Evening star., 1951-10-10
Truman Repudiates
Letter Solicitation for
Memorial Library

man Memorial Library in Grand
view, Mo-, it was said at the
White House today after copy
of the letter signed by Senator
Anderson. Democrat, of New Mex
leo, had been made public.
! The Anderson letter, published
yesterday by the st. Louis Post
Dispatch, already had been re-
pudiated by President Truman.
Senator Anderson, as chairman of
the Finance Committee raising
funds for the library, pointed out
that business firms could deduct
any contributions from their tax
returns.
White House Press Secretary
Joseph Short said today that
President Truman's views ''have
been communicated" to Senator
Anderson, but he refused to go
beyond that.
In Planning Stage.
The library is now in the plan
ming stage as friends of President
Truman seek to raise funds for
its abishment in his home
town.
The st. Louis Post-Dispatch
in its story yesterday said Mr.,
Truman disassociated himself
from the campaign and author
lied this direct quotation:
"I didn't know anything about
the letter. and if I had known
about 1t I would have stopped it
from being sent"
The newspaper said yesterday 1t
had received copy Of the letter
from prominent and indignant
Washington resident. It quoted
the letter as saying business had
a great opportunity to legally con-
tribute, tax free, per cent of its
earnings.
| Sent to so or More.
! At his home in Albuquerque,
Senator Anderson declared:
II simply say the letter was not
broadcast. It was sent to between
so and 100 people that thought
Iwere well known to be friends of
the President. and who couldn't be
accused Of buying influence by
their contributions"
The Senator added:
What the newspaper quotes is
a review I made of a report by
the Business Committee Of the
National Planning Association
prepared by Beardsley Ruml, New
York tax economist, and Theodore
Geiger. chief economist of tn,
National Planning Association. :.
"Ruml pointed out that IL i
wiser for corporations to give con
; ltributions to a university or to {
research organization-and / an
| sure he would have added thl
Harry S. Truman library had b.
Thought Of it-than to spend tn,
money on advertising or publ,
relations"
Officers Listed.
The Post-Dispatch listed othe
officers of the Library Financ'
COMMITTEE: Ernest M. Upton
Missouri supreme Court Judge
= president: Tom Evans. Kansa!
, City friend of Mr.. Truman. sec
!, retary, and George E. Allen. an
other close friend of the Presi
dent, treasurer.
1 In New York, Mr.. Allen sale
! the committee had been formed
a year or a year-and-a-half agt
and the campaign for funds has
! Just begun.
He told a reporter he knew
!. nothing about the collections.
J Mr.. Truman long has expressed
an interest in a memorial library
Grandview is near his home tow
of independence. Mo.
Letter Is Quoted.
The Post-Dispatch reported th'
letter. personally signed by Sen
ator Anderson. said in part:
George Allen and ! decided
: that a letter should go to a few
hundred people across the Natlol
who have either evidenced stron
friendship for the President o
) great interest in the struggle TO
l world peace with which he ha
{ been associated.
Il know that the Presiden
4 would be happy to have Georg
I Allen. as treasurer, drop in at tn
White House and show him you
contribution. :"
The newspaper quoted the let
= ter as saying business had a grea
!, opportunity to legally contribut
tax free per cent of its earnings
o Had a business tried that l