September 17, 1977

H C Schonberg appraises Callas's artistry and her leadership in revival of bel canto opera repertory; illus (M)

Vorster says question of using nuclear weapons, which was put to him in NY Times int, has never occurred to his Govt; says S Africa can deal with any mil threat coming out of Africa (S)

Sen Eagleton denounces Percy, accusing him of McCarthyism and of indulging in 'guilt by accumulation' at inquiry; Percy voices regret at Eagleton's assertions; Sen William Roth says key to inquiry was whether Lance measured up to high moral standards raised by Carter; Sens Heinz and Stevens focus on aspects of Lance's banking background; questions by Sens Nunn, Ribicoff, Sasser and Glenn noted; questioning techniques used by Dem and Repub Sens discussed; Sens Percy, Ribicoff, Jackson and Eagleton illus (M)

Repub Party is preparing to offer its nomination for Manhattan Boro Pres to Councilman Robert F Wagner Jr; Wagner says he would accept it as 'fusion effort' to head off Assemblyman Andrew J Stein, who won Dem Boro Pres primary; Stein denounces move, alleging 'deal' between Wagner and Repubs; Wagner's father, former Mayor Wagner, says his son would never become Repub; adds that many people have run as Repubs to give voters best candidate; Manhattan Repub Chmn Vincent Albano says party is giving 'serious consideration' to fusion movement; current Repub nominee is Thomas H Bartzos, who would have to run for State Sup Ct to make room for Wagner (M)

Ribicoff confronts Lance with evidence that Fed bank examiner, as early as '71, stated that his bank overdrafts violated banking lows limiting loans to bank officers; Lance's contentions to contrary noted; Lance tells Ribicoff his earlier statement referred to '71-72; Percy questions propriety of using same shares of stock as collateral on 2 different bank loans; Sen Mathias questions Lance about overdrafts; raises question over Lance's alleged delay in signing FBI background inquiry; pres aide Hamilton Jordan and Powell comment; Javits presses Lance over whether interest was paid on overdrafts; Stevens asks Lance whether pol overdrafts were used to pay for airplane trips; Eagleton raises question about Lance's disclosures to com prior to confirmation; Sen John C Danforth says crucial question pertains to whether com was misled in confirmation process; Nunn says central issue centers on whether Lance abused his office; Lance denies he exerted pressure on Fed officials to terminate investigation of Calhoun bank; Stevens illus (M)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16—Under questioning that increased in intensity as the day wore on, Bert Lance today modified in at least minor ways portions of the formal statement presented to Senators yesterday, found himself drawn into an apparent conflict with the sworn statements of others and was confronted with at least two seeming contradictions in his nrevious testimony.

Justice Abraham J Gellinoff announces his retirement in midst of state inquiry into his patronage appts; State Comm on Judicial Misconduct Admr Gerald Stern says comm has no jurisdiction to probe anyone who is not a judge; says Gellinoff's retirement will terminate inquiry; Gellinoff por (M)

Mote illus

Repub Party is preparing to offer its nomination for Manhattan Boro Pres to Councilman Robert F Wagner Jr; Wagner says he would accept it as 'fusion effort' to head off Assemblyman Andrew J Stein, who won Dem Boro Pres primary; Stein denounces move, alleging 'deal' between Wagner and Repubs; Wagner's father, former Mayor Wagner, says his son would never become Repub; adds that many people have run as Repubs to give voters best candidate; Manhattan Repub Chmn Vincent Albano says party is giving 'serious consideration' to fusion movement; current Repub nominee is Thomas H Bartzos, who would have to run for State Sup Ct to make room for Wagner (M)

Dies of heart attack, Paris, at age 53; biog; illus (L)

Pakistani radio repts that Bhutto, who was released on bail after having been detained on murder conspiracy charge, has been arrested again under martial law provision; says other leaders of Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party were also arrested; Reuters says others arrested include former Finance Min Abdul Hafeez Pirzada and Communications Min Mumtaz Bhutto; arrests come as Gen Zia ul-Haq lifts restrictions on pol activity to allow campaigning for Oct 18 gen elections (M)

Nation's continuance of trade with at least 140 countries despite decreasing diplomatic recognition worldwide noted; exports have increased markedly since ouster from UN in '71; chart (M)