White House Press Release, Correspondence Between President Harry S. Truman and Philip M. Klutznick

275 #716 IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 20, 1946 The President has addressed the following letter to Honorable Philip M. Klutznick, accepting his resignation as Commissioner of the Federal Public Housing Authority: "Dear Phil: of I have accepted your resignation as Commissioner of the Federal Public Housing Authority, effective June thirtieth, with genuine regret for the loss of your able leadership. You have, however, fully earned the right to carry out your often expressed desire to return to your private business, which you gave up at real personal sacrifice to serve your country in time of war. You have performed that service with outstanding success. At my personal request, you have extended your stay to help launch the Veterans Emergency Housing Program. That job is now well under way, and I can no longer insist that you defer further your personal plans. Your contribution toward winning the war through your part in providing homes for war workers and maintaining unin- terrupted production of war materials has been outstanding. During your two years as Commissioner of the Federal Public Housing Authority, you have completed its huge war housing job with distinction and have laid the foundation for its future NARA work so firmly that its continued success should be assured. Perhaps the most lasting contribution you have made has been your clear, sound enunciation of the role of public housing as an essential part of a healthy private enterprise system and a well-housed Nation. Your principles have won the respect and support of responsible leadership throughout the country and have broadened public understanding of the importance of good housing in the national welfare. I know that in leaving government you are not retiring from public service in the real sense of that word, but that your interest and concern as a citizen in the country's welfare, particularly as it relates to housing, will continue to be an active one. I shall like to feel that I can call on you for counsel whenever I need it. As you return to private pursuits you carry with you this assurance of my heartfelt appreciation of the service you have rendered the Nation. With every good wish, Very sincerely yours, HARRY S. TRUMAN" Following is the text of Mr. Klutznick's letter to the President: "Dear Mr. President: As you know, I have always considered my duties here in the nature of a war-time assignment. Since V-J Day it has been my earnest desire to return to private life and to the practice (OVER)