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NEWS SUMMARY Jan. 31, 1974 (Wed nets, wires. SOTU Report separate) The major stories of the day: - SOTU preview led ABC/CBS and was #2 on NBC w/all noting expectations of most impt. speech of RN's presidency, even his career, said NBC. And consensus of nets was that it'd reflect more the state of the Presidency than State of the Union. 6-7 minutes SOTU related on ABC/CBS; 2 on NBC. Details in Special SOTU Report. - RN won't testify in JDE trial, led NBC altho Brokaw noted WH didn't rule out written responses. Noted by Jarriel in SOTU previews and #2 on CBS where Saxbe's efforts to avoid RN being subpoenaed by every court in US were noted. But Pierpoint saw WH remarks as indicating written RN response was more unlikely than did NBC altho no flat statement was made ruling out a statement in support of JDE. Graham of CBS said JDE sources say there's no split w/RN; subpoena is part of legal manuever which could result in any conviction being upset were JDE not to receive the material witness he requests Brief ABC/CBS clips of HRH after GJ appearance to discuss tapes. - CIA's destruction of possibly W'gate related tapes may not have been all that routine, said NBC. Stern reported Mansfield asked for tapes on 1/16/73. They were destroyed 1/18/73. CIA at 1st claimed Mansfield letter wasn't received til 1/22 but receipt in Senator's office caused them to acknowledge it was received 1/17/73 and they've pledged to try to pin down what happened. - Brinkley questioned whether retiring GOP MCs -- 15 so far compared to 3 Dems -- aren't acting preciptiously. The way David sees it, W'gate is pretty much hurting all pols equally and it appears now that economy and trend to right will be more powerful forces in fall than W'gate will be. He sees no evidence that W'gate has changed US mood which gave heavy vote to Wallace and later RN. - Big night for energy w/5-9 minutes on all nets. VP on ABC film and as noted by NBC warned against making