August 25, 1950
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR THOMAS
Senator Thomas came in at his own request to see me today. The only matter he seemed to want to take up was the possible appointment of two men-- one Dr. H. L. Marshall, an outline of whose medical experience is attached. From his record, he is very distinguished in the field and it occurs to me he might possibly be a person whom we would like to have to head up the medical work under the Point Four Program. Senator Thomas did say that he would like to have Dr. Marshall appointed an ambassador somewhere. This may not be within the realm of possibility, while the suggestion for work in the Point Four Program might be. Please have this looked into.
The other man in whom he was interested is Mr. Eugene Merrill, who is Chief of Transportation in Germany, and is back here now. I believe that we have the facts about his experience at our disposal and that we are considering him at the moment for some position.
I told Senator Thomas that we would very much like to have him make a foreign policy speech before the Senate adjourns. He was pleased by this suggestion and disposed to do it. He referred to a speech which he made in 1947 which had been very well received and some parts of which he thought might bear repeating or restating. I said that I would ask the appropriate people to get in touch with him or with his office.
Dean Acheson
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