White House Press Release, Correspondence from O. Max Gardner and Chester Davis to President Harry S. Truman

304 # 744 IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 3, 1946 The President has received and accepted the resignations of the Honorable O. Max Gardner as chairman, and Chester C. Davis as a member of the Advisory Board to the Director of the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion. Following is the President's letter to Mr. Gardner: "My dear Max: I can appreciate the circumstances which impel you to seek relief from your duties as Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Director of the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion. I agree with you that quite apart from the legal questions which you raise you should be in a position to devote all of your time and energy to your exacting duties as Under Secretary of the Treasury. Accordingly I accept the resignation which you tender in your letter of March twenty-ninth, effective at the close of business this day. I appreciate your sacrifice in serving SO long past the time when you expressed a desire to be relieved. Your service since your original appointment by the late President, as Chairman with Directors Byrnes, Vinson and Snyder, in a momentous period of our history, has been in- valuable. In the busy days ahead I know that you will be a tower of strength to Secretary Snyder and I think it is well that you are to be in a position to devote all of your time to your duties as Under Secretary. Very sincerely yours, HARRY S. TRUMAN" The text of Mr. Gardner's letter to the President follows: "My dear Mr. President: It is with reluctance that I feel it is my public duty to offer my resignation as Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Director of the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion. I was appointed to this Office by President Roosevelt when the Board was created and have continuously served as Chairman with Directors Byrnes, Vinson and Snyder. The law creating the Board required the Chairman to be appointed by the President from one of the three members selected from the public. In my judgment, my present position as Under Secretary of the Treasury, under the statute, disqualifies me from further service as Chairman. But, regardless of whether I am legally qualified to serve further in this capacity, I am compelled to say that my duties as Under Secretary of the Treasury are of such a nature and requirement as to demand my full time and thought. May I say in this connection that, if one is to serve efficiently as Chairman of the Advisory Board, he must be able to devote a 11 the time necessary to the study and preparation of matters and material with which the Director is concerned.