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

4. Memorandum of Conference with the President¹

Washington, January 21, 1958

OTHERS PRESENT

• Secretary McElroy
• Dr. Killian
• General Cutler
• General Goodpaster

The meeting was concerned with adjustments in the priority accorded our major missile programs. Mr. McElroy had a memorandum for the President suggesting certain changes, and General Cutler had a summary table highlighting the proposals made.

In the course of the discussion the President indicated strongly that he thinks future missiles should be brought into a central organization, and their use should be subject to centralized control. He said he would assign operational use not to any of the existing services, but rather to the major field commands which could make use of them.

In reviewing the documents, he said he thought that the Vanguard and Jupiter C earth satellite programs should be placed in the group accorded the highest priority rating. It was left that the papers would be revised in this sense and resubmitted.

Secretary McElroy then stayed on for private discussion with the President relating primarily to reorganization of the Defense Department.

A.J. Goodpaster
Brigadier General, USA

1. Source: Priority for missile program. Top Secret. 1 p. Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries.