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Manuscripts

Williams, Nick B. - Tapes #1 & #2

Description

Approx. 20 items: 22-pp. transcript of "...initial taping with Nick B. Williams, former Editor of The Times," by James Bassett, 6/5/1973 - subjects include NBW's memories of his youth and early newspaper career in Tennessee and Texas and his coming to Los Angeles and getting into newspaper work in the 1930s ; 44-pp. transcript of "Tape 2...NBW & JB," an in-depth discussion of the Norman Chandler era moving into the Otis Chandler era at LAT, the changes in editorial policy, the move from the political right to the center (or at least representing various views along the political spectrum) in Editorial content and striving for unbiased news stories, union efforts to get a toehold at LAT - would it be good if LAT were the only paper in L.A.? Williams answers "no" (pp. 33) - gossip columnists, investigative reporting - Vietnam, the Red Chinese, the Soviets ; 57-pp. transcript of "Taping with Nick Williams (6/7/1973) 3rd Taping" - the Birch Society series, examples given of instances in which NC did not support Republican candidates that were right wing "kooks" (4 - 7) - Barry Goldwater, correspondence with Norman Chandler, Dorothy Chandler and Williams - Watts Riots (pp. 19- 22) - pornographic movies (pp. 29 - 31) - more related bio notes and materials on Williams.

Type
Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Date
1959 - 1973
Call number
mssLAT
Creator
Los Angeles Times (Firm)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance
The Los Angeles Times,
Restrictions
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.
Rights
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining permission rests with the researcher.
Associated people
Bassett, James E., (1912-1978.)
Chandler, Norman, (1899-1973.)
Chandler, Otis, (1927-2006.)
Conrad, Paul, (1924-2010.)
Johnson, W. Thomas, (1941-)
Owens, Charles H.
Associated organizations
Los Angeles Times (Firm).
Los Angeles Times History Center.
Times Mirror Company.
Find out more
View in the Library catalog(Opens in new tab)

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    Williams, Nick B. - Tapes #3 & #4

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    Employees - Williams, Nick B

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    Thomas, William F

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    Chandler, Otis - Tape # 2

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    1 item: 19-pp. transcript of "Second taping with Otis Chandler," by Bassett, 7/30/1975. Subjects include: the "Jack Hart thesis" that the years when NC was publisher was an "Era of Mediocrity at Los Angeles Times was challenged by Otis Chandler (pp. 1 - 2) ; Editor Nick Williams and his Managing Editors, Frank Haven and Frank McCulloch (pp. 3 - 5) ; political "kingmaker" Kyle Palmer (pp. 6) ; Otis Chandler - in 1960s "I wanted to move The Times into a position of political independence..." (pp. 6) ; ending Los Angeles Times endorsements for President, Governor and U.S. Senate (pp. 7) ; Otis Chandler comments on those who, after the relative liberalization of Los Angeles Times editorial policies, wished for "The Times of old" (pp. 9 - 10) ; comments on the John Birch Society series and the editorial, signed by Otis, that accompanied it (pp. 10 - 11) ; the Geotek affair (pp. 17+).

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    Chandler, Otis - Tape # 3

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    Chandler, Norman - Tape # 4

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    3 items: typed copy of 15-pp. transcript of interview (by Bassett) with Norman Chandler and Dorothy Buffum Chandler, 4/18/1973, ditto copy, and photocopy of the annotated transcript. Both copies have some edits and notations. Subjects include: "the very bitter mayorality contest of 1953" in which Rep. Norris Poulson defeated Mayor Fletcher Bowron (pp. 1 - 2) ; on supporting 1952 Republican candidates for President - Dorothy Buffum Chandler wanted Norman Chandler to switch to Eisenhower, she told him "we can't have any (sex) until you change your mind" (pp. 2) ; evolution of editorial policies under Hotchkiss, then Nick Williams (pp. 7) ; Otis Chandler takes over as publisher (pp. 7 - 8) ; keeping Los Angeles Times employees satisfied in view of labor agitation to unionize (pp. 12) ; Los Angeles Times Woman of the Year Awards (pp. 13).

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