Without Foundation

When they created the Nixon Foundation in 1969, the trustees had grand plans for building a museum and library for the papers and mementos of the 37th President. The foundation's board included some of the most powerful figures in the country -- men like John Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and an influential lawyer named Herbert Kalmbach -- to say nothing of Billy Graham and several distinguished businessmen.

As the Watergate scandal grew, the Nixon Foundation slipped into disarray. Now a majority of the 25 trustees have voted to dissolve the whole enterprise. The plan is to turn over to Whittier College, Nixon's alma mater, the little material that has been collected. Said Trustee Justin Dart, chairman of Dart Industries: "I don't know what the hell this country should do about a Nixon library and museum. But I have done all I want to do."

From his isolation at San Clemente, Calif., Richard Nixon let it be known that he had no objection to the demise of the foundation that was set up to perpetuate his memory.

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