October 22, 1979

1st of 3 articles in NY Times series appraising Mayor Koch's performance at mid‐point of his term in office; finds Koch is generally praised for confronting explosive issues candidly, but is criticized for failing to improve overall delivery of city services; says Koch has won praise for enthusiasm, forceful advocacy for city in Albany and Washington, and for his openness and accessibility; finds he is lauded for reducing favoritism and waste in city's poverty, employment and job‐training programs, for eliminating political considerations in selection of judges, for insisting on competitive bidding on city contracts, for attempts to choose commissioners of high quality and for strengthening functions of Corporation Counsel and Finance Adm; is criticized for not doing enough to speed city's financial recovery and to improve some public services; Koch's blunt ‘feisty’ style has led to worrisome confrontations with members and leaders of State Legis, with members of Board of Estimate as well as with leaders of municipal unions and black and Hispanic communities; chart depicts sharp decline in municipal employment since beginning of Koch Adm (L)

Iran denies cutting production, saying it averaged 4 million bbls a day in latest reporting month (S)

Brazil's slum dwellers are being given their 1st chance to move in from fringes of society under new Government policy giving them title to land they occupy and assistance in bettering conditions of their homes and neighborhoods in exchange for nominal rent payments; new approach has its roots in Government's relaxation of authoritarian rule and its promise to return to democratic procedures; major question that remains is whether new approach will be adhered to when time comes to determine future of favelas in more affluent neighborhoods; Federal University Prof Nestor de Oliveira and favela leader Manoelino Silva comment; illus (L)

Illus of lower Manhattan office towers with their lights arranged in geometric patterns to celebrate anniversary of Thomas Edison's invention of light bulb; display was conceived by James Pelletier

9 of 10 largest bank holding companies report increases in net operating earnings for 3d quarter, ranging from high of 61.4% for Chase Manhattan Corp to low of 10.7% for J P Morgan & Co; First Chicago Corp is only 1 of 10 to show decline, 9.3%; analysts say gains at most firms result from increased leveraging rather than from greater rate of profitability; say ability to increase profits through leveraging is approaching its limit at most of companies; Manufacturers Hanover Corp chairman John F McGillicuddy agrees; only 4 of companies increased their rate of return on assets, 3 from depressed levels in previous year; figures detailed; tables (M)