Home in San Clemente Ex-Presi ent Gives Little Hint of Plans I (In-.) By Bradley C ana Accustomed to staying at one or two Wasb%agton Post latwir Writer places here, reporters now are on their SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Aug. 10—Out own to find rooms in tourist-frequented of the public arena and home at last, oceanside villages. former President Nixon secluded himself Friday, for the first time since Mr. today in his Spanish.style villa, La Casa Nixon bought the San Clemente retreat, Pacifica, offering little hint of how he the press was barred from covering his plans to restructure his life. arrival within the fences. Florists' trucks carrying "Welcome Home" bouquets from area residents Now, when one calls the formerly effi- passed in and out of the fenced and cient western White House switchboard, guarded compound this weekend. And it either constantly rings busy or goes several aides, saying they will stay with unanswered. "We are very private people the former President as long as they are today," Diane Sawyer, an aide to spokes- needed, shuttled back and forth. man Ronald L. Ziegler, told a reporter who managed to reach the Nixon home But activity was kept to a minimum, through the White House switchboard and the Nixon family was said to be in Washington. reovering from the ordeal of the Water- gate scandal that forced him to resign The residents of this relaxed affluent as 37th President of the United States community nestled along the California on Friday. shoreline gave Mr. Nixon an enthusiastic The aides say they are unsure of what welcome Friday, and should . the former the former chief executive is thinking President decide to reside here the people of San Clemente feel no reserve toward and what his next moves will be. "I don't even know what questions to ask him," accepting him in his new status as perma- nent citizen. one top aide said. • The customary trappings of presidential Orange County, which includes San power already have begun to disappear. Clemente, voted heavily for Mr. Nixon In sharp contrast to previous trips, for in 1968and 1972. Los Angeles executives instance, the press corps is operating and retired naval officers number high without an established headquartely among its citizenry, forming the base of briefing room, or special communications Republican strength here. facilities. See CLEMENTE, A8, Col. 5 CLEMENTE, From Al edly met this weekend to , discuss protection proce- "Orange County has been dures for the future and fed- a frontier," explained San eral grants to sustain them. Clemente Mayor Thomas San Clemente's acting po- O'Keefe. "It is made up lice chief, Mel Porter, said largely of people who have he anticipates no change in set out to make their . own the near future in the level fortunes, people who -be- of Mr. Nixon's protection. If lieve in freedom of oppor- anything, he said it expects tunity and independence," it to become an increasingly said the mayor, implying local burden that it is a place where Ric- Residents have Most the hard Nixon could" easily fit in. , "This town would accept him. There would be no problem," said the local Democratic club president Gregory Joannidi. Although Mr. Nixon used to spend five or six weeks a year at San Clemente, one town official estimated that fewer than 200 residents have ever seen him. In the years of his resi- hope they once had that San House," recognizing that dence as President, he re- Clemente would become the such promotion was good only during the tenure of portedly only went down- site of a presidential library. town twice—once to buy a Mr. Nixon in office. beachbaU and once to buy Rumors of such a library, Some here even expect candy. As much as they expected to lure millions of Mr. Nixon to choose his Key expect the former Pres\ident visitors ,a year, started two Biscayne, Fla., estate over to become a friendly neigh- years ago, and California La Casa Pacifica as his• per- bor, the people of San Cle- communities with any tie to manent residence in order mente still regard him as a the Nixon name began hag- ., to be close to his friends, C. recluse. filing over site selection. G. (Bebe' Rebozo and Rob- ' But a talk to the crowd As a grand gesture in ert Abplanalp. which greeted him at the their own bid for the pro- Nevertheless, so long as nearby El Toro Marine Air ject, San Clemente's leaders he chooses to stay, the peo- Station on Friday, Mr. Nixon persuaded citizens to con- ple of San Clemente will indicated he does not intend tribdte funds for a bronze embrace Mr. Nixon. Alfred to become a recluse at San bust of Richard Nixon, Cornwall, owner of Mr. Nix- Clemente. "Having -com- which today sits in city hall. on's favorite restaurant, in pleted one task doesn't mean San Juan Capistrano, in-. we're going to sit in the mar- Members of the town's Re- tends to keep the former velous California sun and do publican club shared with President's .favorite dish on nothing," he said, adding, the nation shock and disap- the menu. It is called "the "I am going to continue to pointment over Mr. Nixon's President's choice'' and con- work for peace among alI confession last week that he sists of chili, an enchilada. nations." had authorized cover-up of chicken, Spanish rice, and the Watergate break-in six refried beans. Owners of area drugstores days aftpr it had occurred, and motels expect to con- On the front page of San tinue their current practice "The people of San Cle- Clemente's Daily Sun-Post of providing maps outlining mente felt very let down," on Friday, publisher Stan- the route to the gate of the said one Republican, a for- ford Mantling wrote this Nixon compound, though mer mayor, Cliff Myers. greeting when Mr. Nixon palm trees hide the home But other townspeople arrived: "We recognize the from view at the entrance. commented that Mr. Nixon's anguish and.sorrow you and Mr. Nixon's resignation presence should in no way your family have, suffered has posed a difficult ques- taint the community.' Emil' . ' these past months. Amid all tion for town officials, who Radica, executive 'manager the clamor and invective, are now uncertain how of the local Chamber of neighbor, we offer you much of the annual $229,292 Commerce, said area busi- warm wishes and amity here federal grant to strengthen nessmen "a long time ago* in San Clemeete following the local police force for decided to move away from your seemingly endless or- Mr. Nixon's protection will promoting the city as "the deal. Rest your mind and be forthcoming after this home of the western White spirit." year. Since Mr. Nixon pur- chased San Clemente 51/2 years ago, the town has used most of funds to add eight policemen to its force. Local and federal officials report-