White House Press Release, Correspondence Between President Harry S. Truman and Owen D. Young

IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 14, 1946 The President has sent the following letter to the Honorable Owen D. Young, Chairma of Collier's Congressional Awards Connittee: "March 13, 1946 Dear Mr. Young: I have received your letter of March eighth and an deeply impressed by the common sense and spirit of practical service which prompt your suggestion. I heartily concur in your proposal as Chairman of Collier's Congressional Awards Committee that the dinner scheduled for April sixth be cancelled. There is real merit in the further suggestion that the sum of five thousand dollars which might have been spent on the dinner, be given for the relief of hungry people. In taking this step you are setting an excellent example to Washington and to the country as a whole. Many thoughtful persons in the Nation's Capital have commented unfavorably upon the inconsistency of serving unnecessary mass dinners and thereby con- suming precious food supplies which otherwise could be conserved for starving persons all over the world. The country is recognizing our moral obligation to tighten our belts that we may share our NARA abundance with the less privileged. It is our duty, particularly here in Washington, to practice what we preach. I therefore welcome the opportunity to suggest that the five thousand dollars which would have gone for the dinner be turned over to the American National Red Cross and be earmarked for the relief of hunger. Very sincerely yours, HARRY S. TRUMAN" The text of Mr. Young's letter to the President follows: "March 8, 1946 Dear Mr. President: Because, as you have made clear, millions of our fellows face the certainty of terrible hunger and the possibility of starvation, I as chairman of Collier's Congressional Awards Committee am prompted to suggest that Collier's cancel the Congressional Awards Dinner scheduled for April 6, that the sum of $5,000 which might have been spent on the dinner be given as you may direct for relief of hungry people, and that the awards you had consented to make at the dinner, be made instead at the White House at a later date. This proposal, I am told, will be approved by Collier's if it is pleasing to you, as I hope it will be. Members of the Congress have been told in a letter from Mr. William Chenery about the dinner, and have been asked to reserve the date, April 6, pending formal invitations soon to be issued. But he tells me he will be glad to write each member another letter, giving reasons for the cancellation and thus again drawing attention to the food crisis. (OVER)