Notes on What Secretary said about message and fireside chat after Cabinet meeting, July 14, 1950
Message
The Military people will inform us what should be said about President\'s action on forces. \(Secretary should probably talk with someone today or tomorrow.\)
Defense will give us what President should say about funds.
The Munitions Board will supply what should be said about power of allocation and limitation.
State is to work up what he should say about assisting our allies. Secretary had a paper signed by various people in Defense, which he did not think was useable in its present form, and he asked that Matthews, Perkins, Nitze look this over and talk with him later. The Secretary said that about all that it seemed to him now could be said on this point was that we are going to speed up our assistance to our allies. We understand that they are taking measures of their own.
Fireside
There are certain negative things that can be said; such as, not hoarding; if there were some positive things that could be said, that would be helpful, such as, to work harder and stop conversation.
There is a great deal of uncertainty in everybody\'s mind as to what domestic situation will be; this comes to Government mainly through businessmen. The message and the fireside chat should give people a pretty good idea of what is ahead.
The Government views the situation with great seriousness, and is taking steps which it may expand; which may mean giving up a great many things, which people would like to have.