Memorandum of Telephone Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson and Secretary of Agriculture Charles Brannan

314 CENFIDENTIAL 3. 90 AND RECORDS : SERVICEM March 22, 1950 Secretary Brannan called me today and said that he wanted me to know that he was solidly behind me and thought the California speeches were very successful. He said he had three ideas in which he thought he could be helpful. 1) He said he was schedule to speak before the ADA meeting and would like to make some complimentary references to me and perhaps take a vigorous approach of attack upon my crities rather than just say something in defense. He wanted to have his people check with someone in the Department and I suggested they check whatever he wanted to say with Mr. Webb or Mr. B arrett, or both. (In connection with the ADA meeting, I am under the im pression I was invited to speak to this meeting and refused. I wonder if it would be a good or a bad idea for me to make a brief appearance and say that I was "speeched out'' for the moment, but just wanted to greet my old friends. May I have a recommendation on this?) 2) Secretary Brannan said that he was talking with Mr. Bill Thatcher who controls a network of radio stations from St. Paul through Montana which reach a large audience of farmers. He was going to get Mr. Thatcher to try to use the radio stations to defend me. He thought that a great many of the attacks that were being made were directed at these people and that Mr. Thatcher was a good friend and supporter of his and he felt quite sure he would be willing to turn in and help me in the present difficulties. 3) He said that in connection with the billion dollar cut in the ECA, he was drafting a statement which would take the following line: The billion dollar cut was not welcomed by the Agriculture Department for if the Congress made that cut, they would have to appropriate the same amount of money for the Department of Agri culture because if they take the agricultural commodities for ECA out of surplus commodities instead of out of the normal channels of trade, then the surplus commodities will increase by the same amount and this would not be helpful to the agricultural program. Secretary Brannsn wanted to know when it would be most helpful to release DECLASSIFIED E. o. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (B) Dept. of State letter, SONFIDENTIAL By NLT- He NARS Date 6-4-26