St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 1

VOL. 115, NO. 190 Copyright 1993 FRIDAY, JULY 9. 1993 (1) 5-STAR 50C BTOBuH St. Louis Harbor Closed; River Des Peres Rising tvVV j'Vl 1 I tZJH Building Is Back In Family Jury Rules Seizure By U.S.

Improper By Tim Poor Of the Post-Dispatch Staff After nearly two years, Eddie Keeper and his mother are get-; ting their four-family flat back from the government. A federal court jury ruled in the Keepers' favor Thursday after an unusual civil trial in which prosecutors argued that the building was a drug house. Keeper said he was pleased with the jury's verdict but criti- cized the government and the 'forfeiture laws that required him to prove he was an "inno- cent owner" to get his building back. Neither he nor his mother nor any of their tenants ever were charged in the case. "I'm still not happy with the way they're carrying on," he said.

U.S. Attorney Stephen B. Hig-gins said he was disappointed. 'When we initiated the proceedings, we thought we had a viable case; the jury thought otherwise," said Higgins, who added that his office has adopt-' ed stricter criteria for seizures since the Keepers' building was taken. The jury trial was the only one of its kind ever here and one of the few in the country.

Most federal forfeiture cases are resolved by agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration or the FBI without ever going to court. The jury foreman, Taylor See BUILDING, Page I By Patricia Corrigan Of the Post-Dispatch Staff More rain, more flooding, more heartbreak. That was the story Thursday of this summer's flood, and the forecast for today and the weekend. The National Weather Service on Thursday again jumped its prediction of the Mississippi River crest here to a record 45 feet next Wednesday. That prediction is likely to be increased again today.

"The numbers may change," said Dave Metze, a meteorologist at the Weather Service. "If we get more rain, get your camera." Metze's prediction for the next 48 hours does call for rain, mostly in northern Missouri and Iowa and parts of northern Illinois. "We're looking at more of what has happened all spring and summer, where we see thunderstorm after thunderstorm develop, starting in northeast Kansas, coming across Nebraska to Iowa and then to northern Missouri and Illinois," Metze said. "That water has to go somewhere, and where it will go is downstream. We're downstream." Even as Metze spoke Thursday afternoon, rain was falling in Nebraska and Iowa.

Several towns already have fallen to the river. Alexandria, in northeastern Missouri, is at least 10 feet underwater, and most of West Alton, in St. Charles County, and Grafton, in Jersey County, are inundated. And Thursday afternoon, officials put out a warning to everyone in St. Charles County living in the Mississippi and Missouri river flood plains.

"It's time to make preparations and get out of there," said Mark Echele, a St. Charles spokesman. About 40 percent of St. Charles County's land is considered flood plain, although only a small percentage of its 210,000 residents live there. The river also now appears to be a threat to the southern part of St.

Louis and adjacent Lemay earlier considered safe from major flooding. The river rose in St. Louis to 40.1 feet. Downtown St. Louis is protected by floodgates to levels up to 52 feet Harbor Closed The Coast Guard has closed the St.

Louis harbor to all but a few boats, allowed out and about on a case-by-case basis. Even the Coast Guard's own cutters are being moved, as their moorings are affected by high water. Barge traffic is halted on the Missouri, except for a four-mile stretch near Kansas City, and on the Missis- 4j 5Vv THE CREST: The crest is expected to hit 45 feet here Wednesday. That's more than 1.75 feet higher than 1973's crest, the previous high. TO CHECK THE WEATHER: Call the National Weather Service at 928-1198.

Hermann Flooding: Residents wake to water. 6A Chouteau Island: Residents evactuate 6A Damage Detailed: Flooding by towns 8A River Watch: Aerial view of rivers' reach 9A Ste. Genevieve: Town fears for homes 12A 100-Year Flood: St. Louis has had two IB Bank Aid: Boatmen's gies flood victims' delay 5B Rain Delay: Ballplayers growing rusty. 1C sippi north of Alton.

River traffic might not be back to normal until next month, said Lt. Robert Siddall, a spokesman. Once the water recedes, the Army Corps of Engineers will assess damage to locks and levees. Depending on repairs, traffic could be tied up for weeks. Carnahan Coming Home Missouri Gov.

Mel Carnahan is on his way home from Italy after just a day's vacation. The governor decided Thursday to cut short his trip after speaking with Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson, the acting governor, and state emergency management officials, said a spokesman. Carnahan and his wife, Jean Carnahan, arrived in Rome on Wednesday, one day after the governor surveyed Missouri flooding by air and land and urged Vice President Al Gore to speed federal disaster assistance to the state.

On Thursday, House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt, D-St. Louis County, faxed a letter to the White House, asking that President Bill Clin-See FLOOD, Page 9 Missourians fighting to save their property," said Gephardt, after view-" ing flood-fighting crews in Lemay, Festus-Crystal City, and Ste. Genevieve. In each town, local pfficials and flood victims met Gephardt, D-St.

Louis County. They hope that Gephardt can use his clout to help them. Gephardt and the officials were encouraged by Clinton's radio message. The president said: "Let me ask each of you to take heart and have faith. As hard as these times are, you know that the waters will soon recede and the work of recovery will begin." Gephardt faxed a letter Thursday to the White House, asking Clinton to declare Missouri a federal disaster area.

Such a declaration would make Missouri flood victims eligible for federal loan and grant programs. Gov. Mel Carnahan must formally ask for the federal declaration; state officials said he would do so today. Gephardt said a federal declaration could take several weeks after Carna-han's request. But Gephardt is hoping See CLINTON, Page 9 CLOSE UP 3514.42 38.75 6B aJIJs: uL I Vf i- i hr v- A 1 L.T.

SpencePost-Dispatch Reed Bauer, 82, being rescued Thursday by Coast Guardsmen from his home in northern St. Charles County. Bauer had to climb down from his second-floor balcony to get to the boat. He has lived on Dardenne Slough near the Mississippi River for almost 20 years. Story on Page 12A.

Gilkey Cleans Up On Braves Bernard Gilkey socks a three-run homer in his first game batting cleanup as the Cardinals hit Steve Avery hard to beat the Atlanta Braves 7-1 completing a three-game sweep. 1C After The Deluge, What? (EDITORIAL) Remove The Risk, Not The Child (editorial) 2B Clinton Vows Swiftness On Flood-Aid Package Gephardt Says He Will Lead Effort In Congress Kid Korps Hits Beach At Lemay By Christine Bertelson Ot the Post-Dispatch Staff Love the feel of sand between your toes? Pink lemonade in the hot sun sound good? Want to make new friends and beat the summer blahs? Then come on down to Lemay Beach, where any kid can play "Pass the Sandbag." If life isn't exactly a beach for the residents of Lemay fleeing from high water, it was serious fun Thursday for the hundreds of young volunteers trying to keep Kayser Creek at bay. Scores of St. Louis teen-agers, Boy Scouts and children as young as 5-year-old Megan Gallagher of Mehl-ville chose a long, hot day of sandbagging over soccer, swimming and sleep. They came on foot, on dirt bikes and by the busload from as far away as O'Fallon and Columbia, 111., as well as Maplewood and Ellisville.

Tom Guinn, 11, of Oakville, stood barefoot atop a shrinking dune in a See LEMAY, Page I By Charlotte Grimes and Jo Mannies Of the Post-Dispatch Staff President Bill Clinton promised on Thursday a coordinated relief effort "without delay" for the flood-stricken Midwest, and House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt said he would use his political muscle to bring aid to Missouri. Clinton, at the economic summit in Tokyo, said in a radio address that his administration would forward a flood-assistance package to Congress by next week. Gephardt, slushing through mud at flood sites in his district, promised to lead the effort to get the aid approved. Vice President Al Gore is scheduled to speak today via conference call with governors in eight flood-stricken Midwestern states, including Missouri and Illinois.

Gore is scheduled to fly to the Midwest on Monday to view the flood damage. Gephardt said he was lobbying to have Gore come to Missouri. "Up and down the Mississippi River, it's the same story Americans and Business 5-10B Classified 2-24F Commentary 2B Editorials 3B Everyday 1-1 2D Movie Timetable 10D NationWorld 13A News Analysis IB Obituaries 4B People 4A Real Estate IF Reviews 3D St. Louis 3A Sports V8C Television 9D Wendi FitzgeraldPost-Dispatch Sharae Gibbs, 5, tying sandbags Thursday near Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Festus. Floodwater from the Mississippi River threatens the church.

Financier Keating Gets More Prison Time Seven Richest Nations OK $3 Billion In Aid For Russia v' I 7 The judge also ordered Keating to pay $122.4 million restitution to the government for losses caused by sham property sales that prosecutors Chance Of Storms FORECAST: Today: Partly cloudy; chance of storms today and tonight. High 93, with south winds at 5 to 15 mph. Low 72. Saturday: Slight chance of storms. High 93.

Other Weather, 2A POST-DISPATCH WEATHERBIRO 11 9 1993, The Washington Post TOKYO The world's seven richest nations cobbled together on Thursday a $3 billion package to develop private industry in Russia. The allies produced only $500 million in grants, and the total package fell $1 billion below a $4 billion target set by President Bill Clinton this spring. But analysts had forecast when the economic summit began this week that only $2 billion would be offered. The leaders gathered for the annual summit meeting also issued a communique today that repeats many of the sorts of exhortations issued at previous meetings for coordinated actions to Compiled From Newt Services LOS ANGELES Former financier Charles Keating whose lavish lifestyle and flimsy deals came to symbolize the nation's savings and loan crisis, was sentenced Thursday to years in federal prison for swindling small investors. The sentence will run concurrently with a 10-year state prison sentence Keating already Is serving, said U.S.

District Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Keating, 69, will be imprisoned for about 10 more years, which "could be the remainder of his life, certainly the rest of his productive life," said U.S. Attorney Terree A. Bowers.

Crown Princess Masako displays diplomatic skill at banquet 1 4A When U.S. Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen was asked how the increase in aid to Russia had been achieved, he suggested that "arms have been twisted on that one." The $3 billion is intended to help convert some of the mammoth state enterprises once the bulwark of Russia's centralized communist economy into private enterprises. The $3 billion would be given over 18 months. The package will consist of: $500 million in direct aid from the Group of SeeJUMMIT.PageH said had propped up Keating his shaky empire. But the prospects for collecting the fine look dim.

Keating maintains that he Is $10 million in debt, and the government has been unable to locate any significant assets. The judge barred him for life from the finan-. See KEATING, Page boost global economic growth..