December 10, 1970

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

• Original typewritten diary (PDF)

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

• Federal Communications Commission (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1650, December 10, 1970)
  Announcement of Intention To Nominate Thomas James Houser To Be a Member of the Commission.

Bill Signings

• Railway Labor-Management Dispute (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1648, December 10, 1970)
  Statement by the President Upon Signing Bill Providing for a Temporary Prohibition of Strikes or Lockouts in the Current Dispute.

Congress, Communications to

• Trade Legislation (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1656, December 10, 1970)
  The President's Letter to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate Urging New Legislation.

Executive Orders

• Railway Labor-Management Dispute (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1649, December 10, 1970)
  Executive Order 11572.

Letters, Memorandums, Etc.

• Report of the President's Commission on Campus Unrest (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1660, December 10, 1970)
  The President's Letter to Commission Chairman William W. Scranton. Dated December 10, 1970. Released December 12, 1970.

News Conferences

• The President's News Conference of December 10, 1970 (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1650, December 10, 1970)
  Thursday, December 10 (No. 12).

Proclamations

• Wright Brothers Day, 1970 (6 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1649, December 10, 1970)
  Proclamation 4024.

Acts Approved by the President

• H.J. Res. 1413 -- Public Law 91-541
  Joint Resolution to provide for a temporary prohibition of strikes or lockouts with respect to the current railway labor-management dispute.

Checklist of White House Press Releases

The releases listed below, made public by the Office of the White House Press Secretary during the period covered by this issue, are not included in the issue.

• Press conference of James D. Hodgson, Secretary of Labor, on the President's statement on signing bill providing for a temporary prohibition of strikes or lockouts in the railway labor-management dispute.
• Press conference of James D. Hodgson, Secretary of Labor, and John A. Volpe, Secretary of Transportation, on Executive order on the railway labor-management dispute.

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.

• THOMAS J. HOUSER, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for the unexpired term of 7 years from July 1, 1964, vice Robert Wells.

Nominations Submitted to the Senate

• SHERMAN UNGER, of Ohio, to be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission for the unexpired term of 7 years from July 1, 1964, vice Robert Wells, which was sent to the Senate on July 24, 1970.

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.

• Statement on Signing Bill Providing for a Temporary Prohibition of Strikes or Lockouts in the Railway Labor-Management Dispute.
• Letter to Senate Majority and Minority Leaders Urging New Trade Legislation.
• Executive Order 11572—Providing for the Use of Transportation Priorities and Allocations During the Current Railroad Strike
• Proclamation 4024—Wright Brothers Day, 1970
• The President's News Conference

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.

• Federal Register of Thursday, December 10, 1970

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

• Senate: December 10, 1970
• House of Representatives: December 10, 1970
• Extensions of Remarks: December 10, 1970

Argued

• McKeiver v. Pennsylvania
• United States v. Weller
• Wisconsin v. Constantineau

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)
• 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

• Text search for December 10, 1970
• Date search for December 10, 1970

All National Archives Units

• Text search for December 10, 1970
• Date search for December 10, 1970

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.

• President's Daily Brief of 10 December 1970

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. VII, Vietnam, July 1970-January 1972

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

• 86. Diary Entry by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Moorer), Washington, December 10, 1970

  Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Chairman, Moorer Diary, July 1970–July 1974. Top Secret.

Vol. XX, Southeast Asia, 1969-1972

Thailand

• 101. Diplomatic Note From Secretary of State Rogers to the Ambassador of Thailand (Hongladarom), Washington, December 10, 1970

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, AID (US) 15–8 INDON. No classification marking. Drafted by West and cleared by Alexander Shakow (AID/EA/I), Malcolm H. Churchill (EA/IND), and Elizabeth M. Denham (S/S).

Vol. XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969-1972; Jordan, September 1970

Indian Ocean

• 51. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, December 10, 1970, 4-5:30 p.m.

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 727, Country Files, Europe, United Kingdom, Vol. IV. Secret. Sent for information. The meeting was held in Kissinger’s office. All brackets are in the original.

The Two Yemens

• 181. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (Sisco) to the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Thacher), Washington, December 10, 1970

  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 3 UAE. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Wrampelmeier and cleared in NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/ARN, and INR/RNA.

Vol. XXXII, SALT I, 1969-1972

From Stalemate to Breakthrough, August 24, 1970-May 20, 1971

• 118. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, December 10, 1970

  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 879, SALT, SALT talks (Helsinki), Vol. XIII, October–December 1970. Secret; Sensitive; Nodis. Urgent; Sent for urgent information. A notation on the memorandum indicates the President saw it.

Vol. E-2, Documents on Arms Control and Nonproliferation, 1969-1972

Nuclear Test Ban Issues; Peaceful Nuclear Explosions

• 294. Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Farley) to the Under Secretary of State (Irwin), Washington, December 10, 1970

  Source: Washington National Records Center, Office of the Director, Subject Files of the Former Executive Director Office, December 1969–December 1970: FRC 383–98–4, Soviet Venting from Nuclear Testing, Nov.–Dec. 1970. Secret. The attachments at Tabs C and D are published but not the attachments at Tabs A, B, and E.

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

Iran 1970

• 104. Telegram 5332 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, December 10, 1970, 1240Z

  The Shah asserted that communist elements hoping to discredit the Shah’s regime were responsible for the attack on the Ambassador.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 17 US-IRAN. Secret; Nodis. In Telegram 5272 from Tehran, December 7, Hoveyda had speculated that the radical Iranian student groups abroad, and perhaps also the Palestinian Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), could have been involved in the attack. Since the attack had betrayed the weaknesses in the Iranian system, the Prime Minister also had requested U.S. assistance in putting Iranian security files into processed data form. (Ibid., POL IRAN-US)

• 105. Telegram 5334 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, December 10, 1970, 1300Z

  Following a discussion of regional issues, the Ambassador informed the Shah that the United States intended to maintain a naval presence, MIDEASTFOR, in the Persian Gulf after the British withdrawal.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 33 PERSIAN GULF. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to Dhahran, Jidda, Kuwait City, London, CINCSTRIKE, CINCMEAFSA, COMIDEASTFOR, and CINCUSNAVEUR.

• 106. Telegram 5335 From the Embassy in Iran to the Department of State, Tehran, December 10, 1970, 1320Z

  Citing the many regional threats, the Shah vehemently defended his air force requirements.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 33 PERSIAN GULF. Secret; Exdis. In Telegram 5193 from Tehran, December 2, the Embassy conveyed the Shah’s concern over information, allegedly from a Department source, that some State officials viewed selling the two extra squadrons of F–4s to the Iranians as “provocative.” MacArthur denied the rumors, but in a private comment blamed the Shah’s suspicions on the lack of a positive response on the squadrons. (Ibid., POL 15–1 IRAN). In Telegram 197768 to Tehran, December 4, the Department responded that the Shah’s suspicions were disappointing after all the U.S. efforts to ensure Iranian security, adding that the Department was trying to come up with an inter-agency response on the F–4s. (Ibid.)

Vol. E-10, Documents on American Republics, 1969-1972

American Republics Regional

• 32. National Security Study Memorandum 108, Washington, December 10, 1970., Washington, December 10, 1970

  President Nixon directed that a review be made of U.S. policy toward Latin America, including options to improve bilateral political relations, focusing specifically on trade and development assistance, security assistance, strengthening the OAS, and expanding and protecting U.S. private investment.
  
  Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–178, NSSM Files, NSSM 108. Secret; Limdis. A copy was sent to the Secretaries of Treasury, Commerce, and Agriculture, the Administrator of AID, and the Directors of OMB and USIA. NSSM 15 is Document 1. The summary of the Rockefeller Report recommendations is Document 18. The study requested by the President, “Review of U.S. Policy Toward Latin America,” is Document 35. The Intergovernmental Group for Inter American Affairs prepared an Analytical Summary in response to NSSM 108, June 17, 1971, in anticipation of an August 17 Senior Review Group meeting. (Ibid., Box H–59, SRG Meeting–Latin America, 8/17/71) A supplement, September 3, was titled, “U.S. Policy Toward the Nations of Latin America.” (Ibid.)

Costa Rica

• 182. Telegram 3129 From the Embassy in Costa Rica to the Department of State, December 10, 1970, 0002Z., December 10, 1970, 0002Z

  Foreign Minister Facio contacted the Embassy to discuss Costa Rica’s plans to permit the Soviet Union to open an embassy in San José. Ambassador Ploeser described Facio as embarrassed about the decision and suggested exchanging intelligence on the Russians with the Embassy.
  
  Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL COSTA RICA–USSR. Confidential. It was repeated to Guatemala, Managua, Moscow, San Salvador, Tegucigalpa, and USCINCSO.

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 of many of these transcripts can be found on the Yale University Library website.

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-5246 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5246-03A-23A, Vice President Agnew meeting with King Hussein of Jordan. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. Spiro Agnew, King Hussein, unidentified men.

Roll WHPO-5247 Photographer: Knudsen, Robert L. | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5247-02-18, John Davies receiving gifts for the First Family. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. John Davies, unidentified man, two unidentified women.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5247-09a, John Davis seated with Milton Turner and Lillian Turner at the White House. They handle photographic slides. Milton Turner holds up a slide against the light. Davis receives gifts intended for the Nixons. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. John Davies, Lillian Turner, Milton Turner, Gift, Slides.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5247-10a, John Davis, seated with Lillian Turner at the White House, receives gifts intended for the Nixons. They handle photographic slides. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House. John Davies, Lillian Turner, Gift, Slides.

Roll WHPO-5248 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5248-01-35, President Nixon briefing the press. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. President Nixon.

Roll WHPO-5249 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: B&W

• Frame(s): WHPO-5249-01-22, President Nixon briefing the press. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. President Nixon, unidentified press members.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5249-12, President Nixon briefing the press. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5249-13, President Nixon briefing the press. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5249-17, President Nixon briefing the press. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room.
• Frame(s): WHPO-5249-19, President Nixon briefing the press. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room.

Roll WHPO-5250 Photographer: Schumacher, Karl | Color or B&W: Color

• Frame(s): WHPO-5250-01-21, President Nixon briefing the press. 12/10/1970, Washington, D.C. White House, Press Room. President Nixon.

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.

G - Cabinet Officer Briefings

• WHCA-SR-G-066
  Press briefing by Secretary of Labor James D. Hodgson regarding Rail Situation, with Ronald Ziegler. (12/10/1970, Press Lobby)
  
  Runtime: 10:25
  
  Keywords: Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA; Recorded by JAD (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

I - Various Administration Events

• WHCA-SR-I-052
  WGMS news interview with Helen Thomas of United Press International. (12/10/1970, [None listed])
  
  Runtime: 12:00
  
  Keywords: Radio, Press conferences, news conferences, interviews, media
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by "FM TUNER"; Recorded by LRR (initials of WHCA engineer)
  
  Original Format: 1/4-inch reel-to-reel audiotape. Original source type: Original.

P - Formal Presidential Remarks

• WHCA-SR-P-701205
  Remarks by President Nixon in a press conference. (12/10/1970, East Room, White House)
  
  Runtime: 0:36:03
  
  Keywords: Presidential press conferences, presidential news conferences, interviews, media, Vietnam War, Indochina War, Vietnam Prisoner of War
  
  Production credits: Audio feed supplied by WHCA, ABC (pool); Recorded by KAP (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-4023
  "Today". Vietnam Prisoner of War guest host comedian, actor, script writer Buck Henry, Astronaut Wally Schirra, and Elliot Richardson Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.
  Daphne Productions and Roland & Jaffee Productions
  Runtime: 00:40:00
• WHCA-4024
  President Nixon's news conference. Last half of video is a broadcast (via satellite) of the funeral for Charles de Gaulle Colombey les Deux-Eglises on November 12, 1970.
  NBC
  Runtime: 00:58:33
• WHCA-4025
  CBS Coverage of Presidential News Conference & Closing Comments; Firing Line with William F. Buckley, Jr., and guest Spiro Agnew (last 16 minutes). Three former Vietnam Prisoners of War (POW), Senators J. William Fulbright and Jacob Javits, Paulette Marie Desell first female page of the US Senate.
  NBC
  Runtime: 00:56:00
• WHCA-4026
  NBC Coverage of Presidential News Conference. President Richard Nixon.
  ABC
  Runtime: 00:36:00
• WHCA-4029
  Weekly News Summary - Tape II.
  All networks
  Runtime: 1:00
  
  10. Smith/Jarriel: Chronology of railroad strike after four railroad unions begin their strike; Judge successfully forces three back to work; Secretary of Transportation Volpe says their trying to makeup for goods that cannot be transported by rail. Time Code Start: 00:20:35. Keywords: unions, railroads, trains, strikes, threats, negotations, wages, raises. Network: ABC.
  
  11. Clark: Secretary of State William Rogers says President Nixon will not send U.S. troops into Cambodia; Senator Fulbright skeptical. Time Code Start: 00:22:50. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, Cambodia, military, troops, Senators, criticisms. Network: ABC.
  
  12. Odom: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director William Ruckelshaus warns Cleveland, Ohio, Atlanta, Georgia, and Detroit, Michigan, to clean up water. Says 3 cities have 180 days to clean up. Cleveland Mayor Carl B. Stokes says need federal funds to . Time Code Start: 00:24:40. Keywords: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), officials, warnings, water pollution, lakes, rivers, funding, requests, financial aid. Network: ABC.
  
  13. Reasoner: says most people do not want to dismantle military, but want withdrawal from Vietnam; erosion of military by task that country cannot fully support. Time Code Start: 00:26:56. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, military, criticisms. Network: ABC.
  
  14. Brinkley: judge signs order for railroad unions to go back to work; one union would not, stopping trains nationwide; judge finds union holding out in contempt of court; President of Rail Maintenance Union Crotty says courts are not clear on what kinds of . Time Code Start: 00:28:34. Keywords: unions, railroads, trains, strikes, threats, negotations, wages, raises, law officials, court orders. Network: NBC.
  
  15. Erwin: Secretary of State Rogers testifies in favor of financial aid to Cambodia; Senator Fulbright skeptical that administration will not get involved in Cambodia like Vietnam. Time Code Start: 00:31:08. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, Cambodia, military, troops, Senators, criticisms, foreign aid, financial aid. Network: NBC.
  
  16. Brinkley/McClellan: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Ruckelshaus warns mayors to clean up city water; Cleveland Mayor Stokes says government is not providing city with enough financial aid. Time Code Start: 00:33:32. Keywords: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), officials, warnings, water pollution, lakes, rivers, funding, requests, financial aid. Network: NBC.
  
  17. Cronkite/Pierpoint: US district judge orders last union back to work, Nixon issues executive order for other modes of transporting goods; Secretary of Transportation Volpe says they are taking all necessary measures. Time Code Start: 00:36:04. Keywords: unions, railroads, trains, strikes, threats, negotations, wages, raises, law officials, court orders, executive orders. Network: CBS.
  
  18. Cronkite: Railway clerks agree to go back to work; Penn Central railroad says will be broke if required to pay increased wages voted by Congress. Time Code Start: 00:38:40. Keywords: unions, railroads, trains, strikes, negotations, wages, raises, law officials, court orders, executive orders. Network: CBS.
  
  19. Cronkite/Rather: upcoming coverage of President Nixon's press conference; may be tension between reporters and President Nixon; President Nixon has not held press conference in months. Time Code Start: 00:39:17. Keywords: media, press conferences, news conferences, interviews. Network: CBS.
  
  20. Cronkite/Kalb: Secretary of State William Rogers attempts to persuade the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to go along with Nixon administration's request for $255 million to aid Cambodia, warning of a coming Communist offensive. Rodgers vowed US troops. Time Code Start: 00:40:34. Keywords: Vietnam War, Indochina War, Cambodia, military, troops, Senators, criticisms, foreign aid, financial aid. Network: CBS.
  
  21. Cronkite/Davis: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chief William Ruckelshaus guest spoke at the National League of Cities, accused Atlanta, Detroit and Cleveland for polluting waters and dragging feet to stop pollution. Served 180 day notice on cities . Time Code Start: 00:41:35. Keywords: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), officials, warnings, water pollution, lakes, rivers, hazardous wastes, pollution control. Network: CBS.
  
  22. Sevareid: Trains and taxis not running in New York City, forcing travelers to stand outside with baggage. In England there is little electricity. All caused by the breakdown of conventional social relationships in the free countries in an era of life by i. Time Code Start: 00:44:07. Keywords: unions, railroads, trains, transportation, strikes, effects, economy. Network: CBS.

• New York Times of December 10, 1970

• AP Images photos from December 10, 1970
• Getty Images photos from December 10, 1970

The Vanderbilt Television News Archive is the world's most extensive and complete archive of television news. They have been recording, preserving and providing access to television news broadcasts of the national networks since August 5, 1968.

• December 1970 Broadcast Index

Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

• December 10, 1970