June 20, 1974

USAF study has concluded that effectiveness of multiple nuclear warheads in attacking missile silos may be ltd by explosion phenomenon known as 'fratricide,' in which 1 nuclear warhead destroys another within certain proximity with its explosion; issues figure in policy debate over whether new generation of Soviet MIRVs will limit capacity of US Minuteman missile force to survive 1st strike long enough to retaliate before fratricide phenomenon is sparked; Air Force Sec John L McLucas replies to comments by Sens Thomas J McIntyre and Barry Goldwater saying because study has revealed that attacking concentration of silos is complicated by fratricide phenomenon, restricting number of MIRVs that can be used, accuracy, rather than number of warheads, is key issue

Pres Nixon says on June 19 at White House ceremony that he had opportunity to reassure old friends in Saudi Arabia during his recent visit to that country (S)

4-mo study, made for Sen Select Com on Nutrition and Human Needs by some 100 specialists, concludes that needy are hungrier and poorer than they were 4 yrs ago, that outlook for improvement is grim without massive changes in production and distribution systems among other things, and that inflation has exacted heavy toll on poor and aged (M)

Rept in New England Journal of Med says that growing 'med underground' of thousands of foreign-trained drs is practicing med without license and often without supervision in many US hosps; says these uncertified drs, most of whom have either failed to pass or have not yet taken examinations necessary for US licensure, are making crucial diagnostic and therapeutic decisions affecting outcomes of patients' illnesses; says that while many drs are officially hired as lab technicians or assts in various low-level job categories, they often assume responsibility for patient care, without consulting licensed physicians; findings seen likely to arouse debate on whether drs or hosp officials who accede to practice as way of coping with dr shortage are legally liable; Georgia has already passed law offering temporary licensure to such drs provided they practice in parts of the state with too few drs; study was undertaken by Educ Council for Foreign Med Grads, which examines foreign grads for their competence to seek licensure in US

HR Judiciary Com Chmn Repr P W Rodino Jr says Pres Nixon's dismissal of Archibald Cox last fall as Watergate prosecutor and his continuing refusal to give White House evidence to Cong and cts raises questions about whether Watergate cover-up ever ended, news conf; com examines White House disclosure, a mo after Nixon learned of it last yr, that 2 of 9 Watergate tapes Cox had subpoenaed did not exist and 18 1/2-min gap in tape of June 20 '72 Nixon-Haldeman conversation; com is said to have obtained affidavit in which ex-Atty Gen Elliot L Richardson tells of threats by White House to 'get rid of Cox' as early as July '73; Rodino says that evidence heard by com bore on 'certain events' between Oct 19 '73, 1 day before Cox was dismissed, and June 10 '74; presentation also summarizes Nixon's refusal to honor Judiciary Com requests and subpoenas for more than 150 recordings and was contesting subpoena from Watergate prosecutor Leon Jaworski for 64 Watergate-related tapes; most com Repubs discount significance of evidence; Reprs D L Latta and E Mezvinsky comment; Richardson's affidavit discussed (L)