Office of the Historian

262. Memorandum for the Record1

Washington, January 11, 1962.

SUBJECT

  • Taylor-Clay Telephone Conversation re Density of Military Traffic on the Autobahn, January 11, 1962

At the direction of the President, General Taylor telephoned General Clay in Berlin at 10 A.M. EST, Thursday, January 11, 1962, to discuss the volume of US military traffic on the autobahn. General Taylor told General Clay that the President during the past few days had learned of the current volume of such traffic and, although he realized it was basically in accord with approved policy, was inclined to ask that the measures in implementation of that policy be reviewed so as to avoid an impression of artificiality in the traffic. Before requesting that review, however, the President wanted to know General Clay’s views.

In response General Clay said he felt there should be no sudden cut-back in the volume of traffic. Instead, he felt that the volume could be gradually tapered off to some lower level. In answer to a question from General Taylor, General Clay stated that he needed no directive from Washington on this matter but could and would handle the necessary action informally at his end.

At the end of the conversation General Clay referred to the recent so-called “pressure” from various British sources on this subject. General Taylor assured General Clay that this so-called “pressure” had had no effect here.

L. J. Legere2
Colonel, USA Assistant to the Military
Representative of the President
  1. Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, Box 34, Clay Cables. Secret. Prepared by Legere. Copies were sent to Bundy, Kohler, Nitze, Lemnitzer, McCone, and Colonel Ewell.↩
  2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩