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THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN K. NEWS SUMMARY March 24, 1973 (Friday nets, wires, columns) The 3 major stories of the day: -- All nets led w/5-7 minutes on the McCord letter -- variously calling it "startling, ""sensational" and "explosive" and both ABC/NBC saying it sent "shock waves" thru Washington as it raised, said Chancellor, "grave doubts" about the trial. NBC's Stern said this was to be finale for the Watergate 7, but case has been broken wide open again. Similarly CBS led by saying there was a major break on in the trial. All nets hilited McCord's "borrbshalla" (NEC)/screen: 1) "Political pressure" was applied for the 7 to plead guilty and to remain quiet; 2) Others are involved; 3) There was "perjury" in prosecution's case NBC/CBS w/Weicker film very critical of Admin. coverup and saying he knows others are involved. And Packwood on NBC film saying that situation is "intolerable" and "horrendous" and that everyday there's another revelation which is one more dagger in heart of GOP Senators who he said are convinced much is being hidden by WH. (CBS noted the "one more dagger" comment. ) ABC film of one-time defense atty Rothblatt who testified to McCord's honesty and said he doesn't lightly use words like perjury. Ervin Counsel Dash on CBS/ABC film hoping that McCord will trust his comm as he obviously wants to give out info. Pierpoint from Fla on what Mudd called the very hard to find, in fact non-existent, WH reaction Liddy given 6-20 yrs w/$40, 000 fine while sentences on other 6 postponed. Food prices were again a major story w/NBC profiling at length the problems faced by different types of families, CBS looking at booming fish sales and ABC focusing on a Denver boycott. CBS w/lengthy look at increasing resentment w/in UAW toward assembly line and the way Sweden's Saab Corp. is avoiding the "blue-collar blues. 11 -- Cambodian fighting and Lon Nol's problems featured on ABC; NBC film of siege at Rach Bap which ARVN has broken. All nets noted US told NVA to get its SAMs out of Khe Sahn or there' be "necessary" action taken. ABC/NBC noted lasttime