Food Administrator’s File
The Purchasing Commission to the Food Administrator ( Hoover )
Dear Sir: The United States, acting through the Secretary of the Treasury, has entered into an arrangement with the Allied countries under which these countries are from time to time to communicate to our Government their respective requirements for materials and supplies from the United States, which materials and supplies are to be purchased through or under the direction or approval of a commission composed of the undersigned, a copy of which agreement is in your hands.
As the United States Food Administration has been established by Congress for the purchase or control of food and feeding stuffs in the United States, we are convinced that duplication of effort and expenditure and conflict of interest may be avoided, and more prompt and adequate results may be obtained, by the coordination of both the domestic and Allied Governments’ requirements through the Food Administration and its agencies. We, therefore, request [Page 658] and authorize the United States Food Administration to undertake to purchase, and direct the purchase, of all food and feeding stuffs which may be required by any of the Allied countries under the arrangements entered into with the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Allied Governments have been notified to this effect.
You will, however, secure from the various Allied Governments an estimate of their requirements from quarter to quarter, and furnish the same to us for approval, and we will look to you to see that any agreed estimates are not exceeded without our previous approval.
The incidental expenditure imposed upon the Food Administration by this function should, of course, be borne by the Allied Governments, and we authorize you to enter into such arrangements to cover these matters with the agencies of the Allied Governments.
Very truly yours,
- Robert S. Brookings
- Bernard M. Baruch
- Robert S. Lovett