Dictation Belt 8A contains four sound recordings. Item 8A.1 is a telephone conversation held on February 28, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and George Meany. They discuss arrangements for a White House reception for labor leaders. Item 8A.2 is a telephone conversation held on February 28, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator James Howard Edmondson of Oklahoma. They discuss a proposed merger of American Airlines and Eastern Air Lines, its potential effects on other airlines and the state of Oklahoma, and Delos W. Rentzel’s thoughts on the matter. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Note: James Howard Edmondson was previously identified as "Ed Edmondson" in some John F. Kennedy Library documents. Item 8A.3 is a telephone conversation held on March 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Theodore W. Kheel. They discuss the status of negotiations concerning the New York newspapers strike and the positions held by Dorothy Schiff and other parties. The recording begins in mid-sentence. Item 8A.4 is a telephone conversation held on March 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss reconnaissance flights over Cuba and statements attributed to Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona. They also discuss a press item about a proposed nuclear naval force and Soviet surveillance of naval vessels. The recording begins in mid-conversation and ends abruptly. The recording of this conversation continues on Dictation Belt 8B.1.

Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.