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THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN def NEWS SUMMARY July 12, 1974 (Thurs. nets, wires. Thurs. papers, other comment separate) The major stories: -- 5-8 min. leads on all nets on Judiciary evidence and Dean testimony. "No bombshells" from Judiciary's 7 volumes, said ABC. "No startling new disclosures, 11 said NBC. Similarly, CBS said there were "no shockers, no startling new revelations. 11 The "murder weapon" wasn't found during the hearings and it doesn't leap out of the pages released by Comm. Case remains, said Morton of CBS, circumstantial, shades of gray, not black or white and one MC can read it one way while another reads it another. W'gate may be greatest mystery story ever, but it doesn't read like it, said ABC's Donaldson of the dry, passionateless report. No conclusions, noted all nets, CBS describing it as a massing of facts ana- logus to an army of iron filings waiting for a magnet. CBS quoted a Comm source who said re: RN role, report's like a giant erector set w/all the pieces, but no instructions on how to put it together ABC noted many MCs found report so cut and dry, it's hard for them to comprehend what it all means w/out any conclusions reached. 3/17/73 RN to Dean noted by all nets as new: We can't have Magruder role go to HRH as that could lead to Pres. It has to be cut back. 6/30 RN to HRH that there's always "risk" something could come out noted by ABC w/Donaldson asking what risk 6/19 RN to Colson re: concern over Hunt and '73 Colson warning to RN re: JNM noted by NBC where Stern focused on "I thread" thruout the new data: That RN may've known of coverup earlier than he's said and kept it hidden longer than he's said. Sternalso cited 4/.8 RN to JDE that Magruder better take 5th and we don't want JNM popping off CBS noted 3/21 dictabelt of RN recollections re: Dean being depressed and conce rned w/his own criminal liability, RN feeling for Hunt who Dean saw as involved in "pure black- mail" and the others, all involved for best of motives And CBS said RN does appear to approve Hunt payment on 3/21 w/possibility JDE had told JNM of WH feelings on 3/20.