Nixon White House Tapes — Conversation 044-075
Date: Thursday, March 29, 1973 at 5:11 PM
Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Shultz, George P.
Recording device: White House Telephone
Source: https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/044-075

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite it as authoritative.

[0:00] Yes, Mr. President.
[0:02] George, I just wanted to know, in terms of my own remarks here, I understand with our ceiling deal, we plan to keep it in effect indefinitely, but the purpose is to keep it in effect until meat prices begin to go down.
[0:17] Isn't that really what we're saying?
[0:19] Yes, sir.
[0:20] Can I say that?
[0:23] Why don't you look at the, do you have that piece of paper I gave you?
[0:26] Yeah, yeah, I've got that.
[0:27] Well, I say these prices must, the way you've got it, these prices must not go higher.
[0:32] With the help of the housewife and the farmer, they can and should go down.
[0:35] Right.
[0:36] And I want to add this sentence.
[0:37] The seedling will remain in effect as long as necessary to do the job.
[0:41] Get meat prices down.
[0:43] Too strong?
[0:45] I'll put it out if you think it's too tough.
[0:54] Why don't you stop at as long as it's necessary to do the job.
[0:59] Okay.
[1:01] Mr. President, I got a very good piece of news about ten minutes ago from I.W.
[1:06] Abel.
[1:06] Oh, yeah.
[1:07] And the steel union and companies have just signed an agreement for sort of a continuous industrial peace.
[1:17] Great.
[1:17] With a very good wage agreement.
[1:21] from our standpoint, a 3% annual improvement factor and a cost of living protection and an agreement that there will be no strike and no lockout.
[1:32] If any disputes come up, they'll subject them to arbitration.
[1:36] I think this is one of the proofs of the pudding that the strategy you've got us on of confrontation with labor, let's work with them, let's try to provide a good environment, is really working out.
[1:48] Incidentally,
[1:50] Tomorrow morning, you might be kind of busy during the day, but I might make... Abel called.
[2:00] I probably ought to give people Abel and the head of the steel company.
[2:05] I'll get you the two names.
[2:07] Get me the two names.
[2:08] When I come over at 9 o'clock, I'll have them.
[2:10] You come over, and then maybe while you're there, I'll make the call.
[2:13] Oh, that's right.
[2:13] We're meeting in the morning.
[2:14] And if we've got time, your meeting comes first, but if we get through before, I'll make the calls.
[2:19] Okay, sir.
[2:20] Bye.
[2:20] Thanks, George.
[2:20] We'll be watching you, and we'll be briefing beforehand.
[2:23] Oh, sure.
[2:24] You'll knock them dead.
[2:25] You'll knock them out.