Dear Governor Clement: I just learned of your suspicions that my assistants are presuming to represent to you conclusions and even decisions that do not conform to the policies laid down by me for implementation by my staff.1 I assure you that the replies sent by Governor Adams to your inquiries concerning this Administration's immediate plans with respect to TVA are in conformity with my general thinking on the subject.2
It seems to me that all argument for the construction by the Federal Government of the additional steam plants ignores this one and very important truth: If the Federal Government assumes responsibility in perpetuity for providing the TVA area with all the power it can accept, generated by any means whatsoever, it has a similar responsibility with respect to every other area and region and corner of the United States of America.
Logically, every section of the United States should have the same opportunities, and the Federal Government should not discriminate between the several regions in helping to provide this type of facility. My own conviction is that we have not been alert enough in making certain of this equality of treatment. If this is the case, then it is high time that other regions were getting the same opportunities.3
Of course I cheerfully admit that this is an over-simplification of the case. Many secondary arguments have been advanced--some of them seem to be more confusing than clarifying in their effect. But I cannot believe that Americans, in general, disapprove of attempting to place all regions on a basis of equality in this regard. Consequently, there must either be some re-examination of any plans which would call for the Federal Government to supply all the additional power capacity that might be needed in the future in the Tennessee Valley, or logically we would have to begin plans for a gigantic power development to cover the entire nation equitably.
The directive to the AEC to make arrangements for the purchase of private power--either directly or by finding a new private source to replace available TVA power--was designed to allow time for a thorough examination of this whole vast field, without hurting the citizens of the valley.4
As a consequence of these facts, I believe that the project for building new plants at Federal expense--implying a purpose of continuing this process indefinitely in the future--is therefore wholly indefensible unless it should become part of a vast national plan. If this is to be national policy, it is most certainly a project that demands earnest and prayerful study. In the meantime the citizens of your region will not be deprived of the additional power they need for the next several years.
It seems to me that there has been a very great deal of talk and argument--much of it partisan--about issues that are really clear and simple. No one in this Administration has any intention of destroying or damaging TVA or of diminishing its effectiveness in any way.5
I appointed as TVA Chairman one of the ablest professional men in the country.6 The single directive I gave him was to use his own heart and brains--and the facts--to arrive at the recommendation he may in the future submit to me. I would not have asked him to undertake that job if I had any thought in my mind of diminishing its importance or its functions. But this is not the same thing as fastening on the Federal Government a continuing and never-ending responsibility which I frankly do not believe is logical nor, in the long run, in the best interests of the country.7
With warm personal regard, Sincerely
