February 27, 1970

HR, 228-150, rejects debate on bill to increase logging in natl forests; bill remains on calendar and could be brought to floor by unanimous consent, or by suspension of rules requiring two-thirds vote

Apellate Division reinstates proposed decentralized dist lines for Manhattan by 3-1 decision, reversing State Sup Ct decision and removing ban on elections; also overrides Sup Ct contention that hearing held by bd before approval of districting plan deceived pub; lawyer for parents who filed suit, M Rosen, says appeal will be made to State Appeals Ct, which will probably postpone elections in Manhattan, unless ct affirms Appellate decision; controversy over dists revd; Monserrat says he will make no comment on decision until he studies text

N Vietnam bn reptd sighted 12 mi from new hq of Amer-backed clandestine army at Long Cheng; capture of former hq reptdly was turned into rout when 1,300 defenders fled before attacking force believed to number 400; 3 reporters who visited Long Cheng say there are many Amers based there out they do not appear to engage in battle; Souvanna Phouma holds current situation justifies meeting of 62 Geneva conf participants; N Vietnam calls on US to end bombing in Laos; charges raids killed many civilians; Thai troops step up sweeps on northern border with Laos after N Vietnamese mil thrust; map

Sec Rogers tells Thanat Khoman that Nixon Adm intends to fulfill its commitments to Govt, Washington conf; reptd to have been 'emphatic' in reassurances; Thanat Khoman reptdly urges expanded US aid, not ground troops

Lindsay, asking City Council to renew rent control law in its present form pending his recommendations, accompanies request with $30,000 study by Dr Neilbanck analyzing '68 Census Bur survey; Neibanck contends that roots of deterioration and ultimate abandonment of sound housing lie far beyond rent control; maintains that low vacancy rate, structural obsolescence, unavailability of financing, general enviromental decline, rapid tenant turnover, inadequate consumer protection, rising costs and uncertain expectations all contribute to housing deterioration; other findings noted