Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Wage and price controls
136 conversations · page 2 of 2 · frequently with Nixon, Shultz, Bull, Stein
President Nixon consulted with William Safire regarding the administration's official position and messaging strategy concerning the Pay Board. The discussion centered on the President's personal views on the Board's activities and incorporated the perspective of Treasury Secretary John B. Connally. This meeting served to refine the administration's public statement to ensure alignment on wage and price control policy.
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leaders and cabinet officials to strategize on the administration's legislative agenda, specifically focusing on revenue sharing, welfare reform, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act. The discussion addressed the political and procedural challenges of implementing a busing moratorium and the importance of countering Democratic criticism regarding the economy. Nixon emphasized the need for a unified party strategy to leverage economic accomplishments and maintain pressure on Democratic opponents leading into the 1972 election cycle.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to discuss the coordination of international economic business, directing Bull to oversee Peter Flanagan in a manner similar to former Treasury Secretary John Connally. Nixon emphasized that Flanagan requires guidance in this field and stressed the need for strict adherence to the projected federal budget. Additionally, Nixon instructed that the administration must maintain a public stance favoring the removal of wage and price controls leading up to the election.
President Nixon met with George Shultz, John Ehrlichman, and others to discuss international economic policy ahead of an upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting. Shultz presented a systematic plan for currency convertibility and reserve management, which Nixon approved for use in his upcoming IMF address. The conversation also covered the potential for wage and price control adjustments following the 1972 election and finalized the decision to provide Secret Service protection for Senator Edward M. Kennedy based on specific threats.
President Nixon and Charles Colson discussed campaign strategy for the 1972 election, focusing primarily on undermining George McGovern’s attempts to make the Watergate scandal a central campaign issue. Colson advised that the administration should temporarily ignore McGovern’s accusations to allow him to overplay his hand, noting that McGovern’s increasingly aggressive public persona was hurting his standing with voters. The two also reviewed polling data and coordinated surrogate messaging, deciding to pivot their own attacks toward McGovern’s vulnerable positions on wage and price controls.
President Nixon met with Charles W. Colson to refine campaign strategies for the 1972 election, focusing heavily on shifting public attention toward issues that disadvantaged Democratic challenger George McGovern. They discussed exploiting McGovern’s positions on grain exports and wage controls, while also coordinating labor outreach through figures like George Meany. Additionally, they assessed the political fallout of the ongoing Watergate investigation, with Nixon expressing a desire to maintain distance from the controversy and manage public perception via friendly media channels.
President Nixon met with United Paper Makers International Union leader Joseph P. Tonelli and members of his administration, including Secretary of Labor James D. Hodgson, to discuss labor relations and union support for the administration's policies. Tonelli expressed strong approval of Nixon's foreign policy and his approach to economic stabilization, while the group discussed specific legislative concerns regarding pulp and paper industry trade. They also addressed the importance of establishing the National Commission for Industrial Peace to improve labor dispute resolution as an alternative to economic strikes.
President Nixon met with leaders of various building trades unions to discuss their ongoing collaboration with his administration and their formal endorsement of his re-election. The participants addressed labor-management relations, the future of wage and price controls, and the administration’s commitment to providing union representation in high-level government positions. Nixon praised the group for their support of his foreign policy and national security objectives, while the labor leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the President despite the neutrality stance held by the broader AFL-CIO.
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 his economic advisors and staff, including George Shultz, Arthur Burns, and Caspar Weinberger, to coordinate administration messaging and planning for the post-election period. The discussion focused on maintaining a firm stance on congressional spending, specifically concerning upcoming vetoes of water and education legislation, and establishing a strategy for economic policy, including the transition of wage and price controls. Nixon emphasized the need for long-term domestic initiatives and urged his team to use the post-election period for deep reflection and strategic planning rather than immediate political reaction.
Prime Minister Edward Heath called President Richard Nixon to offer his congratulations on Nixon's 1972 reelection victory. The two leaders discussed the implementation of wage and price controls, sharing insights on managing union opposition and garnering public support. Additionally, Nixon provided a brief update on the progress of Vietnam peace negotiations, noting that Alexander Haig was traveling to Saigon and that further developments were expected shortly.
President Nixon met with George Shultz and John Ehrlichman to discuss the administration's economic strategy and preparations for the second-term transition. The conversation focused heavily on the management of wage and price controls, inflation mitigation, and labor relations, including potential appointments to the Productivity Commission and the Commission on Industrial Peace. Additionally, the group addressed the reorganization of the Treasury Department, international trade policy, and the potential role of Peter G. Peterson as a special representative for economic affairs.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming daily schedule and logistical arrangements. The discussion focused on managing meetings with George P. Shultz regarding wage, price, and trade policies, as well as organizing a photo opportunity with journalist Saul Pett. Additionally, they reviewed travel plans for the President's upcoming departure to Key Biscayne.
President Nixon met with key staff and George Shultz to discuss administrative priorities, including the upcoming second-term reorganization, press relations, and economic strategy. Discussions centered on the continuation of wage and price controls, the development of new trade negotiation authority, and managing congressional relations for upcoming legislative initiatives. Additionally, the President reviewed proposals for a scholarly book project by Patrick Buchanan and provided guidance on navigating personnel decisions, specifically regarding energy policy and Federal Reserve appointments.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull, Rose Mary Woods, and Marjorie P. Acker to review administrative and scheduling matters. The group discussed the President's attendance at the upcoming Harry S. Truman memorial service and protocols for receiving foreign officials, as well as the scheduling of a bipartisan congressional meeting regarding wage and price controls. Additionally, the President and his staff organized the inventory and placement of various Christmas gifts, including wine, antique artifacts, and personal items.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull discussed logistical arrangements for the upcoming memorial service for Harry S. Truman, focusing specifically on diplomatic protocol and reception requirements. Nixon expressed skepticism toward Henry Kissinger's recommendation for a broader diplomatic reception, ultimately deciding to limit his personal involvement to meetings with visiting heads of state to avoid an unmanageable guest list. They also briefly touched upon scheduling a separate meeting regarding wage and price controls with congressional leaders, including Mike Mansfield and William Proxmire.
President Nixon consulted with Stephen B. Bull to coordinate his upcoming daily schedule and manage the logistics for an official visit from British Prime Minister Edward Heath. The President provided specific instructions for meetings regarding wage and price controls with George Shultz, John Ehrlichman, and Herbert Stein, while also finalizing details for appointments involving Kenneth Cole, Frederic Malek, and Roy Ash. Regarding the Heath visit, Nixon outlined a preferred itinerary featuring a formal White House dinner followed by informal meetings at Camp David, emphasizing a desire to keep the American delegation strictly limited to avoid unnecessary State Department or bureaucratic presence.
President Nixon met with George Shultz, Herbert Stein, and John Ehrlichman to strategize on economic messaging and upcoming policy announcements, specifically regarding the Cost of Living Council and rising food prices. They discussed plans to implement targeted administrative actions—such as reducing export subsidies and adjusting stockpiles—to mitigate inflation while framing congressional overspending as the primary threat to the nation's economic prosperity. Nixon emphasized the need for an aggressive public relations campaign to highlight the administration's economic record and to shift the political burden for potential fiscal instability onto the Democratic-controlled Congress.
President Nixon met with members of the Pay Board and Price Commission to review the accomplishments of the Economic Stabilization Program's Phase II and discuss the transition into Phase III. The group evaluated the program's success in curbing inflation and managing the economy, while addressing challenges such as rising food prices, the global energy crisis, and the necessity of maintaining labor and business cooperation. Nixon expressed his appreciation for the board members' service and dedication, formally signaling the shift in responsibility for the next phase of economic policy.
President Nixon met with Arthur Burns and George Shultz to coordinate the administration's economic response to a worsening international monetary crisis and trade deficit. The group finalized plans for a 6.5% dollar devaluation and discussed strategies to secure trade revaluation agreements with Japan and European partners. Additionally, they reviewed talking points for upcoming congressional testimonies, emphasized the need for continued wage and price control efforts, and addressed the potential bankruptcy of a railroad company.
President Nixon met with his economic advisors to address rising inflation, specifically focusing on the political and economic instability caused by soaring food prices and labor's wage demands. He instructed his team to aggressively bypass bureaucratic resistance and increase the supply of commodities by selling off federal stockpiles and grain surpluses to stabilize the market. Nixon emphasized the need for a more visible and proactive administration stance, including the possibility of issuing a white paper on the food situation to reassure the public and unions.
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 met with the Labor-Management Advisory Committee, including George Shultz, John T. Dunlop, and various labor and business leaders, to discuss the ongoing management of the national economy and inflation. The discussion centered on the successes and challenges of the administration's economic stabilization efforts, particularly the transition from Phase II to Phase III of wage and price controls. Participants deliberated on the importance of maintaining public confidence and business compliance, with the President emphasizing the need for continued cooperation between labor and management to ensure stability without excessive government intervention.
President Nixon directed Office of Management and Budget Director Roy Ash to contact John B. Connally to solicit his advice and assistance on several administration priorities, including energy policy, export promotion, tax legislation, and wage and price controls. Nixon expressed concern over the political optics of Connally’s potential involvement in energy, given Connally’s known business interests in Soviet and Middle Eastern gas deals. Ash agreed to coordinate with Connally, acknowledging the need to balance utilizing Connally's expertise while insulating the administration from criticisms regarding his private sector ties.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull reviewed the President’s schedule, focusing specifically on logistics for an upcoming meeting with John B. Connally. Nixon directed Bull to coordinate a series of preliminary briefings for Connally with administration officials including George P. Shultz, Charles J. DiBona, Roy L. Ash, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. to discuss economic, energy, and White House policy issues. The President emphasized the need for these meetings to occur before his private consultation with Connally to ensure an productive exchange regarding potential assignments.
President Nixon and Treasury Secretary George Shultz met to discuss the management of the national economy and the public perception of the administration’s Phase III wage and price controls. Shultz argued that Phase III should be viewed as a flexible administrative process rather than a static system, noting that progress was being made in wage bargaining with major unions like the Teamsters. Nixon affirmed his skepticism toward dramatic interventions, such as a price freeze, and emphasized his commitment to achieving a balanced budget for fiscal year 1974 as a key economic priority.
President Nixon met with his economic advisors and staff to discuss growing concerns over inflation, the stock market, and the public's perception of the economy. The group analyzed the potential effectiveness of various measures, including a possible excise tax on gasoline, an investment tax credit, and a compulsory savings plan, while considering the political challenges of implementing such a package with Congress. Ultimately, the President decided against immediate, piecemeal action, opting instead to have his advisors develop a comprehensive economic package for review at a follow-up meeting.
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 M. Haig, Jr. met to discuss a range of pressing administrative issues, including strategies for handling Watergate-related legal matters, particularly regarding Bebe Rebozo's involvement with Howard Hughes' contributions. They also addressed personnel appointments, including potential roles for Peter G. Peterson and Ellsworth Bunker, and debated the implementation of a 60-day national economic freeze. The President directed Haig to ensure that his economic team, led by George Shultz, thoroughly prepared all policy options—including the freeze—while utilizing Camp David facilities to facilitate their work.
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.
President Nixon met with Alexander Haig to discuss personnel and political strategy regarding Watergate, specifically focusing on the role of Attorney General Elliot Richardson. Following this, Nixon convened with John Connally, George Shultz, Herbert Stein, and John Dunlop to debate the administration's economic response to mounting Congressional pressure for a wage and price freeze. The group evaluated various options, ultimately deciding on a strategy that balanced political necessity with the risks of economic uncertainty, while preparing for a follow-up consultation with labor and management leaders.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig met to discuss strategies for managing the national economy, including potential wage and price controls, and to coordinate preparations for the upcoming visit of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The two also addressed personnel matters regarding Attorney General Elliot Richardson and assessed the political impact of the ongoing Watergate investigation. Nixon expressed frustration with the political nature of the Ervin Committee hearings and the handling of potential immunity for figures like John Dean.
President Nixon met with the President's Advisory Committee on Labor-Management Policy to discuss the state of the national economy and potential strategies for curbing inflation, specifically focusing on the recent surge in food prices. Participants, including key labor leaders like George Meany and Leonard Woodcock, debated the merits of various policy options, including a possible price freeze versus maintaining the flexibility of Phase III controls. Nixon emphasized his administration's goal of returning to a free economy while acknowledging the need for potential short-term actions to restore public confidence and address the public's anxiety over rising costs.
President Nixon met with Secretary of the Treasury George Shultz to discuss the administration's economic policies, specifically the challenges surrounding wage and price controls and the need for greater congressional cooperation. Amidst the ongoing Watergate investigation and staff turnover, Shultz expressed personal frustration and a desire to depart his post, but Nixon strongly urged him to remain, emphasizing Shultz's indispensable expertise and credibility in managing the economy. The two agreed to delay any final decision regarding Shultz's tenure, scheduling a follow-up meeting in California to further evaluate the administration's future course.
President Nixon met with his economic advisors and Cabinet members to debate the design of 'Phase IV' of his economic program, focusing on the appropriate speed for removing wage and price controls. The discussion centered on balancing the political need to curb inflation with the economic necessity of incentivizing production, particularly in the agricultural sector, where export controls and price ceilings had created supply shortages. The President and his team also addressed the critical need for a balanced federal budget to bolster business confidence, ultimately agreeing on the necessity of a tough, credible policy to stabilize the economy.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and his Cabinet to discuss the transition from the current wage and price freeze to a "Phase IV" economic policy. The President emphasized the need to balance controlling inflation with maintaining domestic production, while acknowledging the political difficulty of removing controls due to congressional and public pressure. Key developments included the administration's resolve to move toward a free-market economy as quickly as possible, coupled with a renewed commitment to fiscal austerity and a balanced federal budget to bolster economic confidence.