Letter from Sherman Adams to Charles Wilson Regarding Financial Support for People-to-People

By RECEIVED The Assistant to the President MARIS 1958 CINIBAL FILES March 17, 1958 Refiled 6/V5/60 - Pe, Dear Mr. Wilson: George Allen is at present in the Far East and 1 have, therefore, not had an opportunity to confer with him on your letter of March seventh; but I do want to send along to you a few preliminary thoughts prior to his return the end of the month. In spite of all the effort and time and dedication which you have put into this good cause, it would seem that we cannot count on founda- tions, corporations and selected individuals to underwrite it through contributions to a central fund. Evidently, we must be content to look for a much more gradual growth under the leadership of the existing individual committee action groups. These groups will very probably not raise large sums; but judging from what has been accomplished to date, I believe they will continue to give of them- selves and provide leadership in the fields of their individual endeavors. What you have gone through has perhaps served to prove the truth of the above, loath as we both are to accept it after so much hard work by you and your associates. I suspect the same conclusion would be reached even if it were feasible to finance further efforts for another year through a USIA grant. Despite all the disappointments, you have personally contributed greatly to advancing acceptance of the President's people-to-people concept which, I am convinced, will eventually become a vital and recognized part of our foreign relations. The President joins me, I know, in appreciation to you for the great energies you have expended in the early stages of this cause; and I am confident that we may count on you to continue to give it whatever assistance, within reason, that you can.