TOP EXECUTIVE SALARIES averaged $87,000 last year, reports National " Industrial Conference Board after survey of 899 companies in 27 industries. Highest payers: rubber companies, whose chief executive officers got average $140,000 annually. Lowest: construction companies, whose No. 1 men averaged only $56,000 annually.

NEW CREDIT CARD is being pushed by American Hotel Association to combat other pay-later systems, notably the 300,000-member Diners' Club, which charges hotels and restaurants 7 % of the user's bill. Association's "Universal Trav-elcard" costs the same as Diners' Club membership ($5 a year), is recognized by 6,000 of U.S. hotels, the major car-rental chains and some theaters for charging bills, cashing personal checks.

ATOM-POWER FIGHT, starring public-v. private-power champions, will have a showdown at AEC public hearings next month. Argument will center on safety of "fast-breeder" reactor plant being built by Detroit Edison-led private combine near Monroe, Mich. Public-power proponents want AEC to halt "unsafe" Monroe project, favor government development of "fast breeder," which is reactor type with most economic promise.

OCEAN FREIGHT RATES to Europe are being pushed up for second time in twelve months by brisk shipping demand. On Feb. 1 rates will rise 10% on scheduled liners plying between U.S. and West Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, French Atlantic coast.

MEXICAN NATURAL GAS will be imported into U.S. for first time. Federal Power Commission gave final approval to 20-year deal between Mexico's Pemex oil and gas agency and Texas Eastern Transmission Corp. to import some 200 million cu. ft. daily for Eastern customers. Texas Eastern will spend $83 million on a program which includes a 30-in. pipeline running 422 miles from Mexican border at McAllen, Texas, to Beaumont.

APPLIANCE DEALERS' complaints of unfair competition from homebuilders will be investigated by Federal Trade Commission. Dealers told FTC some builders are selling appliances at cut rates to stores. Builders get appliances direct from manufacturers, below wholesale cost, ostensibly for installation in new homes.

CIRCUS DEAL is brewing between John Ringling North and Sports Promoter Bill Veeck, onetime owner of St. Louis Browns, who wants to keep big top operating by buying North's Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey. Veeck's group reportedly offered $2,500,000 for performers, tents and animals, but North wants more.

G.M.-GREYHOUND FEUD is being patched up out of court. Greyhound gets a settlement for dropping its threat to sue automaker on charge that half the 1,000 double-deck G.M. Scenicruiser buses bought by Greyhound developed mechanical trouble. Greyhound is now ordering 500 single-level coaches from G.M. for $17 million, remains G.M.'s top civilian customer.

TIDELANDS DRILLING will be resumed after four-month stalemate between State of Louisiana and U.S. Government. Though battle over ownership of area more than three miles offshore must finally be settled by U.S. Supreme Court, Louisiana and Government have signed interim operating agreement so that oilmen can keep on drilling and exploring until court rules, probably some time next summer.

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