January 4, 1975

Cong opponents and proponents of gas deregulation are expected to cite new FPC rept on falling US gas reserves; rept says programs designed to stimulate exploration, such as decontrol, are not likely to bring about significant sustained increase in reserve additions or forestall decline in production for future yrs; rept also stated that such programs could retard rate of production decline (S)

Chase Manhattan Bank (NYC): Off‐duty policeman is shot and killed trying to stop robbery by 3 gunmen of Chase Manhattan Bank branch in Gramercy Park, NYC, on Jan 3; Ptl Michael W McConnon fires 2 shots, hitting alleged robber Joseph Velez before being shot himself; Velez is later captured running from bank by 2 other off‐duty policemen; his 2 alleged accomplices escape in taxi; Mayor Beame issues statement offering condolences to McConnon's family; Chase Manhattan spokesman Gerald D Berke says bank robbers were armed with guns, knife and Molotov cocktail‐type bomb; illus of bank entrance; McConnon por (L)

Milton Cross, the commentator known to a nationwide broadcast audience as the voice of the Metropolitan Opera, died yesterday as he was preparing for the broadcast today of “L'Italiana in Algeri.” He was 77 years old. Details on Page 26.

White House press sec Ron Nessen on Jan 3 refuses to confirm that chief device for reversing current rise of unemployment would be large tax reduction to pump more spending money into econ; this is route that Pres Ford's advisers now favor, though size of tax cut is still under debate (S)

NJ Atty Gen William F Hyland says his office is investigating nursing homes owned by Bernard Bergman, who is under investigation for his nursing home operations in NYS, news conf; says investigation began after Health Comr Joanne Finley forwarded to him information that had originated with NY Assemblyman Andrew J Stein, chmn of State Temporary Comm on Living Costs currently investigating Bergman nursing homes in NYC; Hyland also announces that inquiry has been started by State Comm of Investigation into possible fraud and abuses of NJ's $400‐million Medicaid program; NJ Sen John J Fay earlier this wk requested Finley's support for bill to create bipartisan legis comm to look into nursing home conditions in NJ; Sen Joseph Hirkala, head of Com on Insts and Agencies, says measure will be discussed when Legis reconvenes; says he has recd number of complaints from families of nursing home patients; list of NJ nursing homes with Bergman involvement; NJ homes are operated on fixed‐fee basis and are largely supported by Medicaid; state inspections are held once yrly by inspectors who give 2 mos' notice of their arrival; ties between Bergman and Garden Nursing Home, whose owner Bernard Guttman is married to Bergman's half‐sister, and between Bergman and Lakeview Convalescent Home described (L)