VOTING RIGHTS See editorial page c ic ituu f ai1 LOATHSOME, High - 290 Low -170a See Today for details - - -- _ _ Vol. LXXXVIII, No..94 Ann Arbor, Michigan-Tuesday, January 24, 1978 Ten Cents 10 Pages Township 20 don't have to reveal mayoral votes By JULIE ROVNER In a unanimous decision, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled yesterday that 17 people who voted illegally in last April's mayoral election, including two Univ- ersity students, do not have to reveal how they voted. The decision, which reversed an Appeals Court ruling issued last November; said that the constitution provides a right to a secret ballot which cannot be abrogated unless there is evidence of intended fraud. YESTERDAY'S DECISION was the latest in a series of legal intricacies which began last April, when incumbent Democrat Albert Wheeler defeated Coun- cilman Louis Belcher (R-5th ward) for the mayor's seat by one vote. After a number of recounts, Belcher sued Wheeler, charging he was holding the mayor's post illegally because of a number of disputed paper ballots and a voting machine which had allegedly been read wrong. Then, last summer, it was discovered that due to the use of incorrect street guides by some city registrars, 23 township residents-ineligible to.vote in city elections-had accidently been registered and had voted. DURING THE FIRST hearings last October, 20 of the voters who had been located and subpeonaed were brought to the courtroom and told they would be asked to tell which candidate they had voted for. Three revealed their votes, but University junior Susan VanHattum refused on the grounds that she had a constitutional right to keep her vote a secret. VanHattum was cited for contempt, handcuffed, and detained brielfy in the judge's chambers. Another student, Diane Lazinsky, also refused to tell. She too, was cited for contempt. ' The trial came to an abrupt halt as lawyers for VanHattum and Lazinsky took their case to the Michigan Court of Appeals. On November 10, the court ruled that the right of secrecy in voting does not extend to those who cast their ballots illegally and that the so-called "township 20" would have to tell. THE LAWYERS appealed again, and yesterday's ruling was the result. "It's just real important that the vote be secret," VanHattum said. "I thought maybe I'd have to go to jail for a day and then get out because of all the reaction it would cause . .. It really wasn't all that much of a hassle. I'm glad I did it and if I had to I would do it again. VanHattum credited her willingness to stand up to the judge to the knowledge of legal proceedings she has obtained in her work for the Ann Arbor Tenants Union. "A lot of people would have thought 'well, that's the law so I have to tell,' but I knew it was my right not to have to," she said. "THIS CASE SETS a precedent because it clarifys a cloudy issue in this state, especially with the unanimous decision," said Jonathan Rose, VanHattum's attorney. Edward Goldman, an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyer who has been represnting Lazinsky, agreed with Rose. "If they can ask you to reveal your vote, the next step it to try to check and see whether or not you're telling the truth. They'll subpeona your roommate and your neighbor and even ask how your mother voted. It's such a dangerous precedent, it's inappropriate to open the door even that little bit," he said. Lazinsky has refused all along to speak with the press, but Goldman said that they were both very happy with the decision. BOTH WHEELER and Belcher also indicated their satisfaction with the decision. "I'm very happy," Belcher said. "Maybe now the wish I've had all along, that the election will be voided. will be acted on." See TOWNSHIP, Page 2 University junior Susan Van Hatturn smiled yesterday when she heard tha the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled she does not have to reveal her vote Carter presents $500 Hot dog tuber Daily Photo by BRAD BENJAMIN Bumps render MoJo tuber Jeff Vincent airborne during a recent ski weekend in Northern Michigan. Gunmenki*dnap Bega G s industrialist in ambush billion h WASHINGTON (AP) - President Carter sent Congress yesterday a $500.2- billion budget for fiscal 19711 that provides for new spending for defense, education and health, and leaves a deficit of $60.6 billion, the third largest ever. If Congress approves, the budget will hike spending by $38 billion over $978 and will be the first to hit the half- trillion-dollar mark. Spending would be equal to about $4,200 for every American. BUT IN HIS budget message, Carter said the real increase in fed ral pur- chasing power would be only percent, and that the budget will actually reduce the federal share of the nation's gross national product from 22.6 percent to 22 percent. The budget doesn't provide for any major new programs, but a contingen- cy fund of $3 billion could be used to start a national health insurance program or asnew urban aid program that Carter said he will propose to Congress in March. Even so, the magnitude of the proposed spending brought critical comment from some key members of Congress. "I WOULD LIKE to see us under $500 billion," House Speaker Tip O'Neill told reporters. Rep. George Mahon (D-Tex.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, applauded Carter's an- nounced intention of working with the private sector of the economy toreduce unemployment. But he said accom- panying proposals for spending and large tax cuts to stimulate the economy involve considering risks and "the greatest risk appears to be inflation." The budget includes Carter's proposed $25-billion in tax cuts that the udget fc administration contends are needed to generate one million new jobs in the economy in 1979. THE BUDGET IS for the fiscl year beginning Oct. 1 of this year. The projected outlays of $500.2 billion com- pare with outlays during the 1978 fiscal year of $462.2 billion. Carter's budget estimates $439.6 billion in receipts against the outlays. This would leave the government Milliken backs 'U' budgr hike r 1979 operating in the red by $60.6 billion, only a little less than the estimated $61.8 billion deficit for the present year., Chairman Rbbert Giaimo (D-Conn.) of the House Budget Committee said the contemplated deficit is "much too high in times of solid economic growth." PRAISING CARTER for calling for restraints on spending, Giaimo added, See CONGRESS, Page 2 PARIS (AP) - Masked gunmen ambushed an automobile carrying Baron Edouard-Jean Empain in central Paris yesterday and abduct- ed the Belgian nobleman, one of Europe's wealthiest industrialists, police sources said. Hours after the late-morning ab- duction, the 40-year-old baron's fam- ily still had not received a ransom de- mand, authorities said. There was no, firm clue to whether he was kid- napped for money or for political motives. POLICE WERE mobilized nation- wide and at borders in the hunt for Empain, father of three and scion of a long-powerful family. Police said Empain's chauffeur was in shock after being beaten by the four or five kidnappers in the well-organized operation. The gun- men used two trucks and a motorbike to trap the industrialist's car just outside his apartment building near the Arc de Triomphe. Empain, whose mother was Ameri- can music hall star Rozell Rowland, is president and managing director of the French-Belgian E m p a i n- Schneider industrial group of 150 companies. THE CONGLOMERATE, which has an annual turnover of "$4.5 bil- lion, is France's only nuclear power plant manufacturer, building U.S. Westinghouse plants under license, and has large steel, shipping, bank- ing and machinery production inter- ests. It employs 120,000 workers world- wide, is a major shareholder in the U.S. company Phoenix Steel and is believed to have other large North American holdings. Police, recounting what the chauf- feur and other witnesses told them, said Empain drove from his apart-' ment building on a quiet, fashionable street paralleling the Avenue Foch at about 11 a.m. yesterday. A FEW YARDS away a small truck had been parked out from the curb. As Empain's driver tried to ma- neuver around it, a man on a motor- See GUNMEN, Page 10 By DENNIS SABO with wire reports The University will enjoy a record $123.4 million budget next year if Gov: William Milliken's recommended 9.9 per cent appropriation increase receives legislative approval. The University, with its proposed $11.1 million increase, heads the list of state colleges and universities which are expected to receive increased ap- propriations for the 1978-79 fiscal year. STATE BUDGET Director Gerald Miller said the state's healthy economy is responsible for the governor's requests, which may not gain legislative approval until June. "I would not expect the legislature to give Michigan any less than the gover- nor requested," Miller said. "At least I would hope not." University Chief Financial Officer James Brinkerhoff, although pleased with the increase, said he expected the University to receive slightly more af- ter legislative proceedings. "WE STAND A good chance of get- ting a little more from the legislature," Brinkerhoff said. "That's how it's usually been in the past." Here is a run-down of other state :universities 'and their expected 1978-79 budgets: " Michigan State University; $128.9 million, up $9.5 million. " Wayne State University; $87.8 million, up $5.9 million. * Western Michigan University; $43 million, up $4.8 million. " Central Michigan University; $27.0 million, up $3.1 million. " Eastern Michigan University; $30.4 million, up $2.2 million. * Oakland University; $17.6 million, up $2 million. " University of Michigan-Dear- born; $8.6 million, up $1 million. " University of Michigan-Flint; $7.3 million, up $418,000. SACUA listens to recommendations for Union's renovation 'HOL OCA US T COULD COME AGAIN: Grauel suppori By MICHAEL ARKUSH The Rev. John Grauel, a leading figure in establishing Israeli indepen- dence in 1948, strongly denounced the emphasis placed on the question of Pal- estinian sovereignty during the recent Mideast peace talks before a crowd of 100 at the Undergraduate Library last night. Grauel, a member oi the Haganah, Israeli defense movement before inde- pendence, asserted the Palestiniansy possess the freedom to observe their own religion and can live in their own homes on the West Bank. : GRAUEL'S SPEECH was sponsored by Hatikvah, a student drive to raise funds for Israel. The campaign offici- !s Israel Council approves CItygov' shuffle By KEITH RICHBURG Ann Arbor City Council last night unanimously approved a major city hall reorganization plan which will create two new positions and take most city departments out of the city administrator's direct control.' The new reorganizationplan calis for two assistant city administra- tors: one for budget and finance, and a newly-created assistant city ati- ministrator for engineering services. By MARtK PARRENT A student-developed plan which could convert nearly 100 rooms in the Michigan Union was among the major proposals for renovating the structure heard yesterday by the Senate Advisory Committee for Uni- versity Affairs (SACUA). Thomas Shaker, student president dent, two UAC members, two Michi- gan Student Assembly (MSA) mem- bers,,three alumni, three faculty and two ex-officio administrators. The Regents have ultimate say in Union Decisions, however. " De-emphasizing the hotel nature of the Union and providing addition- al student housing in the process. rn.