Eisenhower Library, White House Office, “Office of Staff Secretary Records, 1952–61”
Notes by the Assistant Staff Secretary to the President (Minnich) on the Legislative Leadership Meeting, December 13, 19541
[Extract]
The following were present:
- President Eisenhower
- Vice President Nixon
- Sen. Knowland
- Sen. Bridges
- Sen. Millikin
- Sen. Saltonstall
- Sen. Ferguson
- Speaker Martin
- Rep. Halleck
- Rep. Arends
- Rep. Allen
- Gov. Adams
- Gen. Persons
- Mr. Shanley
- Mr. Hagerty
- Mr. Snyder
- Mr. Morgan
- Sec. Dulles
- Asst. Sec. Thruston Morton
- Sec. Humphrey
- Sec. Wilson
- Asst. Sec. McNeil
- Asst. Sec. Carter Burgess
- Asst. Sec. Seaton
- Asst. Sec. Struve Hensel
- Mr. Summerfield
- Asst. PMG Lyons
- Mr. Ben Guill
- Sec. Benson
- Sec. Mitchell
- Sec. Hobby
- Under Sec. Rockfeller
- Asst. Sec. Perkins
- Director Hughes, Budget
- Mr. Brundage
- Gov. Stassen, FOA
- Chrm. Young, CSC
- Mr. Randall
- Mr. Jack Martin
- Mr. Harlow
- Mr. Gruenther
- Dr. Hauge
- Mr. Minnich
- Mr. Albert Cole, HHFA
- Dr. Milton Eisenhower
. . . . . . .
Defense—The President opened this subject by commenting that only recently had the United States ever had to fear a serious attack on its own lands—as a result of the long-range bomber. Hence the Nation should focus its security efforts on retaliatory forces and on continental defense as the means of counteracting that threat. He said we must have a program that can be carried on indefinitely. The wisdom of such an approach was strengthened by the fact that everything we can assess indicates that Russia is not seeking general war; rather, she seems to feel that economic and political subversion programs are going well and should be pressed further. So we need a long term program of things that can deter or dull any attack.
The President then stated that he had directed, on his own judgment after long study, a manpower reduction in the Army and those parts of the Navy not involved in the deterrent or continental defense. Some of the reduction would take place this year, and more next year. This was agreed in by most people, but of course the land forces could always show a need for more and more. However, there would be a new approach regarding reserve forces that would serve as a back-up for the Army, particularly as any war could go into more and more protracted phases after the first great attacks. The President added specifically that the Army would be going down to 1.1 million men by June 30, 1956, instead of the previously scheduled level of 1.175 million. By June 30, 1957, it was hoped that the armed services altogether would total something below 2.8 million. (The President soon left the meeting and returned only after the lengthy DoD presentation was completed.)
Mr. Carter Burgess presented, with many charts, the new Reserve program, answering numerous questions on detail along the way. The presentation and discussion focused on the six-months training program, the quota to be set by the President on the six-month program, the absence of any desire to institute universal military training at this time, the need to have trained men other than those who have already served during wartime, and the status of six-month trainees in later years.
Mr. Burgess then outlined DoD proposals for the Career Incentive Program, including improvements as to medical care for dependents, military housing, Survivor Benefits, Dislocation Allowance, [Page 824] and a pay increase which would not be across-the-board but would be designed to retain people of longer service and to counteract the compression at higher levels that had developed over the years.
(The President returned to the meeting.)
Mr. McNeil then sketched very briefly the high spots of the defense programs that would be operated under the request for about $34 billion of new appropriations. These included continuing research and development at present high levels which require about 50% of the Nation’s talent in this area; production at the same level as before, but more allocated to weapons and ships with less to facilities; reductions in maintenance and housekeeping; and the major problem for the years ahead as a result of the high cost of the new type weapons.
The President took exception to the phrase “fringe benefits” with respect to the several things Mr. Burgess had proposed, for these were in many ways the heart of military service, more important really than base pay. The President hoped these things would have very thorough consideration by the Congress.
Responding to a question, Mr. Wilson pointed out that the ratio of combat soldiers to non-combat was increasing; during World War II, about 42% of Army uniformed personnel were combat troops, this was up to 52% in June of 1953, and the target for 1955 was 62%.
Sen. Saltonstall asked if the wings (137?) envisioned in the program would all be operational. The President assured him they would be by the end of the year, for he would have nothing to do with paper wings.
[Here follows the conclusion of the “Defense” portion of the meeting: a brief discussion of possible publication of the so-called “Yalta Papers”, the diplomatic and military record of the Crimea Conference of February 4–11, 1945.]
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The source text indicates that this White House meeting, concerned with various items and issues on the federal budget, was held from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. For the portion of this meeting dealing with mutual security matters, see vol. i, Part 1, p. 809.
Members of the Eisenhower administration listed below and not previously identified include: Arthur E. Summerfield, Postmaster General, Jan. 21, 1953–Jan. 20, 1961; Ezra Taft Benson, Secretary of Agriculture, Jan. 21, 1953–Jan. 20. 1961; James P. Mitchell, Secretary of Labor, Oct. 8, 1953–Jan. 20, 1961; Oveta Culp Hobby, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Apr. 11, 1953–Aug. 1, 1955; and Nelson A. Rockefeller, Under Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, June 11, 1953–Dec. 16, 1954, after which he became Special Assistant to the President.
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