WATERGATE: Moving in Committee and Court

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¶ Herbert Kalmbach, Nixon's personal lawyer, told the Senate Watergate committee in secret hearings that part of a $100,000 donation from Billionaire Hughes given in 1969 and 1970 to Bebe Rebozo, the President's good friend, was in turn given or lent for the personal use of two other Nixon intimates: Rose Mary Woods, the President's personal secretary, and Donald Nixon, his brother. This claim by Kalmbach directly contradicts sworn testimony by Rebozo and Miss Woods. Rebozo contends that the money was kept untouched for three years in a safety deposit box and then returned to Hughes. The testimony also conflicts with similar public assertions by President Nixon. Kalmbach testified that his source for this information was Rebozo.

Come Again. President Nixon, still demonstrating considerable determination despite his Watergate woes, decided to campaign for a Republican candidate this week in a special election in Michigan. James Sparling Jr., the party's nominee in the heavily Republican Eighth District along Lake Huron, is locked in a close race with Democrat Robert Traxler. Since the G.O.P. has lost three of four special congressional elections this year largely because of Watergate, Nixon's decision to appear was a bold gamble. The election will be held April 16—ironically the day after the deadline for filing income taxes.

The Republican candidate, a former assistant to Congressman James Harvey, who has vacated the post to become a federal judge, said that he initially wanted Nixon to appear in the district to talk to voters about Watergate and the nation's inflation and unemployment problems. But Sparling seemed to suggest a change of mind about the invitation, as his standing in polls improved, when he declared: "I cannot and will not defend the actions of the President. If I am elected to the Congress, any proof of wrongdoing on his behalf will draw my vote for impeachment—zap." The invitation was extended personally to the President by Illinois Congressman Robert Michel, chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee. When he did so at a White House meeting on political strategy, Nixon shook his head in disbelief and said: "Come again with that." "Yes, it's a definite request," Michel replied. "Well, geez," said Nixon, "I'm not averse to going into a difficult situation."