Evening star., 1945-05-12
Donald Nelson Leave.
u. 5. Service May IS:
Aide Succeeds Him
Resignation Is Accepted
Reluctantly by Truman;
Edwin Locke Appointed

Donald M. Nelson, former head
of the War Production Board,
who has been engaged in estab-
lishment of a Chinese WPB for
Chang Kai-shek's government,
is leaving the service of this Gov
ernment on May Is, it was dis
closed at the White House today.
His present duties will be assumed
by Edwin A. Locke, jr., who has
been associated with Mr.. Nelson
throughout the course of the war.
An exchange of letters between
Mr.. Nelson and President Truman
disclosed that Mr.. Nelson had SUBJ
mitted his resignation April 16
and asked that it be effective May /,
but President Truman asked him
to hold off a couple of weeks. In
his letter, Mr.. Truman said he
accepted the resignation "reluct-
antly."
Surveys China's Needs.
Mr.. Nelson, who had undertaken
several missions for President
Roosevelt, went to China last sum-
mer after leaving WPB as the result
of an internal war over policy.
He made a survey of China's needs
in company with Maj. Gen. Patrick
j. Hurley, present Ambassador, and
then created an organization for
increasing Chinese war production.
The program was reported later
to have worked out satisfactorily.
While Mr.. Nelson carried the per-
sonal rank of Ambassador, Mr.. Locke
will not have this designation. A
letter from the President to Mr..
Locke carried the information that
the work in China is expected to be
completed in from three to six
months.
In his letter of resignation, Mr..
Nelson told the President that he
was happy to see that you begin
your administration with the good
will and blessings of all Americans"
and pledged his support to the new
Chief Executive.
Personal Representative.
"As you know, however" he said,
my appointment by President Roose-
velt was as his personal representa-
tive to other governments and I
therefore tender my resignation, ef-
fective May /. BY that time I shall
be able to make recommendation to
you for the transfer of my assign
mentS."
He added, too, that after several
trips to Russia and China he had
long talks with Mr.. Roosevelt about
economic relations with other coun-
tries and said, Il shall be glad at
any time to tell you what we dis
cussed in these conversations.
In accepting the resignation, the
President told Mr.. Nelson:
Ever since May of 1910 you have
been in Washington, at great per-
sonal sacrifice, rendering patriotic
and effective service in helping to
build the vast war machine which
has finally spelled victory in Europe
for the cause of decency. That same
armed might which you did so much
W IlClp 4OISC 1lOW WILL NC NS4ASCAA-
trated on the other side of the world
to bring the Japanese to uncondi-
tional surrenderS
Il am sure that it must be a
great source of pride to you, as it is
of gratitude to the American people,
to realize how much your continued
devotion and energy has contributed
to the victory that has been and to
the victory that will be. On behalf
of the American people I thank you
and wish you much happiness and
success in your future endeavors."
There was nothing to indicate
what Mr.. Nelson, former head of
Sears, Roebuck g. Co., proposed
to do.
The appointment of Mr.. Locke as
his successor was suggested by Mr.
Nelson.
There had been earlier indications
that Mr.. Nelson had planned to re-
turn to China. ...