HARCOURT BRACE <HBJ> SETS HARPER <HPR> DEADLINE Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Inc said it has told Harper and Row Publishers Inc representatives that it intends to withdraw its proposal to acquire Harper and Row for 50 dlrs per share in cash if the parties have not made satisfactory progress in discussions by the close of business on March 30. Harcourt Brace said, "We do not wish to put undue pressure on Harper and Row, but we also, in fairness to our own shareholders, cannot allow an offer of such magnitude to lie on the table too long." Harcourt said three of its senior officers and its investment bankers met yesterday with investment bankers for Harper and Row to discuss the Harcourt Brace offer. Harcourt Brace said it will only pursue the acquisition if a mutually-satisfactory merger agreement can be negotiated. Last week, a group formed by Theodore Cross offered to acquire Harper and Row for 34 dlrs per share. The group held about six pct of Harper and Row. In addition, New World Pictures Ltd <NWP>, holder of 4.5 pct of Harper and Row, had offered to discuss a merger with Harper and Row.