November 23, 1973

W Sullivan discusses recent discoveries by astronomers that chems basic to life exist abundantly in far reaches of Milky Way Galaxy and subsequent theory that such chem ferment probably represents initial stage in evolution of stars, planets and, ultimately, of life; Univ of Chicago scientists, Drs E Anders and R Hayatsu, and Argonne Natl Laboratory scientist Dr M H Snider theorize that key factor in chem evolution in deep space during final stages in formation of new star and planetary system is similar to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis used in Germany during World War II to synthesize gasoline, in which intermediate substances or catalysts facilitate assemblage of complex molecules; hypothesis has been advanced to account for extraordinary variety of organic substances found in certain meteorites known as carbonaceous chondrites; such objects have yielded amino acids from which proteins are constructed, as well as purines and pyrimidines--substances of type that form key chems of life such as DNA; scientists further suggest that in formative stage of solar system such substances as magnetite and hydrated silicates served as catalysts; among telltale radio emissions detected from within far reaches of Milky Way by astronomers are those of formaldehyde (precursor to sugars), hydrocyanic acid (which can develop into purines) and cyanoacetylene (precursor to pyramidines); scientists who have observed molecules assert that their formation cannot depend on random collisions between atoms, and that age of entire universe would not provide enough time to account for synthesis of material in this manner; some theories pertaining to chem synthesis discussed

Former Atty Gen E L Richardson says White House chief of staff A M Haig Jr told him he had unsuccessfully tried to dissuade Pres from ordering A Cox on Oct 19 to stop all ct actions to obtain White House tape recordings and related documents, int; Haig in Nov 21 int makes it clear that he is not denying Richardson account but declines to discuss matter; Richardson says Haig made his comment on Oct 19 at end of wk of negotiations involving White House, Cox and Richardson regarding manner in which Pres should respond to Cox's subpoena--which had just been upheld by Appeals Ct--for tape recordings of 9 Watergate-related conversations; says he had become increasingly aware that White House wanted to link Stennis compromise proposal to limitation on Cox's ability to go to ct in pursuit of any other Pres tapes or documents; he says he therefore tried to 'handle the relationship' between basic Stennis proposal and White House view that Cox should be foreclosed from pursuing other documents; says he called Haig to urge him to persuade Pres to drop any mention of other situations and himself, in effect, to put forward Stennis proposal alone; says he also called J F Buzhardt Jr; says he made clear to White House on Oct 15 and 17 that he would try to persuade Cox to accept Stennis summary in place of tapes of 9 specific conversations but that he would not try to persuade him to agree that access to other material should be foreclosed; says he became aware on Oct 19 of White House desire to link foreclosure to Stennis summary proposal and that he had objected; says he did not realize until that evening, when Haig called him to read lr Pres was sending to him, that Cox was to be 'instructed' not to try to obtain any other Pres material; Haig says his 'perceptions' of Oct 19 meeting with Richardson are different from Richardson's; says Richardson believed White House announcement would likely include 'some combination' of Stennis and foreclosure plans, while Haig believed it was clear that discussion involved plan to 'instruct' Cox to refrain from further litigation; Richardson illus

NYC Mayor's Emergency Energy Supply Task Force, headed by Admr Musicus, is heart of city's efforts to cope with energy crisis; was created to deal on day-to-day basis with problem; depends almost wholly on city's police power--Mayor's authority to take any step necessary to insure public health and safety--but has for present relied on 'moral suasion'; Mayor, however, lacks statutory authority over some energy producers and users; task force includes Admr Elish, Carmin G Novis and Comr Vallin; Judge Lutksy has been attending wkly meetings to provide liaison with Mayor-elect Beame; staff is composed of engineers hired for Munic Service Adm 18 mos ago when Grumman Corp cut staff; Howard Schusterman heads group; Musicus says that experts knew 2 yrs ago that crisis was coming; expects real crisis to appear early in '74, when stringent measures will be needed; most of concrete action to reduce energy consumption has taken place in public sector; task force has ordered cut in lighting and heat in munic offices and has halted conversion of old bldgs, principally schools, from coal to oil heating; air-quality standards have been suspended and other steps taken; Musicus comments on task force operations and problems it faces and plans to meet them

J A Swint, Amer exec of Ford Motor Co Argentine subsidiary, is killed with 3 bodyguards on Nov 22 in Cordoba, Argentina; police say killing appears unrelated to series of kidnapping attempts but was rather an outright assassination; no motive could be discerned for killing apart from its being part of anti-govt and anti-business program of Argentine terrorists; other kidnappings, including that of another Ford employe in May '73, revd; Ford spokesman says Mrs Swint is in Michigan with her 2 sons; Swint por

Account of Nov 22 meeting between Egyptian Lt Gen M A G el-Gamasy an Israeli Maj Gen A Yariv at km 101 checkpoint on Cairo-Suez hwy notes that although agreement was not reached, Gens progressed far enough to study maps of mil positions and to debate aspects of each side's proposal; notes that meeting, presided over by UN forces comdr Maj Gen E Siilasvuo, is 1st formal session in 8 days on carrying out 6-point agreement signed on Nov 11; describes atmosphere of talks; Siilasvuo says after meeting that both delegates have been discussing question of separation and disengagement; holds that discussion was useful and will continue on following day; Gamasy, avoiding any specific statements, says that each side put forward 2 alternate plans for troop disengagement; hints that Egyptians and Israelis will meet daily to try to resolve differences; there is no reference made to talks on controversial lines of Oct 22, positions held when cease-fire was proclaimed; Egypt charges that Israeli troops on west bank of Suez Canal continued to advance after deadline, besieging town of Suez and Egypt's 3d Corps in Sinai Peninsula