Conversation No. 781-14

Date: September 18, 1972
Time: 11:54 am - 12:16 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with William M. Colmer, Wallis M. Enger, George Ryder, and John E.
Nidecker.
                                              19

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                       (rev. Oct-06)


[The White House photographer was present at the beginning of the meeting.]

            Greetings

            Seabees
                -Installations
                     -Santa Barbara, California
                          -Port Hueneme
                -The President's World War II experiences in South
                Pacific
                     -Guadalcanal, Vella Lavella, Green Island, Bougainville
                     -Seabee mess facilities
                     -Bravery

            [Photograph session]

            Memorial
               -Arlington, Virginia
                    -Memorial Bridge
               -Felix de Weldon

            Seabee Gazette
                -Ryder

            22nd Regiment
                -Commander White

            White
               -St. Lawrence Seaway

            Refreshments

            Seabees
                -Compared to Army Corps of Engineers

            Signing of House Joint Resolution [H.J. Res.] 55 bill
                -Honoring 1st US Naval Construction Brigade
                -Honorary Seabee
                    -Emblem
                                                20

                     NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                     Tape Subject Log
                                       (rev. Oct-06)

            [Photograph session]

            The President's naval experience
                -Tour of duty during World War II
                    -Seabees
                         -Guadalcanal, Vella Lavella, Bougainville, Green Island
                         -Bombing
                              -Work on airstrip

            Memorial

            [General conversation]

                 -New Jersey, New York
                    -New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers

Enger, Nidecker, and Ryder left and William E. Timmons entered at 12:03 pm.

            Busing
                -Pending legislation
                    -Constitutional amendment
                        -Colmer’s view
                        -The President’s view
                        -Prospects
                        -Timing
                        -Moratorium
                    -James B. Allen
                        -House of representatives of Alabama
                        -Senate
                    -Political benefits
                    -The President’s policy

Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 12:03 pm.

            Refreshments

Manolo Sanchez left at an unknown time before 12:16 pm.

            Busing
                -Pending legislation
                    -Carl B. Albert’s efforts
                                  21

         NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                          Tape Subject Log
                            (rev. Oct-06)


Private bill
    -Colmer’s efforts
    -Relief of Claire Broll
         -Possible veto
             -Veteran’s affairs
         -Legislative history
         -Edward M. Kennedy
             -Fred R. Harris
                  -Democratic Party
         -Hugh Scott
         -Possible precedent
             -Colmer’s view
             -Background
                  -Lieutenant in Navy
                  -Transfer to Air Force as Captain
                  -Walter Reed Army Medical Center
                       -Women accepted as Volunteer Emergency Service
                       [WAVES]
                         -Dwight D. Eisenhower’s military staff
                       -Medical malpractice claim
                         -Eye operation
         -Report to the President
             -Defense Department

1972 campaign
    -Tricia Nixon Cox
         -Mississippi
    -Support from Mississippi
         -The President
         -Colmer's prediction on vote
    -Mississippi candidates
         -James O. Eastland
             -Gilbert Carmichael
                  -John N. Mitchell
         -John L. McClellan
         -Colmer's assistant, Trent Lott
             -Gerald R. Ford
         -Ballot
         -Eastland
             -The President
                                               22

                       NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                       Tape Subject Log
                                         (rev. Oct-06)

                  -Colmer
                      -Political dinner in Pascagula, October 28, 1972
                          -Ford
                          -Film
                          -Telephone call
                          -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon, Cox, Julie
                           Nixon Eisenhower
                          -Lott

             Presentation of gift by the President

             Legislative action
                 -Deadline

Colmer and Timmons left and Alexander P. Butterfield entered at 2:16.

             The President's schedule
                 -John H. Kyl, Don H. Clausen
                     -Forthcoming bill signing
                          -Photograph session
                          -White House gifts
                               -Pins
                                   -Wives
                               -Cuff links
                 -September 17, 1972 Italian festival
                     -Priest
                          -Watch

Butterfield left at 12:17 pm.