WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON FREEDOM COMMISSION BILLS, H.R. 3880 AND S. 1689

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP64B00346R000500030068-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 25, 2004
• Sequence Number: 68
• Publication Date: June 11, 1959
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2004/03/30 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000500030068-4
CIA .!NTERNAL USE yy v
11 June 1959
SUBJECT: Whit* House Meeting on Freedom Commission Bills,
H. R. 3880 and S. 1689
1. On 11 June the Director. accompanied by John S. Warner,
met in the White Mouse for approximately 45 minutes with Robert
Merriam, Rex Reid (Bureau of the Budget), and Karl Harr (OCB).
The Director reviewed briefly his discussion with Senator Mundt,
and I related the brief chats with Representatives Judd and Bennett.
The Director advised that C. D. Jackson has been requested to testify
on those bills in the Senate on 18 June and has requested the Director' o
thoughts.
2. Mr. Reid indicated that three agencies have been requested
by the Judiciary- Committee to furnish comments on the bills. The
Department of Justice's comments have been cleared by the Bureau
of the budget, and apparently USIA and State replies are still being
worked on. The Director requested copies of proposed comments an
the bills from other agencies. (I telephoned Mr. Hughes of the Bureau
of the Budget who will forward copies.) Apparently the position being
developed is that the objectives of the bills are good but that no new
Government agency is needed to deal with them; consequently, the
bills could not be recommended.
3. For internal consideration Mr. Merriam mentioned the
p'resident's strong interest in establishing a group of private citizens
as a Commission on National Goals to report after the elections in
1960 but prior to inauguration of a new President. One of the purposes
of the Commission would be to study the implications of the cold war
for the United Sates as a whole, painting up the decisions that would
be required. There appeared to be some feeling that the Freedom
Commission proposal was far too specific to consider in connection
with this proposed Commission.
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4. Also mentioned was the Ellis Island proposal for an
International Cultural Institute which to intended primarily for
business executives and their wives going abroad for extended
stays. This course envisioned a *ix- to ten-week language and
area study.
S. The Director indicated that certainly he would be called
to testify and he would deal with an explanation of the Communist
threat and the worldwide mechanism of the Communists.
6. It was deemed desirable that the hearings be followed on
a day-to-day basis and the Director suggested to Karl Harr that he
might designate someone to do this. Subsequently. there was further
discussion of who would follow the open hearings. Mr. Harr asked
that I call him further on this.
7. The Director mentioned the numerous universities and
other groups presently giving courses and training in the fields
related to the Freedom Academy idea. It was thought desirable
that possibly the names of the individuals connected with some of
these activities should be furnished to the Senate Committee. This
problem will be examined and the Agency will endeavor to furnish
this information, an a sonaattributa-ble basis.
JOHN S. WARNER
Legislative Counsel
DCI
DDCI
A/DD/P/P
Legislative Counsel
OGC/ LC:JSW:mks:jeb
Approved For Release 2004/03/30 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000500030068-4