News stories from Monday June 12, 1972
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- The death toll in the Rapid City, S.D., flood was revised downward to 178 when duplications on the list were discovered. Several thousand volunteers have organized to get the city back on its feet in wake of the disaster. Debris is scattered over many miles; scuba divers are searching for victims. Many bodies are believed to be trapped in and under wreckage. At Mount Rushmore, many tourists had been camping out when the flood hit. Seven bodies of young children lay unclaimed at a temporary morgue, probably the children of campers who also perished.
Radio broadcasts are being used to reunite families, broadcasting the names and locations of people who are missing. At rescue headquarters, a missing persons bureau has been set up. Rescue officials are asking people to limit their calls inquiring about the well-being of relatives, so that the lines won't be so tied up.
[CBS] - The U.S. may end its five-week boycott of the Paris Peace Talks. William Porter, the American ambassador to the talks, returned to Paris from Washington, DC and announced that President Nixon wants a negotiated settlement. The State Department said that Porter's optimism is based on reports that North Vietnamese negotiator Xuan Thuy also is returning to Paris with new instructions. White House officials think that the U.S. bombing in North Vietnam along with South Vietnam's new stability has forced North Vietnam to reassess its position. [CBS]
- Former Air Force General John Lavelle ordered unauthorized bombings in North Vietnam, and Air Force Chief of Staff John Ryan fired Lavelle for his actions. Lavelle admitted to a House committee that he ordered 20 unauthorized strikes in North Vietnam over a five-month period because North Vietnam's build-up threatened his air crew. Lavelle reported that he ordered the bombing of North Vietnamese air defense targets where the enemy was increasing troop concentrations in preparation for what became its latest invasion of South Vietnam. Committee chairman Edward Hebert wants to hear more testimony in closed session. Defense Secretary Laird may be called as a witness. [CBS]
- A South Vietnamese relief column has finally reached An Loc, and the 67-day-old siege appears to be near an end. Refugees are streaming down now-opened Highway 13. American adviser Col. Ross Franklin stated that the town will be clear of Communists within several days. Franklin praised ARVN forces who withstood fighting similar to that in Korea or World War II, and said that they proved the success of Vietnamization. One U.S. jet was shot down in North Vietnam today, as were two helicopters in South Vietnam. [CBS]
- U.S. bombers pounded targets in North Vietnam; two MiGs were downed by jets from the carrier Coral Sea. 60 railroad cars were destroyed near the Chinese border. China protested U.S. bombing so close to its border with North Vietnam. [CBS]
- Last month, New York Times columnist Anthony Lewis was in North Vietnam just after President Nixon ordered bombing to resume there. Lewis described the effects of U.S. bombing on North Vietnam and noted that although railroads and bridges were destroyed, they were quickly replaced. He claimed that civilian areas such as housing developments, schools and hospitals were also hit. Lewis thinks that these hits were accidental, but says that the U.S. government should admit those mistakes.
Lewis reported that in North Vietnam life goes on despite the war, with an appearance of normality but ready for emergencies. He said that even Communist reporters from Europe were impressed with the stoicism of the North Vietnamese people.
[CBS] - In an effort to reduce the troop level in Vietnam to President Nixon's goal of 49,000 by July 1, some men are merely being sent to bases in Thailand according to the Pentagon. [CBS]
- The Supreme Court ruled that defendants who are charged even with minor offenses must either be represented by an attorney or waive their right to counsel. The court also ruled that creditors may not repossess merchandise without advance notice and a hearing. [CBS]
- The Supreme Court ruled on private clubs which exclude blacks. Harrisburg, Pa. Moose Lodge 107 limits its membership to white males. K. Leroy Irvis, Democratic leader in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, was brought to the lodge's dining room by a white member in 1968 and was refused service.
Irvis won his suit in district court, charging that the state of Pennsylvania supports discrimination by giving the lodge a liquor license which requires it to adhere to the state constitution. The Supreme Court overturned the district court's ruling in a decision written by William Rehnquist. The court stated that regulating liquor does not involve the state in club's discriminatory practices. Justices Brennan, Douglas and Marshall dissented vehemently. Irvis said that he is disappointed with the ruling -- which was made by Nixon appointees -- and civil rights advocates called the decision a setback in the fight against discrimination. Moose Lodge attorney Thomas Caldwell called the ruling a victory for private organizations.
[CBS] - Police recovered four paintings worth $2 million which had been stolen from a Worcester, Massachusetts, art museum. Paintings by Rembrandt, Picasso and Gauguin were involved. [CBS]
- American writer Edmund Wilson died of a heart attack in New York at age 77. [CBS]
- 98 more Democratic convention delegates were awarded over the weekend in Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Virginia; half of them are uncommitted. George McGovern won most of the rest. He now has 954 delegates, Hubert Humphrey has 341, George Wallace 326, Edmund Muskie 170 and others have 113. 523 are uncommitted. [CBS]
- Three cabinet-level Nixon appointees officially took office today. New budget director Caspar Weinberger, Treasury Secretary George Shultz and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst were sworn in. President Nixon restated his confidence in Kleindienst despite lengthy hearings prior to his confirmation. The ITT controversy is now stilled. [CBS]
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Stock Market Report
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 936.71 (+2.26, +0.24%)
Arms Index is the ratio of volume per declining issue to volume per advancing issue; a figure below 1.0 is bullish. | |||||||||||||||
| Market Index Trends | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | DJIA | S&P | Volume* |
| June 9, 1972 | 934.45 | 106.86 | 12.79 |
| June 8, 1972 | 941.30 | 107.28 | 13.82 |
| June 7, 1972 | 944.08 | 107.65 | 0.00 |
| June 6, 1972 | 951.46 | 108.21 | 15.98 |
| June 5, 1972 | 954.39 | 108.82 | 13.45 |
| June 2, 1972 | 961.39 | 109.73 | 15.40 |
| June 1, 1972 | 960.72 | 109.69 | 14.91 |
| May 31, 1972 | 960.72 | 109.53 | 15.23 |
| May 30, 1972 | 971.18 | 110.35 | 15.81 |
| May 26, 1972 | 971.25 | 110.66 | 15.73 |