Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 6 › Conversation 006-127

Nixon phone call with Carruthers on Public relations and Speechwriting

Saturday, July 3, 1971 · 4:05 PM–4:06 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Carruthers, William H.Conversation006-127 on Tape 6 (tape position 02:31:52–02:33:26)StartSaturday, July 3, 1971 at 4:05 PMEndSaturday, July 3, 1971 at 4:06 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 006-127 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with William H. Carruthers regarding the production details for an upcoming speech. The President requested that “America the Beautiful” be selected as the closing song to better align with the themes of his remarks, pending the availability of an a cappella version. Additionally, Nixon confirmed his intent to wear an American flag lapel pin, which Carruthers agreed would be an appropriate and well-received gesture.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Yeah.
Yes, sir.
Bill?
Yes, sir.
Yeah.
I had a couple thoughts.
Because of the way that I am ending my speech on the theme of America is a beautiful country, in the event that our time, and it all depends on how the time of the other two run, and if they run a little ahead and I finish a little ahead, rather than God bless America, I think America the Beautiful would be the better song.
Yes, sir.
It would fit the theme, you see.
It'll fit in directly with the way I have it concluded.
Yes, sir.
My remarks.
Could you do that?
Yes, sir.
I'll take care of it right away.
Yeah.
They can handle that.
Now, one other thing.
I was going to say that
I was intending to wear my little American flag and my lapel.
That's no problem.
No, sir, not at all.
Fine.
Not at all.
I think it'll be appropriate.
Absolutely.
A lot of people will notice it.
Yes, sir.
And it won't hurt and it doesn't glitter off of it or something.
No, sir.
No problem.
Great.
Sir, all I have to do is confirm with the choir director that they have America the Beautiful a cappella.
I'm certain that they do, but I will confirm it back with you.
Well, if they have it, no, you don't need to.
If they don't, then sing God Bless America.
It's all right, too.
We will follow, then, the national anthem with America the Beautiful, if possible.
If possible, and if not, we can do the other one.
That's perfectly all right.
You don't need to call me back on it.
All right, sir.
Okay, everything else is okay?
Yes, sir, just fine.
Fine, we'll see you there at 10 o'clock.
Thank you, sir.

NARA Description

On July 3, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and William H. Carruthers talked on the telephone from 4:05 pm to 4:06 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 006-127 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 6-127
Date: July 3, 1971
Time: 4:05 pm - 4:06 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with William H. Carruthers.

     President's forthcoming speech
           -Song "God Bless America"
           -Song "America the Beautiful"
           -Presidents wearing of America flag pin lapel pin
           -Songs

Also recorded on July 3, 1971

  • 006-125 3:57 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods talked on the telephone from 3:57 pm to 3:59 pm.
  • 006-126 3:59 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:59 pm and 4:05 pm.
  • 006-128 4:06 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:06 pm and 4:12 pm.
  • 006-129 4:12 PM · 10 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:12 pm and 4:22 pm.
  • 006-130 4:22 PM · 6 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:22 pm and 4:37 pm.
  • 006-131 4:37 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 4:37 pm to 4:38 pm.
  • 006-132 4:38 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:38 pm and 6:04 pm.
  • 006-133 6:04 PM · 55 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon talked on the telephone from 6:04 pm to 6:05 pm.

All 45 conversations from July 3, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 006-127, July 3, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/006-127 (accessed October 12, 2026).