Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 40 › Conversation 040-026

Nixon phone call with Morgan on Bryce Harlow and Procter & Gamble

Tuesday, June 12, 1973 · 10:34 AM–10:37 AM ET · White House Telephone · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Morgan, HowardConversation040-026 on Tape 40StartTuesday, June 12, 1973 at 10:34 AMEndTuesday, June 12, 1973 at 10:37 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 040-026 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Howard Morgan discussed the temporary release of Bryce Harlow from his duties at Procter & Gamble to serve on the White House staff. Nixon expressed gratitude for Morgan's cooperation and addressed potential concerns regarding conflicts of interest and the political climate surrounding the Watergate scandal. The two parties agreed that Harlow would consult with congressional leaders to mitigate any sensitivities regarding his appointment as the administration prepares for Leonid Brezhnev's upcoming visit.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Hello.
Mr. Howard Morgan, sir.
Yeah.
Hello.
Hello, Mr. President.
Howard, it seems that we're always asking you and our dear friend... What you're calling about.
Dear friend Neil before that, but I want you to know I've had a long talk, several long talks with Bryce, and I'm...
Just very grateful to you.
We wouldn't have asked you and your company to do this, except that we think it's in the service of the country, and I just want you to know I'm just very grateful.
Well, we didn't discourage Bryce from doing it because we think, gosh, if we can help you, you know what you want to do.
I appreciate that.
Now, the only way I can repay you, I'm going to make fresh, refuse ivory soap at Camp David.
Fair enough?
Well, I'm sure you know also that...
Uh, Bryce is a loss to us, but we think you've got first priority, Mike.
Well, and it's going to come out.
You know, he's just a terrific fellow, and as soon as we can cut him loose, we'll cut him loose, you know?
Well, I hope you would do that.
Yeah, yes, because for his... Bryce, frankly, from an economic standpoint, should not, you know, I understand that.
And also, I think he can be awfully useful to you, but...
But we need him at this time, but I can assure you that I will not... Do you have any concerns about the conflict of interest?
No, no, no, not with Bryce.
We asked Bryce to check with some of the congressional leaders.
As a matter of fact, he suggested that he would.
Yeah, Bryce... Not so much in our interest, but in his interest and your interest.
Right.
Well, in his case, Bryce would just keep him out of anything that might...
be involved.
I don't have anything in mind that he would be operating and that would involve conflict.
But look, he'll check it all out, believe me.
But he is so thoroughly respected that I don't think they're going to raise that point.
Oh, a few people will thrash around some columnists.
It might be a little more sensitive matter.
Yeah, right, now than before.
Than it was before.
They're going about everything, yeah.
Tell me, how's business?
I hope it's good.
Business is good.
Tell me how you're doing.
I bleed for you.
Well, don't you bleed.
Let me do the bleeding, and you do the golfing.
I'll bleed a little.
All right?
All right, fine.
Fine.
Well, we'll look forward to seeing you, Hardin.
I'm very, very grateful.
Right-o.
Thank you.
We're very happy to be able to do it.
Thank you.

NARA Description

On June 12, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Howard Morgan talked on the telephone from 10:34 am to 10:37 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 040-026 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 40-26

Date: June 12, 1973
Time: 10:34am - 10:37 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Howard Morgan.

[See also Conversation No. 937-13A]
                                             -25-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

     Bryce Harlow
          -Neil [sp? - First name or surname unknown]
                -Proctor and Gambles release of Harlow
                       -Service to the United States
          -Role on White House staff
                -Leonid I. Brezhnev’s forthcoming visit
                       -Camp David
                              -Use of Proctor and Gamble products
                -Abilities
                       -Economics
                -Duration
                -Conflict of interest
                       -Harlow’s check
                              -Congressional leaders

     Procter and Gamble
           -Quality of business

     Watergate
          -Effect on President, Morgan

     Morgan
         -Golfing

Also recorded on June 12, 1973

  • 937-006 10:00 AM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:00 am and 10:03 am.
  • 937-008 10:03 AM · 23 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:03 am to 10:25 am.
  • 040-025 10:25 AM · 19 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:25 am.
  • 937-009 10:25 AM · 24 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:25 am and 10:30 am.
  • 937-010 10:25 AM · 20 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:25 am and 10:30 am.
  • 937-011 10:25 AM · 29 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:25 am and 10:30 am.
  • 937-012 10:25 AM · 20 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:25 am and 10:30 am.
  • 937-013 10:30 AM · 48 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Roy L. Ash, and Howard Morgan met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:30 am to 11:15 am.

All 70 conversations from June 12, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 040-026, June 12, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/040-026 (accessed October 12, 2026).