65. Diary Entry by the President, May 18, 19561
I talked to Joe Martin about the foreign aid program and the chances of enacting the bill on OTC (Organization for Trade Cooperation).
[Here follows discussion of the difficulties the foreign aid bill was having in Congress.]
However, I asked Joe to come in to see me primarily because of my concern as to the general attitude toward OTC. There is a very great deal of misunderstanding concerning OTC. Attached is a memorandum that shows what OTC is.2
Joe understands this, as do the other Congressional leaders. However, since the popular concept is that OTC is a device for lowering tariffs, the project is disliked in manufacturing districts such as Joe’s. Consequently, he himself is very lukewarm.
I insisted that there be a conference called of Republican Congressmen (immediately after action on the foreign aid bill is completed) to make certain that each of them understands exactly what OTC is. Moreover, I insisted that each understand how intensely interested I am in having it favorably considered. I pointed out to Joe that many of these people would, this coming fall, be asking for my blessing in races for reelection. I told him that, as always, I would stand for principles and important measures, and of the measures I would insisted was needed by our country was this OTC. [sic] This would create a very difficult situation if we found a majority of House Republicans opposing me on this point; any request of mine under these circumstances for a Republican House would be greeted with a considerable amount of justifiable ridicule.
I think that Mr. Martin got the point; he promised faithfully to get the group together and allow any Congressman to present the case to the Congress whom I might consider capable of doing well.
I told Bryce Harlow to keep in touch with the matter, and expressed the opinion that Charlie Halleck would probably do the best job of anyone.