Ask the Scholar

On February 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, John D. Ehrlichman, and William E. Timmons met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:34 am to 10:05 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 862-004 of the White House Tapes. Topics include: The President met with Stephen B. Bull. President's meeting - John D. Ehrlichman [?] - H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman Ambassador Camp David - Weather - Transportation Henry A. Kissinger's schedule - Barbara Walters's show - Taping Meeting on US economy John D. Ehrlichman entered at 9:35 am. - Kissinger's attendance - George P. Shultz [?] - Location - Barbara Walters's show - Kissinger - Time - Alternatives - Executive Office Building [EOB] - Amount of work - Time in traveling William E. Timmons entered and Bull left at an unknown time after 9:35 am. Invitations - Evening at the White House, Worship service - Date - Republicans - Reaction to invitation President's meeting with Richard G. Kleindienst Timmons left at 9:38 am. President's talk with Howard H. Baker - Executive privilege Tax reform - Publicity - President's statement - Shultz - Campaign promises - Tax credits - Property tax - Minimum tax - Review of reform proposals - President's statement - State of the Union [A transcript of the following portion of the conversation may be found in RG 460, Box 58, pp. 1-17.] [End transcribed portion] Howard H. Baker, Jr. [Begin transcribed portion] Stephen B. Bull entered at an unknown time after 9:38 am during the transcribed portion. Bull left at an unknown time before 10:05 am during the transcribed portion. [End of transcribed portion] White House staff - William E. Timmons - Bryce N. Harlow [Begin transcribed portion] [End of transcribed portion] Veterans - Cutbacks - Caspar W. ("Cap") Weinberger - Political sense Ehrlichman's role Earl L. Butz - Ancher Nelsen - Deal with Bob Poole - Rural Electrification Administration [REA] - Compromise - Committee meeting - Timing Cultivation of administration's friends - Farmers - Veterans - Large contributors - Tax breaks - Veterans and farmers Veterans - Legislation - Political repercussions Office of Management and Budget [OMB] - Howard H. Baker, Jr. - Commission members' appointments - Elliot L. Richardson - Commission - F. Edward Hebert - Ehrlichman's telephone call - President's role James R. ("Jimmy") Hoffa - Detroit local - Presidency - Kleindienst - Parole Ehrlichman left at 10:05 am. Participants: Nixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.; Ehrlichman, John D.; Timmons, William E.