Ex-hostages plan to press Iranian-US damage suit

Thirteen former American hostages vowed to appeal the dismissal of their $5 million federal suit against the governments of Iran and the United States, saying $12.50 a day is not enough compensation for their 444-day ordeal.

US District Court Judge William Gray dismissed the suit Monday, ruling that President Carter was within his executive authority when he reached agreement in January with Iran to free the hostages.

The hostages contended the $12.50 a day they received from the government was not sufficient and their action challenged Mr. Carter's executive agreement.

''The agreement was within (Carter's) executive authority,'' the judge said. ''It may not have been wise, but he wanted to get them (the hostages) home."