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THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN NEWS SUMMARY May 31, 1974 (Thurs. nets, wires) The major stories of the day: - The news is "dominated again, 11 led Chancellor, by RN's efforts to keep tapes from investigators, as in court actions all over town - RN won some and lost some. Similarly Cronkite took full minute in lead to cite various cases declaring there are so many W'gate- related actions going on at same time "it's hard to keep them all straight, 11 but at heart of them all is RN's refusal to release evidence that all others involved say they need. Impchmnt/W'gate stories led all nets w/6-8 mins. of reports. ABC lead noted RN's thus far given Judiciary 'scripts instead of tapes in response to 1 subpoena, refused to comply w/2 others and said he'd turn over no more. And "In the face of that Comm. turned tough" and sent RN letter warning of "grave" consequences of continued non-compliance. What NBC termed Comm's "strongest letter yet" to RN, ABC called a "no hat-in-hand note but a stiff warning" that Comm. would feel free to consider whether refusals warrant adverse inferences and whether refusals themselves constitute an impchble offense. Likewise, Morton on CBS said MCs "seemed tougher" than in last communication to RN, followed by clip of Jordan saying Comm. is "stiffening its back, not to precipitate confrontation, but "indicate its resolve" to get material needed to do job its obligated to do. Railsback on ABC/NBC emphasized the importance of Comm's sending bipartisan message to RN telling him "loud and clear" that he's not in compliance and that Comm's "not satisfied. NBC noted stronger GOP backing for this letter w/8 voting for it as opposed to only 1 the 1st time around On ABC JSC responded to letter saying the law's "quite clear" that it's improper to draw adverse inferences in the face of a claim of privilege. He trusts Comm. staff will research that point for MCs just as he had. But ABC's Donaldson noted that to drive home its point re: Pres. non- compliance w/subpoenas Comm. voted 37-1 (Hutchinson) to issue new subpoena for 45 more conversations. (All nets noted.)