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Conversation 010-131

TapeTape 10StartThursday, October 7, 1971 at 12:48 PMEndThursday, October 7, 1971 at 12:51 PMTape start time04:14:17Tape end time04:17:46ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Safire, William L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AudioNARA Description

On October 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and William L. Safire talked on the telephone from 12:48 pm to 12:51 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 010-131 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 10-131

Date: October 7, 1971
Time: 12:48 pm - 12:51 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with William L. Safire.

[See Conversation No. 285-22]

     Phase II speech, October 7, 1971
          -Text of draft
                -Phrase change
                      - Controls of inflation
                           -Wording
                -Additions by the President
                      -Removal of controls
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

yeah mr sapphire sir yeah you are yes sir i have one thought that uh may be just a little bit of a problem uh where we uh where we say what we will and will not do the third point we will continue price and wage restraints until the inflationary pressures ease up but we will not make controls of permanent future of life i think somebody could seize on the ease up as being
I think we better say are brought under control or something.
You get my point?
Are curbed.
Until inflationary pressures are curbed.
I see.
Pressures are dampened.
No, not dampened.
Ease up is too soft.
They'll say, well, they're going to give up too hard.
We can't really say in that context inflation has stopped.
No, no, no, no.
I know that.
I know why you say ease up.
But until the pressionary pressures, I think, really are brought under control is what it is, isn't it?
Well, wait a minute.
I'm using my old reaction about the word control.
It's no longer valid.
We've got it in here, but we will not make controls a permanent feature of American life.
You're using control.
That is very good.
Nice play.
We brought up the control, but we're not making controls a permanent thing.
Hold a minute.
But we will not make controls a permanent feature of American life.
Now, I'm going to add something there on an ad lib basis, not on the text, even though it will sort of destroy your nice little balances you have here.
I'm going to say, but we will not make controls a permanent feature of American life.
When they are no longer needed, we will get rid of them.
I think that needs to be said for reasons that are very, very fundamental because of my own convictions.
And I think the idea of you're looking up and adding it in.
When they are no longer needed, we will get rid of them.
And I just think it's good to say it.
and the way if we raise it this way we will continue pricing wages trance until because we said earlier we're going to stay in this battle till we win it now that's very strong but i want to also say when they are no longer needed we'll get rid of it because the hardest thing we're going to have bill is get rid of these goddamn things and also there will come a time it might even come before the election when we're going to have to get rid of a lot of it
on the ground that, you know, rent controls could be stopping housing and some things could be stopping this and business should be cool and it's breaking down and so forth.
When they're no longer needed, we'll get rid of it.
Instead of when, you want to say as soon as?
Well, yeah, I could say that.
Fine, something like that.
Whatever comes natural, right?
Yeah, yeah, fine, fine.
Okay, I'll be standing by.
Yeah, yeah, all right, let me see on that.
Okay.
Let's see.
Alright, fine.
Thanks, Bill.
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