.. . , n,love,• g , - - - ...: - 'ree 'lance' oo . s at• - mo e - .., . . , ... . ~ • • :. i . .',. . . • 111 • 20e . • - the o il e lan , _.„ • siTuesday, Feb. 14, 1984 Vol. 84, No. 121 20 pages University Park, Pa. 16802 daily Published by students of The Pennsylvania State. University • - • ©1984 Collegian Inc. ' . Chernenko takes Soviet reins, vows to keep up military strength By ROXINNE ERVASTI Associated Press Writer MOSCOW Konstantin U. Chernenko, a pillar of the Kremlin's old guard, was named leader of the Soviet Union yesterday. He vowed in his first speech to maintain the country's military strength as a counter to "the hot heads of militant adventurists." But the 72-year-old successor to the late Yuri V. Andropov said he supported the Soviet policy of seeking "peaceful coexistence" with the West. Vice President George Bush, in Moscow for Andropov's funeral, has said the Kremlin power shift could be a "turning point" in Soviet-American relations. But some Washington officials expected little change, despite p'ublication Sunday of a •comment by Chernenko that "it is more important than ever I?efore to multiply our efforts toward mutual understanding." The statement was written before Andropov's death. In his first speech as party secretary, before the Central Committee yesterday, Chernenko said, `•`The U.S.S.R. will cooperate in full measure with all states which are prepared to assist through practical deeds to lessening international tensions and creating an atmosphere of trust in the world." U.S.-Soviet relations have deteriorated badly. The Soviets broke off two sets of arms reduction talks last fall over deployment of new NATO missiles in Europe. The United States has been urging resumption. Soviet foreign policy altered little during the brief tenure of Andropov and because Chernenko was so closely identified with Brezhnev it seemed unlikely he would make radical changes. Chernenko, lifelong ally of the late President Leonid I. Brezhnev, is the oldest man ever to become general secretary of the Communist Party. When Brezhnev'died in November 1982, it was widely believed that Chernenko was Andropov's rival for the party leadership. After Andropov won it . , N o -f au lt h a lt . ~~® . Thornburgh repeals law, makes insurance optional By BEVERLY IVENS support the fund. will be eliminated under new law. Because of Collegian Staff Writer , The unlimited medical benefits required under this, opponents of the bill say courts will be no-fault would no longer be required. Instead, the clogged with petty suits. Thornburgh said in a Gov. Dick Thornburgh yesterday formally new law mandates a minimum of $lO,OOO in prepared statement the lack of a threshold is a announced he signed legislation repealing personal injury coverage. "deficiency which warrants future legislative Pennsylvania's no-fault auto insurance law and There is some concern among opponents of the action." . making automobile insurance optional for legislation that the gap between the $lO,OOO Two groups representing insurance companies consumers. required coverage and the $lOO,OOO minimum to have taken a strong stand on the law. The Thornburgh had until Stinday to sign Senate qualify for the catastrophic loss fund could create Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, the • Bill 942, repealing the state's no-fault insurance problems. However, supporters of the legislation largest trade association for Pennsylvania law. Thornburgh also signed companion Senate say that medical insurance will fill the gap. insurance companies, supports the repeal. • Bill 300 amending the original repeal bill as part The third party coverage required under no- Making insurance affordable, controlling ?. of a compromise between legislative leadership fault will remain the same $15,000 per person escalating premium costs and addressing the and the governor. and $30,000 per accident. Work loss benefits of at, problem of uninsured motorists are the three Under the new law, effective 0ct..1, auto least $5,000 and funeral expense benefits of at major concerns of the federation, Director of insurance coverage will no longer be mandatory. least $1,500 are also included in the new law. Insurance Information Lee Feibinger said. However, uninsured drivers must prove to the The procedure for implementing insurance "It (no-fault coverage) is a fine package it's Department of Motor Vehicles they have assets rate changes will be modified under the new law. an expensive package but when people can't worth at least $47,500 in case of liability. Insurance companies currently must file . afford it then it doesn't work," he said. Uninsured drivers are currently eligible for requests with the state and wait for state review However, the American Insurance Association unlimited medical benefits through the assigned and approval before implementing the change. the second largest representative of claims fund. The new law replaces that fund with For a one year period, the state will be required Pennsylvania insurance companies opposes a catastrophic loss fund which will not be to approve or reject the request within a 45-day repeal of no-fault, spokesman Loudon Campbell available to uninsured drivers. The new fund will period. If within that time no decision is made, said. provide benefits to insured motorists suffering insurance companies will be free to implement "We think it (the repeal law) is going to reduce damages of more than $lOO,OOO and less than $1 the rate change. benefits without a corresponding reduction in million. An annual $5 fee from every motorist will The $750 threshold for pain and suffering suits costs," he said. , appeared that Chernenko's political future was in doubt, but he retained enough influence in the top party ranks to grasp the top party post. Chernenko was chosen by his 11 fellow members of the ruling Politburo. Unanimous approval yesterday by the Central Committee was announced by the official news media at 2 p.m. (6 a.m. EST), as heads of state and government leaders from around the world gathered to attend Andropov's funeral. The new general secretary does not yet have the additional title of president, with which Andropov and Brezhnev consolidated their power. The presidency probably will remain vacant until the Supreme Soviet or parliament next meets, and elections for the new. Parliament are scheduled for March 4. Tass said Chernenko opened yesterday's special session of the Central Committee, which praised Andropov as an "outstanding leader of the Communist Party and the Soviet state, an ardent patriot, Leninist, a tireless fighter for peace." Premier Nikolai A. Tikhonov, 78, made the official nominating speech. Chernenko's career has been a slow and steady climb up the party ladder, alongside his mentor and friend of 30 years, Brezhnev. Tikhonov took note of the decades of party work in his nomination: "Konstantin Ustinovich . . . knew the hard peasant labor, the service as a soldier, and everyday activities of a regional party committee in the countryside." He called Chernenk a "talented organizer of the masses, an ardent propagandist of Marxist-Leninist ideas, an unshakeable fighter for putting into life the policy of our great party." In his own speech, Chernenko made no specific proposals for resumption of U.S.-Soviet dialogue, and sounded the standard line in foreign policy, saying, "we can very well see the threat created today to humankind by the reckless, adventurist actions of imperialism's aggressive forces." London visions Amid the fog that rolled through Happy Valley on Sunday night, two people wait for a bus at , College Avenue and South Allen Street .• Budget effects on PSU hard to predict • More money may not mean more aid to students, Brugel says • By ANITA J. KATZ more awards to University Direct Student Loans. far as education is concerned." Collegian Staff Writer students. • ... Brugel said although he does not The budget calls for a 7 percent "It may mean students will be believe Congress will approve increase in funding to community While, the proposed state budget awarded higher amounts, or it may Reagan's proposals, the proposed colleges, state-related universities calls for increased student aid, make awards available to a increases to PHEAA would not and the Pennsylvania Higher officials say it is too early to different population of students, compensate for the federal cuts if Education Assistance Agency. estimate what effects the proposals such as part-time students." they were approved. Whitmer said she does not expect will have on University students. Although the governor's budget "But we have better any major battles this year over the John Brugel, director of the proposes increases to student circumstances this year (with the education part of the budget "but University Office of Student Aid, financial aid programs, President proposed 7 percent increase in one never knows for sure." said the Pennsylvania Higher Reagan's budget for the 1985 fiscal funding) than if PHEAA were to However, legislators will continue EdUcation Assistance Agency year calls for cuts in student aid. have zero funding," he said. to battle over Thornburgh's considers a number of factors each Reagan's budget proposals The governor's budget proposals proposal to sell the state liquor year when determining aid include increases in funding for for higher education and financial system to private owners, she said. distributions, and it is impossible to Guaranteed Student Loans and aid should be passed by the state The governor has proposed to use know how a proposed increase in College Work-Study programs, but , general assembly without revision, the money from the sale - funding would be distributed. also call for the elimination of a spokeswoman for the state estimated to be between $l5O and Brugel, who has not yet seen a Supplemental Education Department of Education said. $2OO million —to upgrade science copy of the budget, said, "More Opportunity Grants, State Student Ann Whitmer, press secretary, and computer courses and money to PHEAA may not. mean Incentive Grants and National said the budget is "outstanding as equipment. - E inside • .The reaction of authority figures to a case of child molestation has a great deal to do with the psychological impact the incident has on the victim Page 2 • About 45 students have applied to reside in the interest community that would allow students from various campus groups to live in a self governing setting, a project sponsor said yesterday Page 4 • .Konstantin U. Chernenko takes over as Soviet Communist Party chief at a time of severe strain in U.S.-Soviet relations, and American officials do • not believe the leadership change foreshadows an easing of tensions over the short term Page 6 index Classifieds 4 Free Lance 3 Opinions 8 Sports 11 State/nation/world 6 • weather Cloudy today and tonight with rain and fog. The rain may be heavy at times with a high today of 48 and a low tonight of 42. Showers will end tomorrow with some clearing late in the afternoon. The high will be near 52.. by Glenn Rolph fyi Lovelines appear on Page 13.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers