These are the top stories for today in 1968.
In the national news
Plot Hinted in King Assassination
Investigators are confused by the amount of conflicts between witnesses. This confusion leads them to believe that there was more than one person involved in the King assassination. The FBI is still looking for the killer and is “conducting the most massive manhunt in its history.” (Associated Press)
Hanoi Charges U.S. Delays Talks
“North Vietnam charged Sunday that the United States was ‘deliberately delaying’ preliminary peace talks on the Vietnam war by its reluctance to accept Phnom Penh or Warsaw as the site for the initial contacts.” (Associated Press)
Nuns in Vietnam Get Old, Familiar GI Wolf Whistle by Eddie Adams
“Five of the 18 Catholic sisters scattered across South Vietnam as volunteers to do medical and social work are serving at Hue, Vietnam’s old imperial capital along the northern seacoast, now in ruins from the Tet offensive.” (Associated Press)
Army is Ready to Cope with Long, Hot Summer
“The recent spasm of riots provided a stiff test of the Army’s plans for coping with civil disturbances, and its generals feel their forces are now ready for the summer ahead.” (Associated Press)
Son of Willy Brandt Seized During Berlin Student Riots
“Club-swinging West Berlin police charged demonstrators blocking the city’s main street Saturday in a third day of protests over the shooting of Red Rudi Dutschke, the radical student leader. About 230 persons were seized, including the teen-age son of West German Foreign Minister Willy Brandt.” (Associated Press)
Guaranteed Minimum Income is Proposed by McCarthy by David Nyhan
“Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy, D-Minn, has proposed a guaranteed minimum income and a federally subsidized health insurance program to raise the standard of living of the nation’s poor.” He is expected to win the Massachusetts primary on April 30 because his name is the only name on the ballot. Kennedy hasn’t launched a write-in campaign. (Associated Press)
Los Angeles Stayed Calm After King’s Assassination by Linda Deutsch
The Watts riots taught Los Angeles a lesson. “Within 24 hours after King’s death, a coalition of Negro leaders – The Black Operational Unity Committee – was formed. Its directors were leaders of about 40 Negro organizations and represented what they said were ‘extremists of both sides.’… ‘As long as we find something in common to move on and do more on just that, the movement will keep up together,’ (Ron) Karenga said.”
Los Angeles Times Says Humphrey Will Not Enter California Race
Vice President Hubert Humphrey is expected to begin running on April 17 but he will campaign in the primary. (Associated Press)
White Man Who Was Usher At King Funeral Not Authorized
“A white man who was an usher at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was not authorized by the arrangements committee despite security precautions for Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey.” FBI concluded that the man wanted the spotlight. (Associated Press)
Carmichael Says King’s Assassination Will Be Unifying Force
Stokely Carmichael told reporters “They clearly made a mistake when they killed Dr. King. It would have been far better if they killed Rap Brown or myself… There is no possible way for them to make an excuse for Dr. King’s killing. He preached love, forgiveness and mercy.” (Associated Press)
The Kokomo Tribune – Kokomo, Indiana
A photo on page 2 shows Dr. Marjorie Nelson who was recently released by the Viet Cong after 57 days in captivity.
An editorial titled “Hubert Humphrey’s Future” discusses a rumor that LBJ will resign so that Humphrey can take over and run for President. To cut down on confrontations with McCarthy and Kennedy, Humphrey is “being advised against running in any of the primaries but to depend primarily on state party organizations and officials loyal to Mr. Johnson to corral delegates.”
The weather: Cloudy, mild. Highs in the mid 70s.
