March 23, 1979

Asst Sec Bergold says OPEC will probably decide on new price increase and possibly set production cutbacks when it meets in Geneva on Mar 26, Sen Energy Com hearing; says Saudi Arabia, most influential producer, is 'ambiguous' and has probably not yet decided whether to continue producing at current rate of 9.5 million bbls a day or cut back to 8.5 million it prefers for efficient and econ operation; notes that Libya and Algeria have cut back deliveries to regular customers; says producers want to sell more heavy crude oil and less light crude, which would require changes in refineries in importing countries; Herbert I Goodman (Gulf Trading & Transportation) notes that light crude makes up only 49% of known crude reserves of non-Communist world, but represents about 62% of its total production; Bergold por (M)

Taxpayers' revolt in poor hilltown community of Victory Gardens (NJ) in western Morris County threatens to wipe out jobs of entire munic work force, comprising 5 people; Mayor William R Gratacos on Apr 1 plans to dismiss 3-man police force, Boro Clerk and town hall maintenance woman because voters have rejected any higher taxes to pay for $50,812 deficit in town's proposed '79 budget of $347,101; illus of asst fire chief Don Resh and town clerk Carol Gayton (M)

Article, in question-and-answer format, on variance in ways of measuring corp profitability as measure of US econ conditions; notes Commerce Dept's profitability statistics range from modest 9.6% increase in profits for 4th qr to 44.8% rate of increase and that neither rept is wrong, but rather each rept used different yardsticks in measuring statistics (M)

Article on IMS International's financial success since its pres, David Dubrow, originated pharmaceutical audit in '60; notes audit, a country-by-country check of drug sales by type and brand, provides drug cos with information to help determine product placement and market strategy; data is used by drug cos seeking to keep track of their competititors as well as by financial indus; IMS sales growth noted; earnings chart (L)