3 Minutes to Reassure Cancer Victims : Pauling Cut Short by Phyllis George

NEW YORK — Nobel laureate Linus Pauling, in a hurried pre-dawn TV interview, was cut short today by new $750,000-a-year CBS anchorwoman Phyllis George while he tried to reassure “alarmed” cancer victims that his Vitamin C treatment really works.

George, who joined “The CBS Morning News” as a regular anchor this week, bowed to network scheduling pressures, told Pauling she had already taken her Vitamin C to ward off a cold, then broke off the interview after just under three minutes.

Pauling, who holds a Ph.D. in chemistry and won the Nobel Peace Prize as well as a Nobel in chemistry, was in the studio of KPIX in San Francisco for the interview that began at 4:20 a.m. Pacific time.

He provided an initial response to a widely reported Mayo Clinic study issued Wednesday that found his theory advocating large doses of Vitamin C as a cancer treatment to be ineffective. (Story on Page 32.)

A slow talker, Pauling said he was shocked at the way the report was released, although George failed to ask him why.

George, who is reported to be earning at least $750,000 annually, repeatedly cut into Pauling’s answers to pose new questions.

“I think what is crucial right now . . . . “ George cut in breathlessly. “Quickly, we just ran out of time. What do we tell them, the people taking Vitamin C? Should they be alarmed by this?”

Pauling: “They probably are alarmed because of the statements. But they shouldn’t be. Dr. (Charles) Moertel (of the Mayo Clinic) gave Vitamin C for a short time to his patients. That’s . . . . “

George: “I see. I took mine this morning. The snow is on the ground here and I wanted to prevent from having a cold. I wish we could have more time. Thank you for being with us this morning, Dr. Pauling. It’s 7:23 (EST).”