The Michigan Daily
Vol. LXXXV, No. 37-S Ann Arbor, Michigan-Wednesday, July 9, 1975 Twelve Pages
Ford says he'll run in
'76
Pledges 'open,
above-board'
campaign
WASHINGTON (P) - President Ford, pledg-
ing never to neglect his official duties and
promising "an open and above-board cam-
paign," officially announced his candidacy
yesterday for the presidency in 1976.
The only chief executive ever to move into
the White House without winning a national
election, Ford said he acted "with the strong
support of my family and my friends."
THIS STATEMENT seemed designed to
dispel once and for all speculation his resolve
to make the race might hinge on the health
of his wife, Betty, who underwent breast
cancer surgery last fall. Mrs. Ford is reported
to have made an excellent recovery.
Mrs. Ford listened to the announcement
over a telephone circuit in the White House
family quarters and was quoted by an aide
as saying:
"I was not at all surprised. I'm happy that
the time has come and the air is clear as to
intentions."
FORD read his statement while seated be-
hind his desk in the Oval Office.
Asked by a reporter, after he finished
reading his 400-word announcement, if he ex-
pected to win in 1976, Ford said, "I always
assume that. You work at it."
After Ford's announcement, a spokesman
See FORD, Page 7
PRESIDENT FORD announces his candidacy for the presidency in 1976, saying his decision has "the strong support
of my family and my friends." Ford filmed his statement in the Oval Office and is shown here flanked by his
campaign officials: Howard Callaway, David Packard, Dean Burch and Robert Moot.
Reagan denies report
of primary candidacy
LOS ANGELES (R) - Ronald Reagan denied pub- their intentions and I neither encouraged nor dis-
lic reports yesterday that he is committed to chal- couraged them."
lenge President Ford for the Republican presidential He said when the committee's organization was
nomination in 1976. completed he would make some comment. Earlier,
"It will be announced some time this year," the a spokesperson said the committee would probably
former California governor said about his possible be formed this month. Both the spokesperson and
presidential candidacy. He told a sidewalk news con- Reagan indicated anything the former governor
ference that he had no desire to be his party's vice- might have to say about the committee would not
presidential candidate no matter who would occupy include a declaration to run or stay out of the 1976
the top spot on the slate. race.
"THE GOP is almost lying dead in the water,"
he said of his party and added that Republicans
must draw in independent voters in 1976.
He conceded that he was aware of a committee
in Washington to investigate his possible presiden-
tial candidacy but termed "absolutely incorrect"
Published reports earlier this week in the Knight
newspaper chain that he has decided to run.
At the same time, Michigan Governor William
Milliken said "it's very difficult for me to believe"
that Reagan would challenge Ford in next year's
primaries.
MILLIKEN said Ford has won the confidence of
the American people as a "capable and effective"
leader who would easily withstand a primary chal-
lenge from Reagan. Milliken plays host to the
President and Betty Ford this weekend at the gov-
ernor's summer residence on Mackinac Island,
Back in Los Angeles, Reagan said the committee
investigating his possible candidacy "told me of
REMINDED that at least one opinion poll showed
him slipping further behind Ford, Reagan said,
"Polls are only as good as the day they are
taken."
Repeatedly flashing the smile that helped make
him famous to movie and television audiences, the
politically conservative former governor of Califor-
nia commented on Democratic possibilities for the
1976 presidential race:
"Besides George Wallace (Alabama's governor)
everyone else is tied for last."
Asked about a possible third party bid, Reagan
smiled and said, "I don't place much faith in third
parties."
REAGAN SAID he did not know whether Presi-
dent Ford, who formally announced his candidacy
yesterday, could win but that he hoped the voters
would send someone other than a Democrat to the
White House.
See REAGAN, Page 7
Dorm service
cuts scheduled
for fall term
By ELAINE FLETCHER
The University Housing Office yesterday finalized
dormitory cutbacks for next fall, hitting hard at food
services and maintenance. The budget reductions in-
clude a $100,000 cut in proposed food appropriations
and elimination of two snack bars.
Housing Director John Feldkamp said the cutbacks
will transform the residence halls' projected $258,000
deficit into a $100,000 profit for the upcoming fiscal
year.
REDUCTIONS in staff servicing totaling $180,000,
cutbacks in maintenance personnel and the painting
program, a reduction from $2.50 an hour to $2.25 in
the proposed student employe rate and the closing of
East Quad and Bursley snack bars are among the
measures which Feldkamp will implement.
"These items will turn us around from a deficit to
a surplus," Feldkamp said at a meeting of the Hous-
ing Costs Reduction committee. "And if we could I'd
have a half-million dollar surplus."
None of the cutbacks affect the Office's administra-
tive staff. But plans to curtail employe benefits drew
fire from some staff representatives.
"THERE ARE going to be some inconsistencies,"
Feldkamp admitted, "but we take the things that are
See DORM, Page 7