Details
TRUMAN, Harry S. Autograph letter signed ("Harry"), as President, to John W. Snyder, Washington, 9 May 1948. 1 page, 4to, on White House stationery. Fine.
A WARM AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO A "GOOD AND TRUE FRIEND". Truman thanks Snyder for "that light you sent me" and says it "is a 'Jim Dandy.' When I read by it I'll always be thinking of 'Colonel, Loan Administrator, O.W.M.R. Boss, Mr. Secretary of the Treasury' and finally and most important of all my good and true friend John W. Snyder." Truman's recitation covers the positions that Snyder held during his years in Washington, starting off as a loan administrator in Reconstruction Finance Administration. After Truman ascended to the Presidency he made Snyder head of the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion, then tapped him to replace Fred Vinson as Treasury Secretary. But Snyder knew perfectly well that the first title in that list--"Colonel"--was the real reason Truman kept him around. Truman needed a trusted friend by his side, and he and Snyder went back to their days in the 129th Battery, 35th Division in World War I. They reunited in Washington when Truman was a Senator and Snyder an official in the R.F.A. -- TRUMAN. Autograph note signed ("H.S.T.") Washington, [12 November 1948]. 1 page, 8vo, White House notepaper. In pencil. A SARCASTIC NOTE, jotted by Truman--evidently in response to a turn of phrase used by someone in a meeting (we don't know who): "complete variance from the fact. Diplomatic for damn lie?" Truman never let a euphemism pass him by without taking a (rhetorical) swing at it. Together 2 items.
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A WARM AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO A "GOOD AND TRUE FRIEND". Truman thanks Snyder for "that light you sent me" and says it "is a 'Jim Dandy.' When I read by it I'll always be thinking of 'Colonel, Loan Administrator, O.W.M.R. Boss, Mr. Secretary of the Treasury' and finally and most important of all my good and true friend John W. Snyder." Truman's recitation covers the positions that Snyder held during his years in Washington, starting off as a loan administrator in Reconstruction Finance Administration. After Truman ascended to the Presidency he made Snyder head of the Office of War Mobilization and Reconversion, then tapped him to replace Fred Vinson as Treasury Secretary. But Snyder knew perfectly well that the first title in that list--"Colonel"--was the real reason Truman kept him around. Truman needed a trusted friend by his side, and he and Snyder went back to their days in the 129th Battery, 35th Division in World War I. They reunited in Washington when Truman was a Senator and Snyder an official in the R.F.A. -- TRUMAN. Autograph note signed ("H.S.T.") Washington, [12 November 1948]. 1 page, 8vo, White House notepaper. In pencil. A SARCASTIC NOTE, jotted by Truman--evidently in response to a turn of phrase used by someone in a meeting (we don't know who): "complete variance from the fact. Diplomatic for damn lie?" Truman never let a euphemism pass him by without taking a (rhetorical) swing at it. Together 2 items.
(2)