Lyons Delays Judgment on Worthy Case

Louis M. Lyons, Curator of the Nieman Fellowships, said last night he would have to adopt a "wait and see" attitude regarding the status of William Worthy Jr., Nieman fellow presently in Budapest.

Worthy is one of three American newsmen who defied a State Department ban to visit Red China. He has since been to Moscow and Budapest.

The doubt as to Worthy's status came as a result of various broadcasts and articles he has made and written during his absence. Lyons explained that there is a ruling, chiefly intended to protect newsmen against exploitation by their papers, which forbids excessive writings by the Niemans.

"But we've never tried to prevent them from doing occasional articles," he said. "Anything Worthy has done so far we have known about and have not objected to. His action may have been ill-advised with regard to his relations with the government, but we will have to suspend judgement on his fellowship until he returns and makes his position clear."

Meanwhile, in Budapest yesterday, Worthy said he may ask the State Department for an open formal hearing in Hungary on a directive that he must return to the United States. He also said he is going to consult with the American Civil Liberties Union, which has promised to make a test case of State Department passport restrictions against travel by American correspondents in Communist China.

He is expected back in this country early next week.