The Michigan Daily Vol. LXXXVI, No. 68-S Ann Arbor, Michigan-Saturday, August 14, 1976 Ten Cents Twelve Pages Ford scores platform wins KANSAS CITY, Mo. l(>t - President Ford's supporters won a key test yes- terday in the Republican convention plat- form committee and his chief delegate counter, James Baker, said several un- committed delegates have promised pri- vately to announce their support for Ford after they arrive in Kansas City. But Baker declined to say how many delegates he was talking about. JUST A FEW hours after Baker told a news conference Ford had more than enough votes to win the GOP presidential nomination, John Sears, Ronald Reagan's campaign manager, said that he was sticking by his claim that Reagan bus 1,140 votes, 10 more than are needed for the nomination. While the campaign strategists were issuing their conflicting claims, the plat- form committee wis the scene of tests brlwean Reagan and Ford supporters over foreign policy questions. The Ford camp won a key test when the committee voted 55 to 43 to reject an amendment that called for the United States to maintain nermanent sovereignty over the Panama Canal. THE COMMITTEE then rejected by voice votes platform amendments that world have implied criticisms of Ford policies toward Africa and the Soviet Union. The African amendment would have implied criticism of support for moves to end white minority rule in southern African countries. The Soviet policy plank would have been implicitly critical of Ford's refusal to invite exiled Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn to the White House. John East of North Carolina, a Reagan supporter, arguing for the amendment, said, "Pressure is being brought on us to change the treaty (with Panama) by the Soviet Union and leftist regimes .. . If you indicate weakness, I am convinced you will be provoked." REP. JOHN ANDERSON of Illinois, a Ford backer, opposed the amendment. Be said that "if we take the simplistic view that we own it . . . then what it See FORD, Page 2 AP Photo Reagan campaign manager John Sears talks with reporters yesterday in Kansas City. Sears claims that Reagan has 10 more votes than needed for nomination. K.C. falls prey to pom om politics KANSAS CITY (u-It takes everything from political genius to pom-pom girls to win a presidential nomination, and Presi- dent Ford and Ronald Reagan are bringing helpers by the hundreds to the Republican National Convention. In the two poshest hotels in town, com- mand posts are bristling with small armies of paid and volunteer workers who plan and execute strategy, type, drive, paint, answer phones, play the tuba or just cheer at the right time. THE PRESIDENT Ford Committee is camped at the Crown Center, the Kansas City showplace hotel, with a staff of about 130 belonging to the committee, augmented by 90 from the President's White House staff, some on temporary campaign duty, Reagan and company are at the Alameda Plaza, equally luxurious although several miles farther from the convention arena than lord. Reagan has a staff of about 200, his original campaign organization plus some specialists and extras signed on for the convention. Both sides have recruited volunteers of every conceivable talent. Reagan probably has the most. He expects as many as 1,000 general utility helpers. These youthful le- gions paid their own expenses to come here and do their bit for the cause. FORD CALLS his youth corps "the Pres- identials." There's another group just for women and a hospitality contingent to greet delegates at the airport and make sure they're happy. Reagan has a team of 30 pom-pom girls called the "Reaganettes" who will appear at rallies and about anywhere else there are people or cameras. And there's some- thing called "Schweik's Tykes," a kiddie See K.C., Page 5 Hays abandons bid for re-election EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio GV) - Rep Wayne Hays, whose affair with Elizabeth Ray touched off a congress sional sex scandal which has virtually destroyed his po- litical career, withdrew yesterday as a candidate for re-election. However, Justice Department officials said Hays' with- drawal will have no effect on their investigations of al- leged payroll improprieties involving Ray's employment on Hays' House Administration Committee.. HAYS, who only three months ago was one of the most powerful and most feared men in the House, submitted his withdrawal letter to the Columbiana County Board of Elections here. He will retain his seat, minus most of his powerful chairmanships, until his 14th term expires in January. IN A STATEMENT released in'Washington, the Demo. cratic congressman cited health reasons and what he called harassment by The Washington Post, which first reported the payroll-sex scandal. "I do this with a heavy heart," Hays said in his state- ment. "However, the current state of my health coupled with the harassment my family and I have taken from the Washington Post have led me to conclude that I should step down at the end of my ctrrent term." In an interview Thursday, lays had said he was con- sidering withdrawal because "I don't want to give that woman another chance to make an appearance." "IF MY NOT running would wipe out her publicity, that would be a factor," Flays said then. Ray has used the scandal to promote her book, Washington Fringe Benefit. Ray had claimed that Hays put her on the committee payroll solely for the purpose of sex. Hays was not immediately available for further com- See HAYS, Page 2 "-a ys