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Conversation 038-123

TapeTape 38StartThursday, April 19, 1973 at 6:00 PMEndThursday, April 19, 1973 at 6:03 PMParticipantsEhrlichman, John D.;  Nixon, Richard M. (President)Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

John Ehrlichman updates President Nixon regarding an ongoing investigation into a mysterious removal of eight boxes of materials from a committee office the day after the Watergate break-in. Ehrlichman reports that Charles Colson, H.R. Haldeman, and others lack knowledge of the event, though they suspect it involved someone with high-level access like Robert C. Odle or Frederick C. LaRue. The President expresses concern over the potential link to Watergate and emphasizes the urgent need to identify the individual who reportedly moved the materials to a private apartment.

WatergateCharles ColsonH.R. HaldemanCover-upObstruction of JusticeWhite House Records
AudioNARA Description

On April 19, 1973, John D. Ehrlichman and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 6:00 pm to 6:03 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 038-123 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 38-123

Date: April 19, 1973
Time: 6:00 pm - 6:03 pm
Location: White House Telephone

John D. Ehrlichman talked with the President.

[See also Conversation No. 429-21]

     Watergate
          -Charles Colson’s knowledge of an event
               -Robert C. Odle and Frederick C. LaRue
          -Event which occurred day after Watergate
                                             -70-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                     (rev. January-2011)

                                                           Conversation No. 38-123 (cont’d)

                 -Colson’s knowledge
                       -Boxes of material
           -President’s schedule
                 -Meeting
           -Mystery event
                 -Ronald L. Ziegler’s statement
                 -H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
                 -Gordon C. Strachan
                 -Removal of materials
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Mr. President.
Hello.
Mr. President, Mr. Ehrlichman.
Yeah.
All right.
Ready?
Yes, sir.
Chuck says he doesn't know.
And he says it probably is somebody like Odle or LaRue or somebody that used to have an office and a pass and was over at the committee.
He has no idea.
He doesn't know the attorney involved.
No way of knowing.
So it's still a mystery.
But...
Several people are trying to find out what it's all about, and if we do, we'll let you know.
Well, let me say that it can't have anything to do with Watergate, I'm sure, is it?
Well, we just don't know.
The coincidence is certainly mighty strong.
When was it?
The day after.
The day after?
Right.
Eight boxes of material.
Nobody knows, but... Well, the fellow, as he's saying... What office he took it from?
No, no, no.
He's being very unspecific in his application.
So it'll be a chapter for the future.
And Chuck swears he doesn't know what this is about.
Right.
Do you, shall I tell those fellows 8 or 8.30 or sometime?
Make it 8.45.
Right.
Excellent.
That'll give you plenty of time.
Right.
Good.
And if you find anything out on this goddamn thing, why, Ron's saying, we just don't know.
That's right.
Which happens to be the truth.
Yeah.
But do you think somebody else may have just... What in the world?
I mean, in the name of God, would it be?
Heck, just can't imagine.
Cannot imagine.
Did you ask Bob?
Yep.
He's the foggiest.
Are you sure he has none at all?
None.
Strawn, anybody like that?
Well, they're asking around, but nobody seems to know.
Clearly not strong.
That's what it's not about.
Goddamn, well, we've got to find out.
Oh, sure.
This one we've got to find out and clear up.
Now, believe me, I've put it on the other one.
Where was it?
I'm going to ask you this one question.
Where was it taken?
To somebody's home, apparently.
The apartment, somebody's apartment.
Well, then that's the individual that has it then.
He kept it at his home then, apparently, but they don't know who it is.
Mm-hmm.
As soon as we have anything, we'll let you know.
All right.
Okay.
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