Memorandum from Robert N. Golding to D. A. FitzGerald

X Return to me golding new 1204 Dr. D. A. FitsGerald October 11, 1951 R. N. Golding Report of ISAC Working Group and Draft Report of Mr. Oshins, both dated October 1, 1951 Both of these reports seem to deal with the third segment of the field, that is, with procurement. The field divides itself conveniently into three parts: 1. Determination of what articles should be purchased and in what quantities. 2. Ascertainment of sources of supply, in Europe and the U.S., with possible delivery schedules. 3. Procurement, that is, the actual negotia- tions of the purchase contract with the seller, payment of the purchase price, etc. The first and third segments are an operation by the mili- tary establishment, which has had, for a great number of years, a procurement service. Neither ECA, nor any other ageney, can be of any great assistance in the first division. In the third division, it does not seem necessary for the military to do much more than to establish a procurement office in Europe, there being already one for procurement in the U.S. Just how this office should be run is solely a matter for the military. The new organization which Mr. Oshins recommends does not appear to be necessary. In the second field, the gathering of information about availabilities in Europe, may have been, and probably was, a proper function during the last war of the "European Procurement Board" which Mr. Oshins uses as a precedent, but it must be remembered that at that time there was in operation no such thing as ECA with its various economic and industry divisions. On Pages 9 and 10, Mr. Oshins lists a total of sixteen organizations already cperating in this field. It is doubtful if efficiency will be improved by adding to this number. Additional expediting and coordinating organizations will probably neither expedite nor coordinate. What seems to be required is simplification.