The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • 1

ii 134TH YEAR NO. 1 21 FINAL EDITION SINGLE COPY Lie Home Delivered 6 Dim 75c THURSDAY MORNlN(i, Al CI ST Ji. I ')7 1 eiiaMe orts nn wer i unaer nrnnnri 1) ii tl l) nielli An vi Way Aides Draft Ford Acceptance CHICAGO (UPI) Vice President Ford has instructed his aides to begin drafting his inaugural statement to the nation, drawing up a list of potential vice presidential choices and White House staff appointments and writing a long television address to the nation, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday in a front page exclusive for its Thursday editions. "The order went to his staff on Monday night, when his accession to the presidency became a likelihood," the newspaper said. "The staff work began nn Tuesday morning.

"A preliminary list of 14 potential vice presidents was compiled, but Ford intimates said that selection of a new vice president would not be made for at least a week or two after Ford assumed office." The story, signed out of Washington by Morton Kondracke, said -rl "was understood to be soliciting additional names in talks with members of Congress." THE INITIAL LIST entirely composed of Republicans included two Illinois legislators, Sen. Charles H. Percy and Rep. John B. Anderson, Kondracke said.

The Sun-Times said other persons included on the vice presidential list included former New York Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller, Sen. Howard Baker Ohio Sen. Robert Taft, Vermont Sen.

Robert H. Stafford, Oregon Sen. Mark O. Hatfield, Massachusetts Sen. Edward W.

Brooke, and California Gov. Ronald Reagan. By ROBERT WEBB Washington Bureau Chief and Enquirer Wires WASHINGTON President Nixon will resign, it was reliably reported Wednesday. Despite White House protestations to the contrary, it was learned arrangements were under way for an orderly transition of power to Vice President Ford. Sources said one major issue to be resolved involved assurances of immunity to Mr.

Nixon from criminal prosecution in connection with the "Watergate cover-up. Resolutions were being drafted to express the will of Congress that Mr. Nixon not be prosecuted. But one knowledgeable source emphasized that that is the most Congress can do nothing could stop a U. S.

attorney from moving against the President, once he left office. Negotiations were reported under way between Ford and Gen. Alexander M. Haig, White House chief of staff, to insure the smoothest possible transition. Sen.

Barry M. Goldwater Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott (R-Pa.) and. House Minority i. 4fiiji ijjfc fffpfS I i i- ml' -arh'hf If i Aw1 I M' V' iA; si 1 'V- ZJ1" -w That amendment would permit Mr. Nixon to step aside temporarily and turn over the presidency on an acting basis to Ford.

"The President made the point very strongly that any decision he makes will be in the national interest," said Scott. 'No Suggestions1 Goldwater, said, "There has been no decision made. We made no suggestions." The meeting in the President's Oval Office came amid reports that Mr. Nixon already had made up his mind to resign. Until Wednesday, Mr.

Nixon and White House spokesmen had said consistently that the President would not quit and was not considering quitting. But Mr. Nixon was reported to be nearing a resignation decision, despite any lack of official confirmation by the White House. Three White House sources said that the question now was only one of timing. One informed source said that the announcement would come within two or three days.

On Page II: Some talks not taped. On Page 37: Poll favors impeachment 2 to On Page 54: Ford character study. On Page 55: Nixon pictorial highlights. On Page 56: White House related story. leader John J.

Rhodes (R-Ariz.) presumably relayed the futility of any hopes Mr. Nixon could have to avert ouster when they conferred with him Wednesday afternoon. Collapse Of Support Goldwater said after the meeting that "no decision has been reached by the President," whom he described as in apparent "good spirits and good health. We talked over the situation, which is painful for us." Judging from other sources, though, only the most unlikely reversal of field would persuade Mr. Nixon AP wirepholo At White House Nixon and Ford in recent meeting in Oval Quitting Requires Letter To Kissinger to face a Senate trial in light of the widespread collapse of his support in Congress.

Late Wednesday, President Nixon was reported working on a resignation statement for intended delivery in the next several days. Rep. Donald D. Clancy (R-Ohio), one of the President's staunchest supporters, said Wednesday he had decided to vote for impeachment on proposed Article I relating to obstruction of justice. He said he "would be in favor of the President's resigning to get this thing over with.

Neither Sens. Robert Taft Jr. (R-Ohio) nor Marlow W. Cook (R-Ky.) would say whether the President should or would resign, but both indicated their opposition to criminal prosecution of Mr. Nixon after he leaves office.

Rocky In Picture Meanwhile, former New York Gov. Nelson Rockfeller was reported to have been contacted concerning his availability to succeed Ford as vice president. The three Republicans congressional leaders, emerging from the meeting with Mr. Nixon, implied he is considering resignation but said he has not made a final decision. Rhodes told newsmen following the 35-minute White House session that "all the options" were discussed except Mr.

Nixon's possible invocation of the 25th Amendment. effective some date in the future. Lawyers said there is no clear guidance on the books covering that point. Presumably, Attorney General William B. Saxbe would be the arbiter in such a situation.

BARRINCi SUCH a complication, lawyers said Ford would become President as soon as the letter reached the office of secretary of State. He would be the President, they said, even before he took the formal oath of office. Government lawyers anticipate that Ford, if Mr. Nixon indeed resigns, will take the oath quickly just as former President Lyndon B. Johnson did aboard Air Force One shortly after President Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

Also as in the case of President Johnson, Ford need not occupy the White House immediately after becoming President. Johnson worked out of the Executive Office Building just west of the White House until President Kennedy's personal effects had been removed from the oval office. Such mechanics of succession, said government lawyers, are governed by personal relationships and preferences rather than hard and fast rules in the law books. House, was requested by Haig without warning, causing the vice president to abruptly cancel a breakfast appearance at a gathering of some of his oldest Republican friends, members of the Chowder and Marching Society. Only hours after the meeting, Ford was asked If the matter of an orderly presidential transition had been discussed during his meeting with Haig.

"I'm not talking about matters of that kind," he replied quietly. The vice president also said firmly that he and his staff had not made any "transition plans," as had been reported In some quarters. Mr. at the White House shortly after 5 p.m. (EDT), and were spotted by newsmen.

Soon after, Deputy Press Secretary Gerald L. Warren told newsmen the meeting was in progress. Asked if Mr. Nixon had resigned or was going to, Warren replied, "I have nothing to say to you other than what I said to you this morning." Not Ruled Out At a morning news briefing, Warren refused to rule out resignation, but said Mr. Nixon "does not intend to resign." In answer to other questions about the late afternoon meeting, Warren said "we expect no statement" by the President.

Reports circulated widely in Washington that Mr. Nixon was planning to resign. One top Nixon aide, when asked about the possibility of a resignation, said "I wouldn't rule it out." Asked if an announcement might be imminent, the aide said, "I have no inkling it will be today." However, another White House source quoted Rose Mary Woods, Nixon's long-time secretary as saying, "The President will not resign." 'Reliable Source9 The Providence R.I. Journal Bulletin quoted "a reliable source close to the President" as saying Mr. Nixon "has come to the conclusion that the national interest may best be served by his resignation." And the Phoenix, Gazette said "unimpeachable sources" had informed it that Mr.

Nixon would announce his resignation on Wednesday. Several Republican senators, without waiting for formal collective Office. no longer entitled to a presumption of innocence. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger met for about half hour with President Nixon at the White House late Wednesday.

State Department officials declined to say what was taken up during Kissinger's White House visit. However, it was assumed that Kissinger's visit, had to do with the dilemma confronting Mr. Nixon as to whether to resign or fight impeachment. Vice President Ford has said lie puts more emphasis on fundamental human relations than on public relations. Saul Friedman explores his character and style on Page 54.

The Weather Mostly cloudy today, chance of showers. High near 80. Partly cloudy tonight and Friday. Low tonight, mid 60s. Air Pollution Index, 99, fair.

Details, Map on Page 13 INDEX Seven Section Action Line 24 Books 32,33 Bridge 28 Business 40-44 Classified 56 68 Columnists 7 Comics 34 Crossword 33 Dear Abby 21 Deaths 56 Editorials 6 Entertainment 14,15 Environment 31 Graham 30 Horoscope 35 Horse Sense 30 Jumble 30 Races 53,54 Religion 30 Society 23 Sports 45-54 TV-Radio 35 Van Dellen 25 Women's 21-27 Word Game 27 I oral and Area News Paoe 37-39 SonSiblV When you consider the expense of advertising. Enquirer Classified is a really sensible advertising opportunity. We deliver a whopping six-figure circulation everyday and we reach 86 of newspaper households in this 19-county market. Make dollars and Call 421-6300 for Fnquirer Classified. ft fit (c)The Washington Post WASHINGTON If President Nixon decides to resign, the law requires him to do so by sending a letter of resignation to the office of the secretary of State.

Government lawyers said the relevant statute is Title 3, Section 20 of the U.S. Code which states: "The only evidence of a refusal to accept, or a resignation of the office of President or vice president, shall be an instrument in writing, declaring the same, and subscribed by the person refusing to accept or resigning, as the case may be, and delivered into the Office of the Secretary of State." Government lawyers who researched that statute shortly before Vice President Agnew's resignation noted that Secretary of State Henry Kissinger would not have to be in the country to accept the President's resignation that the law only requires the letters to go to his office. They added that the general assumption is that Vice President Ford would become President as soon as such a letter of resignation was delivered. However, the legal situation would be complicated if the President chose to make his resignation action by the 43 Republicans in the Senate, sent President Nixon personal messages Wednesday urging him to resign. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Mansfield came out for impeachment and a trial even if Mr.

Nixon resigns in advance. The idea attracted little support. Sens. Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass.) and Norris H.

Cotton told reporters that some of their colleagues had conveyed to Mr. Nixon the resignation message. But they declined to say which senators had acted. 'Two Or Three9 Cotton said "two or three" Republicans wrote letters to Mr. Nixon.

Brooke was even less specific. It was believed that among those who had written Mr. Nixon urging him to resign were Sens. Bill Brock a conservative, and Jacob K. Javits a liberal.

Neither could confirm or deny this. Nearly all 43 Republican senators met in a closed caucus for over two hours, discussed Mr. Nixon's situation for 20 or 25 minutes but reached no conclusion. But opposition developed to the idea first aired Tuesday that cither a delegation of Republicans or all 43 senators together call on Mr. Nixon to ask for his resignation.

"I am one of those who believe the constitutional process is there," said Sen. Ted Stevens, (R-Alaska). "Impeachment is the procedure, and there should be no deviation from the impeachment procedure." Republican leaders scheduled a meeting for later to explore the idea further. eh Scott Mew Scott told reporters Mr. Nixon, since his confession Monday that he had withheld evidence of his participation in the Watergate cover-up, is "No, and I think understandably," Ford said.

"But I have been kept abreast. I've had, as you know, several meetings with Al (Haig)." Does he feel that he has adequately prepared himself to become president? "No question about that," Ford replied, self-assuredly. "I think I've worked real hard. Aside from all the speeches, I've worked very hard." He said he had visited every executive department of the federal government to confer with the cabinet secretaries and their top aides, and had had regular meetings with Secretary of State Kissinger. 'Could Be One Day9 "It could be one day, it could be five days," said one presidential assistant.

The congressional leaders said they went to the White House at Mr. Nixon's invitation. "We had a good thorough discussion," Goldwater said. "I think I speak for my two colleagues when I say that we were extremely impressed with the uppermost thought in his mind which is whatever decision he makes it will be in the best interest of our country." Goldwater added: "We were merely there to offer what we see as the conditions on both floors," a situation Rhodes described as "very painful to all of us." Goldwater said they had told Mr. Nixon "the situation is very gloomy on Capitol Hill." Rhodes, who announced on Tuesday that he would vote for impeachment, said, "It is well known that the situation in the House has deteriorated to such an extent that impeachment is a foregone conclusion." Rhodes said they received no indication what Mr.

Nixon's decision on resignation might be and "there was no time element involved." 'Erosion In Semite9 Asked to assess the situation in. the Senate where an impeachment trial would be held, Goldwater said, "We have no way of making nose counts. I myself have not made up my mind." Seott also said "there has been no nose count," but added, "there has been some erosion in the Senate." The Pennsylvania Republican described Mr. Nixon as "in entire control of himself. He is serene." The congressional leaders arrived Call With However, he said he felt fully prepared to assume the office of the president.

Ford termed it "premature" to discuss whether he would choose former New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller as his vice president a suggestion made Tuesday by one of Ford's closest friends and political advisers, Melvln R. Laird, former Secretary of Defense in the Nixon cabinet. Yet, he spoke freely of his own dreams of what America could become and of the men he considers his closest advisers Including some who presumably might form Ford Awaits Top Quiet Confidence the nucleus of his own administration. THE VICE PRESIDENT was surprisingly calm as he relaxed in a satin-upholstered chair in his spacious capitol office, just off the Senate floor. Outside his door, newsmen and tourists thronged the ornate lobby, and, when he left his office, pursued him down the capitol hallways.

Ford said that he had not had any private conversations with Mr. Nixon in recent days, and that the president had not asked him to remain behind for a talk after Tuesday's cabinet meeting, as had happened frequently in the past. (C) New York Times Service WASHINGTON Vice President Ford Is fully aware that he Is on the threshold of the presidency but is uncertain when he will cross It. That is the Impression that emerged from an Interview Wednesday with the New York Times, as rumors of President Nixon's possible resignation swept the capital. HELPING TO FAN the rumors was an early morning meeting between the vice president and Gen.

Alexander M. Haig, Mr. Nixon's chief of staff. The hour-long conference, in Ford's office next door to the White.