September 12, 1974

Gallup poll, commissioned by NY Times, indicates Pres Ford's decision to pardon former Pres Nixon and to consider pardons for other alleged Watergate conspirators has sapped his support among gen public; survey shows wide disapproval at least for timing of pardon, although there are indications that most of persons questioned in survey would not have opposed pardon for Nixon at a later time; survey shows 62% of those questioned disapprove of pardon to Nixon, 31% approve and 7% have no opinion; 32% of those questioned feel Ford is doing good job, 33% say fair job, 25% say poor and 10% have no opinion; Aug 16-19 survey results compared; other data (L)

Treas Sec William E Simon and other Ford Adm officials urge state regulatory officials to permit elec utilities to raise rates and profits quickly so they can finance expansion of generating capacity and avoid 'blackouts and brownouts and, worse, econ stagnation,' Sept 11 FPC meeting; Richard Morgan, testifying on behalf of Environmental Action Foundation and Movement for Econ Justice, says consumers should not be required to raise capital for expansion that conservation effort could make unnecessary; proposes 'lifeline' rates that would provide lower rates for residential consumers for basic amount of elec and higher rates for consumers who use more than minimum amount; several state comrs charge that Govt's tight-money policies designed to control inflations are root of rising costs and financing problems faced by utilities; Raymond Lemoine (Rhode Island Workers Assn) says rates should not be raised; FPC Chmn John W Nassikas called meeting at request of Simon, who is seeking as chmn of inter-agency Energy Com to limit Fed Energy Admr John C Sawhill's roll as energy policy maker; Sawhill has scheduled for Sept 19-20 conf of utility, regulatory, consumer and environmental reprs (M)

NYC Human Resources Adm to remove all teen-aged girls from Children's Center within 6 mos and place them in new facilities with elaborate treatment programs and security arrangements; gangs of adolescent girls from center have terrorized other children and staff; rape, arson and thievery are frequent occurrences; new plan to care for these severely disturbed girls was uncovered by NY Times investigation; about 50 angry neighborhood residents, who said they have been threatened and abused by girls inside center, demonstrate on Sept 11 in front of bldg and call on city to shut it down (M)

HR joins Sen in formal resumption of 93d Cong and finds Watergate has not gone away; issue is Pres Ford's pardoning of former Pres Nixon and his consideration, apparently short-lived, of possible pardons for all those involved in Watergate crimes; powerlessness of Cong to reverse pardon decision, as well as apathy of many members to it, are expressed most forcefully by Sen Appropriations subcom, whose members make clear that they will not approve full $850,000 sought by Ford to pay Nixon's pension and expenses through next June; there is tone of hostility and regret over Ford's decision to grant pardon; HR Judiciary Com Chmn Repr P W Rodino Jr comments; Sen Appropriations Com panel holds deliberations about whether and how to pare White House budget request for $850,000 to help Nixon through transition to private citizen; Sens A Cranston and E W Brooke introduce 'sense of the Sen' resolution stipulating that no further Watergate pardons should be granted 'until after the judicial process had been fully completed' (L)

The Mets and St. Louis Cardinals played the longest night baseball game, on record last night as they went into the 25th inning at Shea Stadium tied at 3‐3.