For the Record

■ Larry O’Brien’s turn-about decision to take the chairmanship of the Democratic Party is regarded as slap at Hubert Humphrey (who hadn’t been able, on his own, to persuade O’Brien to take the job), and indicates further erosion of HHH’s power within the party at time when no one else is coming up very fast. . . . Could be reason, say some, why Eugene McCarthy in surprise London TV interview indicated he might be interested in running for President in 1972 after all, providing the Democratic Party had “been reformed” by then. McCarthy, being McCarthy, gave no further prescription. . . . Illinois conservatives, at first lukewarm at appointment of Ralph Smith to replace Everett Dirksen in the Senate, are better pleased with him now. Smith, after some hesitation, voted for Clement Haynsworth, and has now come out in support of Judge Julius Hoffman and of the heavy contempt sentences Hoffman imposed on the Chicago Seven and their lawyers.

■ That Nelson Rockefeller still wields considerable political clout was indicated last week when John Marchi (who ran as a Republican against John Lindsay last fall) took himself out of the GOP senatorial primary contest. . . . Not discouraged, a group of conservative Republicans in the Glen Cove area who have organized their own “Republicans against Goodell” committee. Group is headed by Frank Russo, Norman Sorenson (11 Prospect Avenue, Glen Cove, N.Y.). . . . Not at all pleased by all accounts, Goodell himself at his introduction at a Long Island political do by Leonard Hall. Goodell, said Hall, is “greatest switch hitter since Christine Jorgenson.”

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Presidential Election

■ Larry O’Brien’s turn-about decision to take the chairmanship of the Democratic Party is regarded as slap at Hubert Humphrey (who hadn’t been able, on his own, to persuade O’Brien to take the job), and indicates further erosion of HHH’s power within the party at time when no one else is coming up very fast. . . . Could be reason, say some, why Eugene McCarthy in surprise London TV interview indicated he might be interested in running for President in 1972 after all, providing the Democratic Party had “been reformed” by then. McCarthy, being McCarthy, gave no further prescription. . . . Illinois conservatives, at first lukewarm at appointment of Ralph Smith to replace Everett Dirksen in the Senate, are better pleased with him now. Smith, after some hesitation, voted for Clement Haynsworth, and has now come out in support of Judge Julius Hoffman and of the heavy contempt sentences Hoffman imposed on the Chicago Seven and their lawyers.

■ That Nelson Rockefeller still wields considerable political clout was indicated last week when John Marchi (who ran as a Republican against John Lindsay last fall) took himself out of the GOP senatorial primary contest. . . . Not discouraged, a group of conservative Republicans in the Glen Cove area who have organized their own “Republicans against Goodell” committee. Group is headed by Frank Russo, Norman Sorenson (11 Prospect Avenue, Glen Cove, N.Y.). . . . Not at all pleased by all accounts, Goodell himself at his introduction at a Long Island political do by Leonard Hall. Goodell, said Hall, is “greatest switch hitter since Christine Jorgenson.”