April 19, 1991

Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, with Mayor David N. Dinkins at his side, vowed yesterday that he would do whatever was needed to keep the Dinkins administration from losing control of New York City's budget and finances to the state. The Governor and the Mayor refused to provide any but the sketchiest details of how they planned to prevent the intervention of the state Financial Control Board, which under law and bond covenant could take over city finances if Mr. Dinkins cannot bring a gap of several hundred million dollars in the current budget down to $100 million. Might Speed Payments Mr. Cuomo suggested that the state might speed up some aid payments, and city officials said they hoped yesterday's public show of support from the Governor would clear the way for them to negotiate concessions from municipal unions.

VISITORS DREAD, a malady that commonly afflicts New Yorkers, is brought on by out-of-town friends who trill the following: "We are coming to New York City, and we want you to show us the town." Speaking over a long-distance telephone line, these friends have no way of knowing that their innocent words have caused normally self-possessed adults to clutch their throats and fall writhing to the floor as an inner voice keens, "Oh, no, no, no, no, no ." Visions of unattainable restaurant reservations, sold-out Broadway shows and claustrophobia-inducing art exhibitions dance through the head.

THE ECONOMY U.S. banks, quick to lower rates to depositors, have been slow to cut loan rates. The "spread" is the widest in years. [ Page A1. ] The trade deficit shriveled to $5.3 billion, the smallest in more than seven years, paced by a drop in imported oil. [ D1. ]

As White Sox fans filed past the wrecking ball still swinging at their beloved old Comiskey Park today, they made their way into the $135 million, spit-shiny successor with a mixture of mourning for what was gone and euphoria over what was new. But what no one was prepared for was the utter humiliation of watching a 16-0 rout at the hands of the Detroit Tigers on the stadium's first day in use. That was especially so in light of the White Sox's 6-1 start to a season in which they are again expected to challenge mighty Oakland for a division title.

For a teen-ager in the Bronx Wednesday night, death came as he helped his mother move out of a neighborhood she feared. For a 34-year-old woman in Brooklyn a night earlier, it came during a trip to the neighborhood bodega. What linked them was that they were hit by bullets meant for others. They are among seven bystanders caught in the crossfire of gunfights since Tuesday afternoon. Two died; five were wounded. Five children were among them.