February 23, 1974

law enforcement officials disclose that NJ Sec of State J Edward Crabiel is principal target of state grand jury investigation of corruption in NJ hwy construction involving alleged collusive bidding and kickbacks to local politicians; Crabiel denies any wrongdoing, news conf; jury recd previous day financial records from Franklin Contracting Co, hwy construction co that Crabiel was pres of before being sworn in last Jan as Sec of State; rept that Crabiel is prime suspect appears certain to have serious impact on Gov Byrne adm, which has pledged to end NJ's reputation for pol corruption; Byrne refuses to comment on investigation except to say that State Criminal Justice Div prosecutors have been given 'full rein'; Atty Gen William F Hyland and Deputy Attys Gen Peter R Richards and Edwin Stier, who are conducting investigation, also refuse to comment; Richards said in previous ct appearance that investigation involves allegations of short-weighting of supplies by construction cos, collusive bidding on local construction contracts, cutting up of areas as bidding preserves for individual cos and bribing of public officials; sources say that although repts seemed to indicate that investigation centered in Passaic County, where Franklin Contracting Co is located, other counties now appear to be involved; say alleged corruption occurred in '60s when Crabiel was co pres; at that time there was repeated criticism of alleged appearance of conflict of interest since Crabiel, while serving as legislator, voted on hwy construction projects, some of which co worked on; Crabiel, who is expected to confer with Byrne and Hyland, says he has no intention of taking leave of absence while investigation is continuing; jury has subpoenaed records of number of construction cos and compelled several witnesses to testify, including Paterson City Engineer Daniel Malatesta and Passaic County Freeholders Bd Clerk Ronald Dooney; Crabiel says he has not been subpoenaed; his illus (M)

Atlanta Constitution editor Reg Murphy is freed unharmed on Feb 22 after paper pays $700,000 ransom to his abductors, 2 of whom are later arrested by FBI agents; held are Mr and Mrs August H Williams; communications between paper and kidnappers described; Murphy, held for over 49 hrs, says he saw only 1 captor but estimates that 3 others were involved; says he spent more than 4 hrs tied up in trunk of car; tells press that abductors were playing 'silly revolutionary game'; says he was lured from his home by man saying he would donate $100,000 worth of heating oil to worthy causes; pol philosophy of 'Amer Revolutionary Army' revd; illus of Murphy with wife and daughers and of Constitution managing editor James Minter, who delivered ransom (L)

BLS regional dir Herbert Bienstock repts Detroit's '73 Consumer Price Index rose 10.1% (S)

LAHORE, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 23— Pakistan yesterday recognized Bangladesh, her former eastern wing, in a sudden move preceding the opening here of a major conference of Moslem nations.

The dollar weakened sharply yesterday against most European currencies in foreign‐exchange trading. The price of geld continued to set records, closing at $163 an ounce in London. Page 39.