Daily News from New York, New York • 11

If fiafe Sanit Dep't buys more Jimmy's still bugged laraing if tine 2-man trucks by the Pos By BOB HERBERT City Hail Bureau Chief The Sanitation Department has purchased 247 new side-loading trucks that will enable it to expand its two-man crews into the Bronx and Brooklyn by next spring, Commissioner Norman Steisel reported yesterday. In addition, the city is reportedly near an agreement with the sani-tationmen's union that will permit the use of two-man crews on some of its old rear-loading vehicles. The side loaders are operated by two men, while the older vehicles traditionally have been operated by three men. THE CITY has been trying to achieve productivity savings by shifting from three-man to two-man crews wherever possible. A department spokesman said that the new purchases will bring the city's side-loader fleet to 500 and that, by spring, two-man crews will cover about 40 of sanitation runs.

Side loaders have been in operation since the end of 1980 in Staten Island and in four districts in The city, on the other hand, has been criticized repeatedly for its operation of the three zoos. "I don't really know any (zoos) that are much worse," said William Conway, director of the zoological society. The agreement calls for the society to take over the operations of the zoos after a major capital improvement program is completed. About $21 million has been budgeted for that program. Conway said plans for the zoos include: Turning the Prospect Park Zoo into "what we think could be the world's greatest children's zoo." Strengthening the theme of the Flushing Meadow Park zoo North American animals by sprucing up the site.

The zoo's aviary, open only a few weeks since it Was constructed in the 1960s, will be permanently open, and there are tentative plans to construct an indoor facility to exhibit smaller animals. Using the topography at the Central Park Zoo to construct animal habitat exhibits, including a tropical area with monkeys and wild animals, an "intelligence garden" with such species as red pandas, otters and snow monkeys in garden-like habitats and a polar area with an extensive penguin collection, upgraded aquarium and improved sea lion pool. By MARY ANN GIORDANO A plan that is expected to bring a second life to the city's three long-neglected zoos and turn the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn into "the world's greatest children's zoo" was given a major boost when the New York Zoological Society formally agreed to take over the zoos' management. The agreement, reached by Parks Department officials and the zoological society after three years of negotiations, includes plans for a major rehabilitation and operations overhaul at the three seriously deteriorated facilities. The Board of Estimate is expected to approve the pact next Thursday.

The schedule calls for a two-year renovation schedule for each zoo, which may force the zoos to close at times. The Central Park Zoo is scheduled to open in late 1984, with the operation date for the Prospect Park and Flushing Meadows (Queens) zoos set for the summer of 1985. THE-NEW YORK. Zoological Society, keeper of the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium in Coney Island, long' has been considered the key to revitalizing the three zoos now run by the city the Central Park Zoo, the Flushing Meadows Park Zoo and the Prospect Park Zoo. Washington (AP) The Washington Post said in an editorial yesterdaythat a rumor it published about electronic eavesdropping on Ronald and Nancy Reagan in Washington when Jimmy Carter was still President was "utterly impossible to believe." But Carter's attorney said the editorial had not dissuaded Carter from considering libel action against the newspaper.

"We weren't there," the Post editorial said. "But everything we know about the presidency of Jimmy Carter suggests otherwise, that it was false." Carter's former press secretary, Jody Powell, said, "This (editorial) says to me that 'we didn't believe it was true when we published it, that we don't believe it now, but we defend our right to publish The Post's chatty "Ear" column reported on Oct. 5 that there was "a hot new twist" to the story that Nancy Reagan wanted Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter to move out of the White House early so Mrs. Reagan could start redecorating. "They're saying," Ear reported, "that Blair House where Nancy was lodging was bugged.

And at least one tattler in the Carter tribe has described listening in to the tape itself." Blair House, which is across the street from the White House, is the official government residence for VIPs. Queens. Steisel told a meeting of the City Council's Committee on Environ ment yesterday that the program has been a and will be extended into the Bronx, Brooklyn and additional parts of Queens as the new tru cks are delivered. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Daily, 9:30 5:30 4:30 'SUNDAYS, 11 4:30 Men Lavish Cr K'blv at Sheepskin cl cT'Aqn "Bomber" AihX 1hH Jacket J0M Versatile classic corduroy blazer! Success dressing the blazer jacket! Fashion's versatile look for unlimited ways Off I Al Double wl 'y back vents fUf to build a wardrobe! Flap pockets, button trim. Fully lined cotton corduroy.

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