August 24, 1977

NY Times/WCBS-TV survey of regis and likely Dem voters in mayoral primary finds that Mayor Beame and Repr Abzug are running neck and neck with 17% of vote but that State Sec Cuomo, with 14%, and Repr Koch, with 12%, are in strong enough position to catch up with either or both (1st in series of articles based on survey of voter attitudes); shows that Percy Sutton is prefered by 9% and Repr Badillo by 7%; Joel Harnett shows no strength in poll; survey reaffirms pol impact of TV commercials; Sutton and Badillo have not used TV ad; candidates' spending on TV ad noted; graph shows survey findings (L)

Carter Adm announces it will support principle of affirmative action in educ in Allan Bakke case before US Sup Ct that is expected to result in landmark ruling; Adm officials say Govt's position will be given added weight because it will be signed by Atty Gen Griffin B Bell, not by Solicitor Gen; EEOC Comr Eleanor Holmes Norton and Howard Univ official Kenneth S Tollett laud decision, while AFT pres Albert Shanker criticizes move as supporting preferential treatment along racial lines (M)

Carter reiterates ardent support for Lance, news conf, Washington; says Lance handled his business affairs consistent with common banking practices, but questions propriety of traditional banking practices and efficacy of currency banking regulations; says it may not always be possible to eliminate completely appearance of conflicts of interest among wealthy govt officials, including himself; says he knows of no allegation that Lance did anything illegal or unethical; suggests that new laws are probably needed to regulate banking activities; says he and Mrs Carter had overdrawn their bank acct occasionally, but holds personal bookkeeping can often be complicated by multiplicity of interests, investments and checking accts; insists his campaign promise to eliminate even appearance of impropriety or illegality from his Adm has, thus far, been honored; illus; HR financial insts subcom to hold hearings on Sept 8 on supervisory problems raised by Comptroller's rept (M)

Aug 24-25: Carter reiterates Adm's charge that Israeli settlements on West Bank are 'illegal' and 'unnecessary obstacle for peace,' news conf; says he does not contemplate any action beyond caution to Israel (S)

Gov Mandel and 5 of his wealthy business friends are convicted of 18 counts each of mail fraud and racketeering after what experts say was one of longest Fed jury deliberations in history; Mandel resignation is anticipated; although Arnold M Weiner, Mandel's lawyer, says that he will appeal conviction, Mandel has only 45 days to remain in office under Md law, despite any appeal; sentence for Mandel could theoretically extend to 105 yrs in prison and $45,000 fine; Judge Robert L Taylor is expected to impose only token sentence of 1 or 2 yrs; convicted with Mandel are W Dale Hess, Harry W Rodgers, William A Rodgers, Irvin Kovens and Ernest N Cory Jr; Mandel illus with wife (L)