Subject: Treatment of Governmental Personnel1
During the course of the past year, I have frequently expressed to the chief officers of the Executive Branch certain views pertaining to the handling of governmental personnel. A particular phase of this subject, often discussed among us, involves the security problem; we have proceeded on the theory that working for the government is a privilege and not a right. Adherence to this principle gives great initiative and authority to each responsible officer in proceeding against individuals whose records have created doubt as to their security in positions of trust and confidence.
I summarize below the views I have often before expressed on these matters:
(a). In these critical times, it is important that we have subordinates in whom we place the utmost confidence as to security and loyalty.2 We must be vigilant in discovering those in whom there is reason to have little or no confidence and to see that they are removed from positions in which they could possibly do any harm.
(b). Fairness, justice, and decency must characterize all the procedures that are set up to handle personnel; we cannot defeat Communism by destroying Americanism. We must observe every requirement of law and ethics.
(c). Having assured ourselves of the efficiency and dedication of subordinates (a process that should continue all down the line), each superior, including me, must remember the obligation he has to his own subordinates. These obligations comprise, among other things, the protection of those subordinates, through all legal and proper means available, against attacks of a character under which they otherwise might be helpless.
(d). No hope of any kind of political advantage, no threat from any source, should lead anyone to foresake these principles of organizational leadership.3
The above may be something of an over-simplification, but my purpose is merely to make of record certain essentials that have long been understood among us.
I realize that individual cases sometimes arise that may become subjects for Cabinet discussion or for consultation with me personally. In such instances, I know you feel the utmost freedom in bringing the matter to my attention.4
