Julie Nixon Eisenhower

Mr. Howser roamed the highways of the Golden State as the host of “California’s Gold,” perhaps the most popular public television show in the state.

Television highlights.

Barack Obama receives an unlikely endorsement from Ken Adelman, a conservative hawk.

Focus on fierce battle between Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower over control of $19 million bequest for Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace Foundation from Bebe Rebozo, close friend of late father; two lawsuits over money are latest product of split in Nixon family that has forced foundation that runs library to struggle on without money officials say they sorely need; library, most bitterly fought-over institution in presidential library system, is preoccupied with incessant need to raise money since it is only one not operated by federal government; photos (M)

Long-simmering battle between Richard Nixon's daughters bursts into open with filing of two lawsuits over control of $19 million left to Nixon presidential library by his friend Bebe Rebozo; Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower have not spoken for several years, and library is struggling without bequest; Eisenhower supports staff's wish to have power over key decisions shifted from family to large board of directors; Cox wants library to get money but only under Rebozo's clear terms of control by two sisters and Robert Abplanalp; photos (M)

Foamex International names Julie Nixon Eisenhower to its board (S)

Being a debutante is seen regaining its popularity once again for some young women; in contrast to excess spending of 1980's, when debutantes were 'overdone' with lavish dresses and huge diamonds around their necks, this time the entry is more subtle, the gowns simpler; some say it is tied to economy, others say it is a yearning for a romantic period, as end of century approaches, and still others see return of cotillion as quest for civility; photos (M)

Letter from Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower disputes October 23 letter from secretary of Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom which accused columnist William Safire of being bigoted for criticizing center's decision to honor Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore (S)

LEAD: ACROSS, by Peter Handke. Translated by Ralph Manheim. (Collier/Macmillan, $6.95.) The Austrian writer Peter Handke uses fiction to explore the ways in which we can escape from the labyrinths of language into subjective realms. His novel about Andreas Loser, an archeologist who literally gets away with murder, is ''one of the most arresting and expansive'' of his books, Lawrence Graver said in The Book Review last year.

It may not be unprecedented for both husband and wife to have books on the best-seller list simultaneously, but tomorrow a couple who live in Berwyn, Pa., will find themselves in that enviable position. They are Julie Nixon Eisenhower, the daughter of the 37th President, and David Eisenhower, the grandson of the 34th President. Her biography of her mother, ''Pat Nixon: The Untold Story'' (Simon & Schuster), has been a best seller for four weeks and tomorrow will be No. 9 on The New York Times nonfiction list. Mr. Eisenhower's biography of his grandfather, ''Eisenhower at War: 1943-1945'' (Random House), will be No. 15 on the same list. Mr. Eisenhower's book - the first of three volumes - was on the list briefly in October. Its return may have been helped by the author's appearances with his wife (whose book was published two months after his) on the Phil Donohue show and at several book signings. Among these was one at Macy's in Manhattan and another at the Lyndon B. Johnson Library in Austin, Tex., to which they were invited by Lady Bird Johnson.