The chronicle., 1963-11-28


Mcclellan and other committee
members. They bluntly left no
doubt of their determination to
block this unannounced move.
Mcclellan and Senator Allen
Ellender, Ola, who is also
chairman of the influential Agri-
cultural Committee, propose to
personally discuss this matter
with President Johnson. They
will strongly advise that he re-
verse this greatly expanded
USIA role.
They also have no intention Of
increasing the USIA's budget
above the House total.
WORKING HIM OVER Nc
Clellan sought unavailingly to
ascertain from Wilson how and
why this far-reaching USIA ex-
panSion was put over.
All Wilson would say was that,
There was some consultation
with the White House, and this
mission was approved by the
President as our charter. II puts
us directly in support Of foreign
policy detectives in a more ex-
press and harder hitting man.
ner."
Sin other words" remarked
Mcclellan dryly, ''the idea is to
put you in a greater position Of
prestige, power and influence in
your own government"
Wilson admitted, "That Is
true, yes, sir"
Senator Ellender wanted 10
know who prepared the new po-
Icy statement. Wilson said the
"original draft came from
USIA.
"And you submitted II to the
President (Kennedy) for his
okay," continued Ellender.
"Yes, sir"
Il thought So" snapped ri.
lender.
The veteran Louisiana legislat-
or also inquired what part
UUSIA had played In the over
throw of the Diem regime In
South Vietnam. Wilson asserted
the agency had mo direct re-
lationShip with that coup at all"
maybe no direct relation
Ship" retorted Ellender, ''but
you foStered it in one way or
another through the Voice Of
America. CHA could not act, but
you did for it,"
Wilson also revealed that his
agency is seeking authority from
Congress for full discretionary
power over its budget.
What you are after is carte
blanche power to employ as
many people as you see fit"
said Mcclellan. "We appropriate
the money, and you use your
own discretion as to how it
should be spent"
Wilson acknowledged USIA
wanted not limitations.
II don't think we're going to
do that" declared Mcclellan.
Il want the record to be quite
clear on that. We can't continue
to live beyond our means. I
would like to see a program like
yours make adjustments and
start leveling off so we can get
our fiscal affairs back in balance
in our country. We've got to stop
going up and up every year"
AS submitted by Wilson to the
Senate Appropriations Subcom-
mittee, the un-announced USIA
role laid down by the late PreSi-
dent Kennedy is as follows:
"The mission OF the United
States Information Agency is
to help achieve United States
foreign policy detectives by in
fluencing public attitudes in
other nations and advising
the President, his representa-
tives abroad, and the various
departments and agencies on the
implications of foreign opinion
for present and contemplated
United States policies, programs
and official statements.
Omitted States Information
Agency STATS abroad, acting I'M
der the supervision of the Chiefs
of Mission, are responsible for
the conduct of overt public in
public relations and
cultural activities - j. e., those
activities intended to inform or
influence foreign public opinion
- for agencies of the United
States Government except for
Commands Of the Department
of Defense"
2ONICLE