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WHCF Subject File, 1974-1977

WHCF Subject File - CO: Countries
primary subject file, This category was for "material pertaining to a country, continent, geographic area, foreign governments, their officials and ambassadors," according to the White House Central Files manual. Although the CO category contains many security classified documents, these are frequently routine and very seldom classified as high as "Top Secret." Only the unclassified and declassified items have been opened to research. The most substantive and complete files on foreign affairs are part of the files of the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs rather than the White House Central Files. Case files for each country comprise the great bulk of the CO category. These are arranged alphabetically by country at file codes CO 2 through CO 170. Countries which gained independence after 1972, however, are listed at CO 171 through CO 179. The CO 1 file segments concern geographic regions. MATERIALS COMMON TO MOST CATEGORIES Much of the material in CO is actually cross-references to documents filed under other categories, especially Foreign Affairs (FO), Trade (TA), Trips (TR), International Organizations (IT), and National Defense (ND). The contents of the case files vary, but may typically include any or all of such routine exchanges of messages between the President and foreign heads of state as: congratulations on assumption of office, national day celebrations or national achievements; holiday greetings; condolences; and thank you notes. Other common topics include: presidential and vice presidential meetings and correspondence with foreign officials, journalists, or American ethnic groups; the presentation of credentials by new ambassadors; and proposed foreign travel by U.S. officials. SPECIFIC COUNTRY CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS The following descriptions highlight only additional topics, beyond those mentioned above. The descriptions also make note of visits to the U.S. by foreign heads of government and heads of state, although the amount of material available on each of these visits varies greatly., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFCO.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - FG: Federal Government Organizations
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was for "material from, to or about the Federal Government branches and Agencies pertaining to matters such as establishment, disestablishment, organization, reorganization, audits, inspection, investigations, location, relocation, regulations and reports, appointments and endorsements to top positions." Specific exceptions are: agency programs and functions (see specific subject); labor boards (see LA); White House administration (see WH)., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFFG.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - FI: Finance
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was for "material pertaining to superintending and managing the national finance, including collections, disbursements and accounting, taxation, credit and loans, federal budget, securities, investments, and related finance subjects." Specific exceptions are: federal-state appropriations (see ST); foreign loans and funds, mutual security and foreign aid (see FO); payrolls and deductions for federal employees (see PE); personal financial affairs of the President (see PP); revenue sharing (see FA); travel expenses and per diem of government employees (see PE); travel expenses and per diem of White House employees (see WH)., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFFI.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - FO: Foreign Affairs
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was for "material pertaining to international relations or in connection with the plans, policies, procedures and programs, regarding foreign countries or governments ... (including) matters relating to the administration of foreign affairs; economic development; mutual security; and foreign information and exchange activities." Specific exemptions are: ambassadors and others to the United States (see CO); international organizations (see IT); and medals and awards (see MA). The researcher should note that most White House foreign affairs material, especially security classified material, was maintained in the National Security Council's filing system and did not enter the White House Central Files., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFFO.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - HE: Health
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was used "for material pertaining to consultative assistance for the prevention and control of disease, hospital operation, conducting research in biology and medicine, blood donations, enforcing interstate quarantine regulations and conducting medical and hospital care programs; pollution and controls." Specific exceptions are: blood donations by government employees (see PE); grants-in-aid (see FA); health of federal civil service employees (see PE); health of servicemen (see ND); health of veterans (see VA); Indian health activities (see IN)., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFHE.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - IT: International Organizations
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was for "material pertaining to such matters as establishment, disestablishment, organization, reorganization, location or relocation and reports from, to or about bilateral and multilateral organizations.", http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFIT.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - ND: National Security - Defense
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was for "material which covers national security functions including the safeguarding of classified information; restrictions on the use of military aircraft; troop transportation and military operations which involve the planning, preparation and conduct of warfare; the planning, mobilization and management of resources and production for defense needs; and for material pertaining to the protection of life and property by preparing for and carrying out nonmilitary functions to prevent, minimize, repair and recover from damage caused by enemy attack, including post-attack mobilization plans." The file manual specifically excepted material pertaining to: alien property and war claims (see JL); military assistance to other nations (see FO); national emergency (see FE); and veterans and their dependents (see VA). The researcher should note that most highly sensitive defense and security materials were retained by the National Security Council in a separate file. Most of the material in this file, WHCF-ND, concerns administrative, legislative and political concerns and is infrequently classified higher than "Confidential.", http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFND.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - PP: President - Personal
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files filing manual, this category was for "material of a personal or quasi-personal nature written to the President or his family." An exception to the above are materials pertaining to criticism and support (see PR). These materials were considered personal or "quasi-personal" in that they concerned non-official matters. The materials were generally routine, however, and seldom characterized by any great sense of intimacy or privacy., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFPP.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - PR: Public Relations
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category is for "material pertaining to the general subject of public relations, human interest, including requests of various kinds.", http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFPR.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - SO: Social Affairs
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files filing manual, this category was used "for all material pertaining to White House social affairs such as dinners, luncheons, mess, teas and receptions. Includes invitations to attend, guest lists and requests for permission to invite others." Specific exceptions are: dinners of political parties (see PL); social affairs connected with visits of foreign dignitaries (see CO)., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFSO.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - SP: Speeches
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was for "speeches, messages to Congress, addresses, talks and statements made by the President or read for him. Include background materials, drafts of speeches and rewrites, campaign speeches, press releases concerning speeches, clearances and speech suggestions and letters and telegrams of congratulations, support or criticism. Speeches by members of the White House staff, officials of Federal, State and Local government agencies, and individuals outside the government are also filed here." Specific exceptions are: press conferences (see PR 16-2). This category does not contain information on all presidential and staff speeches and remarks. Indeed, the drafts and background material on most presidential remarks made after November 1, 1975, are in the files of the White House Editorial Staff, which included the speechwriters. Many reading copies of presidential speeches, moreover, were retained in the files of the Staff Secretary. Of course, related material on a given speech or remark may be found in many locations, such as the files of White House staffers with a scheduling or policy interest. Most of Mr. Ford's public messages and statements have been published in Public Papers of the Presidents: Gerald R. Ford., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFSP.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - TA: Trade
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was for "material pertaining to international trade, tariff and quotas or other restrictions on imports into the United States and its possessions, exports and export licenses from the United States, the Anti-dumping Act, reciprocal trade agreements, General Agreements on Tariff and Trade (GATT).", http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFTA.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
WHCF Subject File - WE: Welfare
primary subject file, According to the White House Central Files manual, this category was for "material pertaining to the welfare, environment and physical fitness of all people, developing community welfare services, family planning, national goals and social trends." Exceptions are: health (see HE); Indians (see IN); and veterans (see VA)., http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/guides/findingaid/WHCFWE.HTM, Clements National Security Papers Project
The collection of these documents and production of this website was made possible by the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. Peter O’Donnell, Jr.