Memorandum for President Gerald R. Ford Regarding the First Cabinet Meeting of His Administration

MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Meeting with the Cabinet Cabinet Room 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 10, 1974 The main purposes of this meeting are to: (1) Reassure the Cabinet of your respect for their abilities, your need for their help, and the importance of an orderly continuation of the work of the government. (2) Inform the Cabinet of the transition staff arrangements over the next few weeks and how they should interact with the transition staff and you. We recommend that this should be a fairly short meeting, covering the following general points: 1. The importance of keeping the government functioning and retaining the appearance of reality of movement on the most pressing problems we face. 2. The confidence that you have in their individual abilities and their collective abilities as a Cabinet to advice and work with you. Your need for help from them and the need for them to stay in place, despite any personal desires to leave, at least for the time being. 3. A description of the transition team, including the areas of responsibility of the four team members -- Rumsfeld, Morton, Marsh. Scranton. Mention ter Horst's responsibilities as part of the transition team. Point out that the transition team will advise you on organizing the new Administration. 4. Request written reports from each Cabinet member within the next few days. The reports should be written for you and will go directly to you. The reports should contain a status report on their activities, the problems they face and any comments or suggestions they have. You realize that the 1 1 1 reports will be only summaries, but you intend to meet with them personally after you have the reports.