Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume III, Microfiche Supplement, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament

174. Memorandum of Conversation with the President¹

Washington, July 7, 1959, 12:10 p.m.

PRESENT

• Bryce Harlow
• General Goodpaster
• Gordon Gray

I first informed the President that Mr. McElroy had asked whether Admiral Radford might attend the meeting of the National Security Council on Thursday, July 9. I indicated to the President that I had some question about the wisdom of this course. The President felt to the contrary; that inasmuch as Mr. McElroy had made Admiral Radford his Military Advisor during the absence of General Twining; and if Mr. McElroy wished him present, he should be allowed to attend.

Mr. Harlow and I then discussed with the President the situation appertaining to the Jackson Committee investigation. The President approved the guidelines, attached, as a basis for Mr. Harlow’s discussion with Senator Jackson.

Gordon Gray
Special Assistant to the President

Enclosure

Paper Prepared by the NSC

Washington, July 6, 1959

PROPOSED GUIDELINES

1. The proposed study would not involve a Congressional investigation of the National Security Council.

2. The Executive Branch personnel would not be asked to testify with respect to the substantive consideration of matters by the National Security Council or its subordinate machinery. The operating Departments of Government would provide any testimony about their policies or activities and without reference to substantive consideration of such matters by the National Security Council or its subordinate machinery.

3. Study of the National Security Council and its subordinate machinery would be limited to matters involving composition, organization and procedures. Executive Branch officials would be authorized to make full disclosure as to such matters subject to appropriate security safeguards in case of classified projects.

4. Any testimony by present or former Government officials regarding the National Security Council and its subordinate machinery would be taken in Executive session. Consideration of the publication of such testimony taken in Executive session would be as agreed between the Subcommittee and a representative designated by the President. This Presidential representative would be authorized to attend all hearings of the Subcommittee relating to the National Security Council or its subordinate machinery, and would be provided a transcript of the testimony taken in Executive session as a basis for reaching the decisions as to publication referred to above.

5. It would be understood that the purpose of testimony regarding the composition, organization and procedures of the National Security Council and its subordinate machinery would be for background information in considering various proposals for new legislation. Such testimony would not be intended to generate legislative proposals designed to delimit the Constitutional privilege of the President to obtain advice through such organization and procedures as he deems appropriate.

1. Source: President’s approval of attached guidelines for Harlow’s discussion with Jackson on Congressional hearings on the NSC. No classification marking. 3 pp. Eisenhower Library, White House Office Files, Project Clean Up, Staff Memos. Drafted on July 8.