Washington Insight

THE PIPER STAYS HOME: Atty. Gen. William P. Barr, who joined the Cabinet last year vowing he would take time off this summer to compete in the world bagpipe championship, has quietly shelved the plans. . . . After 2 1/2 months on the job, Barr is convinced he doesn’t have the time needed to play with the Denny & Dunipace Band, a group that plans to compete for the world title. One main reason: Practice time comes to six hours a week. Barr, who plays tapes of pipe music in his office, regards playing as his favorite form of relaxation. . . . Another factor in dropping out of the world competition: The championships may be held in terrorist-prone Northern Ireland, and Barr would be a potential target.