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Wednesday, February 12, 1975
University Daily Kansan
A Topeka police lieutenant tried to ward off the cold as he wailed the President's arrival.
Secret Service agents made final preparations for the presidential landing on the wind-blow flight line at Forbes Air Base.
Ford endures cold to touch grass roots
Bv JOHN PIKE
TOPEKA—When President Gerald R. Ford arrived here Tuesday he learned firsthand the truth in the old Kansas weather, not like the weather, wait an hour or so and it'll change."
Inside the mansion Ford and Federal Energy Administrator Frank Zanker has conducted conservation measures with the governors. Outside the Presidential imousine sat, motor running, for more than an hour and awaited Ford's
The sunny skies and low-40s temperatures of Monday had given way to a solid layer of clouds, which caused the temperatures in the mid-20s. A local radio station, perhaps subconciously trying to improve the weather, announced from benevolent sources that Topper's skies were clear, but to the chagrin of thousands of spectators and the large contingent of press on hand, the weather failed to improve until it stormed went from bad to worse.
Members of the press corps who followed Ford to Cedar Crest, the Kansas governor's office, three hours in sub-freezing weather and blowing snow while waiting for Ford to emerge from his luncheon with 10 Midwest governors.
After Ford left the mansion
After President Gerald K. Fort deplaned from Air Force One, he was immediately met by throngs of spectators. From Forbes Air Base the President proceeded down Topeka Boulevard in an open motorcade and waved to curiosity seekers on the route to the State Capitol.
Staff Photos by GEORGE MILLENER III. DON PIERCE and KEVIN VIVERS
The President and Gov. Robert F. Bennett pose for the cameras as they prepare to enter a meeting of Midwest governors.
School children and their teachers gathered outside the governor's minute in weather that turned from sunny to rainy.
While passing to reflect during Tuesday's briefing of the press at Topeka from Ramada Inn Renesas, White House staff members said, "We're very grateful."
for the downtown town in which he was to have his evening news conference, Gov. Robert F. Bennett invited the reporters and journalists into Cedar Crest to interview the assembled governors. Mrs. Bennett told the newsman, brushing snow from their clothes as they trooped into the house, that the next time a president came to town would at least be a bonfire to keep the press warm.
The regular White House press corps seemed almost unaware of where it was Tuesday, and one of the last journalists in town captured the situation perfectly.
Steve Bell, of ABC news,
standing before television c
hanagers, the news conference,
was trying to be in last report of
the meeting.
"This is Steve Bell, ABC news, Toledo."
He stumbled on the first two takes, but everybody in the room thought he had it made. He'd tried until his ending line.
While Dave Kenney, chief economic advisor, and Frank Alam Greenspan, chief economic advisor, and Frank Greenspan, listened intently, President Gerald Ford answered questions during Tuesday's Topека press conference.
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