Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 799 › Conversation 799-033

Nixon & Townsley

Monday, October 16, 1972 · 4:52 PM–4:53 PM ET · Oval Office · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Townsley, JosephConversation799-033 on Tape 799StartMonday, October 16, 1972 at 4:52 PMEndMonday, October 16, 1972 at 4:53 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 799-033 ↗ · National Archives Catalog, NAID 417181863 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon met briefly with Joseph Townsley to discuss logistical frustrations regarding outgoing telephone communications and the efficiency of the White House switchboard. The conversation centers on the President's desire for improved responsiveness from his staff, specifically regarding instructions previously given to Lacey. The interaction highlights the administrative challenges and pressures Nixon faced in managing his immediate communications workflow during this period.

Audio

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NARA Description

On October 16, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Joseph Townsley met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:52 pm to 4:53 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 799-033 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 799-33

Date: October 16, 1972
Time: 4:52 pm - 4:53 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President talked with Joseph Townsley.

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[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift 12/12/2022.
Segment cleared for release.]
[Personal Returnable]
[799-033-w001]
[Duration: 1m 3s]

[See Conversation No. 031-072-w001]

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

Download transcript (.txt) · JSON data

Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).

I think what they are doing is creating a life that they should call and place an action on, because I, you know, I, uh, I think they just don't want to.
You told, you wanted to.
Yes, sir, I told Lacey to call.
Lacey will let them wait if necessary.
If I can get a phone right from here, I'll get a better response.
Yes, Mr. Dean, well, I already came in with the president's calls.
They've only come through before, so far as present.
I think it's just for the recording, just for the recording.
I've got to get on with this.
I have to move faster.
Seriously.
I can't go.

Also recorded on October 16, 1972

  • 031-069 4:45 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 4:45 pm.
  • 799-031 4:46 PM · 32 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:46 pm and 4:49 pm.
  • 031-071 4:49 PM · 39 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and William M. Fast talked on the telephone from 4:49 pm to 4:51 pm.
  • 799-032 4:49 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and William M. Fast met in the Oval Office of the White House from 4:49 pm to 4:51 pm.
  • 031-072 4:52 PM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Joseph Townsley talked on the telephone from 4:52 pm to 4:53 pm.
  • 031-073 4:53 PM · 54 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 4:53 pm and 4:59 pm.
  • 799-034 4:53 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:53 pm and 5:01 pm.
  • 799-035 4:53 PM · 28 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 4:53 pm and 5:01 pm.

All 103 conversations from October 16, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 799-033, October 16, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives (NAID 417181863). Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/799-033 (accessed November 15, 2026).