The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 15, 1943 Dear Sir: On August 21, 1942, I sent to the head of each department and agency of the federal government a letter, copy of which is attached* I call your attention to the statement contained in that letter that "disagreements either as to fact or policy should not be publicly aired, but are to be submitted to me by the appropriate heads of the conflicting agencies•" Notwithstanding these positive instructions, disagreements between agencies have been publicly aired on several occasions. I realize the nervous strain under which government officials are working in war time but I cannot overlook any further violations of my instructions* By this letter I do not place any restriction upon your furnishing statements in response to Congressional inquiries • But if when you have a disagreement with another agency as to fact or policy, instead of submitting it to me or submitting it to the Director of War Mobilization for settlement under the terms of the Order creating that office, you feel you should submit it to the Press, I ask that when you release the statement for publication, you send to me a letter of resignation. If any subordinate of yours violates my instructions in this regard, I shall expect you to ask for his immediate resignation. I am sending identical letters to the heads of every department and agency of the government* Sincerely yours, Honorable iiarriner S« Eccles, Chaiiman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D* C.
@FedFRASER