Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 29, 1973 (1/2)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 29, 1973 (1/2)
[00.40.19-there is a general hush after the conclusion of Sen. WEICKER'S reading] Senator ERVIN. Senator Baker. Senator BAKER. Mr. Chairman, on another subject, having already cited my precedent for the day and not -wanting to one-upmanship my colleagues I have something entirely different. I have before me a letter from Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina and if there is no objection, I would like, to include, it in the record and read it briefly. It is dated June 29, 1973. from Senator Thurmond [00.40.59-a letter to the committee by Sen. THURMOND is read by Sen. BAKER] Earlier testimony in today's hearing carried the impression that a friend of mine, Mr. Harry Dent of South Carolina, might have done something improper. I would greatly appreciate it if one of you gentlemen would. set the record straight before today's hearings are completed. The testimony that I refer to came about during questions asked by Senator Inouye regarding attempts made by Republican to "find dirt" on Senator Ervin. Mr. Dean said that Harry Dent had been contacted, but -no one stated that Mr. Dent declined. I suggest that this be brought out by questioning Dean directly or by obtaining permission to insert any of a number of news stories which appeared in the press which indicated that -Mr. Dent had declined to do any of that type research against Senator Ervin. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. [00.41.46] Senator ERVIN. If I may add to that, the, newsman who wrote, the, article informed me that he had contacted Mr. Dent and Mr. Dent had assured him that he had had nothing whatever to do with that matter. Let the reporter mark the letter with the appropriate exhibit number. Senator BAKER. Thank you very much. Mr. DEAN. Mr. Chairman, I believe I also answered no question that indicated any wrongdoing or misdoing on Mr. Dent's behalf. I was as now and I think merely asked what his role was, what he was doing. I misspoke myself when I said he' was practicing law in North Carolina, when I meant South Carolina is the only mistake. [00.42.16] Senator ERVIN. If I might, state further on that thing, I have stated What Charles P. Jonas. Jr.. had stated. and I want to add that I appreciate that very much. I had known his grandfather, Charles A. Jonas. Who Was Congressman from my district elected in 1928, and a Very fine, gentleman and also his father represented a North Carolina district which included in part my county for many years and he rendered very distinguished service to North Carolina and the Nation as a Congressman for a period of 20-odd years. [00.42.51] Senator BAKER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator ERVIN. Mr. Dash. Mr. DASH. Mr. Dean, first, I think the record ought to be corrected from yesterday's testimony. I think there is an error in the record and would ask your assistance in correcting it. This has to do with your reference to Mr. Fielding's knowledge and we received a letter from Mr. Ronald B. Wertheim, counsel for Mr. Fielding. The record as it presently reads on page 2824 of yesterday's transcript has you testifying: I think 'Mr. Fielding probably had a general awareness about the specifics of the fact that I was involved in assisting with the coverup. Mr. DASH. The recollection of Mr. Wertheim, who heard your testimony, was that you in fact said: I think 'Mr. Yielding probably had a general awareness without any specifies of the fact I was involved in assisting the coverup. Which is correct? Mr. DEAN. I think the latter is correct as I recall the statement, Mr. DASH. We will see that the record is corrected to reflect that. [00.43.59-DASH questions DEAN about the September 15 meeting between DEAN and NIXON and HALDEMAN, DASH wants to dispute Sen. GURNEY'S previous contention that DEAN misconstrued NIXON'S remarks to a sinister meaning] Now, Mr. Dean, I know we, have gone through all of these hearings or meetings with the President and I am going to try to be, very brief. There is one particular meeting that I do want to go back to because I think it is a very crucial one and I just want to hit the highlights with you, and this is the meeting of 'September 15, 1972, that you had -with the President. I think it is significant. One is, as you testified frankly, was the first meeting you had with the President on a 1-to-1 basis which was your language, and two, it was the day, September 15, when the indictments came down of the first, Watergate trial which cut off the involvement at Liddy and you were called in to have, a meeting with the President. [00.44.45] Now, I think what I want to just clear up is what was a realistic version of the meeting and perhaps an unrealistic version that may have come up in questioning concerning that meeting, As I understand, that what you testified to was that when you came in, and leaving out other areas but getting to the specifics, the President told you that Bob-- that is, Bob Haldeman-- had kept him posted on how you would handle the Watergate case.