17. Editorial Note
On July 10, 1950, NSC 74, a report to the National Security Council by Under Secretary of State James Webb on “A Plan for National Psychological Warfare,” totalling 51 pages, was circulated to members of the Council and Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snyder. The report dealt largely with wartime contingency planning. It also recommended that a national psychological warfare organization be established. Pursuant to this recommendation and to NSC 59/1 (Document 2), the Department of State announced on August 17 the creation of a [Page 21] National Psychological Strategy Board under the Secretary of State. For text of the announcement, see Department of State Bulletin, August 28, 1950, page 335. The board was in fact the Director and Consultants proposed in NSC 59/1, with representatives of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. NSC 74 never received the formal approval of the Council, but was used for reference in subsequent studies of this subject. A copy of NSC 74 is in the National Archives, RG 59, S/S–NSC Files: Lot 63 D 51, NSC 74.