VII. Clarification of inter-departmental authority.  
May I repeat that I am not sufficiently familiar with the  
workings of the Department to have any opinion of the system  
that prevails in the Divisions below your and your Assistants'  
offices.
 
     
 
 
My principal thought is that--with the war progressing,  
peace an ultimate certainty, and with post-war problems  
numerous and of vast consequence to the nation today and  
for the long future--the staff is inadequate in number, and  
that a segregation of Post-war problems into a SEPARATE PERMANENT   
BUREAU, SEPARATELY OFFICERED, should take place at once. As the   
time approaches for policy determination and detailed negotiation   
with foreign powers, it is essential that the situation involving   
leadership, authority and responsibility be clearly defined.
 
     
 
 
Our committees will now need revision, reduction in numbers,   
and full time in their more vital composition. The time to bring   
this about is NOW, before the resumption of meetings in September.   
Changes if now made offer an unusual opportunity to readjust from   
a temporary to a permanent basis