European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 10, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday february 10, 1990 the stars and stripes Page 3 c-17 transport called necessary of Secretary defends overdue program b Janet  Washington Bureau Washington air Force Secretary Donald Rice told the House armed services committee that the overdue c-17 transport plane is still needed. The c-17 will replace the c-130 and c-i4i. Which have nearly reached their Wear out  Rice said thursday. While it has slipped from its original flight schedule the c-17 is necessary to maintain  the Pentagon has already paid about s2 billion for eight c-l7s. And six More have been requested in the 1991 defense budget at a total Cost of $2.7 billion. None of the aircraft has been delivered by Douglas aircraft co. Which cites problems with subcontracts for the delay. The first plane was to have been finished last month but delays pushed that Dale Back to August. The first c-17 now in t expected to Fly until june of next year. Aerospace daily reported wednesday that Doug Las would drop Lockheed aeronautical systems co. As Wing components subcontractor on the c-17 after completion of its current contract for nine of the aircraft. Pentagon planners arc debating whether the c-17 is needed in the numbers originally envisioned be cause new estimates say nato would have As much As three to six months warning of a soviet invasion. Some lawmakers on Capitol Hill say that Means the United states could rely on upgraded sea lift capabilities rather than Airlift to move troops and equipment to Europe or elsewhere in Lime of War. Pentagon sources said defense Secretary Dick Cheney had planned to request enough Money for 10 c-l7s in the 1991 budget proposal but scaled Back that request to help hold Down defense spend ing. The c-17 is one of the futuristic big four air Craft along with the air Force s advanced tactical fighter and b-2 bomber and the Navy s a-12 attack plane that Are being rigorous reviewed by Penta gon officials on Cheney s order the four systems arc by far the most expensive aircraft in the military budget and Cheney wants a thorough examination of every aspect of those pro Grams to Back up his sales pitch to Congress. The final report scheduled to he finished by Laic March or Early april will include an extensive Cost analysis a review of the aircraft Mission and other data. High rate of deaths for Middle aged Blacks linked to income Levels Chicago api Middle aged Blacks die at a Rale More than twice that of whiles hut income is a major Factor in the difference according to a govern Man Slud published thursday. A 3-\car stud Bihe National Cen ters Lor disease c control in Atlanta found Hal Blacks Between the Ages of 35 and 54 die at a Rale 2.5 limes greater than thai of whiles in the same age group according to a report in the journal of the Ameri can medical association. It said 38 percent of the difference in the death  Between the races can be attributed to income disparity. Thai s a Hig proportion to be concerned Ghoul because it s not something thai Public health workers and physicians can do much  said or. Mac w. Once. An epidemiologist at the cd and one of the authors of the study. Those Are issues for health policy makers and political  Ollen said thursday we need health policy makers to seriously sluts those factors related to  the stud said another 31 percent of the difference in the death rate for Blacks can be explained by their higher Inci Dence of disease from preventable risk factors such As High blood pressure Alco hol consumption and smoking. Researchers said the other 31 percent of the difference in deals rates is unexplained though pan of it May be due to Lack of Access to health care or factors they did t Stu such As exercise. He said researchers studied Daia collected Between 1971 and 1984 from 8.806 Black and while americans living in Rural and non Rural areas and in communities of All sies. The causes of deals among Blacks were the same As in the general Popula Tion heart disease strokes cancer and so on they Are dying of inc same things Only at higher  Otten said. Violence and homicides did not con tribute to the excess death  Ottun said researchers adjusted death rates within inc study group for family income and for the preventable risk fac tors of smoking blood pressure weight diabetes cholesterol level and alcohol in take to come up with their conclusion. La has been known that Blacks in most age groups die Al rates much higher than those of whiles. But the National study broke ground by quantifying the importance income plays in the different deals Rales Between the races. Ollen said. The study also marked the first Lime the effects of High Wood pressure diabetes and other risk factors wore quantified to explain the difference in death Rales he said. Black medical leaders around the country said thursday that the study will help overcome the perception that Blacks Lead in healthier lifestyles. The Lime has come to consider uni Versal entitlement to health care in this  said or. James a. Goodman president of Atlanta s predominantly Black Morehouse school of Medicine. Or. Bailus Walker former president of inc american Public health association said that poverty s dominant role in pre venting Access to health care Means that tinkering with the system expanding medicaid to this group granting Catas trophic care to thai group will no longer  Pooch takes a powder Lumbis u hound dog hailing from Brunswick Maine found her face powdered with Snow after taking a Romp outdoors on thursday. Residents of the Region found it Doggone frosty outside after two major storms dumped lot of Snow on the stall during the last two Neeks. Top cop nominee says 55 too slow on no. Turnpike Trenton. , a the Man named to be come the stale s police superintend in told lawmakers thursday Hal he routinely Breaks the Law and drives Al 65 Mph on the new Jersey Turnpike because it s probably unsafe to drive Al 55. If you go 55 Mph. A tractor trailer is going to climb up your  Justin Dintino told members of the Senate judiciary committee Al his confirmation hear ing. Despite the admission. The panel unanimously approved his appointment and sent it to the Senate. And a couple of hours after the hearing. Din Ito said he was reforming his Lea foot ways. During the hearing. Dintino. Who was nominated to the Job monday by gov. Jim Florio was asked whether 55 Mph is a Safe Speed limit for the Turnpike. "1 Don l believe that s an appropriate Speed limit for the  he replied. I travel the Turnpike a lot myself and i set my cruise control at 65 and a i know nobody s going to Stop  Diolino also criticised As unsafe and aggravating the use of pacer cars a tactic in which a Well marked Szalc police car travels 55 Mph to slow Down traffic. However Aboul two hours after the hearing. Din i no issued a statement saying he does not Condon speeding and plans to Reform his ways. He said Many Drivers feel unsafe travelling at the Speed limit because so Many vehicles particularly trucks and buses commonly travel  Hal respect. I suppose i am a typical new Jersey Driver but i am not condoning such  he said. He promised that the police would be vigilant and Active in enforcing the Law. Col. Clinton Pagano the departing police superintendent was asked if he abides by Highway Speed Lim its. He replied if 1 did to i d be very cautious Aboul admitting it  Florio nominated Pagano to head the division of motor vehicles an appointment also unanimously endorsed by the Senate committee thursday