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This file contains:
Copy of a memo from John Dean to Haldeman and Woods RE: the suggested response to a letter from Katherine Timberlake. Handwritten response added by Haldeman on original. 2 pgs. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 6/23/1971
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26145317
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WHSF: Contested, 8-54
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26145317
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document
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WHSF: Contested, 8-54
description
This file contains:
Copy of a memo from John Dean to Haldeman and Woods RE: the suggested response to a letter from Katherine Timberlake. Handwritten response added by Haldeman on original. 2 pgs. [Subject: Personal] [Memo], 6/23/1971
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Contested Materials Files
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26145317
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Contested Materials Collection
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Document Type
Document Description
8
54
6/23/1971
Personal
Memo
Copy of a memo from John Dean to
Haldeman and Woods RE: the suggested
response to a letter from Katherine
Timberlake. Handwritten response added by
Haldeman on original. 2 pgs.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Page 1 of 1
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 23, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR:
H.R. HALDEMAN
ROSE MARY WOODS
FROM:
JOHN DEAN
Q
SUBJECT:
Suggested Response to Letter
from Katherine Timberlake
On June 1, 1971, Katherine Timberlake, the granddaughter of
Edith Milhous Timberlake, wrote the letter attached at Tab A.
Prior to mailing the letter, copies were distributed to the
press in California. To date limited press coverage has been
given to the letter. Upon receipt of the letter here Frank DeMarco
was contacted and asked to work with Ed Nixon in the handling of
this situation. Ed Nixon indicated that he had no rapport with
this side of the family and he knew nothing regarding the circum-
stances which may have led to the letter.
On Wednesday, June 16, DeMarco called Katherine's father,
Dr. Philip Timberlake in Newport, California. He stated that
"the less done the better. 11 He felt Katherine sent the letter for
publicity, and that she had set it up with the press beforehand.
He stated, "no one in the family expects that the President
either could or should do anything. 11 He feels Katherine got the
attention she was seeking. Dr. Timberlake stated he is willing
to help Katherine, but she does not want his help. The State
Department of Welfare has been in touch with Dr. Timberlake
as a result of her welfare application. He is also receiving mail
as a result of the publicity. DeMarco talked with Mrs. Timberlake
on June 17, 1971. At that time she voiced her concern for her
daughter and expressed a willingness to help if she could, but
apparently also feels there is little she can do. She feels that
a letter from the President would put the matter to rest.
-2-
DeMarco has also tried to telephone Katherine, but found that she
does not have a telephone and can only be reached by leaving a
message at a bar she sometimes visits. Also, DeMarco does
not feel that he really has anything to say, if he should reach her.
I told DeMarco to discontinue his telephone efforts until we resolved
the question of responding to her letter.
I do not feel that we should leave the letter unanswered. The press
is watching for and asking about a reply, and there is always the
possibility of an attempted suicide. To date, the response to
questions from the press regarding the letter has been that this
is a "personal matter. 11 If something were to happen to Katherine
that relates to the general plight she describes in the letter, it
would subject the President to criticism for his failure to at least
answer her letter. It is anticipated that Katherine will release
any reply to the press. Attached at Tab B for approval is a
suggested response.
Ziegler and Price approve.
Approve OKly me - Rose agrees.
Disapprove
Comment