Nixon Pledges No Whitewash On Watergate

In a somber mood, President Nixon went before the American people last night to take full responsibility for the Watergate scandal and to pledge that "such abuses" will be "purged" from the American political system.

He declared in a radio-television address to the nation that while he knew nothing of the Watergate break-in until after it happened it would be cowardly for him to place the blame on others.

"There can be no whitewash at the White House," Mr. Nixon promised in declaring that those who were guilty of criminal acts must "bear the liability and pay the penalty."

Elliot L. Richardson, his new nominee to be Attorney General, will now have full charge of the case and authority to appoint a special supervising prosecutor if he considers it appropriate, Mr. Nixon said in his 24-minute address broadcast from his Oval Office.

While appearing to be in complete control of himself during the address, Mr. Nixon showed his emotions afterwards by walking unexpectedly into the White House press room. Appearing gray and drawn, he said in a low voice:

"We've had our differences in the past, and just continue to give me hell when you think I'm wrong."

"I hope I'm worthy of your trust," he said as he shook hands with newsmen and photographers. Visibly shaken, he said of his speech: "It wasn't easy."

The President's address was both a somber confession of failure and an emotional appeal for trust in him and in the office.

In turning over responsibility for future action to Richardson, Mr. Nixon said he had been spending far too much time on the Watergate case in recent weeks and now intends to devote his time to other matters involving the presidency.

"I must now turn my full attention once again to the larger duties of this office," he said. "I owe it to this great office that I hold, and I owe it to you -- to our country."

Declaring that he was "appalled" at the "senseless, illegal" break-in, the President pleaded ignorance until six weeks ago of the true proportions of what happened.

He said that he had delegated authority to others during the campaign and concentrated on the presidency, and that the easiest course would be for him to blame those who ran the campaign.