LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25171

Warren G. Harding 1921 Typed Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,400.00 USD
Warren G. Harding 1921 Typed Letter Signed
<B>Warren G. Harding Typed Letter Signed <I>"Warren G. Harding"</B></I> as President,</B></I> 1.5 pages, 7" x 8.75", conjoined leaves. The White House, Washington, November 14, 1921. To George Sylvester Viereck, New York City. In part, <I>"It is not my custom to find fault with criticism, because I continue to freely recognize the freedom of thought and freedom of expression of opinion in this republic. Sometime those who criticize us are really our helpful friends. I would hardly expect unanimous agreement to all the political appointments which a new Executive is called upon to make. It is inevitable that we make some mistakes. <B>On the whole I am very well satisfied with the selections thus far made."</B></I></B></I> His selections included: Secretary of the Interior <B>Albert Fall</B></I> (later convicted of accepting bribes and illegal no-interest personal loans in exchange for the leasing of public oil fields at Teapot Dome, Wyoming to business associates - first cabinet member to go to prison), <B>Charles Forbes</B></I> (director of the Veterans Bureau - skimmed profits, received kickbacks, and ran secret alcohol and drug distribution business; convicted of fraud and bribery), and <B>Thomas Miller</B></I> (head of the Office of Alien Property - later convicted of accepting bribes). President Harding once mused, "I have no trouble with my enemies, but my damn friends…they're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights!"<BR><BR>Harding then reacts to Viereck's specific complaint: <I>"I am very sure about one thing - there is no intended discrimination among citizens of German stock or origin. On the contrary there have been some very desirable appointments made of men who have pride in their German origin and their loyalty of American citizenship."</B></I> Harding doubts that Mr. Heyn of New York will be named Minister to Austria because <I>"very likely the nomination of an Ambassador to Germany will come from New York state…I have been more generous in allotting New York the lion's share already. Apart from this you will be interested to know there is some opposition to Mr. Heyn from those who are as proud as you or he to claim German origin."</B></I> On February 10, 1922, Harding appointed Albert H. Washburn of Massachusetts as Minister to Austria and Alanson B. Houghton of New York as Ambassador to Germany. German-born poet and novelist <B>George Sylvester Viereck</B></I> was a pro-German propagandist during both World Wars; he was pro-Nazi in World War II. In 1941, Viereck was indicted for a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and imprisoned from 1942-1947. Harding has penned <I>"Personal"</B></I> on the first page. There are light stains in the lower margin of the first page with stains on the second page, one in a blank area from plastic tape. The other touches the <I>"g"</B></I> of <I>"Harding."</B></I> There are also light ink stains above and below the signature. Rubber stamping on verso of first page (no show-through) indicates that this letter was part of the autograph collection of world-renowned Chicago surgeon, Dr. Max Thorek. The letter is, overall, in very good condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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