CONFIDENTIAL December 12, 1949
MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
Participants: The President (at Key West) Secretary Acheson
Item 1. Re the course of action to be taken in Bulgaria
I telephoned the President today on another matter and he brought up the subject of our telegram to him about Ambassador Heath in Bulgaria. The President said that he thought that the procedure outlined in the telegram was the correct one; that he could see no other procedure to follow. I reiterated that if our policy worked out (as we hoped it would) we would leave the Ambassador there.
The President and I agreed that, while we thought it important to react strongly to any campaign in the satellite countries to humiliate us, we should not get in the position of stating that the Bulgarian case is a precedent and that we will recall our ambassadors from other countries under similar circumstances, but that we should be able to take what we think is the right course in each country.
DA
S:BEvans:mlm
December 12, 1949
MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
Participants: The President (at Key West) Secretary Acheson
Item 2: Possible choice to fill vacancy of post of Assistant Secretary For Public Affairs
I told the President that Byron Price had informed us that he did not feel that he could accept the position of Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. He said that he felt he was committed to stay with Trygve Lie, particularly as he thought they were going to have a rather difficult time ahead.
I said that we had been trying to find other appropriate choices to fill the position, and in doing so Mr. Webb had talked with Elmer Davis who had suggested a Mr. Ed Barrett, Editorial Director of News Week. I said to the President that I thought Charlie Ross might know him; that Elmer Davis recommended him very highly and thought he was even a better prospect than Mr. Price. I said he was a Democrat from Alabama.
I then told the President about Mr. H. L. Barnard and read to him the information contained in the attached memorandum, pointing out as does the memorandum that, while he is a registered Republican, he says he votes independently and that his maximum contribution to the Republican Party has been $50.00.
The President was not willing at this point to tell us to go ahead with either of these people. He said he would like us to investigate them further and, with reference to Mr. Barnard, he was particularly anxious to know whether he had taken any part in active propaganda against our domestic and foreign policy. If it was found that he had not done so, the President thought he might be a possibility, but, from what I had told him, was more inclined toward Mr. Barrett.
I told the President that I would talk with Mr. Webb and Mr. Elmer Davis, would have Mr. Barrett and Mr. Barnard come in, but make it perfectly clear to all concerned that we are only investigating and that we have no authority to make a commitment to either gentleman.
The President said that he would like to have a recommendation from us on the matter when he got back and that he would talk with whichever of the men we thought was the better choice.
DA
S:BEvans:mlm