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By Donnie Radcliffe . SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—Gone are the pilgrims who always seemed to• be waiting near the gate. A sign— "No sightseers ..."—is, in fact, the only sign left of the curious and clamoring that crowded down the sun- baked street past seacliff villas looking out to sea. The loyalists are still coming, they who file in thin, quiet parade past the armed guards and electric fence surrounding what the world once knew as the "West- ern ." And with these loyalists—John Mitchell, Charles Colson, Bebe R.ebozo—come rumors of yet another new ready to emerge into public view again after the presidential election next November. The street to Nixon's retirement dream house is still called Avenida del Presidente, so named as a tribute to Nixon but equally applicable to Franklin Delano Roosevelt who visited Cotton's Point, now site of the Nixon family's La Casa Pacifica, as guest of wealthy - Hamilton Cotton during the 1930s. Down the road apiece a hostelry made famous by many a Watergate figure has added a new dimension to its commerce of catering to transients. In its way it solves a problem: without a university campus, a spe- cial library or an official museum, where to display what souvenirs Richard Nixon still has of his presiden- cy? The answer: a motel room. Tourists who look beyond the pricetagged curios of presidential seals reproduced on cuff links and tie Pe ule Fashith

SUNDAY JUNE 20, 1976 Shadows of a Presiclene n's Neighborhoo

=maamemammemamassasomMliwh, 0444WMatik, clasps, will find memorabilia of the Nixons' second by some here as forerunner to what they hope will be trip to China displayed at the invitation of - a more permanent historical repository for Richard to innkeeper Paul Presley, now one of Nixon's inner Nixon's collection of presidential mementoes. It has circle. There• are cloisonne vases and pendants; jade aupplanted what was formerly the coffee shop next to trees and grapes, handpainted eggs and delicate tea the lobby that used to teem with Nixon entourages, se- sets, lengths of silk and poems of Mao Tse-tung. Ar- , cretive couriers, inquisitive reporters and, later, visit- ranged in glass showcases, they provide accent to ing lawyers. color photographs that show a broadly grinning Ri- chard Nixon and his wife, their Secret Service detail Thinking back to those days, Fred Divel, a young and their beaming Chinese hosts. man who claims to have helped bring Nixon to San Clonente, notes what others in this busy seaside com- On a wall nearby is a photograph of sunset over Cot munity cannot help but note as well: ton's Point with the provocative words of Alphonse de "It's really San Clemente's only visual evidence that Lamartine: the President was there." "History teaches everything...even the future." Presley's "Little Bit of History Museum" is regarded Four years after Watergate, nearly two years after ,Itay773ps

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Photos by the San Clemente Sun-Post and Rock Kendall At San Clemente: The gate (far left) and the sign lS ve) at the Nixon? Ctlifornia retreat. At left, the former President at the motel museum.

his reignation, "there" for Richard Milhous Nixon might be anyplade at all if there is anything to the talk of his promised public reemergence. One-time White House counsel Charles Colson envi- sions no "formal" role for his former boss but more likely something akin to "elder statesman," circumna- vigating the globe to "trouble spots where he could be useful.' Cols*, who was hithself " orn Again" and wrote a book about it after emerging. from prison where he served tulle for interfering with the defense of Daniel EllSberg in',-the Pentagon Papers case, says Nixon has world-wide -stature. Claiming he knew in advance of Nixon's 'trip to China last February, he says the for- mer President "is the only man alive (among Ameri- cans) who has talked to thelnew) Chinese premier." The idea of Richard.Nixon, the diplomat, is an oft-re- peated one that has gained momentum in some quart- ers since Julie ,Nixon „Eisenhower first voiced it shortly after her father resigned. Then, she pictured him in the role of "roving ambassador or.top-level ad-, viser" whom history Will exonerate because "the net worth of the man is going to far outweigh the miss ]des." See CLEMENTE; 113, Col. 1 CLEMENTE, Frain Hi as interested in football as he ever was Here in San Clemente that kind of and still keeps in touch with Redskins talk raises a few eyebrows. Townspeo- Coach George Allen...The Nixons are .4`• ple say from what they have seen of "ready to go out socially, to make the him there has been little sign of Ri- break from seclusion, to make some 3 chard Nixon, the involved neighbor, new associations but I get the impres- 0 let alone the new Richard Nixon, "rov- sion they don't know where to be- 471, ing ambassador." gin"...They "live in a different social He has, however, recently made at climate—I don't think their friends are least some forays outside the confines close by." of his Spanish-colonial style hacienda: *It was at this out-to-dinner excursion He appeared at Concordia Elemen- that Nixon also inspected the "Little tary School to vote in 's re- Bit of History Museum" for the first cent primary. "Republican or Demo- time. He was "absolutely thrilled," said crat," asked a flustered precinct Mrs. Swearingen. He also signed the worker who quickly recovered and guest book, leaving blank the "corn- handed him a Republican, ballot. ts" space. "That's the right one," Nixon said with te-'Nixon did have a few comments ear- i.-;1 a grin. Her this spring when two young win- A couple of times a week he has itieirs of the San Clemente Exchange-7 come out to play golf, sometimes at Club's talent contest visited him at his Shorcliffs, sometimes at ,E1 Toro and office to receive their awards. Also usually with aide . A few present was someone San Clemente days ago, he turned up with old pal people says is the "joiningest" man in and confidante Charles "Bebe" Rebo- town —Jack Brennan, one of the zo. newer members of the Exchange Club, Says one San Clemente civic leader the Chamber of Commerce and several of Nixon's need for golf partners, "The other local service organizations. joke here goes, 'I'm sorry, Mr. Presi- Some see Brennan as Nixon's alter dent, we already have our ego, public relations adviser and com- threesome."' munity relations liaison. One former He has emerged to drop in at Camp Nixon associate calls Brennan's deci- Pendleton Marine Base down the coast sion to remain with Nixon and resign just in time to become an impromptu from the Marine Corps after 17 years honor guest at a pageant celebrating (three years short of retirement bene- the Marine Corps' 200th birthday. An fits) "the ultimate loyalty." eyewitness says the Corps took it in Martin Robideau, 18, a San Clemente stride despite a flurry of reseating that High School senior, recalled that his 6 Apr 76 - See put the Nixons in front row center and chat with Nixon was personal rather SFC , photo, 8 Apr 76 despite enlisted men later breaking than political. "He wanted to know ranks to shake hands with their for- what we wanted to do with our talent, mer Commander-in-Chief. and he told us about the time he sang He has dined out occasionally this in the choir." spring, once with FDR's son James in The encounter had the desired ef- Newport Beach. "It was a quiet family fect. Club officers wanted the cere- dinner," said Roosevelt, an acquaint- mony "to attract a lot of attention and ance of Nixon's since 1955 when he was make headlines and it sure did," said Vice President and Roosevelt a fledg- Robideau. What surprised him was ling U.S. congressman from California. that they all stayed so long-25 min- Nixon told his hosts about his post- utes—in view of all the stories about presidential trip to China but, says how secluded Nixon is. Reports that Roosevelt, nobody talked politics. the former President "is getting back" Nixon also broke bread at San Clem- into politics are especially interesting ente Inn, dining with his wife, Pat, to the youth. "If people could forgive innkeeper Presley and Mrs. Presley him," he believes, "he'd do a good job and two other couples, Marine Lt. Gen. for us as ambassador to China." Leo pulacki, former commandant at ' Richard A. Asper, active in conserva- Camp Pendleton, his date, Margie tive Orange County politics as a Rea- Dooley, and National Football League gan supporter and campaign volun- referee Fred Swearingen and his wife. teer, thinks Nixon might well be Ann Swearingen, a piano teacher, "drafted" into public service once proudly recounted how Nixon prom- there is a "proper remonstration of the ised "You can teach me to play the public...he would make an idyllic Sec- piano in something other than the key retary of State or ambassador to China of G" once he finishes his memoirs, or Russia." due to be published next year. Asper says he has seen Nixon at She said that, not unexpectedly, ev- close range on several occasions ar- erybody steered clear of talking poli- ranged by "historical" supporters with tics or about the then just-published his "best interests at heart" who Woodward-Bernstein book, "The Final wanted to draw him out socially. Not 4 Days," which gives its unvarnished everybody was Republican but most ("- view of the last days of the Nixon represented Orange County conserve- 7 White House. tism and all were anxious to let the for- Mrs. Swearingen also made these ob- mer President know they were still in servations about the table talk: his corner. d. Mrs. Nixon does most of the garden- Thomas Evans, a Newport Beach in- ing herself at Casa Pacifica...Nixon is terior designer and member of the ul- ,t' "terribly wrapped up in 'his golf and tra-conservative Lincoln Club,* says U. was astounded at his good, score", that people who turned up at one (which he kept to himself)...He is just party last fall were eager to shake Nix- * Diana Neville paints Nixon's portrait from a painting shePhoto made by Tony in Sanders1974 which she felt would eventually hang in the White House: "My hus- band always says that of all the Nixon crimes, the worst thing he ever did was step down and delay my career."

on's hand and let him know they stoned by a citizens 'group which thought "Dickey boy got a raw shake." raised $8,000 to pay for it, sat in city hall —near the water billing depart- "People in California don't want him. ment—for nearly four years awaiting He's too vain to stay where he's not a -permanent place in the then-pro- wanted," said Farrell Smith, then pres- posed Nixon library. Last winter it was ident of the San Clemente Republican quietly turned over to curator-innkee- Club when Nixon came home after his per Presley's "Little Bit of History Mu- White House resignation. seum." It proved to be an unpopular state- Revisionist tactics? ment with many in this predominantly Not according to former City Man- Republican Party stronghold. Still, a ager Ken Carr. resolution proposed to the city council "We were only custodians." that would have officially acknowl- edged Nixon's return, failed to carry. "It died a natural death," says Mayor San Clemente is a town whose Cham- B. Patrick Lane. "I think everyone ber of Commerce scrubbed "Western knew he was here." White House" off its official letft*.e..ad City fathers have been neutral to- as long ago as 1973, "before any of tne ward Nixon. They have never named problems arose," says Executive Man- any municipal landmark after him; ager Emil Radic. even Avenida del Presidente doesn't "You can't ride that kind of moniker bear his name. indefinitely. When, it came time to "Nothing ever came up to name," reorder the stationary, it was deter- says Mayor Lane cryptically. mined that the President's term was A bronze bust of Nixon commis- only for four years more."

San Clemente is A town of 22,000 in- est in Woodstein's first effort on Wat- habitants where 27 per cent of those ergate, "All The President's Men," and heading households are retired, where in Theodore White's "Breach of manufacturing rubber gaskets, skate- Faith," now that both are out in paper- boards and surfboards accounts for al- back, the two women speculate that most its entire industrial complex, some customers were ones who "didn't where land developers lock horns with care enough" to read them when they civic preservationists advocating its first came out. quaint past, Spanish heritage, architec- A few doors away on busy but un- ture and scenic shoreline. hurried Avenida Del Mar, a clerk In San Clemente is a town that has suf- The Town Book Shop sees reading hab- fered little from .Nixon's fall from its here another way: "The average power. "All the economic factors that person won't spend the kind of money existed seven years ago exist today," hardcovers sell for. I can order it-for says the Chamber's Radio you but if you'll be patient it'll be out For awhile the city felt the pinch in paperback." when a $229,000 annual federal police A tendency by some townspeople to fund grant was cut off. For five years display little outward interest in the it had provided salaries for 10 addi- Nixons' comings and goings isn't really tional police officers as part of the se- indifference, says Greg Joannidi Jr. -A curity protecting a President in resid- registered Democrat like his father ence. Then in August, 1974 the money who, until recently, was a standout in was withheld. the town's political life, Joannidi at- "There was a feeling of disappoint- tributes this reserve to the fact that ment that we should have had transi- " is a transient tional funds," says Carr. area. People aren't born or raised "It was a clear economic disadvan- here; they come and go." tage," concedes Mayor Lane though Some still see their star in Richard his position had long been that San Nixon's galaxy. Paul Presley commis- Clemente was getting far more than it sioned artist Diana Neville in 1974 to was putting out in service. do Nixon's portrait—"before he stepped down"—when she was given Fred Divel was 19 when he signed on in the impression there was a strong pos- 1N8 as a volunteer in Richard Nixon's sibility that it would hang in the White presidential campaign. Later, after vic- House. tory, efforts began to find a retreat to "My husband always says that of all which Nixon could escape from antici- the Nixon crimes, the worst thing he pated White House pressures. Dwight ever did was step down and delay my Chapin, later to become White House career." • appointments secretary, told Divel Nixon's activities continue to com- that the choice centered on California. mand attention— "There's an aura In Divel's opinion, there was no about him that's fascinating," says one other choice than San Clemente. As Nixon watcher. Nixon "sightings" grandson of a founder and one of the have become a local game, with tips town's most vocal champions, the fed eagerly to the Daily Sun-Post. A young man immediately began a year ago—on June 21,the Nixons' wed- search that eventually led to the old ding anniversary—a couple resem- Ltj Cotton estate. On his own, he investi- bling them was seen cruising slowly gated security "aspects," got aerial along nearby Dana Point where, by photographs of the property and sub- some accounts, Nixon proposed to the 3 sequently wrote Nixon adviser and former Patricia Ryan some 35 years later domestic counselor John Ehrlich- earlier. man of his findings. Only by chance, Occasionally readers have had later, he says, did he learn that Nixon enough. "There is good reportinon was indeed intrigued enough by the everything except Mr. Nixon. Ile estate to make a trip west that winter shamed us and the world. He played of 1968-69 to inspect it. sick to plea bargain his way out of Divel's efforts won him no recogni- trouble," complained one recent letter tion, he says—a relative of H.R. "Bob" to the editor. Countered another: Haldeman reportedly got a $3,000 find- constant and continual persecutiox of er's fee—but he never held Nixon to our former President by the news me- blame. dia is a shame and a real drag." "He's brought a lot of attention to A few days ago when the Daily Sin- San Clemente. I'm not sorry that I Post carried a wire service story Want helped find him the house. I don't purported love letters written by think he could have found any place Nixon to an unidentified womai, else where, after something like this there was "no (the resignation) he could have had response at all" eithar by the former President's critics er this kind of privacy:" supporters, according to editor Wa- Other residents are less impressed ren Esterline. by Richard Nixon's impact on their Mayor Lane suspects that "egocea- town. tric" Richard Nixon "craves publicit "The fact that he lives here hasn't af- —but on his terms." And he believ fected a whole lot of people," say Phyl- that the reaction of San Clemente citi- lis Wentz and Jo Olsen who, as co-own- zens to a deposed President in their. ers of The Book Site, report brisk (for San Clemente) sales of Woodward and midst is as varied as that of people any- Bernstein's latest book. where. "The walking around people who "This isn't a hardcover town," they liked him before, do now," says Lane. report. Noting a "resurgence" of inter- "And those who didn't, don't now."