These are the top stories for July 14, 1968.
Senator Eugene McCarthy has new hope for an open convention next month. McCarthy, who says he is still in the race, is set to campaign against the unit rule, which binds delegates to one candidate. An open convention would allow for delegates to switch sides during the proceedings.
Striking telephone workers in Chicago agreed to arbitration after a bargaining session with Illinois Bell Telephone Company became deadlocked. Democratic leaders have been keeping close watch on the strike, hoping that grievances would be settled by the end of the month. John Bailey, national chairman of the Democratic Party, stated that if it is not settled by July 28, then the party might have to look elsewhere to hold the convention.
The Boy Scouts of America may no longer offer a marksmanship badge. Citing Senator Robert Kennedy's death, the Boy Scouts said that they are reviewing their policy toward guns. Boys Life, the national scout magazine, may no longer run gun advertisements. Until policy changes take effect, all gun manufacturers must stress gun safety in their ads.
A Missouri Circuit Court Judge was found guilty of misconduct and could face impeachment proceedings after admitting that he met with a go-go dancer at motels. Judge John D. Hasler, 56 years old, was handling the divorce case of the go-go dancer which had been brought against her by her husband. Hasler stated that his interest in the go-go dancer was purely "paternalistic." The judge was fined $1.
These are the top stories for July 15, 1968.
The Soviet Union held an emergency meeting with communist allies over the liberal regime in Czechoslovakia. Concerned over what they term, "aggressive imperialist forces," Soviet officials met with members of the East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria communist parties. Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin announced that he will send a joint letter to Czech officials expressing their concerns.
Democratic presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey added 21 delegates to his total over the weekend. He won 17 delegates from Washington state and 4 from Colorado. He needs 614 more delegates for the Democratic nomination.
Additional police and security were called to calm over 2,000 people who lingered outside of Huey Newton's murder trial. Newton, chief of the Black Panther Party in Oakland, is on trial for killing patrolman John Frey and shooting patrolman Herbert Heanes in a gun battle. Newton has declared himself innocent of all charges.
The Congress for Racial Equality stated on national television that black voters need to create a third force in American politics. Floyd McKissick and Roy Innis, leaders of the group, believe that black voters should think about boycotting the election if politicians don't appeal to the interests of the black community.
An aide to former Republican Presidential candidate George Romney claims that Gov. Nelson Rockefeller's four-point plan to solve the Vietnam crisis bears remarkable resemblance to Romney's plan. The reason? Romney's former advisers now work for candidate Rockefeller.
These are the top stories for July 16, 1968.
Justice Abe Fortas admitted today that he has served as advisor to President Johnson while serving on the U.S. Supreme Court. Fortas, testifying before a Senate Judiciary committee, said that he participated in strategy sessions with the President about the war in Vietnam and civil disorders across the country. Fortas is a candidate for Chief Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Commission on Postal Organization recommended that the U.S. Postal Service become a government-owned corporation. The commission reports provides a dire picture of the mail service, citing inefficiency and financial losses. The report states that major changes are needed.
A Senate subcommittee continues to investigate the Blackstone Rangers, a Chicago street gang, about their use of government anti-poverty money. The funds, which totaled over $900,000, were intended for a job training program. Members of the Black community believe the investigation was instigated at the request of Mayor Richard Daley. The Mayor's office denies any involvement in the matter.
It appears that Senator Eugene McCarthy has support within the financial community. In a poll of money managers, McCarthy won 51.6 percent of the vote against fellow candidate Hubert Humphrey. McCarthy also beat Republican candidate Richard Nixon by 27 percent. The poll was conducted by Institutional Investor magazine.
Employees from the American Telegraph & Telephone Company long lines department are set to strike at midnight tonight. A federal mediator conferred with contract negotiators in a final move to work out an agreement. Telephone workers have already voted for a strike by a margin of 3-to-1. Hundreds walked off their jobs yesterday, but the Communication Workers of America has yet to authorize a strike. Democratic Party officials are considering moving their convention to Miami, due to a strike against Illinois Bell Telephone Company. The strikes impacts the ability to get needed equipment into the convention area.
These are the top stories for July 17, 1968.
Czechoslovakian government officials announced that they will continue their plans for liberalization. Alexander Dubcek, leader of the Czechoslovak party, received a letter from the Soviet bloc demanding that he and others attend a summit within the next 14 days to defend their party's policies. Dubcek has refused to attend the meeting.
Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford told reporters that Americans can expect heavy attacks against U.S. troops between now and early September. Referencing the Tet battles from late January, Clark said that he believes such military movements by the enemy were meant to have an effect on the Paris Peace Talks. He also reiterated that Saigon was a focal point in the enemy's plans.
James Earl Ray is expected to arrive in Memphis Thursday to stand trial for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ray declined to appeal the extradition order issued by a London court. Ray was arrested June 8 in London after a global manhunt.
During nomination hearings, Justice Abe Fortas admitted that he confronted a friend over a public speech that friend gave criticizing the costs of the Vietnam war. North Carolina Senator Sam Ervin asked Fortas if perhaps the call as made on someone's else behalf. Fortas would neither confirm nor deny that he made the call on behalf of President Johnson.
These are the top stories for July 18, 1968.
Czech leaders warned Soviet authorities that the citizens of Czechoslovakia will resist a return to hardline Communism. A statement from the Prague reformist government denied that imperial forces were at work, stating that there was nothing counterrevolutionary about their policies. This statement was in response to a Soviet letter demanding that Alexander Dubcek, First Secretary of the Czech Communist Party, defend his government's liberal policies to the Soviet Communist Party.
Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower held a news conference at Walter Reed Army Hospital to announce his endorsement of Republican candidate Richard Nixon. The former President told reporters that while it is unusual to announce an endorsement before a candidate won his party's nomination, 1968 is an unusual year. Eisenhower is currently recuperating at the hospital after suffering from a major heart attack.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Eugene McCarthy's campaign is facing a large deficit. Campaign Manager Blair Clark released a statement to D.C. campaign workers telling them that many would need to be laid off by the campaign. Furloughed staffers are welcome to continue working for the Senator as volunteers. The Washington Evening Star has reported that McCarthy's campaign deficit range between one to two million dollars.
A state of emergency has been declared in Akron, Ohio following incidents of firebombing and looting in a largely black section of the city. Along with the state of emergency, the Akron City Council also imposed a 9 p.m. curfew. About 700 National Guardsmen have been called in to quell the disturbances.
