Evening star., 1946-06-29


Chester Bo,Dles resigned as direc-
tor of the office OF stabilization:
Dear Mr.. President:
Effective control of prices and
rents under the price control bill
which seems likely to pass the
Senate today. would be fatty i'm
possible. The bill would simply
serve to legalize imitation.
Thousands of substantial price
increases would be inevitable. The
cost of living would climb rapidly.
Black markets would multiply.
There would be serious delays In
production with the likelihood of a
general breakdown in administra-
ton. Government itself would be
seriously discredited.
II have recommended that this
bill be vetoed as soon as it reaches
your desk. have made this recon-
mendation only after a sober and
objective study of the alternatives
that face us.
Congress has been considering
the extension of the Price Control
Act since last February. The time
left before midnight, June 80. is
short, and this fact places you in
particularly difficult position.
Nevertheless, it is my hope and
belief that Congress, following the
receipt of veto message from you,
will squarely meet the issue which
confronts us, and provide the legis-
lation which is essential if we are
to maintain a stable economy. In
any event. that hope represents the
peoples last practical chance to
avoid a period of sharply increasing
prices followed by collapse.
In Fight Al Years.
II have participated in the fight
to keep down the cost of living for
four and one-half years. 1t has
been my responsibility to admin
lister the stabilization program in
the interests of all the people
businessmen, farmers, factory work.
ers, white collar workers, and con-
sumers generally. The great ma
jority of our people, who under
stand only too clearly the gigantic
issues which are involved, have
given me their wholehearted sup
port.
But in carrying out my respon-
sibilities, it has been necessary for
me to say no" one hundred times
for every occasion on which it was
possible to say yes I have beer
forced to step on many important
toes. Inevitably my efforts in be-
half Of all the people have antag-
onized those minority groups which
seek special concessions
LAS you know, I had hoped te
leave Washington following We
day, again after VI day, and agair
last February. I agreed to stay or
| only at your insistence.
I'm spite of that fact, few bitter
opponents of price and rent control
in an effort to rationalize their owr
position, have claimed that I an
personally anxious to extend these
essential controls indefinitely ane
unnecessarily.
THE announcement of my resig-
nation at this time, effective July
10th, will eliminate any vestige o1
doubt as to my own position ane
further sharpen the grave ISSUE
which Congress must face in tn,
next u hours, in the event of YOU
veto. Clearly I could not remair
here in any event to administer tn,
inflationary bill which the Con
gress is about to present for YOU
signature.
/ Il am submitting my resignation
at this time with genuine reluctance
! recognize the tremendously heav,
burden which rests on you
Shoulders. l appreciate, as do ten
of millions of other Americans. tn,
courageous efforts that you hav,
made and are making in the in
terest of the country as a whole.
In the future if there is any
thing that I can do to be helpful
to you personally or to the admin
istration. hope that you will cal
upon me.
With my very best wishes.
Very sincerely,
CHESTER BOWLES."
| President Truman's reply toHo,Us
Dear Chet:
Now that the Senate has taker
the legislative action which yo,
forecast in your letter of this date
have no alternative but to accept
your resignation as director of tht
Ofdce of Economic Sterilization, eff
fective at the close of business or
July 10th next.
Deeply as regret to see you
leave the administration 1 can sym.
pathize heartily with the reason.
which impel you to this step. 1 &C.
cede to your request most reluctant.
ly. am mindful of your desire tc
leave Washington, often expressed
since We day, and appreciate YOU
self-sacrif1ce in remaining at your
difdcult post as long as you did.
Your action in submitting your
resignation before the Senate hac