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Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (1/2)
[00.31.00] Mr. JENNER. Congressman Cohen, section 7212 of the Criminal Code provides expressly that attempts to interfere, attempts to obtain information with respect to income and IRS materials shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than 3 years, and then is supplemented by section 7213 which makes it unlawful for any officer or employee of the United States to divulge any of the contents of an income tax return and be fined $1,000 or imprisoned not more than I year and if the offense be by an officer or employee of the United States, he shall be dismissed from office or discharged from employment. Mr. COHEN. Shall be dismissed from office or discharged from employment- Mr. DENNIS. Would the gentleman yield? Mr. COHEN. Not yet, and I assume for purposes of this section, -we are talking about those who attempt to use this information for improper purposes and specifically refers to-to attempts, does it not? Am I correct, Mr. Jenner, that it is not necessary to have a specific act carried out as such, the actual accomplishment of the act? Would it be sufficient, for example, if the President were to direct or ask or inquire of John Dean to obtain certain information, would not the act itself or the intent come from the direction to Mr. Dean as a matter of law? Mr. JENNER. The direction would be an attempt. Mr. COHEN. And it -would not be necessary to have the particular direction completed in order to be a violation, would it? Mr. JENNER. 'That is correct. Mr. COHEN. Thank you. I would also like to direct some comments to statements made by the gentleman from California. I found those statements -were also rather amazing because on the one hand, where the gentleman from California pointed out that Henry Petersen, recommended Matt Byrne as FBI Director, in response to a question that I asked Mr. Petersen during our questioning of witnesses, asked him whether or not he felt that Matt Byrne should be contacted while be was sitting as a judge on the. Ellsberg matter, to he replied, "'No." Even though he made a personal recommendation, be specifically indicated that Matt Byrne should not be contacted during the, Course of that trial. And the answer is quite clear as to why I asked him why not, and he said-in response to my question, wouldn't this be grounds for a mistrial--he said, some, of us felt that it would. I think as a matter of law that there would be a mistrial declared upon such a disclosure. I think that the act in contacting a presiding judge on a case of that magnitude, and I find it a little bit amazing once again for Mr. Ehrlichman to say that he didn't know what the present situation was in the Ellsberg matter, this was the major case of the decade prior to our deliberations on Watergate, if you will just go back a few years. But he didn't happen to know -what was going on at that time and there was no impropriety in the conversation. I happen to feel that the position of a judge is one of the most delicate in our entire system because he has to retain an absolute and scrupulous neutrality and that neutrality is destroyed as a, matter of law in my opinion when the Chief Executive, through his subordinate or subordinates, offers a position of an FBI directorship to the judge. And I suggest to you that if the counsel for the defendant or the defendant himself in such a case offered the presiding judge or even a juror a job with his firm upon the completion of the case, that man would be held in contempt, or would be in jail, I just simply want to conclude my own remarks in this regard and I know what the gentleman from California will say, that this might preclude any Federal judge from ever achieving a higher position, but I only call the gentleman's attention to the manner in which this was carried out. There was never any publication of it. There was never any nomination or word leaked out that there - was-they were considering the judge. As a matter of fact, it was covertly carried out, a second meeting in a park near San Clemente. But it seems to me that Of all Of the allegations we have been dealing with, the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI, investigation of Daniel Schorr, the fabricated statements about what would happen, we would hire Mr. Schorr as consultant to the White House, it seems to me what we are really saying here is that all of these activities raise the faint specter of an American Gulag Archipelago. When the Chief Executive of the country starts to investigate private citizens who criticize his policies or authorize his subordinates to do such things, then I think the rattle of the chains that would bind up our constitutional freedoms can be heard and it is against this rattle that we should awake and say no. Now I yield to the gentleman from California. Mr. WIGGINS. I only wish to comment with respect to your theory that a mistrial was appropriate by reason of the contact with Judge Byrne, well let me just tell you that Judge Byrne was a participant in that contact and he doesn't agree with you. He did declare a mistrial and he should know; quite the contrary. Mr. COHEN. He didn't think anything was improper. Mr. WIGGINS. The judge disagreed with you. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman. from Maine has expired. [00.36.23]
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (1/2)
[00.41.05] Mr. JENNER. I will ask-the last, Mr. Fish, is quite clear and inherent in the duty to take care. The first that you mentioned is likewise included in the President's obligation to learn what is happening with-- least in the executive agencies, and the executive institutions. You will recall that there was a good deal of testimony with respect to the President's carefully screening the news summaries he received at his desk at 8:10 every morning when be was in Washington and they were delivered to him when he was in San Clemente and in Key Biscayne according to the testimony. And that he read those and he wrote notes on them, and those news reports necessarily, because they covered TV, the, print media, magazines, were necessarily distilled by experts that he had there would bring to him what was occurring day to day throughout the country and alert him to--alert him to things about -which he should inquire with respect to executive agencies and his staff as well. Mr. FISH. Can you think of anything else in addition to these four that would constitute the responsibility -to take care that the laws are faithfully executed? Mr. JENNER. The main one I think is ,in obligation on the part of the President and an expectation of the people with respect to the President, is that he would police his immediate subordinates, not only with respect to direct directions that he had given to them but his chief A, of staff and others as to whether those irections had been carried out. Mr. FISH. I thank you. Mr. DENNIS. Will the gentleman yield to me? Mr. FISH. Yes, I will be glad to. Mr. DENNIS. I thank my friend from New York for yielding. I simply want to comment first that I don't understand that a piece of conversation to the effect that things are going to change which was what happened on September 15 is in any sense of the word an attempt. If John Dean is concerned I think he would be in serious danger about an attempt but I don't think the President would. Second--- The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman from New York has expired. Mr. DENNIS. I thank you. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from California, Mr. Waldie, is recognized. Mr. WALDIE. Mr. Chairman, the past few days I think have been enormously important days for the Constitution of the United States. Whatever the ultimate result of these proceedings, whether the President be impeached or whether he be not impeached, the Constitution has been strengthened and it has peculiarly been strengthened by commencing the process of bringing into check an executive, a President who had abused his constitutionally limited powers to an extraordinary degree. Article II of these proposed articles of impeachment is in my view the heart of this process, By passage and adoption of this article, we not only tell this President we will no longer tolerate his personal excesses of power but indeed we tell any future President that the Constitution is a limiting document and that it particularly must limit Power where it is concentrated most heavily in the executive branch, the Presidency. Not many Presidents and too few Members of Congress I fear have understood this lesson. I personally believe that few Presidents have misunderstood it as grossly as this President, but in fact all Presidents have sought to grasp and accumulate power -,it the expense of the other institutions of government. I suppose it was inevitable that a, time would come when this constant accumulation of power would have to be checked and curbed and done so in a manner clearly understood, not only by the President in office at that particular moment in history but by Presidents yet to come. That duty falls first on this committee. We have begun to draw that line. We. have begun the, long overdue and the painful process of curbing the excesses of power in the executive branch. We -will forward that process, Mr. Chairman, significantly by adopting article II tonight. I yield back the balance of my time. [00.45.56]
Pssst - Here's Your Easter Bonnet
Pssst!! ---Here's Your Easter Bonnet Image is dark. A true harbinger of s-p-r-i-n-g is milady's hat. Can Easter be far behind when Paris designers stage a preview of things to come-hat-wise? Paris seems to be encouraging the return of the wide brim, although they've come up with some styles that look like crash helmets. Various styles with floral trims and netted veils. Model smoking cigarette. Another model seen amongst studio lights, blows out three around her (as if they were candles).
East Downs West In All-Star Basketball
East Downs West In All-Star Basketball Image is dark. The East jumps into an early lead- never to be overtaken - as the Eastern All-Stars defeat the West - 108 to 93. Elgin Baylor, the West's favorite son, is held to 17 points as Bill Russell hooks the East to victory. Celebrities (personalities) attending game include Doris Day, CU Pat Boone. Plays from game, good basket shot with referees in frame. CU crowd clapping, not very energetic (could be used for audience shot). Wilt Chamberlain shooting basket. CU two blonde young women, smiling and clapping energetically.
Frigid Europe: New Blizzards Hit Continent
Frigid Europe: New Blizzards Hit Continent Image is dark and hard to see. All of Britain and the Continent is suffering fresh blizzards after being in the grip of a paralyzing winter for the past four weeks. In the Netherlands, the canals are frozen, closing important arteries. In Britain the livestock must be hand fed in the fields and in Belgium ships are frozen at their piers. River Thames frozen. Men dig sheep out from snow drift. Man carries sheep down hill on shoulders. Shipping ports and harbors idle, snow covered ships and dock.
Pope Proclaims New Saint
Pope Proclaims New Saint The Roman Catholic Church proclaims a new Saint in ceremonies led by Pope John XXIII. He is Vincent Pallotti, a 19th Century priest who founded an order responsible for saving thousands of Jews during World War Two. Saint Peters. Pope John XXIII carried in procession, blesses nuns.
Democratic Rally Erases Deficit
Democratic Rally Erases Deficit The Democrats get out of debt as they celebrate President Kennedy's second year in office. A $100 admission charge wipes out the party's $800,000 deficit. Capitol Dome at night. President Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy arriving at event. Giant cake is carried out.
Khrushchev At Berlin Wall
Khrushchev At Berlin Wall Chairman Khrushchev, at the Berlin Wall, says it protects the East Germans against imperialists who have designs of East Germany. Cameramen at 'check point charlie'. Cameras on tripods lined up. Man wearing Khrushchev mask (likeness), clapping. East German guards watching. Nikita Khrushchev walking in crowd towards camera, waving.
Norge Ski Club Meet
Norge Ski Club Meet While the thermometer flirts with zero hardy snowbirds take part in the Norge Ski Club ski-jump at Fox River Grove, Illinois. When all of the frostbites are counted Gene Kotlarek is on top with 206 feet. Jumper wipes out on landing. Nice shot of spectators dressed in winter gear, including young woman wearing white fur trimmed coat and sunglasses. Winner is congratulated.
Los Angeles Track Meet
Los Angeles Track Meet General Douglas MacArthur brings peace between two warring amateur athletic bodies and they're back running at a Los Angeles meet. The women's 60-yard dash, the pole vault and the mile run are the outstanding events. General Douglas MacArthur seen with officials, and seated at head of table. Interior shots at track meet. High jump marker reads 15' 8" - jumper successfully jumps over bar onto pile of foam rubber.
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (1/2)
[00.52.33] The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Ohio is--the time of the gentleman from Iowa had expired. The gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Sandman, is recognized. Mr. SANDMAN. Mr. Chairman, I don't propose to take up the 5 minutes and I hope that we can wind this thing up as quickly as possible and as gracefully as possible. There is nothing that I can do, I am sure, that is going to change the outcome of the vote,. But I would like to use these closing moments Of this long, and what some people -will refer to as a historic exchange to capsule -where we stand in my judgment and what I think -we Should be thinking about. Now., at the outset I don't think I am the most naive person in the world, but I like to believe that every man that has ever been President 'Of the United States had to be a good man and he had to be a great man or this great country would have never voted for him to be the leader of this country. It may be a surprise to some in this room but the President I -was extremely fond of that I had the good fortune to blow as everybody in the room did was not a, Republican. It was Lyndon Johnson. And I thought it was a horrible thing during the Bobby Baker talks that some people thought, well, maybe -we ought to try to impeach LBJ. That was wrong and. I hoped it would never start. Now, anybody who feels this way, and I kind of think the country feels this way, they would like to believe their President is a pretty. good man, and to do otherwise or prove to them. otherwise, it Would, take a tremendous amount of proof to do that, and it should, tremendous. You can't do this loosely. And this is important, The whole world is watching this proceeding and -what, we. do, we had better do right because. the effect of it is going to make a precedent for 1,000, years. That is the importance of the question as I see it. And because of this it disturbs me when I try to think of some of the problems in-- involved, the Ellsberg break-in and whatnot, I think maybe we are a little bit mixed up and maybe we ought to sit down for a moment and review where we are. was on a program one time in Long Island. I walked in the room with -a very famous man, a good Democrat, Senator Muskie. He got. a pretty good hand. I am sure. no one in the audience knew -me. But 'what applause there. was, I say they did it because of him. And then behind Senator Muskie, by about 3 or 4 minutes, walked in Daniel Ellsberg, one of the panelists on our program, and believe it or not, the stadium shook and I wondered why. Why did that happen? Here is a man who confiscated secret documents and against the law of the Nation he dispersed these documents. I thought that was wrong. And I couldn't -understand why this fellow came in there like a hero. But he is, This is a strange thing happening in this country. And now as a result of that, a mistrial was declared in that case and a man who is as surely guilty as guilty can be -was never declared guilty, was never penalized and instead we now talk about impeaching the President of the United States. I think our thinking is a little fuzzy here and maybe we ought to sit down and look over that once again and make sure we are doing the right thing. Is it more popular to give away secret documents, than it is to protect the security of a great nation? I don't think so. And I would like to believe in the absence of extremely heavy proof that what the Chief Executive did he did for a good purpose, and this is why I have the strong feelings in the, direction that I have and that is why I have argued the way I have in this proceeding. I don't take my obligation here any more lightly than any other person and I believe that what hat we are doing here we -ire acting as a judiciary in a sense. We are judging whether or not the President of the United States should be replaced. We are judging the rights that he has as an individual as -well as a President and it is not in line with what at least I learned in the 20 years that I went to school that he has any less rights than any other American, and no one can ever, make me believe that due process still isn't the law of this land and it is always going to be the law of this land, And for these reasons, I think we' have to not make an inference, against the President of the United States, if anything we have to make an innocent's -- an inference--that -what he did he did in the best interests of the country. This is what I would rather believe. The, CHAIRMAN. The, time of the gentleman has expired. Mr. SANDMAN. For this season, even though it is not going to be a popular position that I have taken, I know that, I am convinced it is the, right one, or at least 1 hope it is, and and only time will tell. [00.58.09]
Love Thaws Cold War: British Lass Leaves To Meet Red Fiance'
Chi-Chi is a gal who is stepping out in the world - she's engaged. One of two Giant Pandas outside of Red China, Chi-Chi is leaving Britain for Moscow to meet An-An there. Both British and Soviet Zoologists hope that a blessed event will come about. London Chi Chi rear shot and then a front view of her sauntering along in her pen. CUS - Chi Chi's face. CUS - London's zoo curator, Henry Morris and head panda keeper, Sam Morton. CUS - Chi - Chi sitting on a log platform, bent in half sleeping. MS - Too cute for words, sleeping panda.
Fashion Parade
Skirts are on a rising market in Paris fashion marts for spring and summer --- and the severe, straight lines have a deceptive softness. Nina Ricci and Gerard Pippart have made news by not offering anything too radical. Woman wearing a suit jacket, with a belt at the waist, and just over the wrist gloves. The suit looks like woolen blend material, black and white. CUS - Model is wearing a solid skirt, enhanced by a bold striped top, waist jacket with the lining to match her top. MS - Three models standing together, all looking very smart. The other model has a belted dress and a waist long jacket to match. The inside of her jacket is lined with vertical stripes. Three models wearing sleeveless dresses, made of a silk or cotton twill, drop waist ruffle skirt. MS - The models are wearing bold printed waist less dresses, one has very bold colors and the other two are pastels. MS - Three models wearing timeless in style evening gowns, any one of them would work out today on a runway. One of the evening gowns is empire waist style, beaded top. CU - Model walks towards the camera and her evening gown has embroiled daisies on it.
17 Year Old Peggy Fleming Figure Skater
There's a new shooting star on the international skating scene. A 17 year old Miss from Colorado Springs - Peggy Gale Fleming. She walks away with the Women's World Figure Skating Championship, turning in a perfect score in the free-skating competition. Switzerland A young Peggy Fleming performing her ice skating talents on the ice, on a outdoor skating rink. High Angle Shot - People are all bundled up as they watch Peggy's flawless performance. MS - Peggy continues to skate, jump and spin. CUS - Bundled up people applauding. MS - Peggy executes a spin perfectly. High Angle Wide Shot - The crowd applauds expressing their appreciation for a beautiful performance. CUS - The press and people taking pictures. CUS - Peggy taking first place stands with two other skaters holding bouquets of roses. CUS - Peggy Fleming holding her bouquet with a beautiful back drop of Switzerland.
Is This A Straight Steer?
The bulls and broncos invade Houston's Astrodome to take on the cowboys - and, as usual, the animals have the better time of it. At that, you rarely see errorless baseball here, either. Houston, Texas Exterior shot of the Astrodome. Interior shot - Astrodome's field with cowboys and Indians riding horses. A Very High Angle Shot - The crowd sitting in the seats of the Astrodome. CU - A leg sticking out in the aisle sporting a new cowboy boot on the foot, the camera pans up and it turns out to be a little girl watching the festivities center ring. High Angle Shot - First cowboy is let out of the gate on a brahma bull. He spins and jumps around until he shakes the cowboy off his back. MS - More of the same. MS - Rodeo fans. MS - Its the broncos. This horse does not like the cowboy and its not too long before he shakes him off his back. CUS - Side profile of a little boy. MS - The camera man has some fun running the film backwards, as it turned out it was a good ride for the cowboy.
Air Tragedies: 188 Die In Two Kokyo Crashes
A Canadian jet, groping for a landing at fog-bound Tokyo airport, crashes and burns, killing sixty-four of the seventy-two persons aboard. This crash followed by a month another Tokyo air disaster in which 133 were killed and in turn was followed 24 hours later by the crash of a British jet at Mt. Fuji with a toll of 124. Japan The tail section the camera pans to show the amount of fire damage suffered by this plane by fire, 64 of the 72 souls that were aboard this Canadian passenger jet died. CUS - A police officer looking in disbelief at the plane. Camera pans - The burned out plane with firemen standing by the fuselage. MS - Firemen hosing down the plane with water. MS - Family and friends standing behind a safety rope looking at the plane. Interior shot - A burned heap, there is no telling what your looking at. MS - Police directing traffic. MS - The aftermath of the plane after its impact on the ground. Less than 24 - hours later: MS - The remains of another plane crash on Mt. Fuji a British airliner caught on fire and plunged into the Eastern side of Mr. Fuji, total deaths in this crash were 124. 89 Americans were among the dead.
"Madame X" Premiere: New Movie Launched At Five Theatres
Lana Turner brings a bit of Hollywood glamor to Florida as she arrives in Miami for the multi-theatre world premiere of Ross Hunter's production of "Madame X", her new starring role. John Forsythe, who is among the distinguished co-stars, is also on hand of the opening. Miami, Florida Low Angle Shot - Lana Turner and her husband disembarking from a plane that just arrived in Miami, Florida. CUS - Someone wearing a T-Shirt "World Premiere Madame X." CUS - Lana Turner and her husband talking with some beauty queens. Exterior shot of the movie theatre with marquee reading..."Lana Turner, John Forsythe, CUS - A very young John Forsythe. CUS - Movie fans packed and standing behind barricades just to see their favorite movie stars. CUS - Lana Turner and her husband. MS - Movie theatre and marquee.
Cross-Country Fashions
Starting in New York, our fashion models tour Washington, the Grand Canyon and Universal City, California, to demonstrate how the new synthetics can take the travail out of travel. Easy to maintain dresses, suits and slacks are just the thing for this jet age. New York, NY New York City's Sky Line. MS - Two models walk into the picture, one is wearing a large picture hat and because its windy she has to hold down with her hand. They are wearing a suit and a dress that pack well and need little care. Models boarding an American Airlines passenger plane and it will take them to Washington DC. Washington DC Model comes out wearing a sleeveless dress with a belt, can be light blue or yellow, made of polyester. Washington Monument in the background. Rosemary comes out and she is wearing a A-line skirt and a long sleeve blouse, easy care gabardine fabric. The Grand Canyon, Arizona Wide High Angle Shot of the Grand Canyon. Carol is wearing tailored culottes ( shorts, divided skirt ) and tights with a stripe down the side of the leg. MS - Rosemary is wearing a baseball cap, scarf wrapped around her neck, a printed blouse and slim leg pants ( trousers ). Universal City, California Carol is wearing a printed hat and a blouse to match and a matching printed wide pleated skirt. The background for this pretty picture is a snow scene. MS - The two girls are on the set of Laredo and seeing first hand how the Western is made. CUS - The camera pans down wash & wear Even Pico separates, a printed blouse, a belted skirt and her leggings match her blouse and Cowboy hat. MS - The two models get on the Universal touring train to go on their sight seeing trip.
Ahh! Spring! Flower Show Offers A Preview
It's a simple matter to speed spring on its way in New York. All you need is a ticket to the Flower Show and on opening day 60,000 people had just that idea. A million blooms make you forget the ill-tempered winds of winter. New York, New York Exterior shot of Madison Square Garden and on the marquee it reads 49th International Flower Show. High Angle Shot People with smiles on their faces waiting to gain entrance to the show. CUS - Day Lilies. CUS - A little pond with flowers surrounding it and water shooting up in the pond. MS - Another garden with a pond, this looks like it belongs in Hawaii. MS - A bouquet of pussy willow branches. Throngs riding on the escalator. High & Wide Angle Shot - Flower Show, People, plants and exhibits. MS - Queen of the flower show touching and enjoying the rose bush. MS - People smelling flowers. LS - peacocks in a white gilded cage in the middle of a garden.
Prince Begins Tour: Philip To Raise Funds For Variety Clubs
As Queen Elizabeth returns to England after a tour of the Caribbean, Prince Philip begins a tour of the United States on behalf of the International Variety Clubs. His first stop is in Miami where he visits the Variety Children s Hospital where the young patients think that Prince Philip is a Prince, all right. Caribbean Throngs of people line the streets of a Caribbean Island to bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. London MS - The Royal Plane taxing on the landing strip, Queen Elizabeth II disembarking from the plane. MS - People lined up to greet the Queen on her arrival home. CUS - Queen Elizabeth and an escort walking. Miami, Florida MS - Prince Philip's plane taxing on a landing strip in Miami, Florida. CUS - A photographer recording history with his 16mm camera. MS - Prince Philip disembarking from his plane. MS - Prince Philip's motorcade is on its way. CUS - Two children sitting waiting for the Prince in a hospital. CUS - Sign or plaque "Variety Children's Hospital. Operated and Maintained by the Variety Club or Greater Miami." MS - Prince Philip shaking hands with one of the nurses caring for the children. CUS - A little girl laying flat on her back dressed in a party dress. CU - Prince Phillip standing and smiling at a little boy in a crib. CUS - News photographers.
Here's Where The Money Goes
Just as you always suspected - they have money to burn in Washington. There's more money than ever in circulation and it is wearing out faster! $25,000,000 worth a day is burned and new money printed to replace it. Washington DC Stacks and stacks of money. Wide Angle Shot - 50 million dollars to be destroyed. CUS - Fire in the furnace blazing away. CUS - A bin full of money, $47,309,500 to be exact, two men unloading the money from the bin into the furnace. CUS - New money being printed to replace the old bills. CUS - A woman examining the money it is printed on one big sheet. CUS - Man putting the sheets of money into a money cutter. CUS - Woman counting the money stacks.
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (2/2)
[01.19.59] The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Sarbanes, is recognized. Mr. SARBANES. . Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is imperative that every American appreciate that the abuses of power discussed here today, those that we have reviewed in the course of consideration of this article, placed in jeopardy our free society and our constitutional rights And that in the endangered our liberties and our course of this effort, there was also an effort to twist the proper functions of Government agencies so that rather than such agencies being your servants, serving you, there was a grave danger that those agencies -would become your oppressors. Stop and think for a moment, if you will, what it means if the agencies of Government are not administered in an even-handed manner; if people elected to public office, rather than considering it a public trust, believe that they are entitled to use the power of Government not to serve the people but to maintain themselves in person power. It is extraordinarily to assert, as has been asserted on occasion during the course of our discussion that because bad things in the, end did not happen, those who sought to make those bad things happen should not be held responsible. Stop and think for a moment. Those bad things failed ailed to happen, not because those at the top did not seek to make them happen, but because dedicated and committed people in various places in Government refused to be bent and twisted to improper purposes. The, Commissioner of Internal Revenue would not allow, in the end, that agency to be used in a discriminatory fashion against the American people. The FBI Director would not accede to the Huston plan, which for a brief period was approved by the President of the, United States, and which provided for covert mail covers, surreptitious entry, an illegal electronic surveillance, all of which J. Edgar Hoover discovered and it was Hoover in the end who went to the President and insisted that this plan not be implemented. What happened then? They went outside of the agencies of Government; unable to bend the agencies to their purpose, they decided to go outside of Government and develop their own establishment That is what the Plumbers -was. It was not a legitimately constituted law enforcement agency. It was an irregular ad hoc group established to carry out certain activities, and how, was it paid for? In part, it was paid for through money raised privately. We spoke earlier of how a private person was contacted to bring", money to the White House to be furnished to the Plumbers in order, for them to carry out the break-in of the doctor's office, and that the, money was returned to the private person who provided it in following manner: Mr. Colson called up the attorney for one of the milk producer cooperatives and asked him to have the cooperative make a contribution to a political committee called, of all things, People United For Good Government, and a $5,000 contribution was made, by the, milk cooperative to that political committee. That check was cashed, and. the man who provided the original money, in order to carry out the break-in , went to the treasurer of the political committee and recovered his $55000. Now, stop and think of that. You have an irregular group, not part of an established law enforcement agency, and its activities are being funded through money raised privately. Think of the implications of that for all Americans. Mr. Chairman, I submit we came perilously close to losing our basic freedoms. And it is for that reason that we must act affirmatively here tonight. This is a long step forward in restoring the health of our Constitutional system. We' do it, Mr. Chairman, pursuant to that Constitution. We do it with a strong sense of responsibility and a powerful belief in America and in the decency and the honesty of her People. The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. [01.25.55] $
Impeachment Hearings: House Judiciary Committee, July 29, 1974 (2/2)
[01.31.22] Mr. LATTA..... And let me direct my attention in the few moments that we have to another- area that concerns me.. because -we have touched upon it so lightly. In fact, I heard somebody say, and I am sure he said it in jest, something about it is a bugaboo, and I have reference to national security. National security. What are -we talking about? We are talking about, protecting the lives and the security of 220 million Americans. That is what we are talking about. So, let, us not talk about it lightly. I happen to be one who since I have been in the Congress of the United States who has supported a strong national defense, a strong national defense. We cannot be second. We have got to be strong, and we are talking about national defense as a bugaboo issue? I think not. The President, of the United States was concerned about leaks right after he took office. Now, let us take a look at what he was talking about. Where were these leaks coming from? Were they coming from somebody's bridge club or out of some nonsensitive agency of the. Government? We, know better than that. They were coming from no other place than the National Security Council. Now, -who sits on the National Security Council? Staff members? The President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, along with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General by designation of the President. Now, they do not talk about rules for a handball game. They discuss and make the policy for the defense of this country, your defense, my defense, our children's defense. That is what they do. And these leaks that concerned the President of the United States were coming directly out, of that National Security Council. Now, what were they? Many of our colleagues here today have alluded to them, and I do not want to duplicate what they have, said. But, let me, point out that about, every time the National Security Council would make a decision, a couple of days later-, and I hate to mention- newspapers, but I must, the New York Times would publish it or the Evening Star. Would this not concern you? It concerned Me. It concerned the President. Let me give you just one. On April 6, the New York Times prints a front page article indicating U.S. consideration of unilateral withdrawal, June, 1969, shortly after a decision had been reached to begin initial withdrawal of troops, the New York Times and the Evening Star reported this decision indicating that it -would be made public following the meeting, following the meeting -with the South Vietnamese President Thieu. Leaks damaging Dr. Kissinger's diplomatic efforts to end the war. For the South Vietnamese Government to hear publicly, of our apparent willingness to consider unilateral withdrawal without first discussing the matter with President. What does this do to our credibility? Damaging leaks had been occurring with regard to the SALT negotiations, and they had been discussed, and the internal uses by our Government of the strategic force posture. A study was made to determine what programs should be adopted relative to our country's, get this, deterrent conventional and nuclear capability. The study included five possible strategic options from an emphasis on offensive capability to heavy reliance on anti-ballistic missile systems. Costs even were discussed. Notwithstanding the obvious need for secrecy of this study------ [01.36.21--TAPE OUT]