Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 13, 1973 (1/2)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 13, 1973 (1/2)
***SEE RESTRICTIONS FIELD IN RIGHTS AREA*** [00.06.58--MacNEILL in studio] MacNEILL states that, harrassment or not, the testimony of STANS, described as the "urbane former secretary of commerce", was frustrating to some of the Senators, who were trying to figure out how STANS, with his professional success as an accountant and reputation as a "stickler for the details" could have been unaware of how millions of campaign dollars were being spent. STANS stated that he had no knowledge of the espionage or coverup operations, and that his FINANCE COMMITTEE had no say in how money was to be spent, statements which many of the Senators doubted, but could not prove to be untrue. [show guest commentators, David AUSTEN of Georgetown University Law School, and Herb ALEXANDER, exec. dir. of Citizens' Research Foundation, LEHRER introduces v.o.] LEHRER asks each what viewers should look for in STANS' testimony that night. AUSTEN states that STANS is very well prepared, and as such is familiar with SLOAN's testimony and others. Also states that he thought the questioning by GURNEY and TALMADGE was rather weak and inneffectual, and that when Sen. ERVIN takes over, things get a bit more pointed. Also, states that viewers should keep in mind, as STANS discusses actions "on the advice of counsel", that an attorney's advice is not a defense for illegal acts. ALEXANDER says he was struck by the extent of CASH spending in the campaigns, and that he is also interested in the issue of accountability in financing, insofar as STANS discussed his authorizing of money for unknown purposes, in that it should be a moral obligation to contributors who give their money to a campaign that spending is accountable. [MacNEILL] MacNEILL gives hourly summary of the testimony [00.10.37--committee room, photographers and reporters milling around as SENATORS move to their seats--MacNEILL v.o. continues to give summary--titles show the major points of testimony] [00.11.47--gavel by Sen. ERVIN]