Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Cost of Living Council
32 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Shultz, Bull, Connally
President Nixon attempted to reach Arnold R. Weber, the former executive director of the Cost of Living Council, to discuss pending business. After being informed by the White House operator that Weber was en route to the airport, the President spoke briefly with Weber’s secretary, Mrs. Lee, to confirm his availability. The conversation concluded with the understanding that the President would follow up with Weber’s office the following morning.
President Nixon met with economic advisors, including George Shultz and Paul McCracken, to discuss the implementation and public perception of the ongoing 90-day wage and price freeze. The group evaluated the challenges of enforcing economic policies across various sectors—notably teachers and professional athletes—while emphasizing the need for productivity-based bargaining and management strategies for the transition to 'Phase II.' Nixon praised the staff's morale and dedication, highlighting the importance of avoiding a permanent bureaucratic 'straitjacket' while ensuring the economy remained stable leading up to the November deadline.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and John Connally to strategize the administration's economic messaging following the initial 90-day wage and price freeze. The participants discussed the need to maintain political momentum and proactively manage public expectations regarding the forthcoming "Phase II" economic program, emphasizing that Nixon should frame the transition as a controlled, deliberate process. They agreed that Connally, acting as chair of the Cost of Living Council, would lead public consultations and prepare for a formal announcement of the follow-up plan by October 7, 1971, to prevent political opponents from seizing the initiative.
President Nixon and Secretary of the Treasury John Connally met to coordinate the transition from the Phase I wage and price freeze to the forthcoming Phase II economic program. They discussed the political necessity of setting a firm announcement date to counter public perceptions of administrative inactivity. The two agreed that establishing a specific deadline would demonstrate control and resolve regarding the administration's long-range economic strategy.
President Nixon met with the Cost of Living Council to assess the implementation and public reception of the 90-day wage-price freeze initiated on August 15, 1971. The council members, including John Connally, George Shultz, and Arthur Burns, reported on the effectiveness of enforcement efforts, current compliance levels, and the complexities of handling exemption requests. The discussion shifted toward strategic planning for Phase II, emphasizing the need for sustainable economic policies, public leadership, and the critical role of securing support from business and labor leaders before the freeze's conclusion.
President Nixon and George Shultz discuss the need to curb public speculation by administration officials regarding the structure of the upcoming Phase II wage and price controls. Nixon expresses concern that comments from cabinet members, specifically Maurice Stans, prematurely signal policy decisions and undermine the administration's credibility. To maintain control over his options, Nixon instructs Shultz to issue a memorandum directing officials to refrain from speculating on the final program until a formal decision is announced.
President Nixon and H.R. Haldeman reviewed and adjusted the President’s upcoming schedule to better accommodate Secretary John Connally's preparations for a press conference and to optimize the format of Cabinet and legislative leader meetings. They decided to cancel an unproductive Friday session, opting instead to consolidate updates on the Cost of Living Council’s Phase Two policies and foreign policy summit preparations into a Tuesday afternoon block. Additionally, they coordinated a meeting with Senator Russell Long to discuss pending legislative business.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to coordinate the announcement of Donald Rumsfeld's new role as director of operations for the Cost of Living Council. The group also collaborated with William Safire on speech drafts and messaging regarding favorable economic indicators, specifically focusing on declining industrial and wholesale prices. Throughout the discussion, the President emphasized the importance of framing these economic developments positively to build public confidence in his administration's policies.
President Nixon rehearsed his televised address to the nation regarding the next phase of his economic policy following the initial 90-day wage and price freeze. He outlined the creation of a Price Commission and a Pay Board to oversee continued economic stabilization while soliciting bipartisan support from Congress for the extension of the Economic Stabilization Act. The rehearsal session served to refine the administration's messaging on inflation control, voluntary cooperation, and the appointment of Donald Rumsfeld to lead the Cost of Living Council operations.
President Nixon and George Shultz discuss the need to maintain a unified administration front regarding economic policy following recent statements from John Connally. Nixon expresses concern that members of the Cost of Living Council, specifically George Romney, Maurice Stans, and Arthur Burns, might publicly dissent or criticize the administration's stance. Shultz agrees with the President's suggestion to have Donald Rumsfeld coordinate the message to ensure that business leaders and other officials understand the strategic importance of securing labor's cooperation on wage settlements.
President Nixon met with George P. Shultz to discuss the operations and public perception of the Cost of Living Council (COLC). The two leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the council's effectiveness and managing its public image. They agreed on the necessity of coordinating these efforts among a select group of key officials to ensure consistent policy communication.
Charles W. Colson attempted to reach Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur F. Burns to relay positive feedback regarding the market's response to Burns' recent policy announcement. Upon learning that Burns was attending a Cost of Living Council meeting, Colson left a message with Burns' office praising the Chairman's dividend decision. Colson noted that the market's 14-point rise was attributed to the statement, and he requested that this enthusiasm be conveyed to Burns as he prepared a supportive memorandum for President Nixon.
President Nixon and the Cost of Living Council convened to discuss the efficacy of the administration's economic stabilization program, specifically the transition from Phase I to Phase II. Participants evaluated the success of existing price and wage controls and addressed the future of the Pay Board and Price Commission ahead of the 1972 calendar year. The meeting concluded with a formal vote to adopt an amendment to 'Option 2' regarding economic policy adjustments.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the President's upcoming daily schedule, specifically reviewing appointments with John B. Connally and George E. Allen. They discussed the logistics for an upcoming Cabinet meeting, which included agenda items concerning John A. Volpe's reports and Phase II economic policies. Additionally, the pair coordinated the scheduling and press strategy for the Cost of Living Council meeting involving Donald Rumsfeld and other economic officials.
President Nixon met with Pay Board Chairman George H. Boldt and Price Commission Chairman C. Jackson Grayson to discuss the ongoing challenges of Phase II of his economic stabilization program. The discussion focused on the political and economic friction surrounding the issue of retroactivity for labor contracts and the necessity of prioritizing public policy over individual contract enforcement to curb inflation. The participants also coordinated their strategy for an upcoming public meeting with the Cost of Living Council, emphasizing the need for brief, unified messaging to demonstrate the stability and progress of their efforts to the American public.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and later H. R. Haldeman to coordinate various administrative tasks, scheduling matters, and public relations efforts. Discussions included the career status of labor mediator J. Curtis Counts, the logistics for upcoming presidential holiday appearances, and the scheduling of a meeting between John B. Connally and the President regarding the Cost of Living Council. Additionally, the participants reviewed personal correspondence and debated the nature of the modern presidency compared to previous administrations.
President Nixon met with members of the Cost of Living Council and other key economic advisors to assess the efficacy of Phase II wage and price controls. The discussion focused on controlling inflation, managing food prices, and navigating political pressures from organized labor and Congress. Participants evaluated the impact of economic policies on the public interest and discussed strategies for future price stability across various sectors.
John B. Connally, George P. Shultz, Donald H. Rumsfeld, and Richard B. Cheney met to discuss economic stabilization policies and the operational status of key administrative bodies. The participants reviewed the activities of the Price Commission and the Cost of Living Council, including ongoing hearings and the impact of price controls on specific commodities like steer hides. The discussion also addressed the economic distribution of price increases between farmers and other industry stakeholders, as well as the administrative coordination between the Pay Board and various government agencies.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed political strategy for the 1972 campaign, focusing on delegitimizing Democratic challenger George McGovern by highlighting his extreme platform positions. They reviewed current economic policy concerns, including inflation and the Cost of Living Council's management of government meat procurement, while agreeing to minimize direct engagement with businessmen. Furthermore, the President directed Colson to ensure that administration talking points regarding recent press conferences were effectively distributed and utilized by surrogates.
President Nixon met with the Cost of Living Council to address surging food and meat prices, emphasizing the need to combat inflation without imposing direct price controls. The discussion focused on managing supply-side pressures, including reduced military food stockpiles and potential adjustments to meat import policies, while coordinating a "jawboning" strategy to encourage price restraint among industry leaders and labor unions. Nixon urged the council to publicly highlight the administration's commitment to fighting inflation while cautioning against speculating on a price freeze, which he warned would destabilize the market.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods, John D. Ehrlichman, and several visitors, including NFL legend Jim Brown, to discuss campaign political strategies, administrative personnel, and minority business initiatives. The discussion covered concerns regarding campaign financing, the potential for political leaks, and the status of government staff. Following the departure of Woods and the visitors, Nixon and Ehrlichman reviewed upcoming meetings with George Romney and the Cost of Living Council to address public relations challenges regarding food prices and government staffing.
President Nixon met with Patrick J. Buchanan and Stephen B. Bull to dictate a memorandum outlining economic talking points for a new fact sheet. Nixon emphasized the need for a more dramatic and effective presentation of the administration's economic successes, specifically comparing U.S. growth rates, inflation reduction, and consumer food costs favorably against international benchmarks. He directed Buchanan to refine these statistics to better illustrate how the American worker has gained ground against inflation compared to the 1966–1969 period.
President Nixon met with the Cost of Living Council to review the administration’s economic performance and coordinate strategy regarding inflation, labor relations, and food prices ahead of the 1972 election. Council members, including George Shultz and Donald Rumsfeld, discussed measures to protect Social Security recipients from illegal rent increases and highlighted the relative success of U.S. wage and price controls compared to foreign nations. The President directed his team to maintain an affirmative, disciplined public messaging campaign, emphasizing that the U.S. was achieving growth and reduced inflation without the reliance on wartime spending seen in the 1960s.
President Nixon met with John T. Dunlop and several senior administration officials to formalize Dunlop’s appointment as the new chair of the Cost of Living Council. The discussion centered on the challenges of implementing Phase III of the administration's economic policy, specifically emphasizing the necessity of fiscal restraint and cooperation from labor and management to combat inflation. Nixon expressed his confidence in Dunlop’s unique ability to bridge the gap between business and labor interests to stabilize food prices and the broader economy.
President Nixon met with aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his daily schedule and manage upcoming administrative tasks. The discussion focused on logistical arrangements for presidential speeches on crime and drugs, as well as the scheduling of meetings involving cabinet members and the Cost of Living Council. Additionally, the pair addressed appointments with White House Fellows and members of Congress, with the President emphasizing the need for efficiency in managing his time and personal interactions.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull coordinated scheduling logistics for an upcoming meeting with Secretary of State William P. Rogers, with Henry Kissinger also under consideration. The discussion focused on finalizing a time slot between 2:00 and 2:30 PM, while briefly touching upon golf arrangements and potential delays concerning the Cost of Living Council. Bull was tasked with confirming the logistics to ensure the meeting proceeded as planned.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman coordinated administrative strategies, focusing on a directive for subordinates to identify and address government surpluses across departments like Defense and the GSA. They discussed the political optics of the President’s recent public statements, noting media coverage and the utility of highlighting how outlets like the Washington Post chose to ignore presidential initiatives. Additionally, they reviewed political messaging regarding the 'new majority,' criticized the media’s failure to report on the administration's positive outreach to minority leaders, and agreed to shift the tone of Secretary Earl Butz’s public comments on food prices to appear more empathetic to consumers.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman coordinate preparations for an upcoming Cost of Living Council meeting, emphasizing the need for realistic goals, deadlines, and direct reporting through the OMB. They discuss personnel issues regarding Attorney General Richard Kleindienst’s attendance, ultimately agreeing to have Donald Santarelli represent the Justice Department. The conversation also briefly touches on the progress of a draft for an upcoming veterans speech and a speculative proposal for a wrap-up address to a joint session of Congress.
President Nixon and George Shultz discuss the political risks associated with the pending Economic Stabilization Act conference report. While they express frustration over unfavorable provisions like mandatory disclosure of business profits and wage exemptions, they ultimately conclude that the risk of losing the legislation entirely outweighs these concerns. Nixon decides against supporting Gerald Ford’s attempt to defeat the report in the House, directing his team to manage the bill's implementation instead. The conversation also touches on political tensions regarding the emigration of Soviet Jews and the potential impact on upcoming summits.
President Nixon and Melvin R. Laird called AFL-CIO President George Meany to personally inform him of Laird's appointment as Counselor to the President for Domestic Affairs. During the conversation, Laird clarified that his new role would include overseeing the Cost of Living Council and wage-price policy. The participants agreed to meet once Meany recovered from a recent bout of tendinitis to discuss these economic issues in greater detail.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig coordinate logistics for a dinner meeting on the Sequoia with Bryce Harlow and John B. Connally, while discussing administrative efficiencies regarding the Cost of Living Council. Nixon directs Haig to consult with John T. Dunlop on strengthening the economic speech, specifically by incorporating trade tariff removals and aggressive measures to address rising food prices. Key policy considerations include the potential implementation of a price freeze on basic agricultural commodities like soybeans to signal resolve to the public.
President Nixon and John B. Connally discussed the urgent need for a comprehensive national economic policy to combat severe inflation characterized by rising wholesale prices. Connally advised the President that the current piecemeal approach was inadequate, recommending a 60-day price freeze followed by mandatory controls, along with potential tax surcharges and credit restrictions to cool the overheated economy. The participants agreed that a bold, decisive action was necessary, and Connally committed to presenting these proposals to economic advisors to prepare for a formal announcement by the President.