October 25, 1990

At the first statewide conference on AIDS being held this week, only one session aroused so much interest that it had to be brought back a second day by popular demand. It was devoted to the topic "Accessing Local Legislators." A lesson in lobbying might seem a little odd at a meeting called to contemplate the future of a disease, especially when the meeting is sponsored by the New York State Health Department. Nevertheless, the government has been spending tax dollars to instruct people on the proper way to get their hands on more tax dollars.

After five months of negotiations and partisan bickering, top Congressional leaders said today that they had struck a compromise on taxes that they believed would have the support of the White House and a majority of the members of the Senate and House. The final details were being nailed down tonight, and the precise legislation remained to be written. But the basics were presented to rank-and-file lawmakers this afternoon and are not likely to change.

Compromise on Arts Grants The Senate passes a bill to extend the National Endowment for the Arts that would leave judgments on obscenity to the courts. Page C19. Ohio Congressman Resigns Donald E. Lukens, a Republican confronted with a second sexual misconduct charge, quit rather than face an ethics panel inquiry. Page A21. Alaska to Vote on Marijuana Fifteen years after Alaska legalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, voters are caught up in a fight on making it illegal. Page A16. An Uncommon Alliance The strong bond between the New York City Schools Chancellor, Joseph A. Fernandez, and the teachers union has benefits, but also perils. Page B1.

In another sign of investor concern over the safety of investments in many major banks, Citicorp said yesterday that it would pay an unprecedentedly high rate on an important part of the capital it needs. The move will raise the company's costs substantially. In agreeing to pay a dividend rate of 12.5 percent on a $100 million issue of preferred stock, the nation's largest banking company accepted a rate that is far higher than the dividend it was legally required to pay. The move was aimed at bolstering investor confidence, but it led to another drop in the company's stock price, to an eight-year low.

Yves Saint Laurent brought the spring and summer showings to a close here this morning as he has for almost 30 years. His collection of almost 200 pieces ended with 30 designs based on Leon Bakst's costumes for the Ballets Russes in the early part of this century. They were a whirling fantasy of colorful beads, Turkish pants and exotic patterns, poised to swing into a production of "Scheherezade." The designer had hovered over these last styles, even sewing on the beads himself, his associates said. The designs were breathtaking in their artistry, and after they all were shown, the designer strode confidently down the runway in a neatly tailored dark suit. He kissed the bride, who was wearing gathered lace pants and red roses as she waited for him at the end of the runway, and then seemed to lose his bearings for a minute. He stood uncertainly, blowing kisses to photographers he recognized in the crowd, and then continued up the runway. He recovered from his confusion backstage as he greeted myriad enthusiasts, murmuring "Symphony Espagnole, Bakst" to one who seemed perplexed.