W V. 12:23a t Lt. Cd r To m Atkin s. 4:41a t Chie f Bo b Dun n in dispensar y. 4:42a t Situatio n Roo m. 4: 54a f Situatio n Roo m

Transcription

1 W V WHITE HOUS E Dat e Oc t 31, DENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N rresident bega n hi s da y a t (Place ) Da The White House Thursda y '_ Time Telephon e f o r t : 1 1 Activit y (includ e visite d by ) In Ou t L o L D y 12:00midnight Ushe r say s th e Presiden t retire d 12:23a t Lt. Cd r To m Atkin s 4:41a t Chie f Bo b Dun n in dispensar y 4:42a t Situatio n Roo m 4: 54a f Situatio n Roo m 5:00a _ f Wal t Rosto w 5:18a t Wal t Rosto w 5:22a t Chie f Bo b Dun n i n dispensar y 5:33a f Wal t Rostow 5:38a _f Wal t Rosto w

2 WHITE HOUS E Dat IDENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N e Oct 31, rdiary Th e Whit e House Thursda y President bega n hi s da y a t (Place ) Da y Time Telephon e f o r t 1 1 Activit y (includ e visite d by ) In Ou t L o L D 9:10p Wal t Rosto w calle d - th e President was asleep - lef t wor d 10:14a t Rosto w - pl 10:22a t Jone s - pl 10:24a t McPherso n 0 pl 10:30a t Jone s - pl 10:37a t Sec y Rus k 10:45a t Templ e - pl 10:55a t Jone s - pl 11:30a t Rosto w - pl 11:50a T o Ova l Of c

3 VHITE HOUSE Date Oct 31, 1968 DENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON DIARY The White House Thursday President began his day at (Place) Day Time Telephone i or t 1 1 Activity (include visited by) In Out Lo LD 11:53a To the Fish Room for Presentation of Credentials of newly arrived Ambassadors: tr The Ambassador of Ethiopia. H. E. Dr. MINASSIE Haile The Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, H. E. Eduardo Alejandro Roca 12:00n To Oval Ofc 12:00n t Christian - pl 12:01p f Jones - pl

4 'HUE HOUSE Date Oct 31, 1968 ENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSON >IARY The White House Thursday resident began his day at (Place) Day Time Telephone i or t 1 Activity (include visited by) In Out Lo L D 12:02p 12:35 T o Cabinet Room joining: ^^ NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING Under Secy of State Nicholas Katzenbach Assistant Secy of State Anthony Solomon ' Hon. J. R. Wiggins, US Amb to UN Hon. Clark Clifford. Secy of Defense Deputy Secy of Defense Paul Nitze Hon. Henry Fowler. Secy of Treasury Hon. Richard Helms, Director of CIA Hon. Earle Wheeler, Chairman, JCS Hon. Price Daniel, Director of QEP Deputy Director of OEP, M. M. Merker Mr. William Lawrence of OEP Hon. Leonard Marks, Director of USIA Walt Rostow George Christian Bromley Smith Ernest Goldstein Ed Fried Tom Johnson re stockpiles

5 VHITE HOUSE Date Oct 31, 1968 DENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON DIARY The White House Thursday President began his day at (Place) Day T- Telephone Time f or t Expendi Activit y (include visite d by) ture Gode In Out Lo LD 12:35p To mjdr's room - w/ Walt Rostow j fr talking to Harry McPherson who was there with two pages to be added at end of speech they are working on. The President read the two pages carefully as McPherson and Rostow stood by. and said. "I think it's real good." The two pages contained an appeal to the candidates for non-partisan statesmanship in the search for peace. 12:36p 1:05p To Oval Office w/ Walt Rostow (The President reviewed all aspects of present problem Harry McPherson (-how to get Saigon to sign on once again to step we General Earle Wheeler (are taking today - Asked whether, in fact, we were Secy Clark Clifford (not winning the war and enemy being defeated (militarily. Was enemy washed up? Secy Clifford said in his opinion enemy was definitely" (washed up. Hence we ought to go ahead and seek progress in peace talks. ) 1:05p Walt Rostow out --Pres asked Gen. Wheeler whether Chiefs were really solid in supporting ' bombing halt decision. Gen. Wheeler said they were. ) 1:10p 1:35p Walt Rostow back in Secy Clifford (Group watched film and President recorded the General Wheeler (final segment, note d above -- two pages on non- Harry McPherson (partisanship--. The President's cold was worse and Jim Jones (and his voice huskier. That was expected to show (up in the finished film, but the group thought his (performance throughout good. ) 1:40p 1:53 Hon. C. R. Smith, Secy of Commerce, joined in theater

6 /HITE HOUSE Date >ENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON 'resident began his day at (Place) Day Oct 31, The White House Thursday Time Telephone f or t Expendi- 1 1 Activity (includ e visited by) ture Code In Out Lo LD :53pm President to Second Floor of Mansion accompanied by the group shown with him in the. theater at 1:35p Conversation on political situation and the media's handling of the candidates. 1:55pm Secretary Orville Freeman (President talking from Second Floor Dining Room) - Discussion -with Freeman o n whether the Vice President should go to Chicago as promised for candle-light parade with Mayor Daley. (Freeman had asked President's advice). President said this was entirely up to the Vice President. (NOTE; The Vice President went) 2:00p 2:30 LUNCH. President Johnson Usher's office says only 5 ate Secretary Clark Clifford lunch, but does not know which 5. General Earle Wheeler Secretary C. R. Smith George Christian Tom Johnson Harry McPherson 2:30p President returned to the theatre Saw piece of film that he had recorded just before lunch. Whole film, in color, not available. 2:50p ~ f ' Walt Rostow

7 ^ w w VHITE HOUS E Dat e Oc t 31, DENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N DIARY T, President bega n his day at (Place) Th e White Hous e Da y Th ursday Time Telephon e 1 [ Activit y (includ e visite d by ) In Ou t L o L D 2:50p T o the secon d floor 2:52p T o the South Portico w / Mrs. Johnso n -- and for a wal k i n the Rose Garde n w/ Mrs. Johnso n (awaiting th e Arriva l o f Lynda and Lucind a ) 3:05p Lynd a arrived a t th e Sout h Portico, accompanie d b y Luci and little Lucinda VHITE HOUSE Date Oct 29, 1968>ENT LYNDON B. JOHN 3:10p Th e family t o the secon d floor 3:25p t Rosto w - pl 3:36p t Jone s - pl 3:29p t Jone s - pl 3:30p f Sec y Rus k 3:3tp t Jone s - pl

8 VHITE HOUS E Dat e Oc t 31, ENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSON DIARY Resident bega n hi s day at (Place ) Th e Whit e Hous e Day _ Thursda y Time Telephon e f o r t 1 [ Activit y (includ e visite d by ) In Ou t L o L D 3:38p f Sec y Rusk 3:39p t Rosto w - pl 3:41p t Rosto w - pl 3:53p t JHHBBBB^BJPB i Secy o f Defense Clar k Cliffor d 4:00p f Wal t Rosto w 4:01p t Jone s - pl &&k 4:09p * _ t Senato r Everet t Dirkse n - Chicag o (b. 1 ) 4:38p 1~Wal t Rosto w 4:50p t Jone s - pl 5:04p t Rosto w - pl 5: 10 p t Jone s - pl

9 ^HITE HOUSE Date Oct 31, 1968 >ENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON DIARY 'resident > -, began his, day at (Place) /r,,, : The White House Day rk Thursday * Time Telephone i or t 1 1 Activity (include visited by) In Out Lo LD 5:20p t Rostow - pl 5:21p t_ Edwin Weisl, Sr - NYC 5:25p t Jones - pl 5:30p t sanders - pl 5:32p t Jones - pl ' 5:4lE President to Oval Office accompanied by Jim Jones 5:54p t Jim Jones - pl

10 ivhite HOUSE Date Oct 31, 1968 DENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON DIARY President began his day at (Place) The White House Day Thursday Timp Telephone f or t Expend!- j 1 Activity (include visited by) ture Code In Out Lo LD 5:54p 6:35p Secretary Clark Clifford Operator was asked t o setup a Conference - Secretary Dean Rusk Call to Vice President Hubert Humphrey r "" ~T~i General Earle Wheeler Hon. Richard M Nixon, and Governor Director Richard Helms George Wallace Mr. Walt Rostow. 6:00pm Tom Johnson ^BBfc taking Jp Geri Rudolph (Steno-typist) into Oval Office 6:04p t Tom Johnson - pl 6:05pm 6:21p t (Vice President Hubert Humphrey in Newark, N. J. (Ph: ) CONFERENCE CALL )Hon. Richard M. Nixon at his apartment in New York City (Ph: a/c ^pfr ' (Gov. George Wallace in Norfolk. Virginia at the Golden Triangle Motor Hotel 6:22p t Ji m Jones (PL) 6:28p 6:35p t Sen. Thomas J. Kuchel (R) Cal - at Washington residence CONFERENCE CALL: t Sen. Everett McKinley Dirksen (R) in Chicago. Ill t Sen. Mike Mansfield (D) Mont - in Harden Montana t Speaker John W. McCormack (D) - Mass - at his Boston, Mass residence -MORE- ^

11 /H, TE HOUS E Dat e Oct. 31, W >ENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N DIARY Th e Whit e Hous e Thursda y 'resident bega n hi s da y a t (Plgre ) ; Da y Time Telephon e I Expend:- 1 Activit y (includ e visite d by ) tur e In Ou t L o L D Cod e CONFERENCE CALL TC THE LEADERSHIP CONTINUED: 6:28p 6:35 p t Hon. Hal e Bogg s (D) - L a - i n New Orleans 6:33p 6:35 p t Hon. Lesli e C Arends (R) i n Melvin, 11 1 (Note differenc e i n time h e wa s o n the cal l he kep t cuttin g out, bu t wa s o n during time give n here. ) on _the line, holding, bu t did (Additional note : Congressma n Gerald R. For d (R ) Mich, wa s -<BfcBBB<BMfcia<^BBB^fc» not participat e i n this conferenc e call. H e did call in later. H e said he hung u p because h e did not kno w it wa s th e Whit e Hous e callin g him. Barefoo t Sander s talke d wit h th e Congressma n about 6:45. ) (Additional note: Congressman Car l Alber t coul d not be located i n time t o participate i n thi s call. Barefoo t Sander s wa s successfu l i n talking wit h hi m abou t 8 p. m. ) 6:35p A t mjdr's des k 6:40p 6:48 p CABINE T ROO M MEETIN G IZZ Z Secretary o f State Rus k Nicholas Under Secretar y o f State Katzenbac h Secretary o f Defens e Cliffor d (Clark ) j Deputy Secretar y o f Defens e Nitz e (Paul ) ; Secretary o f the Army Resor (Stanley) J ~S y 1^"*'fT ~ Secretary o f th e Nav y Ignatiu s (Paul) Secretary o f th e Ai r Forc e Brow n (Harold) Secretary of th e Treasur y Fowle r (Henry ) CIA Directo r Helm s (Richard) JCS Chairman Wheele r (Earle ), Army Chie f o f Staf f Westmorelan d (William ) / /$ -, General Palme r (Bruce) - Admiral Moorer, CN O (Thomas) ^ Acting Chie f o f Staff, Ai r Force, Genera l Rya n (John) -B v \f s,0 S Commandant, Marin e Corps, Genera l Chapma n (Leonard) /? «OEP Directo r Danie l (Price ). USIA Directo r Mark s (Leonard) Walt Rosto w \ I I I -MORE -

12 /VHITE HOUSE Date Oct. 31, 1968 DENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON DIARY The White House Thursday President began his day at (Place) Day -r- Telephone f o r t Expendi- 1 1 Activity (include visited by) ture In Out Lo L D Code CABINET ROOM MEETING CONTINUED:. 6:40p 6:48p ftb8p^ji^^^(b^mbp Larry Levinson ^^UPPpBBJBlip Harry Middleton Bromley Smith Bob Hardesty Because of the historical importance of this day and of this meeting. Larry Levinson. Harry Middleton and Bob Hardesty took notes and combined them into the following: The President was attired in a grey suit and grey tie. He spoke in a voice that seemed hoarse. His delivery was rapid and business-like. He stated: "We are ready to announce that we are going to stop bombing North Vietnam. We have always held tha t conferences "will not be productive unless the Government of Vietnam is represented; unless the other side refrains from shelling the cities; unless there is no violation of the DMZ. "Hanoi has said tha t it is willing for South Vietnam to sit in on the meetings. "We have let them know that any violation of the DMZ will trigger an attack from us. "We have talked with the Soviet Union and others and they understand this. ''We will test their faith and see. ''I am going on the air at 8 p.m. tonight to talk to the Nation, Just before that, I will order the bombing to stop at 8 a. m. tomorrow. "Negotiations -wil l resume on November 6. If they are there, fine. If not, we will go on anyway. "I've gotten the judgment of my advisers on this. " (At this point the President read statements from his advisers:. ' "McConnell: Therefore, I recommend that you go ahead and do this. "Rusk: I recommend that We proceed. I recommend that we proceed along the course as outlined. with making this proposition. "Russell: It's worth a try. -MORE- ^ "Chapman: I think we shoul d go ahead with it. "Palmer: Considering everything that has been brought up here, I would go along

13 THE WHIT E HOUS E Dat e Octobe r 31, 1968 PRESIDENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N DAILY DIAR Y The President bega n his day at (Place ) Th e Whit e House. Washington, D. C. Da y Thursda y Tim P Telephon e Entry f o r t Expendi -»^ y 1 1 Activit y (includ e visited by ) tur e In; Ou t L o L D Cod e CABINET ROO M MEETING CONTINUED : 6:40p 6:48 p "Westmoreland :. But i f th e rule s o f engagement as suggeste d here ar e adopted, I se e n o problem. ''_ "Abrams: I certainly subscrib e t o that a hundred percent. "They mus t respec t th e DM Z and the cities. It' s wort h the last mile. I' m willin g t o take that chance. Al l m y adviser s suppor t me. I f you have an y differing opinions. I would like for yo u t o sa y so, "Bunker an d Thie u are, meeting. W e hope t o issue a joint statement. Bu t if not, w e wil l go ahead wit h our own. "Do you have an y objections? (The Presiden t went aroun d th e table. Ther e wa s prompt and unanimou s agreemen t amon g thsoe. present. Amon g th e comments : "OK " "Absolutely. '' "Strong" "Th e thin g t o do" "Th e righ t decision. " "Others wh o said wai t a little whil e you'll get a better dea l fro m th e othe r fellow. "We're doin g thi s t o test their goo d faith. "There wil l b e som e har d negotiatin g ahead. Secretary Rus k interjected:''there wil l be som e har d fightin g ahead. " The Presiden t replie d "Bu t this i s wort h a try. Ther e wil l no doubt be charges o f politics arise. Bu t the next meeting won' t be until November 6. " 6:48p Pres s photographer s admitte d accompanie d b y To m Johnso n for jus t a moment. Then th e Presiden t sai d "Than k yo u gentlemen" an d the grou p started leaving. NOTE: (A t the conclusio n o f the meeting, Wal t Rosto w commented also \ (3' i n a hoarse voice "This is the most, sustaine d da y an d night effort I'v e ha d sinc e the Cuban missile crisis. " The President stoppe d Secretary Rus k and was talkin g wit h him o n the side. Q, 6:52 p t Th e Vice Presiden t (using the Cabine t Room telephone) b. 2 (Th e VP had called Ji m Jone s u.s. GOVERNMEN T PRINTIN G OFFICE: op fo r th e President' s guidance o n wha t t o sa y okc, IKAVr-L. K.hid(JK.L ) T 1 TV T.*» FOR TRAVE L ACTIVIT Y r e Congr. Geral d Ford. Pa e No - : &

14 /KITE HOUS E Dat e Octobe r 31, >ENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N DIARY 'resident bega n hi s day at (Place ) Th e Whit e House, Washington, D. C. Da y Thursda y 1 1 Activit y (includ e visite d by ) tur e The President, lookin g happy - bouyan t - cam e ou t of the Cabine t room saying ^tbmjmblsbjm ^ 7:11p 7:15p Workin g nigh t readin g a t mjdr' s des k wit h mjdr.^"^~~""ge t somebod y i n t o answe r th e phone s ^ an d come o n in and let's hav e a drink. " 7:15p Ly n Nugen t (i n Halowe'e n costum e an d mask). (Th e hall doo r t o mjdr's offic e opene d an d ther e stood the little "grernlin". Th e Presiden t pretended t o b e frightene d an d went : along wit h the "game. " Offered Ly n candy, Mrs. Johnsn, Luci, Helen e Lindo w an d Warri e Lyn n Smith were "makin g th e rounds " wit h Lyn. (Mrs. Johnso n calle d th e mansion askin g fo r hor s d'oerves and popcorn) The Presiden t gav e a list o f people he wanted to talk t o an d went into the Ova l Offic e with Mrs. Johnson et a l stayin g o n in mjdr's offic e 7:18p t Senato r Richar d Russell (D ) Ga. - - i n Winder Georgia 7:19p Senato r Ralp h Yarborough called. Sai d he woul d cal l tomorrow. 7:20p t Senato r Margare t Chas e Smit h (Th e President instructe d --he wante d to talk t o her onl y if she were abl e t o talk o n the telephone;otherwise he woul d talk with her AA, Gen. Lewis. 7:27p t Lo u fac' w Harri s Ne w Yor k Cit y ~ 7:35p T o mjdr' s doo r invitin g al l t o com e o n in and join hi m sayin g agai n t o mjdr t o get someon e to com e an d answer th e phones. (Mar y Rather - workin g i n Mildre d Stegall' s offic e returned t o he r des k ) 7:36 T o Loung e wit h Mrs. Johnson, Warri e Lynn, mjd r (Luci, Ly n and Helene ha d gone on to other office s o n "Tricking an d Treating. " 7:40p t Wal t Rostow (PL ) 7:42p Larr y Levinso n joined The President wa s i n a relaxed, expansiv e mood - mos t cheerful. H e talked o f what an ordea l th e recen t day s have bee n but of what great strengt h Wal t Rostow has given. He spok e of the fin e qualitie s o f the ma n - - patient, har d working, never complaining, neve r seeks credi t o r compliments - just gives an d give s an d gives. Spok e o f Hi s high U.S GOVERNMEN T PRINTING OFFIC E : 1967 OF ^^ SE E TRAVE L RECOR D ^ ^ _ ^ T. / 4 ^ ^B FO R TRAVE L ACTIVIT Y ^ B Pag e No. : [J^ ^ B

15 VHITE HOUS E Dat e Octobe r 31,196 8 >ENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N DIARY Resident bega n his day at (Place ) Th e Whit e House, Washington. D. C. Da y Thursda y -p- _ Telephon e Time f or t Expend! Activit y (includ e visited by ) tur e In Ou t L o L D God e ' regar d fo r Mrs. Rostow. 7:49p Mr. Wal t Rostow joined. 7:50p Ji m Jone s an d Larry Templ e joine d President suggeste d al l mov e int o Ova l Offic e wher e there woul d h e mor e room and al l coul d watc h th e 8 o'clock broadcast o n the larger T V sets.. Presiden t tol d Ji m Jone s h e wante d hi m t o carefull y scree n th e peopl e who hav e worked fo r hi m and wh o wanted t o sta y i n Washingto n an d who would need hel p, i n gettin g wel l situate d mentioned particularly Hele n William s t o se e tha t she had al l hel p i n gettin g a good job 7:54p To m Johnson joined - reporte d Wal t Rosto w had don e a n excellent job in briefing the press. President asked specifi c question s o n the briefing - To m indicated al l went wel l -- no difficulties - - no objectors. 8:00p 9 : 04p I n Oval Offic e - watched taped speec h - - Th e President announcin g bombin g hal t and related matters regardin g Vietnam, Wit h th e Presiden t were (wit h variou s one s going an d coming ) Mrs. Johnso n Luci Nugent an d Lyn Walt Rostow : Larr y Levinso n : Larry Templ e Okamoto Tom Johnso n Jim Jone s Warrie Lyn n Smit h 7 Mary Rathe r Juanita Roberts

16 THE WHIT E HOUS E PRESIDENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N DAILY DIAR Y The Presiden t bega n hi s da y a t (Place ) Th e Whit e House, Washington, D. C. In Time Out Telephone f o r t Lo LD Activity (includ e visite d by ) Date Octobe r 31, 1968 Day Thursday Expenditure Code 8:00p 9:04p The Presiden t switche d th e T V presentatio n o f hi s speec h fro m channe l t o channe l an d conversation continue d throughou t th e presentatio n The Presiden t expresse d hi s wonde r abou t wha t Chuc k an d Pa t woul d thin k their reactio n t o thi s announcemen t woul d b e He sai d i t wa s th e mos t importan t decisio n h e ha d eve r made. what He furthe r sai d h e wa s no t sur e i t wa s th e righ t decisio n bu t wa s wha t h e fel t had t o b e done. Sai d h e couldn' t guarante e Thie u wha t Thie u wanted. I coul d onl y tel l him I wa s takin g the m o n fait h - - tha t th e time s demande d thi s action. Thi s i s a ste p toward peace. 8:30p Mary Margare t Valent i railed, bu t th e Presiden t di d no t tal k a t tha t time, 9:00p Fldwin Weisl, Sr. o f N Y railed. Presiden t di d no t tal k a t tha t time. 9:04p To th e Mansio n w/ Mrs. 9:05p In th e Mansio n Johnson followed by Luci, Lyn, Helene Lindow C 9:09p Sen. Warre n Magnuso n (D ) Washingto n fro m Seattle. C C 9:17p William S. White. (Mrs. Whit e ha d calle d earlie r i n th e da y leavin g a simpl e message: (Just tel l hi m w e lov e hi m - Jun e an d Bill). Th e Presiden t calle d fro m th e office, but th e cal l wa s no t complete d unti l thi s time ) 9:18 MJDR and Mary Rather 9:19p t Mrs. Mar y Margare t Valent i returnin g he r cal l o f 8:30 p (Mrs. Jack) 9:31p f C. P. Littl e C 9:33 p f Vicky McHug h (Mrs. Simon) 9:25 10:22 Tom Johnson to second door 9:37 10:40 George Christian, Mary Rather and Juanita Roberts, Helene Lindow 10:00p DINNER wit h Mrs. Johnson, Luci, Warre n Lynn, Mary. Rather, To m Johnson, Geo.Christian, Juanita Roberts. Lynd a joined, but did not eat. PRINTING OFFIC E : O F SEE TRAVE L RECOR D Page No. : 16 FOR TRAVE L ACTIVIT Y and

17 /HITE HOUS E Dat e Octobe r 31, 196 8» _ IENT LYNDO N B. JOHNSO N DIARY 'resident bega n hi s day at (Place). Th e Whit e House, Washington, D, C. Da y Thursda y Time Telephon e I Expendi Activit y (includ e visite d by ) tur e In Ou t L o L D God e Dinner served : Broile d steak s an d stuffed gree n pepper s Fresh cor n off the cob (cream style) - Frenche d green beans Sliced tomatoes o n greens with herb dressing Tiny hard roll s - butte r - peac h preserves Banana Bavarian Cream Demi-tasse The Presiden t at e heartily. Mrs. An n Garmo n t o 10:00p Presiden t calle d th e press offic e asking l ^jjjfjffjjf br ing ove r th e tickers relatin g t o his speech. 10:28p T o hi s bedroo m w Geo. Christia n an d To m Johnso n 11:00p Retire d Warrie Lyn n Smit h a houseguest. Helen e Lindo w visited wit h WL S until abou t 4 a.m.

18