President Nixon: Yeah.
White House Operator: Mr. President?
President Nixon: Judge [Thomas F.] Murphy?
White House Operator: Yes.
President Nixon: Mm-hmm.
White House Operator: Go ahead, please.
President Nixon: Hello? Hello, Judge Murphy?
Judge Thomas Murphy: Yes, Mr. President.
President Nixon: How are you?
Murphy: Fine.
President Nixon: Fine. I was just signing some appointments here the other day, and I noted that I was sending to the Senate the nomination of Murray Gurfein—
Murphy: Yes.
President Nixon: —and for Thomas Murphy. And I told myself—
Murphy: Thomas Murphy?
President Nixon: [Laughs.] But I said, well, I said, is that Tom Murphy of many years ago?
Murphy: Yeah.
President Nixon: And I found that it was, so I just wanted you to know that we . . . that the country owes you a very great debt for your service to the country.
Murphy: Well, aren't you kind, Mr. President.
President Nixon: And for your service not only as judge but for that critical day when you had to take on that tough case.1
Murphy: Yes.
President Nixon: So we—I've always been—felt about you like Whittaker Chambers did.
Murphy: Mm-hmm.
President Nixon: It was a tough one.
Murphy: It really was, but you did an awful lot, too.
President Nixon: Yeah. Yeah. Well, it was something that we both had to do and—
Murphy: Yes.
President Nixon: Fine. And I hope you're in good health, are you?
Murphy: Well, I just enjoyed three months sitting in San Diego, Mr. President.
President Nixon: Good.
Murphy: I'm here trying to improve my golf, with not much success.
President Nixon: Golf! Oh, that's a terrible game. I'll tell you, I'll send you one of the presidential golf balls. [Murphy laughs.] Have you got one? That's what you'll get for your retirement. And that'll—and then you can get a—then you can get—that way you can get a hole in one.
Murphy: Oh, good.
President Nixon: Right, it has this presidential seal on it.
Murphy: Oh, wonderful.
President Nixon: And in the meantime, I just want to thank you for the country and wish you the very best in the time ahead.
Murphy: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you so much.
President Nixon: OK.
Murphy: Good luck.
President Nixon: Bye.
Murphy: All the best to you.
President Nixon: Thank you.
Murphy: Bye, now [unclear].
1 Murphy was the prosecutor in the Alger Hiss perjury case. (↑)