July 25, 1968

Harriman says he does not get direct reply in asking N Vietnam if it intended in recent statements to soften phrasing of 1 of its demands and thus open way toward progress in talks; other Amer officials say N Vietnamese have hardened their language somewhat, but that it is still not so rigid as long-standing demand that pol settlement in S Vietnam be 'in accordance with' NLF pol program; Harriman, during 14th session, says wording of recent N Vietnamese memorandum is consistent with US position; N Vietnamese spokesman reaffirms N Vietnam's full support for NLF program as 'just pol line which fully responds to aspirations of S Vietnamese people'; Harriman says progress toward peace depends on recognition that Saigon Govt must play role in reaching settlement; N Vietnamese delegates spurn appeal; say 'puppet Govt of S Vietnam is composed of band of traitors'; N Vietnamese spokesman says delegates have not met with anyone representing S Vietnamese Govt; bulk of N Vietnamese statement devoted to rebuttal of US-S Vietnamese statements in Johnson-Nguyen Van Thieu communique; N Vietnam say its response to Amer bombing halt would be to move discussions to other questions; says buildup of S Vietnamese army represents intensification of war; says Amer and S Vietnamese people oppose war

Sells Ft Slocum to Consol Edison Co for $2,943,400 as site for nuclear energy plant; Mayor Ruskin lauds deal as great boon to city; map; illus

WASHINGTON, July 24 -- A bill to curb interstate mail order sales of long guns and some ammunition cleared the House today after four days of bitter debate.

article on Saigon regime; hawkishness of Natl Assembly discussed; major question said to be whether Govt can survive both war and peace

backs bipartisan Sen legis to create community-controlled enterprises in poor areas that would operate basic services with profits from self-operated businesses, news conf with Sen sponsors, other Negro leaders, Washington; illus