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House Speech Budget, January 15, 1959
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House Speech Budget, January 15, 1959
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The original documents are located in Box D15, folder "House Speech Budget, January 15,
1959" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D15 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GERALD R. FORD, JR., January 15, 1959
The memorandum from the Director of the Budget, Mr. Maurice H. Stans,
dated December 31, 1958 will not in any way whatsoever interfere with the hearings
of the House Committee on Appropriations. Any witness for the executive branch
of the government under this memorandum is given full authority to answer questions
"frankly." The full text of the memorandum from Mr. Stans to the Secretary of
Defense is as follows:
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HONORABLE NIEL A McELROY
The President will shortly present his budget for the fiscal year 1960
to the Congress. As you know, the normal process of budgeting results in re-
commended amounts that in many cases are less then the agency head had requested.
It is understandable that officials and employees will feel strongly
about the importance of their own agency's work, and will sometimes believe that
a larger budget might be in order. Such feelings, however, must be related to
an awareness that our budget resources are not adequate to accomodate in any one
year all of the things that might be desired. The President is responsible for
reviewing the total needs of the executive branch in the light of tax and debt
policy and for desiding among competing requests for priorities. Executive branch
personnel are expected to support the President in his budget recommendations.
As you and your staff prepare to justify your portion of the budget
before Congress, you will want to observe the requirements set forth at the Presi-
dent's direction in Bureau of the Budget Circular No. A-10. It is expected that
witnesses will carefully avoid volunteering views differing from the budget, either
on the record or off the record. While direct questions at bearings must be
answered frankly, it is expected that a witness who feels that be must set forth
a personal view inconsistent with the President's budget will also point out
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-2-
that the President's judgment on the matter was reached from his overall perspective as
the head of the Government, and in the light of overriding national policy. The
witness should make it clear that his personal comments are not to be construed as
a request for additional funds.
Please see that a reminder of this reaches all officials and employees
who perticipate in hearings on appropriations and on legislation directly related
to budget proposals, including civil functions of the Corps of Engineers.
(Signed) Maurice H. Stans, Director.
It should also be pointe d out that the executive branch of the federal
government, whether Democratic or Republican, has pursued the same policy. As
a matter of fact undet the Truman Administration a much more severe and restrictive
limitation was imposed on witnesses from the executive branch of the federal
government when they were testifying on behalf of the President's Budget.
For example on November 15, 1946 the following memorandum was issued and
personally signed by former President Truman:
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF THE BUDGET
I have noticed that on several occasions certain department and agency
officials have shown a tendency to seek from Congress larger appropriations than
were contemplated in official budget estimates.
The estimates which I transmit to Congress reflect s balanced program
for the executive branch as a whole, and each individual estimate is considered in
the light of this program, its relationship to other estimates, and the fiscal position
of the Government. While agency witnesses before congressional committees must feel
GERALD LIBRARY
-3-
free to supply facts in answer to questions of committee members, I cannot
condone the practice of seizing upon any opportunity which presents itself to
indicate an opinion, either directly or indirectly, that my estimates are insuf-
fisient.
When you notify the heads of the verious departments and agencies of the
amounts to be included in the 1948 Budget for their activities, I wish you would
include a reminder that I shall expect them and their subordinates to support
only the President's estimates in hearings and discussions with members of Congress.
(signed) Harry s. Truman
It should be stated on behalf of the Chief Executive whether Mr. Truman
or Mr. Eisenhower, that as head of the Executive Branch of the government the
President has the right to expect that his aides and assistents will represent
his views. This is the orderly and proper way to run such a vast and complicated
business involving over 4½ million military and civilian employees and a budget
totalling $77 billion.
It should be resuphasized that as long as all witnesses are given
clearance to express their personal views when interrogated by a direct question
there will be no interference with the responsibility of the Committee on Appro-
pristions to carry out its duty to determine the validity of budget or executive
programs.
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GERALD R. FORD, JR., January 15, 1959
Delivered on Floor of House of Representatives
Reference Budget Director's recent memo to Secretary of Defense
The memorandum from the Director of the Budget, Mr. Maurice H. Stans, dated
December 31, 1958 will not in any way whatsoever interfere with the hearings of the
House Committee on Appropriations. Any witness for the executive branch of the govern-
ment under this memorandum is given full authority to answer questions "frankly." The
full text of the memorandum from Mr. Stans to the Secretary of Defense is as follows:
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HONORABLE NEIL A. McELROY
The President will shortly present his budget for the fiscal year 1960 to the
Congress. As you know, the normal process of budgeting results in recommended amounts
that in many cases are less than the agency head had requested.
It is understandable that officials and employees will feel strongly about the
importance of their own agency's work, and will sometimes believe that a larger budget
might be in order. Such feelings, however, must be related to an awareness that our
budget resources are not adequate to accommodate in any one year all of the things that
might be desired. The President is responsible for reviewing the total needs of the
executive branch in the light of tax and debt policy and for deciding among competing
requests for priorities. Executive branch personnel are expected to support the
President in his budget recommendations.
As you and your staff prepare to justify your portion of the budget before
Congress, you will want to observe the requirements set forth at the President's di-
rection in Bureau of the Budget Circular No. A-10. It is expected that witnesses will
carefully avoid volunteering views differing from the budget, either on the record or
off the record. While direct questions at hearings must be answered frankly, it is
expected that a witness who feels that he must set forth a personal view inconsistent
with the President's budget will also point out that the President's judgment on the
matter was reached from his overall perspective as the head of the Government, and in
the light of overriding national policy. The witness should make it clear that his
personal comments are not to be construed as a request for additional funds.
Please see that a reminder of this reaches all officials and employees who parti-
cipate in hearings on appropriations and on legislation directly related to budget
proposals, including civil functions of the Corps of Engineers.
(Signed) Maurice H. Stans,
Director
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
3221
It should also be pointed out that the executive branch of the federal government,
whether Democratic or Republican, has pursued the samepolicy. As a matter of fact
under the Truman Administration a much more severe and restrictive limitation was
imposed on witnesses from the executive branch of the federal government when they
were testifying on behalf of the President's budget.
For example on November 15, 1956 the following memorandum was issued and
persona ly signed by former President Truman:
MORAI UM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF THE BUDGET
I have noticed that on several occasions certain department and agency officials
have shown a tendency to seek from Congress larger appropriations than were contemplated
had
based
in official budget estimates.
The estimates which I transmit to Congress reflect a balanced program for the
executive branch as a whole, and each individual estimate is considered in the light
of this program, its relationship to other estimates, and the fiscal position of the
Government. While agency witnesses before congressional committees must feel free to
graws)
supply facts in answer to questions of committee members, I cannot condone the practice
of seizing upon any opportunity which presents itself to indicate an opinion, either
directly or indirectly, that my estimates are insufficient.
When you notify the heads of the various departments and agencies of the amounts
to be in Luded n the 1948 budget for their activities, I wish you would include a
INSTRUET
remindez that = shall expect them and their subordinates to support only the President's
estimates in earings and discussions with members of Congress.
(Signed) Harry S. Truman
I: should be stated on behalf of the Chief Executive whether Mr. Truman or Mr.
Eisenhower, that as head of the Executive Branch of the government the President has
the right to expect that his aides and assistants will represent his views. This is
the orderly and proper way to run such a vast and complicated business involving over
4½ million military and civilian employees and a budget totalling $77 billion.
It should be reemphasized that as long as all witnesses are given clearance to
express their personal views when? interrogated by a direct question there will be no
interference with the responsibility of the Committee on Appropriations to carry out
its duty to determine the validity of budget or executive programs.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
BUREAU OF THE BUDGET
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
January 14, 1959
Dear Congressman:
This afternoon I have been very much interested in the
news ticker reports of Congressman Flood's criticism of the
Bureau of the Budget and of my letter to the agencies.
I want to thank you for your immediate response and
clarification of the purpose of the letter. As I am sure you
know, Section 206 of the Budget and Accounting Act contains a
prohibition against individual requests for appropriations or
increases in items of appropriations.
The procedures outlined in my letter are not new. They
have been inforced for many years, but have been reiterated
from time to time to help agency witnesses in answering com-
mittee requests frankly.
Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,
Mannie H. Stam
Director
Honorable Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
House of Representatives
Washington 25, D. C.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
BUREAU OF THE BUDGET
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
anuary 14, 1959
Dear Congressmant
This afternoon I have been very much interested in the
news ticker reports of Congressman Flood's criticism of the
Bureau of the Budget and of my letter to the agencies.
I want to thank you for your immediate response and
clarification of the purpose of the letter. As I am sure you
know, Section 206 of the Budget and Accounting Act contains a
prohibition against individual requests for appropriations or
increases in items of appropriations.
The procedures outlined in my letter are not new. They
have been inforced for many years, but have been reiterated
from time to time to help agency witnesses in answering com-
mittee requests frankly.
Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,
(Signed) Maurice H. Stang
Director
Honorable Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
House of Representatives
Washington 25, D. C.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD