This program is 28 minutes long
#36442
(Studio) 12th province falls in South Vietnam. Danang placed under martial law by city's military commander Hundreds of thousands of refugees trying to leave city; Danang rptdly. in state of near anarchy. United States consulate abandons offices and seeks safety aboard ship in South China Sea. Shelling of city increases; refugee evacuation halted.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(DC) 1 senior analyst says there's no chance at all for Danang; same analyst also ready to write off Nha Trang and Cam Ranh Bay. Mil. officials believe lowlands defensible by South Vietnam.
REPORTER: Frank Tomlinson
(Studio) If most of north part of South Vietnam lost to Communists, Mekong Delta region crucial to survival of Saigon regime.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Mekong Delta) Viet Congress rptdly. planning imminent offensive in Mekong Delta. Delta's land very rich; enough food could be grown to feed all S.E. Asia. If delta lost, thousands of South Vietnam could starve. Viet Congress infiltration heavy here.
REPORTER: Jim Giggans
#36443
(Studio) USSR asks Cambodian government to close its embassy in Moscow. Diplomatic relations with Lon Nol regime expected to be broken shortly. Phnom Penh airport hit by heavy artillery and rocket fire; American airlift suspended.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36444
(Studio) In Jerusalem, bomb explodes on bus, injuring 13 people. 2nd bomb, hidden in sack of oranges, explodes near crowded road in Jewish sector. Palestinian group takes credit for bombs.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36445
(Studio) President' spokesperson Ron Nessen says President Ford plans major foreign policy statement to be delivered to joint session of Congress in 2 weeks Mid. E. and Indochina to be incld. as topics in speech.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36447
(Studio) Trans Alaska pipeline subject of much controversy. Yesterday, 1st pipe fit into place in Alaska wilderness.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Tanana River, AK) 1900-foot section of pipe examined. Other sections of pipe to be laid few mile away from 1st pipe. In 2-2 1/2 years, oil to be flowing through these pipes; to provide 10% of American's present consumption.
REPORTER: Roger Peterson
#36448
(Studio) Since energy crisis began, much discussion about meeting energy problems offered, but little action comes out of discussion.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) [On November 7, 1973, NIXON - pledges United States to be energy independent by 1980.] [On January 13, 1975, President FORD - reiterates Nixon's statement.] During Nixon's speech, there was sense of urgency about energy and a need to sacrifice felt, but by time President Ford spoke, sense of urgency gone. National goal aimed at preventing another energy crisis; in truth, United States more dependent on Arab oil than ever before. Chart of oil import figures since 1972 explained. [Federal Energy Administration administration Frank ZARB - believes country somewhat more vulnerable to energy crisis now than in 1973.] Goal of national independence waits for Congress, President and perhaps Arabs' next move.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds
#36449
(Studio) United States companies that abided by Arab boycott rules may have violated antitrust laws and be subject to penalties, according to Attorney General Edward Levy.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36451
(Studio) Civil Aeronautics Board approves request by National Airlines to start "no frills? service on many wide-bodied jets on Apr. 14. Other airlines expected to begin similar service; details given.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36452
(Studio) Reducing prices to fill empty spaces being tried in Orlando, Florida.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Orlando, Florida) Following on heels of DISNEY World, building boom began but soon went bust. Before construction stopped, 6000 too many motel rooms built; more than million square foot of overabundant office space built; ind. space even more plentiful. [Dvter. Robert OEFINGER - says demand for construction unbelievable in `72 and `73, but in `74 demand seemed to come to screeching halt.] Construction trade hit hardest. [Realtor Robert GARDNER - says many construction workers moved from town after construction boom halt caused massive layoffs.] Action caused thousands of vacancies in apts. and hses. [Task force chairperson Robert HERRELL - says auto industry copied in effort to fill up vacancies.] Rebates, discounts, gifts offered to apt. renters; 5-10% off on factory and office space; as much as 20% off on new home.
REPORTER: David Snell
#36453
(Studio) Rebate idea spreads to hses., groceries, appliances after beginning in auto industry, but it hasn't worked out very well.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(NYC) By time auto industry rebate plan ended, inventories cut only 15%, except for Chrysler. Sales rates didn't improve. Rebates not as good for buyers as many thought.
REPORTER: Dan Cordtz
#36454
(Studio) Detroit has become unemployment capital of nation. New problem facing city employees and Mayor Coleman Young.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(Detroit, Michigan) [In January `75, YOUNG - believes Detroit's problems should be taken as economy warning for rest of nation.] City government faces intolerable budget deficit of $80 million; every city department ordered to cut its budget by 10%. [Detroit recreation director Leon ATCHISON - says budget problem real; many employees must be laid off.] Heads of unions meet with Young to learn city can't pay 4% wage increase called for in contract. [On March 25, ?75, Detroit sanitation WORKER - expresses dissatisfaction with mayor's statement with regard to contract.]
REPORTER: Greg Dobbs
#36455
(Studio) President hasn't decided to sign or veto tax cut bill on desk; President requests air time to address nation on tax measure tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. EDT. ABC to carry address live.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36457
(Studio) In Rijeka, Yugoslavia, fire in hospital maternity wing kills 24 babies.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36458
(Studio) Blizzard sweeping from Wyoming to Minnesota claims 14 lives. Nebraska Governor J.J. Exon reports 20 persons missing in his state; South Dakota Governor Richard Kneip declares state of emergency.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36459
(Studio) Interstate Commerce Commission authorizes bankrupt Rock Island railroad to impose surcharge on all freight originating or terminating on line.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
#36460
(Studio) 1 small railroad line in Wales is solvent, economical and free of union troubles.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner
(Maenturog, North Wales) Colonel Andrew Campbell and wife live 3 mile from nearest road; use own personal train to link up with outside civilization. [CAMPBELL - says anyone can drive train because it finds its own way home.] Train gets 200 mile per gallon Colonel Campbell has only 1 restriction; his train must fit into regular timetable for passenger trains that also use railroad line.
REPORTER: Hilary Brown
#36462
(Studio) President, viewing collapse of S.E. Asia, asks for reassessment of Indochina policies. Senator Mike Mansfield believes United States shouldn't view itself as Asian power any longer but as Pacific power; in this reporter's view, statement sounds flawed. United States can't forget about Korea or Japan. Mansfield's statement reflects growing mood in Congress toward US isolationism.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#668787