This program is 28 minutes long
#36660
(Studio) In legislature proposals, President asks for $722 million in military aid and $250 million in humanitarian aid for South Vietnam; requests legal authority to use American troops if evacuation necessary. White House demands action by end of week; full Senate Foreign Relations Committee goes to White House to confer with President himself.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(White House) Committee spends over hour discussing President's and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's options. [Senator Clifford CASE - doesn't rule out approval of some military aid.] [Senator Joseph BIDEN - says he'll do whatever he feels is best to insure safety of Americans in South Vietnam; doesn't feel moral obligation to South Vietnam who have been friends to Americans] White House unable to cite legal justification for President's use of United States Marines to evacuate 159 Cambodians from Phnom Penh over wkend. Any such evacuation from South Vietnam would be more massive.
REPORTER: Tom Jarriel
(Capitol Hill) House Judiciary subcommittee hears from assistant Secretary of State Philip Habib with regard to administration's plans for possible evacuation of thousands of South Vietnam. [Chairperson Joshua EILBERG - says there's been virtually no advance planning for movement of South Vietnam refugees.] Senate Democrats caucus on advisability of using American troops to evacuate people from South Vietnam. [Senator Mike MANSFIELD - says President has power in limited areas to use American troops in South Vietnam.]
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson
(Studio) President sets April 19 as deadline for Congress to act on his requests; congress leaders say final action by deadline most unlikely.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36662
(Studio) In South Vietnam, government forces expand control around Xuan Loc despite continuous artillery attacks by Communists Communist gunners blow up ammunition dump near Bien Hoa airbase. In Saigon, President Thieu formally presents new 30-man war cabinet; vows he'll never surrender.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36663
(Studio) Situation in South Vietnam looked at in perspective.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(No location given) President Thieu now says he was promised, at Paris peace signing, 1 for 1 equipment replacement by United States and United States involvement again if North Vietnam violated peace agreement. On Apr. 2, 1973, Thieu and President Nixon met in California. Thieu must have been affected when Congress cut back appropriations, prohibited use of American troops in South Vietnam, and saw Nixon pulled down by Watergate. As United States cut back supplies to government, North Vietnam building up theirs. Govt. began rationing ammunition to troops; Saigon morale sagged. Beginning of end began this spring with fall of Ban Me Thuot. United States ambassador Graham Martin not in South Vietnam at time of Thieu's decision to abandon central highlands and north provinces. Most cmdrs. and troops too busy saving themselves and families to restore any order or calmness to situation. Now, 2/3 of country in hands of Communists& ability to fight for other 1/3 under question.
REPORTER: Steve Bell
#36664
(Studio) In Cambodia, insurgents cut road between Phnom Penh and lifeline airport. Refugee camps infiltrated and set afire in north part of city. Earlier, Cambodian Air Force plane, apparently piloted by defector, bombs military cmd. headqtrs. in Phnom Penh, killing 7. 24 hour curfew on city, but refugees clog streets anyhow.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36666
(Studio) House votes to provide $500 million for emergency loans to people facing loss of home because of unemployment. Details of emergency loan bill given.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36668
(Studio) Commerce Department reports total business inventories decline by $1 1/2 billion in February Report on meaning of figures follows.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(NYC) In theory, as inventories are reduced, producers must increase output to meet normal demand. Inventories of essential, everyday goods continue to pile up at retail level. Revised figures show January inventories actually incrd. rather than fell as 1st reported.
REPORTER: Dan Cordtz
#36669
(Studio) Some airlines begin "no frills" fare today.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(On Florida-New York flight) 5 airlines competing for "no frills" traffic. [Delta Airlines executive Joe COOPER - says Delta forced to get into "no frills" fare because of competitors.] Ntl Airlines 1st thought of idea. 1st day of "no frills" fare.
REPORTER: Charles Murphy
#36670
(Studio) Head of Brotherhood of Railway, and Airline, etc. Clerks says his union favors nationwide rail strike Friday at 12:01. Major issues include money and benefits. President likely to declare emergency and block strike for 60 days.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36672
(Studio) Federal Judge George Hart refuses to order acquittal in John Connally's bribery trial. Charges against Connally reviewed. Connally's attys. call parade of character witnesses.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) Witnesses include Robert McNamara, Dean Rusk, Billy Graham, Lady Bird Johnson, George Christian, former press secretary to President Johnson. Connally takes stand in own behalf; testimony reviewed. Prosecution may begin cross-exam. of Connally tomorrow.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds Artist: Freda Reiter
#36673
(Studio) Pretrial arguments begin in Washington, North Carolina, in case of Joan Little. Ms. Little, black, accused of killing white jail guard last summer. Ms. Little claims guard tried to rape her. Defense lawyers want trial moved out of county
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36675
(Studio) Israel to unveil 1st homemade war plane today. Defense minister Shimon Peres says jet fighter 1 of best.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36676
(Studio) Israeli defense to be 1 of topics discussed on tomorrow night's news special "Rabin: Action Biography"; begins at 10 p.m. EDT.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36678
(Studio) 3 armed men enter Boston museum, beat up guard, and steal Rembrandt painting.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36679
(Studio) Bd. of education in E. Haven, Connecticut, insists it's broke; locks out students and teachers.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#36680
(Studio) Report on car care follows.
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
(DC) According to AAA, checkup of inside, carburetor adjustment and tune-up needed to get car in good running order for spring. Store snow tires in cool, dry place, check battery, wash underside of car.
REPORTER: Jim Kincaid
#36682
(Studio) If Americans depressed about United States situation, visit to Israel would be worthwhile. Comparison between inflation, taxes, national security, tourism, for. affairs. After this reporter's visit, there are deep doubts about Israeli government
REPORTER: Howard K. Smith
#668819