themselves squeezed in but they don't seem to mind. They figure they're saving money big money by taking the train as opposed to driving. Well I was heading to New York Philadelphia and I decided due to the energy crisis back in Philadelphia at the time the gasolines of 78 cents due to the fact that I have an older car which in this case is 59 and so I decided number one to leave the car in Philly and to write

this train which I have done twice three times over the past 10 years. This passenger estimates you save between 10 and 12 dollars just by taking the train from New York to Philadelphia. Even though the savings are expected to last throughout the summer the margin of savings will be cut. And Track officials say they're cutting back bargain fares simply because there won't be enough empty seats for bargains to make sense for the rail service. Amtrak officials say they've already had a lot of complaints from passengers criticizing the service and complaining about discomfort. But officials say that's good because maybe it'll force the system to improve on the bankers express to Washington. I'm Jeffrey Hall. Amtrak has fired a fourth employee in the crash of that Metroliner into a work train in medicine last month. The tower operator is the latest to be fired. Earlier another tower operator a dispatcher in a middle of a level executive were fired directly at 73 passengers and railroad personnel with minor injuries. The Port Authority has delayed its

planned arrays path rail fares June 1st Authority chairman Allan saggers says he still believes the increases of 10 cents this year in another 10 cents next year are needed. But the final decision will be delayed. Any path fare hike has to be approved by both Governor burna New York governor Kerry. Rebecca. A no smoking law scheduled to go into effect January 1st may be in trouble. The state Senate has approved and sent to the assembly a bill that would make the no smoking law unenforceable by the state and subject only to local fines. The Public Health Council had originally authorized the smoking ban but the legislature claims the council is overriding its authority by trying to enforce that law. The council claims the legislature is bowing to pressure from tobacco lobbyists and restaurant owners who've opposed the law and Hamilton Township has backed off on its bill to ban head shops. The Tasha passed a law making it illegal to sell drug paraphernalia. But the American Civil Liberties Union came out in support of

head shops. The ACLU said the law violated the rights of head shop owners. Town officials reportedly to avoid the cost of tangling with the ACLU in court has decided not to enforce the law but head shops may still be in trouble. The state legislature is considering a bill that would ban them throughout the state. Our heat wave is about to end so we can say goodbye to summer and welcome back spring and some possible rain. Tonight temperatures will drop into the 50s. We'll have cloudy skies and they'll continue into tomorrow with showers or thunder showers likely. In North Jersey you won't be quite as hot as today it will range in the upper 60s to mid 70s in South Jersey about the same highs in the 70s along the shore it'll be slightly cooler and the outlook for Sunday mostly cloudy and cooler. It all means a gray and not too pleasant weekend. This week Austin City Limits presents rhythm and blues Southern style

from the brothers for royal blues of Texas Delbert McClinton. New Jersey complete demolition. The Yankees have a new pitcher and here is Paul Butler. Thanks for back of the New York Yankees today purchased 40 year old lefty Jim caught in the Philadelphia Phillies caught could be in a Yankee uniform as soon as tomorrow afternoon terms of today's deal weren't released. And college ball today Trenton State defeated Montclair 43 to win the northern division of the state college conference that means Trenton State will play Southern division winner Glassboro for the conference title but when there's a bit of a scheduling problem as Trenton State coach Gary Headley explains. We would go now against Glasgow who won their other semifinal and. Were holding off on that because the NCAA playoffs would take precedence. That will be determined Saturday night. As far as who's going to go and when we're playing well we

will definitely play guys probably two out of three series for the Conference playoffs and possibly have to the NCAA which is next weekend. And college tennis today Princeton sophomore Jay Lapidus pulled off a big upset at the NCAA tournament in Texas Lapidus defeated the number 1 seed Andy Kohlberg of Tennessee. That means Lapidus moves into tomorrow's semifinals. Last night we had a story on Joe at Clark probably the finest high school female track athlete in the state. Tonight a look at the number one male runner Carl Lewis of Wellingborough high. What I'd like to win this state 100 to 20 because I run those three in a relay so that's really my main objective for the next month in this New Jersey. For others winning three events in the state made would be sheer fantasy but not for Carl Lewis. For one thing 17 year old Carl has more pure speed than any other high schooler in the state. He's already run a hundred yards in nine point three seconds but sprinting is not especially long jumping is the number one high school long jumper in the entire

country. If you like numbers Lewis has the best jump of twenty five feet nine inches and doors he's gone twenty five five and a half. Those kind of lights are up near world class Carl's father Bill is a track coach. His mother Evelyn a former Olympian and his 15 year old sister Carol is already the best girl long jumper in the state. You could say that Carlos was almost bred for running track. Yes everyone is really into sports no one likes sports and it's really a good thing because it's there's a track meet one day everyone in the whole family comes to watch it no matter who's running. And there's one on TV everyone unfound sister watches on TV has really good technique wise where do you need to show improvement. Well right now my technique is a little bit in the air and a lot of the landing I have been landing very well. But once I clean that up I think I'll get 26 feet. We're thinking about the Olympics in 80. Yeah I'm thinking very much because I think it's a goal that I can achieve. But I just like 2017 next year if I go I go.

I don't want to see Brady for Carra will be competing in the Burlington County League meet this weekend at Maple Shade high school tomorrow afternoon the cosmos 7 0 so far on the road against the Tampa Bay rowdies. It will be a rematch of soccer ball 78 for the North American Soccer League championship game three to one. This season the rowdies are five and two while the cosmos of course are unbeaten. Tomorrow's game in Tampa is of interest from another standpoint. It will be the first of five regular season games to be televised nationally by ABC. We'll be finding out whether or not pro soccer can attract a large TV audience in this country. The answer to that question could play a major role in the future of the sport. And one other item the magic man Earvin Johnson has decided to forego his junior year at Michigan State. He'll turn pro immediately and that's sports Rebecca. Thanks Paul. Parents might be pleased but teenagers won't. Officials in the Bergen County town of Fairview say a local disco may be violating the law by opening its doors to teenagers. Even though the club doesn't serve liquor to the younger set it is licensed.

Local officials say admitting teenagers to the disco may violate the conditions of that liquor license. The teenagers are only admitted to the club Saturday and Sunday afternoons and they claim the liquor license question. Just an excuse being used by parents pressuring fathers. For members of a Jersey City street gang call them a gum or a devil's have been charged in the brutal beating of two boys aged 15 and 16. The boys were robbed beaten and thrown naked into an eight foot ditch gang members allegedly told their victims that they were ready to die. And this is your grave before throwing them into the ditch. Police describe the victims as bleeding mommies when they were rescued about two hours later taken out with a ladder from a puddle of blood. Hello I'm calling to her. I'm me and the American short

story. A series of the work by nine great American writers. One of our stars and Ambrose Parker Addison. Saturday at 9:00 on New Jersey public company. The American Civil Liberties Union has long been the left wing gadfly in New Jersey. But the glory days seem to be over for the group. Membership and fundraising have dropped drastically in the past few years. And some say influence is gone the same route. What's happened to this self-appointed watchdog of civil rights. And what are the prospects for its future. We'll find out from the executive director who is here with us now Stephen Nagler. Welcome Mr. Nadler. Thank you. Could you tell me what you see how much of a decline you've

seen in the over the past two years in terms of membership perhaps 15 percent sounds like. Well it's it's a it's a concern certainly but it's probably less than we were in the country and. It's not that significant that we're going to start pulling our countries in any way if at all possible. What do you think is the reason for the decline in membership. And it's got to be the primary reason. Let me just clarify the defending of the Nazi march in Skokie Illinois. Exactly. There have been some questions from people so much of your membership are Jewish people as well as others but the Jews clearly make up a large percentage. That are you to take the Nazis on as clients seem to be an exercise in self destruction. The ACLU in New Jersey has represented more than two dozen different groups over the past couple of years different political beliefs going from left to right everything from

benevolent associations to. It was sort of right wing groups through left wing groups to anti-nuclear groups to environmental defense groups none of whom happened to be Nazis and we never asked whether or not the group's opinions coincide with ours. The ACLU believes in freedom of expression and doesn't believe in freedom of expression only for those who agree with only for those whose views we approve of. Then why did not the ACLU come out in support of Myron Farber. Well the Myron Farber case involves the balancing of rights balancing of Sixth Amendment rights of a defendant to a fair trial of his doctor and the right of a reporter. To free press rights. Nobody stood for a free press writes as strongly as the ACLU has. But in that situation the balancing of rights was a very difficult one. Mr. Nadler are you sometimes concerned as. Sometimes people in the press get the criticism that after all our objectivity is limited as as it must be with any human being. Do you sometimes get concerned that the ACLU picks its

cases and it's not as clear cut or well defined as. To some extent that kind of criticism arises I think Scotty has had the advantage of dispelling that sort of criticism from the standpoint that no one is suggesting that we any longer that we tend to pick left wing groups as opposed to right wing groups and protect their rights more. That criticism is relatively small these days. Mr. Nadler do you think that part of the problem with the situation ACLU is in today may be that it has stayed with this so-called liberal viewpoint while the rest of the country seems to be moving toward a more conservative stance as you point has traditionally been a libertarian viewpoint in terms of protecting people's civil liberties as opposed to a liberal viewpoint per se. Many of our members I guess tend to be liberals perhaps a majority do but many tend to be conservatives as well. And the notion of protecting fundamental rights from governmental intrusion into

people's lives in the area of privacy and freedom of expression in the due process are all very conservative notions and notions that the ACLU has stood for since its inception. Mr. Nadler if you had the choice to make or the New Jersey chapter. Would you defend the Nazi scum if confronted with that issue. We would respond in the same way that the Illinois division did. And when you examine it by the way it turns out to be more a choice of Skokie picking the Nazis and the other way around at least the way the case started. But the choice is not an easy one but one that is forced upon us by a commitment to fundamental rights. You can't pick the pick of the groups you represent on the basis of whether or not you approve of their views. If you do then you no longer stand for anything involving constitutional rights. Well thank you Mr. Nadler I thank you for your time and for the team with us. Once again our top story three policemen were hurt today none seriously. I don't know Elizabeth chemical dumpsite one of Brum containing what was believed to be nitric acid ruptured sending

toxic fumes into the air. And that's the news what is were broadcast should be addressed to CNN 7 7 7 0 8 6 2 5. Tonight's are some comments on how we've been doing. From Jerry Wilson of New York. Your commentaries are interesting but I feel you should at least show a couple of photos of the particular subject to break the monotony. I'm sure you receive many gripes and complaints but this is to be expected with something new. From George Cukor also bunion your programs continue to be the worst ever used throughout the stage is never covered adequately. One thing I must say your sports coverage is good but an informed public does not watch sports coverage and a large public will demand quality coverage and take away the Cowpokes image you portray. And there is this from back in February and Robert to call the Irvington on the day of the 1979 blizzard CBS with its multimillion dollar resources could get a camera crew only as far as Route 3 in Secaucus. They remind me of a timid swimmer who's afraid to go more than toe deep in the water. Thank goodness for New Jersey nightly news.

W ne t 13 auction continues this weekend preempting this news broadcast on that station we will however be seen on New Jersey Public Television at our regular time 6:00 each evening. Goodnight Rebecca Goodnight and Good night for the New Jersey knightly new. Jersey is a joint presentation of Jersey Public Television.