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Conversation 724-001

TapeTape 724StartMonday, May 15, 1972 at 1:39 PMEndMonday, May 15, 1972 at 2:29 PMTape start time00:26:37Tape end time00:31:13ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Bull, Stephen B.;  Butterfield, Alexander P.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield to finalize logistics for several upcoming events, including a meeting with John Cardinal Krol and a large reception in the Blue Room. Discussions focused on scheduling the Cardinal’s visit aboard the Sequoia and coordinating protocol for the reception, specifically the introductions of guests and the flow of the receiving line. Nixon emphasized the need for efficient crowd management and clear identification of attendees to streamline the social proceedings.

Presidential SchedulingSequoiaWhite House ProtocolSocial EventsJohn Cardinal Krol
AudioNARA Description

On May 15, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:39 pm and 2:29 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 724-001 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 724-1

Date: May 15, 1972
Time: Unknown between 1:39 and 2:29 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Stephen B. Bull.

     President' schedule
          -John Cardinal Krol meeting
                 -Length
                 -Time

Alexander P. Butterfield entered at 2:25 pm.

                -Attendees
                     -Charles W. Colson
                     -John D. Ehrlichman
                -Location
                     -Sequoia
                -Photograph opportunity
                -Time of departure
                     -Mount Vernon
                -Transportation

Bull left at an unknown time before 2:29 pm.

           -Blue Room reception
                -Introductions
                      -Military aide
                      -Clement E. Conger
                      -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
                -Number of attendees
                -Location of receiving line
                -Remarks in East Room
                -Conger's role
                      -Mrs. Nixon

Butterfield left at an unknown time before 2:29 pm.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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 don't know how I'm going to be able to meet him during that time.
Well, he won't be staying close to me for an hour.
Hey, so, talk to him, before you get on with Sequoia, too.
Well, I've got to find my talk with him on the Sequoia.
Well, perhaps we may wish you either to eliminate the names out of the cardinal role, or cut it down to significant money.
Yeah, we'll get to Robinson, but we, I mean, I'll see you in here briefly and get a picture taken.
But I want to suggest that, uh, I'll see you here at 5.30, and then we meet together at 5.45.
This way, you're at 1.30 prior to sunset.
Sunset's at 8.15, starting at 8.00.
You know, I think we can go to 5.00, 5.30, or 5.15, as you like.
I might as well charge a little bit more.
Take an hour and a half, I think.
You know what I'm saying?
I just thought you might want some additional driving time.
With him?
No, no, no.
I'd just rather get that over with.
We don't have to.
We go down there and get back and be on the river most of the time.
Well, then what do you want to do at about 5 o'clock?
5 o'clock.
5 o'clock.
5 o'clock.
5 o'clock.
5 o'clock.
5 o'clock.
5 o'clock.
5 o'clock.
I'll write him a letter.
I mean, the old gentleman, the old man.
Yeah, yeah.
Everyone else will meet you down there.
You ready for something else, sir?
Yeah.
With regard to the thing that I have, a military aide is not confident to handle that crowd, of course, because he doesn't know what I'm saying.
Yeah.
So you better see a contractor who's used to working protocol, see if he can't do the
I don't want it to take too long.
You just discuss it with him.
People over there, be sure they don't order, but just see that it's all right if they come in and check with us.
That's what she's like.
So he can tell me who these people are when they come through, and I don't have to study the list.
Yes, sir?
Yeah, but not too long on this one, because it's a long ball.
So if you work it out, it's pretty good.
OK.
I'd say there's 1,000.
1,000, but I'm saying about 650 would count.
This says 800.
I think that's conservative.
It's still a big group.
Twice as much as the worship service.
Sir, they're standing out of the room.
Yes, sir.
Yes, and then they go out of the room.
Where do we receive them?
Uh, the south end of the blue room.
The blue room.
Put your bags to the south end.
We'll go in that blue room.
Yes, we'll see.
Oh, fine.
And they go rushing through there.
And also, sir, the right room.
Upstairs.
except that we're not, we've got to see them.
We received them immediately.
Yes, sir.
Right.
And, uh, what do you say if he reminds the East Room?
Oh, yeah, the East Room.
Then go to the building where I received them.
Very good, sir.
Just work it out.
Just, uh, tell the Lightning Department section about it that I thought maybe he ought to introduce the people since he didn't.
Say, who the hell are you?
I'm Chief.
Say it.
Right, sir.
Secretary's here, sir.
Okay.
Hi, John.
How are you?
Hello, Mr. President.
Art Burge sent a copy of the speech that I've been reading.
Has anybody disagreed with you at all?
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