Memorandum from Secretary of the Treasury Fred Vinson to President Harry S. Truman, with Attachment

ORVICTORY BUY UNITED STATES WAR THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY BONDS AND STAMPS wASHINGTON April 9, 1946 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: After my return from seeing you this morning, Mr. Robert Brand of the United Kingdom Treasury Delegation delivered a message from Mr. Dalton, Chancellor of the Exchequer, which he received yesterday. I am enclosing a copy herewith. You will recall my statement this morning that there was a possibility that the British had some con- versations with our Canadian friends. This message, coupled with a statement from Mr. Brand, adds some sup- port to this view. Mr. Gutt's name got into the press in Savannah, probably through the British route, before Towers informed me that he would not be available. Mr. Brand mentioned conversations with Gutt. He stated that Mr. Gutt was non-committal about his availability. Frankly, I think Mr. Gutt is a very able, courageous gentle- man. He would not be a bad selection, but I am reinforced in my view that the British have interfered with the avail- ability of the Canadians. I hope you will be able to call Mackenzie King as soon as you can find time. I informed Mr. Brand that I was not in position to make any statement about Mr. Gutt at this time, and he will so notify Mr. Dalton. Likewise, I did not express any views upon the second point in the message since I have no way of knowing what the Executive Directors would con- clude to do. I did state, however, that I thought we ought to expedite the organization of the two institutions as promptly as possible, and get down to business. camm , "NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE' to Secretary off the Treasury.