May 9, 1972

Christian Dems achieve remarkable comeback in Ital gen elections, receiving dear mandate to continue leading Govt; at same time, however, neo-Fascists advance and Communists win gains in Chamber of Deputies but suffer losses in Sen; with most of votes counted, May 9, increasing polarization between left and right in Ital politics becomes evident; Christian Dems apparently raise their share of total popular vote to 40% and are confirmed again as nation's strongest pol force; no party is anywhere near winning majority in 630-seat Chamber or among 315 elected members of Sen; prospects, therefore, appear to be for another period of coalition Govts and, possibly, protracted instability; Ital commentators attribute rightist gains and Communist losses mainly to law-and-order backlash caused by recent waves of strikes, violence and student protests; Christian Dem party is credited with having regained ground that had been feared lost to neo-Fascism by putting on show of unity and displaying energy during 2-mo election campaign; results available are based almost entirely on ballots cast for Sen; preliminary returns detailed; illus of tellers counting ballots

Pay Bd directs East and Gulf Coast shippers and longshoremen to roll back their agreed wage increase of 70c an hr to 55c; about 49,000 longshoremen will be allowed increases ranging from 9.8% to 12% under decision, which scaled back an agreement that had contemplated an increase calculated by bd at 15%; Boldt explains decision, a significant exception to bd guideline of 5.5%, and up to 7% in exceptional cases; bd vote is 6-1, with labor member F E Fitzsimmons dissenting

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Manhattan Dist Arty's office and other NYC and Fed law-enforcement agencies rept infiltration of organized crime into key positions in NYC's meat indus has artificially inflated retail prices for fresh meat in supermkts by 15%, and that consumers in the NY-NJ area are putting at least $1-million per wk into the coffers of organized crime; rept racketeers--both in indus and unions that service it--have been in collusion for at least 2 yrs 'systematically' extorting 'week by week, month by month' vast sums of money from supermkt chains and wholesale suppliers; say reprs of both retail and wholesale stores are approached by racketeers who make it clear that unless they inflate their prices and hand over the extra money, their cos will not be able to remain in business because of severe labor problems; possible collusion between key figures in the meat indus and unions--principally Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of N Amer Local 174--has been focus of an investigation by the Manhattan Dist Atty's office for more than a yr

The General Motors Corporation yesterday recalled 350,000 of its 1971 and 1972 Vegas to correct a safety defect. It was the second major recall of Vegas in a month. Details on Page 16.