Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 7, 1973
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 7, 1973
[00.19.13] senator MONTOYA. What did Mr. Dahlberg discuss in Des Moines during that trip? Mr. SLOAN. I do not- Senator MONTOYA. With Mr. Stans? Mr. SLOAN. I do not know. I was not present at this meeting. Senator MONTOYA. Flow did Mr. Dahlberg meet with Mr. Stans in Des Moines? Mr. SLOAN. I believe it was in his hotel room. Senator MONTOYA. Isn't Mr. Dahlberg the individual who transported the Mexican money from Dallas, Tex., to Washington? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir, that, is my understanding, Senator MONTOYA, How long did they meet? Mr. SLOAN. I really do not know. In terms of a conversation Mr. Dahlberg mentioned to me that he had met the previous evening or whenever it was with Mr. Stans, Senator MONTOYA. Were you ever aware of any meetings between the President and Mr. Stans with respect to campaign financing? Mr. SLOAN. I know he met with the President, that I am aware of maybe once after he had joined the committee and once probably after the election. I do not know what the subject matter of whether it was even on the subject of finance. Senator MONTOYA. Did you in Your reports to the White House or to Mr. Stans reflect balances periodically of what was in the campaign fund? Mr. SLOAN, Oh, Yes, sir. Senator MONTOYA. And how were these reports transmitted to the White House? Mr. SLOAN. Excuse me, I have never made such a report to the White House, Senator. Senator MONTOYA. Did anyone from the White House pick up any of these reports either from you or Mr. Stans? Mr. SLOAN. Not that I am aware of. Senator MONTOYA. You stated that you were aware that Mr. Liddy, was spending approximately 90 percent of his time on finance committee matter as counsel. Mr. SLOAN. Yes, Sir. Senator MONTOYA. Were you aware of how he was spending other 10 percent of his time? Mr. SLOAN. -NO, sir, When he joined the finance committee, he indicated to me that he would have continuing projects for the political side of the campaign. Mr. Magruder confirmed that fact to me. No discussion took place as to the nature. of those duties. Senator MONTOYA. Did it ever arouse your curiosity that Mr. Liddy might be performing other tasks? Mr. SLOAN. I was fully aware he was spending some time on other affairs, I do not know what they were Senator MONTOYA. What led you to believe, as you stated, that the disbursement. of $10,000 to Mr. Lyn Nofziger was to recruit a team of American Nazis to disrupt the Wallace candidacy in California? Mr. SLOAN. Senator I have no knowledge of that. I believe my statement yesterday with regard to the $10,000, there was as we went, through this list, it was a question, an inquiry, as to did you know what any of these expenditures were for in the case of Mr. Nofziger in California. I had said subsequent to that disbursement I had heard by rumor and I cannot even tell you who from, it had something to do with the Wallace campaign in California, but, that, is the extent of my knowledge in that matter. Senator MONTOYA. Now, in your meeting with Mr, Ehrlichman, I believe it was on July or June 23, at the White House? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir, [brief shot Sen. INOUYE listening to testimony] Senator MONTOYA. You started discussing with Mr. Ehrlichman the problem of how you were going to face up to the reporting of the cash disbursement, is that correct? Mr. SLOAN. No, No, sir. I have no precise recollection of how and to what depth or dimension I expressed my concern to him. I think it was in the nature that it was by way Of just, indicating to him that I think there is a problem. [brief shot of the audience in caucus room] I did not get to the point, I am sure, of mentioning names or leveling allegations at, anybody. Senator MONTOYA. Well, in what context did you place that observation to him that there was a problem? There must have, been some context, Mr. SLOAN. Oh, yes, sir. The party on the boat on the Potomac the night before--I think probably -that, day or in that period of time, it had become known that these gentlemen with McCord in the room at the Watergate had $5,300 in hundred dollar bills, I Obviously had an initial concern with regard to "Mr. Liddy's first remark. When the money issue came Up, it, obviously indicated to me that there might be a direct connection, that that money may in fact have been money that, I had given to Mr. Liddy of- to somebody in the campaign. I think what I was expressing is we have, a situation here where there is 110 accountability of these funds as far as I know. At least, there has been none, to me, and as far as I know, Secretary Stans does not know. In light of this, there is a suspicion, a possibility that there is a connection. What I was trying to convey--I do not, know how hard I pressed the point. What 'I was trying to convey to Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Chapin was that I thought it, Was ell more serious problem than any individual I had seen, either in the White House or in the campaign appeared to be taking at that point. [00.24.54]