Church Leaning Toward Running forPresi dent, Rapoport, but they are still By Jules Witcover campaign, as well as those of campaign manager, Jim operating under'an injunction other Democratic candidates Hightower, reported that and David S. Broder from the senator that no without high-powered direct- Harris had actually met the Washington Post Staff Writers formal fund-raising or mail fund-raising operations. requirement in 22 states, with • Sen. Frank Church of Idaho organizational activities can The FEC reported it will an average contribution of has told political backers he is begin while his heavily rescind its Sept. 9 ,ruling that $24.4OHe has raised a total of leaning toward joining 10 televised investigation, is still the actual cost of fund-raising $205,000,. of which about others already in the s under way. events was not subject to $175,000 is eligible for mat- Democratic presidential race. Church said the delay in his federal subsidy. The use of net ching funds under the new A number of sources said start would "make it im- contributions in figuring FEC ruling, another aide, yesterday that Church has possible for me to run in the qualification for federal Frank Greer, said later. signaled his willingness to early primaries." Eight an- matching money had made Harris, the self-styled enter the crowded field after nounced candidates plus Sen. achievement of eligibility the investigation of in- Birch Bayh of Indiana and "people's candidate" who has more difficult for some been waging a low-budget, telligence agencies by a Gov. George C. Wallace ,of candidates and would have Senate committee which he Alabama, who have still to live-off-the-land campaign in reduced sums of federal aid which he has been fed and heads, winds up its hearings make their formal available to them in the pre- within the next two months. declarations, will test their boarded by his supporters, has convention period. done little fund-raising outside Church said yesterday, "It strength in those early races One of those candidates would be untruthful to pretend in such states as New Ham- his own circle of supporters. whose qualification was Instead, he has concentrated that I'm uninterested, but pshire, Massachusetts, slowed by the Sept. 9 ruling, there's no way for fne to make Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin on building a grass-roots former Sen. Fred R. Harris of organization of activist a decision now." His press and New York. Church Oklahoma, announced secretary, Bill Hal1,1 told a backers think itdoubtful that campaign workers who have yesterday before disclosure of also given him money. reporter, "It's about 80 per anyone will emerge as a clear the new FEC ruling that he cent certain he'll go." winner. had nevertheless qualified by Harris' eligibility for The strong understanding The indications of Church's raising the required $5,000 in federal matching funds also that Church will run has also decision came as the Federal each of 20 states in amounts of qualifies him for Secret been ...communicated to such Election Commission made a $250 or less. Service protection, but he said financial backers as Teias ruling that should help his In a Capitol Hill press yesterday, "I will not seek it insuranceman Bernard relatively late-starting conference, Harris and his at this time."