Telegram from H. E. Sandrock to President Harry S. Truman, with Reply from William D. Hassett, with Related Material

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50 fallen February 18, 1949 The Reverend H. E. Sandrock St. Pauls Lutheran Church Streator, Illinois Dear Mr. Sandrock: I have been requested to reply to your telegram of January 31, 1949, to the President, suggesting the establishment of a "March of Dollars" campaign to finance the remodeling of the Executive Mansion. # There is little doubt that such a campaign would prove popular. It is not believed, however, that it would be appropriate to finance the proposed project in this manner. The structure is not only recognized as the residence of the President and his family, but as the most outstanding of all of our national shrines. It was erected and has been maintaine with Federal funds which have been gathered from the citizenship of the Nation as a whole. It would seem eminently proper for its cost of remodeling to come from this same source. The many thousands of individuals who visit "The White House" annually would, as they do now, have a feeling of pride that they contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of this structure. This deep feeling of pride and patriotism would be considerably shaken, particularly in those visitors who had fai led, perhaps because of their own financial limitations, to join the proposed campaign, if that method of financing were followed. Your interest in the matter, and the motive supporting your suggestion, are sincerely appreciated. Sincerely yours, 1 NONE MATIOMAL 1 tha WILLIAM D. HASSETT Secretary to the President x50-min 209