This program is 27 minutes long
#17625
(Studio) Gross National Product for 4th quarter, 1971, rose 6.1%. Total for year, 2.7%. Cost of Living Index rose 3.4% in 1971, but up .4% in December
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) Economic indicators explained. Food prices blamed for higher cost of living in December [Council Econ. Advisors, Chairperson Dr. Herbert STEIN - says higher food prices due to seasonal changes, not indicating continuing trend. Says price bulge comes from freeze transition to Phase 2 controls; should diminish in from 3 to 6 mos.] Controls will probably continue through year
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson
#17626
(Studio) President Nixon asks Congress for legislation to end dock strike.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Key Biscayne, Florida) President calls West Coast dock strike intolerable as it: causes farmers' loss; threatens foreign trade; makes national economy hostage to the interest of few. [White House Press Secretary, Ron ZIEGLER - says Longshoremen Union unreasonably reluctant to negotiate.] [Undersecretary Labor, Laurence SILBERMAN - criticizes Congress for not having already passed no-strike legislation.]
REPORTER: Tom Jarriel
(Studio) Longshoremen Union President Harry Bridges says legislation will not settle walkout.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#17627
#17628
(Studio) Democrats make political issues in responding to President speech.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) Anyone could call collect to panel of Congress Democrats Senator Thomas F. Eagleton, moderator, took calls. No President contenders on panel, which accused Nixon of neglecting jobless, farmers, old people, and other groups. [Senator Frank CHURCH - attacks Nixon for failure to end Vietnam War.] [Republican Chairperson, Senator Robert DOLE - assails Democrats on war issue, at GOP mtg.; saying Democrat President hopefuls voted for Gulf of Tonkin resolution which put United States in Vietnam.]
REPORTER: Bob Clark
#17629
(Studio) Senator Edmund Muskie endorsed by Senator Harrison Williams in race for Democrat President mon. Senator George McGovern supported by Representative Robert Drinan on anti-war stance.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Florida) McGovern seeks anti-Wallace vote in Florida, mostly blacks and youth. [MCGOVERN - encounters John Bircher in Pensacola Baptist Church; argues with him on war issue.]
REPORTER: Don Farmer
#17630
#17631
(Studio) United States continues wind-down of ground war, while air war continues unabated. 2 United States Phantom jets ever Laos and 2 United States copters over South Vietnam shot down. US `copters ready for expected enemy offensive.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Cen. Highlands, South Vietnam) South Vietnam has fledgling helicopter force, weak link in otherwise impressive A.F., leaving job for United States `copters highly important. [52nd Aviation Battalion, Major Richard JAMES - evaluates role United States will play in enemy offensive.]
REPORTER: Jim Giggans
#17632
(Studio) Anti-government rioting continues in Rhodesia. 15 killed so far in black protest against Anglo-Rhodesian agreement for white rule.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#17633
#17634
(Studio) Selective Service announces draft lottery for February 2 to determine order 19 year olds will be called. All volunteer army envisioned after June, 1973. Program to upgrade soldiers with low IQs not successful.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(DC) Soldiers in category 4, lowest acceptable intelligence level, given remedial reading lessons to bring them to 5th grade standard, minimum for basic training. [Kendrick POLLOCK, Earl CHAFFINS, Chrysanthus HAWKINS - participants in program, say individual attention helped them learn.] Since interviewed, 2 have gone absent without leave and the 3rd dropped for academic reasons. Field cmdrs. complain category 4 men incompetent; Pentagon discontinues experiments.
REPORTER: Roger Peterson
#17635
(Studio) Citizen ecology group attempts to block Navy maneuvers on Me. beaches, rejected by Federal judge. War games begin tomorrow.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#17636
#17637
(Studio) FBI indicts 71 persons in car theft ring in NYC.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#17638
(Studio) United States Air Force Academy reports 4 more cadets resign in wake of student investigation of academic cheating.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#17639
(Studio) Hijacker who bailed out with $50,000 ransom, arraigned in Denver, Colonel
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Denver, Col) Suspect Richard Charles La Point, 23 years old, former Army paratrooper in Vietnam, parachuted from hijacked jet and landed in wheat field, spraining wrists and ankles. Charged with air piracy. (Las Vegas, Nev.) Hijacking reviewed. [Passenger interviewed says hijacker didn't speak.] FBI bugged parachutes with homing devices for capture. [Pilot Captain Don BURKHARD - refuses comment on how hijacker left plane.]
REPORTER: Dick Shoemaker
#17640
#17641
(Studio) Commentator criticizes Federal deficit of Nixon Administration. Largest 4 year deficit in history of nation, except Roosevelt's of WW II. Deficits of this magnitude said inflationary.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#665971