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Letter to James E. Markham Upon the Conclusion of His Duties as Alien Property Custodian

October 14, 1946

My dear Mr. Markham:

It is my privilege to send you a hearty: well done, as you terminate your duties as Alien Property Custodian.

I had full confidence that in anticipation of the proposed consolidation your house would be completely in order. Accordingly today I have signed an Executive Order terminating the Office of Alien Property Custodian and transferring all of its duties and functions to the Attorney General, to be administered through the Department of Justice.

You were familiar with the policy of reducing the number of separate agencies in the interest of economy and efficiency. By reason of your knowledge of the working of the Alien Property Office from its establishment, you were able to give me valuable counsel in bringing about the change now happily completed. The terminal report which you submitted with your letter of this date will be most helpful to those who are to carry on the work which you have relinquished.

You have earned the thanks of the Nation for the manner in which you have acquitted yourself in performing the difficult tasks which fell to you as Alien Property Custodian. Your integrity, your efficiency and your all around ability to get on with the work have contributed in the performance of a job which merits my highest praise and heartfelt appreciation.

Very sincerely yours,

HARRY S. TRUMAN

Note: Mr. Markham served as Deputy Alien Property Custodian from March 1942 to March 27, 1944, and then as Custodian through October 14, 1946. His letter of October 14 transmitting the "Terminal Report of the Alien Property Custodian, October 1946" (86 pp. mimeographed) was released with the President's reply.

Harry S Truman, Letter to James E. Markham Upon the Conclusion of His Duties as Alien Property Custodian Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/232143

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