March 14, 1972

MTA Chmn Ronan cuts through steel bulkhead separating rock tunnel under Welfare Is from 750‐ft steel tube under East River; predicts trains will run through double‐decked tunnel by ‘79 or ‘80; $70‐million tunnel, the cost of which will be shared almost equally by NYC and NYS, will provide connections to new and existing subway lines in Queens from Manhattan's E Side and from IND and BMT lines on W Side; illus; map

enemy troops capture Sam Thong, key Laotian base near Plaine des Jarres, threaten to engulf nearby Amer‐backed base at Long Tieng; force closing down of airstrip at base with heavy arty barrage; battle and casualties detailed; map

NYC Estimate Bd and City Council leaders reach agreement with negotiators for Lindsay on shifting funds in capital budget to add 35 school projects; Manhattan Boro Pres Sutton says $7‐million has been allocated for construction of PS 153, replacement for PS 186; Harlem Urban Development Corp says it should be allowed to start bldg new school, as well as 2d school to replace PS 107, because of agreement, in principle, with city that would allow it to undertake projects

Pres Giri says India will not accept outside domination of Indian Ocean area, s, Parliament

Ambs Watson and Huang Chen begin series of contacts in Paris as 1st tangible follow‐up of Nixon's visit to China; conf at Chinese Embassy for 50 mins; illus; Watson calls meeting ‘warm and cordial'; French to be working language in such meetings