1.
GV Capitol building
0.10

2.
CU Henry Jackson speaks.....
0.32

3.
Edward Brooke speaks......
1.09

4.
LV&CU(T/R) Saxbe faces newsmen
1.17

5.
CU(T/R) Saxbe speaks;
1.52


SENATOR JACKSON: "It came as a shock to the American people that a President would in such a frivolous way grant a pardon in blank. This initial mistake is going to lead, it would appear, to even more serious mistakes in my judgement."



SENATORS BROOKE: "It could cause chaos in our country. It could cause chaos because we believe in equal justice under the law. Persons who are convicted of felonies or even mis-demeanours and sentenced to jail will now be expecting wholesale pardons as a result of it. The crimes committed by some of the Watergate defendants, in my opinion, are more heinous crimes than crimes say of larceny and some of the other better known criminal acts that have taken place in this country. We had our whole system of Government threatened."



ATTORNEY GENERAL SEXBE: It was within the President's power to do this and I feel that he thoroughly considered it and did it because he felt it was the best thing for the country. I was not a party to any of the planning and, although I was notified shortly before he made the announcement on Sunday morning, it was somewhat of a surprise to me."




Initials ET/2211 ET/2225


PART TELERECORDING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Many United States Senators on Tuesday (10 September), quickly condemned suggestions that the pardon of former President Nixon might he followed by pardons of others involved in the Watergate affair.

The new row broke out after President Ford's acting Press Secretary, Jack Hushen, revealed to newsmen that the question of further pardons was under study.

Democrat Henry Jackson said he was afraid the pardon of Richard Nixon was going to lead to further pardons. Republican Edward Brooke said the pardon could cause chaos because equal justice under the law requires wholesale pardons.

Attorney-General William Saxbe said President ford did not consult him before pardoning Mr. Nixon, but that his action was within Presidential powers.

SYNOPSIS: News that President Ford is considering further Watergate pardons brought swift reactions in Washington on Tuesday from Democrat Henry Jackson and republican Edward Brooke.

Also on Tuesday, United States Attorney-General William Saxbe commented on the unexpected full pardon for former President Richard Nixon.