TITRE
(ESET
ek Sie
Cabinet Meeting, May 12, 1960
page 3
Mr. Stans called attention to the new statistical procedures for
estimating housing starts. Dr. Saulnier said that a recent study of
this had revealed that estimates were generally low by about 200, 0¢
units,
Future estimates,
corrected by the new method, will be
accordingly at a higher level.
This will cause a re-estimate of th 3
GNP with a resulting increase of about $3 billion.
Soviet Manpower
q
After prefatory remarks by Mr. Dulles, Mr.
Robert Amory took note of the new Russian census taken in 1959,
then went on to present a series of charts comparing estimates of
Russian man- (and woman) power with similar statistics for the
United States. Some of the significant facts brought out were that o ur
population growth in the '60s will be at least as rapid as that of
Russia,
that women make up 55% of the Russian labor force as con-
trasted with about 33% in the United States, that despite irregulariti es
in Russian age groups as a result of the wars, the Russians are hol Hing
their labor force fairly steady by reductions in the armed forces an H
by restricting temporarily the enrollment in day schools, Also, 50
of Russian workers are engaged in farming, 30% in industry and 201 fo
in service trades,
In the United States, these fipures are 10%, 36%
and 55%, respectively. Regarding GNP, Mr. Amory presented an
estimate that Russia is closing the gap but will still be well behind
in 1970.
Mr. Herter requested copies of these charts, and Mr. Amory indic ated
a booklet would be distributed to Cabinet Members. Mr. Herter
questioned the arrangement of the GNP praph which was on a logrithmic basis. Mr. Amory agreed that this distorted the absolute
figures but presented fairly the percentage difference between Russ
and the United States,
Sec. Benson was interested in the possible effect on population grow th
of the fact that so many Russian women are engaged in heavy manu
labor. Mrs. Schraeder stated that Russian population growth is
slowing up and that there has been much discussion in Russia about
making life easier for women. She thought the bad housing conditio
in the cities were a contributing factor but she wanted to point out
that the high Asiatic fertility rate was a big compensation.
Operation Alert 1960
of the operation,
-
Gov. Hoegh made a preliminary evaluation
setting forth the procedures which had added
realism to the exercise, and concluding that it had been a very
effective exercise, that the soundness of the national plan was confirmed, that there remains need for strengthening State and local
government preparedness (emphasizing the need for approval of
pending lepislation), and that there is a continuing need for training
exercises in future years.
The President remarked on the good impression made upon membertS}
of the NSC by the improvements effected at the OCDMsite.
The
President then remarked on the possible desirability of further development of the Defense Department site so as to accommodate certain
CORFDENTIN
DreCLASSIFI EO
E.0. 12955, Sec. abog
2. Cede
py 79 bere F/25/5
72