Letter from August Hintz to President Harry S. Truman with Attachment
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
11/19
J
ORGANIZED 1875
AUGUST M. HINTZ, PASTOR
P.P.F.
TELEPHONE 4303
SPRING AT EIGHTH
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
November 11, 1945
The President,
The White House.
gile Haur
Mr. President:
w
We have read the account in "Life" of October 22 of your visit to Caruthers-
ville, Missouri. The entire account seems to us a reflection on the dignity of the
office of President.
We recognize, of course, the right of any citizen, including the President,
to live his own life in accordance with his own choice. But at the same time, we
beg to remind you of the tremendous influence which you are bound to exert on ac-
count of the exalted position which you hold.
The magazine account here mentioned refers to "Bourbon," "Two days of poker,"
and "A little whiskey," as if these words describe your normal life and conduct.
We could easily believe the contrary were it not for the fact that one sentence in
the story purports to be a direct quotation from you. The reporter says that, when
you were asked how you were, you stated: "There is nothing wrong with me that a
little whiskey will not cure--if they will let me have it."
If this is a correct quotation, we believe your statement was most unfortu-
nate. If you said this, it seems to us that you were saying to the American people
openly, proudly, and even flippantly that your habit is to drink, that you want the
world to know it, and this without regard to your influence upon others. The drink
habit by the American people surely needs no encouragement from their government.
On the contrary, this habit, we believe, should be definitely discouraged in every
practicable manner.
We, your friends and well-wishers, therefore, without reference to political
considerations, ask that you refrain, as long as you remain President, from encourag-
ing your people either by word or deed in the use of intoxicating liquor; and that,
if you personally choose to use intoxicants, you do so in private without unnecessary
publicity.
Very respectfully yours,
AUGUST M HINTZ, Pastor
Clluedwill C. C. CALDWELL, Moderator
Alice Graber
MRS ALICE GRABER, Clerk
The signatures to enclosed additional sheets are intended as
affixed to this letter.
WARREN L. ADAMS. MINISTER OF EDUCATION
WINIFRED JONES, CHURCH CLERK
OLIVE METZGER, CHURCH SECRETARY
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