Memorandum, Roger Jones to Bernard Shanley Regarding Islands to be Included in State of Hawaii

O.F. MAY 71 1953 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT BUREAU OF THE BUDGET WASHINGTON 25, D.C. April 27, 1953 MEMORANDUM FOR MR. BERMARD M. SHANLEY Chairman Butler of the Senate Interior Committee has asked for the views of the Executive Branch on what islands should be included in the proposed State of Hawaii. This is the last matter OFIVIE which the Committee needs to clear up before having a bill ready to report. A decision is desired for a committee session tomorrow morning. Defense and Interior agree on the inclusion of the eight main islands and the Leeward Islands out to and including French Frigate XOF 4 Shoal. They also agree on exclusion of Midway Islands, Johnston Island, Sand Island, and Kingman Reef. Disagreement centers on (1) Palmyra Island which Interior would include and Defense would exclude, and (2) the Leeward Islands beyond French Frigate Shoal (other than Midway) which Interior would include and Defense would exclude. Interior favors inclusion since those islands have consistently been regarded as part of the Territory, and Interior is aware of no compelling reasons of national policy for exclusion. While Interior also points out that exclusion would require a change in the State constitution, this could be accomplished by a provision in S. 49 and by the approval of a proposition for constitutional amendment on the Hawaiian ballot in the 1954 elections. Defense's views, expressed in a report sent to Chairman Butler, recommend exclusion but advance no reasons therefor. It is believed that the President should support the recom- mandation of Interior, although he may want to take the question up with the National Security Council when he meets with them on Wednesday. If it is desired to take it up with the Council, it is requested that the Bureau be authorized to request Chairman Butler to delay action on the bill accordingly. Johrom Roges To.Yours Assistant Director for Legislative Reference ROFTI-B Care closed. 4-29-53 x OF 3-B I choeked with Navy and they had no objection to accepting Interior's position if the President had nons. I have advised Interior, the Thofor Committee and Sen. Cordon that the Interior report has been cleared. Roger Jones