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Conversation 006-111

TapeTape 6StartFriday, July 2, 1971 at 7:05 PMEndFriday, July 2, 1971 at 7:08 PMTape start time02:18:43Tape end time02:21:11ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Colson, Charles W.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Charles Colson discuss their extreme dissatisfaction with the handling of recent unemployment figures and the subsequent negative media coverage. Nixon demands accountability for the problematic press releases, specifically ordering that officials Geoffrey H. Moore and Harold Goldstein be subjected to polygraph tests. He makes it clear that if these individuals are found responsible for the unfavorable framing of the economic data, they must be terminated immediately.

unemployment statisticsCharles W. Colsonpolygrapheconomic policyWhite House personnelmedia relations
AudioNARA Description

On July 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 7:05 pm to 7:08 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 006-111 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 6-111

Date: July 2, 1971
Time: 7:05 pm - 7:08 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Charles W. Colson.

     Progress report on release of unemployment figures
          -Colson's call to George P. Shultz and H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
          -Statistical "fluke" statement
          -President's conversation with James D. Hodgson
          -Shultz
          -Media coverage

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[Previous PRMPA Privacy (D) reviewed under deed of gift 05/01/2023. Segment cleared for
release.]
[Privacy]
[006-111-w001]
[Duration: 5s]

     Progress report on release of unemployment figures

          -Harold Goldstein
               -George P. Shultz

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     Progress report on release of unemployment figures
          -Harold Goldstein
                -Polygraph test
                -Possible firing
                -Shultz's views

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[Previous PRMPA Privacy (D) reviewed under deed of gift 05/01/2023. Segment cleared for
release.]
[Privacy]
[006-111-w002]
[Duration: 36s]

     Progress report on release of unemployment figures
          Geoffrey H. Moore
                -Arthur F. Burns
                -Firing
                      -July 3, 1971
                -Arthur F. Burns
                -Replacement

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     The President’s previous meeting
          -Cabinet Committee on Economic Policy, June 28

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[Previous PRMPA Privacy (D) reviewed under deed of gift 05/01/2023. Segment cleared for
release.]
[Privacy]
[006-111-w003]

[Duration: 6s]

     Progress report on release of unemployment figures
          -Geoffrey H. Moore and Harold Goldstein
                -President’s request for termination on July 3, 1971

******************************************************************************

     The President’s schedule
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

I have Haldeman and Schultz on a conference call on the other line.
Good.
Good.
Now, I'm not fooling this time.
Right.
I've had it, and I don't want any crap about this.
You understand?
Yes, sir.
I want Schultz to understand this.
I told Hodgson he understands, and I'm not going to take any nonsense from him.
Right.
Now, don't let Schultz get off, wiggle off the hook this time.
I told him before, and he's...
Didn't he realize this is a horrible story?
Yes, he does.
Yes, but in...
On balance, Bob Haldeman was just making the point that... That we got a good...
I don't give a shit about that.
They screwed us on the story.
The story, the press release is pretty lousy, and the quote about statistical... That's right.
All right, he's to take a polygraph on it tomorrow.
A polygraph.
Is that clear?
Tell Haldeman he's to take a polygraph on that tomorrow.
Did he put out that quote?
And he's to take a polygraph.
If he did it, he's out of the government.
Clear enough?
Now, what the hell does Schultz think?
What does he want to do?
Just be a nice guy again and get screwed again?
No, I don't think so.
Doesn't he realize what the Christ we're doing here or not?
Oh, he does.
I'm getting goddamn tired of this.
He's upset about it, and he wants to fix it, and he's mad that they didn't clear it with him in advance because he would have prevented this from happening.
And as I say, about me.
I gave that lecture to these economists the other day.
None of them paid any attention.
They've all screwed it up since then.
And I am not going to have it anymore.
Is that clear?
Yes, sir.
Now, you get back to Schultz and tell him I'm pissed off, goddamn mad, and tell Haldeman.
Don't tell Haldeman to call me.
I don't want Schultz to call me.
You're handling this.
Is that clear?
Yes, sir.
I'll be in the office at 7, I mean 6.30.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
Now, get going.
We're working.
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