January 23, 1979

Article on reading portion of Regents Competency Testing Program (M)

Forthcoming Carnegie Comm on Future of Public Broadcasting rept stresses need for improved programming; recommends that $1 billion a yr be made available for noncommercial TV and radio after '81; comm members listed (M)

Pres Carter, proposing fiscal 'BO budget, raises possibility of reducing Soidal Security taxes by trimming retirement benefits, raising retirement age and eliminating $255 lump-sum death benefit; death benefit elimination has already drawn heated criticism despite Carter's suggestion that passage would affect only future beneficiaries and would help make it possible to scale back tax rises scheduled for '81 (M)

Ayatollah Mahmoud Taleghani, Islamic leader in Teheran, says religious opposition is determined to supplant Bakhtiar's Cabinet; says people might undertake 'holy war' against army if it attempts coup; Chief of Staff Gen Abbas Gharabaghi says armed forces supports Bakhtiar; illus (M)

Article on surge of new gas supplies moving to interstate mkt from Texas and other producing states as result of Natural Gas Policy Act of '78; development is in line with Energy Dept's decision to favor natural gas over coal as near-term alternative to imports of foreign oil, release of surplus gas in producing states is expected to stimulate more drilling, which should feed surplus for 2 to 5 yrs; surplus is considered temporary one, amounting to perhaps 3 trillion cu ft; William J Murray, former member of Tex RR Comm, comments; illus (M)