February 26, 1970

M Rothko commits suicide; found dead in his NYC studio; career revd; S Kunitz, close friend, says he was depressed over current art scene and over his unproductivity in last 6 mos; Museum of Modern Art curator W S Rubin hails Rothko as pioneer of abstract expressionism

Sup Ct, 5-3, rules Fed statute empowering revenue agents to enter and inspect premises of liquor dealer does not authorize them to break down door without warrant if proprietor objects, case involving raid on Colonial Catering Corp, Nassau County, NY; reverses lower ct ruling

subcom hearing; hosp admr J R Greathouse Jr charges that hosp chains do not provide full range of services; hosp admr J R Gadd says chains are skimming off high-paying patients while dumping indigent ones on gen insts; Hosp Corp of Amer bd chmn J C Massey denies charges; co pres Dr T F Frist, replying to queries, discusses investments in Taylor Hosp, Lewisburg, Tenn; Massey acknowledges that he, Frist, Frist s son and H W Hooker exercised stock warrants in corp; says less than 20% of co's stockholders are drs; SEC probe of Hooker and his brother, Tenn gubernatorial candidate J J Hooker Jr, recalled; Sen Hart commente

Murtagh invokes his 'formula' by calling indefinite recess in hearing till defendants promise, in writing, to behave in accordance with Amer courtroom procedure; action follows new courtroom disruptions by defendants; comes as surprise to defense lawyers, who plan to seek advice of const experts; some legal observers believe Murtagh cleared action in advance with Appellate Division, if not with still higher-ranking judicial officials

Pompidou calls on Israel to renounce mil conquest and solve refugee problem to reach entente with Arab world, s to joint session of US Cong; holds Big 4 members of Security Council should define and propose gen conditions for settlement and provide guarantees for it; reaffirms Israel's right to existence and security; remarks are greeted with silence; Cong leaders say attendance at session is higher than usual for ceremonial reception; Repr Wolff walks out during session but departure goes almost unnoticed; Repr Podell claims his boycott was success; conflict has been main theme of talks between Pompidou delegation and Nixon Adm; Pompidou's talks with Nixon and Rogers reptdly have not bridged basic differences in viewpoint; France wants 'Israel to commit self to withdrawal from occupied areas before accords are reached on guaranteed frontiers and other safeguards; US holds all moves should be taken simultaneously; French press notes boycott of s, stresses warmth of welcome Pompidou recd