THE CRIME BILL . . . ANOTHER PROCEDURAL GRIDLOCK

The G.O.P. claims it has enough votes to stall the crime bill in a procedural vote in the Senate. Minority leader Bob Dole released a letter to President Clinton signed by 40 Senators warning they would use a "point of order" motion on the bill unless their concerns were addressed. G.O.P. Senators say they want the fat trimmed from the bill. However, acquiescing to the G.O.P. would create other serious problems: If the bill is changed, it would have to go back to the House for a vote -- a prospect that is likely to either derail it or delay it significantly, observers say.