March 19, 1976

Queen Elizabeth has consulted lawyers about rift in marriage of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon (S)

Sen Frank Church officially declares himself a candidate for Dem Pres nomination on Mar 18 at news conf in Idaho City; had delayed his announcement because of Sen investigation of intelligence activities, in which he played major role; assails 'leadership of weakness and fear' in Washington; lists 'most important issues' that are being ignored by other candidates; stresses his yrs of experience in Sen; says he will enter primaries in Ore, Neb, Idaho, Nev, Ky, RI and Calif, and possibly those in Ohio and NJ; pol observers see him facing 3 insurmountable problems; Church's strategy appears based on premise that no 'clear winner' will emerge from primaries, and on unspoken belief that Cong investigations he headed transformed him into recognized face and name; full name is Frank Forrester Church but he has dropped middle name; biog and career sketch of Church; he was born July 25 '24; Church defines his position on Equal Rights Amendment, abortion and gun control; illus of Church with his wife, Bethine, his mother, Mrs Frank Church, and mother-in-law, Mrs Chase A Clark (L)

Aqueduct race track will be closed today because of a strike by 187 maintenance workers at midnight last night. Money is the key issue, and the union and the New York Racing Association were reported “far apart.” Page 41.

Prime Min Aldo Moro Govt on Mar 19 announces series of austerity measures designed to ease econ crisis and prevent Govt's collapse; measures coincide with opening of Christian Dem Party cong; party, under intense pressure from Communists, will be searching for new strategy to enable it to retain power; party sec Benigno Zaccagnini tells delegates that he remains against sharing power with Communists but adds that he would favor closer collaboration on grave issues; calls on Communists to make 'constructive contribution' to overcome nation's difficulties; says party is moving toward method of 'seeking new possibilities of pol solidarity and unity through debate and comparison'; illus (M)

prosecutor Browning, defense atty Bailey present closing arguments; summations detailed; illus (L)