February 14, 1949
MEMORANDUM TO S/S:
The Secretary wishes to have prepared a comprehensive directive to give staff guidance and a clear line of responsibility for all operating agencies concerned with:
1. The North Atlantic Pact 2. Military assistance programs 3. ECA 4. Any other related activities.
He is fearful that the programs may well get out of hand both within themselves and in relation to each other. He is also fearful that enthusiastic actions by certain operating agencies, without complete coordination, might disrupt other elements of the program or programs in a drastic manner. He feels the best way to avoid these possibilities is to have a clear-cut directive which will place final responsibility on a single individual who in turn will be responsible to the Secretary through Mr. Webb. That coordination within a particular program and laterally between the three or more related programs must be the responsibility of the three or more top responsible officers.
He wants Mr. Bohlen to continue as the number one man on the North Atlantic Pact. Bohlen may need some back-stopping on this because of possible other duties and absences from the city. Bohlen suggests Hickerson be assigned as his deputy for this. The Secretary wants Gross to continue the Military Assistance program. And at the moment Labouisse to continue the ECA matters.
He wants it stressed in the strongest possible language that no actions, discussions, correspondence, et cetera, in any of these three fields will be taken by other Department officers without clearance with the officer assigned ultimate responsibility. He also stressed in unmistakable terms the necessity for close cooperation among the three responsible officers and with Mr. Webb to insure that the programs are kept in phase and that they are related closely and continuously to each other.
Please take appropriate action accordingly.
MSCarter
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