Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Foreign Aid and Economic Defense Policy, Volume X

202. Memorandum of Discussion at the 249th Meeting of the National Security Council, Washington, May 19, 1955¹

Washington, May 19, 1955

[Here follow a paragraph listing the participants at the meeting and item 1.]

2. A National Petroleum Program (NSC 97/6;² Progress Report, dated May 9, 1955, by ODM on NSC 97/6³)

Mr. Anderson briefed the Council at length on the evidences of progress and lack of progress contained in the reference ODM report (copy of Mr. Anderson’s brief⁴ filed in the minutes of the meeting).

At the conclusion of Mr. Anderson’s briefing the President inquired of Dr. Flemming whether, in the course of making plans for adequate supplies of petroleum to fuel a major war, account was taken of supplies of petroleum which could be secured by restricting public consumption by automobiles, etc. Dr. Flemming replied that it was part of the basic responsibility of the Office of Defense Mobilization to coordinate such plans, and that the factor of rationing had been taken into account in the new study of supplies and requirements for petroleum in the event of an emergency. Rationing, in fact, accounted for an 18% cutback.

Dr. Flemming then stated his complete agreement with the analysis of the Progress Report which had been presented in Mr. Anderson’s brief. He agreed that the existing statement of policy on a national petroleum program was too detailed, and that the new policy on the subject would be more general in form.

The National Security Council:⁵

Noted and discussed the reference Progress Report by the Office of Defense Mobilization on the subject; but deferred action as to the specific recommendations contained therein, pending consideration of a recommended revision of NSC 97/6 to be submitted by the Office of Defense Mobilization through the NSC Planning Board.

Note: The above action subsequently transmitted to the Director, ODM.

[Here follows discussion of the remaining agenda items.]

S. Everett Gleason

1. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records. Top Secret. Drafted by Gleason on May 20.
2. NSC 97/6, entitled “A National Petroleum Program,” November 16, 1953, is printed in Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. I, Part 2, p. 1054.
3. A copy of this report, entitled “Progress Report on a National Petroleum Program,” is in Department of State, S/P–NSC Files: Lot 61 D 167, A National Petroleum Program (NSC 97 Series).
4. Not found in Department of State files.
5. The following paragraph constitutes NSC Action No. 1402. (Department of State, S/S–NSC (Miscellaneous) Files: Lot 66 D 95, Records of Action by the National Security Council, 1955)