President Nixon and Rex W. Scouten discussed various logistical and renovation projects at the White House, specifically focusing on the construction of a new bowling alley and necessary improvements to the shop and kitchen areas. They deliberated on financial strategies for these projects, including how to categorize expenses as government-funded write-offs versus contributions from private donors. Additionally, the pair addressed staffing concerns, specifically the difficulty in recruiting white house staff and the optics regarding the racial composition of the butler corps during state visits.
On February 21, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Rex W. Scouten met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:38 pm to 12:49 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 859-036 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 859-36
Date: February 21, 1973
Time: 12:38 pm - 12:49 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Rex W. Scouten.
Pictures
Scouten’s schedule
White House redecoration plans
-Draperies
-Equipment
-Carpet
-Wall color
-Foundations
-Expense
Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon
-Color selections
Shop area
-Expense
-[Intermediate maintenance facility ?] [IMF]
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. Nov.-09)
Conversation No. 859-36 (cont’d)
-Equipment
-Draperies
-Improvement
-Write offs
-Fire system
-Sprinkling system
-Estimate
White House bowling facility
-Costs
-IMF estimate
-Equipment
-Write offs
-Improvements
-Kitchen
-Need for renovations
-Air conditioning
-Replacement
Shop area
-Improvements
-Storage space
-Ceremonies
-Warehouse
-Airport
-Location
Renovation of White House
-Contributions
-Costs
-Equipment
-Memorandum
-Bruce A. Kehrli
-Donations
-Amounts, costs
-Write offs
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. Nov.-09)
Conversation No. 859-36 (cont’d)
White House bowling alley
-Cost of renovation
-Recreation area
-Controls
-Chairs
-Mrs. Nixon
-Preferences
Estimate
Renovations
-Contributions
-Write offs
-Questions
-Answers
-Source of funds
-Boeing people
-Friends of the President
-Press relations
Butlers
-Filipinos
-Role
-Race of butlers
-White servers
-Lower class
-John [surname unknown]
-Foreign visitors
-Whites
-Camp David
-Difficulties in recruiting
-Caterers
-Cubans
-Security classification
Scouten left at 12:49 pm.
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. Nov.-09)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.