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Conversations: 1951
January 5, 1951 MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILE SUBJECT: Meeting with Conant, Stauffacher and Staats and Carey and Levi at Bureau of the Budget Purpose was to try to resolve differences between National Science Foundation and practically all others -- following call of Conant (Ch), Fred (V.Ch) and Bronk - (Ch. Exec. Committee) on Staats on evening of January 3, at conclusion of National Science Foundation meeting. He restated that National Science Foundation Board was fearful that a Scientific Adviser to President would tend to debase National Science Foundation. No vote taken and there were dissenters. Conant's own views were not so extreme. He made it clear that his own views were as expressed to me previously (see memos) but that he had duty as Chairman of National Science Foundation to convey majority's views. Discussions for an hour. Somehow National Science Foundation needs a National Defense label to get appropriations and manpower (and hold off General Hershey[1]) and keep its Board happy. I had previously suggested to Staats (in line with Killian Group recommendation) that a Scientific Adviser to the President be created and that he have a committee (could be called for in Executive Order or President's letter) consisting of Chairman or Director of National Science Foundation, Chairman of National Academy and Chairman of RDB plus perhaps others. He tried this out on Conant and the latter agreed - and suggested that perhaps Chairman of GAC to AEC (Oppenheimer) be added. All agreed a good idea. Question open as to whether Scientific Adviser to President should be that or Chairman of a Mobilization Research Committee or some such title. Conant said, "don't institutionalize it" and Staats changed his preference for an Office of Scientific Adviser to the President to just an individual and/or a Committee. Conant volunteered that best man would be DuBridge and he believes he'd take it if offered. I informed Webster of the foregoing on the phone. We had been closely in touch on recent development. William T. Golden ____________________________ |
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