Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 7, 1973
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 7, 1973
[00.24.54] Senator MONTOYA. So in your observations to Mr. Ehrlichman on June, 23, you tried to connect the existing cash on the person of the burglars, with the distributions you had made to Mr. Liddy? Mr. SLOAN. Senator, just, in fairness, I just, do not have that good a recollection of how I presented this concern. I just do not, remember. Senator MONTOYA. Was it in that area? Mr. SLOAN. That was my concern. Whether I expressed it in those terms to him, I do not know. Senator MONTOYA. But you did have conversations with Mr. Ehrlichman relating to this , whether it was as specific as I have stated it or not. You did have such a conversation? Mr. SLOAN. Oh, yes, sir; it was certainly in the context of the, event at the Watergate. Senator MONTOYA. And it was then that Mr. Ehrlichman told you that if you had any personal problem that he could help you with he would be willing to do anything to help you with his personal problems--with your personal problems? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir. Senator MONTOYA. And he also said that he would take these problems up with the President and he was certain that this would be covered by executive privilege. Mr. SLOAN. NO, sir, that is an incorrect statement, Senator MONTOYA. Well, what did you say and what did be say? Mr. SLOAN. He indicated to me after he recognized my concern in a personal sense and had indicated to me that I had a special relation with the White House, since I had worked there and since they had asked me to get in the campaign, they would be very glad to be helpful if there was a question of getting a lawyer. I said, well I -that may be a problem, but that is not really why I am here. I said I would like to get into some depth on this. He said, no, do not give me the details, He said, my position personally would have to give that I would take executive privilege until after the election. I thought the remark somewhat strange, but at the time, in that context I interpreted that as a statement on his part that be was involved in running the Government and did not want to have a position of having knowledge that he could get dragged into all these court cases. A civil suit had been filed at that time. I interpreted it as a statement that it was my job to work here with the President and run the domestic council, and if it is a campaign problem, they have got, to work it out. Senator MONTOYA. Well , did he mention that the President would help you out with your personal problems? Mr. SLOAN. NO, sir, the President's name never came up, as far as I remember. Senator MONTOYA. Now, let us get on with the boat ride on the Potomac. Who invited you to go on that boat ride? Mr. SLOAN. It was a farewell party for the aide to the President of the United States, Vernon Coffey, who is a close personal friend of ours, and in addition to the White House personnel invited, both my wife and I had worked at the White House with him and were included on that guest list. Senator MONTOYA. were you invited, on the same date? Mr. SLOAN. Oh, no, I think it would have been probably a week's lead-time. At this point, I am not sure. Senator MONTOYA. Who was there at the party? Mr. SLOAN. It was a very large party, probably 150 people or more. Senator MONTOYA. Was Mr. Chapin there? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir , he was. Senator MONTOYA. Mr. Colson? Mr. SLOAN. I am not sure whether Mr. Colson. Senator MONTOYA. Mr. Dean? Mr. SLOAN. I am not sure I recall seeing Mr. Dean. Senator MONTOYA. Which of these individuals who were mentioned were there that night? Mr. SLOAN. Mr. Chapin, Mr. Dean, Mr. Pat Buchanan. Those are the three individuals I recall. Senator 'MONTOYA. Do you recall going into a corner to talk with them about this matter? Mr. SLOAN, There really were not, too many corners, Senator, but we attempted to get a certain measure of privacy. Senator MONTOYA. And who solicited who for these conversations? Mr. SLOAN. Senator, in terms of my best recollection of the events that happened, I think quite possibly, first, Magruder's suggestion had been made to me at that point. My wife reminds me that when 1 was picked up at, the office that day by her to go to this party that I was extremely angry and upset. I am sure that under those circumstances, the concerns were very heightened in my mind and I sought these individuals Out. Senator MONTOYA. You sought these people out? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir, I did. Senator MONTOYA. And you did discuss this affair? Mr. SLOAN. Yes, sir, to what, depth, I just Cannot recall as to precisely my knowledge at this particular point in time. Senator MONTOYA. Was it as a result of your conversations with Mr. Chapin that he invited you to meet with him at the White House at 12 o'clock the next day? Mr. SLOAN'. Yes, sir, that is my best recollection. Senator MONTOYA. And you aid meet with him for lunch, would you say, or just for conversation? Mr. SLOAN. I did not meet him for lunch and I am not quite sure of the precise timing. I am sure I talked to both of those individuals on that same day. Senator MONTOYA. Was it as a result of your conversation at 12 noon with Mr. Chapin that you at 2 o'clock that same day saw Mr. Ehrlichman? Mr. SLOAN. NO, sir, they were originated independently. The Ehrlichman appointment resulted from the conversation I had with his deputy, Ken Cole, the night before. I think what I was expressing to Mr. Cole and Mr. Chapin, who were principal assistants of Mr. Ehrlichman and Mr. Haldeman, was that I felt that either Bob or John ought to have this information. In the case of Mr. Chapin, I assumed that in talking to him, at least my concern would be relayed. I do not know whether I requested a specific, appointment with Bob -Haldeman. In the case of Ken Cole, he called me or his office called me the next day and said John Ehrlichman would like to see me--I believe it was at 2 o'clock and Mr. Chapin did indicate to me the night before that he would relay, my concerns to Mr. Haldeman. Senator MONTOYA. Who was present in your conversation with Mr. Ehrlichman? Mr. SLOAN. No one, as far as I know-no one was there except myself. [00.30.44]