This Day In 1970's History: Wednesday February 15, 1978
- A Rhodesian accord was announced by black and white leaders on the major points, in principle, of a new constitution that would bring black majority rule. Prime Minister Ian Smith and three black leaders said they had resolved their differences over the key issue of white representation in a new Parliament and were within days of creating a transitional government. They declined to elaborate until the accord was written.
The three black leaders who reached a constitutional accord with Prime Minister Ian Smith have been denounced by more militant black leaders as puppets, but they can claim the support of a broad section of black opinion inside Rhodesia, and possibly even a clear majority. One leader, Bishop Abel Muzorewa, has said that more than 80 percent of blacks would back his group in the elections planned in the agreement with Mr. Smith. [New York Times]
- Coal strike negotiations resumed, this time at the White House, after the operators had reversed themselves about spurning the talks in the face of a threatened public denunciation by President Carter. Mr. Carter convened the 90-minute session in new efforts to end the 72-day strike. Labor Secretary Ray Marshall said later that ground rules had been set, that he would head the talks and that an effort would be made to narrow the range of the talks, a condition sought by the operators.
Militant coal miners demonstrated on the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol and elsewhere in Charleston as the drive to oust Arnold Miller as head of the United Mine Workers Union seemed to be growing. The demonstrators deplored the proposed contract advanced last week and rejected by members. [New York Times]
- Major steps to save energy have been taken in the nation's industrial heartland after warnings of power cutbacks in areas running out of coal because of the long miners' strike. In Pittsburgh office buildings, many lights have been shut off or dimmed and some elevators have been halted, and stores have reduced business hours and laid off part time workers. Public employees of Allegheny County have been placed on a four-day work week. [New York Times]
- Elvis Presley may have improperly withdrawn from a $1.5 million agreement to buy a jet aircraft from a company controlled by Robert Vesco, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled. The decision could jeopardize more than $750,000 of the late actor-singer's estate. Mr. Presley agreed to buy the Boeing 707 after Mr. Vesco, accused of major swindles, fled the country. [New York Times]
- Stock prices fell again, and the Dow Jones industrial average lost 3.47 points to close at 761.69, its lowest level in 34 months. The downtrend continued amid the increasingly adverse impact of the coal strike. [New York Times]
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