Cross Reference Memorandum

mcb 286-A TO: MILLER, Honorable Watson B., Acting Federal Security Administrator. October 4, 1945. President wrote letter saying he is very much interested in seeing legis- lative program, outlined in his Message to Congress on 9/6/45, completed as soon as possible. This can only be done by vigorous and united action on part of the agencies in the executive which are most directly concerned with particular measures. President is therefore assigning specific responsibility for each part of program to a designated agency. It is his intention that this agency make necessary studies, prepare material, assist in drafting, present testimony to Congressional committees, and in general follow progress of legislation in Congress. In accordance with this arrangement he is asking Mr. Miller to take primary responsibility for legislation to carry out part of message re national health program. Mr. Miller will also be primarily responsible for legislation re broader social security program and educational program. Developments on Unemployment Compensation Bill place it in special category but Ir. Miller will continue to work for enactment of this legislation. To coordinate program the President is asking Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion, in cooperation with Pudget Bureau, to watch course of various proposals; to resolve differences which arise where several agencies are. interested in legislation, and in general to render all possible assistance to agencies charged with specific responsibil- ty for various parts of program. Requests a report at once on present status of legislation assigned to FSA and also brief report showing current developments and problems on lst and 15th of each month. Requests that copy of these reports be sent to Director of Office of War Nobilization and Reconversion. Same date President wrote similar letter to National Housing Administrator asking him to take primary responsibility for legislation to carry out part of message in re housing. Requests that Administrator consult with other interested agencies in- cluding Labor Dept. War Production Board, Office of Price Admin. and Fed. Works Agency. date President wrote to Administrator of Veterahs--Affairs asking him to take primary responsibility for legislation to carry out part of message re clarification and liberalization of provisions re hospital & medical care; for vocational training under vocational and rehabilitation act; and for educa- tion and training under Servicemen's Readjustment Act; and also for changes re loan guarantee features under Servicenen's Readjustment Act; for measures clari- fying and liberalizing National Service Life Insurance Act; etc. Same date the President wrote to Budget Director asking him to take primary responsibility for legislation to carry out part of message re reorganization of executive agencies. Budget Director will also be prinarily responsible for legislation re an inven- tory of national wealth; additional funds for planning; additional construction of certain federal buildings; Inter-Anerican Highway; federal, state and local public works; and federal grants for construction of hospitals and health centers, On these measures Director should consult with interested agencies, including Interior Dept., Fed. Works Admin., Agri. Dept., War Dept. & Public Health Service. Same date President wrote to Secy. of Labor asking him to take primary responsi- bility for legislation re Fair Labor Standards Act. Secy. will also be primarily responsible for measures to carry out part of message re Fair Employment Practice Committee. Secy.'s responsibility for measures to carry out part of message re retention of U. S. Employment Service under federal control is temporarily covered by Lucas Amendment to Unemployment Compensation Bill. Secy. will continue to op- erate jointly with Commerce Dept. OPA, and National Labor Relations Bd. in re labor disputes and wage stabilization legislation. Same date President wrote to Commerce Secy. asking him to take primary responsibility for legislation re providing airports and facilities to serve needs of expanded postwar air trans- portation in commerce. Same date wrote to Secy. of Agriculture asking him to take primary responsibility for legislation to carry out part of message dealing with agriculture.- Same date wrote letter to Secy. of the Navy and a letter to Socy. of War asking them to take joint responsibility for legislation re volunteer service in armed forces, programof national security including universal train- ing program, continuation of selective service, and unification of armed services. Requests they consult with other agencies including Selective Service Admin. and Labor Dept. Same date President wrote to Secy. of the Treasury asking him to take primary responsibility for legislation to carry out part of message re limited tax reductions for 1946 and modernization of federal tax structure. Same date (Over) SEE - 419-B, Message to Congress 9/6/45