The Michigan Daily
Vol. LXXXVI, No. 49-S Ann Arbor, Michigon-Tuesday, July 20, 1976 Ten Cents Twelve Pages
A FLCIO backs Carter
WASHINGTON (A) - AFL-
CIO President George Meany
described himself as "very
happy" with Jimmy Carter yes-
terday as he announced the la-
bor federation's official endorse-
ment for the Democratic presi-
dential nominee.
Meany declared Carter would
have labor's all-out support and
said its vast political organizing
machinery "will go right into
action tomorrow morning." The
move was in contrast to the
1972 election in which the AFL-
CIO made no endorsement.
"I THINK he's a very warm
human being," the 82-year-old
labor chief said of Carter. "I
don't think he's satisfied the
way things are and I think he
wants to change the whole eco-
nomic picture, and that's what
we're interested in."
Meany announced the endorse-
ment at a news conference
shortly after the AFL-CIO's 35-
member Executive Council vot-
ed unanimously to back the
Democratic ticket. Before meet-
ing with reporters, he said he
personally phoned Carter in
Plains, Ga., to tell him of the
action.
He quoted Carter as saying
"you'll be very proud of me."
T H E ENDORSEMENT rep-
resented a return of the 14-mil-
lion member labor federation to
the old coalition of labor, blacks
liberals and the left that helped
to elect every Democratic pres-
ident since Franklin Roosevelt.
In 1972, Meany and the feder-
ation stayed neutral in the pres-
idential campaign, refusing to
work for Sen. George McGov-
ern. This divided labor's ranks
and helped add to the landslide
re-election of Richard Nixon.
Meanwhile President Ford,
claiming the Republican presi-
dential nomination is almost
his, defied the Democrats to
make an issue of Watergate, de-
claring he pardoned Richard
Nixon in the national interest
and "I would do it again."
AT A BREEZY, almost casual
news conference on the front .
lawn of the White House, Ford
said he is closing in on enough
delegate strength to capture
the GOP nomination and voic-
ed confidence that he will be
assured of nomination before
the Republican convention opens
Aug. 16 in Kansas City.
Asked whether Democratic
discussion of the Nixon pardon
will rekindle Watergate as an
issue, Ford countered: "I grant-
ed the pardon because I thought
in was in the national interest."
The President added that if
the Democrats decide to try to
capitalize on Watergate, "I
think the American people will
make the decision, not myself,
whether it will be an issue or
not."
HE SPENT most of the time
answering questions about
Democratic presidential nomi-
nee Jimmy Carter and said
Carter's is "a ticket that can
be beaten by the affirmative ap-
proach that I intend to
take . . ."
Beyond that, Ford didn't say
much. For example, the Presi-
dent declined to say what will
be the biggest single issue be-
tween him and Carter. "I'll
let Mr. Carter develop the is-
sues . . .," Ford said. He add-
ed only that his issue will be
his own record as president.
M E A N W H I L E, in San-
ta Barbara, Calif., Ronald
Reagan went horseback riding
with his wife Nancy while his
campaign chairman denied re-
ports that Reagan has given up
hope of winning the Republican
nomination for president.
"Stories in yesterday's papers
that imply Gov. Reagan has
given ip are totally without
foundation," Sen. Paul Laxalt
of Nevada, chairman of Citi-
zens for Reagan, said of a story
in the Washington Post. The
article said Reagan aides had
all but conceded the nomina-
tion to President Ford.
Local doctor's murder
triggers police inquiry
By BARBARA ZAHS
Southfield police have launched an investigation into the
murder of Dr. Cynthia Miller, an Ann Arbor physician found
shot to death in her car Saturday morning.
Officers on routine patrol discovered Miller, 29, slumped
over the wheel of her 1973 Fiat at 11:54 a.m. on the shoulder
of I-696 near the Inkster Road exit in Southfield. She had
been shot twice in the right side of her head.
ALTON BROWN, a Southfield police spokesman, said that
robbery has been ruled out as a possible motive for the
shooting. A purse containing Miller's wallet and $49 in cash
was found in the car.
Brown said there are no witnesses or suspects in the
case. The murder weapon has not yet been recovered, but
shell casings found in Miller's car have been sent to the
Michigan State Crime Lab for analysis.
Though details are still sketchy, police believe they have.
narrowed down the time of death.
"WE'RE PLACING her on I-696 between 11:15 and 11:30
a.m.," Brown said.
He said police have confirmed that Miller was in Ann
Arbor between 10 and 10:30 that morning. She was involved
in a minor accident in the parking lot of the Huron Valley
National Bank on S. Fifth near Washington where she left
a note on the windshield of a car that she dented.
"We don't know'where she was going at the time," Brown
stated.
POLICE ARE now investigating the possibility that Mil-
ler, head of medical treatment at the Detroit House of
Correction's (Dehoco) women's division in Plymouth, may
have known her killer through her job.
See LOCAL, Page 10
Meany
CHARGES LIBEL
Postill threatens lawsuit
By LANI JORDAN
Attorneys for Washtenaw County Sheriff Fred-
erick Postill and Jail Administrator Frank Don-
ley have issued letters to several parties threat-
ening them with libel suits in the wake of last
week's brawl. Postill has also issued a statement
denying that he or Donley "criminally assaulted
anyone at the Chelsea Fairgrounds'..
Among the recipients of the letters, dated July
18, are the Ann Arbor News, its publisher Booth
Newspapers, and News reporter, William Treml.
All three are charged with "total reckless disre-
gard for the truth or falsity of the statements
(made)" in the July 15, 16, and 17 issues.
AMONG THE statements in question are:
* allegations that both Postill and Donley have
threatened the lives of Deputy Basil Baysingcr
and his wife (also involved in the brawl);
* charges that Postill has been involved in fe-
lonious assaults of private citizens, including
pistol whipping;
* the misappropriation of funds, stolen equip-
ment, and overlooked misconduct by 'Postill fa-
vorites';
* the existence of sheriff's department em-
playes who would reveal improper goings on
within the sheriff's department, but fear the
loss of their jobs.
THE LETTERS charge that "these defama-
tory statements were made (by the News) with
the tntent and purpose of affecting the outcome
of the primary election scheduled for August 3."
David Bishop, managing editor of the Ann Ar-
bor News, refused to make a statement on the
situation.
Also threatened with libel suits are Carl Par-
sell, executive director of the Michigan Police
Officers Association (MPOA) and the MPOA.
The attorneys have demanded that "an imme-
diate public retraction of . . . false, malicious,
See POSTILL, Page 10