March 19, 1959

Defense Dept debate over maintaining secrecy and Times decision to reveal project after withholding pub voluntarily for over 6 mos discussed; Times knew of projects wks before it took place, decided to pub after scientists at Calif U Radiation Lab reptdly voted 17-5 in favor of pub and some key Pentagon aides backed ltd publicity; IGY rule that US pub Explorer IV data by Sept noted

McElroy, in secret testimony, disclosed to have 'clarified' Eisenhower statement that ground war could not be fought; reptdly gave assurances that firm stand had mil backing

H W Baldwin repts autumn '58 Project Argus high-alt nuclear explosions have great potential significance in development of anti-missile defense and protection of early warning system; some experts believe Argus shows radar would not be blanked out or disturbed by enemy-created nucleonic interference; others uncertain; some hope Argus will show that neutrons released by exploding nuclear warhead of intercepting missile can detonate warhead of enemy ICBM without actual physical contact; others hold enemy could shield warhead against excessive radiation

Repub Legis leaders conf with Gov Rockefeller on bill

Eisenhower signs Hawaii bill; sends certification to Gov Quinn

Prof Cullman repts discovery of ancient document titled 'Gospel of Thomas' confining 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, many previously unknown, lecture, NYC; likens importance to Dead Sea Scrolls; document 1 of several Coptic mss discovered in '46 in Egypt, most of which are in Coptic Museum, Cairo; Cullman sees it furthering understanding of canonic Gospels; says it is not true Gospel because there is no narrative; cites some hitherto unknown sayings

Illus

Gen Lemnitzer nominated to succeed Gen Taylor as C/S

Macmillan assured of Canadian support on aims, confs with Diefenbaker in Ottawa

his theory was classified when presented in Jan '58 but given added weight with discovery of Van Allen radiation belts by Explorer satellites which suggested stabilized version of Christofilos effect

Estimate Bd confs; Real Estate Bd wires Rockefeller to protest transfer tax

Eisenhower calls Chicago case decision ridiculous; asks Atty Gen Rogers to see what action can be taken to exempt news programs from equal-time sec