October 12, 1992

When United Way was reeling last spring from revelations of extravagance and mismanagement at its Washington headquarters, a national poll of past donors found 25 percent saying they would give less money or none at all in the next drive. Early evidence from campaigns for United Way contributions in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut indicates that pledges are not dropping off sharply. And when they are, United Way officials suggest, the reason is the recession as much as the shadow over the organization.

After everything they have been through, after all the victories won so slowly over the years, there is one more test for the women of General Motors. Sometime next year, the company's Willow Run assembly plant here will shut forever. Seniority is everything when it comes to jobs at other plants, and the women have less of it than their male co-workers. Now, as she has to be strong all over again, Kelly Arter finds it helpful to remember the foreman she took on 14 years ago. She had just moved up from assembler to replacement operator, the only woman on the job.

Fighting on Angola's Streets Fighting between policemen and opposition forces in the capital stirred fear of renewed civil war. Page A9. United Way, After Scandal Early evidence from United Way campaigns indicates that pledges are not dropping off sharply after revelations of mismanagement. Page B1. Blue Jays Rally for 3-1 Lead

Confused? The Jets, who have a bye next week, certainly seemed to be confused today about which Sunday they were supposed to take off. Actually, the defense did make an impressive appearance at the Hoosier Dome, but someone forgot to tell the offense that their presence was also required if the Jets were going to win. The Jets' offense dozed through the game until the last 5 minutes 20 seconds of regulation, when they put together a 10-play, 52-yard drive that was capped by Cary Blanchard's 35-yard field goal with 30 seconds to play in regulation.

An intense track fire spewed thick, choking smoke into a subway station and two subway trains in downtown Brooklyn yesterday. At least 43 people were injured, most of them overcome by smoke, as roughly 150 passengers scrambled in virtual darkness to escape. A quick, smooth evacuation by transit workers and firefighters, coupled with the relatively light weekend ridership, prevented a much more serious tragedy, said fire, transit and emergency rescue officials. None of those injured, which included passengers and transit workers, were seriously hurt, the officials said.