Letter from Mayor Hubert Humphrey to President Harry S. Truman with a Reply from William D. Hassett

December 5, 1946 122-I Pro H My dear Mr. Mayor: The President has received your tele- gram of December second and appreciates the interest which prompted you to wire. He asks me to send you the enclosed statement pertain- ing to the housing program and to assure you that this is a matter which is receiving his earnest attention. Very sincerely yours, WILLIAM D. HASSETT Secretary to the President Honorable Hubert H. Humphrey, Mayor of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Enclosure. EJK SEAL OF THE APPROVED CITY OF AVANT MINNE 5TH 5TH 1878 EAPOLI MINNE City of Minneapolis OFFICE OF THE MAYOR JUNE December 2, 1946 HUBERT H. HUMPHREY MAYOR The Honorable Harry S. Truman President of the United States White House Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. President: Mr. Wilson W. Wyatt, Director of the National Housing Ad- ministration, has submitted to you a revised national hous- ing program. Mr. Wyatt's program calls for the continua- tion of existing controls over the distribution of build- ing materials until such time as the supply becomes ade- quate and controls are no longer needed. He also recom- mends the retention of a flexible ceiling price on new res- idential construction, along with additional aids for the encouragement of rental housing. Mr. Wyatt continues to support the enactment of legisla- tion by the Congress as outlined in the Wagner-Ellender- Taft Bill. His program is fortified by his recommenda- tion of loans to the producers of pre-fabricated houses in order to stimulate mass production of vitally needed residential units. In general, Mr. President, your Na- tional Housing Administrator in his report to you is ask- ing for the utilization of the power and resources of the Federal Government in support of an urgently needed hous- ing program on a nation-wide basis. It has been my privilege to have discussed the broad out- lines of this program with Mr. Wyatt in person. I have known Wilson Wyatt while he was Mayor of Louisville, Ken- tucky, and have known him in the period since his munici- pal service, He is an outstanding man, a capable adminis- trator, and one who is worthy of your complete support and energetic assistance. I have observed the newspaper re- ports concerning the controversy between Mr. Wyatt and Mr. Allen. It has been my pleasure to know both of these men and to respect their integrity and ability. I do feel, however, that Mr. Wyatt should have the support of the Re- construction Finance Corporation, and that at this time we should be willing to take a few risks in stimulating a housing program to meet the nation's greatest emergency need. The Honorable Harry S. Truman December 2, 1946 Page Two Mr. President, I humbly urge you to stand by Mr. Wyatt and to use your authority and power in behalf of his program. Sincerely yours, Hubert H. Humphrey M A Y O R HHH:LA