News stories from Saturday January 2, 1971

Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:

Congress has finally adjourned. Senator William Proxmire agreed not to filibuster funding of the SST after leaders assured him a separate vote on the supersonic transport before the end of March. Many feel that the Senate has finally stopped saying "Yes, Sir" to the President. However, Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott said that a few Senators held up legislation supported by the majority and that the rules ought to be changed. Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield called Proxmire's opposition to the supersonic transport "commendable." [CBS] President Nixon signed the $3.55 billion bill to combat crime, but he vetoed a bill which would give blue collar workers a 4% pay increase, calling it inflationary. The President also signed a bill funding the last Mississippi riverboat for three more years. [CBS] A barrier collapsed at a soccer game in Glasgow, Scotland, killing 66 and injuring about 100. [CBS] Investigators inspected the site of a coal mine explosion in Hyden, Kentucky. Local speculation is that dynamite caused the blast. [CBS] The Vietnam holiday truce ended amidst many reports of violations. There was a ten-hour battle in the DMZ between South and North Vietnam. South Vietnamese soldiers mistook Cambodian villagers for enemy sympathizers and fought for several hours before the mistake was realized. Military officials from South Vietnam and Cambodia are investigating the incident. Each claims that the other side fired first. [CBS] Two Israeli children were killed by a hand grenade which was thrown into a moving car in the Gaza Strip. [CBS] Action is being taken on the housing situation for black U.S. soldiers in West Germany. The Army has declared off-limits any housing that fails to give blacks and whites equal treatment. The effect on landlords will be minimal but the Army hopes that their help in a few cases will make an impact on morale. [CBS] Rep. John McCormack is retiring after 42 years in Congress, the last nine as Speaker of the House. McCormack says that people often tried to get him to run for Governor or Senator, but he felt he could provide better public service in the House. [CBS]