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Conversation 046-013

TapeTape 46StartFriday, May 11, 1973 at 3:00 PMEndFriday, May 11, 1973 at 3:01 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Bull, Stephen B.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon directed Stephen B. Bull to move the signing ceremony for the Rural Electrification and Telephone Program to 3:30 p.m. in the Executive Office Building to accommodate his departure for Camp David. Emphasizing privacy, Nixon strictly forbade any press coverage or on-the-record status for his travel to Camp David, citing his frustration with being followed by press vehicles. He explicitly ordered Bull to ensure that all future presidential drives remain off the record.

Rural Electrification AdministrationPresidential schedulingCamp DavidPress relationsExecutive Office Building
AudioNARA Description

On May 11, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull talked on the telephone from 3:00 pm to 3:01 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-013 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 46-13

Date: May 11, 1973
Time: 3:00 pm - 3:01 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Stephen B. Bull.

[See also Conversation No. 434-25]

     President’s schedule
           -Signing ceremony [Rural Electrification and Telephone Program]
                 -Timing
                       -Drive to Camp David
                       -Rural Electrification Administration [REA] representative
                 -Earl L. Butz and J. Philip Campbell
                 -Location
                       -Privacy
                       -Executive Office Building [EOB]
           -Drive
                 -On-the-record
                 -Unmarked car
                 -Press coverage
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

I'd like to get that signing over a little earlier because I might want to drive to Camp David to look at the flowers.
All right, sir.
What time would you like to do it?
What time have you got now?
It's about three minutes past three.
Why don't we do it at 3.30?
All right, sir.
Well, understand, this is a private signing.
That means just Butts and me.
Is that right?
Butts and Campbell and the REA man, sir.
Okay, fine.
Why don't we do it just right over in your office since it's private in the U of A and you can go right from...
It'd be very good for a change.
Okay, fine.
Can this be on the record, your drive, sir?
Hell no.
No, sir.
No, not until we've left.
All right, then we'll use the unmarked...
Do you understand why it can't be on the record, Steve?
God damn it.
If we are on the record, we've got 14 press cars and photograph cars following us.
There ain't going to be that anymore.
You understand?
Yes, sir.
There will never be an on-the-record drive again.
Ever.
You understand?
Yes, sir.
Okay.
Very well.
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