51. Editorial Note
On July 8, 1965, United States Information Agency (USIA) Director Carl T. Rowan submitted his letter of resignation to President Lyndon Johnson. In the letter, Rowan wrote that he was resigning his position “after considerable soul-searching.” Referencing Johnson’s confidence and trust in him, Rowan continued: “Thus, you can appreciate the difficulty with which I have come to my decision. After more than 4 years of public service, however, personal and family reasons dictate that I return to private life.” After serving in the U.S. Government for over 4 years, first as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from February 1961 until March 1963, U.S. Ambassador to Finland from March 1963 until February 1964, and USIA Director, Rowan planned to return to a career in journalism. He hoped “that through this medium I can still make a contribution to your and our country’s efforts to protect and extend freedom at home and abroad.” (National Archives, RG 306, DIRCTR Subj Files, 1963–69, Bx 6–29 63–69: Acc: #72A5121, Entry UD WW 257, Box 24, Office of the Director—General 1965)
Johnson accepted Rowan’s resignation in a July 10 letter, writing:
“I accept your resignation as Director of the United States Information Agency with sincere regret. You have brought to the job professional confidence and unusual devotion to public service. Your experience and your own personal qualities have set precedents which will challenge your successors for years to come.
“For four years you have given loyal service to the government and people of this nation. I understand the sacrifices which have been [Page 149] involved in that service and appreciate the reasons which led to your decision to return to private life. As you leave, I want to join with your many friends and colleagues in wishing you continued success.” (Ibid.)
A July 10 press release from the Office of the White House Press Secretary made public Rowan’s resignation letter and Johnson’s response. (National Archives, RG 306, USIA Historical Collection, Office of the Director, Biographic Files Relating to USIA Directors and Other Senior Officials, 1953–2000, Entry A1–1069, Box 26, Carl T. Rowan, 1957–1998)
The day after Rowan submitted his official letter of resignation, Johnson called attorney Leonard Marks to offer him the position of USIA Director. According to a transcript of their conversation, Johnson told Marks: “I rather think that you’re admirably equipped for [the job as U.S. Information Agency Director] and what you don’t have you can learn rather quickly. And Don Wilson’s job could be a good newspaper man with a lot of management experience. And you could get you an outstanding Voice [of America] man.” Johnson noted that Frank Stanton “thinks that you could do a good job of it and you could work very closely with [the U.S. Advisory Commission on Information]. He thinks they would like it.” Johnson continued: “I don’t think there’s any question about this. I think it’ll be a little heavy for you to get Rusk’s stature, as young as you are, and McNamara’s stature, as young as you are, but I think that you can do it.” (Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation between President Johnson and Leonard Marks, Tape WH6507.02, Conversation 8322. No classification marking. Transcribed in the Office of the Historian specifically for this volume.)
Shortly after tapping Marks for USIA Director, Johnson approved Chairman of the Civil Service Commission John W. Macy’s recommendations of Robert Akers as USIA’s Deputy Director and John Chancellor as Voice of America (VOA) Director. In a July 23 memorandum to President Johnson, Macy wrote: “I have talked with Leonard Marks and he is definitely interested in Akers for Deputy and Chancellor for the Voice of America.” Johnson underscored his concurrence in a handwritten notation: “At once—get FBI immediately on Akers full field as well as Chancellor.” (Johnson Library, Office of the President File, Box 7, Marks, Leonard [3 of 3])