oie? The President The White House Washington 25, D. C. Dear Mr, President: BEST CODON Oy VL 8B This is with reference to tho attached report on "Federa: Personnel - FA , “A\ OFFICE OF THE AM Iniott Problems Relating to Givi. Defense," which waa forwarded t. this Administration by Mr, Pau. T, Carroll of your staff for recommenda- tions and appropriate action ecncerning proposala for Prestdential action, In general, the report recommends steps to be taxen to pernit and encowage participation of Federal employees in civil defense, and to provide injury and death benefita and employment security for suc! amployess, Also included are recomendations relative to protectior of vital employes records, the development of procedures “or maintaining salary payments to Federal workere in « civil defense emergency, ind the development of plans for the temperary transfer or assignmant of en- ployees to essential Fede:al activities, Sone of the reco mendations will require legislation; others nay be Implemented under axisting authority; ono will requi:e +ne igauance of an Erecut’ ve ode: One of the specific recomrendations (No. ’,) was for tre dyiuarce of an Executive Order authorizing excused alsence for Federal a: Joyees who participate in planned State and local efvil defense vork. This Administration has prepared, ard will shortly submit to the Burcau of the Budget, a proposed Executive Order to accomplish this purpowe, “t the same time we shall submit for your approval 6 me@ orandur +) ix Llasued Ber OUVYULEU AL LM UWEGHE D - ELSENHOWER LIBRARY with the Executive Order requestins all Dapartme:.t and ageicy heads to encourage those employees whe will not be immediately requ ral @r essential agency functions duri g mwoomergency to fet; tae uid Iccal eivil defense organizaticrs, Several of the recommendations ~elate to the provision cf “edarwl infur; and death benefits to State and lo:al civil defense workers, Whitle we agrea that such coverage snould be provided, we feel thet + !e8 primari.y a matter of State responsibility and that the Federal part cd;ation should be limited to contributions under tle Federal ‘ivi ‘offense Act of 1950, as amended, to States which provide suc! cov raye | “heir elvil defense workera, In this connection, our agtsiativy pregram in each of the last two sessions of Congress has inviuded j~ cased legislation which would authorise rei cbiraerant to bie Cte wa * sopart of