This program is 27 minutes long
#25084
(Studio) Four-day impasse over last American prisoners of war release ends. Communists agree to release 9 American POW's captured in Laos. All POW's to be freed by Thursday 32 POW's held by Viet Cong to be released Tuesday Wednesday Laos POW's plus 40 more POW's will be freed in North Vietnam. Last 67 Americans to be released Thursday. Nixon orders Defense Secretary Elliot Richardson to complete United States troop withdrawal from Vietnam.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Capitol Hill) [RICHARDSON - says release POW's a tribute to American negotiators, include Ambassador Bunker, General Weyand, General Woodward and support received by Nixon and American people.] Despite end of war Richardson and head Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Thomas Moorer request Senate appropriations committee supply Defense Department with $83.5 billion for 1974.
REPORTER: Bill Zimmerman
(Studio) Saigon government frees major political prisoner Truong Dinh Dzu. Dzu ran second to President Thieu in `67 elections. Dzu jailed for advocating neutrality.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#25086
(Studio) Watergate defendant James McCord talks with Senator investigators over wkend. Los Angeles "Times" reports McCord implicated 2 Nixon aides in Watergate bugging, Jeb Magruder and John Dean.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Miami, Florida) White House says John Dean innocent of any crime in connection with Watergate. [Press Secretary Ronald ZIEGLER - says denies fact Dean knew ahead of time of Watergate bugging. Nixon says has complete confidence in Dean.] Ziegler critical of Senator Ervin's committee spokesperson for improper procedure. White House denies charge of L. Pat. Gray that Dean lied to FBI. Dean threatening to sue news media that repeat committee charges against him.
REPORTER: Bill Gill
(DC) Committee set up to investigate Watergate meets. [Senator Sam. ERVIN - declines comment until hears testimony about Watergate case.] [Attorney General Richard KLEINDIENST - says Justice Department wants James McCord to tell it what he knows. Has requested Judge Sirica to give factual information to Justice Department for further investigation Watergate case. Says James McCord has no reason to distrust Justice Department] Republican Senator Lowell Weicker says has no doubts high government officials involved in Watergate bugging. Convicted defendant G. Gordon Liddy refuses to answer grand jury questions on bugging incident.
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson
#25087
(Studio) Supreme Court agrees to consider legality wiretaps conducted by Justice Department between 1969 and 1971.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#25088
(Studio) Prosecutor in murder trial William Prater accuses former UMW (United Mine Workers of America, International Union) President Tony Boyle of ordering Yablonski murders. Richard Sprague says Boyle lied in his testimony.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#25090
(Studio) Head Cost of Living Council John Dunlop says administration considering reimposing controls on skyrocketing lumber prices.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Atlanta, Georgia) Lumber shortage and high prices affecting housing industry. [Builder R. E. PATTERSON - says prices lumber rising so fast builders afraid to quote prices for people wanting houses built.]
REPORTER: David Snell
#25091
(Studio) Boycott movement on beef calls for meatless week beginning April 1. Agriculture Department reports beef prices at all time high at $1.30/lb.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Walnut, California) Feed lots have to pay more for cattle and feed costs much higher. [Feed lot owner Al BENTON - says beef supply will increase with improvement in weather and prices will decrease.]
REPORTER: Anne Kaestner
#25092
(Studio) Mfrs. Hanover Trust announces cutting of prime lending rate back to 6 1/2% from 6 3/4%.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#25095
(Studio) 6 major RR's in N.E. all bankrupt. Department Trans. has plan to put freight trains back on time.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) Nixon administration wants Congress to approve plan to create private, President-appointed corporation to streamline old railroad into profit-making system. [Secretary Trans. Claude BRINEGAR - says freight would start out like Amtrak with President-appointed board. Ownership would flow downward to creditors or stockholders. In time corporation would become publicly owned RR.]
REPORTER: Bill Matney
#25096
(Studio) Child abuse common crime.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) 60,000 children injured by parents annually. [Mother - describes to Senate committee how she abused her child.] [Senator Jennings RANDOLPH - questions witness who suggests all physical punishment in schools should be outlawed. Feels suggestion going too far.] [Brandeis University Prof. David GIL - says physical punishment contributes to delinquency.]
REPORTER: David Schoumacher
#25099
(Studio) 2 Israeli-born Jews and 4 Arabs sentenced in Israel for spying for Syria.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#25100
(Studio) Egyptian President Anwar Sadat names himself prime minister to better deal with Israel.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Suez Canal) Egypt says has plan to reopen Suez Canal in event of agreement with Israel. Egyptian and Israeli armies face each other across canal. Egypt would like to reopen profitable canal, but demands Israel withdraw from area.
REPORTER: Lou Cioffi
#25102
(Studio) Reporter feels United States not declining as many say. Says United States didn't win war in Vietnam because didn't choose to. Decline of dollar a good thing because corrects false values. United States leads world in export items like computers, planes, etc.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#667136