This program is 28 minutes long
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(Studio) President almost certain to announce resignation tonight. Vice President Gerald Ford to become 38th President tomorrow. President meets with Ford late in a.m. President plans to address nation tonight at 9 p.m. EDT. Congress leaders of both ptys. to meet with President before address.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) After days of agonizing, Nixon decides to resign.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(White House) Presidential speech writers prepare possible resignation address. [Press Secretary Ronald ZIEGLER - says President to meet with bipartisan congress leaders before addressing nation.] General tone downcast but businesslike. President vetoes agriculture environmental and consumer protection act; to be President' last legislature act. Tentative schedule for next 2 days outlined.
REPORTER: Dan Rather
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(Studio) Vice President Gerald Ford promises top aides smooth and orderly transition of power.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Alexandria, Virginia) Ford seems grim and preoccupied. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger meets with Ford in afternoon. Ford likely to ask entire Nixon cabinet to stay on. Melvin Laird seems to be among top choices for Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, George Bush also under consideration.
REPORTER: Phil Jones
(Studio) Rockefeller announces news conference at Bangor, ME, tomorrow evening at 6:45 p.m. EDT.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) Controversy exists surrounding impeachment proceedings and likelihood of amnesty against criminal or civil prosecution.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) [House speaker Carl ALBERT - doesn't think impeachment matter should be continued if President resigns. Watergate affair should be over.] Albert against immunity. Representative John Rhodes also against immunity. House debates campaign reform bill.
REPORTER: Bruce Morton
(Studio) Senator also discusses immunity and impeachment.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) Senators fret about terms of President' resignation. [Senator Ed BROOKE - wants full confession of President' involvement in Watergate before immunity granted.] Most Democrats opposed to immunity. [Senator Frank MOSS -รน thinks if resignation purports President' innocence, impeachment trial should continue.] [Senator Robert BYRD - doesn't think President will resign unless he's guilty and admits his guilt.]
REPORTER: Roger Mudd
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(Studio) Some Americans crowd outside White House, hoping to get glimpse of history.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) Tourists react to President' problems and this historical day. Calls pour into White House expressing views with regard to impeachment.
REPORTER: Connie Chung
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(Studio) Resignation rumors have impact on President' birthplace, Yorba Linda, California.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Yorba Linda, California) Yorba Linda formerly jubilant over Richard Nixon's successes, but town's mood very different. [Yorba Linda (California) Star ed, Ed KELLY - expresses sadness with regard to events of past mos. Plans to drop masthead on paper reading "the birthplace of President Nixon;" reasons given.]
REPORTER: Terry Drinkwater
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(Studio) Different mood prevails in Vice President Gerald Ford's hometown.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(Grand Rapids, Michigan) [Kenneth LEHNEN - praises Ford.] Ford family remains calm. [Vice President's 1/2 brother Dick FORD - discusses serenity surrounding possibly of Gerald becoming President] [Ford's sister-in-law Mrs. Barbara FORD - expresses pride in Gerald, but she's still firm Nixon supporter.]
REPORTER: Ike Pappas
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(Studio) Whsle. prices jump 3.7% in July.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(NYC) 1 of biggest increases comes in livestk. prices. Milk and fresh vegetables decrease somewhat. Steel mill products up 7%. Sharp increase in whsle. prices to show up soon at retail level.
REPORTER: Gary Shepard
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(Studio) Cyprus peace talks resume in Geneva, Switzerland. Heavy fighting occurs in Nicosia. Along north coast, British newsman killed after stepping on mine; 5 others injured; names given.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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(Studio) Mbrs. of White House press corps locked in briefing room; no explanation given. Eric Sevareid discusses transition of power.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
(DC) Resignation with dignity only sane and safe way to transfer power. President not plea bargaining for immunity supposedly. Nixon administration died of self inflicted wounds. New chance for country hoped for. Some severe Nixon problems to be inherited by Ford.
REPORTER: Eric Sevareid
#236081
(Studio) After being held for 23 mins., newsmen now free to leave briefing room. Continuing coverage of this historic night to resume immediately after this broadcast.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite
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