NEWS CONFERENCE 697

A. Well, let me say first that the Democratic legislative leaders that
I have talked to as recently as this morning claim they have not in-
stigated any such investigation. I would like to know specifically who
has asked for the investigation. I have been very consistent in my feel-
ing that phone tapping should never be done. I have made some
statements to this assembly on other occasions about my feelings on
wiretapping. I would not under any circumstances ever consider tap-
ping anyone's telephone. I have been concerned about my own security
in this respect and confess to the fact that I have my office checked
periodically to make certain it isn't bugged.

Q. Have you ever found anything?

A. We didn't find any actual microphone or bug devices but we did
find, when I first moved in here, a wire running from the Capitol
dome down through the walls into a ventilator that in the judgment
of the people who did the check could very easily have once held a
microphone.

Q. Governor, you have the resources of the State Police at hand.
Have they checked into this at all?

A. The first I have heard of these charges was last night — late —
and I don't know who's making them, but I make it a practice not to
check charges unless I see where they are coming from.

Q. Orville Wright has confirmed that the check was requested by
Speaker Mandel and Senate President James and it has been cleared
through Mercer Smith.

A. Speaker Mandel informs me as of this morning that he has re-
quested no check.

Q. Do you think they are without foundation, Governor?

A. Well, I don't know. I have to believe the Speaker when he says
he is not concerned about the situation and has not requested a check.

Q. What light does that put Mr. Wright in then?

A. I don't know. I haven't talked with Mr. Wright and he hasn't

talked to me.

(National Guard)

Q. Governor, General Gelston said yesterday that the 28th Division
has the highest priority for call-up under the plan under considera-
tion by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If they are called up, he said he be-
lieves that there is a very good chance that the State's riot control
effectiveness would be cut by 75 to 80 percent. We'd lose 50 percent
of our men and 75 to 80 percent of our veterans. If this occurs, will