NATION IN BRIEF : ILLINOIS : Mayors Split Over How to Lobby for Aid

America’s mayors ended their annual meeting in Chicago, united in a rhetorical assault on Congress and the White House but divided somewhat over the best way to lobby for federal support. The new president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Republican Robert Isaac of Colorado Springs, Colo., spoke in a conciliatory tone in offering cooperation between the mayors and the White House. But several Democratic mayors, led by conference Vice President Raymond L. Flynn of Boston, said that, unless President Bush offers significant help to cities soon, it is no time to duck a confrontation. The mayors endorsed policy statements calling on the federal government to make major new investments in city housing, education and anti-drug and other programs.