444. Letter from Hodges to Bowles, June 211

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Dear Chet:

I have your letter of May 26, setting forth the views of the Department of State relative to the establishment of a separate Foreign Commerce Corps as proposed in S. 1729, a bill introduced into the Senate of the United States by Senator Engle.

I agree with you that advancements have been made in our approach to the commercial work performed by the Foreign Service of the United States in recent months. There remain, however, important fundamental weaknesses which are most difficult of solution under the present system.

The President has asked me “to provide emphatic leadership to American industry in a drive to develop export markets.” Present administrative arrangements do not give us in the Department of Commerce the resources needed to carry out this important and difficult responsibility. In my contacts in several embassies in recent months, as well as my constant contacts with American exporters, I find a great lack of strength as well as interest on the part of our commercial people. I think we both need to take a “new look.”

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It is my understanding that Senator Engle is determined to go ahead although none of our people have given him any encouragement to do so.

Sincerely yours,

Luther Hodges
Secretary of Commerce
  1. Establishment of a separate Foreign Commerce Corps. No classification marking. 1 p. Department of State, Central Files, 411.0041/6–261.