Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-087
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of April 18, 1962 (News Conference 31). The President begins the press conference by announcing that the United States had that day presented an outline of basic provisions for a treaty on general and complete nuclear disarmament at Geneva. He then says a few words in follow-up to the previous week’s events concerning steel prices emphasizing the goodwill and the commonality of goals between his administration and American industry. Then he announces that he had directed the Army to cancel the trial of reservist Private Larry D. Chidester and to remit the balance of sentence of reservist Private Bernis G. Owen, both court marshaled for their complaints about being called up for active service. Finally, the President briefly announces the release of reports by the Presidential Commission on Campaign Costs and that former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower has agreed to serve as honorary co-chairman, with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, of the National Cultural Center. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation with the steel industry, nuclear disarmament and the status of a test ban treaty, and the situation in Berlin.