Letter from Maurice Stans to President Dwight D. Eisenhower Regarding H.R. 12575

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Lanthor BUREAU OF THE BUDGET WASHINGTON 25, D.C. JUL 261958 My dear Mr. President: On July 18, 1958, the Executive Clerk notified this office that H. R. 12575, "To provide for research into problems of flight within and outside the earth's atmosphere, and for other purposes", had been received at the White House and requested reports and recommendations thereon. This bill substantially conforms with the administration bill transmitted to the Congress on April 2, 1958. To attain specified national objectives, H. R. 12575 creates a civilian National Aeronautics and Space Administration and vests it with broad authority for directing aeronautical and space activities, except those peculiar to military requirements. The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics will provide the nucleus for the new agency. A civilian Administrator and Deputy Administrator, both appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, will head the agency. The Administrator of the new agency is made responsible to the President alone for conduct of civilian aeronautical and space activi- ties. He is equipped with the authority required to accomplish the purpose of the act. The major differences between the administration's bill and H. R. 12575 involve the arrangements for policy guidance for aero- nautical and space activities. The original bill would have estab- lished a 17 man board drawn from the Government and private life to advise the President and the head of the civilian space agency. The enrolled bill authorizes the Administrator to establish such advisory groups as he may decide. It, in addition, creates a National Aeronautics and Space Council consisting of the President, who shall preside, and the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administrator, and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. One additional Government member and three private members are to be appointed by the President. This Council is to advise the President regarding development of a comprehensive aeronautical and space program, the allocation of responsibility among agencies, and the resolution of differences between them. The bill provides that the Council may have a staff headed by an executive secretary appointed by the President with provision for Senate confirmation. B 01/1