Interesting TLS signed “Warren E. Burger,” one page, 8 x 10.5, personal chambers letterhead, December 18, 1969. Burger writes to John H. Shaffer of the FAA. In part: “I suppose it is difficult for me to write you purely in my capacity as a private citizen but I do so because I feel so strongly on the subject…. It is incomprehensible to me that FAA has not long ago ‘segregated’ smokers as was done on railroads as far back as 1840. I have only an ordinary distaste for tobacco smoke but it close quarters it is intolerable. The tolerance of the non-smoking public is wearing thin and I hope it is something you will act on. On one occasion i was travelling from Washington to Minneapolis-St. Paul when by head count 37 passengers were smoking and the plane crew insisted they could do nothing though the stewardesses were as red-eyed as I was. I was finally compelled to leave the plane at Madison, Wisconsin, stay there overnight and fly to St. Paul the next day. I wrote the President of the airline and was not even accorded the courtesy of an answer. In the five years since then I have ‘resolutely avoided’ that line and the aggregate fares of myself and family lost to that line are in excess of $3500.00. I hope you and your colleagues will act on this.” After signing, Burger adds a handwritten postscript: “I hope you will treat this as you would treat any complaint from the travelling public.” Staple at top left, otherwise fine, clean condition. R&R COA.
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