Letter from Henry Dobyns to President Harry S. Truman with a Reply from William D. Hassett

296 novajo Con Hope October 20, 1949 D My dear Mr. Dobyns: Your letter of October tenth to the President has been received and I want to as- sure you that your interest in writing is appreciated. Please be advised that on Octo- ber seventeenth the President returned S. 1407 to the Senate without his approval. I am sending you the enclosed copy of the President's veto message for your ready reference. Very sincerely yours, WILLIAM D. HASSETT Secretary to the President Mr. Henry F. Dobyns, 1435 East First Street, Tucson, Arizona. Enclosure. ap WARRY LIDRARY OF GOVERNMENT 1435 E. 1st St. Tucson, Arizona October 10, 1949 Mr. Harry Truman Blair House Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. President, The American Association of Indian Affairs headed by Oliver La Farge, and the Institute of Ethnic Affairs headed by John Collier have come out in opposition to the Navaho-Hopi Rehabilitation bill in the form in which it recently passed Congress. The reason for their opposition is the addition of two "riders" to the bill by certain small men in Congress from Arizona and New Mexico. I say small because I feel their action in regard to the Indians in these two states has been rather consistently small. I would join in urging you to exercise your veto powers to prevent this pernicious bill from becoming law. As a citizen I cannot help but oppose setting the Indians off as a separate group under social security. As a student of Indians in this area, I cannot help feeling that it would mean disaster to the social life of the Navaho and Hopi to give the states of New Mexico and Arizona concurrent jurisdiction in law and order. The present attitude of the white residents in those two states toward the Indians is such that persacution and robbery would be the inevitable result. If you are a champion of minority rights, veto this bill. Sincerely, INTERA Neury of Dobyns Henry F. Dobyns