S - Miss Asbjornson
DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
DATE: April 4, 1950
SUBJECT: Visit of Congressman Brooks Hays
PARTICIPANTS: The Secretary Congressman Brooks Hays Mr. Jack K. McFall
COPIES TO: A-Mr. Peurifoy P-Mr. Barrett EUR-Mr. Perkins UNA-Mr. Hickerson
Congressman Brooks Hays of Arkansas called on me today at his request. In opening the conversation he stated that the principal purpose of his call was to tell me I had his unqualified support and that he wanted me to know there was a kinder feeling toward me among many Members of the House than was evidenced by the record. He cited specifically Congressman Judd and Congressman Vorys as being more often with us than against us and said he believed that Judd, particularly, held a kinder feeling toward me and the Departmental policies than some of his utterances would indicate.
Hays then told me that he felt we should do everything we possibly could to reestablish the bipartisan approach to our foreign policy and asked me if, today, I felt that such a course is merited. I assured him I did. He then said he wanted to make some contribution toward that end and he felt that it would be a good idea to reestablish a series of meetings that used to be held on Thursday nights at Hall's Restaurant for Members of Congress, upon which occasions various officials of the Government would drop in and participate in round table discussions on matters of current interest. I told him I thought such a plan might possess merit and that he could count on me to facilitate it in every way possible. I suggested he work with Mr. McFall on the subject with a view toward us supplying top level individuals to discuss our various foreign policies as, if, and when their presence might be desired.
Hays then brought up the subject of the World Federalist Resolution saying that he felt very strongly, along with many of his colleagues that the endorsement of the principle of world federation was much to be desired as an end in view, no matter how long such a development might take and that he, along with several of his colleagues, had felt much "let down" by the action of the Department in taking a negative stand on the World Federation Resolution at the time of the Departmental representatives' appearance before the Thomas Committee in the Senate. Hays expressed the thought that there was a great public interest in showing some positive steps forward in our world relationships and that he would like to be brought into the Councils to discuss just what he might be in a position to do by way of introducing some form of a Congressional resolution that could be interpreted by the public as a forward step. He indicated that if at all possible he wanted to go along with the Department and lend his aid in the fulfillment of the course that we desire to follow.
Mr. McFall tells me that subsequent to our meeting Hays expressed to him his great concern about the possibility of the President appointing another representative to the Vatican. He informed McFall that the feeling on the part of Methodists and Baptists was particularly acute on this issue and that he hoped we were giving the proper weight to these considerations. Mr. McFall informed him that this entire matter is in the hands of the President who is undoubtedly familiar with all of the considerations that enter into this matter.
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