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Conversation 009-086

TapeTape 9StartSunday, September 19, 1971 at 7:02 PMEndSunday, September 19, 1971 at 7:07 PMTape start time02:21:18Tape end time02:26:19ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Keeler, William W.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon reached out to William W. Keeler to express gratitude for his public support of the administration’s economic package, particularly regarding investment tax credits and the deferral of federal pay raises. Nixon emphasized the necessity of these policies to curb union wage demands and countered pressure from foreign nations to eliminate the import surcharge. To bolster Treasury Secretary John B. Connally against media criticism, Nixon requested that Keeler personally contact Connally to convey his continued support for the administration's firm trade stance.

Economic PolicyImport SurchargeJohn B. ConnallyTax MeasuresLabor UnionsTrade Policy
AudioNARA Description

On September 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and William W. Keeler talked on the telephone from 7:02 pm to 7:07 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 009-086 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 9-86

Date: September 19, 1971
Time: 7:02 pm - 7:07 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with William W. Keeler.

     Economic policy
         -Keeler's support
         -Edward J. Dwyer
         -Tax measures
         -Federal pay raises
              -Labor unions
         -Congressional action
              -Lower income
         -John B. Connally
              -Return from Europe
              -Call from Keeler
              -Washington Post
              -New York papers
              -Position on import surcharge
                     -Europeans
                     -Japanese
              -Call from Keeler
                     -Support

     Jane Fonda
          -Henry Fonda

     Keeler's location
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello?
Yeah.
Hello?
Bill?
I wanted to thank you for your, I've just been at Camp David looking over the things that have happened the last week or so, and to thank you for your support of our economic package and also your ads and so forth that you run.
And just let me say it's good to have a good Indian on our side.
Right.
How's everything going?
Right.
Right.
Right.
Right.
We had the meeting there.
Right.
Right.
But on the tax thing, Bill, it's very important because not only the tax measures, but also the matter of our move to defer the government pay raises for six weeks.
Because both of those, if you let the government go hog wild, that means that that's going to encourage all the labor unions to ask for more.
So we've got to set an example.
And then on the tax thing, of course, the development credit, you know, the investment credit risk.
They're trying to demagogue about that, but it's absolutely essential for the future.
We're getting excellent help, actually.
We're going to make it, actually.
You'll hear a lot of gunfire and this and that.
But in the end, they're going to go along with it.
They may add something to the package we don't want.
In other words, provide more and more for lower-income people that will make a budget problem, but it will not be too bad.
I think it will win.
Connolly's just back from Europe.
He took a very strong stand, which I had urged him to, about, you know...
Right, right.
One thing.
Yes.
Well, let me suggest something.
You just got back.
Just pick up your phone and call him on the phone.
Because, you know, he was remarking the Washington Post.
These other people were sort of climbing on him in the New York papers because he didn't give in on the, you know, the Europeans and the Japanese want us to get rid of this import surcharge right away and go back to the old system.
Well, we're not going to do it because it's wrong.
Don't you agree?
I mean, we've got to look after our own interests.
Right.
Oh, yeah.
Oh, sure.
And now we don't want to be, we're not trying to do them in.
We just want what's ours.
But if you could, tomorrow morning, perhaps, if you would just, you know, I'd mean a lot to Conley, not that he's a strong man, but I think it'd be good if he knew that fellows like you were supporting him.
And, you know, these liberals in the press, they take after us, but
But if he knows you're a Spartan, he'll appreciate it.
Yeah.
Right.
Jane.
Yeah.
My goodness.
What in the world is the matter with Jane Fonda?
I feel so sorry for Henry Fonda, who's a nice man.
Yeah.
Well, she really is.
She's a great actress, and she looks pretty, but, boy, she's often on the wrong track.
Well, are you in New York right now?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, as a matter of fact, we stayed at Pierre from time to time when we go up there now.
Well, good luck and thanks a lot for your help.
And, uh, right.
Good to talk to you.
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