Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-056-004
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the President's News Conference of April 18, 1962 (News Conference 31). The President began the press conference by announcing that the United States had that day presented an outline of basic provisions for a treaty on general and complete nuclear disarmament at Geneva. He then said a few words in follow-up to the previous week's events concerning steel prices emphasizing the goodwill and the commonality of goals between his administration and American industry. Then he announced that he had directed the Army to cancel the trial of reservist Private Larry D. Chidester and to remit the balance of sentence of reservist Private Bernis G. Owen, both court marshaled for their complaints about being called up for active service. Finally, the President briefly announced the release of reports by the Presidential Commission on Campaign Costs, and that former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower had agreed to serve as honorary co-chairman, with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, of the National Cultural Center. Following the announcements the President answered questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation with the steel industry, nuclear disarmament and the status of a test ban treaty, and the situation in Berlin. Items consist of the official White House transcript of the press conference and the stenotype transcript of the press conference.