Eisenhower Library, Dulles papers, “Telephone Conversations”
Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the Attorney General (Brownell)1
The Secretary telephoned the Attorney General and suggested that it would be helpful if Sen. Langer would make a statement explaining why he voted against the substitute language, saying that he did not believe it should be considered until they can hold new hearings. Brownell thought it was a good idea and he will call Sen. Langer about it.
The Secretary mentioned that Sen. Wiley was out on a limb. He has assurance from the President, through Nixon, that the President will not let him down. If we get any place with Bricker on Monday2 we will have to go to Wiley and make the same proposition. Wiley has been viciously attacked in Wisconsin and had asked the Secretary whether he was going to be supported. Nixon asked the President to withhold the letter which he had dictated to Wiley, assuring him of this support, and told Wiley that the President would stand behind him. Brownell agreed that Wiley would have to be brought in on it, he thinks it is important and will watch it. The Secretary suggested that Brownell also talk to Bricker about the Status of Forces agreement,3 which Bricker is opposing as a reprisal. The Europeans are getting restive and threatening retaliatory legislation against our troops. The Secretary spoke to Taft who thinks he will have to refer it back to the Foreign [Page 1816] Relations Committee giving Bricker a chance to oppose it. Brownell thinks Bricker will go along with that if he gets the other.
The Secretary does not want to be the “devil” in the case because he will have to live with Bricker who has constantly asked him to sit down and talk about it. The Secretary said he has not done so because he wanted to stay in the opposition corner but if we are going to compromise he wants to maintain good relations with Bricker. Brownell says if it is going to happen there should be a conference in the President’s office with the Secretary and Bricker. Brownell does not want to be in this, personally, other than to sound people out.