Califano to head inquiry on Capitol page charges

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Joseph Califano agreed Tuesday to run the House ethics committee investigation into charges of congressmen's abuse of the Capitol Hill page system.

Mr. Califano, an outspoken Cabinet member under Jimmy Carter and former White House aide to Lyndon Johnson, said he was assured of independence and the authority needed to carry out the investigation. Federal investigators have said privately that there does not appear to be any evidence to support the sex charges but that the drug case may be another matter.