Inside Report (5)

May 1, 1981

The teamsters union may have a new president by summertime. The likely choice: Roy L. Williams of Kansas City, chairman of the Central Conference of Teamsters and holder of strong authority over teamster pension funds, whose assets excede $2 billion.

Frank Fitzsimmons, successor to Jimmy Hoffa as head of the 2.3 million-member union since 1971, is -- according to persistent reports -- likely to retire rather than seek reelection next month. He is said to ailing and has missed a number of union executive board meetings recently.

Fitzsimmons announced in 1977 that he intended to run again this year. If so , Williams will defer to him; an open challenge would produce serious disharmony in the huge union .m