Son of Carl Albert Says Nixon Faces Impeachment

Speaker of the House of Representatives Carl Albert sees impeachment proceedings against President Nixon as "inevitable," his son David E. Albert '77 said yesterday.

The Oklahoma Democrat, who is next in line for the presidency while the vice-presidency remains vacant, was "shocked" by the firing of Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox '34 and the resignation of Attorney General Elliot Richardson '41, young Albert said. He returned yesterday morning to his Lionel room after a visit with his family.

Meanwhile, Henry S. Richardson '77 said that he found out about his father's resignation from newspaper accounts when he returned to Harvard on Sunday night. His father resigned Saturday.

Richardson, who lives in Grays, said he took a double take when he read the news but "wasn't shocked because, given the developments of the day, it was perfectly logical for him [his father] to do what he did."

Meeting with President

The younger Richardson said he had only had a brief opportunity to talk with the former Attorney General yesterday, catching him as he was leaving to meet with the president at the White House.

David Albert characterized his father's mood as one of trying to face the "frightening prospect" of impeachment and "not thinking of being president, just trying to get through the present crisis."

No Resignation in Sight

His father "wasn't angry, there was nothing really to be mad about, just shocked," his son said, adding that the speaker did not think that Nixon would resign.

Albert said that his father has made no special efforts to prepare for the possibility of assuming the presidency. His roommates threatened, jokingly, to move out should this occur.

His father "doesn't like the overhanging granite of the presidency over him," Albert said.

David Albert also remarked that his father "understood that his leading moves toward impeachment would be touchy, not the American way of doing things." He said his position as next in line to President Nixon would put him in the position of both judge and successor, should he take the initiative in impeachment proceedings.

Henry Richardson said his father was "apprehensive" and concerned about the constitutional crisis. He hopes the sides won't keep moving apart, that there might still be a chance for a compromise, he said.