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oug to ash pltu THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON INFORMATION SEP241973 MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT FROM: ROY ASH General SUBJECT: NEW ENGLAND BASE CLOSURES You met with Senators Brooke, Pastore, Pell and Majority Leader O'Neill on July 23, 1973 to discuss Federal assistance for New England in view of the Defense base closures announced on April 17, 1973. Subsequent to that meeting, we continued to receive complaints from Congressional delegations and other elected officials. The difficulties brought to our attention concerned an apparent lack of coordination and speed in delivering Federal assistance. To help solve immediate problems, and develop mutually acceptable action plans, OMB Assistant Director Frank G. Zarb visited Rhode Island and Massachusetts to work with State, local and Federal part- icipants. As a result of that one week visit, and subsequent follow up, we can report the following: Governors, local officials and Federal participants have agreed to a common action plan to deal with immediate tasks and work out longer term solutions. O Regional elements of the Federal agencies involved have been organized to insure better coordination on this effort. Steps have been taken to reduce, where possible, administrative red tape related to the delivery of Federal assistance.