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Conversation 044-149

TapeTape 44StartWednesday, April 11, 1973 at 1:34 PMEndWednesday, April 11, 1973 at 1:37 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Bull, Stephen B.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon coordinates the logistics of his upcoming trip to Camp David with his aide, Stephen B. Bull. Nixon expresses a desire for privacy and solitude, explicitly requesting to drive himself without an escort, motorcade, or staff accompaniment. He further instructs Bull on his return schedule by helicopter and notes his intention to use the time away primarily for reading and working on an energy message.

Presidential travelCamp DavidLogisticsExecutive privacyEnergy policy
AudioNARA Description

On April 11, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull talked on the telephone from 1:34 pm to 1:37 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 044-149 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 044-149

Date: April 11, 1973
Time: 1:34 pm-1:37 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Stephen B. Bull.

       President's schedule
             -Camp David
                    -Transportation
                          -San Clemente
                    -Ronald L. Ziegler's briefing
             -Energy message
             -Return to Washington, DC
                    -Helicopter
             -National Security Council [NSC] meeting
             -Transport
                    -Motorcade
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Yes, sir.
Steve Bell.
Steve, I've decided that I'm going to drive up there because I want to see some of the flowers and so forth in the way.
The way this will be worked out, and this is under the strictest orders, is the way I've taken the drives at San Clemente.
All right, sir.
And the way you do it is to simply tell Ron that you can press about a half hour.
I'm afraid I'll leave at
The party thing will leave about 3.30 from here with just the, you know, the follow-up car, sir.
The follow-up car plus a regular limousine-type car that I can sit in the back with the window in between and I'll take my briefcase.
And I don't have anybody with me.
And we can press half our letter that I've driven up to Camp David for tonight.
All right, sir.
And...
And he can, let's see, I think I'm working on the energy message.
Energy message, all right, sorry.
Would you like anyone to go with you?
No, I don't want anybody in the car.
I don't want to be bothered.
Do you want a secretary up there tonight, Mr. President?
No, no, no.
I won't need anybody.
I don't plan to do that kind of work.
I'm just going to do some reading.
All right, sir, fine.
I'm back by helicopter.
So they should plan to have the helicopter leave at 9 o'clock in the morning.
That's fine.
That'll get you back in time for the NFC.
And be sure that the helicopter is landed away from the trees because they're just to the point they'd be all blown off.
Yes, sir.
All right.
That's fine.
All right, sir.
I'll take care of it.
I understand.
We'll go drive.
But I don't want a motorcade, and I don't want an escort ahead.
No police escort.
Same way.
We went in San Clemente, and they can be informed half-hour or half-hour afterwards.
Fine.
Thank you, sir.
Bye.
Bye.
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