Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 6, 1973
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 6, 1973
[00.02.00--in to Sen. ERVIN questioning Hugh SLOAN about the aftermath of the Watergate Break-in] Senator ERVIN. And you got to talk to Mr. Dwight Chapin, the President's appointments secretary? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. And you told him that you were very much concerned about what had happened? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. And Mr. Chapin suggested that you take a vacation? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir, he did. Senator ERVIN. Mr. Chapin didn't suggest that you talk to Mr. Haldeman? Mr. SLOAN. No, sir. I made the assumption that if lie felt that I was that, overwrought with the information I had given him, presumably he would convey that to Mr. Haldeman. Senator ERVIN. Didn't you think it was time for some honest man to be overwrought? Mr. SLOAN. I was overwrought,, yes, sir, Senator ERVIN. Mr. Chapin tried to impress upon you that it was necessary to take a trip Mr. SLOAN. He made that comment yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. After that, you talked to Mr. John L. Ehrlichman, didn't you? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. And you tried to talk to him about it? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. And you told Mr. Ehrlichman that it was evident to you that somebody external to the campaign should look into this matter. Mr. SLOAN. I am not sure whether I precisely said that. Certainly, my purpose in being here, which I think 1 conveyed was that there is a tremendous problem over here that somebody needs to take a look at, yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. In other words, the idea you -were trying to impress upon Mr. Ehrlichman was that somebody in the White House or somebody outside of the Committee To Re-Elect the President should make an investigation of this matter? Mr. SLOAN. Whether I put it in quite those strong terms, I was trying to express a, concern that there was a major problem in my judgment at the campaign, yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. Which ought to be investigated by somebody other than the members Of the Committee To Re-Elect the President. Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. And Mr. Ehrlichman told you that he didn't want to know anything about it. Mr. SLOAN. When I began to try to get specific as to details, probably in the area of money, I think he interpreted my concerns as being Personal concerns which I did have as well and suggested to me, that since I had worked at the White House, since I had a special relationship with the White House, if I had personal problems he would be, glad to arrange a lawyer for me or see that I had a, lawyer. With regard to his hearing any further information he stated that as far as he was concerned he didn't want; to know the details, that his position personally would he to take executive privilege on this matter until after the election. Senator ERVIN. So Mr. Ehrlichman at that time was what was known as the chief domestic adviser to the President, wasn't he? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir, he was. Senator ERVIN. And so when you tried to tell the chief domestic. adviser to the President that there should be an investigation of this matter, the chief domestic adviser to the President said he didn't want to know anything about it, and if he did learn anything about it he was going to take executive privilege until after the election was over. Mr. SLOAN. Essentially, that is correct. I don't think I used the word "investigation"; I think it was more implied a problem one would assume he would want to look into. Senator ERVIN. Who did you see first on the visit to the White House which you say occurred on the 23d of June, Mr. Chapin or Mr. Ehrlichman? Mr. SLOAN. My best recollection is I probably saw Mr. Chapin around noon and Mr. Ehrlichman around 2 o'clock. [00.05.17] Senator ERVIN. NOW, was it the same day that Secretary Stans suggested to you that $81,000 which was still left in the safes at the committee should be divided and you should take half home and he would take custody of the other half? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, that is my best recollection. Senator ERVIN. Then, it was as the same day that you had a conversation with Mr. Robert Mardian. Mr. SLOAN. The next day, Senator. Senator ERVIN. That would be the 24th? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. And Mr. Mardian gave you the impression that he had succeeded Mr. LaRue as an investigator on behalf of the committee of these matters. Mr. SLOAN. He was clearly looking into it. Whether I had the direct impression from him or other sources it was clear in my mind he had this authority at that point to talk to and investigate the matter among other staff members. Senator ERVIN. At that time you and your wife had been planning to take a vacation to Bermuda.' Mr. SLOAN, Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. And when Mr. 'Mardian asked you something about the financial transactions and about how much money Mr. Porter and Mr. Liddy got, you told him approximately. Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. Then he advised you to go on your vacation? Mr. SLOAN. I think when I told him, Senator, at that point I had just completed the summary report the day before, I think I gave him a very precise figure. I indicated to him a concern because of the investigations going on at that point, in time whether I should in fact go on a vacation under these circumstances He did not, give me an answer at that point in time. but called me, at, home later in the day. Senator ERVIN. Pursuant to this advice you did go to Bermuda. Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator ERVIN. And returned on July 4. Mr. SLOAN. The 3rd. [00.07.16]