Oral history transcript, James W. Symington, interview 3 (III), 11/3/1971, by Joe B. Frantz

The possibility that LBJ made Symington chief of protocol to smooth relations with his father, Stuart Symington; experiences that prepared him to be chief of protocol and the transition into the job; Symington’s relations with the state department; comparing Symington’s relationship to LBJ and Sec. Of State Dean Rusk; planning events and security for White House guests; the Blair House; protecting embassy people and property from crime; Nixon’s executive security force; protocol budget; parades for state visitors; different types of White House visitors and related protocol; anecdotes about several foreign visitors; HemisFair; Symington’s wife, Sylvia, and her role; LBJ’s trips to Mexico, El Salvador, and Asia; LBJ’s gift-giving; maintaining his health while on the job; having a White House staff member follow LBJ’s visit to foreign countries; foreign dignitaries sending wedding gifts to Luci.