President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to discuss the technical operation and maintenance of the White House taping system. The discussion focused on the practical challenges of monitoring recordings in the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, as well as the limited group of personnel privy to the system's existence, including H.R. Haldeman and the Secret Service. The dialogue confirmed the operational status of the equipment and established expectations for the ongoing management of the recording process.
On February 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 7:56 am and 8:58 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 450-001 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 450-1
Date: February 16, 1971
Time: Unknown between 7:56 am and 8:58 am
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Alexander P. Butterfield
White House taping system
-Operation
-Purpose
-Cabinet Room
-Butterfield
-Operation
-Monitoring
-Knowledge of system
-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman
-The President
-Secret Service
Butterfield left at an unknown time before 8:58 amThis 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.