May 24, 1977

officials say shifting of filled-in marshland on which Co-op City was built has led to serious structural defects; Gov Carey has estimated that remedying defects could cost about $1-million; is prepared to have state pay for major structural repairs; NYS Housing Comr John G Heimann has speculated cost could be from $10- to $40-million; Co-op City's exec sec Charles Rosen says land shifting is responsible for ‘hundreds’ of gas leaks over past yr, for sinking and buckling of sidewalks and for shearing of electrical cable in Dec '76; Richard Ravitch, builder who has acted as housing adviser to Gov Carey, comments (M)

Article on scene in Manhattan Dist Attys office as 7 rape victims identify their assailant; victims' reactions described (M)

Pres Carter signs bill prividing $225-million in immediate grants and loans for drought-stricken communiites in the West (S)

Begin, who suffered heart attack in Apr, is taken to hosp suffering from chest pains; Simha Ehrlich, Likud official who is expected to be Finance Min in Likud-led govt, says negotiations between Likud and other pol orgns will proceed in Begin's absence; Begin's illness raises questions about possible successor; Likud spokesman says agreement in bloc, which comprises several pol groups, is that Prime Min spot belongs to Herut Movement, which is controlled by Begin; next 3 names in order of importance in Herut are Ezer Weizman, Dr Moshe Arens and Yitzhak Shamir; Weizman is considered leading contender for Defense Min in Likud govt; Prime Min Rabin announces that he will resume leadership of his caretaker Govt from Peres; Weizman illus (M)

Illus of NY Maritime Coll color guard in formation at Natl Maritime Day ceremonies at opening day of World Trade Center's plaza