Presidential Papers, Doc#70 Memorandum To Cabinet Officers, Administrators and Directors of the Executive Agencies, 6 March 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower

Document #70; March 6, 1953
To Cabinet Officers, Administrators and Directors of the Executive Agencies
Series: EM, AWF, DDE Diaries Series ; Category: Memorandum

The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIV - The Presidency: The Middle Way
Part I: Charting a New Course; January 1953 to April 1953
Chapter 2: "A number of misunderstandings": Party and International Struggles

 

This note is to request that you exercise particular care to make certain of appropriate and timely consultation with Congressional leaders in all matters where this seems necessary or desirable.1

On occasion papers are presented to me for signature when the time element demands instant action. In such cases there is no opportunity for my personal staff to undertake desirable consultations before I am compelled to sign. The only way to avoid the development of awkward and embarrassing situations is for the initiating authority to make sure of the attitude of Congressional leaders before the subject is submitted to me for action.

In those occasions when bipartisan action would seem desirable, I think that the best practice is to arrange for Democratic participation through the Congressional leaders of our own party. On all of these questions relating to the Congress, the advice, counsel and assistance of General Persons2 and his staff will always be available, if desired, to any member of the Administration.

I will appreciate your giving this matter your personal attention.

1 Eisenhower discussed this topic at the March 6 Cabinet meeting (see Cabinet meeting minutes, AWF/Cabinet).

2 Special Assistant to the President Wilton Burton ("Jerry") Persons.

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Memorandum To Cabinet Officers, Administrators and Directors of the Executive Agencies, 6 March 1953. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 70. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/70.cfm

 


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