November 15, 1975

Westchester County Exec Alfred B DelBello says he plans to ask Bd of Legislators to raise sales taxes in county to at least 7%; believes he has bd's support; says increase will be higher if NYS sales tax is raised; says municipalities in county, which would share in revenues, also need funds; DelBello and his aides decline to comment on new budget, but it is expected to eliminate hundreds of jobs, many of them now vacant (M)

 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14—Many Republicans in Congress were critical of President Ford today because of his apparent willingness to sign legislation that would lower oil prices over the next two veers.

US Justice Dept's Law Enforcement Assistance Adm study issued on Nov 14 finds that there has been only 'token' compliance with landmark '72 Sup Ct ruling that required appointment of lawyer to represent any indigent defendant who faced possible jail term; study, based on field work in 9 cities, finds that ruling had been 'applied too narrowly and often unevenly' and that reform 'has been chaotic and uneven at best'; finds specifically that judges often openly encourage defendants to waive their const rights to counsel, that limited concern with basic procedural fairness continues to be prevalent in lower criminal cts, and that lawyers who are appointed to defend indigents are often inexperienced or of limited competence; other findings noted (M)

NYS Legis, in special session, finds that NYC financial condition has dramatically worsened and that basic city services would be threatened by 'disastrous consequences' of default; votes early on Nov 15 to impose moratorium of up to 3 yrs on repayment of $1.6-billion in city notes falling due between now and June 30; moratorium is intended to be incentive for private investors to voluntarily trade in short-term notes for long-term bonds of Munic Assistance Corp (L)