ALS William J. McKenna to John F. Kennedy, 9 March 1962

2 Rr/ll GENERAL on, PP13-10 HAT CORPORATION OF AMERICA 530 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 36, N.Y. Filed by Press Office WILLIAM J. McKENNA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT file March 9, 1962 The Honorable John F. Kennedy The White House Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. President: Attached please find a clipping from the didnot March 1st issue of the Wall Street Journal. come rofile In one form or another, we are beseiged by stockholders, retail executives, labor leaders, etc., chiding us about your not wearing a hat and asking what we, as the largest producers of hats in the United States, are doing to influence you. We employ over three thousand persons, whose personal livelihood and the welfare of their families depends upon our ability to promote and sell men's hats. These people represent but a segment of the men's hat industry. You, as President of the United States, unwittingly or otherwise, influence the dress habits of this country .... In the case of the men's clothing industry your influence certainly has been on the "plus" side. Imagine your chagrin if, upon stepping from your plane some afternoon, you were greeted by a hatless honor guard Your immediate reaction would be that the men were not properly dressed for the occasion. APRECEIVED CENTRAL FILES 1962 HAT CORPORATION OF AMERICA The Honorable John F. Kennedy On behalf of the people in our industry I should like to solicit your assistance. Please, Mr. President, wear a hat .... anybody's hat. I assure you that this is a personal letter and not a publicity gimmick. I've even considered having Mr. Al Webb, our Knox Sales Manager, set up a one man lobby in Washington to add to your sartorial spendor by topping your wardrobe with a hat I repeat, anybody's hat. Respectfully, William J. McKenna