Republicans Pressuring Nixon On Cox Watergate Indictments

WASHINGTON--Leading Republican members of Congress are pressuring President Nixon to assure them that any indictments former Special Watergate Prosecutor Archibald Cox '34 was ready to issue will be returned this week by Henry E. Petersen, assistant attorney general now in charge of the investigation, sources close to Senate Majority Leader Hugh Scott (R-Pa.) said Friday.

Local Election Pressure

The main reason for the pressure is that local elections will be held next week throughout the country, and indictments would show the American public that the Republican Party is not involved in a renewed cover-up of Watergate, the source said.

"If these indictments aren't issued and the public perceives that they should have been, local Republicans all over the country are liable to suffer in the elections," Scott's spokesman added.

A memo sent last week to President Nixon by the Republican leaders urged him to make sure the investigation goes on vigorously under Petersen, to see that a new special prosecutor is named and to consider allowing District Court Judge John Sirica to appoint the prosecutor.

The message, considered by some Republicans as an ultimatim to the President, was sent by Scott, Sen. John Tower (R-Texas), Sen. Wallace Bennett (R-Utah) and Senate Minority Whip Robert Griffin (R-Mich).

"They felt they had to send a very forceful message to the president because even they are beginning to wonder if the president listens to anyone any more--they want to make sure their Republican party doesn't suffer," the source said.