Alan Greenspan, Ford's chief economic advisor, tells a Washington audience full of blue--collar workers: "Everybody is hurt by inflation. If you really wanted to examine, percentage-wise, who was hurt most on their income, it was Wall Street brokers. I mean, their incomes have gone down the most, so if you want to be statistical, I mean, look, let's face what the facts are." He is booed.
September 20: Shirely Temple Black is sworn in as American ambassador to Ghana in a State Department ceremony. Henry A. Kissinger '50 kisses her.
September 21: The New York Times politely reveals that "like hundreds of other young men in the country," Steven Ford, the President's "handsome, sandy-haired 18-year-old" violated the law by registering late for the draft. He waited until his father was president. "OOPS--HE FORGOT" was the Herald-American caption.
September 22: Nelson Rockefeller tells the Senate Judiciary Committee that he paid no federal income tax in 1970. He earned $2.5 million that year (but paid $7 million in capital gains taxes.) Newspapers bury the story deep in their reports on his testimony.
September 23: Sen. Edward M. Kennedy '54 promises not to run for president in 1976. That leaves the Democrats with Jackson, Bentsen, Mondale, Muskie, McGovern. And of course Humphrey.
September 24: Ford delivers a tough law-and-order speech to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. There is too much crime, he says: "It can no longer be ignored. It can no longer be rationalized away. The time has come to act." Hardened criminals must understand that "swift and prolonged imprisonment will inevitably follow each offense."
The same day, a House Judiciary Sub-committee receives Ford's response to its request for more information on why he pardoned Nixon. Ford sends chairman William Hungate (D-Mo,) his September 8 pardon message, a packet of press statements, and a brief cover letter telling the congressman to put the issue behind them.
Rockefeller tells the Senate Judiciary Committee that Nixon's acceptance of the pardon was an admission of guilt. But he defends Ford for granting it.
September 25: A federal judge, citing intense pre-trial publicity and various irregularities, frees mass murderer William Calley. The army blocks the release by announcing it will appeal.
In Washington, a federal judge agrees to delay by one day--until October 2--the sentencing of California lieutenant governor Ed Reinecke. Reinecke was convicted in July of lying to the Senate Judiciary Committee during its investigation of the ITT-Republican National Convention scandal. The California constitution prohibits convicted felons from holding elective office, but Reinecke insists he is not convicted until he is sentenced. He is still lieutenant governor.
The California Supreme Court accepts Nixon's resignation from the state bar, thereby ending the bar association's investigation of his Watergate conduct.
September 29: Time magazine reports that Nixon offered to relinguish his pardon if it would help Ford weather the storm of public outcry. Thanks anyway, Ford said. It will blow over.
* * *
The Watergate cover-up trial begins today in Washington. Pray for October.