UAW chief says Mondale ahead for '84 nomination

United Automobile Workers president Douglas A. Fraser said Tuesday a better relationship with party regulars gives former Vice-President Walter F. Mondale an edge over Sen. Edward M. Kennedy for the 1984 Democratic presidential nod.

Mr. Fraser, speaking as he prepared for this weekend's Democratic Party midterm convention in Philadelphia, refused to say which candidate he preferred, saying one of them is likely to receive the UAW endorsement despite handicaps. He said Mr. Mondale's handicap is his association with former President Jimmy Carter. He said the 1969 Chappaquiddick accident continues to be the Senator Kennedy's principal handicap.