Letter from Lucille Thornburgh to President Gerald R. Ford Regarding Her Suggestion to Have People Stop Buying New Clothes to Lower Inflation and Conserve Energy

n CCS P-31A September 30, 1974 Mr. Gerald Ford, President United States of America Washington, D.C. Dear Mr. President: Let me make this suggestion to help halt inflation: It takes fuel to make polyester cloth. If you'll just look in any large department store you will oceans of women's dresses, pants suits and mens clothing made of polyester. Polyester does not wear out. Styles for women have not changed enough in the past 10 years that a woman wouldn't look out-dated if she wore a dress she bought in 1964. Also, anything goes now: Faded blue jeans, denim shirts, long dresses, short dresses, sequins or rags are equally popular. So, while you are asking people to cut down on fuel, food, etc. why not suggest that people stop buying clothes for a while? Nobody would be cold or ragged for at least 5 years. Even the poorest of poor have bought polyester clothing in the rummage sale and they still have it - because it wont wear out! Respectfully yours, Lucelle Thornburgh GERALD LIBRATT FORD Lucille Thornburgh 1944 Cecil Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37917 My best wishes to Mrs. Ford for a speedy and complete recovery. your