domwrttritt iatltj Camjma Serving Storrs Since 1896 VOL. LXXINO. 53 STORRS.CONN. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1973 5 CENTS OFF CAMPUS Babbidge seeks Democratic nod By KAYTE STEINERT Babbidge said he felt his chances of HARTFORD - The man who winning the nomination were "good." resigned as University of Connecticut Although Babbidge, a former president in 1972, saying he had no Republican, is an amateur in the future political aspirations, became the political arena and a recent convert to first announced candidate Wednesday the Democratic party, he said he felt night for the 1974 Democratic that "newness in the party, especially nomination for governor. in my case, should be no handicap at Homer D. Babbidge Jr., UConn's all." president for 10 years, threw the The Meskill administration's claim proverbial and literal hat into the of fiscal responsibility was called a political ring declaring, "I am without "phony claim" by Babbidge. He said doubt or reservation - a candidate," in the economy of Connecticut must be a speech given before about 350 revitalized, and the governor can not friends and journalists at the Hartford accomplish in his last year of office Hilton Hotel. what he has ignored for the first three Charging the Meskill administration years. with a "moral, fiscal, and credibility" Babbidge said Meskill "will not deficit, Babbidge said the only promise collect in state taxes enough money to he could make was to "do my meet current government spendings, damnedest." even at his so-called austerity levels." Hartford Mayor George Athanson At this time, Babbidge said he has joined local democratic party members, no defined plan of how to reform the some University officials, professors, state's economy. students and personal friend? who Babbidge charged the governor with appeared at the reception, that "trying to create a scare atmosphere" included entertainment by UConn's in the state. He made this charge after Pep Band as well as a four-piece Meskill's statement regarding the orchestra. possibility of an influenza epidemic that would be accompanied by a shortage of medicine. UConn refers Crises such as the fuel shortage and possible influenza epidemic were labeled by Babbidge as tactics "to response letter distract our attention from the other crises of the administration." He accused Meskill of following "Nixonian philosophy" that "a crisis a to Rights' board day keeps impeachment away." By DEAN REDFERN Babbidge said he will support the The University's response to a nominee of the Democratic state complaint that alleges the University is convention in June. He said he believes in violation of the Civil Rights Act of the convention "will think long and 1964 was referred Wednesday to the hard to come up with the candidate Homer D. Babbidge Jr., former University President literally threw his hat in Council on Human Rights and who has the support of the rank and the ring in front of 350 supporters and journalists to become the first Opportunities (CHRO) at the request file of the Democratic party." announced candidate for the 1974 Democratic gubernatorial nomination. of University President Glenn W. Babbidge said he would be willing Babbidge, UConn president during 10 turbulent years in the 1960's, roundly criticized Gov. Thomas J. Meskill with charges of a "moral, fiscal and credibility Ferguson. to enter a primary, however, if he felt deficit." Calling Meskill's claim of financial responsibility a "phony claim." CHRO met for almost two hours in the convention's choice was not that of Babbidge called for a revitajization of the state's economy. Seen behind the Bishop Center Wednesday state Democrats. afternoon to review and make Continued on page 11 Babbidge is his 10-year-old son, Alex. (Photo by Alan Reisner) recommendations on the University's letter responding to the complaint, according to David L. Holmes, executive director of CHRO. The complaint also alleges that the UConn still lacks oil contract University is in violation of an executive order issued by former By MARK FRANKLIN Allen said the possible 20 per cent power to governors. President Lyndon B. Johnson which Wednesday was the deadline for fuel cut cited by the Commission on Rohrbach said the administration requires equal access to institutions bids to be received for heating oil at Higher Education (CHE) as a target for does not want to close down the such as universities. the University of Connecticut, but no a UConn contingency plan was University because it would disrupt Holmes said CHRO will "strengthen bids were received, according to John "probably conservative the way things long-standing plans for academic the letter that has been prepared" by G. Rohrbach, acting vice president for are shaping up." Allen said he foresees conferences, as well as athletic and the University in order to conform financial affairs. The present contract fuel cuts in the state as high as 30 or cultural events. He said a change in the with all regulations for equal access. with the Hampden- Oil Company 35 per cent. academic calendar could result in Holmes, who would not comment expires Dec. 31. Allen said 1 7 per cent is cited as a economic hardship for students whose on the council's recommendations or Gordon Allen, director of the state projection of the national heating fuel summer employment plans would be the University's compliance letter said, office of energy policy, said the lack of shortage but he predicts the shortages disrupted. however, "We feel that some additions oil contract might mean UConn could will be much higher in New England. A meeting of UConn administrators could be made to that letter." completely run out of heating oil this New England's problem during the will be held today, Rohrbach said, to The letter, drafted by Dean of winter. "The possibility is excellent potential crisis, according to Allen, will develop contingency plans based on Students Robert E. Hewes and Equal there will be a point this winter when probably be made more acute by the possible 20 per cent reductions in the Employment Opportunity Officer Bert we just can't get the University fuel," region's heavy dependence on residual fuel allocation as requested by CHE. Wilson, responds to a complaint filed Allen said. fuel from the Middle East. UConn's findings are to be submitted with HEW by the Organization of Rohrbach said the lack of bids, a The possibility of closing down to CHE next week. Afro-American Students, the Puerto situation he said was expected by the UConn at some point in the winter is a A relief of the problem is possible, Rican Student Movement and the Kitty administration, makes it extremely possibility Allen said, although he said Rohrback said, if the state Hawk group. difficult for UConn to plan for the it would be very disruptive to UConn's Environmental Protection Agency Holmes said CHRO'i winter. The problem is compounded by educational life. "I would be a liar to (EPA) allows Northeast Utilities to recommendations may be completed uncertainty as to what the state's fuel say closing wasn't a possibility," he convert the slate's power plants to coal and sent to Ferguson within the next ■situation will be this winter, according said. generating power. The oil released by two days. Ferguson must approve the to Rohrbach. Allen said he was hoping UConn Northeast Utilities if the action is response before it is sent to the HEW If UConn is unable to find a and the CHE would be able to develop approved would alleviate the state's civil rights division in Boston. company to sell it fuel, it may have to plans for meeting the possible fuel needs. Robert Randolph, chief of the rely on fuel allocated to it through the cutbacks. He said, "We don't really Joseph R. McCormick, president of higher education division of the Boston Mandatory Fuel Allocation Bill for want to tell the University what the the Hartford Electric Light Company HEW civil rights office said, "It would short term relief, according to Allen. plan should be." (a subsidiary of Northeast Utilities) and be a few weeks away," before findings He said the bill allows for up to ten If UConn runs out of heating fuel. a UConn trustee, said he is a witness in on the investigation are made public. per cent of the entire state fuel Allen said the University would be EPA hearings on the request to burn Randolph said the investigation "takes supplies for "exceptional hardships" forced to close. Under the Emergency outlawed high sulfur fuel which are time" and could not now be discussed. for monthly periods. He said UConn Energy Act just signed into law by expected to end today. Because he is a Regarding the five-month-late might also turn to the U.S. Office of President Nixon, the President could witness, he said it would be revised Affirmative Action Plan (AAP), Oil and Gas if an emergency demand direct the closing of colleges and "improper" to comment on the Continued on page 5 for fuel arises. universities or he could delegate that situation. Thursday, November 29, 1973 (Emuwrttrut Eattg Glantfnw Editor-in Chief Alan K. Reisner Managing Editor Business Manager John Pallatto Jeffrey J. Sherman Into the ring Dr. Homer D. Babbidge Jr., UConn's favorite son, officially entered the 1974 gubernatorial race to the obvious delight of his friends Wednesday night. In doing so, he becomes the instant and freshest alternative to a regressive state government. There were many college-aged people in the Hartford Hilton crowd listening to Babbidge open his Letters to the Editor campaign. It was an encouraging sign.