December 24, 1970

Sec Rogers indicates US would consider participating with its troops in a peace-keeping force if Arab countries and Israel succeed in negotiating 'permanent contractual' agreement among themselves, but rules out any force just involving US and USSR forces, news conf; calls situation 'very sensitive' but expresses optimism that negotiations will soon resume; says US has had 'very useful' exchs with Hussein and members of new UAR Govt; other US officials say US actually has reason to believe Jarring talks might be reopened before Jan 5; foreign diplomats in Washington say that if Israel agrees to return to Jarring meetings she will have, in effect, accepted US concept of 'rectification' of truce violations charged to UAR

Rogers cites 'rough spots' in US-USSR relations, but says Nixon Adm intends to continue to negotiate realistically, news conf

City Council leaders say there will be no immediate increase in fares; dismiss as discriminatory against families Lindsay's proposal for 25c 'head charge' for each additional passenger and indicate that Council will substantially reduce Lindsay's request for $53-million pkg; Cuite says negotiators were 'unrealistic' in thinking that hearings would be held in '70; holds head charge would favor businessmen on expense accts; Councilman Friedland sees 'substantial room for reduction' in fleet owners' share; says legis will end numerous 'abuses,' key is 'little more courtesy' to the rider; Van Arsdale says owners and union reprs had very fair hearing from Consumer Affairs Com

Joseph Colombo, who has been described by the Govern ment as a major underworld figure, was convicted of two counts of perjury yesterday for having lied about his criminal record to a state agency.

Comr McGrath, in submitting $85-million budget request for fiscal '71-72, says that number of prisoners in local detention houses awaiting trial has dropped from 8,000 to fewer than 6,200; says that due to cases moving faster in cts and prospect of new facilities, prison outlook for upcoming fiscal yr is very optimistic; says budget request is larger than current budget because of cost of staffing and operating new facilities