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December 7, 1970

Introduction

This almanac page for Monday, December 7, 1970, pulls together various records created by the federal government and links to additional resources which can provide context about the events of the day.

Previous Date: Sunday, December 6, 1970

Next Date: Tuesday, December 8, 1970

Schedule and Public Documents

  • The Daily Diary files represent a consolidated record of the President's activities. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    The President's day began at The White House - Washington, D. C.

  • The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents made available transcripts of the President's news conferences; messages to Congress; public speeches, remarks, and statements; and other Presidential materials released by the White House.

    Appointments and Nominations

    • United States Advisory Commission on Information (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1644, December 7, 1970)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Three New members and To Renominate One Member of the Commission.
    • Department of Justice (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1645, December 7, 1970)
      Announcement of Intention To Nominate Louis Patrick Gray III To Be Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division.

    Congress, Communications to

    • Railway Labor-Management Dispute (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1646, December 7, 1970)
      The President's Message to the Congress Requesting Legislation Extending No-Strike Period for 45 Days.

    Proclamations

    Acts Approved by the President

    • H.R. 110 -- Public Law 91-529
      An Act to amend section 427(b) of title 37, United States Code, to provide that a family separation allowance shall be paid to a member of a uniformed service even though the member does not maintain a residence or household for his dependents, subject to his management and control.
    • H.R. 386 -- Public Law 91-533
      An Act to amend title 37 of the United States Code to provide that a family separation allowance shall be paid to any member of a uniformed service assigned to Government quarters provided he Is otherwise entitled to such separation allowance.
    • H.R. 670 -- Public Law 91-531
      An Act to amend section 19 of the District of Columbia Public Assistance Act of 1962.
    • H.R. 4183 -- Public Law 91-532
      An Act to provide that the widow of a retired officer or member of the Metropolitan Police Department or the Fire Department of the District of Columbia who married such officer or member after his retirement may qualify for survivor benefits.
    • H.R. 9486 -- Public Law 91-534
      An Act to amend title 37 of the United States Code to provide that a family separation allowance shall be paid to any member of a uniformed service who is a prisoner of war, missing in action, or in a detained status during the Vietnam conflict.
    • H.R. 13564 -- Public Law 91-530
      An Act to provide that in the District of Columbia one or more grantors in a conveyance creating an estate in joint tenancy or tenancy by the entireties may also be one of the grantees.
    • S. 3630 -- Public Law 91-528
      An Act to amend the joint resolution establishing the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission.

    Digest of Other White House Announcements

    Following is a listing of items of general interest which were announced in the press but not made public as formal White House press releases during the period covered by this issue. Appointments requiring Senate approval are not included since they appear in the list of nominations submitted to the Senate, below.

    • The White House Press Office today made available the reports of the Departments of State and Transportation on the attempted defection of a Lithuanian seaman from a Soviet vessel on November 23.
    • Members of the United States Advisory Commission on Information met with the President at the White House.
    • Governor Melvin H. Evans of the Virgin Islands called on the President at the White House.
    • Members of the General Advisory Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament met with the President at the White House.
    • Carl E. Bagge, of Illinois, has submitted his resignation as Commissioner, Federal Power Commission.
    • The President today acknowledged with deep regret the resignation of James Farmer as Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for Administration.

    Nominations Submitted to the Senate

    Does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of Foreign Service Officers.

    • The following-named persons to be Members of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for the terms as Indicated (new positions): For a term of 1 year: ROBERT F. BUCK, of Washington; CLIFFORD H. N. YEE, of Hawaii. For a term of 2 years: ALLIE C. FELDER, JR., of the District of Columbia; DANIEL PARKER, of Wisconsin. For a term of 3 years: GUSTAV M. HAUSER, of New York; JAMES A. SUFFRIDGE, of Virginia.
    • BRADFORD MILLS, of New Jersey, to be President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (new position).
    • HERBERT SALZMAN, of New York, to be Executive Vice President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (new position).

  • Each Public Papers of the Presidents volume contains the papers and speeches of the President of the United States that were issued by the White House Office of the Press Secretary during the time period specified by the volume. The material is presented in chronological order, and the dates shown in the headings are the dates of the documents or events. In instances when the release date differs from the date of the document itself, that fact is shown in the text note.

    To ensure accuracy, remarks have been checked against audio recordings (when available) and signed documents have been checked against the original, unless otherwise noted. Editors have provided text notes and cross references for purposes of identification or clarity.

  • The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other Presidential documents.

    No Federal Register published on this date

  • The Congressional Record is the official daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

  • Argued

Archival Holdings

Any selection of archival documents will necessarily be partial. You should use the documents and folders identified below as a starting place, but consult the linked collection finding aids and folder title lists and the collections themselves for context. Many documents to be found this way do not lend themselves to association with specific dates, but are essential to a complete understanding of the material.

  • Selective document listing

    President's Office Files

    The President's Office Files consists of materials drawn together by the Special Files Unit from several administrative subdivisions within the White House Office. It is the handwriting and sensitive papers sent to the Staff Secretary that now comprise much of the President's Office Files. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

  • The H. R. Haldeman Diaries consists of seven handwritten diaries, 36 dictated diaries recorded as sound recordings, and two handwritten audio cassette tape subject logs. The diaries and logs reflect H. R. Haldeman’s candid personal record and reflections on events, issues, and people encountered during his service in the Nixon White House. As administrative assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Haldeman attended and participated in public events and private meetings covering the entire scope of issues in which the Nixon White House engaged in during the years 1969-1973. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • Transcript of diary entry (PDF)
      Monday, December 7.

      A big day with a lot of action. Started with the President having breakfast with John Connally, as a result of which he has succeeded in getting him to take the post as Secretary of the Treasury. He told me right after he came into the office, then wanted to be sure that no one else knew. I reminded him that he had discussed the possibility with Ehrlichman, and he said to cover John on not telling anyone. Connally had made the point to the President of the overriding importance of getting something for Bush right away, because we couldn't do anything on the Connally announcement until Bush was set. The President then wanted me to talk to Rogers, and try to work Bush out for the UN, get that assignment settled right now. Connally wants to come up next week and get a full rundown on the Treasury. President wants me to talk Connally into taking Flanigan as Under Secretary. The plan is to make the announcement sometime around January 15. As the day went on, the President had Ehrlichman in and told him about it, told him not to tell anyone; he also had Kissinger in with Ehrlichman, so that he knows too.

      I'm to call Connally tomorrow to set up a meeting next week ostensibly with Kissinger, at which time, Ehrlichman will give him a full briefing on the background of the Treasury situation as it now stands. Later in the day, the President asked me to call Connally and tell him how pleased I was and how pleased the President is that he's taken this. He wants to be sure to lock him up. Also, wanted me to ask Connally whether he didn't think we should move more quickly on the announcement. Connally's original concern had been that the more time—the earlier we announce it, the more time we give the press to cut him up, and felt we ought to wait until a little later. I tried to get Connally tonight, but he was out, so I'll call him tomorrow.

      The next development was a note from Bryce, saying that he would not be able or willing to take the National Chairmanship, and he submitted his letter of resignation effective Wednesday. On the basis of this, the President told Ehrlichman and me to move on Rumsfeld, and try to convince him to take the job. We did so, and got an absolute, stonewall, flat “no” answer. He did not respond to any effort we made to get him to give it any consideration at all, and it's absolutely clear that there's no way he can be talked into taking it. Part of the developments leading up to the Rumsfeld talk were the President's meeting with Romney this morning, at which time Romney agreed to go along with whatever the President wanted as far as housing philosophy, reintegration, thus eliminating the basic cause for removing him. The President made something of a pitch to try to get Romney to take the Voluntary Action Program Presidency, but didn't go all out and therefore didn't get the thing settled. The net result is that Ehrlichman is now supposed to try to get Romney out; but failing that, there won't be a post for Rumsfeld, and that was the argument we used with him. He didn't buy it.

      Since he didn't, our next hope is to now succeed in getting Romney out, so that Rumsfeld can take the HUD job, which is, of course, what he really wants. Late in the afternoon, the President was meeting with Mitchell to tell him about Connally, and I broke in to tell both of them that Rumsfeld wouldn't take the RNC job. That led to considerable discussion of candidates for RNC. And it boiled down to Finch, Bush, Kleindienst, Dole, and MacGregor. Finch is ruled out because of the South. Kleindienst, because he wouldn't take it and Mitchell doesn't want him to anyway. Dole because he's an incumbent Senator. So we're down to Bush and MacGregor. The decision was for me to talk to MacGregor, see if I could get him to take it. We would then move Bush into the MacGregor post of Congressional liaison.

      President had me over to EOB late in the afternoon, where he had a couple of drinks and talked about how pleased he was about the Connally development. We also got into State Department things. The President had met with Rogers this afternoon, and Bill raised the question of removal of Patterson on the basis that he knew the President and Kissinger don't like him. Said he would do so if Kissinger would remove Sonnenfeld, whom Rogers doesn't trust. This is a good break, because we don't like Sonnenfeld either. Rogers also has agreed to fire Klein, the head of his intelligence unit, who was the one who leaked a story to the LA Times. President wants me to meet with Rogers and explain that for his own good, he's got to make some other changes at State also, because there are a lot of leaks coming from there, and there is a substantial effort amongst the Foreign Service to take on the President.

      As usual, we got back to the question of what to do about Chotiner, and the President again concluded that we have to break it off; he can't go to the RNC, and that he should therefore go into a law firm.

      An odd development on the Treasury deal is that Bob Anderson, who Mitchell was wooing, and who had turned him down, called Mitchell back this morning to say that he wanted to be considered after all. This, of course, after the President had already locked Connally. Now we have two Secretaries where couple of days ago we couldn't find any.

      President came up with a plan for getting the Teddy Kennedy picture of his night out in Paris distributed, by having some of his Democratic opponents in the Senate get prints circulated along with the British newspaper story. It could be very damaging. I went to a dinner at the State Department given by Frank Shakespeare for his new USIA advisory board. President spent the evening working on his briefing book for the press conference Thursday night.

      All in all, it was rather an overwhelming day, especially with the Connally development. That appointment and the repercussions of it will be one of the biggest things we've done and should be extremely effective in startling the media and the establishment. It will create some monumental problems with John Tower and some of the other Republicans. And we're going to have a tough time selling some of them. The RNC is another tough problem, and I think there's real doubt that MacGregor will take it, but we'll give it a try.

      End of the day.
    • Original audio recording (MP3)

  • The National Archives Catalog is the online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records. It is the main way of describing our holdings and also provides access to electronic records and digitized versions of our holdings.

    The Catalog searches across multiple National Archives resources at once, including archival descriptions, digitized and electronic records, authority records, and web pages from Archives.gov and the Presidential Libraries. The Catalog also allows users to contribute to digitized historical records through tagging and transcription.

    Nixon Library Holdings

    All National Archives Units

National Security Documents

  • The President's Daily Brief is the primary vehicle for summarizing the day-to-day sensitive intelligence and analysis, as well as late-breaking reports, for the White House on current and future national security issues. Read "The President's Daily Brief: Delivering Intelligence to Nixon and Ford" to learn more.

  • The Foreign Relations of the United States series presents the official documentary historical record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions and significant diplomatic activity. Visit the State Department website for more information.

    Vol. II, Organization and Management of U.S. Foreign Policy, 1969-1972

    The Intelligence Community and the White House

    Vol. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

    Planning and Decisions for Operations in Cambodia and Laos, October 9, 1970-February 7, 1971

    • 82. Telegram From the Department of State and Department of Defense to the Embassy in South Vietnam, Washington, December 7, 1970, 8:31 p.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 190, Paris Talks/Meetings, Paris Talks, 1 Oct 70–Dec 70. Secret; Nodis; Paris Meetings. Drafted by Frank Sieverts (U/PW) and R. Jefferson (DOD/ISA); cleared by Green, Laird, Brigadier General Smith (Joint Staff (J3)), and Kissinger; and approved by Johnson. Repeated for information to the Delegation in Paris.

    Vol. XXI, Chile, 1969-1973

    Cool and Correct: The U.S. Response to the Allende Administration, November 5, 1970-December 31, 1972

    • 187. Minutes of a Meeting of the Senior Review Group, Washington, December 7, 1970, 11:13 a.m.-11:57 a.m.

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–48, Senior Review Group Minutes, Originals, 1970. Top Secret; Nodis. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. All brackets are in the original. All references to options papers are to the collection of papers prepared by the Ad Hoc Working Group on Chile. See footnote 1, Document 186.

    • 188. Memorandum for the Record, Washington, December 7, 1970

      Source: National Security Council, Nixon Intelligence Files, Subject Files, Chile, 40 Committee Minutes. Secret; Eyes Only. Drafted on December 29. A copy was sent to Mitchell, Packard, Johnson, Admiral Moorer, and Helms.

    • 189. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 7, 1970

      Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 774, Country Files, Latin America, Chile, Vol. III. Secret; Nodis. Drafted on December 8. The conversation was held in Kissinger’s office. In a December 9 meeting with Hewitt, Jarpa made the following additional points: “A confrontation between the Communists and Socialists is inevitable. When it occurs, Allende will seek the support of the armed forces in ridding himself of Communist domination. The armed forces will provide that support in order to get rid of Soviet and Cuban foreign influence. The result could be a Socialist government backed and participated in by the armed forces and based as much on nationalist as on Marxist ideals.” Both this memorandum and the December 9 memorandum of Hewitt’s conversation are attached to a December 10 memorandum from Nachmanoff to Kissinger. In it, Nachmanoff noted that the memoranda contained intelligence information of potential value to the Department of State and the CIA, and recommended that they be distributed on a Nodis basis. Kissinger disapproved sharing the memoranda with either agency. Also attached is a December 13 note from Kennedy to Kissinger, recommending against release of the memoranda, noting that Jarpa’s views coincided with the “soft” line advocated by the State Department. (Ibid.)

    Vol. XL, Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    Germany and Berlin, 1969-1972

    • 140. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 7, 1970, 4:11-5:35 p.m.

      Source: Dean Gooderham Acheson Papers, Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library, Box 68, Folder 173. No classification marking. Drafted by Acheson. No official record of the meeting has been found. The time of the meeting is from the President’s Daily Diary. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files)

    Vol. E-1, Documents on Global Issues, 1969-1972

    U.S. Policy Towards Terrorism, Hijacking of Aircraft, and Attacks on Civil Aviation: U.S. Response to Hijackings by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Additional Anti-Hijacking Measures, September 1970-June 1972

    Vol. E-4, Documents on Iran and Iraq, 1969-1972

    Iran 1970

  • The Kissinger telephone conversation transcripts consist of approximately 20,000 pages of transcripts of Kissinger’s telephone conversations during his tenure as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (1969-1974) and Secretary of State (1973-1974) during the administration of President Richard Nixon. Visit the finding aid for more information.

    Digitized versions can be found in the National Archives Catalog.

Audiovisual Holdings

  • The White House Photo Office collection consists of photographic coverage of President Richard Nixon meeting with prominent social, political, and cultural personalities; speaking engagements and news conferences of the President and various high-ranking members of the White House staff and Cabinet; Presidential domestic and foreign travel, including Presidential vacations; social events and entertainment involving the First Family, including entertainers present; official portraits of the President, First Family, and high-ranking members of the Nixon administration; the 1969 and 1973 Inaugurals; the President’s 1972 Presidential election campaign appearances (including speeches) and other official activities of the White House staff and the President’s Cabinet from January 20, 1969 until August 9, 1974 at the White House and the Old Executive Office Building; other locations in Washington, DC, such as The Mall; and the Presidential retreats in Camp David, Maryland, Key Biscayne, Florida, and San Clemente, California. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    Roll WHPO-5220 Photographer: Atkins, Oliver | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5220-01A-08A, President Nixon meeting with U. S. Advisory Commission on Information, USIA, including Frank Stanton, Chairman and President of CBS, Hobart Lewis, President of Reader's Digest, James Michener, author, John Shaheen, President, Shaheen Natural Resources Co., and William F. Buckley, editor, National Review. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Frank Stanton, Hobart Lewis, James Michener, John Shaheen, William F. Buckley, Henry A. Kissinger, John D. Ehrlichman. H.R. H.R. Haldeman.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5220-10A-19A, Governor Melvin Evans meeting with President Nixon and Vice President Agnew. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Melvin Evans, Spiro Agnew.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5220-20-30, Ron Ziegler briefing the press. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. Ron Ziegler and unidentified members of the press.

    Roll WHPO-5221 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5221-02-07, Security Council presentation. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. unknown. Security Council members.

    Roll WHPO-5222 Photographer: Kightlinger, Jack | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5222-02, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting with James Farmer and Leonard Garment. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James Farmer, Leonard Garment.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5222-02-08, President Nixon seated informally during a meeting with James Farmer and Leonard Garment. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, James Farmer, Leonard Garment.

    Roll WHPO-5223 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5223-03A-19A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Former Governor Thomas Dewey, John McCloy, General Lucius Clay and Dean Acheson and Henry Kissinger. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Thomas Dewey, John McCloy, General Lucius Clay, Dean Acheson, Henry Kissinger.
    • Frame(s): WHPO-5223-19A, President Nixon seated informally in the Oval Office during a meeting with Former Governor Thomas Dewey, John McCloy, General Lucius Clay and Dean Acheson and Henry Kissinger. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Oval Office. President Nixon, Thomas Dewey, John McCloy, General Lucius Clay, Dean Acheson, Henry Kissinger.

    Roll WHPO-5224 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

    • Frame(s): WHPO-5224-01-04, White House exterior at night. 12/7/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, exterior. none.

  • The White House Communications Agency Sound Recordings Collection contains public statements that took place between 1969 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    H - White House Staff Member Recordings

    • WHCA-SR-H-304
      Briefing by Clem Conger to the Vassar Club of Washington. (12/7/1970, Family Theater, White House)

      Runtime: 0:32:47

      Keywords: Briefings, public briefings, statements to the press (see also Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media)

      Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by CAL (initials of WHCA engineer)

      Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

  • The White House Communications Agency Videotape Collection contains “off-the-air” recordings of televised programs produced between 1968 and 1974. Visit the finding aid to learn more.

    • WHCA-4016
      "Today" Show.
      All networks
      Runtime: 0:30
    • WHCA-4028
      Weekly News Summary - Tape I.
      All networks
      Runtime: 1:00

      8. Smith/Clark: reshuffling in administration; James Farmer resigns; Senator Muskie still leads Kennedy in polls; Muskie speech: urges people to unite across political splits; Kennedy's speech: pledged to fight for the rights of the poor . Time Code Start: 00:11:19. Keywords: officials, resignations, Presidential elections, nominations, candidates, polls, speeches. Network: ABC.

      9. Smith/Wordham: Judge ruled Friday that Chavez boycott was illegal; followers protest Chavez imprisonment in Salinas; Ethel Kennedy joins the march. Time Code Start: 00:13:48. Keywords: agriculture, farm laborers, boycotts, grapes, food, National Farmworkers Association, protests. Network: ABC.

      10. Smith/Jarriel: Coast Guard helped USSR recapture Lithuanian sailor trying to defect to U.S.; House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee begins investigation; Under Secretary of State Macomber says man should not have been returned to Soviets. Time Code Start: 00:16:00. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, defectors, defections, Coast Guard, military, arrests. Network: ABC.

      11. Smith: Nation needs more funding; 2 sources of new money: economic growth stimulated by government and legalize organized crime. Time Code Start: 00:18:18. Keywords: economy, economics, inflation, money, crime, increases, criticisms. Network: ABC.

      12. Reasoner: Journalists will try to inform the people as much and as soon as possible. Time Code Start: 00:20:05. Keywords: media, network, reporters, television, TV programs. Network: ABC.

      13. Chancellor: Federal Reserve chairman Arthur Burns says inflation fight may require compulsory wage and price arbitration; says board policy expansive, not good enough. Time Code Start: 00:21:00. Keywords: economy, economics, finances, recession, inflation, money, wages, costs, unemployment, employees, salaries, salary, payments, wage and price freezes, controls. Network: NBC.

      14. Brinkley: Four railroad unions warn President Nixon they will strike on Thursday if demands remain unfulfilled. Time Code Start: 00:21:47. Keywords: unions, railroads, trains, strikes, threats, negotations, wages, raises. Network: NBC.

      15. Chancellor/Oliver: Cesar Chavez in jail for contempt of court; Last night Ethel Kennedy visited Chavez in jail; anti Chavez pickets boo her; fights ensue between Chicanos and whites; lettuce boycott continues. Time Code Start: 00:22:14. Keywords: activists, leaders, agriculture, farm laborers, boycotts, lettuce, food, National Farmworkers Association, protests. Network: NBC.

      16. Brinkley: White House release reports of Lithuanian defectors; House Hearing comments on defector: Macomber says their people acted properly; Rep. Hays criticizes Coast Guard and State Department . Time Code Start: 00:24:07. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, defectors, defections, Coast Guard, captures, releases, Congress, criticisms. Network: NBC.

      17. Cronkite/Kalb: Reports say Coast Guard Rear Admiral William Ellis ordered Soviet Lithuanian defector returned; failure of communication between State Department and Coast Guard; Coast Guard blames lack of State Department guidelines, State Department blam. Time Code Start: 00:25:43. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, defectors, defections, Coast Guard, captures, releases, Congress, criticisms. Network: CBS.

      18. Cronkite/Pierpoint: Nixon expresses concern of lack of communication in Lithuanian defection; Presidential Assistant Buchanan explains how Nixon receives his news. Time Code Start: 00:28:49. Keywords: Russia, Soviet Union, USSR, defectors, defections, Coast Guard, captures, releases, Congress, criticisms. Network: CBS.

      19. Cronkite: President Nixon calls for emergency legislation to prevent rail strike. Time Code Start: 00:33:56. Keywords: unions, railroads, trains, strikes, threats, negotations, wages, raises. Network: CBS.

Context (External Sources)