, 4B Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Sat., Nov. 14, 19R1 Clements Accord may'arrest prison, suit Sy The Associated Press . AUSTIN — Gov. Bill Clements says he is opti- mistic that a "reasonable compromise" can be reached with the • U.S. Justice Department over state prison reforms ordered by a federal judge. "We are continuing to have discussions," Cle- ments told a news conference Friday. "It would be inappropriate to give details but I am optimistic and think we can come to a generally accepted position." Attorney General Mark•White said earlier in the week he was "very disappointed" after his talks with Justice Department attorneys and their re- quest Tuesday that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals not continUe a stay blocking prison reform ' orders' from U.S. District Jtidge 'William Wayne Justice of Tyler. Justice said convicts should live in dormitories with no less than 60 square feet per person after Nov. 1, 1982; that single cells should have at least 60 square feet; and that there should be one prison • guard to each six prisoners after Nov. 1; 1982. Justice also ordered a bon on the use of inthate.. turnkeys to lock and unlock prison doors. Clements said lawyers for the attorney general,. the Texas Department of Corrections and his office were negotiating "right now" with Justice Depart- ment attorneys. Clements also told the news conference he has selected a new member of the Public Utilities Commission, but would not make the appointment until after PUC acts on a pending statewide rate increase request from Southwestern Bell Tele- phone Co. He said he would not re-appoint Commissioner Garrett Morris, whose term expired some time ago. Still; Morris will .continue to serve until Cle- ments names a successor: . "It would be inappropriate to disturb the PUC deliberations at this time," Clements said. "We will wait until after the Current docket is cleared." Clements was quoted earlier the week as saying he opposed Southwestern Bell's proposal of "mea- sured rates" for local telephone calls .but would leave the decision to the commission. . On other subjects, Clements said: -- He was confident the U.S. Justice Department would act on Texas' redistricting plans for legisla- tive and congressional seats before the filing dead- line for political candidates next February. "The big problem is in the federal courts," he said. — Be would continue to resist efforts to make him give a depostition in the congressional redis- tricting suit. "If a governor is forced to make a deposition he would do nothing but that," Clements said. "I am named in hundreds of suits filed against the state. Every two-bit lawyer in Texas would be after me with a subpoena." — There was nothing to a report he would spend $9.5 million on his re-election campaign. "I will spend as little as possible but I will spend what it takes to be on a competitive basis in the cam- paign,". he said. "I do not have any numbers in mind." Clements spent about $7,5 million 1.1 1978 in winning election as Texas' firSt Republican gover- nor in more than 100 years. — He had no plans to call a statewide water conference. "I think the voters realize the need for water but they just did not like this water plan (the proposed constitution change defeated Nov. 3). What we have to do is draw up a water plan the voters like and they will approve .it," he said. "We're working,on it."