Dictation Belt 26B contains seven sound recordings. Item 26B.1 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy, Herbert S. Walters, Governor Frank G. Clement of Tennessee, and Walter Clement. They discuss the appointment of Herbert S. Walters to succeed the late Estes Kefauver as United States Senator from Tennessee. President Kennedy speaks briefly to Governor Clement’s father Walter. Item 26B.2 is a telephone conversation held in August 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John W. McCormack of Massachusetts. They discuss their legislative strategy on a tax bill, including how to deal with Representative Wilbur Mills of Arkansas. For most of the recording there is a strong echo. Item 26B.2A is a brief telephone exchange between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and Tazewell Shepard, Naval Aide to the President. Shepard asks what time President Kennedy will be available for a discussion. Item 26B.3 is a telephone conversation held on August 22, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Solicitor General Archibald Cox. They discuss a tidelands issue concerning Louisiana. Item 26B.3A is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Arthur J. Goldberg. They chat while Justice Goldberg holds for President Kennedy. Item 26B.4 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Arthur J. Goldberg. Justice Goldberg advises President Kennedy on negotiations concerning a railroad work rules dispute. Item 26B.5 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator J. William Fulbright. They discuss hearings on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 26C.

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.