Letter from President Harry S. Truman to Chief Justice Fred Vinson, with Related Letters from Secretary of War Robert Patterson

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November 9, 1946 Dear Fred: Yesterday at Cabinet Heeting Bob Patterson told me he had been talking to you about obtaining per- mission for two federal judges, Circuit Judge Denman and District Judge Black, to go to Germany and help with the further trials of the war criminals I know that it should not be the policy to assign Judges to other duties but, in this special case, I believe we established a precedent and if you could see your way clear to accommodate Bob in this matter I personally will appreciate it. We are trying to get some eighteen state court judges, in addition to the two federal judges asked for. As you know it is a vital necessity that these trials be carried on in a proper judicial atmosphere and, while we ean get plenty of lawyers to act as prose- eutors I don't think the appointment of a lawyer without judicial background would have the same effect, at the trial. I am hoping that it won't be necessary to ask further favors of this sort. incerely yours, HARRY S. TRUMAN ARCHIVES 3. "NATIONAL RECORDS AND to SERVICE* Honorable Fred M. Vinson Chief Justice of the United States Vashington, D. C.