News stories from Friday April 20, 1973

Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:

Former Attorney General John Mitchell admitted today that he heard about plans to bug the Democratic party headquarters, but insisted that he flatly disapproved such plans. Mitchell testified to the grand jury for three hours about the Watergate case, stating that he never approved wiretap operations, never met any of the defendants, and never handled any money in connection with them. Reports say, however, that Mitchell admitted to the grand jury that he authorized the payment of legal fees and expenses for the Watergate defendants. And it has been established that Mitchell had met G. Gordon Liddy and that he knew James McCord.Mitchell's testimony today differs considerably from previous comments regarding his relationship to the Watergate scandal. At those times he absolutely denied any knowledge of the bugging or the connection of anyone on President Nixon's campaign staff or in the Nixon administration with the Watergate scandal. Alfred Baldwin believed he was working for Mitchell when he monitored the Watergate bugs. The grand jury also heard testimony from presidential attorney Herbert Kalmbach. Kalmbach is alleged to have paid $300,000 to the saboteurs. James McCord's attorney Bernard Fensterwald filed suit on behalf of McCord against Nixon re-election committee members Maurice Stans and Hugh Sloan, the committee's finance chairman and treasurer, respectively. Both are accused by McCord of having prior knowledge of the bugging operation and approving it. McCord charged Jeb Magruder with directing the bugging operations. McCord then asked Judge John Sirica to alter his bond papers so he can go to London to appear on television. [CBS] The cost of living increased 0.9% in March. Food prices for March were up 3.1%, with meat prices up 6%. Administration economist Herbert Stein predicted that April's cost increase will not be as severe. Stein also reported that there will be no price freeze. [CBS] The Federal Reserve system announced an increase in the discount lending rate from 5.5% to 5.75%. [CBS] Hanoi claims that the U.S. has resumed reconnaissance flights over North Vietnam; Pentagon sources confirmed North Vietnam's charges. The flights are seen as a threat to North Vietnam to reduce its operations in Cambodia. In Cambodia, a U.S. official said that North Vietnamese troops are not heavily involved in the fighting; the war there is generally a battle between government forces and the Khmer Rouge. A U.S. military jet and its crew are missing over Cambodia. [CBS] The United Nations will review its record regarding the Mideast crisis. The U.S. succeeded in getting a U.N. resolution by France and England, which was aimed against Israel's raid on Lebanon, softened to the extent that the resolution now condemns all Mideast violence. [CBS] Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Zayyat complained about the support Israel gets from the United States; some Americans also disapprove of America's Mideast position. Americans living in Beirut, Lebanon, staged a protest march today against U.S. support of Israel against the Arabs. [CBS] Seven American tourists in Russia protesting the treatment of Soviet Jews were arrested. The tourists were released hours later. [CBS] In West Germany, interest in Adolf Hitler is at an all-time high. Plays, books and articles about Hitler are popular. [CBS] Bad weather plagues the nation as Easter approaches. In Harrison, Arkansas, one person was killed, many were injured and property damage was extensive as the result of a tornado. Heavy rains have increased the chances of flooding along the Mississippi River. Schools are closed and some families are evacuating. [CBS] Missouri Senator Edward Long died in November. At that time his death was attributed to a stroke. Long's secretary Helen Dunlop has now revealed that Long told her he believed he was poisoned before he died. Long's estranged widow had filed a damage suit against Dunlop for alienation of affection. [CBS] A moonshine still was discovered in eastern Tennessee so large that it is difficult for authorities to dismantle. The still produced 400 gallons of moonshine a day. It will take a wrecking company two days to dismantle the operation. [CBS] More independent gasoline dealers across the nation have been forced to close their stations because of the gas shortage. [CBS]