Letter from Durward Howes to President Harry S. Truman

P.P.E. 3 Hume letter OTHER STORES DURWARD HOWES Con B.D. HOWES AND SON 624 EAST COLORADO STREET PRESIDENT JEWELERS PASADENA I, CALIFORNIA DURWARD HOWES III I HUNTINGTON HOTEL VICE PRESIDENT WILSHIRE AT WESTMORELAND PASADENA 5, CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES 5, CALIFORNIA 909 STATE STREET SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA December 9, 1950 Honorable Harry S. Truman White House Washington, D. C. HARRY U.S. TRUMAN COVERNMENTAL "NATIONAL LIBRARY Dear Mr. President, I was tempted to write you when you attack the integrity of the United States Marines. I refrained for two reasons; one, I was willing to excuse our President for a "burst of temper", every good American is entitled to explode once in a while, even possibly our President; two, I do not write letters of criticism because I am too busy and I believe in minding my own business. I am sorry, Sir, but I cannot stand it any longer. The comments made to the music critic, which have been acknowledged by your staff, are an all time new low. In addition to expressing my indignation, I am writing to ask you a very blunt and frank question to wit. I have heard many rumors, some from sources I believe reliable, that you are, perhaps, using more alcohol than one should. My question is: Were you under the influence of intoxicating liguor when you wrote the note to the music critic or was it a burst of uncontrolled temper? I know you are a busy man and I know you get thousands of letters every day. Some you probably answer personally, some are given to your assistants for a form letter and pro- bably some are not answered. I am not a "privileged" citizen and I seek no favors, but I am an American concerned with the future of our country, and as a fellow citizen I feel I have the right to expect a direct answer from you in connection with two honest questions set forth in this letter.