CABINET MEETING, FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1950
10:00 am
Sawyer absent
Whitney in his place
Harriman present
Gordon Gray present
THE PRESIDENT
Asked Acheson to lead off.
ACHESON
The 2 Presidents - U. S. and Chile - had most interesting meeting. He asked for no money but wants action on suspension of 2 cent import tax on copper. Also told President that he plans to give Bolivia strip of land and free port.
JOHNSON
Still searching for Navy plane which is supposed to have been shot down by the Russians in Denmark.
DONALDSON
Sees little ray of light now on postal rate bill.
TOBIN
Anderson bill introduced yesterday in Congress to relax immigration restrictions from Mexico. This would cause grave dislocations in West and Southwest.
HARRIMAN
Johnson's meeting at the Hague was successful and was skillfully handled by Johnson.
VICE PRESIDENT
Expect to take up Rivers & Harbors Bill today in Senate. Sen Chavez may make motion to table bill. Chavez and his group are determined to allow no administration amendments.
THE PRESIDENT
Asked Gordon Gray to discuss dollar gap situation with Cabinet members. Suggest Secty State to make statement on problem to Cabinet.
ACHESON
At the end of ECA we are going to have serious problems not only in foreign countries but also in the U. S. Gray representing the President will make survey and study of all phases of the problems we can expect.
THE PRESIDENT
Informed all members that Gray is to have complete charge of survey and members are to cooperate with Gray. Is determined that we can't go on making donations without getting anything in return.
GRAY
Plans to bring in not more than 3 or 4 experts from outside the govt. Requests that Agency ______ not solve the dollar gap problem in public. We do not know the answer. It can't be arrived at from the viewpoint of any our Agency such as ECA or Treasury.
10:40