CABINET MEETING, OCTOBER 23rd, 1947
All present except Marshall
Plus Chas. Brannan
THE PRESIDENT
Asked Anderson to give farm program.
ANDERSON
Said that Republicans will do nothing until after 1948 election. Asked Brannan to describe program.
BRANNAN
Read notes on program.
THE PRESIDENT
In developing farm program we should strive for decentralization of industry to provide supplemental farmer income. Revolutions are born in industrial areas. Harriman, Lovett, Anderson set forth that we are facing a situation of increasing demand for food which shows that for a long time to come there will be a food shortage throughout the world.
ANDERSON
We need an organization which will stimulate production of food in the world. F. A. O. is not doing the job.
THE PRESIDENT
Asked Harriman to outline his program.
HARRIMAN
Outlined function of various depts. of Commerce. Expansion of export controls is the most important element in the Dept of Commerce picture. It has been neglected because of a lack of funds and because of opposition of selfish business interests in this country.
Russia is not getting any shipments of petroleum products because they have failed to comply with U. S. demands for info re uses that products would be channeled into.
Scrap steel is the most critical item in impeding steel production. We are exporting none. We should take steps to import scrap.
FORRESTAL
Proposed that Congress should be asked for subsidy to get scrap into U. S. from war areas.
KHUG
Raised possibility of taking over ships which are now tied up in American ports.
HARRIMAN
There is a world shortage of scrap - in England, Italy and other countries the situation is just as serious as it is in the U. S.
Civil Service is interested in individuals not in furtherance of departmental services. Wastes too much time resolving personnel problems.
Dept should have much more control of exports particularly with respect to machinery exports to Russia - about 1/10th of machinery has been exported to Soviets in the first quarter of this year.
2/3rds of Commerce budget goes to civil aviation.
THE PRESIDENT
Informed Cabinet that he will announce special session of Congress at 3:30 to 4:00 PM today.
Discussed food prices which have gone completely out of line. Inflationary pressures are increasing out of bounds.
Gave figures on what is required for European aid. The amount can only be achieved by Congressional appropriations.
12:40