May 1, 1973

Cong members join in widespread, bipartisan praise on Apr 30 for Pres Nixon's shake-up of his Adm's high command but many Sens and Reprs couple commendations with warnings that housecleaning of White House staff will not be sufficient to restore faith in Nixon Adm or Govt as whole; Repr J E Moss urges HR Dem leaders to open formal inquiry into possible impeachment of Pres Nixon; Dem Govs join in call for apptmt of special prosecutor in Watergate case, Huron, Ohio; Sen Repub leader Scott hints broadly and other declare flatly that Atty Gen-designate Richardson should take steps to turn over Watergate investigation to impartial prominent figure outside Nixon Adm; Scott says he is convinced that Nixon had no knowledge of extent to which people in White House or workers in Pres re-election campaign were involved in Watergate conspiracy or cover-up; Scott says he finds it 'most difficult to believe that the Pres was not aware of Watergate' and its implications during 10 mos that conspiracy has been before public; Repr O'Neill says HR leadership feels that impeachment idea is premature; says that in privacy of Cong cloakroom there has been widespread sentiment for effort to 'censure' Pres; Sens Ervin, Baker, Percy and Goldwater and Reprs Abzug and Anderson comment

Sen McGee presses for vote on his postal-card voter registration bill; refuses to relinquish floor for Sen to consider extension of Econ Stabilization Act; threatens to speak until act expires at midmight but yields after about 75 mins on promise of leadership that, after vote on extension of stabilization, floor would be restored to him

Diplomatic sources rept that ground equipment has been installed in some Egyptian air bases for French-built Mirage jets from Libya, and that it has been tested by aircraft during brief visits; Israel has been charging that Libya transferred its Mirage jets to Egyptian bases; French Govt spokesman said recently that French inquiries about charges had brought denials from Libya and Egypt

Resigns as Pres Nixon's chief advisor in midst of Watergate and related probes

Fed Judge E L Palmieri on Apr 30 orders release of Dem mayoral aspirant Repr Biaggi's testimony before grand jury but holds up order when Biaggi's lawyer A H Christy says he will appeal to block disclosure; denies motion by Biaggi for panel of 3 judges to examine his testimony and state whether; he had taken Fifth Amendment 'solely' on questions about his personal finances; Biaggi has told Conservative party leaders that he had answered all questions put to him by grand jury; Palmieri declares that 'upon reflection, this ct can only conclude that this blatantly unsanctioned petition was made with an expectation of its denial by the ct, and for the purpose of publicly exploiting ct's denial of the motion'; notes that he agrees with US Atty W N Seymour Jr, who had asked for full disclosure, that Biaggi's motion constituted abuse of the ct; pol impact of Palmieri decision comes quickly; Biaggi dismisses City Councilman Troy as his campaign mgr; Conservative party leaders split over whether to continue to support Biaggi; Christy and Palmieri illustrations