September 6, 1974

Arms Control and Disarmament Agency dir Dr Fred C Ikle says that nuclear war could destroy ozone layer in stratosphere, which protects living things from sun's ultraviolet radiation; suggests that 1 immediate implication of discovery is to reinforce effectiveness of nuclear detenence; hopes that discovery can help to contribute to disarmament measures (M)

Sen Dems resolve to stay in session for rest of yr if necessary to act on Adm proposals to treat inflation and other econ ills (S)

Shell and Mobil oil cos rept that release of information to NY Times about indictments charging them with criminal violations of state's antitrust laws 'may well have been an illegal act'

 

1 of most severe droughts in northern India, coupled with fertilizer shortages and lack of fuel for irrigation pumps, is threatening to destroy area's wheat and rice crops, and thus posing grim forecasts of widespread hunger and famine; impact of situation in northern states--Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Gujarat--on rest of country noted; Rajasthan Chief Min Harideo Joshi says state might be faced with worst famine in recent times and rept from Gujarat state holds that 'near-famine' conditions prevail in hundreds of villages; recent drought is result of failure of pivotal summer monsoon that has ranged 21% to 25% below normal; situation is worsened by fact that Central Govt does not have ample food reserves; officials estimate reserves at 2- to 4-million tons, compared with usual reserves of 9-million tons; attacks against Govt agr policies noted; Indian Express columnist V B Kulkarni comments; map (M)