Dwight D. Eisenhower

TLS as president signed “D.E.,” one page, 7 x 10.25, White House letterhead, June 9, 1960. Letter to Barry T. Leithead, in part: "I am most grateful for your vigorous help on the mutual security program. Knowing your dedication to our national welfare, I am not in the least surprised…Since you and others have taken steps to avoid a crippling appropriations cut, the action of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations of the House Appropriations Committee has been twice postponed. These events are perhaps not unrelated. Those opposed to this great program of course hope for a waning of public interest. This must not happen. I most earnestly hope that all of us will redouble our efforts in behalf of this program at every point in the legislative process…Let's keep it up—for America, and for the cause of world peace." In fine condition, with light wrinkling to the top.
Launched in 1951 by President Harry S. Truman and renewed every year during Eisenhower's administration, the Mutual Security Act was a major foreign aid program that largely replaced the Marshall Plan. Its aim was to aid in the development of poor countries and contain the spread of communism. As Ike touches upon in this letter, the program annually produced political battles over expenditures and the balance between economic and military aid. The following year, under President Kennedy, it was replaced by a new foreign aid program with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Format: TLS