224. Memorandum by the President’s Administrative Assistant (Anderson)0
Meeting on Mutual Security Legislation at the Mansion, Tuesday, August 19, 1958—6:00 to 7:00 p.m. (Off the Record)1
PRESENT
- The President, Secretary Anderson, Secretary Dillon and Jack Anderson
- Senators Knowland, Johnson, Saltonstall and Hayden
- Congressmen Martin, Rayburn, Taber and Cannon
All arrived by 6:10 except Congressman Taber who came in at 6:30. Sam Rayburn started the meeting off on a pleasant note by congratulating the President for his speech and appearance before the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization.2 He said that it was definitely the President’s finest effort since taking office.
The President made a good pitch for the entire amount of $440 million restored to the Mutual Security Appropriation Bill by the Senate Committee.3 He indicated strongly that he felt he needed “every nickel” in the interest of establishing a more stable world peace.
He mentioned the proposals that he had made to the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization and spoke of the possibility of land and water development in the Middle East. He stated that there was an absolute need for adequate funds to implement his proposals.
Secretary Dillon then emphasized the need for the full amount for the President’s Contingency Fund, defense support, and the Development Loan Fund.
Secretary Anderson brought out the need for adequate funds in order to not only take care of the Middle East situation, but compelling obligations in South America.
[Page 428]Senators Knowland and Johnson agreed that the Senate would vote to retain the full amount of $440 million recommended by the Committee. Lyndon indicated that he had 27 Democrat Senators for the amount, 11 who would vote to raise it, and the balance would vote to reduce.
Knowland indicated that he had between 25 and 30 Republicans for the full amount.
Congressman Cannon then indicated that he was the “key” vote as far as the House conferees are concerned, but he further stated that he didn’t like to “coerce” his subcommittee chairman! (baloney)
Cannon and Rayburn said that the House will support whatever amount is reported by the Appropriations Committee.
Joe Martin then stated emphatically that two-thirds of the Republican House Members will support the full $440 million if it is reported by the Committee. In response to the President’s inquiry Cannon indicated that the conference report and/or the statement by the managers will indicate that if the President has to spend money in excess of the amount finally appropriated, he can come back to the Congress for supplemental funds in January. Rayburn concurred.
I then indicated to Cannon that we had no desire to have him “coerce” Passman, but would appreciate his “persuasion.” Rayburn and Martin then said that Cannon’s persuasive powers were great indeed.
Only one sour note was struck during the conference. That occurred when the President suggested that the number of House conferees be increased. Rayburn immediately said that he always appointed the conferees requested by Committee chairmen. The President dropped the subject at once.
There was no commitment of any nature on what figure would be agreed to, but Johnson and Knowland stated that the Senate conferees would hold out for the full $440 million if this amount is voted by the Senate.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries. No classification marking.↩
- Another record of the meeting and an August 20 note from Dillon transmitting it to Anderson were attached to the source text.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 223.↩
- See footnote 1, Document 223.↩