Memorandum from Milton Kayle to David Stowe, with Attached Letter from Matt Triggs to David Stowe

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON January 21, 1952 MEMORANDUM FOR MR. STOWE Subject: Farm Bureau letter on the immigration bill. I have looked at this letter from a strictly technical standpoint. As you requested I have approached it as I would a contract. On that basis I conclude, for the following reasons, that this letter in and of itself does not commit the Farm Bureau to support the specific bill that you have in mind. 1. Triggs in the opening sentence refers to "the enactment of an immigration bill"; states that the Bureau will support "a bill"; and concludes by stating "I hope we are all agreed now on policy and can work together for these mutual objectives." Nowhere in the letter is there a specific state- ment that the Bureau will support the bill thus far worked out by you. 2. It is questionable that Triggs in writing this letter appears to be an authorized agent to commit the Bureau. He refers to the fact that his "name will be mud" if certain things are not done. The letter carries a personal tone which might enable the Bureau to get off the hook in the absence of more specific language. 3. Triggs refers to desirable clarification in the legislative history but at no time takes the categorical position that the history he speaks of should be connected with the specific bill you have in mind. I don't know what relationship has developed between you and Triggs. It may be that your reverting to a highly technical position on his letter would destroy your working arrangement with him. On the other hand if a written commitment from the Bureau is important, I suggest that you send to Triggs a redraft of the bill incorporating specifically the various changes requested by Triggs Then I would ask Triggs for a letter specifically endorsing the bill you have in mind. hopk Milton P. Kayle