Fonda will face 50-city debate

Press, 2 October 1979, Page 26

Fonda will face 50-city debate

NZPA-Reuter Washington ; The United States electric-j power industry has chai- 1 lenged the actress Jane Fonda, and her husband, Tom Hayden, to a 50-city debate on whether America can get along without nuclear power. The challenge came as the: Haydens brought their autumn offensive against the atom to Washington. They plan to visit 50 United States cities in 32 days to argue for the closing down of the country’s 72 nuclear power plants. At a luncheon of the National Press Club, Miss Fonda said she saw nothing wrong with putting her fame and fortune in the service of her husband’s crusade. “I don't apologise about putting my tremendous salary at the service of candidates who are poor — and he’s one of them,” she said. “They (opponents) never

i j bank on people like Tom ' Hayden marrying someone ■Hike me, thus being able to •Iget at least a foot in the door of a campaign . “The difference between ' my putting my money at the i service of movements, ■ causes, and politicians, is I that I don’t ask anything in ■ return in terms of special • benefits or bribes or any- ■ thing like that." Mr Hayden did nothing to I correct the impression left 1 by his wife that he might i again be a candidate for the ■ Senate. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Sen- ■ ate nomination in 1976 for a seat then held by Mr John ; Tunney. After the Haydens spoke, • the Edison Electric Institute, an association of investorowned electric companies, • produced a man-and-woman • “truth squad” that will foll low the Haydens wherever . they go in their month of travel.