August 5, 1976

Sen Govt Operations Com approves legis requiring automatic suspension of any Govt spending programs that are not re-approved at 5-yr intervals; requires Cong to restudy programs; enactment of so-called 'sunset' bill is considered doubtful; Ford Adm is lukewarm to it; bill would exempt from automatic termination such programs as Soc Security, but would include 'entitlement' programs such as veterans' disability benefits; would likely modify some of 1,000 grant programs that deliver services through state and local govts; chief sponsor of measure is Sen Edmund S Muskie (M)

Death toll rises to 22; med researchers press efforts to determine cause; rule out most bacteria and water and food contaminants; suggest most likely cause is virus, fungus or other toxic substance; say continued absence of contagion makes swine influenza unlikely cause; Allentown, Pa, physician Dr Gary Lattimer repts successful treatment of 3 cases with antibiotic tetracycline; says treatment was rendered on premise that patients suffered from ornithosis, viral disease transmitted through droppings and discarded feathers of birds; Pa Health Sec Dr Leonard C Bachman describes ongoing efforts to unravel cause of disease; map depicts Pa hometowns of disease victims; hospitalized victim illus (L)

Police open fire when Soweto black students attempted to break through security conrdon barring them from Johannesburg, where they planned to protest detention of students arrested during June rioting; police rept 13 casualties (M)

NYS legislators gather for special session on ct reform; speculation on whether Repub votes will be needed if Dems are unable to muster enough of their members to vote for legis (S)

The House of Representatives gave President Ford his 10th veto setback by overriding his action to kill legislation on reform of coal leasing. Page 12.