European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 19, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday August 19, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 3 an opposition lawmaker in South Korea meets with another form of opposition As he seeks to protest alleged illegal Campaign practices by the ruling party. Politicking that packs a punch he is being punched in the jaw by one of the party s legislators at a Campaign office in Seoul the nation s capital. The incident occurred As voters cast ballots Friday to fill a National Assembly seat in a District Hycle Chinn. The race was expected to lie a barometer of Public support for president Roll Tae Noo drop in Gas prices curbs inflation rate Washington a consumer inflation Rose a modest 0.2 percent in july held Clown by the sharpest drop in gasoline prices in nearly three years the government said Friday. The increase in the labor department s consumer Price Index last month matched the gain in june. To Gether the two reports showed the Mildest two month inflation picture since july August 1986 and marked Sharp contrast to surging prices in the first five months of the year. Even with the recent slowdown prices for the first seven months of 1989 Rose at a 5.5 percent annual rate More than a full percentage Point higher than the 4.4 percent increases in both 1988 and 1987. The labor department said the most recent Damp ening of Cost pressures reflected drops in prices of gasoline and apparel particularly women s clothing and a modest Rise in food costs. Gasoline prices after shooting up 21.2 percent in the first five months of the year fell 1.0 percent in june and dropped an additional 2.2 percent in july the sharpest decline since october 1986. However fuel Oil costs Rose 1.5 percent last month reversing june s decline of 1.2 percent and natural Gas was up 0.5 percent. Food and beverage costs Rose a moderate 0.3 per cent in july following a 0.2 percent june gain. Thai was a marked moderation from the first five months of the year when the lingering effects of last year s drought sent food prices up at a 9.3 percent annual rate. Cereal products beverages and sweets All Rose substantially but they were offset by a 0.7 percent drop in the Index for meats poultry fish and eggs. Clothing costs were Down 0.8 percent last month following a 1.1 percent decline in june. Prices for women s and girls apparel fell 2.0 percent and those for infants and toddlers dropped 4.8 percent. The labor department attributed the declines to larger than usual and of the season Price discounts for women s clothing. The Price of goods and services other than food and Energy Rose 0.4 percent driven tip by a 2.0 percent gain for tobacco but dampened by a 0.4 percent de Cline for new cars. The various changes in july left the Overall consumer Price Index at 124.4  its 1982-84 base. That Means a hypothetical selection of goods costing $100 during the base period would have Cost $124.40 in july up 30 cents from june. The moderation in consumer prices had been expected by economists and was sure to be greeted Asgood news at the Federal Reserve Board which had been raising interest rates in order to slow the Economy and Cool inflationary pressures. In june the Central Bank reversed course and began pushing interest rates Down after spotting widespread evidence that the Economy had softened. The recent Good news on inflation is Likely to confirm analysts belief that the fed s decision to shift policy was War ranted. Although inflation in the first six months of the year was the worst first half performance since 1982, economists generally expect the moderating trend of the last two months to continue. Senior citizens hound lawmaker Over Bill Chicago a rep. Dan Rostonkowski was booed and followed Down the Street by a pack of screaming senior citizens As he left a meeting with Community leaders opposed to his stance on Federal health several dozen people shouted liar impeach and recall thursday when the democratic chair Man of the House ways and Means committee left a Community Center in the Northwest Side Chicago Dis Rostenkowski strict that for 30 years has sent him to Congress. The group followed him Down the Street and briefly blocked his car hitting it with picket signs and pounding on the windows. Rostonkowski got out of the car and briskly walked about a Block with the senior citizens in Pursuit until the Driver brought the car to a Gas station and the congressman was ulc to get Back in. The car sped away with its tires screeching. Rostonkowski commented As he walked through the Street i Don t think they understand what s going on that too bad the incident occurred after Rostonkowski discussed his support for the catastrophic health care Law during a private 90-Minulc meeting with representatives of six senior citizens organizations. The Law set up a supplemental insurance medical plan for senior citizens and has triggered objections because it re quires senior citizens to pay a surtax on their income taxes for the coverage. Rostonkowski refused to Stop and talk to a larger group of people after the meeting because he believed Many of them just wanted to vent their frustration not talk about the issues an aide said. They were just going to boo him the aide said. The congressman left the meeting and made his Way through 200 people out Side the private meeting room. Some Fol Lowed him to the Street. Talk to us talk to us you work for us they yelled. Jerry Prcic president of the Illinois state Council of senior citizens said the meeting with senior representatives did t go Well either. He said Rostonkowski was t recep Tive to suggestions made during the ses Sion. We think this Man is inhumane said Lawrence Dobson 67, who was part of the gathering outside the building. He s not answering the questions or needs of the people. Is he afraid of senior citizens