News In Brief

Reagan takes compromise to avert a defeat on MX

President Reagan, facing up to the possibility of a crushing setback to the MX missile program, abandoned his drive Wednesday for full funding and has accepted a compromise that would provide for production of only 15 new missiles, House Republican leader Robert H. Michel said.

The House was to vote on MX funding Wednesday amid Democratic predictions that opponents have enough support to strip all production money from a $285.7 billion defense authorization bill. Mr. Reagan had been seeking funds for 40 missiles.