December 15, 1970

HR-Sen conf agrees on legis giving Labor Sec authority to set safety standards and creating 3-member enforcement panel; version is as close to labor position as was politically feasible, closely resembles Sen bill; Sen conferees agree to delete language allowing Sec to order plant closing in cases of 'imminent danger' without prior ct order; workers reprs given absolute right to walk around plants with Fed inspectors

Sup Ct, 8-3, rules that Prime Min Gandhi's pres decree abolishing princely ranks and privileges is unconst; issues writ of mandamus barring Govt from moving against maharajas and other princes; decision returns to princes their titles, $6.4-million a yr in privy purses paid by Govt, and such other privileges as exemption from many taxes, free utilities, free med allowances and duty-free imports; dispute revd

Gov Rockefeller reptdly will propose legis to permit Controller Levitt to audit finances of Buffalo, Rochester and NYC, only municipalities now exempt from his audit, to determine if they are properly using funds; aide cites 'breakdown' in essential services in cities despite increases in state aid in recent yrs; notes audit would apply to all funds, including state and Fed aid and local revenues; denies attempt to take over local responsibilities; says Rockefeller will name Levitt, Dem, to avoid charges of partisan pol

Cabinet, at emergency session called because of protests on trial, issues decree giving police special powers to hold people for up to 6 mos without a hearing; 200 detained in Basque prov of Guipuzcoa; arrests under decree expected to be high

The president of the Board of Education charged the City Planning Commission yesterday with “cynically”’ cutting back funds for new school building projects.