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Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (1/2)
[00.12.57-DEAN answers questions by Sen. BAKER about the state of NIXON'S knowledge of the coverup as of the Sept. 15, 1972 meeting with DEAN.] Senator BAKER. Go ahead. Mr. DEAN. At that point, it had not been assigned to any judge at all. Another point that came out, as I testified earlier in my, conversations was the fact that he alluded, told me for the first time that I had ever heard this, that shortly after he had assumed office, Mr. Hoover had been over to Visit with him. He told me that Mr. Hoover had informed him that his campaign had been bugged and the President said. this is something that we may be able to use ourselves at some point down the road to explain the fact that we have been subject to the same type of activity. Mr. DEAN. Not until many, many months later. Senator BAKER. You have already testified to that conversation. Mr. DEAN. Yes, I did. Senator BAKER. Go ahead. I am sorry, Mr. Dean. Tell me, anything else you can at all, no matter how minute, about the meeting of September 15. Mr. DEAN. The next matter- I recall is the fact that we did get into a discussion about the civil cases. Senator BAKER. I am sorry, Mr. Dean. Thank you very much. Mr. DEAN. The next thing that I recall occurred was a discussion that ensued about the civil cases. He asked me some questions about the civil cases and it was in the course of this conversation that I told him what I knew at that point in time about the status of the civil cases, where they -were, and I knew because I was fairly familiar at that time with the precise status of the cases. It was also as a result of this conversation that we got into a discussion, or I told him that I had learned from the lawyers at the reelection committee that they had been making or they had somebody who was making an ex parte contact with the judge -who had jurisdiction over the principal suit of the greatest concern, which was the suit by Mr. O'Brien, Larry O'Brien and the DNC. Senator BAKER. Is this, once again, close to the exact language you used? [00.15.55] Mr. DEAN. Yes that was--I did not know who it -was that was making the contacts at that time for certain, so I just told him that the lawyers at the reelection committee are making ex parte contacts or have made ex parte contacts and are hoping to got some favorable rulings. Senator BAKER. Did the President make, any remark at that point, or did Mr. Haldeman? [00.16.19] Mr. DEAN-. I recall the President said something to the effect, well, that is helpful. Senator BAKER. Is that close to his exact language? Mr. DEAN. Yes, sir. Senator BAKER. Is there anything else? Mr. DEAN. We talked about the Common Cause suit as well and I told him that I didn't think it -was any problem. This was a suit that was trying to bring or identify the donors or the contributors of some $10 million of unidentified campaign moneys that had not been reported prior to April 7. The suit, I told him moneys him, I didn't think would be a problem because the lawyers at the reelection committee felt that they could tie this one up in discovery for quite a while. Senator BAKER. What did the President say to that? Mr. DEAN. I don't recall any specific comment to that. I think as we were, going through some of these descriptions, I was just reporting as best I could and I don't recall him giving me -what his reaction was at that point. Senator BAKER. You understand why I am asking you these questions? Mr. DEAN. Yes, I do. [00.17.29] Senator BAKER. All right. Now, I don't mean to shorten your description of the September 15 meeting, but for the sake of moving on, were there other important matters discussed at that time? Mr. DEAN. Well, yes, the matter of the Patman hearing did come up, because the President was aware of that, I assume, from his news summaries or the newspapers that there was likely to be congressional inquiry on the House side. He asked me who was handling that. I told him that, Richard Cook a member of the congressional relations staff, who had worked with the Patman committee at one point in time, was doing the principal work on it. He then told me that Mr. Timmons should be spending his time and get on to of it, something of that--that would be very close, to the language he used. Senator BAKER. Mr. Dean, excuse me, I see we have a vote signal from the Senate. The committee will stand in recess until we return.
July 20, 1995 - Part 2
(10:50:10) The CHAIRMAN, I didn't want to do this, I wanted to try to continue, but I think the recommendation of my colleague and friend, Senator Sarbanes, is that we take a brief break. I'm going to ask the time keeper to stop the timer right now, and we'll take a break. We'll go down and vote and as soon as Senator Sarbanes gets back, Mr. Ben-Veniste, you can continue. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. We'll take a brief break so we can vote and be back in 10 minutes. (10:50:40) % [Recess.]
July 20, 1995 - Part 4
(13:30:36) The CHAIRMAN. They both have been on the Floor. There are those occasions when Members will not be here out of necessity. One of the reasons we've attempted to hold these hearings, despite some speculation that there are other reasons, was so we could continue to conduct the business of the Senate as we're moving toward a close. I want to serve notice that if Members cannot be here, we are going to proceed. They have to understand, the Chair will attempt to be as accommodating as possible. I say this: The Ranking Member has demonstrated every possible consideration as well. This is not a one-way street. In order to move this, we will, I think, have to stay later. I hope it's not much later, but I think we're all going to have to be here. If we're not here, we're going to continue to move this process. The Ranking Member feels very strongly. Yes, Senator Shelby. Senator SHELBY. Mr. Chairman, I know you want to move these hearings, and I agree with you. (13:31:58)(tape #10118 ends)
Six Dead, Damage High As Storm
Rolling contrast dull and light in imagery Several are killed, thousands of acres are flooded, highways blocked and great damage is caused by heavy rain and wind storms which injure hundreds in Northern Pacific States.
Priests Clip Stag's Antlers
Rolling contrast dull and light in imagery In an odd ceremony near Kasuga Shrine, the horns of the animals that roam the public park are sawed-off to prevent then from becoming dangerous.
King Exhibits Prize Cattle
Rolling, shaky light in imagery and dull in contrast Noted livestock breeders, led by his Majesty, show their best specimens to the judges in a competition for 'blue-ribbon' awards.
Safety Fence Tested
Shaky light in contrast and imagery Automobiles are sent crashing into new type highway guard rails in an effort to determine for the department of public works, means of reducing highway hazards.
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (1/2)
[00.18.28-MacNEILL in studio] MacNEILL states that BAKER is asking about DEAN'S meetings with NIXON after the break-in [PBS network ID-title screen "SENATE HEARINGS ON CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES"] [00.22.00-MacNEILL] MacNEILL states BAKER will continue to ask about the September 15, 1972 Oval Office meeting [00.22.12-BAKER gavels meeting open] Senator BAKER. The committee will come, to order. The chairman was necessarily called away for the rest of the afternoon. For the information of the committee, I might indicate that he requested that we run as long as practical, and that we continue, with present, rotation arrangements, so as soon as I can conclude my queries I will yield then to Senator Montoya and after that to Senator Weicker. Mr. Dean, do you have, any objection if we try to go, say, until a few minutes before 6 tonight? Mr. DEAN. I will hold up as long as I can, Senator Senator BAKER. If you need a -break or would like to break in the course of things, if you would let me know I would be happy to do that. Senator BAKER. Mr. Dean, have we finished with the delineation of the September 15 meeting? [00.23.17] Mr. DEAN. -No. I do not believe we have. We were discussing the fact that we were talking about how to deal with the Patman committee because this was another threat, a dual threat, I might add, First was the fact that, it would mean adverse publicity as a result of the hearings and Second, there was always the potential they might stumble onto something there. Senator BAKER. Were those words used? Mr. DEAN. I believe, when we talked about, adverse Publicity and there is no telling where this thing may go. Senator BAKER. Do you remember who said that ? Mr. DEAN. I said that. Senator BAKER. Do you remember what the President's reaction was? Mr. DEAN-. Well. he asked me, who was covering the hearings and I told him that Dick- Cook was covering the hearings. Senator BAKER. Covering meaning what person on the White House staff had responsibility for that? Mr. DEAN. Yes, that is correct. Because I explained to him that Mr. Cook had formerly worked for the House Banking and Currency Committee, and at that point he said that Mr. Timmons should get on top of those hearings. [00.24.30-related to ENEMIES LIST activities] We then, the conversation turned to the press coverage that had been following the Watergate incident, and during this discussion he told me that I should keep a good list of people who were giving us trouble in the press because we would give them trouble after the election. Senator BAKER. This was stated by the President? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. [00.25.00]
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (1/2)
[00.30.35-BAKER continues questioning DEAN about the state of NIXON'S knowledge of the coverup, assessing the quality of evidence regarding the Sept. 15, 1972 meeting] Senator BAKER. All right. It, seems to me then that the extent to which the September 15 meeting Would give us some guidance in our inquiry as to what the President dent knew and when he knew it, that you depend on a combination of things. You depend on your experience at the White House as a staffer with the interrelationships of staff and the Presidential staff; the remarks which did not relate directly to Watergate, that is, the break-in at Watergate or to the concealment of the involvements and responsibilities for it. [00.31.30] But based on the general tenor of the conversation, you gained the impression, I believe you said, to paraphrase Your testimony, that the President knew that there was an on-going counter-effort, at least, and when you couple that with your knowledge of the relationships and circumstances, that you concluded then in your own mind that he knew something, and I don't believe You have testified quite exactly what, about the events involved? Mr. DEAN. Well, I might say one thing that did come specifically out, of the conversation was that we had leaped the hurdle of the, Justice Department investigation and the indictments -were down. Now the looming problems were the Patman committee hearings, and the President gave very clear instructions to Mr. Timmons he, should get, on top of those so they did not get out of hand because that was the next problem. IT was also very clear that I was to follow up with the civil litigation and see anything I could do to make sure that this didn't get out of hand. [00.32.44] [2 PAGES MISSING FROM TRANSCRIPT--PARAPHRASED] Senator BAKER states, not to distort DEAN, but it's true that DEAN had to draw inferences from the conversation and DEAN'S knowledge of the relationships of the staff that led him to believe NIXON knew of the efforts to counter the Watergate publicity, and possibly the facts regarding responsibility for the break-in itself. DEAN agrees to that summarization. BAKER states that there was no direct statement about CRP involvement in Watergate, NIXON'S knowledge, of either Watergate or the Coverup. In BAKER'S words, no direct "category one" information. DEAN. Repeats that he will not place interpretations on the things he reports, and has reported all of the evidence that he can about the meeting. BAKER says the information is useful. There will be more exploration of the Sept. 15 meeting, especially when HALDEMAN comes before the committee. [00.33.55] BAKER states that the only other person present on Sept. 12 was NIXON, BAKER is not prepared to say how the committee can get NIXON'S testimony about the events, but in any case, DEAN'S testimony will be compared in the future to other testimony. Asks about DEAN'S next meeting with NIXON. [00.34.40] DEAN states that the next meeting was preceeded by the events of the LaCOSTA meetings, in which EHRLICHMAN and HALDEMAN dictated the policy for the continuing coverup as the ERVIN COMMITTEE was announced. DEAN was asked by HALDEMAN at this time to prepare an agenda for a meeting with the PRESIDENT of the strategy for the next part of the coverup. BAKER states that he wants to know chiefly "WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT?", requests DEAN to keep that focus, first on DEAN'S direct knowledge from meeting with NIXON, second by circumstantial evidence.
Feud for Thought
DO NOT SELL ON PREVIEW TAPE # 991537 - i Another Deputy Dawg cartoon. Opens with the Sheriif driving along in his old open jalopy when all of a sudden he happens into the middle of a crossfire and gets his steering wheel shot off. Its the old Hatefield and LeRoy feud again, cauding trouble for everyone. The Dawg gets orders to stop the feudin'. Of course, the Dawg gets twarted at every chance until a stroke of luck as well as a loose floorboard sends the Hatefield's into the ceilng. The deputy takes their guns away. Later does the same to the LeRoys. Months later... the Sheriff and the Deputy drive down the same road when they happen into the middle of a watermelon fight between the Hatefields and LeRoys. They're havin' fun, more fun than with guns.
Hundreds Saved In Shipwreck
Shaky dull and blurry imagery Battling tropical seas in lifeboats for hours after the SS Havana goes aground, fifty holiday trippers and 126 seamen are brought safely through the ordeal of shipwreck.
Indians Pray As Ice Jam Threatens
Rolling shaky light in contrast and imagery Huge floes, carried over the St. Lawrence river banks by floods, threaten the homes of Indians who offer public prayers for the safety of their village.
State Line Guarded In Strike War
Shaky light in contrast and imagery Clashes between troops and workers follow a walk-out at a hosiery joll. Faces are made and bricks tossed across the state line from Tennessee.
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (1/2)
[00.25.00-DEAN discussing the Sept. 15, 1972 Oval Office meeting and the state of Nixon's knowledge of the coverup at that time] Senator BAKER. What else was said by him or by Mr. Haldeman or by you in that context? Mr. DEAN. Well, this into a, evolved into a, immediately into a conversation about the Internal Revenue Service and using the Internal Revenue Service to audit returns of people. I had--again, we were on, you know, I knew the wavelength we had had been talking about, because I had had similar requests in the past to audit returns of people, and I told the President that the, Internal Revenue Service had been--- [00.25.39] Senator BAKER. Wait, wait, wait. You knew the wavelength because you knew from your previous use of the Internal Revenue Service? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. I had requests from Mr. Haldeman in the past that certain individuals have audits commenced on them. Senator BAKER. What did you do with that? Mr. DEAN. Well, I can--the one time. I recall getting one I did not know exactly what I was going to do with it because I was always reluctant to call Mr. Walters at that time, who was the head of the Internal Revenue Service so I went to Mr. Caulfield, who had friends in the Internal Revenue Service and he said, "I think I know a way this can be done." Apparently there is some system where the appropriate anonymous letter comes into a regional office and if it is--those who know how to do this can write the right letter and sufficient information will prompt an audit on that individual. Senator BAKER. Is that known as the informer statute? Mr. DEAN. No; I do not believe it is an informer statute, It is just something that will be of sufficient attention to that regional office, that branch of the audit branch of that regional office, that will institute an audit. [00.26.48-NIXON'S post-election plans to consolidate power in the executive branch to make all agencies devices to screw ENEMIES] I went on to tell the President that we did not seem to have the clout at the White House to get this done. I had talked to Walters about it in the past, and told him that I had had instructions from Mr. Haldeman on one occasion, and he said that, he brought to my attention the, making of the IRS political, and said that, You will recall what happened back in 1948 with Truman and that administration and -the cleaning house and the changing of the Internal Revenue Service. And these were all new facts to me, and what he was telling me was "Don't call me with this sort of thing." Senator BAKER. Tell me, if -you do not mind, what you did. Did you in fact set up an audit? Your counsel is trying to reach you and I think he may have something to say. Mr. DEAN. [conferring with counsel]. He Just said, which was quite accurate, I do not mind telling you any fact that is true. [Laughter.] Senator BAKER.. I would say that was a very lawyer-like piece of advice. [Laughter.] Mr. DEAN. So in this instance there -was, the one I was referring to in the past, there was an audit commenced. Now I, for example, read a Memorandum into the record this morning per request of some material requested by the committee that had to do with an audit of Mr. Gibbons, of the Teamsters Union. I merely put that in my file, and that is where it has remained to this day. [00.28.35] Senator BAKER. To shorten this, and I do not, mean to shorten it if you care, to go on with it, did you In fact initiate IRS inquiries or audits as a result of suggestions from the White House staff or the President? [00.28.47-NIXON'S plans post-election to make the IRS a punitive arm of the White House to harass ENEMIES] Mr. DEAN-. Well, the President at this time, to keep in the focus you want to keep in, told me to keep a good list, so that these could be--you know, we would take care of these people after the election, and we went into--I told him that IRS was a democratically oriented bureaucracy and to do something like that was a virtual impossibility. And then the conversation moved to the fact that he was going to make some dramatic changes in all of the agencies and, at this point in time, Haldeman opened up his pad and started making notes as to what the President was describing as to his post-election intentions. As a result of the President giving his thoughts on what he wanted to do post-election with all of the agencies and as far as changing personnel. Mr. Haldeman also injected Into the conversation at that time that he had already commenced a project to determine which people in which agencies were responsive and were not responsive to the White House. Senator BAKER. Mr. Dean, in deference to my colleagues and the requirements of time, let me try to refocus now: is, there anything else about the September 15 meeting that would shed light On the President's knowledge and the scope and depth of his knowledge, if any, of the, Watergate break-in on June 17 or the coverup activities, so-called, thereafter and prior to September 15? Mr. DEAN. I think I described pretty well in full of the 30, 40 minute meeting, however long it was. As I say at the end of the meeting, the meeting it turned to rather unrelated chatter about a book I was reading. [00.30.35]
Forward Pass Wins For Greek
Rolling light in contrast and imagery These guys are going at it in the wrestling ring. The Greek wins! "Beeg Jeem" Throws Another Champion Londos scores a technical fall in his heavyweight wrestling bout with Everett Marshall when the challenger misses his aim and hurls himself from the ring.
Floods Take Heavy Toll In Oklahoma
Rolling light in contrast and imagery Torrential downpours turn many square miles of farm land into rushing water, causing several deaths and untold property damage, but promising relief to farmers suffering from a protracted dry spell.
Knights Again Enter Lists
A little rolling light in contrast and imagery Stirring combat between champions in full armor features the fourth annual horse show held at the famous seaside resort.
Pick Ace Cat-putter-outer
A little rolling light in contrast and imagery Old fashioned nightshirts flapping in the breeze, a bevy of male householders races seventy yards from its bunks with a cat in one hand and a lighted candle in the other for the last-chore-of-the-day championship. Men wearing sleep wear, getting up and off the cots that were set up out-side. They run with a stuffed toy kitten and back to the cots. The winner is awarded a real kitten.
Invents Dual-control Car
Rolling, some overexposure in contrast and imagery A septuagenarian produces a strange-looking automobile by fitting a standard model with two steering-wheels as an aid to teaching the uninitiated to drive. (driving lessons)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (1/2)
[00.36.27-TRANSCRIPT MISSING-DEAN discussing meeting with NIXON to discuss agenda, direction of HALDEMAN and EHRLICHMAN] DEAN. Next meeting was Feb. 27, 1973, it is essential to have an understanding of the AGENDA, from the LaCosta meetings, that was the purpose of DEAN'S meetings with NIXON. The AGENDA related to a coming meeting between Sen. BAKER and NIXON, whether STANS would be sent up for a confirmed post in the government, to diffuse the impact of the ERVIN COMMITTEE hearings by having hearings for STANS' confirmation. DEAN was to talk to STANS about this. [00.38.13] DEAN. Next item on agenda for Feb. 27, 1973 meeting with NIXON was status of Mr. MAGRUDER. DEAN was asked to prepare the Agenda by Mr. HALDEMAN pursuant to a conversation and the LaCosta meetings. DEAN was also advised in February of a meeting between TIMMONS (White House) and Sen. BAKER, in which BAKER indicated a wish to meet with NIXON before the start of ERVIN COMMITTEE hearings, to discuss EXEC. PRIVILEGE, and that BAKER had indicated a desire to be helpful to the White House. [00.39.29] BAKER responds to DEAN'S testimony that BAKER was playing ball with the White House in Feb. 1973, Asks DEAN to state for the record whether he later learned of the content of BAKER'S meeting with NIXON. DEAN states that he did learn of the content of the meeting. [00.39.45] [RETURN TO TRANSCRIPT] Mr. DEAN. Do you want me to take that out of order right now? Senator BAKER. If you don't mind. Mr. DEAN. Certainly. The President reported to me--first of all, Mr. Haldeman reported to me, and subsequently the President reported to me, that you had urged the President to send members of the White House staff up to this committee as quickly as he could get them up here and waive executive privilege. The President told you that he was going to hold the line at written interrogatories. Senator BAKER. Mr. Dean, would you proceed, then, with your sequence as I have it? Before you do, I see -we have another roll call vote. If the committee is agreeable, we will recess at this point until we can return from it. [00.40.33-LEHRER v.o. states Senators must go to vote-00.40.46-after Recess]
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 613
Opryland (El Paso) Porter Wagoner/Quartet "Gonna Go Home" Freddie Weller "Perfect Stranger" Mack Magaha "Durham's Bull" (Instrumental) Porter Wagoner/Quartet "Old Log Cabin" Linda Moore "Blue Eye's Cryin' In The Rain" Speck Rhodes (phone) (comedy/narration) Linda Moore "You Can't Be A Beacon" Freddie Weller "Promised Land" Porter Wagoner/Band "Eli Stubbs and HIs funky Bluegrass Band"
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 559
Opryland (barnyard) Porter Wagoner "Happy Faces" Mac Wiseman "Letter Edged in Black" The Wagon Masters "Oklahoma Stomp" (Instrumental) Barbara Lee "I Think of You" Porter Wagoner "Just For the Lonely" Speck Rhodes (phone) (comedy/narration) Porter Wagoner "Stones" mac Wiseman "I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home" Mac Wiseman "Four Walls Around Me"
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 28, 1973 (1/2)
[01.00.15-DEAN describes instances where White House subordinates were required to take blame to protect those higher up, compares to his situation with the Watergate coverup.] Senator TALMADGE. All right. Proceed. Mr. DEAN. Another instance that occurs to me is when during the 1970 congressional campaign there were a number of rather rough, you might call, of questionable political ethical standard, ads run that got the name of the Shipley ad because Mr. Shipley had signed the ads. The ultimate blame came to rest at the White House and it came to rest on Chuck Colson. [01.00.54] Senator TALMADGE. You are saving then in your testimony. as I understand it, it was common practice -in the White House when something went wrong for subordinates to take the blame for their superiors; is that your testimony? Mr. DEAN. Yes. it is, Senator. Senator TALMADGE. 'Thank you very much, Mr. Dean. I must rush to the Senate floor and the committee will stand in recess until the vice chairman or some other member returns. Thank you, sir. Mr. DEAN. Fine. [01.01.20] Jim LEHRER v.o. states that Sen. TALMADGE has raised the new ethical issue of scapegoating, which will be pursued further with DEAN. [PBS NETWORK ID-title screen "SENATE HEARINGS ON CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES"] [01.04.06-TAPE OUT]
Yellow Rumped Warbler
(Tape 2) 15:12:58 Yellow-rumped warbler on branch