News in Brief: Highest Honors. Three more Korean War heroes receive the Congressional Medal of Honor from the hands of President Truman. Lloyd Burke, Rodolfo (Rudolfo?) Hernandez, Harold Wilson (?) are the recipients. Row of press photographers squat, aiming their cameras. By photo op for President Harry Truman as well as the soldiers.
[00.04.28-DEAN describes his Sept. 15, 1972 meeting with NIXON] Mr. DEAN. AS I tried to describe in my statement, the reception was very warm and very cordial. There was some preliminary pleasantries, and then the next thing that I recall the President very clearly saying to me is that he had been told by Mr. Haldeman that he had been kept posted or made aware of my handling of the various aspects of the Watergate case and the fact that the case, you know, the indictments had now been handed down, no one in the White House had been indicted, they had stopped at Liddy. [00.05.17-BAKER wants to examine the President's statement more carefully] Senator BAKER. Stop, stop, Stop for one, second. Let's examine those particular words just for a second. That no one in the White House had been indicted. Is that as near to the exact language--I don't know so I am not having a trap for you, I just jut want to know. Mr. DEAN. Yes, there was a reference to the fact the indictments had been handed down and it was quite obvious that no one In the White House had been indicted on the indictments that had been handed down. Senator BAKER. Did he say that, though? Mr. DEAN. Did he say that no one in the White House had been handed down? I can't recall it. I can recall a reference to the, fact that the indictments Were now handed down and he was aware of that and the status of the indictments and expressed What, to me was a pleasure to the fact that it had stopped at Mr. Liddy. Senator BAKER. Tell me What he said. Mr. DEAN. Well, as I say, he told me, I had done a good job--- [00.06.11] Senator BAKER. NO, let's talk about the pleasure, He expressed pleasure the indictments had stopped at Mr. Liddy. Can you just for the purposes of our information tell me the language that he used? Mr. DEAN. Senator, let me make it very clear the pleasure that it had stopped there Is an inference of mine based on, as I told Senator Gurney, the impression I had as a -result of the, of his, complimenting me. Senator BAKER. Can you give us any information, Can you give us any further insight into what the President said? Mr. DEAN. Yes, I can recall he told me that he appreciated how difficult a job it had been for me. Senator BAKER. Is that at close to the exact language? Mr. DEAN. Yes, that is close to the exact language. That stuck very clearly in my mind because I -recall my response to that was that I didn't feel that I could take credit. I thought that others had done much more difficult things and by that I was referring to the fact that Mr. Magruder had perjured himself. [Laughter.] There was not an extended discussion from there as to any more of my involvement. I had been complimented. I told him I couldn't take the credit, and then we moved into a discussion of the status of the case. [00.07.40]
News in Brief: Dikes Holding Flood. Although new sections of the west are threatened by the rampaging Mississippi and Missouri rivers, sand bags and wooden dikes erected by army engineers, national guardsmen and local groups are holding back the flood waters in many sections. Various shots of waters near the top of barriers to hold them back, in an inhabited area. Danger, threat. National guard soldiers pass sandbags down a line. Various shots of ordinary citizens getting food at a Red Cross facility; some shots could pass for a soup kitchen.
News in Brief: Strike Halts Japanese Railroads. Strikes fomented to protest anti-communist laws pending before the Japanese Diet virtually cripple all railroads leading into Tokyo. Violence breaks out as red-led strikers clash with police. Various shots of empty railroad tracks with what looks like wire strung across them (as if a wire fence would stop a train?). Police disperse students, who seem to be protesting nonviolently - though one of them has his head bandaged and covered with blood. Cold War tension.
Sports: Tough Grind. A bunch of motorcycle jockeys tackle one of the toughest climbs in the country, with some shattering results as they bite the dust. Motorcycle hill climb, wipeouts.
[00.07.40-BAKER continues to question DEAN about his meeting with NIXON on Sept. 15, 1972, to determine when NIXON was aware of the coverup] Senator BAKER. Stop, before you get to the status, and let's lay that aside just for a second because I do -want to hear about that, too, but this really, and I don't mean to be melodramatic, but this is really a terribly important moment in history. As you know, this meeting was in the afternoon in the oval office in Washington on September 15, 1972, and you were there, the President was there, and Mr. Haldeman. Mr. DEAN. Mr. Haldeman was there. Senator BAKER. What was the President's demeanor, what -was his attitude, what was the expression on his face, the quality of his voice? Mr. DEAN. Well, as I said, when I walked in it -was very war, very cordial. They were smiling, they were happy, they -were relaxed. The President, I think I said earlier this morning was about to go somewhere and I think that actually was delaying his departure to have this conversation with me. The fact that I had not been in to see the President other than on a rather mechanical activity before that dealings with his testamentary papers, indicated so clearly that Haldeman had thought that the President should compliment me for my handling of this matter, and that that was one of the reasons I probably had been called over, and the President had done it at Mr. Haldeman's request. [00.09.07] Senator BAKER. All right. Now, tell us about,, as you started to say before I interrupted you, the status of the case. Mr. DEAN. All right. He was interested in knowing if it -was likely--well, let me, before I go on to that, let me say something else that I recall. When we talked about the fact that the indictments had been handed down, at some, point, and after the compliment I told him at that point that we had managed, you know, that the matter had been contained, it had not come into the White House, I didn't say that, I said it had been contained. Senator BAKER. Did you say anything beyond that it had been contained? Mr. DEAN. No, I did not. I used that, I recall very clearly using that expression that it had been contained. Senator BAKER. That is an important word, it has been contained. Mr. DEAN. That is right. [00.10.00] Senator BAKER. What -was the President's or Mr. Haldeman's reaction to that word because, that is a rather significant word. I think. Mr. DEAN. Well. I have got, to say this, I wasn't studying the President's face or Mr. Haldeman's face at this time. I had not ever had a one on one with the President, before and must confess I was a little nervous in there. They were trying to make me as relaxed as possible, and make It as cordial as possible, but I was quite. naturally nervous. There was a man who is the most important man in the Western World, and here I am having a conversation with him for the first time one on one, so I was not studying his reactions and it wasn't until I started meeting with him more frequently later that the tenor of our conversations changed and---- [00.10.55] Senator BAKER. You see what I am driving at I am sure, Mr. Dean. If someone had said that the investigation has been contained it might evoke a question, that might create a startled look on one's face, it might be taken for granted, and that might be important to shed light. Mr. DEAN. That is right. Senator BAKER. On the state of the knowledge with the person with whom you were having the conversation. [00.11.16] Mr. DEAN. Everyone seemed to understand what I was talking about. It didn't evoke any questions and I was going on to say that I didn't think it could be contained indefinitely. I said that this is, you know, there are a lot of hurdles that have to be leaped down the road before it will definitely remain contained and I was trying to tell the President at that time that I was not sure the coverup even then would last indefinitely. Senator BAKER. This once again is a terribly important area of inquiry, SO let, me interrupt you again and take you over it one more time. You told the President, I don't think it can continue to be contained? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. Senator BAKER. Are those close to Your exact words? Mr. DEAN. That is very close to my words, because I told him it had been contained to that point and I was not sure that it would be contained indefinitely. Senator BAKER. What was his reaction to this? Mr. DEAN. As I say. I don't recall any particular reaction. Senator BAKER. Was there any statement by him or by Mr. Haldeman at that point on this statement? Mr. DEAN. NO, not to my recollection. Senator BAKER. All right, go ahead. Mr. DEAN. It, was then we turned to the status of the litigation. The criminal case, as I recall the sequence of the conversation and he wanted to know when hen this, matter was likely to come to trial. I told him very much would depend upon which judge the case was assigned to. [00.12.57]
(Tape 1) 20:10:16 Mallard ducks swim and take off
(Tape 2) 13:58:46 Mallard ducks feed through hole in ice
Rolling, jumpy dull contrast in imagery Amazing scenes as a new type plane, invented by Nicholas Florine, a Russian, makes a vertical ascent and descent in its first trial hop before a group of aeronautical engineers.
Rolling contrast dull and light in imagery Shanghai, China Exclusive pictures of the drawing in the great government conducted-gamble, held to raise funds for the promotion of aviation and the construction of new roads, in which a group in Peking, won the first prize of approximately $250,000.
[00.12.57-DEAN answers questions by Sen. BAKER about the state of NIXON'S knowledge of the coverup as of the Sept. 15, 1972 meeting with DEAN.] Senator BAKER. Go ahead. Mr. DEAN. At that point, it had not been assigned to any judge at all. Another point that came out, as I testified earlier in my, conversations was the fact that he alluded, told me for the first time that I had ever heard this, that shortly after he had assumed office, Mr. Hoover had been over to Visit with him. He told me that Mr. Hoover had informed him that his campaign had been bugged and the President said. this is something that we may be able to use ourselves at some point down the road to explain the fact that we have been subject to the same type of activity. Mr. DEAN. Not until many, many months later. Senator BAKER. You have already testified to that conversation. Mr. DEAN. Yes, I did. Senator BAKER. Go ahead. I am sorry, Mr. Dean. Tell me, anything else you can at all, no matter how minute, about the meeting of September 15. Mr. DEAN. The next matter- I recall is the fact that we did get into a discussion about the civil cases. Senator BAKER. I am sorry, Mr. Dean. Thank you very much. Mr. DEAN. The next thing that I recall occurred was a discussion that ensued about the civil cases. He asked me some questions about the civil cases and it was in the course of this conversation that I told him what I knew at that point in time about the status of the civil cases, where they -were, and I knew because I was fairly familiar at that time with the precise status of the cases. It was also as a result of this conversation that we got into a discussion, or I told him that I had learned from the lawyers at the reelection committee that they had been making or they had somebody who was making an ex parte contact with the judge -who had jurisdiction over the principal suit of the greatest concern, which was the suit by Mr. O'Brien, Larry O'Brien and the DNC. Senator BAKER. Is this, once again, close to the exact language you used? [00.15.55] Mr. DEAN. Yes that was--I did not know who it -was that was making the contacts at that time for certain, so I just told him that the lawyers at the reelection committee are making ex parte contacts or have made ex parte contacts and are hoping to got some favorable rulings. Senator BAKER. Did the President make, any remark at that point, or did Mr. Haldeman? [00.16.19] Mr. DEAN-. I recall the President said something to the effect, well, that is helpful. Senator BAKER. Is that close to his exact language? Mr. DEAN. Yes, sir. Senator BAKER. Is there anything else? Mr. DEAN. We talked about the Common Cause suit as well and I told him that I didn't think it -was any problem. This was a suit that was trying to bring or identify the donors or the contributors of some $10 million of unidentified campaign moneys that had not been reported prior to April 7. The suit, I told him moneys him, I didn't think would be a problem because the lawyers at the reelection committee felt that they could tie this one up in discovery for quite a while. Senator BAKER. What did the President say to that? Mr. DEAN. I don't recall any specific comment to that. I think as we were, going through some of these descriptions, I was just reporting as best I could and I don't recall him giving me -what his reaction was at that point. Senator BAKER. You understand why I am asking you these questions? Mr. DEAN. Yes, I do. [00.17.29] Senator BAKER. All right. Now, I don't mean to shorten your description of the September 15 meeting, but for the sake of moving on, were there other important matters discussed at that time? Mr. DEAN. Well, yes, the matter of the Patman hearing did come up, because the President was aware of that, I assume, from his news summaries or the newspapers that there was likely to be congressional inquiry on the House side. He asked me who was handling that. I told him that, Richard Cook a member of the congressional relations staff, who had worked with the Patman committee at one point in time, was doing the principal work on it. He then told me that Mr. Timmons should be spending his time and get on to of it, something of that--that would be very close, to the language he used. Senator BAKER. Mr. Dean, excuse me, I see we have a vote signal from the Senate. The committee will stand in recess until we return.
(10:50:10) The CHAIRMAN, I didn't want to do this, I wanted to try to continue, but I think the recommendation of my colleague and friend, Senator Sarbanes, is that we take a brief break. I'm going to ask the time keeper to stop the timer right now, and we'll take a break. We'll go down and vote and as soon as Senator Sarbanes gets back, Mr. Ben-Veniste, you can continue. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. We'll take a brief break so we can vote and be back in 10 minutes. (10:50:40) % [Recess.]
(13:30:36) The CHAIRMAN. They both have been on the Floor. There are those occasions when Members will not be here out of necessity. One of the reasons we've attempted to hold these hearings, despite some speculation that there are other reasons, was so we could continue to conduct the business of the Senate as we're moving toward a close. I want to serve notice that if Members cannot be here, we are going to proceed. They have to understand, the Chair will attempt to be as accommodating as possible. I say this: The Ranking Member has demonstrated every possible consideration as well. This is not a one-way street. In order to move this, we will, I think, have to stay later. I hope it's not much later, but I think we're all going to have to be here. If we're not here, we're going to continue to move this process. The Ranking Member feels very strongly. Yes, Senator Shelby. Senator SHELBY. Mr. Chairman, I know you want to move these hearings, and I agree with you. (13:31:58)(tape #10118 ends)
Rolling contrast dull and light in imagery Several are killed, thousands of acres are flooded, highways blocked and great damage is caused by heavy rain and wind storms which injure hundreds in Northern Pacific States.
Rolling contrast dull and light in imagery In an odd ceremony near Kasuga Shrine, the horns of the animals that roam the public park are sawed-off to prevent then from becoming dangerous.
Rolling, shaky light in imagery and dull in contrast Noted livestock breeders, led by his Majesty, show their best specimens to the judges in a competition for 'blue-ribbon' awards.
Shaky light in contrast and imagery Automobiles are sent crashing into new type highway guard rails in an effort to determine for the department of public works, means of reducing highway hazards.
[00.18.28-MacNEILL in studio] MacNEILL states that BAKER is asking about DEAN'S meetings with NIXON after the break-in [PBS network ID-title screen "SENATE HEARINGS ON CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES"] [00.22.00-MacNEILL] MacNEILL states BAKER will continue to ask about the September 15, 1972 Oval Office meeting [00.22.12-BAKER gavels meeting open] Senator BAKER. The committee will come, to order. The chairman was necessarily called away for the rest of the afternoon. For the information of the committee, I might indicate that he requested that we run as long as practical, and that we continue, with present, rotation arrangements, so as soon as I can conclude my queries I will yield then to Senator Montoya and after that to Senator Weicker. Mr. Dean, do you have, any objection if we try to go, say, until a few minutes before 6 tonight? Mr. DEAN. I will hold up as long as I can, Senator Senator BAKER. If you need a -break or would like to break in the course of things, if you would let me know I would be happy to do that. Senator BAKER. Mr. Dean, have we finished with the delineation of the September 15 meeting? [00.23.17] Mr. DEAN. -No. I do not believe we have. We were discussing the fact that we were talking about how to deal with the Patman committee because this was another threat, a dual threat, I might add, First was the fact that, it would mean adverse publicity as a result of the hearings and Second, there was always the potential they might stumble onto something there. Senator BAKER. Were those words used? Mr. DEAN. I believe, when we talked about, adverse Publicity and there is no telling where this thing may go. Senator BAKER. Do you remember who said that ? Mr. DEAN. I said that. Senator BAKER. Do you remember what the President's reaction was? Mr. DEAN-. Well. he asked me, who was covering the hearings and I told him that Dick- Cook was covering the hearings. Senator BAKER. Covering meaning what person on the White House staff had responsibility for that? Mr. DEAN. Yes, that is correct. Because I explained to him that Mr. Cook had formerly worked for the House Banking and Currency Committee, and at that point he said that Mr. Timmons should get on top of those hearings. [00.24.30-related to ENEMIES LIST activities] We then, the conversation turned to the press coverage that had been following the Watergate incident, and during this discussion he told me that I should keep a good list of people who were giving us trouble in the press because we would give them trouble after the election. Senator BAKER. This was stated by the President? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. [00.25.00]
[00.30.35-BAKER continues questioning DEAN about the state of NIXON'S knowledge of the coverup, assessing the quality of evidence regarding the Sept. 15, 1972 meeting] Senator BAKER. All right. It, seems to me then that the extent to which the September 15 meeting Would give us some guidance in our inquiry as to what the President dent knew and when he knew it, that you depend on a combination of things. You depend on your experience at the White House as a staffer with the interrelationships of staff and the Presidential staff; the remarks which did not relate directly to Watergate, that is, the break-in at Watergate or to the concealment of the involvements and responsibilities for it. [00.31.30] But based on the general tenor of the conversation, you gained the impression, I believe you said, to paraphrase Your testimony, that the President knew that there was an on-going counter-effort, at least, and when you couple that with your knowledge of the relationships and circumstances, that you concluded then in your own mind that he knew something, and I don't believe You have testified quite exactly what, about the events involved? Mr. DEAN. Well, I might say one thing that did come specifically out, of the conversation was that we had leaped the hurdle of the, Justice Department investigation and the indictments -were down. Now the looming problems were the Patman committee hearings, and the President gave very clear instructions to Mr. Timmons he, should get, on top of those so they did not get out of hand because that was the next problem. IT was also very clear that I was to follow up with the civil litigation and see anything I could do to make sure that this didn't get out of hand. [00.32.44] [2 PAGES MISSING FROM TRANSCRIPT--PARAPHRASED] Senator BAKER states, not to distort DEAN, but it's true that DEAN had to draw inferences from the conversation and DEAN'S knowledge of the relationships of the staff that led him to believe NIXON knew of the efforts to counter the Watergate publicity, and possibly the facts regarding responsibility for the break-in itself. DEAN agrees to that summarization. BAKER states that there was no direct statement about CRP involvement in Watergate, NIXON'S knowledge, of either Watergate or the Coverup. In BAKER'S words, no direct "category one" information. DEAN. Repeats that he will not place interpretations on the things he reports, and has reported all of the evidence that he can about the meeting. BAKER says the information is useful. There will be more exploration of the Sept. 15 meeting, especially when HALDEMAN comes before the committee. [00.33.55] BAKER states that the only other person present on Sept. 12 was NIXON, BAKER is not prepared to say how the committee can get NIXON'S testimony about the events, but in any case, DEAN'S testimony will be compared in the future to other testimony. Asks about DEAN'S next meeting with NIXON. [00.34.40] DEAN states that the next meeting was preceeded by the events of the LaCOSTA meetings, in which EHRLICHMAN and HALDEMAN dictated the policy for the continuing coverup as the ERVIN COMMITTEE was announced. DEAN was asked by HALDEMAN at this time to prepare an agenda for a meeting with the PRESIDENT of the strategy for the next part of the coverup. BAKER states that he wants to know chiefly "WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT?", requests DEAN to keep that focus, first on DEAN'S direct knowledge from meeting with NIXON, second by circumstantial evidence.
DO NOT SELL ON PREVIEW TAPE # 991537 - i Another Deputy Dawg cartoon. Opens with the Sheriif driving along in his old open jalopy when all of a sudden he happens into the middle of a crossfire and gets his steering wheel shot off. Its the old Hatefield and LeRoy feud again, cauding trouble for everyone. The Dawg gets orders to stop the feudin'. Of course, the Dawg gets twarted at every chance until a stroke of luck as well as a loose floorboard sends the Hatefield's into the ceilng. The deputy takes their guns away. Later does the same to the LeRoys. Months later... the Sheriff and the Deputy drive down the same road when they happen into the middle of a watermelon fight between the Hatefields and LeRoys. They're havin' fun, more fun than with guns.
Shaky dull and blurry imagery Battling tropical seas in lifeboats for hours after the SS Havana goes aground, fifty holiday trippers and 126 seamen are brought safely through the ordeal of shipwreck.
Rolling shaky light in contrast and imagery Huge floes, carried over the St. Lawrence river banks by floods, threaten the homes of Indians who offer public prayers for the safety of their village.
Shaky light in contrast and imagery Clashes between troops and workers follow a walk-out at a hosiery joll. Faces are made and bricks tossed across the state line from Tennessee.
[00.25.00-DEAN discussing the Sept. 15, 1972 Oval Office meeting and the state of Nixon's knowledge of the coverup at that time] Senator BAKER. What else was said by him or by Mr. Haldeman or by you in that context? Mr. DEAN. Well, this into a, evolved into a, immediately into a conversation about the Internal Revenue Service and using the Internal Revenue Service to audit returns of people. I had--again, we were on, you know, I knew the wavelength we had had been talking about, because I had had similar requests in the past to audit returns of people, and I told the President that the, Internal Revenue Service had been--- [00.25.39] Senator BAKER. Wait, wait, wait. You knew the wavelength because you knew from your previous use of the Internal Revenue Service? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. I had requests from Mr. Haldeman in the past that certain individuals have audits commenced on them. Senator BAKER. What did you do with that? Mr. DEAN. Well, I can--the one time. I recall getting one I did not know exactly what I was going to do with it because I was always reluctant to call Mr. Walters at that time, who was the head of the Internal Revenue Service so I went to Mr. Caulfield, who had friends in the Internal Revenue Service and he said, "I think I know a way this can be done." Apparently there is some system where the appropriate anonymous letter comes into a regional office and if it is--those who know how to do this can write the right letter and sufficient information will prompt an audit on that individual. Senator BAKER. Is that known as the informer statute? Mr. DEAN. No; I do not believe it is an informer statute, It is just something that will be of sufficient attention to that regional office, that branch of the audit branch of that regional office, that will institute an audit. [00.26.48-NIXON'S post-election plans to consolidate power in the executive branch to make all agencies devices to screw ENEMIES] I went on to tell the President that we did not seem to have the clout at the White House to get this done. I had talked to Walters about it in the past, and told him that I had had instructions from Mr. Haldeman on one occasion, and he said that, he brought to my attention the, making of the IRS political, and said that, You will recall what happened back in 1948 with Truman and that administration and -the cleaning house and the changing of the Internal Revenue Service. And these were all new facts to me, and what he was telling me was "Don't call me with this sort of thing." Senator BAKER. Tell me, if -you do not mind, what you did. Did you in fact set up an audit? Your counsel is trying to reach you and I think he may have something to say. Mr. DEAN. [conferring with counsel]. He Just said, which was quite accurate, I do not mind telling you any fact that is true. [Laughter.] Senator BAKER.. I would say that was a very lawyer-like piece of advice. [Laughter.] Mr. DEAN. So in this instance there -was, the one I was referring to in the past, there was an audit commenced. Now I, for example, read a Memorandum into the record this morning per request of some material requested by the committee that had to do with an audit of Mr. Gibbons, of the Teamsters Union. I merely put that in my file, and that is where it has remained to this day. [00.28.35] Senator BAKER. To shorten this, and I do not, mean to shorten it if you care, to go on with it, did you In fact initiate IRS inquiries or audits as a result of suggestions from the White House staff or the President? [00.28.47-NIXON'S plans post-election to make the IRS a punitive arm of the White House to harass ENEMIES] Mr. DEAN-. Well, the President at this time, to keep in the focus you want to keep in, told me to keep a good list, so that these could be--you know, we would take care of these people after the election, and we went into--I told him that IRS was a democratically oriented bureaucracy and to do something like that was a virtual impossibility. And then the conversation moved to the fact that he was going to make some dramatic changes in all of the agencies and, at this point in time, Haldeman opened up his pad and started making notes as to what the President was describing as to his post-election intentions. As a result of the President giving his thoughts on what he wanted to do post-election with all of the agencies and as far as changing personnel. Mr. Haldeman also injected Into the conversation at that time that he had already commenced a project to determine which people in which agencies were responsive and were not responsive to the White House. Senator BAKER. Mr. Dean, in deference to my colleagues and the requirements of time, let me try to refocus now: is, there anything else about the September 15 meeting that would shed light On the President's knowledge and the scope and depth of his knowledge, if any, of the, Watergate break-in on June 17 or the coverup activities, so-called, thereafter and prior to September 15? Mr. DEAN. I think I described pretty well in full of the 30, 40 minute meeting, however long it was. As I say at the end of the meeting, the meeting it turned to rather unrelated chatter about a book I was reading. [00.30.35]