74. Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting, White House, Washington, April 20, 1956, 9–11:20 a.m.1
[Here follow a list of attendees and discussion of unrelated matters.]
Discrimination Against Japanese Textiles—Sec. Dulles called attention to the efforts in South Carolina and Alabama to discriminate against Japanese textiles. He characterized this as violating our trade treaties and establishing a dangerous trend toward individual State control of trade regulations—a clearly unconstitutional activity. The President questioned what might be done in addition to the case pending before the Supreme Court. Sec. Dulles noted his approach to a State Governor in one instance and his receipt of an unsympathetic response.
[Page 174]Sec. Benson wondered if racial antagonism contributed to the situation. Mr. Dulles believed not. Sec. Wilson noted the fundamental need that every nation has for trading opportunities.
Mr. Weeks believed the storm would blow over without great difficulty; Mr. Benson thought the situation aggravated by the unwise cotton policy of the past whereby rigid supports had priced the South out of the international market.
Sec. Mitchell suggested the matter be discussed at the forthcoming Governors Conference. Gen. Persons felt this possibility might be pursued further through appropriate discussions prior to the Conference, otherwise some State patriots might use the Conference as a forum.
[Here follows discussion of unrelated matters.]
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Cabinet Meetings. Confidential. Drafted by L. Arthur Minnich.↩