Letter from J. Vivian Truman to Harry S. Truman, with Related Letter from President Harry S. Truman to Secretary of Agriculture Clinton Anderson

August 25, 1947 Dear Clint: I have a letter from my brother - the first two paragraphs of which I am quoting to you: "If you recall when you were here I mentioned the fact that George Burgdoerfer had told me that he could cure the foot and mouth disease. George, his son and his nephew were at my place Sunday and they say that they got the formula from a veterinarian in Switzerland who has since died, but that they bought all the infected cattle that they could buy when we had the epidemic in this country after World War 1, cured them and continued to milk them in their dairy with no ill effects or spread of the disease to other cattle, They say they are willing to go to Mexico and purchase ten head of cattle or more, cure them and hold them as long as anyone thinks it necessary to be sure that they are cured. They have been in touch with someone in Mexico but state that since they are American citizens they feel that they should have a sanction from this Government, They have also talked to some official in the Department of Agriculture who told them that since they were not registered veterinarians they did not think it was worth while for them to offer their services. I am sure these fellows are sincere and can do what they claim, ssI don't know whether you care to enter into the picture but I feel that if they could demonstrate that this cure is possible and permanent (as they claim) I don't see how it could cost either government any money at least to give them an opportunity to demonstrate. I have known George Burgdoerfer for some thirty years and as far as I know he has a good reputation and handles a large number of milk cows. The two boys are both veterans." It seems to me that this fellow should be given a chance to demonstrate whether he can or cannot cure the foot and mouth disease. If he can cure it, he is what the Mexicans have been looking for and it would save us millions of dollars. Sincerely yours, Honorable Clinton P. Anderson HARRY S. TRUMAN Secretary of Agriculture Washington, D. C.