Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Wage and Price Freeze
25 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Haldeman, Shultz, Bull
President Nixon met with George P. Shultz to orchestrate a comprehensive and dramatic economic package, including a wage-price freeze, the closing of the gold window, and potential import taxes. The President emphasized the need for strict message control to prevent leaks from officials like McCracken, Peterson, and Connally, which could trigger a run on the dollar. Shultz was tasked with preparing materials for Congressional testimony and coordinating with Arthur Burns regarding the implementation of the Wage and Price Board, with the President stressing that the effort must appear decisive to restore public confidence.
President Nixon and George Shultz met to evaluate the current state of the national economy and assess the feasibility of implementing a wage and price freeze to combat inflation. They discussed various economic indicators, including retail sales and GNP, while considering the necessity of a dramatic policy shift to stabilize the business environment. Additionally, the pair coordinated on administrative matters, specifically the postponement of federal pay increases and staffing levels for the Jobs for Veterans program.
President Nixon met with his staff and advisors to organize a crucial upcoming strategy session at Camp David regarding his forthcoming economic program. The discussion focused on finalizing the details of his August 16, 1971, address, specifically addressing the closing of the gold window, the implementation of import taxes, and the mechanics of a wage-price freeze. Nixon emphasized the need for decisive action and strict control over the bureaucratic process to ensure a coherent policy rollout, while also addressing ongoing concerns regarding school desegregation and busing litigation.
President Richard Nixon met with John N. Mitchell to finalize preparations for the administration's major economic policy announcement, specifically the upcoming wage and price freeze. The two discussed key components of the new program, including tax incentives, budget cuts, revenue sharing, and the decision to close the gold window. They also coordinated the President's schedule, including an upcoming cabinet meeting and the rollout of his national address regarding these fiscal measures.
This recording captures the final preparations, technical coordination, and immediate post-broadcast critique of President Richard M. Nixon's televised address titled "The Challenge of Peace." During the Oval Office session, Nixon and his staff focused on broadcast mechanics, including camera positioning, lighting, and stage cues for his landmark announcement of a new economic policy. Following the speech, in which Nixon unveiled a 90-day wage and price freeze and suspended the convertibility of the dollar, the President discussed broadcast feedback and administrative scheduling with his team.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to assess the public and political reception of the President's August 15 economic address, discussing strategies to maintain the momentum of his new policy. They evaluated the positive reactions from business leaders and discussed upcoming PR tactics, including the use of photographs from Camp David and orchestrating television appearances to frame the President as a bold, decisive leader. The conversation also touched upon coordinating with figures like Nelson Rockefeller and John Mitchell to ensure ongoing support and manage political fallout from economic decisions such as the wage-price freeze and budget cuts.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, John Connally, Charles Colson, and other advisors to assess the public and economic response to his recently announced domestic economic program. The participants discussed the reaction of the stock market, business community, and media to the wage and price freeze, while strategizing on managing political credibility and legislative support. The discussion also addressed necessary administrative adjustments to welfare reform and federal budget cuts, as well as preparations for upcoming briefings with Congressional leaders.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to assess the overwhelmingly positive press coverage and market reaction following the administration’s recent economic policy announcements. The discussion focused on leveraging the current momentum, including potential political strategies for dealing with Democratic opponents and coordinating a strategic, unannounced visit to the New York Stock Exchange. Additionally, the President reviewed pending matters such as textile negotiations with Japan and decided against meeting with the Mayor of West Berlin to avoid political complications.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss the positive reception of a briefing led by Treasury Secretary John Connally regarding the administration's recent wage and price freeze. They review the successful Cabinet turnout and evaluate the effectiveness of Arthur Burns and the Vice President’s involvement in promoting the President's vision. Additionally, the pair touches upon antitrust concerns involving ITT and Richard McLaren, as well as the performance of Cabinet members like George Romney during recent proceedings.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Alexander Butterfield met to coordinate the President's public messaging strategy and administrative appointments. The discussion centered on the importance of repetitive, consistent messaging across upcoming speeches to ensure the administration's core economic policies resonated with the public. Additionally, the group reviewed potential personnel assignments, specifically evaluating the roles of Peter G. Peterson and Donald Rumsfeld regarding the wage and price freeze and the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
President Nixon met with Treasury Secretary John Connally to strategize the implementation of the administration's new national economic program, including potential interest rate adjustments and a wage and price freeze. They evaluated the public and political reception of these policies, specifically discussing reactions from Congressional leaders and labor figures like George Meany. Additionally, the pair assessed international market volatility, including the status of the dollar and gold prices in response to the President's economic initiatives.
President Nixon met with George Shultz and John Mitchell to address pressing domestic challenges, including economic policy during the Phase I wage-price freeze, ongoing labor disputes like the West Coast dock strike, and the legislative strategy for the 1972 federal budget. The group discussed the political and legal complexities of the Justice Department's Will Wilson situation and the potential for granting executive clemency to Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa to secure labor support for the 1972 election. Nixon instructed his advisors to maintain a firm public stance on these issues while continuing to navigate the potential political risks associated with his administration's economic and personnel decisions.
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 and Charles Colson discuss the administration's political strategy for passing legislation related to the wage and price freeze and the upcoming transition to Phase II of the economic program. They review favorable stock market trends and positive congressional feedback regarding the President's scheduled speech to Congress. The participants also coordinate a plan to leverage Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur F. Burns as a primary spokesperson to bolster public and congressional support for the administration's economic initiatives.
H. R. Haldeman briefed President Nixon on the overwhelmingly positive reception to his recent address to Congress, citing feedback from Cabinet members, national newspaper editors, and political figures. Participants across the spectrum praised the President's leadership, delivery, and ability to capture the public mood regarding economic policy and post-freeze stability. Haldeman confirmed that while some Democrats like Hale Boggs requested more specifics on future economic stabilization, the overall momentum remained strongly in the President's favor.
President Nixon and Charles Colson reviewed the positive political and public reception of the President's recent speech to Congress, specifically highlighting successful outreach to Republican legislators and labor leaders. They discussed the tactical importance of maintaining control over the narrative regarding the transition from the temporary wage and price freeze to 'Phase II' of the economic program. To mitigate market uncertainty, they decided that Secretary John B. Connally should emphasize the administration's strategic planning and commitment to long-term inflation control during upcoming public communications.
President Nixon spoke with Hobart D. Lewis to express appreciation for Lewis's leadership of the Business Advisory Commission. The two men discussed the challenges of transitioning from the 90-day wage and price freeze into "Phase II," emphasizing the critical need for public support and self-policing to curb inflation. They also touched upon the necessity of maintaining firm relations with labor groups while promoting themes regarding the dignity of work.
President Nixon met with Robert Dole, Alexander Haig, and H. R. Haldeman to discuss political strategy, the administration's wage and price freeze, and foreign affairs. A significant portion of the conversation centered on the Attica state prison riots, where Nixon expressed support for Governor Nelson Rockefeller's refusal to grant amnesty to the rioters. Additionally, the participants reviewed Dole's recent trip to the Far East and evaluated potential Democratic opponents and general campaign messaging for the 1972 election.
President Nixon consulted with George P. Shultz to coordinate strategy for an upcoming meeting with Congressional leaders regarding economic policy. They discussed the effectiveness of the current wage and price freeze, analyzed positive economic indicators such as rising housing starts and GNP projections, and debated the handling of upcoming economic legislation. The pair specifically addressed the need to secure a deadline extension for economic programs to ensure ongoing legislative support and administrative success.
President Nixon expressed urgent frustration to Charles Colson regarding the lack of public mail support reaching Congress for his proposed pay deferral legislation. Nixon noted that legislative leaders, including Gerald Ford, reported being overwhelmed by opposition from government unions while receiving no backing from business groups like the NAM or the Chamber of Commerce. The President directed Colson to immediately mobilize these organizations to generate a substantial letter-writing campaign before the upcoming Tuesday vote.
President Nixon instructed Raymond K. Price, Jr. to compile letters from citizens who are experiencing financial hardship due to the wage and price freeze but remain supportive of the policy. The President intended to use these anecdotes in an upcoming speech to illustrate the public's willingness to prioritize national interest over personal gain. Price was tasked with identifying several representative excerpts from working-class individuals, such as labor workers, to serve as impactful examples for the audience.
President Nixon instructed speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. to incorporate specific public feedback regarding the administration’s wage and price freeze into an upcoming address. The President requested that the draft feature a diverse array of examples from thousands of letters, highlighting support from various demographics such as union members, housewives, and retirees. This effort aimed to demonstrate broad, grassroots approval for the economic policy through a punchy and representative narrative.
President Nixon hosted entertainer Pat Boone, his family, and associates for a tour and social visit in the Oval Office. During the meeting, Nixon presented his guests with mementos while providing historical context about the office's furnishings and the White House. The participants also engaged in a brief discussion praising the President's recent leadership decisions regarding foreign policy and the national economy, specifically noting his upcoming diplomatic initiatives and wage-price controls.
President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss ongoing political damage control regarding the Watergate scandal, specifically focusing on efforts to implicate previous Democratic administrations in illegal wiretapping. Nixon and Haig strategize on maintaining pressure on figures like Joseph Califano and McGeorge Bundy by highlighting hypocrisy regarding past surveillance practices. Additionally, the pair reviews economic policy, including potential wage and price controls on gas and food, and confirms the scheduling of upcoming meetings, including one with John Connally.
President Nixon consulted with Gerald Ford and Hugh Scott regarding legislative strategy, specifically potential vetoes for the Minimum Wage Bill and the necessity of including a youth differential. The group coordinated scheduling changes for upcoming Cabinet and bipartisan Congressional meetings to better align with the President's upcoming Vietnam and Brezhnev summit briefings. Additionally, Nixon discussed economic policy concerns, expressing skepticism toward a prolonged wage and price freeze, and dismissed concerns regarding a speech by Representative Pete McCloskey about impeachment.