President Nixon met with labor leader Joseph T. DeSilva, Willie J. Usery, Jr., and Charles W. Colson to discuss labor support for his reelection campaign and economic policies. DeSilva offered his personal endorsement, critiquing current union leadership while advocating for wage stabilization and increased job opportunities over welfare. The participants examined strategies for securing support among working-class voters and the political landscape regarding Nixon's administration.
On September 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Joseph T. DeSilva, Willie J. Usery, Jr., Charles W. Colson, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:05 pm to 12:24 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 774-017 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 774-17
Date: September 11, 1972
Time: 12:05 pm - 12:24 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Joseph T. DeSilva, Willie J. Usery, Jr., and Charles W. Colson.
[Stephen B. Bull and members of the press were present at the beginning of the meeting.]
Greetings
Labor Department
-Staff
-John R. Steelman
-DeSilva's view
-Staff
Political endorsement
(rev. Oct-06)
-Labor officials
Television
-DeSilva's program
-San Clemente
Economy
-The President's recovery programs
-Wage controls
-Political implications
-Retail Clerks International Association convention
-Hawaii
-Thomas F. Eagleton
-James T. Housewright
-George S. McGovern
-Republican National Convention
-The President's recent Labor Day message
-National Commission for Industiral Peace
-DeSilva's meeting with Michael H. Moskow, James D. Hodgson
-Wage stabilization program
-DeSilva's view
-Welfare
-Increasing job opportunities
-Welfare compared to foreign aid
-United Nations [UN]
Central Labor Council of Los Angeles
-Endorsement
-DeSilva's view
-McGovern
-Unknown California labor official
-John Hingt (?)
-Ronald W. Reagan
-DeSilva's endorsement
-California
-Growth of Retail Clerks Union
-Housing
-International Brotherhood of Teamsters
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
-Court packing plan
(rev. Oct-06)
-Idea of balancing power
-National Labor Relations Board [NLRB]
-Working man
-American Federation of Labor - Council of Industrial Organizations [AFL-CIO]
-Courts
-Republican and Democrat Presidents
-Labor leadership
-George Meany
-DeSilva's view
-AFL-CIO
-Diversified rank and file
-Voting patterns
-McGovern
-John L. Lewis
-Roosevelt
-Miners
Issues
-Ending of Vietnam War
-DeSilva's view
National patriotism
-Chris Schenkel
-American Boradcasting Company (ABC) News
-The President's view
-Idea of appreciation
-Ray Seales
-US track team
-Harvey Harris
DeSilva's contacts
-Support for the President
-Gene Wynan
-Thomas Kuchel
-Forthcoming dinner
-Wynan
-Clarine V. Mills
-Eagleton
-Congressional races
-Kuchel
(rev. Oct-06)
DeSilva's background
-California
-New York
-California
-Labor union work
-1960
-Support for the President
-John F. Kennedy
-James R. ("Jimmy") Hoffa
-Earl Warren, Goodwin Knight, Reagan
-Administration support
-The President's view
-Usery
-Colson
Job opportunities
-Blacks
-Welfare
-Employment
-Moskow
-Job Corps
-Minorities involvement
-Olympic significance
-Wilt Chamberlain
-Employment of blacks
DeSilva's home
-North Hollywood, California
-James C. Corman
Meeting
-Cancellation
Presentation of gifts
DeSilva et al. left at 12:24 pm.
(rev. Oct-06)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.