February 12, 1975

NYS Office of Ct Adm repts backlog of undisposed felony cases rose sharply in NYC in ′74, despite measures to increase NYS Sup Ct productivity and despite decline in indictments; there were 10,261 untried felony cases in NYC at end of ′73, compared with 12,335 at end of ′74; of 20,669 felony indictments in NYC last yr, 19,685 were disposed of by dismissal, plea bargaining or trial; NYS Sup Ct Adm Judge Richard J Bartlett, int, revs his 1st yr in office, sees progress being made in area of reducing delay between indictment and final disposition of case; Bartlett maintains it will take 3 or 4 yrs to reduce backlog enough to hold trials within 6 mos of indictment; says increased number of trials from 1,679 in ′73 to 1,898 in ′74 was consequence of new state drug laws, which specifically forbid plea bargaining for Class A felonies; says Gov Carey, who recommended elimination of 16 special drug cts, including 7 in NYC, because caseload did not warrant it, misinterpreted figures; cites 2,241‐case backlog at 1 NYC ct part (L)

PBA pres Ken McFeeley, rallying police behind his plan to save jobs in dept, says sanitation workers have given up parts of labor contracts and money from health and welfare funds to meet Mayor Beame's budget cuts, whereas his plan called for only 5 days of work without pay (S)

St Patrick's Cathedral and Temple Emanu‐El in NYC plan yr of dialogue on problems that have strained relations between members of their faiths; in convocation attended by more than 1,200 Roman Caths anti Jews, at cathedral and then at Reform temple, spokesmen announce guidelines for planned dialogue and appeal to ‘all synagogues and chs in every neighborhood’ to initiate similar talks; guidelines urge, among other things, frank talks on such controversial topics as Israel and abortion, and shared efforts against poverty, corruption and injustice; mention proselytizing and Israel, 2 issues omitted from recent Vatican statement on RC‐Jewish relations; Rabbi Ronald E Sobel speaks at St Patrick's and later Msgr James R Rigney speaks at Temple Emanu‐el; Cardinal Cooke calls planned dialogue ‘encouraging beginning’; NY Fed of Reform Synagogues says it will urge 105 Reform synagogues in NY area to engage in similar programs with local Cath chs; illus of Rigney and Sobol (M)

Col. Richard Ratsimandrava, the new head of state of Madagascar, was assassinated yesterday, the radio there reported. Page 11.

Margaret Thatcher wins GB Conservative leadership, Feb 11, becoming 1st woman to lead Brit pol party; Thatcher, former Educ Min, received 146 votes over William White‐law's 79, James Prior's and Sir Geoffrey Howe's 19, and John Peyton's 11; will be acclaimed leader when parliamentary group meets with party reprs from constituencies; calls for ‘blend of continuity and change,’ expressing delight at achievement, news conf following vote count; pledges to take on leadership with ‘humility and dedication’; victory seen significant in being 1st for woman and in that Thatcher has led rebellion from ranks of party undergoing change in identity and prospects; Thatcher has emerged as outspoken on econ, defender of orthodox principles and spokesman for middle class; latter, as well as her inexperience in foreign affairs, may pose difficulties when Thatcher faces gen electorate; Labor MP John Mackintosh terms Thatcher's victory ‘healthy’; Conservatives emphasize party will unite around her; brief biog; por with husband Denis and son Mark (M)