This Day In 1970's History: Thursday February 14, 1974
- Special Watergate prosecutor Leon Jaworski revealed that the White House is refusing to supply more White House tapes or documents to him. Jaworski sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee chairman James Eastland about the matter, after White House attorney James St. Clair refused to give more evidence to Jaworski. Asked by a reporter if more evidence is needed to obtain indictments, Jaworski declined to comment. [CBS]
- House Judiciary Committee lawyers conferred with White House lawyer James St. Clair. St. Clair is concerned about the confidentiality of any evidence turned over to the committee for its impeachment probe. Committee counsel John Doar said the meeting with St. Clair went well; committee chairman Peter Rodino declared that the committee will make the final decision, not the White House. Minority counsel Albert Jenner insisted that no confrontation is brewing between the White House and the House Judiciary Committee. [CBS]
- Congressional sources have reported that at least $200,000 in contributions to the Nixon re-election campaign were funneled through committees set up to support congressional candidates in an elaborate scheme to "launder" donations from the milk industry to Mr. Nixon's campaign. The sources said the information came from the Senate Watergate Committee. [New York Times]
- Attorney General William Saxbe stirred up controversy in the Patricia Hearst kidnapping case, stating that the FBI should rescue Miss Hearst if her location can be determined. The FBI rejected Saxbe's statement, and Randolph Hearst was visibly upset by such talk. Hearst said that the statement was antagonistic and irresponsible. Saxbe later clarified himself by saying that Miss Hearst's life is more important than apprehending the kidnappers.
The Hearsts have received sympathy cards and checks to help meet the ransom demands, though Randolph Hearst explained that he is not soliciting funds. The FBI and Hearst are continuing to work on an alternate ransom plan acceptable to the kidnappers. Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Caspar Weinberger called the kidnappers' demands "absurd". [CBS]
- As a chorus of hecklers shouted, "Impeach Nixon now!", President Nixon dedicated a Miami hospital with a 17-minute speech that he managed to finish by turning away from the demonstrators directly in front of the platform. Though most of the 3,000 cheered his remarks, the heckling was the most distracting the President has faced since his re-election. [New York Times]
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