November 20, 1978

US Census Bur rept finds 'perceptible decline' in world population growth rate for 1st time since 17th-century industrialization; Prof Ansley Coale sees growth rate finally peaked but warns that absolute numbers continue to increase at rate of about 80 million per yr; rept shows growth rate declined from 1.98% in '65-'70 period to 1.88% in '75-'77 period; finds drop both in developed and undeveloped areas, with exception of Africa; US rate dropped from 1.1% to 0.8%; official Samuel Baum notes all rates are at best estimates; other data (M)

Many corps say they expect no problems in obtaining funds despite Fed Reserve's intention of slowing growth of money and credit; express concern that Adm's inflation-fighting programs will not bite hard enough--and that Carter Adm might move instead to impose outright credit controls, giving Fed Reserve direct say in rationing of credit; chart on rise in corp borrowing (M)

Article on Charles L Brown, newly-named chmn of AT&T, part of series on AT&T and its impact on Amer life and business; illus (L)

Pan Amer chmn and chief exec William T Seawell scores former CAB Chmn Alfred E Kahn's opinion that Natl's merger with Tex Internatl probably would be better idea than with Pan Amer; says Kahn's comments were 'entirely inappropriate' and raises elemental questions of fairness; Kahn, in int with Miami News, says he is unsure whether Pan Amer-Natl merger would stimulate competition he believes necessary in airline indus (M)

Sheik Yamani says Saudi Arabia will seek freeze in OPEC prices for '79, but hints effort may fail; reptdly tells Treas Sec Blumenthal that if freeze is broken, he will strive to keep increase under 10%; Blumenthal is warning producers of econ and monetary crises if OPEC agrees to increases sought by some members, such as 25% mentioned by Iraq; Mani Said al-Otaiba of United Arab Emirates pledges to stand by Saudi policy (M)