December 31, 1990

Although a law that took effect on April 1 allows employers to hire teen-agers at less than the minimum wage of $3.80 an hour, few of them have elected to go below this level, an initial survey indicates. A survey of 167 fast-food restaurants by two university economists found that only three were using the sub-minimum wage, which ranges between $3.35 an hour and $3.80. Most of the restaurants, all part of the Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken or Wendy's chains, said they did not think they could attract acceptable workers at the new sub-minimum wage.

A Cuban-American television commentator's remarks about Puerto Rican women have enraged Puerto Ricans in many cities and embroiled the nation's largest Spanish-language network in a dispute that threatens its advertising and viewer base. The remarks, broadcast Nov. 5 nationwide on the Univision network, have led to demonstrations and demands for the dismissal of the commentator, Carlos Alberto Montaner. Network officials have offered explanations, met with protesters and repeatedly broadcast opposing views, but they have refused to take any action against Mr. Montaner.

New York's Homeless Gird for the Winter In shelters and on the streets, the region's homeless are making difficult and dangerous decisions about where to ride out the winter. A look at their havens, from a the basement of a South Bronx friary to a niche below the Brooklyn Bridge. Page 25. Rescuers Misdirected First reports of a fatal subway fire in Brooklyn gave no hint of its magnitude and led rescuers to focus in the wrong place, officials said. Page 25. Nicaraguan Arms Role Sandinista army officers acknowledged that advanced weapons had been smuggled to Salvadoran guerrillas but said such aid had been halted, United States officials said. Page 5. North American Trade Talks The United States, Canada and Mexico will soon begin shaping an agreement to create a common market of 350 million people. Page 29.

The wealthiest school districts are not usually found in places like Seneca, a gritty little town 75 miles southwest of Chicago, where trailer courts and modest frame houses dot the Illinois River Valley. But Seneca spends more money for each pupil, $10,644, than any other district in Illinois. It has the money because it allowed Commonwealth Edison Company to build a nuclear power plant here a decade ago.

The Federal Trade Commission has subpoenaed records of all leading manufacturers of infant formula, suspecting that they have collaborated to raise prices. "This is a top-priority, front-burner investigation," said Kevin J. Arquit, director of the commission's Bureau of Competition.