University of Virginia Library

Nixon Names Cabinet
In Televised Speech
Before Nation Tonight

President-elect Nixon will
introduce the 12 members of his
cabinet, and perhaps other top
appointees, on national television
tomorrow night at ten.

Nixon's deviation from the
normal tradition of naming the
Cabinet members over a period of
approximately one week was
prompted by a desire for a large
audience. All three networks will
carry the announcement from
Washington. For those who miss
the program, The Cavalier Daily will
provide full coverage in the
Thursday edition.

Authoritative sources in the
Capital have already reported two
names as Cabinet Choices.

R. Sargent Shriver, the
ambassador to France, has
reportedly been offered the post of
U.S. Representative at the United
Nations.

The other position reported to
have been decided on is that of
secretary of defense. The sources
say that Rep. Melvin R. Laird is
Nixon's choice for the job. Laird is,
according to one Capitol Hill wag, a
"shrewd, smart, calculating, and
tough" veteran congressman who
has accumulated an impressive
amount of knowledge about the
Pentagon and how it operates. Heis
a former State Senator from
Wisconsin.

Mr. Laird's political reputation
reportedly stems from his deep
involvement in such developments
as the dumping of Rep. Charles
Halleck of Indiana as House
Republican leader in 1965, his
work in the Republican Party,
including service as chairman of the
platform committee in 1964, and
from his role as a close advisor on
defense and Vietnam matters to Mr.
Nixon during the campaign.

In military matters, Laird made
much of accusing former Defense
Secretary Robert S. McNamara of
underestimating the cost of the
Vietnam war. He claimed victory in
the dispute because the
Administration invariably had to
return to Congress for extra
Vietnam appropriations.

In New York, Douglas Dillon,
who served as Treasury secretary
under President Kennedy, made it
clear that he would not serve as
Secretary of State under Mr. Nixon.

Mr. Nixon also asked William
Mcchesney Martin, chairman of the
Federal Reserve Board, to finish
out his term as chairman, which
expires January 31, 1970. Mr.
Martin stated that he wants to do
all possible to cooperate.

The appointment of Robert J.
Brown, a High Point, North
Carolina Negro, to become a special
assistant to the president was
announced. Brown was assigned
particular responsibility for the
program to promote Negro business
ownership and management.

Mr. Nixon also named William
Safire, a New York author and
publicist, as a special assistant