Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Wilbur D. Mills
35 conversations · frequently with Nixon, Flanigan, Mills, Bull
President Nixon met with his key advisors to strategize on complex textile trade negotiations with Japan, focusing heavily on the complicating influence of Representative Wilbur Mills. The participants evaluated the viability of voluntary Japanese import controls versus potential restrictive domestic legislation. Nixon and his team sought to coordinate their administrative position to balance industry pressure, congressional involvement, and diplomatic relations with the Japanese government.
President Nixon, Harry Dent, and Peter Flanigan discussed the status of delicate textile trade negotiations with Japan and the administration's strategy regarding potential legislative action. The group evaluated the influence of Representative Wilbur Mills and other key industry stakeholders, aiming to align domestic political support with the administration’s trade goals. Nixon finalized plans for a forthcoming public statement to address voluntary restraints, ensuring the administration's stance on trade and monitoring remained distinct from congressional maneuverings.
President Nixon met with his aide Stephen B. Bull to coordinate upcoming logistical requirements for his schedule. The discussion centered on organizing a meeting with John D. Ehrlichman and Wilbur D. Mills. Additionally, the pair addressed the arrangement of official photographs to document these interactions.
President Nixon and Peter Flanigan discussed strategies for handling recalcitrant textile trade negotiations with Japan and addressing perceived overreach by Congressman Wilbur Mills. The President rejected a soft approach, insisting on a forceful public stance and the preparation of tough, direct legislation to pressure both the Japanese and Congress. Additionally, Nixon directed staff to clarify his firm support for the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) system, specifically ordering a public refutation of reports suggesting he or nominee James C. Fletcher harbored doubts on the matter. Finally, they reviewed the progress of William J. Casey’s Senate confirmation process, noting successful efforts to neutralize opposition.
President Nixon met with John Byrnes and senior White House staff to coordinate a unified Administration strategy against House Ways and Means Chairman Wilbur Mills regarding ongoing Japanese textile negotiations. Concerned that Mills was bypassing the White House to conduct his own foreign policy, Nixon directed Byrnes to publicly support the President’s official position and reject the implication that congressional leaders held a veto over executive authority. The group finalized a plan for the President to issue a formal statement that afternoon, followed immediately by Byrnes endorsing the policy to the press to solidify Republican unity.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place a telephone call to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills of Arkansas. The primary purpose of this communication is to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and the influential Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. No further policy discussions or substantive developments occur during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Rose Mary Woods to coordinate his upcoming schedule, specifically regarding the logistics of hosting Jack and Helene Drown at Camp David and managing various social engagements for the First Lady. The discussion emphasized the President's need for privacy at Camp David to prepare for a television interview and meet with Henry Kissinger. Additionally, Nixon briefly spoke by telephone with Representative Wilbur D. Mills to acknowledge a White House tour provided to Mills' family.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills of Arkansas. This administrative interaction served as the necessary bridge to facilitate a direct discussion between the President and the powerful Ways and Means Committee Chairman. No further substantive policy matters were discussed during this brief connection.
President Nixon and Treasury Secretary John B. Connally reviewed the President’s recent press conference, agreeing that the press corps’ aggressive questioning highlighted media bias to the American public. They expressed frustration that the media ignored key domestic issues such as the economy and revenue sharing, despite Nixon being fully prepared to address them. The conversation concluded with Nixon providing strategic advice to Connally regarding his upcoming appearance before Representative Wilbur D. Mills to advocate for revenue sharing legislation.
President Nixon met with Peter G. Peterson, Harry S. Dent, and Peter M. Flanigan to formulate a strategy for ongoing international textile trade negotiations. The participants discussed securing favorable import terms with Taiwan and Japan while navigating the political interference of Representative Wilbur D. Mills, who was reportedly pushing for a quota bill to bolster his own political ambitions. The group decided to pursue a conditional agreement that secures the best possible terms for the industry, followed by a coordinated effort to pressure domestic industry leaders into public and legislative support to avoid a politically damaging confrontation with Congress.
President Nixon directs the White House operator to place individual telephone calls to Representative Wilbur D. Mills and Representative John W. Byrnes. Additionally, he requests a call to Kenneth R. Cole Jr., noting that Cole is currently hospitalized. These instructions facilitate the President's outreach to key legislative figures and a White House staffer.
President Nixon calls Congressman John W. Byrnes to express appreciation for his collaboration with Wilbur D. Mills in securing legislative support for H.R. 1. The two discuss the political difficulty of rebranding the bill's provisions, specifically refuting public criticism that the legislation constitutes a 'guaranteed annual income' by emphasizing work requirements. Nixon notes his intention to lobby Senator Russell B. Long to ensure the bill's continued progress in the Senate.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to initiate a telephone call to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills. This brief exchange served solely as a logistical request to establish communication with the influential legislator. The conversation concluded immediately after the operator acknowledged the request to connect the President.
President Nixon consulted with a White House operator to facilitate an urgent communication with Congressman Wilbur D. Mills at his Arkansas residence. After the operator reported an inability to reach the Congressman, the President instructed the operator to stop pursuing him at that location. Nixon ultimately decided to leave instructions for Mills to return the call rather than continuing further attempts to track him down.
President Nixon and Robert H. Finch discuss the positive reception of the President's recent address to Congress, noting the display of leadership and the enthusiastic reaction from members of Congress during an election year. They review the ambitious legislative agenda, which includes revenue sharing, government reorganization, welfare reform, and the new economic policy. A central focus of the discussion is the need to maintain political momentum and exert pressure on Wilbur Mills to ensure progress on the administration's economic and welfare initiatives before the November deadline.
President Nixon and Clark MacGregor strategize the rollout of a formal presidential statement regarding pending tax legislation. Nixon instructs MacGregor to draft the statement in the third person for his review and outlines a plan to brief key congressional leaders. The strategy involves providing last-minute courtesy notice to Wilbur Mills and Russell Long while giving Republican and Democratic allies advance warning to ensure they are prepared to publicly support the measure.
President Nixon initiates a request for the White House operator to place a telephone call to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills. While the specific nature of the discussion is not preserved in this brief segment, the communication indicates an attempt to establish direct contact with the influential Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. This interaction highlights the President's ongoing efforts to engage with congressional leadership on legislative matters.
President Nixon initiated a brief telephone request to the White House operator to be connected with Congressman Wilbur D. Mills. The conversation served as a logistical step to facilitate direct communication between the President and the influential Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. No further policy discussion occurred during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and Alexander Butterfield met to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule, specifically focusing on the legislative progress of a pending tax bill. Nixon discussed the necessity of contacting Representative Wilbur D. Mills to secure the bill's passage. Butterfield was tasked with facilitating the communication and managing the timing of this engagement.
President Nixon met with Congressman Wilbur D. Mills to exchange congratulations regarding the successful passage of pending legislation, likely related to economic or tax policy. The brief discussion served to affirm their ongoing collaboration, with Mills expressing his readiness to intervene or provide further support if the legislative process requires additional executive pressure. Nixon acknowledged the congressman's contributions, solidifying the coordination strategy for the remainder of the session.
President Nixon calls Nelson A. Rockefeller to exchange Christmas greetings and discuss domestic and foreign policy priorities. Nixon requests that Rockefeller contact a discouraged Henry Kissinger to offer support regarding the administration's handling of the India-Pakistan War. Additionally, they discuss the status of federal revenue sharing legislation, with Nixon encouraging Rockefeller to anticipate its passage when planning the New York state budget.
President Nixon instructed the White House operator to place an urgent call to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills. The President specified that the operator should attempt to reach Mills at his home in Arkansas or at his office if he was currently in Washington, D.C. This request was a precursor to a subsequent conversation between the two men.
President Nixon called Congressman Wilbur D. Mills to express concern regarding Mills’s recent back injury and to recommend a personal physician, Dr. W. Kenneth Riland, who also treated other prominent political figures. The two men discussed treatment options and potential scheduling for a consultation once Mills returned to Washington. During the call, Nixon also briefly conversed with Mills’s granddaughter and mother, maintaining a cordial and personal rapport.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman met to review the President’s daily schedule, specifically discussing an upcoming breakfast meeting with Wilbur D. Mills and a session with Soviet Minister of Foreign Trade Nikolai S. Patolichev. The conversation included a reference to former President Harry S. Truman in the context of the meeting with Mills. No further substantive policy decisions or developments were recorded during this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and Charles Colson consulted regarding strategy for an upcoming press conference, specifically focusing on how to address potential inquiries about Congressman Wilbur D. Mills. The discussion centered on managing the political optics surrounding Vietnam policy, particularly regarding troop withdrawal, as well as the administration's position on pending tax reform legislation. The participants aimed to formulate a cohesive public stance to effectively counter legislative opposition.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman discuss the successful House passage of a spending ceiling, which passed with a larger-than-expected margin due to intensive lobbying by cabinet members and a decisive floor speech by Wilbur Mills. Following this victory, the two coordinate a strategy to pressure the Senate, scheduling a meeting with key senators for Thursday morning to push for a cloture vote. The conversation also touches on ongoing efforts by Charles Colson to capitalize on George McGovern's controversial statements regarding amnesty and foreign policy.
President Nixon instructed the Camp David operator to place a telephone call to Representative Wilbur D. Mills. The President explicitly prioritized this connection over a pending call with Charles W. Colson, directing the operator to hold the latter until Mills was reached. This interaction reflects the President's urgent need to coordinate with the powerful House Ways and Means Committee Chairman.
President Nixon received a brief update from the Camp David operator regarding the status of Congressman Wilbur D. Mills. The operator informed the President that Mills was currently traveling and would initiate a return phone call upon his arrival home. Nixon acknowledged the message and confirmed his availability to receive the call at any time.
President Nixon and Congressman Wilbur Mills coordinated legislative strategy to secure support in the Senate Finance Committee for a pending bill involving debt limits, Medicare, and welfare. Mills encouraged Nixon to convene a private, Republican-led meeting with key Senators, specifically mentioning Len Jordan and Harry F. Byrd, Jr., to build momentum while avoiding obstruction from Russell Long. The two agreed on a strategy to compromise on specific bill provisions, such as disability and widow's benefits, to ensure passage while keeping the administration's legislative team, including William Timmons and John Veneman, fully informed.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman discuss political strategy regarding the 1974 budget and the congressional confirmation of Peter M. Flanigan. They deliberate on press messaging to leverage opposition against potential tax increases and review the responsiveness of Democratic leaders like Wilbur Mills to the administration's firm fiscal stance. Additionally, the President briefly addresses administrative scheduling with Stephen B. Bull regarding upcoming meetings, including sessions with POW wives.
President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met briefly to review the logistics of the President’s afternoon schedule. Their discussion focused on coordinating a series of appointments, including meetings with John D. Ehrlichman and Wilbur D. Mills, the swearing-in of John T. Dunlop, and tea with Alice Roosevelt Longworth. The brief exchange concluded with a confirmation of the President's planned departure time.
President Nixon initiates a request through the White House operator to place a telephone call to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills. The conversation serves solely as an administrative coordination to facilitate direct communication between the President and the Representative. No substantive policy matters or further details were discussed during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Congressman Wilbur D. Mills discussed the implementation of a 15% selective tariff surcharge to address international trade imbalances and the perceived failure of the Smithsonian Agreement. Mills argued that such drastic measures were necessary to force international cooperation, noting that he planned to issue a press release to pressure the administration into adopting this stance. Additionally, the pair briefly discussed the looming risk of a domestic milk shortage and potential regulatory adjustments to fluid milk and dairy prices to prevent supply deficits.
President Nixon directed the White House operator to place a telephone call to Congressman Wilbur D. Mills of Arkansas. This request initiated communication with a key legislative leader during the 93rd Congress. No further developments were recorded in this brief administrative exchange.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to review the daily news summary and discuss ongoing media relations. The conversation centered on the President's approval of specific editorials and the general tone of White House staff coverage in the press. Additionally, the participants touched upon the activities of Wilbur Mills and briefly reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule.