ont |
Fre-press conference - 2.
Defense Department squabble as to who has best weapons, etic.
President knows all about it - is weary of it.
Was informed that
two Congressional committees think they are going to investigate matter Symington and Chavez.
President mentioned that Symington when he
was Secretary for Air, had defied Forrestal and gone to San Francisco
and made
a speechm in favor of the B-36s (which never proved useful).
President said that quarrels between services had been going on for
a long long time.
President said that if he knew anyone who was guilty
of leaking confidential material, he would be punished.
Donavan's Report that President had suggested a third party.
President said he had many times in conversation remarked on...
7
fact that Nke-minded people in north and south cannot get together
in same political tent and vote.
Nothing ever got beyond stage of
academic discussion.
Harry Cain.
President was reminded that Cain has charged that
people in Departments were using the ''number's game" on him and
that he did not get proper information.
In this connection, Murray Snyder reminded the President that Mr.
Hatkin's lawyer had made the statement that the Interests of the
country are not paramount, the interests of the individual are. '"'
REPRODUCED AT THE DWIGHT D.
EISENHOWER LIBRARY
Nicaro records.
President was reminded that at a previous
press conference a reporter had asked him a question about this,
and his answer that the reporter should get in touch Mr. Brownell.
Mr. Brownell's answer had been that the Department of Justice
did not comment to outsiders on the subject of matters under
investigation. They are still looking into it.
Fresident was
briefed about disappearance of papers.
Treasury Surplus. President will stick by Humphrey's staternent
of no tax cut possible at this time, any surplus could be applied
to debt reduction.
Will emphasize fluid condition of economy.
Gabe suggested he re~emphasize here 'physieak fiscal integrity."