Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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EHK VOL. LXIV NO. 61 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA. COLUMBIA. S.C. 29208 April 18, 1974 Police Seizing Cars BY SID GRIFFIN Campus police have been im pounding cars for parkinl violations, according to Dann; Baker, USC assistant director fo campus security. Baker claims that the campu police were forced into impoundint the cars by irresponsible student who flagrantly violate traffic laws Baker said he tries to warn an; student whose car is in danger o being towed away. "We onl: impound when a studen disregards a summons, which i sent out after the student's thir USC traffic ticket," says Baker "but when a student lets his ticket build up to as much as $130 worth o campus violations, we feel some action must be taken." According to the Universit; Traffic and Parking Regulation for 1974-1975, the University ha the lawful right to remove, b; impounding, any vehicle parke( hazardly. This can mean a vehicle parked in a way that impede traffic, slows emergency vehicle or is illegally parked on a yellov curb or reserved space. "The impounded vehicles are taken to a fenced-in lot where the campus police will make the drive pay towing charges anywhere from $5 to $15," claims Baker. Baker said the third and thirtiet days after the violation as the (See PARKING, Page 3) Analysis Westi BY DOUG WILLIAMS Gov. John C. West knew possible efforts to have US President Thomas F. Jone removed from office as late as Jai 21, 1974, The Gamecock learne Monday. West, who denied an foreknowledge of the resignation i a press conference at the Coliseur Feb. 5, was approached by at lea one member of the Board ( Trustees Jan. 21 and told thi unless Jones was notified of th activities against him, the truste would make the full story know l the public. A source close to the situatic further verified this when he sai Jones made the decision to resig Jan. 21, after a discussion with tU board member who saw West tha day. West has spurned repeated a tempts by The Gamecock to get h comments on the matter, failing i return many phone calls during ti past two days. T. Eston Marchant, chairman the USC Board, who with West ti source previously implicate heavily in the Jones' resignatioi admitted he did not know how< when West first was aware of tU resignation. Knew O Anti Jan 6-R-eeto ofMcalJ.ug t h S or Th speantiets agiunist im;e dicusone beotentJone adcitrut n Jano u. 22--Joneeesgotfesan Sig Hunt of Uniermst informios Ani i ThJppaanc2--e ft ilusons Ad olhe bofugahtt out thesaiciat Janal fs 25--(a "theelieed mcan"netofathe sta meingos te w r R esignation Chro C What follows is an assumed chronology of events sui f resignation of Thomas F. Jones: o Jan. 16---Re-election of Michael J. Mungo to the USC Board d Jan. 17-21--Alleged semi-secret meetings between Gov. Jo Jan. 21---West approached by Board member who asks i Y sentiments against him; discussion between Jones and truste n Jan. 22--Jones notifies Sig Huitt of University Informatio Iluitt begins to prepare story that is eventually released Jan. t Jan 24-- The date Jones had on his official letter of resignati A Jan 25--(at the earliest) Marchant calls special meeting it resignation and examine the situation. - Jan. 27--The Gamecock gets tip that Jones asked to resign Sfor comment; Huitt places 11 p.m. release time on glorified ac 0 Jan 2Ra. Gov. Earl Mo rris and a trustee dicuss te doit.. Patteb.so--Weing osayatreds ossiblne pesadnt.rvou e an. 28h ovrou 9-Tes prumiantecd cThaesoryinimti d opii on adeciderdmmbrsa to rein H t-sai onyJan of heade >rn .2,i euatrainwhy-SigsHutt ofigrorn aopton e presirele Ie University Information Services hascerigoerahilnataion kne prprfo the press;io b before2 tie daVn.nounement ishae ci Witten, Vow Inu In Frau The University of South Carolina and Charles H. Witten, vice president of student affairs, claimed sovereign immunity today in a law suit charging the student insurance plan with fraud. The South 'Carolina Attorney General's office is representing the university and Witten against the charges. Assistant Attorney General Donnie Myers said a state agency can only be sued in a situation specifically outlines by statute. The suit, filed by law student George Frooks, doe' not meet these specific requirements, I Myers said. at Witten is classified state agency w employee and entitled to defense n( by the attorney general, according to Myers. The attorney general th will present a defense separate re from the other two defendants s2 insurance agent Joe W. Pearce and Pr Reliance Insurance Company. Henry Taylor of Whaley Mc- in Cutchen Vlanton & Dent is th representing Pearce and the in- th surance company. Their defense h( has received an additional 20 days K to reply initially to the suit. "I te question whether the suit even or states a cause of action," Taylor b ones Acti nology cei in rounding and following the im not if Trustees; firi n C. West and Solomon Blatt; wh hat Jones be made aware of ofi e; Jones decides to resign. dis 2 Services of his resignation; 21. !8I on to Marchant and the Board. sul for Jan. 30 to consider Jones ha' Ma no .administrators; available alo count of the Jones years. an; ition; trustee tells Morris that mE cer g that there is some conflict of nt the university needs: an let inc he any pressure, health problems cor tha president by 19-0 vote; Zane to id new picture of Patterson I (nauss informs the television has in and Marchant. He states wai refl owledge of Jones' resignation or -Mu ~en some word from Jones by Jan. 22, ~se strengthening the argument that for Jones did make his final decision USC irnmty d Suit Charles Witten aid. "I don't know exactly what 'm going to do. I haven't looked all the facts yet. I think this suit ill be resolved on its merits and t technicalities." Taylor expressed concern over e one-sided coverage the suit has ceived in The Gamecock. He Lid the coverage had only -esented one side of the story. "We don't believe sovereign imunity is a viable defense in is case. They can plead it all ey like, but I doubt it's going to old up," said Gerald M. Finkel of hn & Finkel. He said the ex nsion of time was granted so no e would be taken advantage of ecause of time. vities peculation now arises con ning West's actual involvement Jones' resignation. If he is not plicated in the issue (and he has come forward with a con nation or a denial) it is puzzling y he would say he knew nothing he resignation when, in fact, he cussed the very matter on Jan. n any event, the allegations -rounding Jones' resignation ie conveniently shifted from rchant and West to the governor ne. Yet West refuses to offer y insight into the matter, king any suggestions con ning his role more credible. Vhile Jones has chosen simply to the matter rest, despite obvious onsistencies in varying stories, was unavailable for comment cerning his discussion of Jan. 21 t eventually led to his decision esign. lowever, one university official allowed that the resignation a "politically motivated," but used to,elaborate for the record. Ithether It Is sheer coincidence not, the elction of Michael ngo to the Board of Trustees (See .JONES, Page 7)