August 16, 1969

The city said last night that it would file a suit in State Supreme Court on Monday challenging rate increases granted to Blue Cross Thursday by the State Insurance Department.

Nixon Adm sources disclose that secret contingency plan drawn up with Thailand in '65 contains provisions for using Amer troops to help Thai Army oppose Communist forces in Laos before any such troops cross Thai borders; reveal that if plan were put into operation some Amer troops would be placed, at least nominally, under Thai command; State Dept stresses that contingency plan cannot be carried out without approval of Amer Pres but indicates such action would not require advance Cong approval; Adm sources rept plan gives over-all command of allied forces to Thanom Kittikachorn and would have placed Lt Gen Stilwell in command of ground forces

Trainload of phosgene gas, on way to Lockport, NY, from Army's Rocky Mt Arsenal, is barred from traveling through Canada by customs officials in Windsor; rerouted through Ind and Ohio; carrier B&O cancels plans to halt train at ordnance depot in northern Ohio after Army officials there say they would refuse shipment; Defense Dept declines comment on Canadian move; Repr McCarthy charges Transportation Dept withdrew some safety requirements in permitting shipment

joint US-Australian probe places primary blame for collision on Evans but finds Melbourne might have taken more positive action in signals sent to Evans, USN announcement; notes inherent accountability and absolute responsibility for Evans rested with McLemore, despite his absence during maneuvers immediately before impact; finds no significant deficiency in design and outfitting of Evans; makes safety recommendations; praises actions of officers and enlisted men of both ships in carrying out rescue work and commends Rear Adm Crabb's search measures; Australian Navy announces Stevenson will face open ct-martial; USN repts status of McLemore, Ramsey and Hopson remains undetermined

FCC asks meeting with nation's telephone cos to discuss interstate service; says request is result of increasing complaints sbout service in NYC, Fla and elsewhere, lr from FCC Common Carrier Bur chief B Strassburg; AT&T agrees to meeting