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General Accounting Office - Transition
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4520570
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General Accounting Office - Transition
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Philip W. Buchen Files
Philip Buchen's General Subject Files
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General Accounting Office. (1921 - 07/07/2004)
Presidential transitions
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1975-10-31
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The original documents are located in Box 18, folder "General Accounting Office -
Transition" of the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
198
11/6
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 6, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PHILIP BUCHEN
FROM:
JACK MARSH
The attached is a matter which I believe requires
close coordination between your office and mine.
FORD LIBRARY is
Digitized from Box 18 of the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Tom
November 4, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
JERRY JJ
Attached is a letter from the GAO to
Rumsfeld concerning the courier to
former President Nixon. I have asked the
Aide's office to prepare a letter answering
these questions. In turn Don has requested
that you be sent this letter and that you
be the point man in dealing with GAO in
this matter.
Thank you.
Attachment
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD s
OCT 31 1974
UNITED
STATE
CENER ACCOUNTIN OFFICE
UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
B-155950
October 25, 1974
B-149372
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Assistant to the President
The White House
Dear Mr. Rumsfeld:
We have received inquiries from several Members of Congress con-
cerning reports that U.S. Air Force planes have been used to take
materials to former President Nixon in California and that Mr. Nixon's
daughter, Julie Eisenhower, has been permitted to fly to California
at Government expense on at least one such flight, to visit her father.
In order that we may respond to the questions raised, we request that
you answer the following questions.
1. What is the authority for the periodic courier
flights to Mr. Nixon?
2. How long is it anticipated that these flights
will continue?
3. What is the authority relied upon for allowing
a private citizen to travel as a passenger on a
Government aircraft?
4. Will the Government be reimbursed for the value
of Mrs. Eisenhower's flight?
5. Will such flights by Mrs. Eisenhower or others be
allowed on subsequent occasions?
Your attention to this matter will be appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
FORD i LIBRARY 03RALD
John John J. Higgins I. Hoganis
Associate General Counsel
GAO
Monday 11/25/74
2:05 Mr. Buchen:
As you suggested, I have given a copy of the GAO audit
request to Bob Linder and a copy to John Marsh.
cc: Mr. Marsh
Mr. Linder
11/26/79
meTiamen we to
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
1:45/wind 11/25/74 tag
Givents
Messengero
D make 2 cys
2:10 Metd
UNITED
STATES
1/2F
DEPARTMENT OFFICE ORNERAL
UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
DIVISION
NOV 21 1974
Mr. Philip W. Buchen
Counsel to the President
Dear Mr. Buchen:
Senate Report 93-1255, dated October 9, 1974, on the Supplemental
Appropriation Bill, 1975, includes a request on pages 59 and 60 for a
General Accounting Office audit and other work in connection with the
recent Presidential transition.
The Committee requested that we (1) provide the Congress with a
comprehensive audit of the expenditure of funds used in the transition
from President Nixon to President Ford and (2) up-date our report to
the Congress dated November 16, 1970, on Federal Assistance for
Presidential Transitions. A copy of the latter report is enclosed for
your information.
We have made arrangements with Mr. Linder of the White House staff
to begin, on about November 26, 1970, our audit of the White House
funds used in the transition. To up-date our prior report on Presidential
Transitions we would also like to make arrangements for interviews in
Washington, D.C. and San Clemente with officials involved in planning
and carrying out the transition.
Sincerely yours,
Charles Charla P. McAuley
Assistant Director
Enclosure
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
REPORT TO THE CONGRESS
ACCOU
ONLY
Federal Assistance For
Presidential Transitions
B-149372
B-158195
BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL
OF THE UNITED STATES
NOV.16.1970,
GERALD LIBRARY ? FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
cygiven
to nor Greeda
February 21, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
JERRY JACK MARSH JONES 2005
SUBJECT:
Response to Questions
Posed by GAO
At Tab A are two letters from John J. Higgins, Associate
General Counsel of GAO, requesting some specific
information about courier flights. Would you work with
Phil Buchen to pull together an appropriate response
to them.
For your assistance, at Tab B is a list of answers to
these specific questions which was prepared by
Bill Gulley for use by the Congressional Relations
office. Also, if I can help, let me know.
Thanks very much.
ce: Phil Buchen
UNITED
STATES
ACCOUNTING GENERAL OFFICE
UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
B-149372
B-159835
February 7, 1975
B-155950
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Assistant to the President
The White House
Dear Mr. Rumsfeld:
This refers to our letter of October 25, 1974 (copy enclosed),
asking several questions concerning the use of courier flights to
brief former President Nixon, and the presence of Julie Eisenhower
on at least one of these flights. Our request was based on
inquiries by Members of Congress. Additional inquiries have since
been received, but we have so far received no reply to the questions.
A member of my staff who called in December concerning this
matter was informed by Mr. Robert Linder of the White House staff
that a reply was in process. However, since no reply has been forth-
coming and in view of the fact that it is over 3 months since the
original letter, we would appreciate any measures which might be taken
to expedite the reply, so that we may respond to the Members of
Congress without further delay.
Sincerely yours,
John I. Higgins
John J. Higgins
Associate General Counsel
Enclosure
FORD i LIBRARY
WWW.II
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20543
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
OCT 25 137
B-155950
B-149372.
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Assistant to the President
The White House
Dear Mr. Rumsfeld:
We heve received inquiries from several Members of Congress con-
cerning reports that U.S. Air Force planes have been used to take
materials to former President Nixon in California and that Hr. Wixon's
daughter, Julie Eisenhower, hus been permitted to fly to California
at Government expense on at least one such flight, to visit her father.
In order that we may respond to the questions ralsed, wa request that
you answer the following questions.
1. What 1s the authority for the periodic courier
flights to Mr. Nixon?
2. How long is it anticipated that these flights
will continue?
3. What is the authority relied upon for allowing
a private citizen to travel as a passenger on a
Government aircraft?
4. Will the Government be reimbursed for the value
of Mrs. Eisenhower's flight?
5. Will such flights by Mrs. Eisenhower or others be
allowed on subsequent occasions?
Your attention to this matter will be appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Into J. Highlas
John J. Higgins
Associate General Counsel
djk
FILE COPY GOUNTOSA
FORD + LIBRARY GERALD
1.
Question
What is the authority for the periodic courier flights to
Mr. Nixon?
Answer
Since Mr. Nixon left Office there have been three courier
flights to San Clemente at the direction of the Commander-
in-Chief who in his role as Commander-in-Chief may
direct flights by Department of Defense aircraft.
2.
Question
How long is it anticipated that these flights will continue?
Answer
The last courier flight was 4 October 1974. There are
presently no flights scheduled.
3. Question
What is the authority relied upon for allowing a private
citizen to travel as a passenger on a Government aircraft?
Answer
The Commander-in-Chief, Secretary of Defense, Secretary
of the Army, Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of the
Air Force may authorize private citizens to travel via
Government aircraft when it is of benefit to the United States
Government or for compassionate reasons. This authority
is inherent to the Commander-in-Chief and covered by
Department of Defense regulations in granting authority to
the Secretaries. Although infrequent, private citizens are
authorized transportation for compassionate reasons. As
an example, this was done for Margaret Truman during
her father's illness and Lynda Johnson Robb during
President Johnson's illness.
4.
Question
Will the Government be reimbursed for the value of
Mrs. Eisenhower's flight?
Answer
There is no plan to ask the former President for
reimbursement for the flight made by Mrs. Eisenhower
to San Clemente since the aircraft was on a scheduled
trip. and an empty seat was available.
5.
Question
Will such flights by Mrs. Eisenhower or others be
allowed on subsequent occasions?
Answer
There are no plans for Mrs. Eisenhower or others to
utilize government air transportation at this time,
however, should circumstances of an emergency nature
arise, the President could, if he deemed appropriate,
authorize such transportation.
LIBRARY GERALD P. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 9, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
RUSS ROURKE
THROUGH:
PHIL BUCHEN T.W.B.
FROM:
BARRY ROTH BR
SUBJECT:
Draft GAO Transition Report
As your requested, I have reviewed the draft GAO
Transition Report and offer the following comments:
1. P. 12, line 8. To the best of my knowledge,
neither Rose Woods nor Marge Acker did any
work whatsoever with the Nixon tapes. I
suggest that "and tapes" be deleted.
2. P. 13. With respect to the WHCA duties at
San Clemente, it is my understanding that
they also supported the Secret Service as
well as the former President and his staff.
3. P. 17, line 13. The statement is not
accurate with respect to the Court order and
its " effect. I suggest instead the following:
the Counsel to the President, the
Administrator, the Director of the United
States Secret Service or their agents."
You should also be aware that the proposed GAO bill will
remove the authority to detail persons on a non-reimburs-
able basis to former Presidents during the first six
months after leaving office. Instead, the level of
employees permitted will be subject to the appropriation
process. In addition, the annual appropriations level
will be substantially increased by the requirement that
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
- 2 -
the annual rent to GSA for office space must also be
appropriated for the former President. This year rent
for Mr. Nixon was waived, but it would have been in
excess of $70,000. Under the GAO bill, total annual
appropriations for former Presidents may well be a
politically unattractive amount.
LIBRARY GERALD P. FORD