Nixon's Tranquillity Base

No vacation the President of the U.S. ever takes can be quite like that of any other citizen. During his month in San Clemente, Calif., Richard Nixon has managed to claim most of his afternoons for rest and relaxation. The mornings at White House West, however, are working hours; the business of the world's most powerful nation can never come to complete rest. Each day, the President is briefed on foreign happenings by White House Aide Henry Kissinger and on domestic issues by Attorney General John Mitchell. A steady flow of information and decision-demanding paper work comes to San Clemente. Inevitably, however, the President's pace is more selective than when he is in Washington, enabling him to put off some things until tomorrow that might have had to be done today in White House East. And much of the Washington trivia that nibbles at a President's hours is absent: no poster babies, cotton queens or service awards to worry about.

Some ceremony is necessary even in California. Last week the President hosted a gala state dinner for South Korean President Chung Hee Park in San Francisco's St. Francis Hotel, Nixon's favorite. Earlier, the President indicated that Washington expects Seoul to assume the major role in defending South Korea--a surprisingly mild affirmation of support, considering that the U.S. keeps 50,000 men in South Korea. Not even 6,000 antiwar demonstrators in Union Square could dampen the presidential humor. Nixon explained to the 238 diners that, although the U.S. Army Strolling Strings and the Marine Band were imported from Washington, the wines, the flowers and most of the guests were California products. He might have added, of the Hollywood variety. On hand were: Mrs. Clark Gable, Shirley Temple Black, Actor William Lundigan and even Zsa Zsa Gabor, whose unlikely dining partner was Henry Kissinger. Did they discuss world affairs? "No," purred Zsa Zsa, "but we talked about a lot of other affairs."

The San Francisco dinner was a pleasing departure from the more familiar Washington diplomatic divertissements. Yet it was only a prelude to an even more unusual get-together. This week, the President plans on throwing a birthday party for Lyndon Johnson. At Nixon's invitation, the ex-Chief Executive will come to California to celebrate his 61st birthday. There Nixon intends to present his predecessor with a thoughtful gift. He is going to dedicate "Lady Bird Grove" in Redwood National Park in tribute to the former First Lady's efforts to beautify the nation.

Ambling Ambience. Despite the demands of his social calendar, the President continues to enjoy the ambling ambience of his Western White House. The morning's work generally begins with Nixon's slipping behind the wheel of a Cushman golf cart (dubbed "Cushman One"). King Timahoe, the first family's Irish setter, often rides shotgun in the cart. The President drives 400 yards between his Spanish-style villa and the White House staff offices and enters the handsome new surroundings. In less than two months, the barren Coast Guard LORAN (long range navigation) station, which adjoins the Nixon property, has burst into bloom with manicured lawns, shrubbery and flowers dotting the site.

The President nominated South Carolina Judge Haynsworth to the Supreme Court last week and appointed five new ambassadors. He elected to defer a decision on further troop withdrawals from Viet Nam. There were the usual daily rounds of meetings and briefings from the key White House aides, who stay close at hand. But the mood continued to be relaxed. The surf beats at the shore 75 feet below the Nixon house, and the Pacific days inspire a feeling of languid luxury. It is Tranquillity Base for an easygoing operation.

Golf Bug. Nixon is reveling in the freedom afforded him in San Clemente. It has given him the chance to indulge in a newfound passion--golf. After lunch, work ceases and the President heads for the first tee. Attorney General Mitchell, Secretary of State William Rogers and Son-in-Law David Eisenhower often make up the foursome. Scores are state secrets. Although young David is considered to be the best linksman in the group, Nixon thinks highly of Mitchell's game. In his enthusiasm, Nixon seems to have forgotten that he once declared the game to be a "waste of time." Last week he played five days in a row. As his game improves, so do the chances that Pat Nixon will meet the same fate suffered by many suburban wives: golf widowhood.

There are other diversions. Nixon likes to sun himself on his patio and read. He walks along the ocean with Pat, and he enjoys watching surfers skimming through the waves farther down the beach. The Mitchells have been over to share a quiet dinner. The President has twice driven south to Oceanside with his friend "Bebe" Rebozo to inspect pleasure boats. Two or three times he has taken the family out to dine, a luxury that is out of the question in Washington. The family also occasionally orders in a meal of tacos and hamburgers for an informal feast. That, along with other simple pleasures, will be left behind in San Clemente when Nixon returns to Washington on Sept. 7. It is a little difficult to order hamburgers to be delivered to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

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