May 2, 1992

Election Law Changes Legislative officials said today that lawmakers have reached a tentative agreement on the first significant steps in years to revise New York's arcane election laws. Page 25. Bickering on School Board A year after efforts to unite a divided New York City Board of Education, mistrust persists, slowing action on almost any issue. Page 25. Rangers Gain on Cup The Rangers won Game 7 and eliminated the Devils, 8-4, to move into round 2 in their quest for their first Stanley Cup in 52 years. Page 29. The New Kentucky Home Bending with the times, the Kentucky Derby is mixing some modern tones with the mint juleps of a 118-year institution. Page 34.

Waves of Anger Ripple From Coast to Coast Across the nation, angry demonstrators protested the acquittal in the California case -- peacefully in many cases, violently in others. The National Guard was called into Las Vegas; injuries and arrests were reported in several other cities. Page 10. The Morning After As relative calm was restored in much of South-Central Los Angeles, a growing sense of sadness and futility emerged there. Page 7. When the Voters Speak Race and crime have opened sores in American politics and changed its direction before, and there is little reason to doubt they will again this year. News analysis, page 9.

As Los Angeles sank into chaos the day after the acquittal of four white police officers charged with beating a black motorist, Chief Daryl F. Gates was contemplative through a strategy meeting at City Hall, a block from his headquarters at Parker Center. Deferring to subordinates, he said little until the meeting on Thursday neared an end, an official who took part recalled today. Then Chief Gates seemed to come alive. "I don't want any demonstrations at Parker Center," the official quoted Mr. Gates as telling the group. "It's demeaning to me."

"People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? I mean, we're all stuck here for a while. Let's try to work it out." -- RODNEY KING. [ 6:1. ]

International 2-4 TROUBLE IN GERMANY Two years ago, Chancellor Kohl was the most powerful leader of a resurgent Europe and acted as if he knew it. Today, a year and a half after German unification, he seems much less self-assured, his authority at home and abroad shaken by political and social turmoil. 1