This Day In 1970's History: Saturday December 21, 1974
- According to well-placed government sources, the Central Intelligence Agency, in direct violation of its charter, conducted an extensive illegal domestic intelligence operation during the Nixon administration against the antiwar movement and other dissident groups in the United States. An investigation by the New York Times has established that intelligence files on at least 10,000 American citizens were maintained by a special unit of the C.I.A. that reported directly to Richard Helms, then the agency's director and now the Ambassador to Iran. [New York Times]
- The White House announced that President Ford would appoint Vice President Rockefeller as vice chairman of the Domestic Council and would expect him to play a major role in "explaining" the President's domestic and foreign programs "throughout the country." The Vice President will also become the vice chairman of the National Security Council. [New York Times]
- Because the last two years were tumultuous ones politically, the legislative accomplishments received less attention than they might have otherwise. The 93rd Congress, which adjourned Friday night, will go down in history as the Congress that helped expose and depose a President and, in the process, set a precedent for investigation and impeachment, but congressional leaders believe that some of the laws that were enacted may also prove to be historic, among them the legislation affecting pension reform. [New York Times]
- Inflation, unemployment, layoffs and concern over the national economy have produced generally disappointing Christmas sales across the country. Most people apparently have approached the holiday in a sober, even somber mood. They are paring their shopping lists, keeping a tight rein on buying by using cash more than credit and purchasing fewer decorations. [New York Times]
- Recycling, the idea nurtured by environmental awareness that brought millions of Americans into collection centers with their carefully separated newspapers, glass and cans, has been hit hard by the recession. The market for waste material, especially newspapers, a staple of many of the collection drives, has dropped so severely that some centers have had to close. [New York Times]
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