August 18, 2002

Article on chain of command of Walt Disney Co; examines roles of chairman Michael D Eisner, Shamrock Holdings (investment arm of Disney family) chief Stanley P Gold and Roy E Disney, nephew of Walt Disney and longtime Disney Co employee; discusses conflicts among them now that Disney's stock and business have weakened; photos; tables (M)

Amy Harmon Coping column describes trying to grow beefsteak tomatoes from seed in pots on rooftop of Chelsea apartment building; notes that while their tiny size was disappointing, their taste was not; drawing (M)

Justin Leonard takes third-round lead at PGA Championship; photos (M)

With Bernie Williams cooling down to only two hits today, other members of the surging Yankees assumed starring roles in an 8-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The most notable of them was Alfonso Soriano, who blends speed and power. By hitting one of the Yankees' four home runs today, Soriano became the first major league second baseman to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season. ''I don't want to think about 40-40,'' Soriano said.

Deborah Weisgall article on virtual gallery of art that she lusts after in her heart and imagines in her head she would lift off gallery walls; drawing (M)2

Unidentified senior US military officers say covert US program during Reagan administration provided Iraq with critical battle planning assistance at time when US intelligence agencies knew Iraqi commanders would employ chemical weapons against Iran; comments respond to query about gas warfare on both sides during Iran-Iraq war; Iraq's use of gas is repeatedly cited by Bush administration in calling for regime change now; covert program took place as top Reagan administration officials, including George Shultz, Frank Carlucci and Colin Powell, publicly condemned Iraq for using poison gas, notably against Kurds; US at time sought to thwart Iran so it would not overrun oil-rich Persian Gulf states; Powell denies account; Saudi Arabia played key role in urging US to help Iraq; military informants say Lt Col Rick Francona toured Fao Peninsula after it was retaken by Iraq in early 1988 and reported that Iraq had used chemical weapons to win; map (M)

Throngs of young people dressed in retro clothing, who usually cruise thrift shops of Lower East Side and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on bikes and motorscooters, are converging on nearly vacant streets of Manhattan's financial district after dark; photos (M)

Gretchen Morgenson Market Watch column deplores whining resignation of former Salomon Smith Barney star telecommunications stock analyst Jack B Grubman; holds his former colleagues at Salomon's investment banking group deserve equal scorn; graph of Nasdaq telecom index (M)

Gilsey House, co-op building at Broadway and 29th Street that was built in 1871, is undergoing $1.5 million, 18-month renovation that includes $200,000 paint job; photo (M)

Talking Money With column interview with television talk show host Bill O'Reilly on his investment strategy and career; photos (M)

Article on Diana Brooks, former chief executive of Sotheby's who testified against former chairman A Alfred Taubman in commission-fixing case and is serving six-month home detention sentence at her co-op apartment on East 79th Street; speculation is raised about whether Brooks is receiving privileged treatment; photo; drawing (M)

Stars of NBC series Friends, with sitcom nearing its end, are pinning their futures on movies; Jennifer Aniston seems to have one of best shots at crossing over permanently; projects of co-stars Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc discussed; photos (M)