ONE of the most important attributes of a TIME cover story is its staying power. It should have validity and vitality not only in the week that it appears but also in the light of the events of succeeding days and weeks and months, giving TIME'S readers a greater understanding and appreciation of the news as it occurs. Two immediate examples are the cover stories of the past two issues.

The March 23 cover story, on the problems and progress of the great cities, pointed out a serious situation that is plaguing many a big-city mayor: modern cities often bear the major burden of state financing, though many state legislatures are dominated by rural minorities. Last week that problem became hot news as the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision giving federal courts the power to restore a proper balance to lopsided legislatures, and assure the cities of an adequate share of state taxes. For this new chapter in the continuing story, see THE NATION, The Supreme Court.

As crisis and coup in Argentina occupied headlines around the world last week, TIME'S readers had at hand the March 30 cover story on that country's Arturo Frondizi, explaining and analyzing the issues at stake. In charge of TIME'S on-the-spot coverage during these weeks of trouble in Argentina were Veteran Buenos Aires Bureau Chief Piero Saporiti, 60, and Rio de Janeiro Bureau Chief John Blashill, 33. Stationed in Buenos Aires since before Frondizi was elected four years ago, Saporiti held good cards when the game got rough. He went to the Casa Rosada, Argentina's White House, where scores of newsmen were clamoring to see the embattled president. Saporiti was let in a side door, ushered into a small salon next to Frondizi's office. Frondizi walked in, greeted his old friend, made him swear that he would not tell any other newsman he had been there. Then Frondizi changed his mind: "On second thought," he said, "you can tell anyone you want to. Nobody will believe you."

Next night, Saporiti dropped in at the presidential residence in suburban Olivos, spent an hour and a half with Mrs. Frondizi. Speaking Italian (the language used at home by her Italian-descended family), they spoke of many things, from the impact of various Argentine politicians on her husband to a recipe for pasticcio di maccheroni (both agreed it is one of the finest dishes in North Italian cuisine). Bias-hill, who has covered newsbeats from Panmunjom to Madrid, followed the trail of other leading characters in the drama, at one point found himself telephoning a militant Peronist from the office of a militant anti-Peronist.

Covering Frondizi's final hours of determined battle against the military last week, TIME'S team in Argentina and New York found their story of explosive events flowing naturally from the definitive study of the situation that they had produced the week before. For the result, see THE HEMISPHERE. By Right of Might.

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