March 22, 1978

IT IS far easier to limn the pagan origins of Easter than divine why ham is so thoroughly accepted in America as the holiday dish. In an estimable work titled “Easter Garland,” by Priscilla Sawyer Lord and Daniel J. Foley (Chilton Books, 1963), the authors point out that the name Easter refers to the “season of the rising sun,” or the dawn. This meaning long antedates the Christian era and was adopted as appropriate for the Resurrection, tne ‐r east En LUC ‘New Life.”

Mar 22: Pres Carter tells Prime Min Begin that 'historic decisions' are needed to break impasse in negotiations; Begin remains firm on most of issues that have produced differences with US; Adm spokesman says 1st 2-hr meeting between Carter and Begin was 'serious and candid'; Carter underscores importance of UN Security Council Resolution 242; Sen Percy says Begin's position has divided Israel and caused erosion of support; illus of Carter welcoming Begin to White House (M)

Comment on arrival parade of Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, NYC, circus will play Madison Sq Garden; illus (M)

Labor Govt, releasing plan for using North Sea oil revenues, says it will give top priority to rejuvenating country's aging industrial plant; rejects creation of special fund to segregate oil money (M)

Chancellor Anker reptdly will propose new standards aimed at upgrading substantially requirements for hs grad, including recommendation that student read at least at 9th-grade level; proposals, which come at time of growing dissatisfaction by coll admrs and businessmen over preparedness of city hs grads, detailed; Educ Bd official Samuel Polatnick comments (M)