May 5 - May 11, 1968
May 5, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
Reds Attack Capitals and Bases in Vietnam: Daring Power Shown by Richard V. Oliver
"Communist forces attacked a string of allied bases and provincial capitals with mortars and rockets Sunday in a daring display of strength less than a week before preliminary peace talks are scheduled in Paris." (United Press International)
Wallace Likely Due State Demo Blessing
"Presidential candidate George Wallace, running elsewhere as an independent, is all but certain Tuesday to get the official blessing of the Democratic Party in Alabama" (Associated Press)
Heart Patients Still OK: Condition Are Varied
"In London, it was a weak 'thumbs up' signal by a 28-year-old workman. In Houston, it was a friend's report on another man, "He looks splendid.' In California, there was more tension, less encouraging news. Those three sites held the world's attention Saturday in the close of the busiest week yet of heart transplant surgery." (United Press International)
End May Come To Bomb Halt by Joseph Alsop
"The fact that the North Vietnames are taking heavy advantage of the President's 90 per cent bombing halt is the first thing a reporter returning from Vietnam discovers in this strange city."
Doss Spared Embarrassment on Income Tax Maneuvering by Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson
"The Internal Revenue Service has shown a strange inclination to spare Sen. Tom Dodd, D-Conn., from an income tax rap over since we revealed he had paid no taxes on the campaign funds he deposited in his personal bank account."
School Peace is Reached
"Negro students at Northwestern University ended their encampment of the school's business office Saturday night after agreeement was reached with school officials on a list of demands." (Associated Press)
U.S., North Viets Ready for Talks
"Without visible contact, American and North Vietnamese representatives moved briskly through French government intermediaries Saturday to set up arrangements for coming preliminary peace talks here (Paris)." (Associated Press)
Viet Cong Hit 13 Cities, Fight in Saigon Streets
"The Viet Cong shelled Saigon and a dozen other South Vietnamese cities early Sunday and infiltrated small sniper and suicide squads into the capital." (Associated Press)
GOP, Demo Aspirants Halt
"Sen. Eugene McCarthy was sidelined by an earache, Saturday with only three days left before he and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy have their first ballot box confrontation in the Indiana presidential primary. McCarthy cancelled three campaign appearances because of the ailment while Kennedy told potential backers in Indianapolis that the problems of the nuclear age have led some people to wonder 'whether we can govern ourselves.' The New York Democrat said the answer to that question will lie in the nation's school system." (United Press International)
Mary McCarthy Substitues Here for Ill Father
"Mary McCarthy, daughter of Presidential candidate Sen. Eugene McCarthy, planted a red-bud tree in Shadyside around noon Saturday." (Anderson Sunday Herald -- Anderson, Indiana)
May 6, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
New Viet Cong Attack Eases After One Day: Enemy Shells Towns by George Esper
"South Vietnamese troops battled the Viet Cong in a cemetery alongside Saigon's airport today but reports to U.S. headquarters indicated the new enemy 'offensive was subsiding after only one day." (Associated Press)
Four News Correspondents Killed by Cong in Saigon by Frank Palmos
"... I shouted, 'Stop! Stop! because I was scared and I felt there were VC there. Cantwell swerved to the left and while he was trying to get into reverse, two Viet Cong opened fire. One on our left had VC there in the background and the fifth, the commander as I learned later, was nearby... I jumped to the left, staggered about 10 yards, pretending I was hit, then fell... (Associated Press)
Kennedy and M'Carthy Stage Final Drives for State Votes: Humphrey Under Attack by Nixon by Walter R. Mears
"Indiana's presidential primary, an expensive but probably inconclusive exercise in the scramble for the Democratic nomination, churned toward a climax today - and absent White House contender Hubert H. Humphrey, suddenly became a campaign target." (Associated Press)
Week's Political Fare Includes 5 Primaries, 7 State Conventions
"Indiana's showdown between Sens. Robert F. Kennedy and Eugene J. McCarthy heads a week of major political activity including five primary elections and seven state conventions. The eek is expected to test Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey's drive for Democratic National Convention delegates for the presidential nominations as well as Kennedy and McCarthy voter strength." (Associated Press)
Heavy Turnout Predicted for County Primary Vote Tuesday: Election Plans are Completed
"One of the heaviest election turnouts in recent years is forecast for tomorrow's primary in Madison County when voters will go to the polls to select their choices of aspirants in the presidential preference race." (Anderson Daily Bulletin - Anderson, Indiana)
An AP wirephoto shows Bobby Kennedy addressing a crowds in Indianapolis.
Striking Telephone Workers Ratify Three-Year Contract
"Striking telephone workers have put 'the voice with a smile' back in style with a nationwide contract ratification vote that officially ended an 18-day walkout against the Bell Telephone System." (Associated Press)
An AP wirephoto shows Liberace visiting with a heart transplant patient.
RFK Hits, Misses: His Record Spotty by Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson
"Bobby Kennedy has an excellent record in the Senate... You have also have to examine Bobby's record for mistakes of the past to see whether he's likely to make them in the future."
Candidates View the Big Issues: Crisis in Vietnam and In Cities by Congressional Quarterly
"Crisis in Vietnam and crisis in the nation's cities are the dominant issues in the 1968 presidential campaign, according to a Congressional Quarterly survey of campaign statements by six would-be nominees."
May 7, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
U.S. Troops Join Battle as Saigon Fight Rages: Thrusts Seen as Bargaining Aid by George Esper
"American tanks and armored personnel carriers joined the new battle of Saigon today, cutting off a Viet Cong attack from the southwest in the third day of hard fighting on the city's fringes." (Associated Press)
Democratic Race Outcome Awaited by Walter R. Mears
"Indiana votes today in a Democratic presidential primary in which the images and personalities of the three contenders overrode the issues. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who drew the biggest crowds and topped the voter opinion polls, was confident but publicly silent on the likely outcome. Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy said he was stronger than the pollsters reported, and indicated he would claim success if he received more than 20 per cent of the vote."
Draft Criticism
"'Many politicians running for office attack and criticize the Selective Service System because they want to get into the news,' (Gen. Lewis B.) Hershey told a news conference Friday." (Associated Press)
State Vote At A Glance
"Indiana has no party registration figures, but about 2.6 million persons were eligible to vote in the last general election. Party chairmen expect as many as 750,000 Democratic ballots to be cast and about 400,000 in the uncontested Republican primary." (Associated Press)
Mrs. Wallace Loses Fight with Cancer
Family Present as End Comes
"Gov. Lurleen R. Wallace, 41, whose compassion for the afflicted symbolized her brief career as a public official, died in her sleep today after a two-year battle against cancer." She was the wife of George Wallace, and Alabama's Governor. (Associated Press)
Indiana Offers First Tests For RFK, HHH
"Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and President Hubert H. Humphrey face their first 1968 primary tests today in two of five elections around the nation. The primaries are in Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Florida and the District of Columbia." (Associated Press)
Montgomery is Destination of Poor People's March by Don McKee
"The Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, canceling trips to California and Wisconsin, has vowed to march with a growing poor people's army into Alabama today. 'We're going on now to Montgomery.' he told a church rally that lasted until after midnight Monday. The meeting broke up before the news of the death of Gov. Lurleen Wallace." (Associated Press)
Vietnam, Not Paris, The Key by Joseph Alsop
"The North Vietnamese proposal of negotiations in Paris rather makes fools of all the people who angrily urged President Johnson to accept either Warsaw or Phtom Penh - alas, including Sen. Robert F. Kennedy."
Columnists Charge Wealth of Kennedys Pose A Threat To The Primary System by Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson
"The students who are out campaigning for Bobby Kennedy and Gene McCarthy are too young to know about it, but around the turn of the century the scandal of convention-picked state and federal candidates led to the system of state primaries... In 1960, however, the Kennedy family conceived the idea that they could buy primaries."
Predictions of Soviet Collapse Disappearing by Henry Shapiro
"Gone with the snows of yesteryear are the 1967 predictions of the imminent collapse of the Soviet collective leadership." (United Press International)
Vietnam Settlement Likely to Take Year to 18 Months by Bert W. Okuley
"In London, diplomats with negotiating table experience with the Communists are predicting that it will take from a year to 18 months to arrange a Vietnam War settlement with North Vietnam - if the United States can get the talks past the preliminary stage. Setting up the conference agenda alone will take several weeks and possibly several months." (United Press International)
McClellan Sees Plans for Riot in Washington by William Moran
"Sen. John L. McClellan says he'll expose plans by parties as yet unnamed to turn the Poor People's Campaign in Washington into a riot." (Associated Press)
Pulitzer Prize Won by Disputed Novel
"The 1968 Pulitzer Prize for fiction has been awarded to William Styron's controversial novel, 'The Confessions of Nat Turner,' which was based on an 1831 Negro slave revolt." (Associated Press)
Harriman Says U.S. Can't Quit Vietnam
"W. Averell Harriman, who leaves for Paris this week to negotiate with the North Vietnamese, said Monday night the United States cannot run out on the South Vietnamese." (Associated Press)
Alleged Deserters on Moscow TV Show
"A Japanese pacifist organization said today that six Americans to appeared on Soviet television last week to denounce U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war had deserted Army and Navy units during the past two years." (Associated Press)
May 8, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
Communist Troops Claim Victory in Saigon Fight: U.S. Report Says 2,002 Reds Lost by Jack Walsh
"Communist troops renewed their rocket assault on the city of Da Nang tonight. They claimed 'victory' in the battle of Saigon, but U.S. officials said the Communist has lost 2,002 men and that only scattered guerrilla bands remained." (United Press International)
RFK Tops Branigin, McCarthy in County: Norton, Dennis Win Contests
"In the Democratic presidential preference contest, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY) won easily in this county as elsewhere over favorite son candidate Gov. Roger D. Branigin and Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy (D-Minn.). Kennedy received 9,405 of the 21,871 votes cast for the three presidential aspirants for 43 per cent of the total. Branigin won 7,834 votes while McCarthy had 4,632." (Anderson Daily Bulletin -- Anderson, Indiana)
Victories by Kennedy, Nixon Top Primaries
"Two victories by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, an impressive showing by Richard M. Nixon and the defeat of veteran Sen. Frank J. Lausche, D-Ohio, highlighted five primaries across the nation." (Associated Press)
No Clear Winners, Losers in State Vote, RFK Rivals Say by Walters R. Mears
"Sen. Robert F. Kennedy has proved his potency as the polls with victory in the first test of his White House campaign, but his rivals for the Democratic nomination denied today there were any clear winners or real losers in the Indiana primary... But McCarthy insisted he was not distressed at his 27 per cent showing, claimed he is the real front-runner in the fight for the nomination, and said he would do battle another election day." (Associated Press)
Boy, 15, Drafted to Serve with North Vietnam, is U.S. Captive by George McArthur
"American intelligence mean say the youngster is typical of replacements Hanoi is feeding into the Viet Cong, which already is composed mainly of Northerners." (Associated Press)
North Vietnam Move Shows Soviet Victory Over China by K.C. Thaler
"North Vietnam's move toward the conference table represents a victory for the Soviet Union over Communist China in a struggle for influence in Hanoi." (United Press International)
Student Riots Discussed by De Gaulle and Cabinet
"President Charles de Gaulle discussed student rioting today with his Cabinet after police battled through the early morning hours to block a student march on the Sorbonne. The new fighting grew out of a five-hour demonstration by 10,000 to 20,000 persons." (Associated Press)
Outdated Courses at Base of French Students' Unrest by Paul Ghali
"French student anger is not, as in Eastern European countries, about freedom of thought. University teaching here is anything but illiberal. Fundamentally it is a question of fear that their courses are outdated and do not prepare them for decent jobs on graduation." (Chicago Daily News)
Jack Gleason In Demand for Films, Plans 3 Movies by Vernon Scott
"When the large one returns to Florida to resume his weekly television show in the fall, still another movie will be awaiting him. This third picture will be a drama as against the two comedies." (United Press International)
May 9, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
U.S. Officials Expect Difficult Bargaining
"U.S. officials today predicted long, hard bargaining with the North Vietnamese as American negotiation headed for the French capital with a mandate from President Johnson to sound out Hanoi's representatives on peace prospects." (Associated Press)
Reds Hit Saigon From Three Sides by George Esper
"The Viet Cong hit hard at Saigon from three sides today on the eve of the Paris peace talks, pushing closer to the center of the South Vietnamese capital than at any time since the start of the five-day-old Communist offensive." (Associated Press)
Capitol Was Quiet On Eve of Funeral by Jean Quillen
"Alabama's capitol was quiet Wednesday night. The quietness spread over the entire city in a hushed reverence to its fallen leader, Gov. Lurleen B. Wallace, whose funeral was held today." (Anniston Star -- Anniston, Alabama)
Rocky Hangs His Campaign on Polls; Surveys May Yet Kill Bobby's Hopes by Joseph Alsop
"The New York governor's one hope of overtaking former Vice President Richard Nixon rests on the fact that the Republican passionately hander for a winner this year... The difference between Harris' March results and May results means, quite simply, that Kennedy's emotion-charged and extreme speeches prior to the President's withdrawal both alarmed and repelled great numbers of those middling voters whom he has belatedly begun to court."
Northwestern Students Turn Up Something New in Re-Segregation by David Lawrence
"Is 'racial segregation' a violation of the Constitution only when it is demanded by whites, but exempt from any interference when Negroes themselves favor segregation? This is one of the questions now raised as a group of Negro students, after a 36-hour occupation of the business office of Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill., obtained what they term 'complete victory.' For the university authorities have decided that the Negroes will be entitled to 'segregated housing' if they want it."
Creeping Conformity Seen As New Threat To Hippies by Vernon Scott
"Next thing you know the hippies will be wearing crew-cuts and Ivy League suits. Creeping conformity by the establishment to hippie raiment will force the flower children to go the clean-cut route as the vanguard of the power structure climbs into the hippie bag." (United Press International)
Harriman Leaves for Talks in Paris
"Ambassador W. Averell Harriman headed for Paris today with a call on North Vietnamese negotiatiors to match the Americans in 'a spirit of hope, sinceity and good will' in searching for a peaceful solution to the Vietnam war." (Associated Press)
Peace Talk Hopes High by William H. Stoneman
"Long-term prospects for a settlement of the Vietnam war were generally considered excellent as Paris awaited the arrival here today of chief delegates from Washington and Hanoi to preliminary peace talks." (Chicago Daily News)
Nebraska Primary May Clear Picture
"Nebraska's presidential primary Tuesday could give New York Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey a clearer idea of their appeal in the farm belt." (Associated Press)
Seven Mao Foes Shot While Crowd Cheered
"Seven 'renegades and active counterrevolutionary criminals' were shot by a firing squad in Shanghai on April 27 in the biggest reported execution since Mao Tse-tung's cultural revolution purge began." (Associated Press)
May 10, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
U.S., Hanoi Set Monday For Preliminary Talks: First Meeting Is Over by Stewart Hensley
"The United States and North Vietnam agreed today to open their formal preliminary talks on Vietnam on Monday, Cyrus Vance, deputy head of the U.S. delegation said." (United Press International)
Poor People's March Sees First Violence In Boston
"The first violence reported in connection with the massive Poor People's Campaign occurred today as a self-styled Polish freedom fighter was stabbed as a contingent of marchers boarded buses in Boston." (Associated Press)
Czech Can't Afford Mistakes by Dan Morgan
"The Czechoslovak experiment has now become the single obsessive issue of the moment not only of Prague but also of Moscow, East Berlin, Warsaw, Sofia, Budapest, Bucharest and Belgrade." (The Washington Post)
Pueblo Release Said Indicated
"A congressman whose subcommittee deals in Asian matters says there is some indication North Korea is moving today release of the 82 crewmen of the U.S. intelligence ship Pueblo." (Associated Press)
Negotiations for Peace Begin Monday Morning
"U.S. and North Vietnamese representatives agreed today to start a preliminary peace negotiations at 10:30 a.m. Monday following a further meeting Saturday on arrangements." (Associated Press)
Congressman Sees Indication Pueblo Crew Will Be Freed by Lewis Gulick
"A congressman whose subcommittee deals in Asian matters says there is some indication North Korea is moving toward release of the 82 crewmen of the U.S. intelligence ship Pueblo.' (Associated Press)
March Picket Stabbed in Side
"The first violence reported in connection with the massive Poor People's Campaign occurred today as a self-styled Polish freedom fighter was stabbed as a contingent of marchers boarded buses in Boston." (Associated Press)
Gyps May Be Part of Cause of Riots by Sylvia Porter
"Could there by an answer in the evidence that hardest hit by the riots have been the ghetto gypster who charges exorbitant prices and exorbitant interest rates, and generally spared has been the merchant who sells his good at fair prices on fair terms?"
Alert Photo Technician Responsible for Air Raid
"A 21-year-old Navy enlisted man told today how he spotted some oil barrels on an aerial photograph - a discovery that led to the destruction of one of the biggest fuel and munitions storage depots in North Vietnam." (Associated Press)
Heart Transplant Patients Better
"Doctors reported improvement in one heart transplant patient and said the other remained in excellent condition today at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital." (Associated Press)
May 11, 1968
These are the top stories for today.
Students' Paris Riot Is Crushed: Police Use Clubs, Gas to End Revolt
"Gas-masked riot police crushed the latest and bitterest student revolt in the Latin Quarter at dawn today after 11 hours of tear gassing, clubbing and warding off rocks thrown by youths." (Associated Press)
Troops on D.C. Alert for 'Poor'
"The Pentagon said today selected troops units have been alerted to help deal with any emergency that may arise this weekend when elements of the Poor People's Campaign are expected to reach Washington." (Associated Press)
Army Didn't Consider Price in M16 Pact, Solons Charge
"A senator and congressman from Maine say the Army didn't consider price in awarding a big contract for rifle production - a contract that didn't go to a Maine firm that was low bidder." (Associated Press)
LBJ Aides Say Tax Not Enough
"President Johnson's top economic adviser and an official of a Federal Reserve bank say that even if there is a tax hike, voluntary restraint on wages and prices will be needed to combat inflation." (Associated Press)
Sharps Fights Renew: 442 North Viets Killed By Yanks
"U.S. forces reported today killing 442 North Vietnamese troops below the demilitarized zone in renewed sharp fighting, described by some officers as another phase of the enemy's 'peace talk' offensive." (Associated Press)
The Allen-Scott Spotlight: McCarthy No Militant Civil Rights Backer by Robert S. Allen
"There is good reason Senator Eugene McCarthy is so sensitive about the charge by Kennedy sniperss that he voted against repeal of state and local poll taxes."
GOP Wants to Control House -- Ford
"House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford said Republicans hope this fall to gain control in the House of Representatives, in event it is called upon to elect the new president." (Associated Press)
Humphrey, State Vote Worry RFK by Dave Hope
"Vice President Hubert Humphrey and the California primary election are apparently causing some concern in the inner circles of the campaign of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy." (Oakland Tribune -- Oakland, California)
HHH, Bobby Clash in Omaha Rallies
" Through judicious planning by their hosts, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy attended several of the same functions yesterday in Omaha, Neb., but never saw each other." (United Press International)
Gene Says No Deal with Hubert
"Sen. Eugene McCarthy said today he does not expect to form a 'stop Kennedy' coalition with Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. McCarthy - searching for a dramatic victory to revitalize his presidential campaign - spoke to a news conference as he began a one-day swing through California where the year's richest political race will be run June 4." (United Press International)
