1. Home
  2. Research
  3. Almanac

June 20, 1972

Introduction

This almanac page for Tuesday, June 20, 1972, pulls together various records created by the federal government and links to additional resources which can provide context about the events of the day.

Previous Date: Monday, June 19, 1972

Next Date: Wednesday, June 21, 1972

Schedule and Public Documents

  • The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    The President's day began at The White House - Washington, D. C.

  • The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents made available transcripts of the President's news conferences; messages to Congress; public speeches, remarks, and statements; and other Presidential materials released by the White House.

    Digitized versions can be found at HathiTrust.

  • Each Public Papers of the Presidents volume contains the papers and speeches of the President of the United States that were issued by the White House Office of the Press Secretary during the time period specified by the volume. The material is presented in chronological order, and the dates shown in the headings are the dates of the documents or events. In instances when the release date differs from the date of the document itself, that fact is shown in the text note.

    To ensure accuracy, remarks have been checked against audio recordings (when available) and signed documents have been checked against the original, unless otherwise noted. Editors have provided text notes and cross references for purposes of identification or clarity.

  • The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other Presidential documents.

  • The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

Archival Holdings

  • Source: June 7-23, 1972 [1 of 5], box 35, White House Special Files: Staff Member and Office Files: President's Office Files: Annotated News Summaries

    NEWS SUMMARY
    June 20, 1972
    (Monday nets, wires, mags)

    The Major Stories of the Day:

    - Tass issues a sharp blast at US in VN, thus dampening speculation that "something is afoot." But in NBC lead, Clark MacGregor says there's an obvious connection to HAK and Podgorny trips. Other nets gave passing, routine mention to the diplomatic manuevers. All noted the most successful hits yet on NVN air defenses as 76 SAMs were wiped out and US planes again return to northern NVN following Podgorny's departure. ...Positive HK Smith commentary on RN's keeping his pledge to end the war without surrender.

    - ABC/CBS lead and a similar 4-5 minute No. 2 story on NBC as US air travel was barely affected by walkout but European and international travel comes to a virtual stalemate. McG on NBC film canceling his flight to upstate NY to show sympathy w/pilots.

    - 3-4 minutes on all nets on what Chancellor called "l of most fascinating and exotic stories ever out of DC." The GOP, said Chancellor, is "scandalized and fit to be tied." McG and Dole on all nets; O'Brien on 2 shows w/HHH and Muskie getting in their licks as well on CBS. Dems will file a court suit Tues.

    - McG only real candidate in NY on all nets w/Muskie making apparently weak effort in Buffalo and HHH urging voters to vote for any but McG delegates if they've doubts at all about the front-runner who HHH says could cause a Dem "disaster" unless his views moderate .... "CBS has learned" EMK's opening the door to VP is to help put McG over the top but he has absolutely no intention of following thru and taking the No. 2 slot.

    - Federal judge Hart has ruled the McG reform guidelines on race, age and sex are unconstitutional. Califano says it'll be a tragedy if not reversed.

    - The Court ruled unanimously that the Admin-claimed inherent powers to wiretap domestic radicals without court order are unconstitutional. The Admin. immediately ordered such surveillance terminated. ...By 5-3 the Court upheld baseball's reserve clause, thus failing to support the Flood-Goldberg argument and putting the burden on Congress to change the laws relating to a sport which the Court fully acknowledged was a business granted an antitrust exemption which is an "aberration", "exception and an anomaly."

    - Hurricane Agnes -- film only on CBS -- has been downgraded to tropical storm status as it moves inland after killing over 14 persons.

    - Time's cover on Polaroid's new small cameras leads noting how RN aides are shutter bugs. Also a banner on the cover: "What McG Would Mean to the Country." ...New Republic's cover takes a critical look at McG's tax programs. ...And a U.S. News feature gives some "close scrutiny" to McG's "oft-controversial ideas." ...Newsweek's cover features Chris Evert and women's tennis. ...Life's cover features Solyknitsyn -- "No Regime Loves Great Writers" -- w/an excerpt from his new book, August 1914. ...U.S. News has a color photo -- a real rarity for the mag -- of RN on the cover as it features its exclusive 10-page RN-authored article: "The Real Road to Peace." And Sidey also focuses on RN's foreign policy which has helped make this a particularly pleasant period for the Pres.

    INDOCHINA
    NBC's lead did note NVN wasn't as enthusiastic as Podgorny who called his Hanoi visit "successful" but overall, featuring MacGregor's remarks in New Orleans this net most prominently featured continuing peace rumbles while other nets noted Tass' hard line while also mentioning moves by HAK and Le Due Tho. MacGregor told NBC's Duke that he had no inside info but a reading of communiques after RN's summit would indicate current diplomatic travels aren't disconnected or happenstance. Knowing RN, MacGregor suspects this is part of an organized plan and we're hopeful of progress. He said the connection of HAK/Podgorny trips was obvious to all who look at the available facts.

    CBS/ABC noted SU demanded US stop military action against NVN ports, a return to Paris talks and pledged continued aid to Hanoi. ...UPI says Tass comments on Podgorny's trip appeared to take a "much tougher" line than the Sov. leader himself took in Calcutta. ...AP said Moscow comments "put a damper on anticipation of new peace moves by the Reds..."

    Chou said it was a mistake for him to sign the 1954 Geneva Convention on VN. "We were greatly taken in. That was the 1st time I participated in an internat'l conference." Chou was also reported as saying that he could have no sympathy for US POWs "who went to VN to make war."

    "Men in Motion's Something [Fascinating] Going On" is Time's lead w /photos of Connally, Podgorny and HAK. The latter's Tokyo visit is called "notably successful." The summits are cited here, as elsewhere, as having isolated Hanoi. ...Newsweek has a shorter, routine story on the "decided air of optimism" in DC as it says there may be greater reason than in other springs to expect movement on the peace front. ...U.S. News says US officials are hopeful on VN-NVN may now be ready for new, serious talks -- only if to escape massive destruction at home.

    The bombing has been immensely damaging, agrees Time but that doesn't mean they eroded NVN's willingness to fight on. The final returns must await the fall to see if NVN can mount another effort. Meanwhile Moscow and Peking aid has been reduced w/both those countries regarding the invasion as a costly mistake which gave the US a chance to unleash the bombers.

    Hanoi said US planes again bombed NVN's dikes, killing or wounding "many peasants harvesting rice and many children cutting grass for buffaloes near the dike."

    Russian lecturers say PRC, while refusing to unload Sov. cargo for NVN, did allow 4 Polish and E. German ships to unload such cargo. NBC noted PRC isn't allowing Soviets to use their harbors. ...U.S. News reports a USAF officer in SVN says NVN hasn't moved supplies South in about a month, because the monsoons began a month early, and nothing is moving now -- the Trail is a quagmire.

    Stennis said the NVA will have to retrench within 60-90 days. He long ago learned to discount "the many rosy reports" but has found "firm cause to believe" that the NVA could not sustain their offensive. RN's bombing and mining have weakened the Communists and SVN has shown "purpose, skill, determination and endurance" after initial setbacks.

    2 ARVN drives had hard going including a ranger drive on Highway 13 that £ell apart under NVA barrage. ...Thieu made good on his promise to hold An Loe at all costs, says Newsweek, but it was a "far from complete" victory for ARVN and the siege was a nightmare for the civilians. And the offensive isn't over, concludes Newsweek as it quotes a U.S. official: "The next enemy target may be Saigon."

    Time's featured World story tells of An Loc's shambles and pitiful devastation -- "a battering given to no other city in this war." It's important that the city held -- the credit goes to U.S. airpower and the AR VN defenders, not at all to the ARVN relief column, however. Still, the city is dead. "Perhaps the best that can be said is that it died bravely, and that -- in the year of Quang Tri's and Tan Canh's fall -- is no small achievement." ...Time also has a profile on the "swelling multitude of refugees" and the rough time before them.

    U.S. News has feature on a day of fighting in SVN delta. It was a good day, said AR VN officer and his US advisor -- "In one little corner of VN, the enemy had been pushed back a little...there was a little more progress toward security."...Life gives 2 pages to photos (widely played in papers) of screaming children running from misdirected napalm attacks, and of fatally burned infant.

    The VP said that if the idea is to be objective and report fairly both sides, "it seems to me that the...media...have failed in VN." VN reports have been "overwhelmingly lop sided" in NVN favor He noted anti-war journalists are reportedly succeeding in getting more and more members to stop using the word "enemy." The VP also noted an official of UPI said the word enemy "has been banned from its news accounts because 'we're reporting on what the two sides are doing, and neither is the enemy of UPI." The VP finds "it incredible that in a war in which thousands of Americans have died there is any difficulty in deciding who the enemy is."

    Newsweek's 2 page lead very critically tells of Lavelle's "chilling testimony" and another article positively profiles Seymour Hersh who broke the story in the Times. There's been no parallel since MacArthur "and in a sense the affair raised even more frightening questions than that scandal, for there was incontrovertible evidence Lavelle's superiors had made a concerted effort to cover up his offense." Even Abrams and McCain may have condoned the illegal air strikes. "And the evidence that Lavelle wasn't the only offender was a fresh blow to the military already badly battered by VN." And one US official said "as a symbol, [the affair] is frightening."...Beyond the "haunting possibility" that Lavelle's raids contributed breakdown of HAK's Nov. mission in Paris, Time says there 1s "yet a fresh puzzlement: how 1 man could get away w/such grave and potentially disastrous cowboyism for 4 months w/out his superiors in VN or DOD knowing it."

    US troop strength is at its lowest level in 7 years, but there are only 15 days to withdraw 11,000 troops to meet RN's June 30 deadline of 49,000. ...NBC noted the GI decline but, added Chancellor, there are 92,000 other Americans involved in VN who are stationed elsewhere in Asia. ...US News, noting shift of GI's to Thailand, said Admin sources predict another 15,000 will leave VN between July 1 and Aug. 31, which would be close to a "residual force of of 25,000 expected to stay until POWs are released. But, says mag, military sources say US forces are already near an irreducible minimum and RN could be hard-pressed to find enough GI's to pull out. Transfer of forces to Thailand now is acknowledge by officials to be unavoidable "numbers game."

    It's campaign promise time again, said HK Smith recalling an extravagant one made in '68 for which RN has often been scorned -- ending the war without surrender. It looks like the plan is working -- VNization and strong retaliation if the program was threatened. And the summits have defused worries that USSR or PRC might enter the conflict so RN's retaliations have not been all that endangering to US forces. NVN now faces prospect of a re-elected RN whose peace terms would then likely toughen and it faces a SVN increasingly ready and willing to defend itself. RN's plan has been expensive in terms of lives and money, conceded HKS, but it can't be denied that it exists and it is well-thought out.

    Col. Heinl's syndicated column says the outspoken, controversial Vann "was worth more to our side than 4 provinces with 2 divisions and an air wing thrown in. ...There'll never be a way to compensate him for the services he rendered his country." Heinl suggests Congress should try, tho, by giving him back his uniform -- with 2 stars and a Medal of Honor.

    US/USSR
    UPI (AP similar) leads: "Rogers told the Senate the SALT ... dramatically reduces the chances of nuclear war." ... He said that, in long run, US will save billions that might otherwise have been required for national ABM system.

    Rogers said if US slows its weapons development, negotiation of more arms accords would be "vastly more difficult." He said the accords and defense budget are both important to nat'l security. "We shouldn't undertake unliateral disarmament," he said, as he noted Soviet plans to move ahead.

    The Sec'y said unequivocally that the US has "taken the position that forward-based planes and missiles are not to be negotiated" in the next round of US/SU talks. Sen. McGee said European countries would be "thrown into turmoil" if the US negotiated such a withdrawal without demanding equivalent reductions by the SU.

    Fulbright said that to proceed with normal arms race "is out of keeping with the treaty." ... Only ABC covered the Rogers' testimony w/reporter Clark noting that JW was "belligerent" as he said he'd not support SALT if it were to be an excuse to step up other arms development. Rogers, on film, re: Russ plans to move ahead and unilateral disarmament. Fulbright responded that no one was calling for that.

    Symington asked how nat'economy, which is as important as nat'l security, could be maintained with extensive new weaponry. Rogers said: "We think the economy is viable. We think it'll continue to improve. And in the long run, there'll be savings of millions of dollars."

    "Rather than using the SALT agreements to reverse the momentum of the nuclear arms race, Admin. seems bent on channeling that momentum into directions not explicitly covered by the accords," says a New Republic pieces. Laird's statements seem to indicate we're entering a "new phase" of the arms race.

    A Human Events feature says RN failed to convince SALT skeptics that the accord "is not positively injurious to the US security interests." Teller is reported to be "extremely dubious" about SALT, and would like precautionary reservations attached. HE says Thurmond "has also revealed unhappiness" over the accord. HE also notes arms expert Donald Brennan wrote in National Review that SALT "guarantees...Sov. strategic superiority over US" (Cover story in Nat'l Review w /Iwo Jima photo showing a white flag being raised.) ...Another Human Events' article on SALT by anonymous Senate staffer who says that, despite public pronouncements, some Admin members privately "are prepared to concede that the terms reached in Moscow may place the free world in serious peril well before the close of the decade." Further, writer says that Soviets have an "inherent superiority" over US in the nuclear battle because of the nature of their society, their ideology, and preparations for nuclear war.

    Writing in Newsweek, Henry Wallich says that we don't have the know-how in either defense or social programs to tell us exactly how much spending is needed, so a wide margin of error and experimentation is needed. "As regards our defense posture," Wallich is "only mildly comforted by subtle calculations purporting to show that tho we're accepting a condition of inferiority in almost all strategic weapons, we're really quite safe." He's impressed by Russia's move to superiority and her high rate of spending on defense "while we've dropped our defense/GNP ratio to the lowest level since pre-Korea."

    NBC noted the 1st progress since summit in US-SU trade as SU and 2 US firms agreed to a $55M/contract to establish plants for the production of silverware and other table products.

    Newsweek has a 2-page feature on the underground protest group in Russia that has accused Soviet leaders of siphoning off the nation's wealth to support their own luxurious habits and pursuit of political adventurism abroad (for. aid) while ordinary Russians continue to endure shortages of consumer goods. The group -- "Citizens' Comm" -- called for strikes and unofficial demonstrations in this first-ever spotlighting by the dissidents of Soviet economic problems. Newsweek details the privileges of Russia's "New Class." And a shorter story tells of the latest reports on Lithuania, "seething w/unrest."

    OTHER FOREIGN AFFAIRS
    Time, w/the well-played photo of RN/Echeverria embrace, says the visit didn't start off that well but RN's pledge to curb the Colorado's pollution was "a positive result" to the Mexican's pleas. ...US News also has photo of RN and Echeverria, and story that notes Mex. President's frank remarks. And, RN's response was quick as he pledged prompt action to help Mex farmers get pure water.

    RN's visit stirred much US interest in visiting PRC, says US News but fact is that ordinary traveler will find his request turned down these days. PRC isn't ready yet for an influx of tourists -- the cultural revolution hasn't ended, hotels aren't ready, and there's a general shortage of tourist facilities. People-to-people contacts, thus, are likely to develop slowly concludes mag, despite the early expectations. US News says Suharto of Indonesia is reluctant to follow RN's lead in talking with PRC and SU. He feels differences between the 2 Red Powers are "faked."

    UN stix shows PRC's burgeoning economy registered an overall growth of 10% last year. It was the first time the UN published solid figures for PRC. By comparison, world output rose 4%, with developing countries averaging 5.4%. 6% was rise in Japan and the USSR and 2.7% in the US. China's rate was exceeded only by Romania, Brazil and Iran and tied by S. Korea.

    DOD's Rush said establishment of an official diplomatic relationship between the Germanies could clear the way for both countries to join the UN.

    Israel's foreign ministry termed "utterly groundless" reports that Rabin would be recalled prior to the US election, says Newsweek. ... A Newsweek page tells of the success of the W. Bank occupation -- the Palestinians are again planning for the future "and thanks to a far-sighted Israeli occupation policy, the once-restless region has achieved remarkable progress."

    DEFENSE
    The Senate, 41-36, supported Foreign Relations Comm. in its attempt to force Admin to submit military base accords with Portugal and Bahrain to Senate as treaties.

    Denying allegations by Cranston, the VA's Don Johnson said "VA progress in drug treatment in just the past year has been truly remarkable. VA accomplished a 6-fold increase in the number of special drug-treatment centers it operates." And he said there was a 300% increase over the number of veterans treated in '70. ...DOD will begin testing dependents of servicemen for drug use.

    In a move hailed by 2 freedom-of-information organizations, DOD has ordered the release of My Lai reports in response to the Daily Oklahoman's appeal.

    Labor said RN's program for finding jobs or job training for VN vets has passed the 1 million mark and will exceed its goal for the year.

    AP leads a dispatch: "DOD's top Civil Rights officer Don Miller said the racial situation among GIs in Germany had "vastly improved within the past year, but there is still cause for concern."...UPI leads its report: "new US Army race relations policies are good ones, but unit commanders must do something "pretty soon" to improve the way they are put into practice, Miller said.

    ADMINISTRATION
    UPI leads a Key Biscayne dispatch: "RN hasn't held a news conference since 3/24 despite repeated press requests and apparently none is scheduled soon." After noting John Ehrlichman's remarks (also noted in both Time and Newsweek), UPI says "WH reporters say they can think of many questions to ask RN who hasn't held a conference in 12 weeks." The story cites the mining, Moscow summit and Lavelle as incidents occurring since the last session. ... Hugh Scott has initiated steps to get RN nominated for Nobel Peace Price in recognition of his summits, says US News.

    NBC film from Rapid City's memorial service included brief shot of Mrs. Nixon and note that she was one of the 5,000 in attendance. Pastor didn't dwell on past but looked to future as he told how a sort of "sacred optimism" is turning the tragedy into triumph as people have been brought close together. (Wires note PN's praise of volunteers. ... Time has nearly a page on the amazing volunteer efforts in Rapid City where "new human bonds were forged in a time of great need. ...Something remarkable took place." Newsweek also emphasizes the overwhelming citizen response in an article which notes RN's designation of disaster area and PN's planned visit. The story concludes w/an OEP official's remark: "Never before has there been a town that picked itself up and got going again so quickly.")

    US News says the "crisis" that hurried RN's departure from Camp David recently was a form of hay-fever -- the pollen in the mountain air was getting to him. ... Time's lead note, "Hanky-Panky," also tells of the high pollen at CD and questions the WH effort to cover up the allergy. ... According to Newsweek, RN may attend the Munich Olympics this summer. (Both Newsweek and US News items were leads in their respective "Periscope" and "Wash. Whispers.")

    Newsweek says Ribicoff privately suspects RN would prefer to lose FAP this year -- thus placating the right and still having a campaign issue against the Cong. The same article observes that RN's push for SALT last week "showed just how persuasive a Pres. can be when he works at it."

    US News reports that Knauper, new antitrust chief, is a moderate who'll follow a "rule of reason" approach to mergers, says US News. Hill aides speak of his "intellectual rigor" and his "good credentials," and an antitrust expert said that businessmen are likely to find him sympathetic.

    ECONOMY
    UPI's Business Ed. leads a weekend feature: "US economy is heading for good times as it approaches the 2nd half of the year, according to bankers, corporation officials and economists, the men who should know. But blue collar workers, housewives, and some small businessmen are pessimistic," a UPI survey showed. Clausen, Pres of Bank of Am., said '72 and '73 should be "very good years" which will "set the stage for long-term economic advances without the runaway inflation that has plagued us for the last 6 years." Bache predicted D-J would hit record highs in 2nd half. But, says writer, "little people" were uneasy, worrying about unemployment and inflation, and especially food prices.

    Wriston, Chmn of 1st Nat'l Bank, said April-May trade deficits weren't conducive to "nat'l celebration." And UPI writer says "there's no overpowering reason for optimism" on inflation. A Boston bank exec said inflation must be "the 1st order of business for whoever is Pres in '73." Some execs worry about rise in populist sentiment that holds that business is bad per se and bigger businesses are worse.

    US News lead story emphasizes growing optimism about US economy -- "analysts believe the pace will keep up, even quicken in months ahead." And mag notes that rate of growth of civilian employment is higher than in previous recovery of 11 years ago, when it took about 3 times as long for employment to expand that much. Main concern is over inflation -- "Basically, no economist really wants an all-out boom, but many businessmen seem to feel "that something close to this is coming." US News also says business continues to grow impressively, in spite of fresh evidence of a tighter squeeze on profit margins.

    "Can Rising Food Prices Be Controlled?" asks a page in Newsweek which sees the up-til-now calmly operating Price Comm. heading for its "real baptism of fire" w/a long siege of high food prices on the horizon. But Grayson is in no hurry to change the rules of Phase 2 as he says a few more CPIs will have to be observed 1st.

    Prices closed lower in the slowest trading session -- 11.7M shares in more than a month on Wall St. UPI says "investors were not stirred by anything." Industrials were down.

    Treasury's Charls Walker indicated the Admin. has no immediate plans to introduce tax reform legislation. "We're still digesting the two very important pieces of tax legislation" of '69 and '71. He also said a tax increase was not inevitable if Congress passed the budget ceiling. ...Mills new tax proposal is a "shrewd move that brought him immense favorable publicity, left observers guessing, and committed him to nothing, says New Republic's lead edit, and "that's his loophole." It'd be a wry commentary on credibility of tax reformers if they accept Mills' word that after 30 years on the Comm, he needs more time to decide which reforms are needed.

    OTHER DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
    HEW/Labor estimated some 1.5M welfare recipients will sign up for work or job training over the next year under a new federal requirement effective July 1. 80% will be mothers....A UPI report leads: Raising the spectre that Soviet-style child rearing lies ahead for US children, Senate conservatives renewed their battle against the concept of massive government child care programs. "Why must we deprive the children of our country of the loving care of their parents?" demanded Bill Brock.

    Human Events p. 1 banner is: "Senate should Scrap Legal Services Corp". The proposed independent body is designed to be virtually free of Hill control and would be "substantially run" by designees of private legal service corps, and, says HE, "it's not hard to imagine that these private organizations, many of whose attorney members are sympathetic to the radical movement in this country, would end up controlling the majority of the votes on the board." Citing numerous instances of abuse in the program HE calls for tighter Hill control over legal services.

    Ribicoff recommended the Dem platform endorse metropolitan school desegregation and tax credits for parents whose children attend private schools....Fletcher Thompson called on GAO and House Gov't Op. Subcomm. to disclose the number of schools closed for desegregation purposes. He said HEW is concealing the info and that stix for 168-9 indicate cost to taxpayers of such closings was 1/3 of a billion dollars.

    A New Republic article on Higher Education Bill suggests "we ought to ask what the consequences of an overcredentialed society might be and whether we want a system that too infrequently identifies real skills and talents and too often labels as failures those who don't have some kind of credential." Gov't ought to encourage a wider range of post-high school opportunities and avoid pushing for a society w/liberal arts BA's for everyone.

    In a positive article on the far-reaching social and religious relaxation at Notre Dame in the last 15 years, Newsweek includes quotes from Hesburgh decrying VN policy and critical of RN's antibusing stand altho he said anti-busing northern libs were no better....Life notes etiquette Establishmentarian Amy Vanderbilt's advice on sex before marriage -- "a lot of unmarried couples are living together from all social strata...I think it's all right for a couple in love to live together. It may even lead to less divorce."

    Chew, in National Observer, writes on Explo '72 -- "The Children's Crusade surprised an initially-apprehensive citizenry with the participant's clean-cut appearance, their courtesy, their contagious enthusiasm, their obvious faith, and their singleness of purpose." Time and Newsweek have mildly positive reviews of the successful conclave tho there's some emphasis on "zealots" and lack of concern over social issues.

    Life has positive story of Denver young people who volunteer at the "Hip Help Center", -- a hotline center similar to those in other US cities; where young people with a variety of personal problems can call in and get sympathetic advice, help, or merely someone to listen to their problems.

    Newsweek says the FTC, "flying in the face of election-year tradition," may have 20 major business investigations underway by Sept....Moneysworth, Ralph Ginzberg's consumer newsletter that claims to be a "consumer crusader" was charged with deceiving its subscribers about saving money on yearly subscriptions.

    The House rejected (failure to get two thirds -- 175-165) authorization to continue funding for the Bicen. It is expected to be brought back in a week or so, with more debate and consideration permitted, in which case passage is expected.

    Life's TV reviewer says Barbara Walters, unlike Johnny Carson "is not preserved in the aspic of her own self-esteem. But she is afraid of silence; she plunges and gropes; she flails about in conversations as tho they were trap doors and the bottom might fall out of whatever's being discussed. She makes me nervous." Further, Walters is "energy looking for a lightening rod in which to dissipate itself....She makes the morning squeak like a toothbrush."

    Time finds little of value in Norman Cousins new mag, World while Newsweek gives a more positive assessment of the journal tho critical of an overall ponderous style. 75,000 subscribers are already signed up -- 60% for 3 years @ $25 each and the 1st issue contained 55 pages of ads.

    CRIME-RELATED
    NBC's Stern said no Admin in 100 years has made such broad claims of the executive's inherent powers and thus the significance of the Court's refusal to accept the Gov'ts case. The decision throws a new crimp into the Admin campaign against domestic radicals and some cases may even have to be dropped....ABC's Smith called it a "liberal ruling" from what's supposed to be a conservative Court as the Admin was "jarred."

    A Federal Judge dismissed bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud charges against Alioto on grounds of insufficient evidence. The mayor promptly said he'd file a malicious prosecution suit against John Mitchell, Washington State AG Gorton and others in the prosecution.

    Claiming the protest a success, the Airline Pilots said some "really effective measures against hijacks are on the way." Nets said it'll be some time before values of protest can be assessed."

    A judge refused to discuss charges against Chicago DA Hanrahan, and set July 5 as trial date.

    Life has a warm profile of a black St. Louis teen who was attacked in a robbery and blinded. After recovery, she has learned to cook, sew, and type, and is leading a normal life which is inspiring others.

    NBC/ABC noted AMA Board of Trustees recommended the group support elimination of criminal penalties for possession and use of marijuana. The Board said alcoholism was the number 1 drug problem....A National Observer feature tells of a study by Prof Blum, a WH consultant on drugs, that contends that parents of drug-users are to blame for children's drug problems. Blum's basic conclusion is that drug-users are motivated by "a desire to please their mostly liberal, often mod parents who've rejected such old-time family traditions as discipline, respect for authority -- and the church." The doctor laid the blame on permissivism....NBC noted Customs ordered a stop to preclearing of travelers from Caribbean Islands in order to head off easier drug smuggling.

    POLITICS
    With 40% in, Sen. Smith led challenger Monks 19, 500 to 8, 100. Porteous scored a landslide win over Young for 1st Dist. GOP House nomination while Bangor Mayor Cohen narrowly led Abbott Greene in early returns.

    VP Agnew told the Jaycees that the "elitists of the new left and their renegade followers," and not the "system," are due for a shakeup in Nov.

    DNC Break-In
    Dole on film on NBC said he was "surprised and dismayed" and in favor of wide-open investigation to put the facts on the table. On CBS/ABC Dole said he could see no reason for the break-in. What was to be gained by such a "despicable" act? NBC reporter said that tho no one has proved GOP is behind it, Dems are instituting court action anyway....After report on Court's wire tap decision, Cronkite said illegal bugging was apparently 1 of aims of breakin. O'Brien on CBS/ABC film said he'd "never seen such a crass violation of individual rights." On ABC Larry began his speech to mayors by also addressing "John Mitchell--wherever you're bugging me." Rest of speech, said new ABC man Kaplow, was standard political oratory w/0' Brien trying to take credit from RN's foreign policies by rapping domestic programs. Dole followed on ABC calling O'Brien's response straight partisan and posturing reaction.

    ABC noted McCord was hired on recommendation of Al Wong, head of Secret Service technical security branch. ABC only net to note McCord was fired Mon. by Comm. to Re-Elect and by RNC which had been paying $3400/month to his 6 man firm.

    NBC noted WH denounced raid as a "3rd rate burglary attempt", and a mar to the nation's political process. (RZ said RN had made no personal inquiries because "it's nothing he'd be involved with, obviously." RZ said Att. Gen. would investigate without RN's prompting, and, says UPI, hinted Dems were trying to exploit the incident.)

    ABC used AP's story on WH reaction which said "RN was depicted as taking no interest in the break-in, ignoring the incident."

    On film on all nets, McG denounced DNC break-in and called it one of most shocking actions in a long time and the "legacy of years of snooping" encouraged by Mitchell and his subordinates. On CBS, he said trend of snooping leads to quasi-facism. But he said he had no evidence of GOP involvement altho on NBC he said when Dole and Mitchell are together, you have to raise an eyebrow.

    On CBS, HHH said RN and his Cabinet "owe the country an apology and an explanation for this incredible act" and he said he hadn't the "slightest idea" if GOP was behind the incident. HHH said it's "an indication of the kind of things that can happen in US politics." He discounted a Dem investigation on grounds that it'd be labeled politically motivated and said Justice would have to be trusted.

    Also on CBS, Muskie said action was symptomatic of tendency of this Admin. to use this kind of surveillance to invade privacy. ...Mansfield said: "I don't think the RNC had anything to do with it." He said both Mitchell and Dole had denied a role and "I think they are speaking the truth." He added: "What happened at DNC could happen to the RNC."

    Scott said: "Whoever did it, it was unconscionable and inexcusable." He also said it was "unconscionable and inexcusable for the media to tie this to the GOP."

    Proxmire asked Burns to provide the name of the bank that issued the $100 bills including the $6,300 police confiscated from the suspects. Prox also asked who purchased the bills and "other pertinent details." D.C. police refused to disclose the serial numbers of the bills which might be used at trial. ...Burns later said the Fed. couldn't trace the bills until agencies working on the case informed it of the serial numbers. Prox regarded the answer unsatisfactory and thought a "cover-up" was in the making.

    U.S. Atty Titus announced a Federal Grand Jury will be empaneled to take evidence.

    Rep. Waldie asked Fair Campaign Practices Comm. to conduct an investigation of the incident. ... Rep. Van Deerlin revised what he described as an old political ditty: "Mother's only a shoplifter; sister picks pockets with me; brother prowls only the pawn shops; but Dad's with the GOP." ... Another Calif. Cong. Rees, said: "To think we were such a threat that we had to be bugged."

    HHH/McG/EMK/WALLACE/MUSKIE

    HHH said he and his backers will contact everyone of the convention delegates to urge a "common sense" platform and a candidate who represents the "broad middle of our party". He said some state Dem platforms, including Minnesota's, are too liberal. ... ABC noted that HHH said if McG wins nomination without moderating his views, it'll be "disaster" in Nov. He said polls now indicate there could be a defection of moderate Dems to RN -- "a defection of astonishing size, and one which could create an electoral disaster threatening the loss of one and possibly both houses of Congress."

    Responding "gulp" when asked about McG's Nov. chances, Ben Wattenberg, in National Observer, said they aren't too good and it's not pleasant to play with the numbers these days. Wallace won't go for McG, so the whole South will be for RN, including Texas and Fla. Further, said Wattenberg, Dem attacks on McG are nothing -- "wait until the guys carrying the sticks with the rusty nails -- VP, Mitchell, Connally -- get hold of the ammo." Wattenberg said McG campaign effort will be the equivalent of a 4th party -- non-McG Dems will sit it out or go for RN. And he added that "a worse debacle than Goldwater" is possible -- if VN war is ended, economy is strong, acrimony in Miami among Dems, and Connally on the ticket or campaigning hard for it -- then, McG "is nowhere near the bottom of the mine shaft of the polls' findings that await him."

    In its 5-page generally critical review of McG's programs, Time says his ill-defined and fuzzed economic proposals are "a design for the most change in the economy, and indeed the whole society, since the New Deal. ... The US economy would come to resemble W. Europe's, w/high social spending, low defense spending and more central direction." Time negatively emphasizes the "dubious calculations" in McG' s far-reaching welfare scheme. And it says "he has yet to prove he can devise a plan that will accomplish his goals w/out forcing unacceptable tax increases, especially for the middle class." As for his tax reforms, "McG's egalitarianism would cause severe dislocations in the economy." On social spending, one wonders "whether he understands, as LBJ didn't, that spending more money doesn't necessarily cure social ills." And the math of his proposals is "tricky". He must be "more candid and more precise." Conceptually, Time feels McG's fuzzy economic proposals do "hang together conceptually" and a top Admin. economist says if -- big ifs -- funds are available and not inflationary, "McG would equal full employment. But he'd probably mean lower productivity and slower growth."

    Time finds defense McG's most specific area and the one in which he won't waffle. His presidency "would shake the Pentagon to its subterranean fall-out shelters." His position is defensible as far short of the "white flag" but "its most serious deficiency may be its failure to link the levels of military power w/a clear statement of how McG views US commitments. He hasn't drawn more than a rough outline of his foreign policy" altho he has dismissed the idea of a US presence in Asia." He is at a huge disadvantage w/RN in expertise and experience in global affairs, but is moving to attract expert advice. (Abram Chayes is cited)...But the net effect of a McG in the WH would likely be that the US would be living more dangerously.

    "Loosening up" is how Time describes McG's approach to social issues altho he's now "spinning out a few left-to-right curves" after enjoying the permissive image which pleased his youthful followers. Time presents a vision of US society under McG as it might be conjured up both by his extreme critics and ardent admirers:

    "The neighborhood draft dodger triumphantly has returned home to take one of the new jobs at Freedom Fleet, a bus company shuttling ghetto children to racially balanced schools in the suburbs. After work, the ex-expatriate picks up his date at the corner abortion parlor, stops next door at Pot City for some Acapulco gold, and then trips off to Timothy Leary's Dizzyland, a new chain of rock-'n'-roll-your-own nightclubs springing up in abandoned Legion halls."

    Ulmer, in New Republic, says that McG "has demonstrated that he's a bit shaky in his economics. He's been forced to backpedal, contradict himself, and even acknowledge uncertainty or ignorance on some points." Fact remains, says writer, "that McG's own program is notable neither for logical consistency nor irresistable political appeal." And Ulmer urges him to "reexamine his economic ideas and revamp his present proposals."

    US News has feature on McG which says he's never been part of "inner club" of Senate, and that he's not considered by colleagues as an expert on economics, fiscal and monetary policy, nat'l defense, or internat'l relations. And, says mag, on VN, McG spoke out for. 1st time in favor of total pullout only after RN Admin took over. Mag also notes he voted in '56 against the "Eisenhower doctrine" resolution which authorized use of US forces to prevent SU penetration of Middle East.

    New Republic's Wieck writes of concern of Southern Dems over a McG nomination. In Va., it'll mean an RN margin of 500,000 to 750,000 -- enough to pull down Spong, said one Dem. And the same'll go for Gambrell, Galifianakis, and Sparkman -- along with Johnston in La., if he defeats Ellender in the primary, predict many. This is enough to give GOP a 51-49 margin if Byrd (Va.) should defect. Wieck says some Southern moderates dispute this. They say if McG takes a moderate Southerner as running mate, if he doesn't write off the South, and if Wallace backers feel they were fairly treated, McG could do OK - - but Wieck says that's "a lot of ifs for an area which at best, could be turned into a marginal battleground if everything went just right."

    National Observer's Perry writes on McG vs. RN. McG aide Hart says "RN is terribly vulnerable. From here on out, it's all downhill for him." But an RN aide says: "McG's a nut. RN will win it on that fact alone." (The McG aide says there'll be at least 250,000 volunteers, and he adds: "I think the RN people will over react. I think they're going to miss whatever it is that's going on in this country." He adds that RN has "an upward level of resistance" -- he can climb so high, but no higher. But GOP strategists say RN "is in the WH, and he's doing things", and McG..."doesn't know anything." VP Agnew "will belt his brains out" on welfare. And ex-NJ Gov. Hughes says: "People...respect RN for his accomplishments in PRC and SU. I'm not sanguine about upsetting him." Perry concludes that, if history is an indicator, RN will run by a fairly close to a fairly substantial margin.

    Life notes Actor Warren Beatty's work for McG -- he's done all kinds of work, but most importantly, he's staged fund-raising concerts with show biz friends, and raised more than $1 million dollars....Truly a big week for Beatty -- a page in Newsweek "McG's Togetherness Show" -- as well, a note in Time and a National Observer feature.

    Film on all nets of McG in NY where he's the only active campaigner and has problem of matching the 200-225 delegates anticipated for him in Tues. contest. CBS noted because of HHH's Calif. charges, McG is spending much of time denying he's anti-Israel and tho he's more concerned w/Jews in Nov., they do not make up 1/2 of NYC's Dem voters. Shown w/yarmulke and w/rabbis as he sought to deal w/what his staff calls the "Jewish problem." Chisholm's active NY effort seen to hurt McG chances of picking up as many black delegates in Miami as he'd like but HHH/Muskie seen of little threat in NY. McG said by CBS to be annoyed by their advice that he move to center -- he figures he offered olive branch in Calif. and was rebuffed, so this time he plans to do it on his own and owe nothing to anybody.

    EMK, on Today, when asked if he'd accept VP spot if it meant helping Dems win, said: "I'd have to give it heavy consideration." (Actually, McGee asked him, if he'd take the top spot, but EMK wasn't listening to the question, and gave an obviously thought-out reply; when McGee pointed out he was talking about the top spot, EMK quickly said: "No I would not" be interested, and then made the above point that he would give VP spot "consideration" as it'd be "arrogant" not to do so. He said he didn't endorse McG because endorsements are "The most overrated thing in politics." He said principle reason he wasn't running was his family responsibilities. EMK added that campaign issues would include "health care crisis," VN war, and economy.

    UPI leads on EMK's Cavett appearance: "With the Dem convention less than a month away, Kennedy stuck to the issues and declined further speculation on his own immediate political future." He did say "I'll do everything I can in the next 6 months" to ensure a Dem victory, but did not specify what his personal role would be....Time says that EMK by last week's series of delphic and almost flirtatious statements, seemed to be inserting himself back into the '72 race. And Newsweek has a page on EMK's seemingly "calculated series of ambiguities" and emphasizes the value for Teddy's future as No. 2 man in a McG race.

    But, according to Dan Schorr, EMK doesn't want to be VP and McG won't press him. He's only allowed the speculation now because Muskie surprisingly -- to Teddy -- didn't back McG and the S. Dak. Sen. needs this extra push so Teddy has opened the door per agreement w/George to help him over the top but he's not seriously considering the slot. (And where, dear Dems, does this little act -- if true -- rate in the
    credibility sweepstakes? --- Observer.). CBS noted both EMK and McG deny report of any such deal -- it's "simply wrong, " said Teddy. ...AP's Leubsdorf says McG aides are conducting polls to test appeal of McG with various men as VP including EMK. ... HHH said EMK could help Dems by joining him as VP. He can't add much by running with McG because the 2 are too similar in views. HHH also added that he has a last-minute plan to win the nomination.

    NBC film of Muskie in a Legion hall in a Buffalo Polish neighborhood seeking to make dramatic demonstration that he's still in running. But the trip showed his problems -- only the several hundred there saw him; the Dem Chairman, a friend, stayed neutral; the local unions endorsed him but did little more. Muskie told crowd to remember what happened to the last frontrunner as he tried to knock down the idea that McG has it made. But Ed 1s efforts may be too late, said NBC's Nesson -- too many are looking to get on the McG bandwagon. ... CBS noted Muskie picked up 37 uncommitted Ky. Delegates in his renewed quest.

    Latest medical report has Wallace recuperating well. NBC w/film from hospital which noted Cornelia's statement that Gov. is intent on making physical therapy progress and that he'll complete recuperating at Holy Cross - - and not return to Ala. 'til recovered.

    Alsop says in Newsweek that the McG and Wallace successes stem in large part from the fact that on 2 issues -- taxes and busing -- a near-sacred American principle has been violated -- that of equal sacrifice. Alsop details the story of the Pontiac, Mich., father arrested for refusing to allow his daughter to be bused to an unsafe neighborhood -- "the affluent don't have to worry" about such problems. The draft is "another area in which the relationship of gov't and governed is outrageously class-discriminatory."

    A top McG aide has assured O'Brien that George won't oppose, his bid to be permanent Dem. Convention Chairman. But AP reports that Rep. Mink may challenge O'Brien. The question of whether O'Brien would remain Chairmn of DNC if McG wins nomination was left unresolved in McG/O'Brien session.

    Newsweek has over 3 pages on the Dem. Conv. delegates: "There'll be more women, children, blacks, Chicanos, amateurs, starry-eyes and and more megatons of sheer explosive potential than at any Conv. in major-party history and the only sure bet is that ... 'it's going to be a doozer.'" And Party traditionalists, in private terror, fear the new mix could be damaging, even catastrophic w/the anonymous hordes of McGovernites who make the party center most nervous. And "the possibilities for carnage have been compounded by the record 40-odd challenges!" Newsweek profiles 4 delegates: a 24-year old McG girl; a labor leader who is a HHH backer and attending his 3rd Conv.; a Wallaceite mother of 4 who'll never back McG and a WWII vet for McG who met the Sen. in WWII. 80% of the delegates are attending their 1st convention; 21% are from minority groups; and 21% under 30.

    CBS said Judge Hart may have solved problems facing Dems in delegate challenges by ruling guidelines unconstitutional. Reporter Dean said decision strikes at very heart of guidelines and appeal may be made as early as Tues. on this decision which was victory for Daley forces. Rostenkowski said "the people have won again." Dem reform guru Bode is sure the decision will be successfully appealed....Prior to ruling, Scott said the Dems have brought upon themselves an awful lot of turmoil with their changes in the delegate process. They "run the risk of alienating the Dem establ. I think the Dems are going to alienate so many of their local leaders that they are going to sit on their hands...and say, 'the hell with it.' I think they have moved too fast -- ahead of their own good. But, I am glad they have."

    AP's Beckler said a "far-reaching" plan to reshape Dem Party is moving ahead -- and quietly. It would establish a nat'l Dem Party with enrollment, dues, and a nat'l policy conf. to map party programs in off years. Further, size of DNC would be tripled with a full-time Chmn; and the structure would be made more representative. Up till now the plan has received little attention, but that'll change this week as hearings open on proposals.

    O'Brien said mayors are "the most forgotten Americans of this decade" and were being ignored by a Pres who devotes all his time to internat'l affairs. He said: "In this regard, it might be said that the deliberate absence of RN from this conference is symbolic." Noting that RN will be 1st Pres' since FDR not to attend mayors' conf. during 1st term in office, UPI says he did send a telegram citing Admin. efforts on urban problems...O'Brien told Mayors that city is bedrock of Dem party. He was responding in part, to Mayor White's remarks that "it'd be a very serious mistake for Dems to assume the permanent allegiance of a constituency like the US city. We expect a response before our support is given."

    Human Events noted HAK's endorsement of "far-out liberal" Mathias and said insiders say HAK' s remarks "were ordered by RN in an effort to quell any potential insurgency against Mathias...", with the quid pro quo being Mathias' endorsement of RN. HE says Mathias' voting record on defense is similar to McG's, and observers are wondering why Admin people were so set on ousting Goodell...

    Human Events says McClellan's primary win was a "gigantic defeat for big labor ... but also a smashing setback for the Liberal Establishment." Conservatives have had their spirits lifted considerably, says HE...ABC film on the Abzug-Ryan race Tues. which has been a tough one for the oft-factionalized NYC liberals.

    # # # #

  • The H. R. Haldeman Diaries consists of seven handwritten diaries, 36 dictated diaries recorded as sound recordings, and two handwritten audio cassette tape subject logs. The diaries and logs reflect H. R. Haldeman’s candid personal record and reflections on events, issues, and people encountered during his service in the Nixon White House. As administrative assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Haldeman attended and participated in public events and private meetings covering the entire scope of issues in which the Nixon White House engaged in during the years 1969-1973. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • The National Archives Catalog is the online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records. It is the main way of describing our holdings and also provides access to electronic records and digitized versions of our holdings. 

    The Catalog searches across multiple National Archives resources at once, including archival descriptions, digitized and electronic records, authority records, and web pages from Archives.gov and the Presidential Libraries. The Catalog also allows users to contribute to digitized historical records through tagging and transcription.

    Nixon Library Holdings

    All National Archives Units

National Security Documents

  • The President's Daily Brief is the primary vehicle for summarizing the day-to-day sensitive intelligence and analysis, as well as late-breaking reports, for the White House on current and future national security issues. Read "The President's Daily Brief: Delivering Intelligence to Nixon and Ford" to learn more.

  • The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. Visit the State Department website for more information.

    Vol. III, Foreign Economic Policy; International Monetary Policy, 1969-1972

    Foreign Economic Policy

    • 91. Report by the President’s Assistant for International Economic Affairs (Flanigan), Washington, June 20, 1972

      Source: Washington National Records Center, Department of the Treasury, Files of Under Secretary Volcker: FRC 56 79 15, CIEP. Confidential. Attached to a June 23 transmittal memorandum from Flanigan to Rogers, Irwin, Shultz, Volcker, Peterson, Kissinger, Eberle, Shakespeare, the Ambassadors at the posts Flanigan visited, and CIEP Staff members.

    Vol. VIII, Vietnam, January-October 1972

    The North Vietnamese Offensive Falters, Negotiations Resume, May 8-July 18, 1972

    • 189. Summary of Conclusions of a Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, June 20, 1972, 10:30-11:27 a.m.

      Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 80, National Security Council, Committees and Panels, Washington Special Actions Group, June 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room.

    Vol. XVII, China, 1969-1972

    China, March-December 1972

    • 231. Memorandum of Conversation, Beijing, June 20, 1972, 2:05-6:05 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Kissinger Office Files, Box 97, Country Files—Far East, China, Dr. Kissinger’s Visit June 1972, Memcons (Originals). Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. This meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People. Kissinger sent a brief synopsis of this meeting to Haig on June 20. Haig then prepared a 1-page memorandum for the President. (Ibid.) The first meeting was held the evening of June 19. In a June 19 telegram to Haig, Kissinger described this meeting as “inconclusive.” The 11-page memorandum of conversation is ibid. In addition to the Kissinger–Chou meetings, counterpart talks were held among Jenkins, Holdridge, Solomon, Chang Wen-chin, Tsien Ta-yung, and Chao Ch’i-hua. They discussed trade and exchanges. Memoranda of conversation for the June 21 and 22 meetings are ibid., Box 87, Country Files—Near East, PRC Counterpart Talks, 1971–1973. See Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, vol. E–13, Documents 140–144.

    Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

    The Summit and Congressional Approval of the SALT Agreements, May 19-October 4, 1972

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    U.S. Policy Towards International Production and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs

    Oceans Policy

    Vol. E-7, Documents on South Asia, 1969-1972

    U.S. Relations with India and Pakistan, 1972

    • 267. Memorandum of Conversation, Peking, June 20, 1972, 2:05-6:05 p.m.

      In a conversation with Chinese Prime Minister Chou En-lai, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs Kissinger reviewed the cooperation between the United States and China during the crisis in South Asia.

      Source: Library of Congress, Kissinger Papers, Manuscript Division, Box TS 36, South Asia, Chronological File, July 1971-Nov 1972. Top Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. The conversation was held in the Great Hall of the People.

    Vol. E-13, Documents on China, 1969-1972

  • The Kissinger telephone conversation transcripts consist of approximately 20,000 pages of transcripts of Kissinger’s telephone conversations during his tenure as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (1969-1974) and Secretary of State (1973-1974) during the administration of President Richard Nixon. Visit the finding aid for more information.

    Digitized versions can be found in the National Archives Catalog.

Audiovisual Holdings

Context (External Sources)