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May 6, 1943Chairman Eccles:
Mr. Steinbower of the State Department called me back last evening at 6:05
and said he had the following to report.
1. President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull personally decided on
the men who were invited to be members of the Economic
Committee*
2. They chose the men as personal individuals, not as individuals
to represent agencies — i.e. the membership of the Committee
is on a strictly personal basis and not on an agency basis.
3. Each individual member was chosen for what the President and
Secretary Hull felt he could personally contribute and for
his ability to participate in discussions, to make constructive
criticisms and suggestions, etc. — i.e., they had in mind the
individual and not the agency with which the individual might
be connected.
4«

One person sent an alternate to the first meeting. That was immediately corrected at the time.

5. A number of inquiries came in relative to alternates this time, so
in order to make the ruling definite a meeting was held yesterday afternoon and it was ruled that —
(a) Because the person was chosen on a personal and
not an agency basis, no alternate from an agency
is permitted;
(b) Because the person was chosen because of what he
himself had to contribute, etc., no alternate
can be sent to represent him personally.
In other words, I was given to understand that you were invited as a person and
not as a representative of the Federal Reserve, and that under no circumstances
could you send an alternate. Mr. Steinbower said there had been a lot of misunderstanding about representation on the committee, which possibly was brought
about by the letters of invitation being sent to the person with his official
title attached to the address.
Mr. Steinbower said they would be very sorry not to have you vdth them Friday,
but as the purpose of the committee is still in the progress stage and not the
policy making stage your absence will be less serious.




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