July 7, 1978 – CBS World News Roundup – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
July 7, 1978 – Wholesale Prices were still going up, to the tune of 7/10% in June, with Food prices leading the way at %1.1, owing to higher costs of poultry, pork, beef and veal as well as fruits and vegetables.
The good news was a decline in the unemployment rate, going from 6.1% in May to 5.7% in June; its lowest level in almost four years.
But while all that was going on, a Federal Court hearing was being held this day in New York on what was potentially unique situation: A contempt of Court citation issued by Federal Judge Thomas Griesa, to Attorney General Griffin Bell over his consistent refusal to turn over certain files to The Socialist Workers Party in connection with its suit against the Federal government. If the judge on this day ruled to stay the Contempt Citation, then the Attorney General was expected to try again to appeal the original ruling which said he must turn over those files. A Justice Department spokesperson said that if the judge failed to stay the citation, no determination had been made on whether to seek a stay from a higher court. Bell was quoted as saying that, should the judges order be upheld, after full appellate review, he would of course comply with his lawful obligations. And on it went.
Meanwhile; the day before it was Israeli warplanes over Beirut. On this day it was the strengthening of Israeli ground forces near the Lebanese frontier. Both moves had been taken in the light of fierce attacks against right-wing Christian Militia units in Beirut by Syrian troops of the Arab Peacekeeping force. The moving of Israeli ground forces was seen clearly as a warning to Syria to be seen in a context of warnings transmitted the day before through diplomatic channels and through the media. The gist of the warning was that Israel would not tolerate the Syrian domination of Lebanon.
All that, and a whole lot more for this July 7, 1978 as presented by The CBS World News Roundup.
