October 15, 1974

HR Judiciary Com to investigate whether there was any connection between Rockefeller family's $200,000 contribution to former Pres Nixon's re-election campaign and Nixon's subsequent reversal of ruling by CAB against Eastern Airlines, in which Rockefellers have substantial interests (M)

Watergate prosecution opens its case in Watergate cover-up trial on Oct 14 with account to jury that portrays former Pres Nixon as 1 of central conspirators; describes Nixon as having had particularly crucial role in spring of '73, when cover-up was coming apart and 'cover-up of the cover-up' was under way; Richard Ben-Veniste, asst prosecutor presenting opening statement on behalf of 7-member prosecution team, tells jury that Nixon held 'multitude of meetings' in Apr '73 with John D Ehrlichman and H R Haldeman to devise 'scenarios' and 'lines' for handling situation; says that in 1 conversation, from a previously undisclosed White House tape, group discussed scenario that he calls 'drawing wagons around the White House'; sacrificing some persons to prosecution to save others; says possible sacrifices included ex-Atty Gen J N Mitchell; Ben-Veniste says that in another conversation, it was suggested that articles of impeachment might be filed in Cong if ex-White House counsel John W Dean 3d were to talk; says Haldeman subsequently suggested part of scenario to discredit Dean; says Nixon responded 'That's not a good story, but it's the best we can do'; charges against 5 cover-up defendants noted; Ben-Veniste outlines charges to jury; prosecution theory of case discussed; much of what Ben-Veniste says is familiar but there are new allegations as well; Ben-Veniste says that more than $400,000 was paid as hush money to original Watergate defendants and that some of this came from funds held in Fla by Nixon's friend Charles G Rebozo; says Mitchell approved pol surveillance plan that led to break-in; Jeb S Magruder testified to this effect before Sen Watergate com; Mitchell denied it; central part of cover-up, as prosecution and others have described it, was attempt to convince people in conspiracy that it was, or would be, in their own personal interest to keep quiet; Judge John J Sirica excuses juror Lucille F Plunkett and replaces her with 1st alternate juror Helen D Pratt; Haldeman's atty John J Wilson asks Sirica to declare mistrial; other attys join motion; Mitchell's atty Plato Cacheris asks for mistrial contending that Ben-Veniste erred in telling jury, at beginning of opening statement, that prosecution had provided defense counsel with all statements in its possession by various defendants; Sirica denies all motions; illus of Ben-Veniste (L)

 

Egyptian Foreign Min Ismail Fahmy on Oct 14 flies to Moscow at head of large delegation including C/S Lt Gen Mohammed Abdel Ghany el-Gamasy, Trade Min, Planning Min and other officials; Fahmy will reptdly make arrangements for visit to Cairo by Soviet party leader Brezhnev (S)

PARIS, Oct. 14—French management and labor, prodded by the Government of President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, today signed an agreement to provide improved security for the unemployed.