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THE president has SEEN NEWS SUMMARY Oct. 13, 1973 (Fri. nets, specials, wires, papers) The major stories of the day: In what UPI calls "a political masterstroke, 11 RN names Jerry Ford as VP-designate. Extremely favorable Hill reaction dominated network specials and is blanketing the wires. A virtual "cakewalk" on confirmation is foreseen. Net news shows all led w/unprecedented speculation "a colossal guessing game, " ABC said, w/"bizarre" rationales for a wide variety of possibles, said NBC. The unusual degree to which a secret was being maintained in gossippy DC was also noted by nets, but ABC w/exclusive at 6 pm said Ford was the man. This report, tho picked up by wires, was not noted by either NBC or CBS. ABC's advance awareness subsequently enabled it to present the best special on Ford in terms of back- ground, bio, etc. All nets and NET were straight to positive in treatment of RN's choice. Ford says he'll not seek the '76 nomination. Spiro Agnew to deliver nationwide speech Mon. nite at 7:30. Senate, "at its dazzling best" in a "wild circus" of wrangling, said Mudd, was unable to decide how it'll precisely handle the hearings. "Happy but divided Dems" voted 24-20 to add 3 Dems and 3 GOP to Rules but GOP solons won't go along, fearful that added Dems will be liberal troublemakers, Dems are thus w/holding final vote til Sat, hoping that actual name will possibly change votes on the floor. "A crushing blow" to RN's legal position was how CBS described unanimous Court of Appeals ruling that Sirica had right to review the tapes. Cox will also get to review them w/Sirica but he didn't get the decision he wanted either as Court didn't' accept idea of moving tapes immediately to grand jury. Court also set up procedure for screening out nat'l security and foreign affairs. HAK on all nets says Soviets haven't yet been irresponsible in Mideast and that they've been moderate in comparison to '67. But if there is any problem, US won't hesitate to take firm action. Film on all nets as Israelis continue to move in Syria, making effort to wrap up on that front before moving to Suez where things are relatively quiet.