New Jersey Nightly News; New Jersey Nightly News Episode from 11/30/1978 7:30 pm

New Jersey nightly. With Rebecca suable in Trenton and Clayton Vaughn in Newark. Good evening Rebecca Sobol has the night off on Clayton Vaughn the State Assembly today voted to double the $1 fee on the senior citizen prescription drug program. Intercontinental insurance today denied charges raised in Congress of deceptive sales practices but a state investigation of the company is now in the works. And Pollack hospital in Jersey City still trying to cope with that nurses strike as a new headache. Charges of AIDS and orderlies or abusing the elderly patients. In sports Paul Badon reports the Princeton's outlet of director is quitting after six years with the university. Paul also has highlights tonight of the good starts for Rutgers basketball teams as they open their seasons. And in tonight's closer look one of New Jersey's most famous artists talks about that controversial sculpture that was supposed to go to Kent State. The state assembly passed a bill which would raise the prescription drug charge for senior citizens from $1 to $2 measures aimed at curing a 15 million dollar deficit in the

program. Most lawmakers found a bill that cure would be bad tasting medicine. Today was the third time the assembly tried to vote change the prescription drug program for the aged and for awhile it looked as though the Lower House would once again stall on the bill. But a Republican sponsored a motion to do that was quickly defeated. Still changing the program seem to be politically painful and the lawmakers agonized for two hours before voting 65 to 5 to make the change. The drug program has not only help seniors to get the medicines they need. It's also been good public relations for the legislature. Senior citizens whose income is less than $9000 can get prescriptions for just a dollar apiece. And elderly constituents have made it all too clear to legislators that they oppose any changes. Assemblyman Walter Kirn of Ridgewood read a letter from one. All right.

You think you know me. But I know assemblymen such as Thomas said the change was necessary to keep the program from going broke and going out of business. Here you are and you made me think you know me. The bill has been amended several times to make it more politically palatable. For one thing seniors will not have to pay a new entry fee of $20 an early proposal and seniors will not have to pay the difference between a generic drug and a brand name drug if their doctor asks for the brand name. The Assembly today also approved a companion bill that will allow the state to use tax revenues to help finance the drug program

in Trenton. Both of the bills affecting the senior citizens drug program still require Senate action. Also today in Trenton the assembly approved a bill to give job training to middle aged housewives who have lost their husbands. Republican to some women Walter Cavanagh introduced a bill to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Marijuana is supposed to relieve the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy. And there is a bill in the legislature designed to correct deceptive selling practices in the insurance business and beyond that the state has plans to follow up the federal investigation into possible health insurance rip offs by a New Jersey based company. Jeffrey Hall reports earlier this week a congressional subcommittee heard testimony that the Intercontinental insurance company of Newark is one of the six most unscrupulous health carriers in the country. But Intercontinental bills itself as America's number one good health insurance. A good deal of the company's business is generated by selling Medicare supplements to the elderly

the type clients Intercontinental tries to attract by pointing out shortcomings in their existing policies. But some former clients and company agents testified that the way Intercontinental does it would make anyone sick. According to testimony the company and five others built senior citizens out of a billion dollars a year. Intercontinental is said to do it by misrepresenting the cost of coverage promising more than it can deliver. And by writing policies that overlap intercut nettles vice president denies the allegations as far as we know that our agents don't misrepresent policies we have fine products and we. Have a very fine bloc of business with senior citizens. According to testimony in Washington one of your agents came up to a woman and suggested euthanasia as long term care for her health insurance needs. Do you know about that. I've never heard of such a thing. State Senator GARRETT How could I warn of Bergen County once a full state investigation into Intercontinental selling practices. He's also concerned about affiliations governor

Byrne had or has with the company and about affiliation State Senator Martin Greenberg still has. Brendan Baron was the chairman of the board for years before I became governor. And I understand that second senator Greenberg is presently secretary. And they have a major influence in the policy direction of this company. And it appeared to me that there conceivably could be a conflict of interest. With respect to their influence and state levels we should point out the governor of Berne resigned his post as chairman of the board before he took office. His stock was put into a blind trust which for all he knows may have been sold. Senator Greenberg is still secretary of the board but he isn't salaried today he told us that he would resign his post with Intercontinental and sell his stock if he thought for a moment that the company is indeed involved in deceptive selling practices.

Thank you Jeff. Administrator is a public hospital in Jersey City are under fire that four week old nurses strike is complicating hospital care and now there are charges that some aides and orderlies at the hospital are abusing the elderly patients. Jack connotate reports. One hundred sixty nurses a Polock a bit on strike for 25 days and then negotiations on their demands for a higher salary are still under way. But now there are more than labor problems here. There are been public charges of pension abuse beatings even extortion. Hospital personnel taped conversations of aides in an orderly here and copies of those tapes are now in the hands of Hudson County prosecutors. But because the tapes include only segments of conversations it will take corroboration from witnesses to prosecute anyone for the alleged offenses which even include charges of stuffing one patients up his nose. Well the allegations are very serious ones and I hope we are able to corroborate it.

If these things in fact did occur hospital superintendent John Roman I can't believe the charges of patient abuse. I just couldn't understand. Why it was running that story when I checked in with anybody. But even if the charges are true or can't be proved they have patients here upset and fearful. They watch the people get that. The way. They feed them. They put that. On you like. You have all. Of the tapes have been played for a newspaper reporter but now they are part of an investigation they are not available. He says they could be a combination of employee bravado and exaggeration. And he says efforts by administrators to track down the allegedly abuse patients have been fruitless. Pollack has almost 500 patients patients officials say are often the ones private nursing homes don't

want. People many unable to move without help. They sat quietly while the TV crews walk the floors. We talked to thought the charges were true. And hospital officials say there were many activities for those who can take part in putting Big O. So the Hudson County prosecutor's office will pick up the investigation here. But what may really be on trial here is the whole system a system where we put the ONLY away out of sight sit out their last days alone and afraid. As one of the stranger here put it. I'd rather die than have to spend my last days in a place like this. Holocaust battle in Jersey City. I'm Jack Holliday. Governor Byrne today toured Atlantic City again said it would be a mistake or it was a mistake rather to allow casinos to be placed in the existing hotels there. Burn wants Atlantic City to become a showplace as early as September he said that just patching and painting old structures wouldn't do the job. Resorts International the first casino in the town is in a renovated

hotel and the issue is up again now on the question of whether to destroy the historic blood on the hotel tower to make way for Ballys proposed casino hotel. Burns says the tower should come down because it is not structurally sound and he also indicated that at the present Casino Control Commission members do not agree with him. Then there will be some new members appointed. Authorities have opened an investigation into why the state's star witness has backed out of his testimony in Atlantic City's first organized crime murders and because you know gambling murder charges against Philip crazy fellow Nettie dismissed when the witness skull Villa garbage man Earl devolved so he could no longer identify Leonardo as the gunman in the killing of an Atlantic City tailor last year. We've all told The Associated Press on the phone nobody has pressured me no way. The chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee is calling for an investigation of the relationship between the State Film Development Commission and Teamsters Local 560 which once was headed by convicted murderer Anthony Tony Provenzano. Steve Taylor has more.

Tuesday night on this program we told you about the arrangement between the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Development Commission and local 560. That's the local which many law enforcement officers call a classic study in labor record tearing Robert Watson who runs five 60s motion picture Division says he has a personal commitment to going to burn to help bring movie makers into the state. That same Robert let's see who also raises money to help pay Tony Pros. legal expenses has himself served time for breaking and entering and larceny Film Development Commission director Joseph Freedman told us that five 60s reputation is not the concern of the commission but Assembly Judiciary Committee Chairman Martin Harman isn't so sure. Today he called on Attorney General John Degnan to investigate 562 ties to the Film Board. The whole picks with the movie industry coming back to New Jersey is a New Jersey a nice place to be a good place to work. They were nice people to do business with. We're going to go with at a early age ad that persons identified with the friends he

keeps. I guess we should have reason for concern. And Herman has asked that the attorney general report the results of his investigation to the Judiciary Committee in Trenton I'm Steve Taylor. More action today on the increasing cost of gasoline and home heating oil here in New Jersey. The State Department of Energy held a hearing to determine just what's causing the increases and what if anything can be done to reverse them. SANDRA KING reports. All the testimony of today's hearing came from representatives of the oil companies whose prices have gone up in recent months. The big question was why. And the response very well. The biggest factor of course and write in determine the final price is the raw material but there's other factors too such as your operation on the refinery and other costs that have come along. It works simply on the supply and demand basis. As you have more demand and that's part of the market price.

But state energy commissioner Joel Jacobson didn't seem satisfied with the answers especially when he looked for explanations of company profits. And we continue to ask questions about the price frankly we get rather nebulous responses. And a lot of how we push we can't get the answers and I want to ask you one of the production profits per barrel. I suspect you would be able to tell me. Would you be. I don't really think. But Jacobson says he'll continue to ask the questions until he gets satisfactory answers. Another hearing is scheduled for December 11 and there could be still more. The outcome will be in the form of recommendations to Washington on whether New Jersey thinks federal price controls on gasoline should be continued and whether controls on the price of home heating oil should be reinstated in Newark a response under King for New Jersey Shell service station dealers today charged shell with playing

favorites with gas only stations and discriminating against those with repair and maintenance facilities. Dealers filed an anti-trust lawsuit in New York federal court. The suit also charges shell is creating a monopoly by price fixing forcing dealers to buy parts with high prices and controlling unleaded gasoline supplies. A spokesman for Shell So the charges are completely contrary to company policy and will be proved false. Here's the weather forecast for New Jersey. They'll be clear skies and cold temperatures in the north tonight. The lows will be in the upper 20s to the low 30s. It will be partly cloudy to the south with lows from the mid to upper 20s. Tomorrow it will be partly cloudy and cool. High temperatures in the low to mid 40s. And the outlook for Saturday increasing clouds seasonable temperatures. For generations one family their lives and careers are

one hundred and fifty years are interwoven with American history. But remember I ask nothing of you. That I do not demand of myself. A world of difference. Saturday at 8. Good evening Princeton University called the news conference late this afternoon. The announcement surprised just about everyone. After six years on the job Royce flippen has decided to step down as athletic director. One reason it's a surprise flip and seem to be a life time Princeton man. Not only as athletic director since 72 but also as a star football and baseball players in the mid 50s. But he's decided to resign effective this spring to enter private industry in New York and leaving flippen had only good words for Princeton. But I leave really now on a very upbeat feeling both because I think my personal decision was it was a good one for me at

this time. But also because I feel really so so positive about about Princeton. Again right Split Enz resignation doesn't take effect until spring. The search for a successor will begin immediately. Last night in Piscataway the Rutgers basketball team made its much awaited season debut. You can tell basketball season has arrived at Rutgers coach Tom Young in his towel and for once again inseparable. Anyway in last night's opener wrecker's was hot at the start or at least hotter than Columbia. A couple of quick buckets by Abdellah Anderson and Rodney Duncan gave the Scarlet Knights a seven point lead early on. However Colombia was extremely well coached and played smart basketball during the remainder of the first half and actually led for much of it by between four and six points. However in the second half Rutgers played more like the top 20 team many think they are finally taking the lead for good. Seven minutes into the second half from there the Knights coasted home to a 70 to 63 win. As for an overall assessment of game number one

records coach Tom Young was satisfied. Well I liked it only because the second half if we did come close to play like we did the first half I've been very upset and I thought we played with an awful lot of confidence and poise and and some smarts the second half and therefore I come away with a lot better feeling than than I would have ever thought at half time and other games around the state last night Preston won by 16 points over Wagner Seton Hall romped over Merrimac by 41 to remain unbeaten and Ryder college was knocked off by St. Joe's Also last night the highly regarded Rutgers women's team won its opener 68 to 61 over Fordham records. Theresa Grant's recruited some of the most talented players in the east and it's paid off. Last night freshman Mary Coyle from Philadelphia led the way with 21 points. Her twin sister Patty Coyle added a final again Recker 68. FORDHAM 61. The high school football season comes to an end on Saturday with the state's sectional championship games.

Tonight we continue our series of previews with a look at the larger public schools groups three and four. One of the teams the beat in group 3 is Deptford high of Gloucester County. Currently 10 I know. At times this week the effort has been forced to workout inside their gym because of the poor weather. Which brings their coach Joe Courtney to an interesting point. I've been a firm believer before it to stay close. Good one however I do think that we are and we should be packed away by now. But deferred is not packed away they're preparing for their biggest game of the year against Collingswood on Saturday. The winner of that one will be the champion of South Jersey group 3 and other group 3 games on Saturday. North hundred plays JFK is one for the Central Jersey title and North Jersey Section 1 still in group 3. Northern Highlands and pa. kills will go at it while in section 2 of North Jersey Rahway takes on Philipsburg.

Moving on the group for one of the largest schools in the state. Toms River south and Cherry Hill East will meet for the title in South Jersey. In the central part of the state north of us and will go against 10 uno watch on hills. In North Jersey section to union and playing field who played to a 0 0 0 time during the regular season. Will try again on Saturday. Probably the most attractive match of the day though comes in North Jersey Section 1 for undefeated and top ranked North put in place also undefeated and fourth ranked Passaic Valley. That game scheduled for a 5:45 start at Giants Stadium. Tomorrow night a look at the playoffs. Also today the Philadelphia Phillies are no longer in the market for free agent Pete Rose today rose turned down their highest offer 1.8 million dollars over three years just wasn't enough playing. I give all state labor and industry Commissioner John hard today warned legislators that they would undo the good work in the past by attracting new industries to New Jersey if the corporate

income taxes raised from seven and a half percent to 9 percent for large companies. Such a proposal has been made to help offset the predicted state budget deficit. Oren told the legislature's Joint Economic Committee today that if business taxes are raised you've destroyed your credibility with employers in New Jersey. The state AFL CIO today accused the state banking community of a calculated campaign to raise home mortgage interest rates. The Labor Organization said such a hike would fuel inflation and price potential homebuyers out of the market. The state has a cap of nine and a half percent on home mortgage money. But that ceiling is now below the return from U.S. Treasury notes and that's had the effect of drying up the mortgage market. And milk prices are going up again in New Jersey once out of court effective tomorrow. The state Agriculture Department says minimum retail prices on milk the new lowest prices will be forty three and a half cents a quart 83 cents a half gallon a dollar fifty eight for the gallon. The increase said to be caused by a strong demand for manufactured dairy products nationwide and a small drop in milk production.

To a our own was a Johnny Mathis special Saturdays at 9. This is a big night for one of New Jersey's most famous artists George Segal of South Brunswick is unveiling an important show of his sculpture at the Genoese gallery in New York City. One particular piece of sculpture is sure to capture much of the attention of the show tonight. Rebecca Sobel traces the strange story of that controversial work and takes a closer

look at some of Segal's other work. Kent State May 4th 1970. The memory is still haunting. Four students killed by the bullets of Ohio National Guardsman during a protest against the Vietnam War. Those killings caused a public outcry. Eight years later hoping to finally silence the critics can state officials agree to build a memorial on the spot where the students were shot. The challenge of that memorial went to George Segal a New Jersey sculptor best known for portraying everyday people doing everyday things to research the piece. SIEGEL went to Kent State and visited the knoll where the students fell. I showed up. And I was astounded to discover. That. It felt like times had stood still. I can't. It was a polarized situation. This is eight years later. It was eight

this is eight years later and I have people telling me pulling me aside and saying one of those students should have been shot to teach them a lesson. And you know. All right. And being poor was pulled aside again and told confidentially there's a radical leftist plot to do in the university. SIEGEL came home to his studio a converted chicken farm in South Brunswick and began work. And this is what emerged in white surgical plaster. It's based on the biblical story of Abraham Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac to prove his faith to God. In Siegel's version the elder figure holds a knife. The modern day Isaac dressed like a student lies at his feet his throat bared ready to die. Siegel says the sculpture freezes not only the conflict of Kent State but the rift between young and old the Tore the sixties apart.

You know I was in a peculiar position because. I'm the father of a college age daughter. You know so that you know it dawned on me that every college student in the United States is. The child. Of a parent. I saw that there was a I thought besides political dissent there was a tremendous. Moral crunch issue involved. The love of a parent for a child was involved. And then the terrible conflict. Say when. A son gets a draft notice has to serve in a war. You know I was a mother and father feel upset. That's what the Kent State trustees felt when they saw Siegel's version of Abraham and Isaac. Siegel said he would take his sculpture elsewhere thank you and he carted it to Princeton University Princeton gratefully accept it. Despite all the flak and other strong statements against authority. SIEGEL doesn't really think of himself as a political artist. For him art reveals the inner feelings of

man alone and men together. He explained his philosophy to contributing reporter Sam Hunter an art history professor at Princeton. I don't deal with doctors how we deal with tension how do I deal with. All the. Real. Realistic. Moods we have the realistic states of mind that we experience every day. How do you picture it how do you make it concrete in your art. I'm pretty much an instrument. I've got you know I depend on my models. I depend on the sensitivity and the mental life of my models. And their physical build. I prefer to live in a world where there is sensitivity.

And respect for individual human life. I think that the greatest contribution anybody can make to civilized society is this respect for life. Once again our top story the State Assembly today passed a bill raising the senior citizen drug program fees from $1 to $2 per prescription for Bergen County a state senator has called for an investigation into the selling practices of the Intercontinental insurance company and the Hudson County prosecutor's office is investigating charges of patient abuse at the hospital for the elderly in Jersey City. And that's the news. Good night for the New Jersey. New Jersey night a new joint presentation of New Jersey Public Television opportunity 13 weeknights at 6:30 on Channel 13 and at 7:30 New Jersey public kept an updated edition is broadcast at 10:00 pm

in New Jersey public television and at 7:00 the following morning on Channel 13 fortunes be recorded.