DALLAS POLICE GROUP BACKS ARENA; OPPONENTS CRY FOUL

          The Dallas Police Association (DPA) "urged voters
     Thursday to back Dallas' proposed sports arena, saying the
     facility will generate tax dollars to help the city pay for
     a better police force," according to Robert Ingrassia of the
     DALLAS MORNING NEWS.  But foes of the arena plan called the
     endorsement political "blackmail," noting that it came a day
     after Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk backed "one of the police
     group's top priorities: the construction of a new police
     headquarters building" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/9).
          JUST AN OVERSIGHT? In Dallas, Todd Gillman reports that
     a pro-arena group, Yes! For Dallas, "touts endorsements from
     all six living ex-mayors of Dallas," but in reality there
     are seven.  Wallace Savage, age 85, who was Mayor from '49-
     51, "expressed reservations about the deal" and said the
     arena group never contacted him.  Yes! Treasurer John
     Carona: "With all due respect to Mr. Savage, I was unaware
     that he was still living" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/9).
          GOTV: Before next week's arena vote, Mavs players,
     coaches, dancers and the Mavs Man will sign autographs for
     an hour tomorrow at an area mall.  Team partner Michael
     Johnson will also attend (STAR-TELEGRAM, 1/9).