January 8, 1969

Agnew resigns as Gov; makes farewell s to Legis; discusses role as Vice Pres, TV int

Colo U team headed by Dr E U Condon finds no evidence that objects or sightings are intelligently guided spacecraft from beyond earth, final rept on 18-mo study that will be pub soon; holds deeper study would be waste of time and money; finds no evidence of Govt effort to withhold data from pub

trial opens; series of motions heard in Walker's chambers; in open ct proceedings, Cooper moves to set aside Sirhan's not guilty plea 'for sole purpose of quashing indictment'; then asks that separate jury try case on not guilty plea and different jury determine issue of penalty; move seen effort to prove 'diminished responsibility' in effort to get less than death penalty; Compton opposes motion; Cooper tells Walker that defense has not had time to prepare evidence for its motion to quash indictment or planned motion that jury list be set aside; asks continuation of 30 days; Walker says he wants to move as soon as possible; trial attended by Mrs Sirhan and son Munir; illus; Sirhan illus on way to courtroom; Walker illus

Presidium recommends that Central Com demote Smrkovsky in fed Parliament to posts of 1st deputy chmn of 2-chamber Assembly and chmn of House of Peoples; proposes Deputy Premier Celotka, a Slovak, at Assembly chmn; says Smrkovsky will remain in Presidium Exec Com; proposes Dr D Hanes, a Slovak, as chmn of House of Nations; Colotka generally regarded as having progressive leanings, which may assuage hurt feelings of Smrkovsky supporters