March 25, 1968
In the National News
Johnson Bids for Support of Labor by Merriman Smith
LBJ spoke at the 13th annual Legislative conference of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department. Reminding them of his achievements since 1964, LBJ was interrupted numerous times by applause. This speech was considered an attempt to rally support for his campaign. (United Press International)
California Primary Is Confusing by Bill Boyarsky
The article states that the forces behind the Kennedy, Johnson and McCarthy campaigns have profound differences, and have been "at each other's throats for years." Kennedy has already begun campaigning in Los Angeles. Party leaders are very concerned about possibly fracturing the party. Democrats are still blaming each other for the outcome of the 1966 election, when Republican Ronald Reagan took the governorship away from Democrat Pat Brown.
Bobby Steps Up Attacks On Viet Policy by Norman Kempster
Kennedy appeared at the San Fernando Valley State College to speak out against Johnson's policies on Vietnam. Each rally in California has been packed with enthusiastic supporters. Pierre Salinger, former press secretary to President John Kennedy, claims that the crowds are equal to that of his late brother's 1960 campaign. (United Press International)
U.S. May Have Provoked Tonkin Incident: Morton
"Sen. Thruston B. Morton, (R-Ky), said today that the Tonkin Gulf naval encounter, which touched off large-scale American military intervention in Vietnam, may "have been the result of deliberate provocation... By daybreak, just a few hours after the naval encounter, substantial retaliatory American land, sea and air forces were poised for all-out military intervention. This was made possible by logistical preparations that must have required long and thorough planning. Morton asserted: 'The application of the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which permitted the President to make this struggle in Vietnam an American war, was based upon the flimsiest of hard information and may have been the result of deliberate provocation.'" (Associated Press)
Ellen Swings 'The Eugene' by Malcolm Barr
Ellen McCarthy, the 19-year old daughter of Senator McCarthy, attended "A Happening" hosted by the national campaign staff. At the discotheque on the fringe of fashionable Georgetown, Ellen, dressed in dusty pink, sold McCarthy buttons for a quarter, danced the bugaloo — renamed the Eugene for the occasion — and for six hours did some unorthodox campaigning for her dad." She is expected to campaign seperately from her father across the U.S. (Associated Press)
Powell Predicts Civil War Over V.S. Race Situation
Deposed Congressman Adam Clayton Powell predicts "civil war" by young people over the nation's race situation. "Powell, back from an 18- month self - imposed exile in Bimino, the Bahamas, roared an emphatic 'no!' when asked at a news conference Sunday if he envisioned a race war this summer." Martin Luther King, Jr. says that he is still committed to nonviolence. King also came out against the war, stating that Johnson had become personally involved with it. He spoke highly of both McCarthy and Kennedy. (Associated Press)
In the Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin)
Eugene McCarthy-A Man for Today and Tomorrow, an endorsement of McCarthy on the front page.
An excerpt: "For it has been McCarthy—alone of the political leaders of our day-who has come forward to give the free, democratic way a chance to work. Of the many leaders of the Democratic party who opposed the war, he alone came forward to offer a choice to a course that has agonized this country as only few issues in its history have. In the context in which he made it, his decision will be remembered as an enduring act of political courage and a monument to the faith of the Senator in the free system that produced him."
McCarthy Refuses Delegate Slate Shared with Kennedy by John Patrick Hunter
McCarthy disavowed a Washington D.C. slate of peace candidates to challenge LBJ. He doesn't want to create an impression that he is working with Kennedy or his campaign. (page 1)
An ad on page 6 declares: Historians Support McCarthy. It states: "As historians, we want to publicly affirm our support for Senator Eugene McCarthy, and to express our disappointment at the belated and opportunistic candidacy of Senator Robert Kennedy... But Senator Kennedy now threatens this vital reform of American politics. Whatever his personal motives, he has replaced idealism with seemingly callous power-seeking, moral clarity with ambiguity, and integrity with compromising political deals."
The weather: Fair tonight. Low between 35-40 degrees.
March 26, 1968
In the National News
Fighting Rages As Reds Attack U.S. Artillery Base by George Esper
"About 1,000 North Vietnamese troops attacked a U.S. artillery base in the central highlands in human wave assaults today and overran one gun position in the heaviest fighting there in four months... 135 North Vietnamese troops and 19 Americans were killed and 51 Americans were wounded." (United Press International)
U.S. Can't Have Guns in Vietnam., Butter at Home by Warren Unna
Joseph W. Barr, undersecretary of the Treasury told the Senate Armed Services Committee that we have to reduce our standard of living if we are going to handle the problems of the less fortunate people all over the world. At the end of the session, he said, "I'll either get fired or impeached before I get out - and either one is not too bad." (Washington Post-Capital Times Service)
Bobby Blames 'Pride' for War by Carl Greenberg
At San Fernando State College (California), Kennedy told students that he took no pride in gross national products that include napalm, nuclear warheads, and armored trucks. Hecklers shouted "Where were you in New Hampshire?" "Mingled with the pro-Kennedy signs were some that said "SOB" — meaning "Students opposing Bobby" — and "Are you going to open the archives up? The last referred to the archives of the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy." (Los Angeles Times - Capital Times Service)
Business Moves to Anti-War Stand by John Cunniff
"'In business, if you adopt a strategy for results and maintain that strategy for 36 months and find you're no further along than when you started, then it makes no sense to continue with the same strategy,' is a typical opposition remark." (Associated Press)
LBJ Gets Backing From Big Labor
"President Johnson has won promises of solid labor support for his election and left little doubt that he intends to seek another term... We do intend to stand here as long as we can stand here," he said Monday night, "and fight for what is right." (Associated Press)
In the Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin)
Under the banner headline: 18,000 Hail McCarthy Here:
Listen to Blast at Viet War: Minnesotan Jabs At LBJ and Bobby by John Patrick Hunter
Drawing the largest crowd in the city's history, McCarthy spoke out against the war in Vietnam. "They stood and cheered him for nearly .two minutes when he said "we are seeking the presidency of the United States. "We made a great beginning in New Hsnpshire," McCarthy said. "The next significant step is here in Wisconsin." Dorothy Knowles, wife of the Republican governor, attended the event. "There were signs asking "Who Killed Kennedy?'; and "Oswald— Did he or didn't he?" (page 1)
Iowa Dems Give McCarthy Big Lift
"Iowa Democrats turned out in record numbers Monday night to express opposition to the Johnson administration by electing large numbers of anti-administration delegates to county conventions... Beardsley added that an Associated Press evaluation of the anti-Johnson strength showed that about 70 per cent belongs to McCarthy." (page 1)
SWP Candidate Expounds Marxist Black Nationalism by Whitney Gould
Paul Boutelle is a candidate for Vice President, on the same Socialist Workers Party ticket as Fred Halstead. The article describes Boutelle as a mixture of Karl Marx and Stokely Carmichael. "We call for a socialist America," said Boutelle at a press conference this morning, "—a country in which the workers tare control of (he means of iroduction. The country can be saved, but not the capitalist system. The ruling class are corrupt, thieving hypocrites and liars." (page 6)
The weather: Increasing cloudiness with storms likely. Lows tonight 40-45.
March 27, 1968
In the National News
The AP wirephoto on the upper left hand side of the page shows a soldier inspecting a dead Viet Cong fighter, looking for explosives. The caption notes that the photographer was wounded by shrapnel after taking the photo.
Bobby Turns Guns on Nixon
Kennedy claims that Nixon "has had no new ideas in the past decade." In other news, "President Johnson is backed by 14 of the nation's 24 Democratic governors, an Associated Press survey shows." Nixon will most likely be able to write his own GOP platform at the convention. (Associated Press)
Nixon Has Long History as Hawk by Ken Hartnett
Harold Stassen claims that Nixon once urged Eisenhower to use bombs and Marines to subdue a Communist uprising in the Phillipines. Eisenhower turned the idea down. Stassen is also a Republican candidate for President.
Thieu Expects Red Last-Gasp Offensive by John N. Fallon
The President of South Vietnam believes that the North Vietnamese will conduct another offensive soon in order to have something to offer at the bargaining table. If they fail, he believes that they will fade away slowly, according to the article. He also took anti-war senators to task for their positions. (United Press International)
O'Brien Comes into State To Pump Up LBJ Support
Labor people along with the U.S. Postmaster General Lawrence O'Brien are working to help LBJ in his reelection campaign. They acknowledge that it will be a tough race to win. (United Press International)
CIA- Viet Link Admitted by Barry Kramer
"The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency provides "a fairly substantial part' of the equipment and funds for South Vietnam's pacification effort, an informed official said today. (Associated Press)
In the Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin)
McCarthy Stresses Draft Reform in State U. Talk by John Patrick Hunter
McCarthy continues to draw capacity crowds. The article also mentions the "tempest in a teapot" caused by two of his press staff abruptly resigned. Seymour Hersh, 30 years old and Mary Lou Oates, 24 returned to Milwaukee. He was asked by newsmen if they resigned because they felt he was not concentrating on civil rights issues and the ghettos. The bulk of the article concentrates on his proposed draft reforms. He wants those who object to the war to have a "non-combatant status." He would also like those who left the country to have a substitute method of service, instead of combat. (page 1)
Mrs. Knowles Would Vote For Gene If She Could
Dorothy Knowles, the wife of Republican governor, said Tuesday she, too, is a Republican, but if she were not she would vote for Sen. Eugene McCarthy... In a low key manner, he is expressing the feelings that are at the heart of this nation," she said. "I am grateful to him personally, as an American, for expressing these feelings and giving people the power to voice their own feeling through, him." Instead, she plans to vote for Nixon. (page 2)
Abrams Expected To Get Viet Command by Bob Horton
"Relative secrecy surrounds Gen. Creighton W. Abrams' Washington visit, generally considered a prelude to an announcement he will succeed Gen. William C. Westmoreland in Vietnam." He was spotted by reporters in a Pentagon hallway. The visit was supposed to be secret. (page 8)
The weather: Showers and thunderstorms tonight. Lows will be 40-45 degrees.
March 28, 1968
In the National News
The AP Wirephoto on the upper left hand side is of LBJ's grandson. He's very sick, running a 104 degree temperature. He's currently staying at the White House.
Solons Seek Repeal of Tonkin Resolution: 20 Sign Measure In House by Daniel Rapoport
"We have taken up the gauntlet," said Rep. Lester Wolff, (D-NY), referring to statements by the administration that Congress is unhappy over the Tonkin resolution, it should repeal it. Wolff is principal sponsor of a measure that would "terminate" the resolution. The Johnson administration has repeatedly cited it in answering critics who say it has escalated the Vietnam war without consent of Congress." (United Press International)
Negro March Turns Into Race Melee In Memphis by Bill Johnson
A protest march by Martin Luther King, Jr. turned ugly, with participants breaking windows and looting stores. King promptly ended the march and returned to the starting point, which was at a church. Police used teargas to break up the riot. Historic Beale Street and Main Street were hardest hit. Two policemen were injured. The march was in support of sanitation workers who were on strike. (Associated Press)
$6 Million F111A Lost In N. Vietnam
"An F111A fighter bomber was reported missing today just three days after America's newest warplane began flying combat missions against North Vietnam." The State Department released no other details. (United Press International)
In the Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin)
A front page photo shows two U.W. students turning in their draft cards during a press conference by U.S. Attorney Ramsey Clark. They are members of National Resist Movement. The caption includes the street addresses of both students.
McCarthy Expects 50% of Vote by John Patrick Hunter
McCarthy tells reporters that he expects at least 50% of the vote in the primary election. He believes some of his support will come from Republicans. McCarthy will enter both the Florida and Indiana primaries, as he also announced that papers were filed. Kennedy will also enter the Indiana primary. McCarthy doesn't plan to campaign in Indiana, he said, looking forward to the big California race. (page 2)
Birth Control for Males Needed, U. Sociologist Says
"Widespread use of oral contraceptives by women may threaten to end man's dominant role in the family, says Prof. Martin Loeb, director of School of Social Work." To create a power balance, Loeb believes that men should have birth control options as well. "There is a theory that loss of the dominant family role may even result in sexual impotency in the male. To avert this, males might seize upon any means to check the shift of power toward women. One of these means would be the "gentleman's pill," says Loeb." (page 3)
Clark Discloses Situation: Says Madison Has 'Organized Crime'
by Irvin Kreisman
U.S. Attorney Ramsey Clark claims that Madison has a mafia problem. He also stated that there is evidence of organized crime in Milwaukee. (page 4)
Gives Big Edge To McCarthy
West High School students support Senator McCarthy and Richard Nixon. McCarthy received 80% of the school's primary vote. Kennedy received 17 write-in votes. Nixon received 141 of the Republican vote, out of a possible 183. (page 6)
WCLU Raps Disruption of Freeman Talk
"The Wisconsin Civil Liberties Union (WCLU) has called the recent disruption of a speech by Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman on the University of Wisconsin campus "a violation of the basic civil liberty of communication." (page 6)
The weather: Partly cloudy. Low tonight in the 40s.
March 29, 1968
In the National News:
An AP Wirephoto shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr at the Memphis civil rights march. The caption explains that he left the march when violence and looting began.
Memphis Prepares For More Violence by Bill Johnson
A civil rights march in support of striking santitation workers led to one death and a night of violence. Martin Luther King, Jr. stopped the march as it dissolved into looting. National Guardsmen were deployed, carrying sniperscopes. Civil Rights Leaders would like to hold a march shortly, possibly limited to sidewalks. Both police and civil rights leaders agree that the violence was due to the a "splinter group of youths." A 16-year old lost his life in the ensuing melee. Police claim that the youth was caught charging police with a butcher knife. The march lasted for 30 minutes. Dr. King released a statement that said he would stay in Memphis in an attempt to help the situation. (Associated Press)
Another AP Wirephoto shows a group of college students going "clean for Eugene." The caption stresses that this demonstrates the sincerity of their support for McCarthy.
Fires in 3 Chicago Stores; See Arson by Sherry Conohan
Montgomery Ward, Wieboldts, and Carson Pirie Scott and Co. were hit by suspicious fires. Three seperate fires blazed at Carson. At Wieboldts there was a fire in a vault, while at Montgomery Ward there was a fire in a stockroom. All occurred within three hours of each other. Officials suspect arson. (United Press International)
North Viets Hold Secret Talks by Thomas Cheatham
Three captured North Vietnamese returned to Hanoi as a result of secret talks between the U.S. and North Vietnamese. This marks the second time in the history of the war that the two sides had a face-to-face meeting, according to the story. (United Press International)
Bobby Files for Indiana
He was greeted at the airport by 4,000 screaming young people. Another 5,000 were there at the courthouse to greet him as he filed papers. "Nixon accused Kennedy and President jOhnson of raucous, irresponsible campaigning. But he had a kind word for Sen. McCarthy 'who has contributed significantly to a better undersanding of the issues by enlisting many of those who had given up on the political process.'" The May 7th primary will be the first time McCarthy and Kennedy will compete. (Compiled by wire reports)
In the Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin)
GOP Paper Hits Nixon-LBJ, Endorses McCarthy by John Patrick Hunter
"Sen. Eugene McCarthy has picked up some strong support with the announcement by the Waukesha Freeman it has broken a 103-year-old tradition - endorse a Democratic presidential candidate." The paper claimed that the Johnson and Nixon's views of the war were "parallel." Meanwhile, McCarthy alleged that the South Vietnamese government was "an outright dictatorship" and "corrupt." (page 1)
No Referendum Stand by McCarthy
While McCarthy will not take an official position on the war referendum, his positions are very close to what the referendum is about, says the vice-chairman of the Wisconsin McCarthy campaign. The referedum states that the war should be stopped immediately, the U.S. and South Vietnamese should negotiate with the North Vietnamese and that the troops should gradually withdraw from South Vietnamese to force the issue of negotiations. (page 8)
The weather: Clear and cold. Highs in the 60s, lows in the 30s.
March 30, 1968
In the National News:
LBJ Tell His War Plans; More Money, Men Required: Will Talk To Nation Sunday
"President Johnson announced today he will make a major address to the nation Sunday night on Vietnam strategy, troop deployment, and new actions in Southeast Asia... The President said he will discuss the manpower situation in Vietnam and will make an announcement of 'some actions' to be taken." Nixon immediately canceled his speech about the Vietnam War. (United Press International)
Arson Suspected In Chicago Store Fires
The fires that were reported yesterday happened in one hour intervals. Carson Pirie Scott and Co. says that they have 20 million dollars worth of damage from the suspected arson. Police have increased patrols of the State Street area. At around the same time, Goldblatts, another State Street store, reported a small fire that was quickly put out by employees. Police used bomb squads, arson investigators, dogs and extra manpower in their investigation. (Associated Press)
Ogden Nash Notes Gene's 52nd Birthday
Nash presented a 12 line poem to McCarthy for his birthday. The poem was on a giant card filled with the signatures of approxiametely 1,000 New York volunteers. (Washington Post-Capital Times)
Induction Center Hit By Bomb by Anthony Alborelli
"A powerful bomb blast rocked the armed forces induction center in lower Manhattan early today, shattering some 30 windows in the nine-story building. There were no reports of injuries. The bomb, placed at the rear of the 81-year-old building, exploded at about 1:20 a.m. with a blast that was heard up to a mile away, police said. Windows in nearby buildings were also broken." No one was at the center during the blast. (Associated Press)
President's Son-in-Law Off to War
Marine Capt. Charles S. Robb, married to Lynda Bird, left for Vietnam. Lynda Bird will stay at the White House while her husband is at war. (Associated Press)
Polish University Is Closed By Student Riots
"Seven departments of Warsaw University were closed today, 34 students expelled and 11 suspended after a student meeting Thursday, Trybuna Ludu, organ of the Polish Communist party, said today. The closing of the departments was 'unprecedented' in Communist Poland, it added." (Associated Press)
Johnson Ratings Fall to New Low by George Gallup
52% disapprove of Johnson's performance. 63% disapprove of his Vietnam policy. This is a new high in disapproval, which has been steadily climbing since January 1968.
Calendar Influences LBJs, Kennedy s Vote Strategies by Murrey Marder
"The decisive period in the Democratic race for the Presidential nomination, many political analysts now believe, may be the next three months, rather than the traditional period closer to the opening of the Democratic convention, which begins this year on Aug. 26 in Chicago." (Washington Post-Capital Times Service)
Senators Want to Reclaim War-Making Powers by John H. Averrill
To Lyndon Johnson's intense annoyance, the Senate is about to undertake a constitutional exercise aimed at reversing nearly a century of congressional acquiesence to the White House in the most vital area of foreign policy. It will, in short, be an effort to reassert the badly eroded war-making power of Congress. Although the Constitution vests the power to declare war solely with Congress, the administration haughtily insists that in this age of nuclear missles, declaractions of war are outmoded." (Los Angeles Times-Capital Times Service)
In the Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin)
Dow Talks End With Only Minor Trouble by Matt Pommer
Dow Chemical held job interviews on the U.W. campus. Two people were charged with disorderly conduct for blocking the door to the interview site. A protest last October created such a disturbance that nearly 70 students and police were hurt. (page 1)
Big Area McCarthy Vote Is Indicated by James Ambelang
A large turnout of both democrats and republicans is expected to vote for McCarthy. (page 3)
The weather: Showers and Thunderstorms. High will be 60 degrees. Lows in the 40s.
