Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Volume III

222. Memorandum of Conference With President Eisenhower⁰

Washington, June 29, 1959.

OTHERS PRESENT

• Dr. Killian
• General Goodpaster

Dr. Killian recalled that Secretary Herter had recommended to the President some weeks ago the establishment of a group to conduct a disarmament policy review, and had submitted draft terms of reference which the President had referred to Dr. Killian.¹ Secretary Herter, Secretary McElroy and Mr. Gordon Gray, as well as Dr. Killian, have now reworked and clarified these terms of reference.² Pertinent changes are, first, to eliminate any assignment to this group respecting the short-term problem of current negotiations in Geneva, and second, to make clear the authority of the individual to head the group to select personnel acceptable to him. Dr. Killian showed the revised terms of reference to the President, who indicated they were acceptable to him subject to certain comments that he proceeded to make. First, he questioned bringing in organizations such as Rand and ORO with an organizational tie-in to the proposed group. He would have no objection of course to their serving as consultants. He regarded the essence of the current proposal as getting people within government to concentrate their efforts on this subject. He thought the technique should be to call upon Defense and the State Department for certain answers, which they would submit to this group. If outside studies are needed, he was inclined to think that State and Defense should have them made. Dr. Killian indicated that he could and would have this point taken care of through interpretative instructions.

Dr. Killian said that Gordon Gray had asked that the point be raised with the President as to what the relation of this group would be to the NSC. He added that Mr. Gray agreed that the group should report to the Secretary of State. The President thought that, ultimately, something out of this body would probably need to be put before the NSC, that is, certain of their conclusions. The project should not, however, be tied organizationally to the NSC, in his opinion.

Dr. Killian next raised the question as to who should head up the project. He said that Governor Herter had suggested William Foster, John McCloy, Colonel Lincoln, Arthur Dean or Mansfield Sprague. The President recalled that Secretary Dulles had felt that the disarmament effort should be headed up by someone actually in the State Department. Dr. Killian said that Mr. McElroy has submitted as additional names those of General Draper and General Taylor. He understood the former would not be available. The President picked up the suggestion of General Taylor with some enthusiasm and thought that it might be an excellent idea to try to get him for this work. He could be called back to active duty for the purpose. He asked Dr. Killian to pursue this.

[Here follows discussion of the space and missile programs.]

G.
Brigadier General, USA

0. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Eisenhower Diaries. Secret. Drafted by Goodpaster on July 1.
1. See Document 215.
2. The revised terms of reference are attached to a letter from Herter to General Maxwell D. Taylor, July 1. (Department of State, Central Files, 611.0012/7–159) See the Supplement.