Vanderbilt Television News Archive

Bypassed Introduction Walter Cronkite (NYC)

(Studio) Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas 1st to resign under fire. Says no wrongdoing in his dealings with financier, Louis Wolfson.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(DC) Fortas given $20,000 fee for life from Wolfson Foundation to help shape its community relations program. (Fee to go to his wife after his death.) In June of 1966, Fortas canceled agreement as of yr's. end. When Wolfson indicted, returned initial fee. By resigning, Fortas hoped court would resume work.
REPORTER: Daniel Schorr

(DC) Reporter reads President Nixon's acceptance of resignation. Possible successors include: Attorney Charles Rhyne; former Attorney General Herbert Brownell; Virginia Congman. Richard Poff; and New York Appeals Court Judge Henry Friendly. Justice Potter Stewart may take over Chief Justice post when Earl Warren retires. Justices William O. Douglas, Hugo Black, and John Harlan have age and health difficulties. Nixon may fill 2-5 posts, assuring influence.
REPORTER: Dan Rather

(DC) Congress glad there won't be messy impeachment. Senator Albert Gore demands opening Justice Department's file on Fortas. [Senator Howard BAKER - says no need to investigate further.] [Representative Emanuel CELLER - says good he resigned for court and cntry's sake.] Senator Mike Mansfield says both executive and legislature to use all deliberate speed in apptg. judges.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd

(Studio) Warren acknowledges resignation with praise and good wishes for Fortas.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite