Roy Ash Papers, White House Central Files, 1969-1974

1969-1974


Descriptive Summary

Title: Roy Ash Papers, White House Central Files, 1969-1974
Dates: 1969-1974
Collection Number: 6121048
Creator/Collector: Ash, Roy L.
Extent: 3 linear feet, 6 linear inches; 8 boxes
Repository: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Abstract: Roy L. Ash served in two positions during the Nixon Administration. He served as the Chairman of the President’s Advisory Council on Executive Organization (PACEO) from 1969 to 1970 and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from 1972 to 1974. Roy L. Ash served on several councils within the administration. These councils included the Domestic Council, the Council on International Economic Policy, the Council on Economic Policy, the Federal Property Council, and as a member of the Economic Stabilization Program, he served on the Cost of Living Council, the Cost of Living Council on Health, and the Cost of Living Council Committee on Food. These files are divided into two major series reflecting Ash’s roles within the Nixon Administration. In the first series there are staff papers dated July 17 through 19, 1969. The primary subject covered is civil rights prepared by J. Eugene Maranes and Michael McDonald. There are also summaries of several task forces reports on government organization to improve management. The second series concerns Ash’s role as Director of OMB dating from December 1972 to August 9, 1974. Within this series there are four subseries: Roy Ash Chronological Files; Memos to the President; Presidential Meetings; and Hearings, Statements and Speeches.
Language of Material: English

Access

Collection is open for research. Some materials may be unavailable based upon categories of materials exempt from public release established in the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974.

Publication Rights

Most government records are in the public domain, however, this series includes commercial materials, such as newspaper clippings, that may be subject to copyright restrictions. Researchers should contact the copyright holder for information.

Preferred Citation

Roy Ash Papers, White House Central Files, 1969-1974. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

Acquisition Information

These materials are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of Title I of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-526, 88 Stat. 1695) and implementing regulations.

Scope and Content of Collection

The files of Roy Ash consists of copies of materials he generated or received in the two positions he held during the Nixon Administration: Chairman of the President's Advisory Council on Executive Organization (PACEO) 1969-1970 and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) December 1972-August 9, 1974. These files are divided into two major series reflecting these two roles. In the first series there are staff papers dated July 17-19, 1969. The primary subject covered is civil rights prepared by J. Eugene Maranes and Michael MacDonald. There are also summaries of several task forces of the specialized topics there are: a proposed study on Federal organized crime endeavors, efforts to aid disadvantaged citizens, statements on economic development and the Administration's legislative programs. Located among these materials are studies on the Presidency by Bradley Nash and Bradley Patterson. Two source books were used by PACEO: the Heineman Task Force on Reorganization, dated September 15, 1967, and the Lindsay Task Force on Government Organization, December 17, 1968, are included. The Briefing Book prepared for Roy Ash, who was testifying before Congress, concerns the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency. There is one final report to the President and it pertains to the Independent Regulatory Agencies. The second series concerns Roy Ash's role as Director of OMB dating from December 1972 to August 9, 1974. Within this series there are four subseries: Roy Ash Chrono Files; Memos to the President; Presidential Meetings; and Hearings, Statements and Speeches. The largest subseries is a chronological file of correspondence consisting primarily of outgoing letters and memos from Roy Ash arranged alphabetically by the last name of the correspondents. At the beginning of each folder there are congratulatory letters and letters from Ash thanking people for support. There are requests throughout this subseries for Ash to speak to groups and before Congressional committees. Primary topics are interpretation of Administration economic and regulatory policies, explanation of the roles of OMB, comments on, and advice and evaluations of legislation. Found throughout the materials are letters and memos explaining why the positions of Director and Deputy Director of OMB should not be subject to confirmation by the Senate. There are also numerous letters from Congressmen, Senators, governors, and mayors concerning Federal credit policies, law enforcement studies on the Mexican-U.S. border, municipal waste water treatment funds and concern over energy resources and shortages, closure of military bases and other topics of special interest to the area. Since the topics are so varied the individual alphabetical folders are described in the series descriptions. The subseries of Memos to the President, 1973-1974, consists of materials from Roy Ash to the President regarding his meetings with the President and meetings of the Economic Advisors and the Cabinet as well as memos advising the President on issues confronting OMB and the Administration on the economy and pending legislation. In the subseries Meetings with the President, 1973-1974, there are handwritten notes, talking papers and other memos regarding meetings with the President, the Economic Advisors, and the Cabinet on energy, the budget and efforts to stimulate the economy. The final subseries Hearings, Statements and Speeches, 1973-1974, contains press releases, handwritten and typed notes for speeches and formal statements of presentations, speeches and remarks given by Roy Ash to Congressional committees, national and civic organizations on the economy, OMB policies and pending legislation. For additional materials concerning Roy Ash and his role as Chairman of PACEO the files of the President's Advisory Council on Executive Organization should be checked. There are some official OMB files in the WHCF: Subject File FG 6-16. References to Roy Ash and the OMB are found throughout the White House Special Files.