Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 13, 1973 (2/2)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 13, 1973 (2/2)
***TRANSCRIPT MISSING--THIS SECTION PARAPHRASED*** [01.08.49--committee room] Sen. BAKER states that after 6 1/2 years in the Senate, there is "some remnant of lawyer left in me". States it is axiomatic that stronger, logical witnesses are difficult to test, and to assess conflicts and areas for corroboration. States that he does not want to seem antagonistic or doubtful, but it is necessary to test STANS' testimony against other witnesses. Asks STANS to understand that he does not want to imply belief or disbelief by his questioning. BAKER. asks about the circumstances, number, and occasions of meetings or conference between STANS and other principals in the Watergate matter, prior to and after June 17, 1972. States that he has entries or abstracts from entries in STANS' diaries, asks him to direct his attention to these pages [STANS and counsel shown lifting large leather-bound binder onto table] BAKER requests January 17, 1972, Stans does not have his diary with him, request made of staff to provide STANS with a copy, which is provided BAKER calls attention to the entry marked "Finance Committee", asks if STANS was Finance Chairman at the time. STANS says he was not. ****TRANSCRIPT**** Senator BAKER. Were you Secretary of Commerce at, the time? Mr. STANS. I was Secretary of Commerce. Senator BAKER, January 25, 8:30 a.m., "1701 Pennsylvania Avenue (all day)." Mr. STANS. Yes, that turned out to be an exaggeration because I did have other appointments on that day, but that, is the entry. Senator BAKER. Were these campaign-related activities? I believe 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue was the headquarters of the Committee To Re-Elect the President. Mr. STANS. Those were related to discussions of the new law as it then stood. Senator BAKER. The law that went, into effect on April 7, 1972? Mr. STANS. That, is correct. Senator BAKER. January 28, 9:30 a.m., the same entry, 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue? Mr. STANS. That is correct. Senator BAKER. January 31, "Hugh Sloan," is this Hugh Sloan, Jr., known also as Duke Sloan who appeared and testified before the committee previously? Mr. STANS. That is correct. Senator BAKER, February 1, 4 o'clock, "Finance, Group Arden," as I can read the entry. Mr. STANS. Did You say, February 4? Senator BAKER. I am sorry, February 1, 4 o'clock is the entry apparently--4 p.m. Mr. STANS. Yes, that is in brackets and I take that to mean since I left for the airport at, 3 o'clock that that meeting was cancelled. Senator BAKER. February 11, 8:15, "Breakfast with R. S. at Watergate." Incidentally of all of the synonymous phrases I could have chosen, I think I would have chosen last your description of your functions as being watertight. [Laughter.] Mr. STANS. Touche, Senator. What is the last date you are asking me about? Senator BAKER. February 11, 8:15, "Breakfast, with R. S. at Watergate." Mr. STANS. That had no relation to campaign matters. R. S. was Rocco Siciliano, the former Under Secretary of Commerce,. I had breakfast -with him. Senator BAKER. Thank you, sir, February 14, 10 o'clock, "Sloan-Nunn redirect." I can't read the last word. Mr. STANS. That, was a meeting with Sloan--Nunn regarding direct, mail solicitation of contributors. Senator BAKER. February 15, 11:30, Tom Evans, New York. Mr. STANS. Yes, Tom Evans was not with the campaign at that, time. I -would not, be able to recall at the moment, the subject of that discussion. He did not join the campaign until July or along in there,- Senator BAKER. February 22, 3:30, "Mitchell fit Justice." 'Mr. STANS. This is now after I had joined the campaign on February 15. Senator BAKER. Can you tell us about, that conversation" Mr. STANS. I can't tell you] any of the, particulars. It was a general discussion with Mitchell. I think- it, was the first opportunity after joining the campaign to sit, down and talk with him about plans, in general, the, spending programs and so on. [01.16.25]