233. Notes of the Legislative Leadership Meeting0
[Here follow a list of participants, a summary, and discussion of unrelated topics.]
Development Loans—The President, Sen. Dirksen, and Mr. Halleck all stressed the difficulty of achieving full public understanding of the importance of the mutual security program as an essential part of our security arrangements. There was general agreement that educational efforts to this effect must be continued and increased.
Sen. Saltonstall called attention to the effective statement of JCS views against cutting mutual security.2 He stressed the importance of softening the views of a few key members of Congress, such as Reps. Passman and Cannon and Senators Long and Eastland—beginning well ahead of the period of crucial consideration.
The President spoke repeatedly and at length on the importance of the mutual security program as the most efficient money that we spend and he called attention to the indications that the United States is pricing itself out of the foreign market and the ensuing requirement for the United States to be concerned with the economic growth of countries that are buyers of US production.
Rep. Arends thought it would be helpful to use the case of Turkey, with facts and figures, to illustrate the value of the program.
Considerable attention was given to the matter of timing of the Administration effort to thwart the professed intention of Democrats to compensate for increased spending on domestic programs by reducing the mutual security appropriation. Mr. Halleck concluded that Rep. Passman could be successfully beaten on the floor of the House if it were clear that the country as a whole was soundly convinced of the need for mutual security programs.
[Here follow the President’s brief comments about Secretary Dulles’ health.]