Toward a Nixon Library

The letters, tapes and files of Richard Nixon are, of course, now the most celebrated presidential papers in U.S. history. Last week Nixon and the University of Southern California announced that the ex-President has agreed to turn over the papers and materials from his public career to the university, which will build a Nixon library for them on its campus in Los Angeles. Funds for the construction of the library will come from private donations, but in accordance with a 1955 federal law governing the establishment of all presidential libraries, U.S.C. plans to deed the completed library to the General Services Administration, which will maintain and staff it.

No Removal. The proposal faces, however, one enormous obstacle. The 35,000 cu. ft. of Nixon material currently in Government custody, including 880 White House tapes, by law is not under his control. Many of Nixon's personal papers and memorabilia are stored at Laguna Niguel, Calif, but the 1974 Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act forbids removal of the presidential material from the Washington, D.C., area. The law also ensures that portions of the material could be made available in pending criminal and civil proceedings that involve Nixon or his former associates.

Nixon's attorneys are contending that the law violates constitutional rights and that he should be given possession of the material. Both U.S.C. and Nixon hope for a favorable ruling from the courts, but "if we don't get the presidential papers," says U.S.C. President John Hubbard, "then we'll obviously have to reconsider and scale down."

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