Presidential Papers, Doc#632 Personal To A. J. Hardendorf, 1 April 1958. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Document #632; April 1, 1958
To A. J. Hardendorf
Series: EM, WHCF, Official File 114 ; Category: Personal
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XIX - The Presidency: Keeping the Peace
Part IV: Recession and Reform; February 1958 to May 1958
Chapter 9: "The problems inherent in this job"

 

Dear Mr. Hardendorf: Thank you for your letter and for bringing to my personal attention the major problems you encountered in your recent trip covering the southwestern states.1 Each of the points you raise suggesting action on the part of the government would require an extended reply. I cannot possibly argue the matters in detail in a letter such as this.

However, your suggestion in paragraph two may indicate something that could and should be done. I am not sure. I shall send it to the Interior Department.2

Frankly, I may say that if any thoughtful man cannot discover real differences in the philosophies and doctrines of the two major political parties, then, in my opinion, he has not been paying very close attention to the record. Possibly I may be able to send you documents that can point up some of these differences.3

I am delighted that you knew my father during the thirties; that was a period when, unfortunately, I saw very little of him.4

With best wishes, Sincerely

1 Hardendorf, a "lifelong" Republican and former Kansan, was a member of the Wyoming State Legislature. His March 24 letter, which he also sent to Wyoming Senator Frank A. Barrett and Congressman Keith Thomson, is in the same file as the document. Hardendorf said that after a four-month combined "business and pleasure" trip through ten states in the southwest, he had observed that livestock growers who supported Secretary of Agriculture Benson, were happy that livestock prices were up, and "wanted no part of government interference." He also said that small oil and gas producers needed "relief from excessive imports," and that all small businesses were "suffering from high taxes and government regulations."

2 Hardendorf had commented that "Uranium mining companies in Wyoming need more mills to process their ore and may face bankruptcy and ruination if they are not built. These cannot be built without Government approval--private industry is eager and willing to furnish the money for this." On the minerals stabilization plan see no. 700.

3 Hardendorf had written that everywhere he traveled, businessmen, ranchers, and workmen seemed to feel that "for the past two years there had been no difference in the two major political parties--it is all tax and spend." On April 7 Presidential Secretary Ann Whitman would send Hardendorf, at Eisenhower's request, documents that "pointed up the basic differences between the philosophies of the two major parties" (same file as document).

4 Hardendorf had written that he had met Eisenhower's father during the 1930s in the course of business dealings in Abilene. "All admired and respected his ability," he said, and his "frugal handling" of business transactions was "approved by all parties on both sides."

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Personal To A. J. Hardendorf, 1 April 1958. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 632. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/second-term/documents/632.cfm

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