On September 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, William M. Colmer, Adm. Wallis M. Enger, George Ryder, John E. Nidecker, White House photographer, William E. Timmons, Manolo Sanchez, and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:54 am to 12:16 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 781-014 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation 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.
(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
(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
(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
(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.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.