July 21, 1999

House Republican leaders scramble to head off revolt by party moderates threatening tax cut bill that is centerpiece of party's domestic agenda; moderates have been pressing Speaker J Dennis Hastert and his deputies to scale back 10-year, $864 billion tax-cutting package on ground that it leaves none of projected budget surplus to help cut national debt or address other issues; leaders have agreed to cut package to $792 billion, but moderates, led by Rep Michael N Castle, demand $514 billion cap (M)

New generation of flower-children is flourishing across America, ardent fans of pop music bands such as Phish; fans, who are seen representing a contemporary 'counterculture,' sometimes follow their bands on tour; 'jam band' community is a major underground force in pop, with thousands of fans meeting over the Internet, teaming up to tour with Phish or other bands like Moe and the Disco Biscuits, disseminating hundreds of bootleg tapes and supporting myriad local scenes; photos (M)

It's that time. For the annual escape, a special section offers advice on what clothes to take and how to pack them, on cameras to carry, books to read, audiotapes to play in the car, videos to rent, sunless tan creams to apply, Web sites to beam up and cool stuff to show off on the beach. Also: tips for food lovers, for spouses and for the vacation-impaired (a k a workaholics). SECTION G

Trade Deficit Sets a Record The United States trade deficit jumped to more than $21 billion in May, another record, fueled by rising oil prices and growing evidence that China is using exports to support its lagging economy. PAGE C1

Alan Riding reports on exhibition of Rembrandt self-portraits at National Gallery in London; photos (M)

Gov George E Pataki and Mayor Rudolph W Giuliani select Matthew Goldstein, president of Adelphi University and former head of Baruch College, as their choice to be next Chancellor of City University of New York; photo (M)

Harvey Araton, in Sports of The Times, notes that even though New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens has won nine games this season, his earned run average is 4.90 and he is not dominating hitters; photo (M)

National Transportation Safety Board says radar data show that John F Kennedy Jr twice turned his plane away from Martha's Vineyard before plunging toward sea; experts say he was likely lost or disoriented; search continues for wreckage and remains of Kennedy, his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and Lauren G Bessette amid questions about use of Federal resources in what could be fruitless effort; Clinton Administration admits unusual nature of effort; map; photo of Navy divers (M)

Over 1,500 Cubans have landed in South Florida so far this year, heaviest exodus since 1994, mostly in smugglers' boats; are paying up to $8,000 per person, rather than risk rafts and crowded fishing boats of earlier refugees; another 1,000 Cubans have been stopped at sea and forced to return to Cuba under policy that allows only those who touch shore to seek asylum; policy has led to high drama at sea and on beaches as desperate Cubans try to evade Coast Guard; photos (M)

Neil Strauss reviews jam session featuring the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, at Life, small club in West Village (M)

Chicken droppings would turn into tax breaks under one of the dozens of narrow provisions in the tax bills before Congress that benefit one particular interest or another. Page A18.

Amanda Hesser comments on importance of a bartender's technique--including style of shaker and size of ice cubes--in mixing an excellent cocktail; photos (L)