News stories from Thursday November 30, 1972

The fire in Rome was caused by explosions; 15 people are dead and 100 are injured. Police say that a gun shop on the ground floor may have been cover for a secret fireworks factory. The owner of the shop and two others have been arrested. [CBS]

In all of the recent high-rise fires, deaths were caused by people being trapped high above the ground. In Chicago, almost all high rises are inadequately protected from fire and there are no uniform laws requiring sprinkler systems. A study found that smoke is the greatest danger. Elevators rarely work in fires, and evacuation is difficult in large buildings. New and worse disasters are likely without better fire prevention systems. Automatic sprinkler systems are the most effective method against fires. [CBS]

The peace talks may be bogged down on the issue of the presence of North Vietnamese troops in South Vietnam; Saigon demands a total North Vietnamese withdrawal, but an aide to Henry Kissinger insists that peace is close. North Vietnam accused the U.S. of delaying peace. Viet Cong negotiator Nguyen Minh Vy said that the U.S. should have signed the peace agreement which was reached last month. Madame Nguyen Thi Binh, another Viet Cong negotiator, denounced heavy American B-52 raids taking place during the talks and said that the U.S. is going along with South Vietnam's efforts to sabotage peace. Chief South Vietnamese negotiator Pham Dang Lam demanded that North Vietnam withdraw 300,000 troops from South Vietnam if it wants peace. U.S. Paris Peace Talks Ambassador William Porter said that reporters are too pessimistic about the progress of the negotiations. [CBS]

New York labor leader Peter Brennan's appointment as Labor Secretary is being criticized by blacks. Brennan stated that his record shows New York construction trades improving their racial practices. The Department of Labor noted that racial progress is being made in labor unions, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that blacks hold few higher-skilled jobs -- in some trades only 1-2% nationwide. NAACP labor director Herbert Hill said that Brennan has actively defended and protected racism in his Building Trades Union in New York and elsewhere. Ex-assistant Labor Secretary Arthur Fletcher declared that the New York construction trades have a lousy record regarding racial discrimination. [CBS]

Union divisions go back to 1969 when Joseph Yablonski and his family were murdered; Yablonski had lost the 1969 election to Boyle, and two union officials were implicated in the murders. "Miners For Democracy" was formed after the murders and Arnold Miller is its candidate. Boyle said that Miller is a stooge for outside interests; Miller responded that he and his running mate are lifelong miners. Miller is supported by young miners and retired anthracite miners. Boyle is supported by strip miners and bituminous pensioners in the union. The Labor Department will supervise the elections. [CBS]