PRESIDENTIAL WATERGATE TAPES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01482362
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2017
• Case Number: F-2007-00094
• Publication Date: December 4, 1973

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4 December 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR: - Director of Central Intelligence.
SUBJECT Presidential Watergate Tapes
1. On 27 November 1973, we learned from the press reports
that a panel of technical experts had been appointed by Chief Judge
John J. Sirica and that a Mr. Mark Weiss, Vice President of the
Federal Scientific Corporation. New York. New York, was listed
as a member of the panel.
2. On 30 November 1973 at 4:00 p.m., I received a telephone
call from Mr. Carl Feldbaum from the Office of the Special Prosecutor
(telephone No. 393-2300, ext. 215). Mr. Feldbaure stated that I
had been given my name from Mr. Herr 2y Ruth and was calling rn
because Mr. Mark Weiss, a member of the technical panel, had
requested the use of a machine called the "Coherent Spectrum Shaper.
I told Mr. Feldbaum that I was not aware of such a
machine but would make some inquiries and call him back. I tried
to call Mr. Duckett, DDS&T, but he was not in his office and I th-r,
called DDS&T/OPD, as I had earlier requested
information from him said that
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I then called and asked for
James Hirsh and in his absence talked to He. said
that they did have such a machine and that he would determine
whether the machine was movable or not. I then received a telephone
call from vho was in the Headquarters Building and
he explained the dimensions of the machine to be 30" x 12" x 30".
He stated the machine is movable and is not classified. The machine
accoustical theories and can, in some cases, reconstruct
applies basic
material from
currently
be moved for the use of the panel.
an erased tape.
Mr. Hirsh stated that the machine is .
however, if directed it could (b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
3. I called Mr. Feldbaum at 5:00 p . . on 30 November 1973
and advised him as follows:
a. The Director was not in town and that his
permission had not been granted for the use of the machine;
b. We did have a Coherent Spectrum Shaper and
it is movable;
c. Since the technical panel had been selected by
Judge Sirica., we would require a written request from
Judge Sirica asking for the use of the -machine. -Mr.
Feldbaum said that he understood my position and said
that he would call me again on Monday, 3 December 1973.
4. Attached are two articles from 1 December 1973 describing
the technical panel work on the Presidential tapes.
5. At the time of the initial request, Mr. Houston briefed
General Vernon Walters, DDCI, and on Saturday, 1 December 1973,
I also briefed General waiters who -stated that he had orally explained
the request to Mr. Colby when he had returned to the city on the
evening of 30 IsTovE.,,mb al- 1973.
Attachment
cc: DDCI
IG
OLC
DDS&T
stant General Counse
(b)(3)
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A
?..-1:41rded Reel With E rasure � �
,--� ,
o Get *,...)zzrial Enhancement'
;JULL Pi eims
-1xonTearn
� - �
By Carroll
By William Ciaiberne .
Washv..-.7.:�3z ?o3c sz.s.::Wrt:er . -. . ,,.. � . - f
. ... The ;Mite House said yes.' t
In an electronics, factory- between. the Presider.t. and
terday that J. Fred Buzhardt
alon:.e a meat market. in . H. R. (Bob) Haldeman-. r.i-ien:
remains in chat-re . of: the
N;27," �.,:orlc's West Harlem. a White House- chim' of.staLf.
itattet tf experts in corn- 1,r,,its �.-Voocis�� has sP'cl. she- . .Watergate. de.lense although
.puter and recording technol- accidentally erased a - nor-- : changes are-. being. made in: !
oay yest,,rctay� began. study, . tion� of theta pe when -she � the counsel's office. - - � �
ia; tho t.f;hite House tape. -. pushed a "record" buttha am . - Deputy press - secr.eizery l
recording on which an 13- the tape machine while- art-- � Ger-aid:L. Warren first said 1
--; lute segment of con versa- ..� swering a telephone. AC the - that Buzhardt "still it- work- :
tion was erased. - .. time, the-- tYPewriter- and . . ing" in the office. but at the :
The reel 1.vas.ta.ken aboard.:...- "am� Were turned � on, she � � end-of his briefing,. after re- 1
a train. by six armed U.S. �-.....f.said,.. �;.. ...,. �.., � .� .: . �����';..... ceiving � a .written.- note-,.- he, t.
Ma:shals::. who delivered it F.,...
���Officiala of' the.Watergate-7. - .aPolonized and said that Buz--:.�1
in a magnetic field-proof -..:5�i3eeiai .prosectition force-t--0hardr-.i3- in. charge.. .::. : .' � ' . i
St2el. box Thursday.might.to;:;-'�?refused to okl�:-.7, �Wa.rrerc said-he- had beertel
the- Federal Scientific Corp.-r.-2.-.'ithe-whe-reabouts'of.the.tape.,-:.i-'dWay- from the White House�Ji
Thera, the-tape i..7expected.-7,!..'..iiv�.hoit.�:;�,wasl.,,heingPro---.-�:4Tharsclay because,. of illness,.1
to berurt-through�a series O"..:',�"-'tected.Y '''':;..�-.'"f:'-'-'....;�:-.--.f ...1-��� ..''.. 'and that he. had -made a inis-.: ,
"signal enhancement" tests.: -:.......-But a-I.i..&:District Court-2--�-take in suggesting. that Buz- i
in an atro tept.to restore tha.4-
:..'source said:�. it:"-rwas� trans-.� hardt. ',vas not head. of the i
erased nortions..-.-�;:-.!;�.: -: .--�:. -�";--:-..7-"Dorted.-to"New-- York-late... �� Watergate clefe.nse:. -,:" -. ':-.� t--71
The �then. six presidentiaV.r. Thursday'. In -:.a:'rnetal : box'. � ' �- -Press secretary Ronald:M.:A
tapes remained- in:...a,..safe in.: -
'j'�lineci--- with:!....- mat-21ia1,: that -�-�:Ziegier-,. .-briefing-:'-newsrne.n.�1-
the IT.S..:.cOurthguSe:.undep'z-7;.-:-...would. repeR.�any:zmagmetic.::-.Thursday: in:. Wart-en's���� ah-:- 1, .
round-the-mot* pro riOd f''.i.
'-----:.:' - - - tee- - - - .:.:.:----,zield. canabie- oF causing ad- ��, sence, had made a lukewarm.'"
by U.S,:marshals::-.�:---: .- � .. ,....'.i;7.-'ditional obliterations.-- ThiS-.. 7-appraisali: -ol � Buzhardtt and' 1,
Also taken. to: New,- l'ork---.�....:.-�
, -p�rzecaution was taken. in an-.: � raised doubts that he contirt-
v.-ere the electriC.....typewritei-ticiph� tion::-:-Itha.ti:; the...7 cane �-�$., ued to have: the. President.r. ,
of Rose ..Ma.ry: Woods,..Presi-.7.-:.
mi. .':�....�. ght, be carried. near. . e lec-,-- - full canfic .. tence...,�:. -.,-:�,
dent i\i'Lszon's'Personal � secre;-:7.tronic ,- ert"lprqer. � 'with ��� a-. : ��. Warren ' declined ---- to .. say-
tary 7 and � -a,.� high'. ir,tensity-.-'"::.
V. :l
strong. magnetic -Fiold. .the �: who sitnt - the note' dirocrihg-
arap�:� that ,.� was.- on � Miss���-������ source said...�;.- �.:--::.- ':'.." � -- - ... him to : correct . the. irapres--
"oods' desk. on. Oct.' 1. i�liss...,..2, .. .,,,.
t. k.11 apes-w-ilLbeaccompa.- �:- sion - he, :had. left--..that-.Buz---�
Woods has. testified that. ort;�.7,-
med hy sixma_rs'aals to and �� hardt was ' no longer-- in '
that day she was transcrib-7,--
frorn' New -Yoe.: " the-source- - charge of the�President's -lei:
ing a tape made on June 20,��������� said. While-the-tapes are he-. � g..-3.1 defer:se.' But it was - as-.-:
117.2' In -2'r-1.� Nixoll'S E:criclr- � � itrf axnrained in Fedaral.Sci- sum,..,d thaz it cama .fzorr.i,
'.-:e �Ince- Building szite. .. ' �
inciudecLa conversatioa :.,. :See E.12EIITS,- AO, Col. 1 ...See PRESIDENT,. A.,3, Col. 1... �
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EX.PERTS, Prom-.31.:.;-..�: ' HoWpva,,.:. Oa- timly paiy>r-:-
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.3.bor,L0:,.. � i..,. ,:..,...:,:,.i.t..s- present...:foi:- yesterday's..
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. , 13.I..St Street.betWe'3a:BrOtiti.-. ',, -� A.representatitie�from.'tf
"
- .1%.: spo-szsmaa.,Forr:\ a .;.,:-....Baczei.'frorrt...;..taa. 7,77.atergati
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r. der_ILa:c.o.us tics..1:-'-e-.�:. ParLeL�was-selected...I.b
-'-.:and; .13:te=b. ex. of...thez.Pane.II.i.c...tber--,..-..77..._ihite.42,.H.ou.se.-...--and..-_Vne-,
:- . . _ . � : ..
.-�- of experts; said. - ..-.... :-..........wr..�,daL.4-1.;�...1.11:..osecur.ors....,:?..----J.,-r,...; --,-�- -
.... . ""--."7 � ,7:.-T ..: 'V' � ,- % .... ......,. 4 -' ��� ::-.:,..-7. - 4.-...-eat ..:,�,.. - 4
... :. M e:S.a no, comma a t ., �?1.,...W17�-,77stec...C.j.:::.',The-ejarittirst.-.r.r_.ttykr.,I
have Porapl e tact i Ltb. our.- sal.--.:::: -13 in:- th41-�Executitre.TtOidc:9-7:
:-.1s-factiom, and. have7.,f1.111:F;r.l.f,- Building; to develop-i:ticait4-
-por.ted.ittp-the-judge-4.�,.:.47..:::,:.:..;oposal_rforse.r.le.i.7,",of.,;�,-
� , Vorl.p.g.,:...-Fiith..,-.Weiss.-;ar..7��'''pliotAest-.(and)...td.. explore-2:1 �� i
._thel-.::tape,.......-..�ssign.cue.r_t;::;:;a:xt.:: p7tosaibie-y;eys; to.yaltdate'the...;,.:
Ili cb 3.r.d...:,EL.,..:...B o it. ;. : .a.:.....Carst- --; 'repo rcl.i2:Igs,'4.77.1.1:5SL.... , D is tic in::
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:z.:.bridge-j---,,:rac,g �,..acoust-lcs-�:?..adz:. .2..iS_Cpu.....--t--_-_,..Gb.J.e,f.;:Tv.,51ge_Joll.x.T.�:.
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com,putes-4- ezcpert.;�i,E-r-, -7 '-irr'R, 1.11,-17:F.,.-S:-.1.' ^ '';-.7"ri ,--,. he ::: ar/.-
..:' Cooperr. a:: linguisti.c.&- pr:ofes-.....ii,nounced:rtithe;:' apPointxnents----1
; sot:::', at-z-itlie-: ..1.iniversit,:*:-..'of.iP:.:t.o';-tha,Pan.e.1.,.: It c Quid. not_ be:�-
.:. �
��� . Connecticut; *--,e_mes.l......Fianz--a-de.te..:.--rnined.yesterday. if the..;.1
� agan,. a Bell. Laboratozies.d. -P anal.i:' has.- sche.dded:� ftests- '
gital coding expe.rt:...Thorr..as:.-:. 10 a:- gther. tapes. --.f......:1-..".1:7.,'
G. Stbekham. Jr., a . - Urilve..C--..i;� :3 �, c.:0,.....0E the .�,�rei z.,,123._
sity �of... Utah coo:tputet�-sci---'..ba,-;FtaVe. estiztat,c1 tbat: its_
ences proiSessor, and John G;���� may take_ s'o.:. week; or: 7-nore:
an audio systeims - to cornp!at- all Us,- te--,t.s....-.:.1..;.�
consultant_ � -- � --- .... - - � - ..
-- --..-- .--.-.-la.e. purpose of. the- partet _
. . , .
- -..,- membe.rs, who are� digital. �
l computer exgerts, is bo-
..ii2vd to be conxtected to at,
' tempts to capture latent sig-
'r.als frorr.: the e.r2sed por-
tion; of. the tapes. .White
. 1-''Jy..t.le spacial counsel ..T.
F:e-:t 7,!.t:hilzdt h-,.; -;..1 t',,,2.t.
':::..::....- 7.,..:7.. �-..: ":._::�:.:i" in.
.szreet--.o-- .T oseRicard
dais reEusett.t.c.. co --,ment. �
thtl Progress of_the -;..z.sarter-��adong.-:.--vrta
vice�pred_:speciz...q.;.prosecntor.'s
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TE NEW YORK TIMES, SATURDAY,DE,CEMBER 1,1
Partly. :Erasqc..Tape. Scrutinized at Laio,
�
By VICTOR R. Mc'ELI-Tr-NY
5 ;�-�r=1:1 tallta New York
ASHINGTON,:-_, Nov.. 30�
Technica1 experts appointed by
Chief District �./Litige--Jo'rut 1
Sirica 'nave- begun examining a
partly erased White-House tape
recording at a Ne.,4r�Yorlc City
laboratory... � � � ' .4" �
The tape includes a conver,
sation June. 1972,. � three
days .. after the., Watergate
break-in..- � between; � .President
Nixonland.� his��forme...r. White
House- staff. chief, H.R.:: Halde-
man, in the. Pre...dent's. Execu-
tive Office Buillding.,-hideaway:
Most of- -this conversation. re-
portedly was obliterated be-
cause it was on an 18-minute
tape gap the Whit.House. dis-
closed Nov.. 21.: � � '4, � '
The exa.minstion.started. yes-
terday at the. Federal Scientific
Corporation, 615.�We.st. 131st
Street, Manhattan; whosa vice
president for:. accoustical re-
search, Mark R.: Weiss, is one
of the technical advisers. de-
tem:a:ling the"autlit.snticity and
integrity" of subpoenaed White
House :tapes for Judge Sirica.
la addition to the tape,
Federal marshais. tooia to the
laboratory the tape recorder,
foot pedal, earphones, electric
*--pewri.ter and high-intensity
limp that Miss Re Mari
Vincds, the ?resident's .per-
sonal testified this
-.Yere in-Fol7ed in crest-
at least part of the is.
Also. sent were some. 20.ex.ezutive in Boston, the hope
color photographs of � �Miss of such a "recovery" would de-
1,v0ods and her White House.,,end on the quality of the
office,.take.n. at the. suggestion. '
original recording.
of . her:. lawyer. �Charles S.
Wood.s and the White
Fthyne, Tuesday, . afternoon,
showing. the. placement of the House. couns.et On thes.Wase.r-
eouipme.r.t. and how � Miss,gatz:case, J. F..red.Bustarcit.
-Woods -might: have- caused four told. Judge.. Silica_ in court . that
to-five roinut% of the gap when they-. thir...k the hurrursLag
interrup14...� by F. telephone have been, caused by eleztricaL
, . - � � - � - � interternc front th high-lnten-
� � Acwant. by Miss Woods � ��� sky lamp she used on her typ-
- She' testified that the inter- fag table, inches front the tape
- � ..
!All the Material They Need'
'
trarzscribin from th,s, ijaat The White- House�counsel,
ruption came Oct- 1, i,vhe.ri she
was 'ming the uzu�-arriliar tape
recorder for the. first.time while
g �
tape. With her foot on a tape-
advancing foot ,treadle, Miss
Woods.�.testified, she inad.ver-
tautly pushed a. recording key
Leonard Garrnent;� interviewed
today in Judge Sirica's court-
room., said -that the technical
e,xperts -had �."all the- material
they need" for-the tests. Among
instead of a stop.. button., when
those.present � for the tests-, he
the. phone rang..,
� � � said, are- Richard Hauser- of the
Neither she nor other White{ White .1-louse. counsel's -staff,
House officials called. to testifylart,., Cart eFldbaurn� from the
could .explain the remaining Ploffice of:the special Watergate
minutes of the gap..?' .�iprosecutor; Leon Ja.worsid.
-Tape... experts not on Judge .Most of the items sent to
Sirica!s panel, consulted by thei-New York- by -order of. Judge
New York Times,. expressed ce,r-iSirica and .:entered into Vic.
tainty that. one- of tile panel'sicourt record involved the 18-
first efforts would be to Use-minute gap and. its . possible{
aoraputer techniques to "filte.r"ina.uses. but the final item is
out. the humming noise thaty.onsidered by tape ex-cierts to bel
now fills the 18-minute �gao,ivical to a test of authenticity.-
and then "enhance" any resi;i-itn:.s is one of the battery of,
ual signals left in the tape a-.fcerrsonv TC 300-3 tape machines
the erasure. � !us--...s1 to record ?resider:dal con-
According to Dr: Leo ser-...s.rsaLio,:s for at least two years
anek, a leading accouszicalibefore the pracE:c.?: was sus_
scientist who is a tel.n.i.s,snic,�endeti last July.
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