Letter to Mon C. Wallgren Regarding Withdrawal of His Nomination as Chairman, National Security Resources Board

May 17, 1949

My dear Mon:

It is with the deepest regret that I yield to your request to withdraw my nomination of you to be Chairman of the National Security Resources Board. Like you, I am convinced that had your name been permitted to go before the whole Senate, the nomination would have been confirmed.

I want you to know that my faith in you is undiminished. From experience, I know the qualities of integrity, industry and high intelligence that you would have brought to the position for which I selected you. It is unfortunate in the public interest that the Committee charged with considering your nomination saw fit to lay it aside. For the reasons you so compellingly state, I have no choice now but to withdraw the nomination.

With deep appreciation of the fine spirit which prompted your request, I am, as always, with affectionate regards,
Very sincerely yours,

HARRY S. TRUMAN

NOTE: Mr. Wallgren's letter, dated May 14, was released with the President's reply.

The President had appointed Mr. Wallgren, former Governor of the State of Washington, on February 3, 1949. On March 15, 1949, the Senate Armed Services Committee rejected the nomination. For the Committee hearings see "Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, 81st Congress, 1st Session, on the Nomination of Mon C. Wallgren to be Chairman of the National Security Resources Board" (Government Printing Office: 1949, 240 pp.).