Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) San. Judiciary Committee's. probe for link between Justice Department settlement of ITT (International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation) antitrust case and big political contribution continues. Former Attorney General John Mitchell and ITT (International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation) President Harold Geneen testify.
REPORTER: Dan Rather

(DC) Chairperson James Eastland tries to speed hearings. 6 man subcommittee chaired by Senator Philip Hart, to take testimony Monday from ITT (International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation) lobbyist Dita Beard in Denver hospital. Mitchell denies wrong doing in meeting with Geneen. Tells Senator John Tunney he did not talk with California Lieutenant Governor Edward Reinecke about convention financing last spring. [TUNNEY - tells of his conversation with Reinecke who said Mitchell told him of ITT (International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation) conv. offer.] Senator Marlow Cook complains of press mishandling of hearing. [MITCHELL - urges Senator to proceed with confirmation of Richard KleindIenst as attorney gem. Says media have provided distorted version of hearings. Points out New York "Times" picture of himself with man captioned as ITT VP William Merriam. Says man pictured is Robert Mardian assistant Attorney General in charge of confirmation hearings for Kleindienst, and he, Mitchell, has never seen Mr. Merriam.] Geneen testifies of efforts to change government antitrust policy, denying link to convention pledge. [GENEEN - says Mrs. Beard was not involved in ITT (International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation) settlement.]
REPORTER: Neil Strawser Artist: Marcia Danits

(Studio) Geneen resumes testimony tomorrow.
REPORTER: Dan Rather