Letter from Acting Secretary of War Robert Patterson to President Harry S. Truman

WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON 28 AUG 1945 The President The White House Dear Mr. President: With respect to the subject of your letter of 20 August 1945, the desired report on port and harbor facilities for the Philippines will be completed and coordinated with the highway report by approximately 30 November this year. Some work for the rehabilitation of Philippine ports has been conducted by the Army with requirements of military necessity as the primary objective. This has resulted in a type of construction in many cases which would not be suitable for permanent use, i. e., use of green lumber and use of floating piers. The original plan for the rehabilitation of Philippine ports as a military requirement was submitted by General MacArthur. Supply of those materials necessary to meet the requirements of the occupational period is continuing. During August 1945 the Army has the following Liberty berths in use: Manila - 24 Bataan - 1 San Fernando - 6 Leyte - 6 Batangas - 5 Cebu - 5 I am glad to cooperate with the Public Roads Administration and am making the necessary arrangements to provide the Army officers required to assist in the preparation of the Philippine highway report. Respectfully yours, RLaPP.tt ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SERVICE Acting Secretary of War FOR VICTORY BUY UNITED STATES WAR BONDS AND STAMPS