Ford Administration Notes of the Cabinet Meeting

Topics discussed at the meeting include the Presidential Clemency Board, Senate Rule 22, agriculture and food, automobile emissions, and Cambodia and South Vietnam.

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THE WHITE HOUSE FORD WASHINGTON LORATY Notes of the Cabinet Meeting March 12th, 1975 The President entered the Cabinet Room at 11:04 a.m. The Press arrived at 11:05 a.m. The Press departed at 11:07 a.m. The President opened the meeting at 11:08 a.m. The President indicated that we have a very full plate to- day and we should get started. He mentioned that this was Carla Hills' and Bill Coleman's first Cabinet Meeting and he welcomed them and looked forward to working with them. He also mentioned that this was Pete Brennan's last meet- ing and he joined with all of the Cabinet in thanking him for his service. He reserved time at the end of the Cabinet Meeting for Secretary Brennan to make whatever comments he desired. As you know the Clemency Board was established last Sept- ember. It has been extended upon two occasions by me prin- cipally because of a late surge in applications which we have had over the last few weeks. The Clemency Board has the authority to deal with civilian and military personnel, who were either punished in civilian court or by the mili- tary for draft evasion or AWOL offenses. In late January the Clemency Board had only 860 applications, then they made some public appearances and made the public more aware of the program and as a result, there has been a terrific increase. In fact, the response was overwhelming. The Board reports approximately 11,000 applications on hand with an addition- al 4,000 - 5,000 cases anticipated by the deadline. I have asked the Board to complete its work by September, which will make a one-year deadline. In order to meet this deadline I have asked various agencies to help share the workload. Sup- plemental staff will be needed and I am asking your cooperation. Jim Lynn has already written to you and I ask each of you to re- spond at this critical period so we can take care of this. I have asked Nelson Rockefeller, because of the controversy surrounding Rule 22, to explain the rulings and the atmosphere in the Senate during this time. I might add that Rocky handled himself brilliantly and that the publicity stemmed from a basic misunderstanding of the role of the Vice President in the Senate on Rule 22. (Note Attached Chart at TAB A.) The Vice President On January 10th I asked the President how PR.7-9 DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12356, Sec. 3.4. mR 91-16, #29 NSC its. 8/20/92 By KBH NARA, Date 9/25/92

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