September 21, 2001

Sid Richardson Bass and Lee Marshall Bass, brothers, and their father, Perry Richardson Bass, have sold 135 million shares of Walt Disney stock to shore up their portfolios; sale, representing 6.4 percent of company, generated $2 billion; shares changed hands at $15 a share, almost 20 percent below closing price on Sept 19, day before trade was announced; Disney stock rebounded to close at $16.98, down 8 percent; Bass's spokesman says shares were sold to meet liquidity needs and in no way reflects concerns about Disney or its management; photo (M)

R W Apple Jr analysis of Pres Bush's speech to joint meeting of Congress and nation; says there is tremendous public support for him, reflected in warmth of reception he received on Capitol Hill; says he rose to occasion, finding at times eloquence that has eluded him in past; says his task is to find way to satisfy desire of many Americans for dramatic early retaliation while keeping apprehensive European and Middle Eastern allies on board; says he sought to reassure segment of American public that is afraid, particularly those in Washington and New York who fear further terrorist attacks, by appointing Gov Tom Ridge, Vietnam veteran, to head new Office of Homeland Security; says many people in New York, Washington and elsewhere do remain frightened, and this is challenge Bush faces in months ahead (M)

Bruce Weber reviews Broadway production of musical Urinetown; photo (M)

British airport operator TBI recommends that shareholders accept unsolicited $755 million offer from Vinci, Paris-based construction company (S)

Investigators are searching for older man, reportedly seen in two states, who they suspect may have played organizing role in terrorist attacks on America; arrival of senior leader on scene to give instructions follows pattern of previous attacks orchestrated by Osama bin Laden; undertaking attacks is estimated to have cost $200,000 and investigators are hoping to find money trail that will lead them to source of plot; photos (M)