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Conversation 045-042

TapeTape 45StartMonday, April 30, 1973 at 10:20 PMEndMonday, April 30, 1973 at 10:32 PMParticipantsWhite House operator;  Nixon, Richard M. (President);  Graham, William F. ("Billy")Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon speaks with the White House operator to rectify confusion regarding current call-screening protocols following restrictive instructions issued by Bruce Kehrli. Nixon clarifies that while routine calls should be routed through Rose Mary Woods, he insists that all calls from Cabinet members be put through to him directly. After settling these administrative procedures, the President approves the connection of an incoming call from Reverend Billy Graham.

White House protocolsCall screeningCabinet relationsRichard NixonBilly Graham
AudioNARA Description

On April 30, 1973, White House operator, President Richard M. Nixon, and William F. ("Billy") Graham talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:20 pm and 10:32 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-042 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 45-42

Date: April 30, 1973
Time: Unknown between 10:20 pm and 10:32 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The White House operator talked with the President.

      Telephone call from William F. (“Billy”) Graham

      Instructions to switchboard concerning calls
            -Bruce A. Kehrli’s instructions
            -Rose Mary Woods
            -Cabinet members
            -Graham

Graham can be heard at the end of the conversation before the call was cut off.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

The president?
Yeah.
The president.
Reverend Billy Graham is calling you.
No, no.
No.
Operator.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Harleman just told me that you've been instructed not to put calls through.
No, I haven't heard any member of the cabinet except Weinberger and the others put all calls through to me directly right now.
Do you understand that?
Yes, I do, sir.
We have been instructed not to.
Who instructed you not to?
Mr. Curly gave us different people to call.
No.
All right.
Any calls that come in to me, you know,
Not available.
Put them to... First, Ms. Woods will screen them.
All right.
Put them to her.
All right.
But honey, any calls from cabinet members are to me directly.
You understand?
Yes, I do, sir.
All right.
And you don't want to talk to Mr. Graham now.
Oh, I'll talk to him.
All right.
Sure, sure, sure, sure.
Hello?
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