Letter to Ferdinand C. Smith of National Maritime Union of America from William D. Hassett, with Attachments

P.P.E. 1152 June 19, 1945 Dear Mr. Smith: This is in acknowledgment of your letter of May twenty-fifth, addressed to the President, and requesting from him a message to the delegates of the Fifth National Convention of the National Maritime Union of America, to be held in New York on July second. Since the Office of Defense Transportation and the War Committee on Conventions have the approval of the President x in their appeals for cessation of group meetings such as con- ventions not necessary in the war effort, it would be incon- sistent for him to send the message which you request for the convention of the membership of the National Maritime Union of America. I presume you are familiar with appeals made by the X 44 Office of Defense Transportation for a cessation of group meetings. Moreover, the President on June seventh issued a x173 statement saying that transportation restrictions will not x 326 only have to be retained but undoubtedly will be increased. He supplemented that statement in an appeal through his press and radio conference for all of our citizens to remain at home. In these circumstances I am sure you will appreciate the dif- ficulties which your request presents. Very sincerely yours, WILLIAM D. HASSETT Secretary to the President Mr. Ferdinand C. Smith, x National Maritime Union of America, # National Secretary, 346 West 17th Street, New York 11, New York. xesen wdh-mi x99