The Fulton County Grand Jury said Friday an investigation of Atlanta's recent primary election produced " no evidence " that any irregularities took place . 

The jury further said in term-end presentments that the City Executive Committee , which had over-all charge of the election , " deserves the praise and thanks of the City of Atlanta " for the manner in which the election was conducted . 

The September-October term jury had been charged by Fulton Superior Court Judge Durwood Pye to investigate reports of possible " irregularities " in the hard-fought primary which was won by Mayor-nominate Ivan Allen Jr& . 

" Only a relative handful of such reports was received " , the jury said , " considering the widespread interest in the election , the number of voters and the size of this city " . 

The jury said it did find that many of Georgia's registration and election laws " are outmoded or inadequate and often ambiguous " . 

It recommended that Fulton legislators act " to have these laws studied and revised to the end of modernizing and improving them " . 

The grand jury commented on a number of other topics , among them the Atlanta and Fulton County purchasing departments which it said " are well operated and follow generally accepted practices which inure to the best interest of both governments " . 

#MERGER PROPOSED# However , the jury said it believes " these two offices should be combined to achieve greater efficiency and reduce the cost of administration " . 

The City Purchasing Department , the jury said , " is lacking in experienced clerical personnel as a result of city personnel policies " . 

It urged that the city " take steps to remedy " this problem . 

Implementation of Georgia's automobile title law was also recommended by the outgoing jury . 

It urged that the next Legislature " provide enabling funds and re-set the effective date so that an orderly implementation of the law may be effected " . 

The grand jury took a swipe at the State Welfare Department's handling of federal funds granted for child welfare services in foster homes . 

" This is one of the major items in the Fulton County general assistance program " , the jury said , but the State Welfare Department " has seen fit to distribute these funds through the welfare departments of all the counties in the state with the exception of Fulton County , which receives none of this money . 

The jurors said they realize " a proportionate distribution of these funds might disable this program in our less populous counties " . 

Nevertheless , " we feel that in the future Fulton County should receive some portion of these available funds " , the jurors said . 

" Failure to do this will continue to place a disproportionate burden " on Fulton taxpayers . 

The jury also commented on the Fulton ordinary's court which has been under fire for its practices in the appointment of appraisers , guardians and administrators and the awarding of fees and compensation . 

#WARDS PROTECTED# The jury said it found the court " has incorporated into its operating procedures the recommendations " of two previous grand juries , the Atlanta Bar Association and an interim citizens committee . 

" These actions should serve to protect in fact and in effect the court's wards from undue costs and its appointed and elected servants from unmeritorious criticisms " , the jury said . 

Regarding Atlanta's new multi-million-dollar airport , the jury recommended " that when the new management takes charge Jan& 1 the airport be operated in a manner that will eliminate political influences " . 

The jury did not elaborate , but it added that " there should be periodic surveillance of the pricing practices of the concessionaires for the purpose of keeping the prices reasonable " . 

#ASK JAIL DEPUTIES# On other matters , the jury recommended that : _ ( 1 ) _ Four additional deputies be employed at the Fulton County Jail and " a doctor , medical intern or extern be employed for night and weekend duty at the jail " . 

_ ( 2 ) _ Fulton legislators " work with city officials to pass enabling legislation that will permit the establishment of a fair and equitable " pension plan for city employes . 

The jury praised the administration and operation of the Atlanta Police Department , the Fulton Tax Commissioner's Office , the Bellwood and Alpharetta prison farms , Grady Hospital and the Fulton Health Department . 

Mayor William B& Hartsfield filed suit for divorce from his wife , Pearl Williams Hartsfield , in Fulton Superior Court Friday . 

His petition charged mental cruelty . 

The couple was married Aug& 2 , 1913 . 

They have a son , William Berry Jr& , and a daughter , Mrs& J& M& Cheshire of Griffin . 

Attorneys for the mayor said that an amicable property settlement has been agreed upon . 

The petition listed the mayor's occupation as " attorney " and his age as 71 .