August 23, 1973

Pres Nixon announces on Aug 22 that he has accepted with 'personal regret' resignation of State Sec Rogers effective Sept 3; illus

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Aug. 22—President Nixon, holding his first news conference in five months, acknowledged today that the Watergate scandals had hampered his ability to govern, but he asserted in sa forceful manner that he had never considered resigning and would serve the three and a half years remaining in his term with the full authority of a strong Presidency. [Question 10, Page 28]

article on Nixon's Aug 22 news conf and his handling of persistent questioning about Watergate notes his voice quavered and he slurred and mispronounced several words; discusses his harsh criticism of press as apparent attempt to undercut newsmen critical of him and show strength to radio and TV audience; notes he blamed press for fact that Watergate has raised questions about his 'capacity to govern'; notes significance of his decision to hold news conf, 1st in more than 5 mos, as attempt to dispel recent image of him as brooding and reclusive man who feels he does not have to answer to anyone

Pres Nixon says in his Aug 22 news conf that his faith in Vice Pres Agnew is unshaken by Fed investigaton in Md involving Agnew; says his confidence in Agnew's integrity has been strengthened by his courageous conduct and his ability; says he has ordered Atty Gen Richardson to investigate Justice Dept and immediately dismiss anyone found to be involved in leaking information about investigation in Md to press; much of information made public in case has come from sources other than Justice Dept as investigation has been so widespread and number of people involved so large, that reservoir of information is available to press outside Fed system; Agnew's office expresses pleasure at Nixon's statement; sources close to Agnew rept on Aug 22 belief that Agnew's bold move on Aug 21 in publicly charging deliberate effort to blacken his name had force Pres to act; observers of Pres and Vice‐Presidential news confs note that although Nixon and Agnew both have long histories of public, and at time bitter, conflict with news media, both recent appearances were friendly

Fed Consumer Product Safety Comm Chmn R O Simpson says on Aug 22 that he is prepared to seek ban on all cigarettes if examination confirms surgeon gen's finding in recent yrs on hazardous nature of cigarette smoking, speech, Product Liability Prevention Conf, Newark Coll of Engineering; says he is awaiting petition from Congressmen calling for comm to set standards for cigarettes, although comm could act on its own; Sen Commerce Com has begun studying possibility of petition that would call for comm to set maximum levels for tar and nicotine in cigarettes; brands with contents above such levels would be banned; Simpson holds Cong backing would enhance chances for successful action against cigarettes; cannot specify whether any cigarettes currently on mkt would be able to meet standards, since guidelines have not yet been drawn up; claims that comm has power to set cigarette standards under Hazardous Substances Act; Consumer Product Safety Act, which set up comm, specifically exempts tobacco from comm's purview, but Hazardous Substances Act, which comm administers, does not; Simpson notes that despite labeling of cigarette ads on TV and radio, cigarette sales have increased; Agr Dept has reptd that domestic cigarette consumption went up 2.5% in 10 mos that ended Apr '73; Simpson points out that any action or proposal will be challenged by indus and will probably go before cts; Tobacco Inst pres H Kornegay says indus would fight such actions; Simpson por