Memorandum from George J. Schoeneman to President Harry S. Truman, with Notes

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON September 3, 1946 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: In line with the Administration's policy of economy in federal expenditures, I believe the time has come to give consideration to the liquidation of the communication functions now performed by the Army Signal Corps detail at the White House, and the return of these functions to the White House Telegraph and Transportation Division. This division, manned by civilian personnel, equipped with modern facilities, is capable of serving the President and the Whi te House Secretariat either at home or in a travel status. THE MAP ROOM AND THE RADIO CAR Shortly after entrance of the United States in World War II there was created at the White House a "map room." The purpose was to make available to the President certain vital and secret infor- mation on the progress of the war, and the position of Army and Navy units on the war fronts. To control and protect the security of its dispatches, the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended that the working staff be composed of officers picked from both services. When the President was in a travel status "map room" dispatches were enciphered and transmitted to the President. A "map room" of- ficer of senior rank usually accompanied the President to receive, decode and explain these war communiques to the President. This system permitted rigid control of vital war information within a narrow circle. The Administrative business of the White House was handled by the Secretarie to the President. While in travel status these dis- patches were enciphered by the civilian force of the Telegraph Divi- sion and transmitted to the President and the Secretaries with him. Also at the beginning of the war there was created a "radio car" for the purpose of affording limited and emergency communication between the White House and a moving train. The details were worked out by Army, Navy, and civilian engineers, and operated by Army per- sonnel under command of Lieutenant Colonel Greer since 1943. The chi ef value of the "radio car" was that it provided contact with a moving train during the numerous off-the-record trips of the Presi- dent under war time censorship. Thi S means of communication, TRUNAN - ANO any