Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 14, 1973
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 14, 1973
[00.42.40] Senator "MONTOYA. Well, had he received--- Mr. MAGRUDER. the procedure was for him to receive the copies of the, memorandums, I would be discussing -with Mr. Mitchell and when Mr. Mitchell made the decision, I would call him and say, here are the decisions on those. Memorandums. Now this gave him an opportunity in the, intervening time, if he wanted to have some comment or Mr. Haldeman had some comments to some of the proposals, he could get to Mr. Mitchell directly and comment before Mr. Mitchell had made a decision. Senator MONTOYA. Well, did you assume at any time in your meetings with Mr. Mitchell that, in view of the fact. that you had supplied Mr. Strachan with these memorandums that some somebody in the White House, had approved? Mr. MAGRUDER. Again, I think it is, to be perfectly clear, Mr. Mitchell had the final authority on all budgetary activities and all activities at, the campaign committee. Mr. Haldeman worked with him on a basis that if there were, things that, he, may have, disagreed with he would dismiss then, directly with Mr. Mitchell, So when the Copies -went to Mr. Strachan, they were for Mr. Haldeman's benefit, and he could then comment to Mr. Mitchell or myself if he felt, it -were appropriate or if he disagreed with an approach that was being taken. but Mr. Mitchell, I think in fairness to everyone, the only authority for any budgetary request any political activities, and I think there are many documents that I know the grand jury has that indicate the approval down to as low as $500. had to go to Mr. Mitchell. [00.44.17] Senator MONTOYA. Then is it your testimony that if Mr. Haldeman had not approved of this plan, that he would have communicated the disagreement To Mr. Mitchell before the final approval? Mr. MAGRUDER. He could have. If he did not agree with it. and knew about it, he could have commented to Mr. Mitchell before or after. It Would not, necessarily be a pattern; that he commented to Mr. Mitchell on different occasions. Senator MONTOYA. Well, was it nor your understanding that any time you gave Mr. Strachan any memorandums that that, was destined to Mr. Haldeman? MAGRUDER. Senator, the memo was not necessarily destined. The question raised in the memo would be translated normally if Mr. Strachan thought it was important. He had the discretion. Senator MONTOYA. Well, Can we assume as reasonable men that Mr. Haldeman knew advance prim to the Mitchell approval of these particular plans ? Mr. MAGRUDER. Senator I think I have answered that, as best, I can. I assumed that, but that is unfair. to Mr. Haldeman to say that he knew about it, because I do not know that. I did pass it to Mr., Strachan and if Mr. Strachan did bring it up with -Mr. Haldeman, then he would have had time to comment to Mr. Mitchell on it. That is correct,. But I think it is unfair. for me to make a statement that, I have no direct, knowledge of. Senator MONTOYA. Well, he had advance knowledge of these plans from before January 27, when the first meeting occurred---- Mr. MAGRUDER. That is right. Senator MONTOYA. [continuing]. Up until March 30, when the meeting in Key Biscayne occurred and the final plan was approved. He had all this time. did he not? Mr. MAGRUDER. Mr. Strachan did, Senator. Senator MONTOYA. Would you not assume that Mr. Haldeman had similar advance notice of this particular plan? Mr. MAGRUDER. Senator, I think that I have got to be absolutely clear here that I have answered this I think for all of the Senators who have asked this question and I understand your reasoning,. I cannot specifically comment to the direct approval of these plans or even knowledge of these plans for Mr. Haldeman. I do not know that he knew of these plans beforehand, I only know that I discussed them and sent a copy as I have stated, to Mr. Strachan. Senator MONTOYA. When YOU started the practice Of sending copies through Mr. Strachan it was your understanding that these copies were destined to Mr. Haldeman? Mr. MAGRUDER. It was my understanding that Mr. Strachan would pass on to Mr. Haldeman What he deemed important for Mr. Haldeman's decision or concern. Senator MONTOYA. Now, Mr. Magruder, -would you say that you were acquainted with most of these projects that, especially those on which you kept a little file, know as Gemstone? Mr. MAGRUDER. Senator, when you say acquainted-- Senator MONTOYA. Acquainted or aware, of the projects. Mr. MAGRUDER. Well, specifically the. Watergate break-in, yes, I was specifically aware of that project. Senator MONTOYA. Did you have anything in your files with respect to Ruby I? Mr. MAGRUDER. My recollection of I think, Ruby I and Ruby 2 and Crystal were code, names, I think that Mr. Liddy used for the various bugs. I am not sure if that is correct. I think that is what it was. [00.47.51]