March 21, 1971

S Vietnamese troops retreat from 2 bases in Laos after heaviest series of enemy attacks since beginning of operation; abandon Aloui and Brown bases; Saigon command repts 784 enemy killed in attacks, 28 S Vietnamese killed, 200 wounded; US planes and helicopters again go through heavy AA fire to pick up S Vietnamese troops; several helicopters downed, many hit by ground fire; S Vietnamese spokesmen insist withdrawals are 'tactical movements'; despite official denials, it seems apparent S Vietnamese prepare to end operation; S Vietnamese spokesman adds to confusion by saying 1,000 more troops have been sent into Laos; it seems clear N Vietnamese are determined to pursue S Vietnamese as they pull back despite heavy casualties reptdly inflicted by Amer aircraft; details on action in Laos; clash between Amer and enemy troops near Khesanh reptd; US command says Amer planes have killed estimated total of 3,600 enemy soldiers, destroyed 1,750 vehicles and put 160 AA sites out of action during Laotian operation; S Vietnamese say more than 11,000 enemy have been killed in operation; put their own losses at 900 killed, 3,300 wounded and 200 missing; illus of Nguyen Cao Ky and his wife at post near Laos

Int

L Sloane article on growing introduction of consumer affairs 'ombudsman' in major cos; B J Nichols (Chrysler Corp), J M Barnes (Pan Amer World Airways), H T Brunn (RCA) and M P Meares (Chase Manhattan Bank) among those discussed; illus

Because of nerve-racking competition to get into Govt or private schools and universities, and especially med schools, entrance exams are printed under maximum security in 48 of nation's 66 state prisons; police uncover syndicate that stole med school exams from Osaka Prison and sold them at prices of up to $28,000; since scandal erupted in press, eds and lrs columns have been filled with protests over corruption in prison system, alleged mercenary nature of med profession and difficult road of competitive exams