TLS as president, one page, 7 x 9, White House letterhead, January 19, 1953. Letter to to his Administrative Assistant, Donald S. Dawson. Truman writes: "I want you to know, before I leave the White House, how grateful I am for your extremely able and loyal assistance. I remember very well how, in my search for a top-notch personnel advisor in the Government, I found a fellow Missourian in you. You have demonstrated consistently your knowledge and ability in the Government personnel field and deserve the thanks of all of us for your efforts to promote the merit system in the United States Government. You are entitled to pride for your assistance to me in the selection of individuals for Presidential appointments, your efforts to modernize the federal compensation system, especially the Classification Act of 1949 and the Executive Pay Bill, your origination of the 'cadre' system of supplying specially skilled employees as the nucleus for emergency agencies, your efforts to promote Civil Service employees to higher ranks and to extend Civil Service to more areas than ever before…I am also deeply grateful to you for your personal assistance to me during the campaigns of 1948 and 1952. As you know I believe that politics, in its correct sense, is synonymous with Government. Under the American system, the highest art of Government is the submission of the issues and the candidates to the people. Finally, my load has been lifted by your cheerfulness and cooperativeness. For all this and much more, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I suppose I must accept your resignation too, effective at the close of my term, January 20, 1953.” Dawson (1908–2005) enjoyed a long career as a Washington lawyer but is perhaps best remembered as the aide who marshaled Truman's crucial whistle-stop tour during the 1948 election campaign. Dawson was perhaps the first modern American political advance man, a perceptive and valuable able to gauge the political climate and provide appropriate advice. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a major general in 1970. Accompanied by the original hand carried transmittal envelope. In fine condition, with a bisecting horizontal fold and a touch of trivial edge toning. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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