November 6, 1969

The Transport Workers Union yesterday began its biennial contract negotiations, which could become one of the most critical and immediate problems that Mayor Lindsay has to face in the weeks following his re-election.

Nguyen Cao Ky says S Vietnam intends to take over war at pace that will permit withdrawal of all Amer combat troops by end of '70 and support troops possibly a yr later; says US would not have had to commit as many troops as it did if it had agreed 3 or 4 yrs ago to build up and equip S Vietnamese Army; says S Vietnamese troops are now in better position to relieve Amer troops; Nguyen Van Thieu says next major withdrawal of Amer troops will take place fairly soon, but not in immediate future; says number of troops to be withdrawn will depend on intensity of war and ability of S Vietnamese forces to take over defense of S Vietnam

Election results from large and small cities indicate sharp decline in stability of pol parties, further polarization of voters along racial and econ lines and increasing sophistication of Negro vote; returns seen indicating mounting troubles for Dem party in that party is apparently losing grip on central met areas at same time as it is losing suburban vote

Justice Dept, at request of Appeals Ct for advice from parties connected with integration controversy, asks that 33 school dists be given opportunity to formulate their own desegregation plans but does not suggest target date leaving decision to ct; request is 1st formal move by Adm since US Sup Ct decision and indicates Adm will play passive role in desegregation pace; NAACP Legal Defense and Educ Fund files desegregation plan asking ct to order merger of white and Negro schools 'at once,' process fund says should take no longer than 8 days