163. Editorial Note

President Eisenhower delivered a radio and television address to the American people from the Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on November 13, at 9:30 p.m. In his speech the President discussed some of the actions in the national security area “to which we must give our most urgent attention.” He specifically mentioned accelerating the dispersal of Strategic Air Command to additional bases, providing facilities for faster response to emergency alarm, development of an active missile defense against missiles, additional funds for research on and testing of missiles, increased pay to military personnel to make military careers more attractive, possible cutbacks in some Federal civilian programs to maintain a balanced budget, and consideration of proposals to strengthen scientific education and basic research.

The third draft of this speech, dated November 10, prepared by Arthur Larson, Special Assistant to the President, is attached to a memorandum from Larson to Secretary Dulles, dated November 11, asking for the Secretary’s comments on the draft. A handwritten note on Larson’s memorandum by Phyllis D. Bernau, Dulles’ personal assistant, reads: “Sec told to ignore—I believe. PDB.” (Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers)

For text of the President’s speech, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1957, pages 807–817.