CABINET MEETING, FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1950
10:00 am
Johnson - absent
Finletter - subst present
Acheson - absent
Webb - present
THE PRESIDENT
Instructed members to make survey in departments to eliminate duplication and waste.
SNYDER
Task force was set up in Treasury a year ago - which studied each bureau and watched for overlaps and duplications.
CHAPMAN
Set up similar task force in Interior yesterday to do the same thing.
SNYDER
Reorganization bills confer additional authority and a re-survey will be made in Treasury in light of new authority.
WEBB
Are going forward with appointments of scientific attaches at various embassies to facilitate flow of exchange of scientific information.
MCGRATH
Just returned from trip thru West. Found that President's recent trip has given shot in arm to local organizations.
THE PRESIDENT
Sen. Kefauver and his crime committee were in yesterday to ask for executive order to provide information from executive departments. Pres. asked Atty Gen to look into matter.
ATTY GEN
Found great disturbance in So. Cal. re closing of Birmingham Hospital.
THE PRESIDENT
Is making investigation.
V.P.
Thinks President should take initiative in making an investigation of this hospital.
CHAPMAN
MCGRATH
Both agreed.
TOBIN
Also agreed. Pres. should take lead in an investigation.
CHAPMAN
State Dept will testify Monday on approach to import policy. There will be much discussion of oil imports but attention should be focused on all 4 energies involved. There is a subtle campaign by big oil companies to increase imports which would force small refineries out of business. Demand for oil in U. S. is still ahead of supply.
SAWYER
Remington & Lee employees of Commerce who are under loyalty fire. Remington will have to go. Lee is slippery but recently Lee's superiors were told to get rid of him.
BARKLEY
Senate still arguing on Basing Point bill.
10:46