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THE PRESIDENT HAS SEAN km NEWS SUMMARY September 22, 1973 (Friday nets, wires. Comment sep.) The Major Stories of the Day: -- While rumors of a VP resignation forced by WH were flying Thurs, RN and VP met for an hour at VP's request and agreed their respec- tive staffs would stop discussing the VP's situation w/press. Led ABC/CBS and #2 on NBC ABC's Gill said VP "got what he went for": RN pledge to plug leaks from top level WH-Justice aides. RN got VP's assertion he doesn't intend to resign at this time. ( NBC noted WH did comment to extent that VP didn't hand in resignation.) Gill said RN-VP agreed on "one central principle" that if evidence is there, VP won't escape justice thru deal whereby resignation would be accepted to help VP avoid prosecution. NBC's Duke said if VP has to resign, Hill Dems will demand any proposed successor pledge he'll not run for Pres in 176 and this could rule Reagan, Rocky and JBC out if Dems stick together and result only in a caretaker. (Time's MacNeil on NET said RN will have to pay a price to get anyone he wants -- perhaps the tapes.) NBC's Nessen doesn't see VP resigning given that his legal position is strengthened by remaining in post and his defense has priority over his political future. -- Sharpest CPI increase since '47 -- 1.8% -- led NBC w/nearly 4 minutes of bad news emphasizing 6% rise in food prices in Aug. #4 on ABC; #6 on CBS -- both brief notes. Reasoner said CPI, "like a lot or recent economic news, was worse than expected. 11 Figures indicate inflation is getting worse, said Chancellor. "Well," said Cronkite, "inflation was worse than ever. 11 NBC further noted purchasing power was also down 2% D-J up another 7 to 928 35 for the week w/heavy trading again. HAK approved 78-7, all nets noted w/particularly warm salute from Chancellor and HKS urging action in Mideast McG, Nelson, Haskell, Helms, Hughes, Abourezk and Weicker voted against All nets noted possibility that RN European trip willibe postponed or cancelled, Rather attributing this to uncertainty re: VP and