Description:

Truman, Harry S. (1884-1972) President Truman sends his Treasury Secretary Snyder a four page letter he received from a Stockton, California, inventor who "has the answer" to all America's problems - he asks Snyder to read it and, since he will be "going to the nuts home state, you may see him"

Rare Autograph Note Signed "H.S.T. as President, 1p, 5" x 8". On White House stationery, Washington, c. April 1948. To John [Snyder Secretary of the Treasury]. Fine Condition.

In full, "John:- Looks like this person has the answer. Read it and see what you think. Going to the nuts home state you may see him. H.S.T."

Included is the nut's undated letter to "Mr. Truman" which he had sent to Mrs. Truman with a handwritten note "Mrs. Truman will you kindly give this to Mr. Truman when you are alone as no one will see it and after he has read it please destroy it. Thank You so much." Tear in blank portion, else fine.

Autograph Letter Signed "Charles Edwin Ashton," four pages, 8.5" x 11" front & verso. Stockton, California, [March 28, 1948]. Minor tears. In part, "You said if any one had any idea, by which the National debt could be paid without raising the taxes, You would like to hear from them,. In as much as I have in my mind a plan by which you can pay the national debt in less than 10 years I am writing to you and if you do not use it, it will be your fault if you do not try to get congress to pass laws to the end that it will be done, and right away, and I might add if you do not do it I will run against you and be elected in your place because of my plan for the people.

"I have perfected a cotton picker, for the cotton raiser, that will pay for its self at $2000 in 10 days. From this I expect to get money to pay for my great invention which will eliminate the need of coal mining. From this invention I expect to build a 2 way R.R. across the U.S. North & South in a location thast will be a great benefit to the farmer, and not one dollars worth of stock or shares will be sold but all will be paid for my the time it is finished, on each side of this R.R. I will have a 10 Ð 10 foot lane on each side É from Gulf of Mexico to Alaska and will be given to the Canadian and U.S. Government at my death. All of my income will be given to charity for the Old People of every country, orphans and poor young people who can not pay for their education I will provide it for them and all the orphans I can support will be taken into my homes.

"Now as to my plan to pay the National debt, here it is. Present a bill to both houses providing for a repeal of all kinds of taxes such as Real Estate, Personal Property, Income, Inheritance, Vacation and Auto Taxes and in their place a 3¢ tax on every dollar spent for any thing... Now Christ said to them that give it shall be given. So I say to you have a bill passed by Congress to give all old people in U.S. over 60 years of age who will stop competing for wages $50.00 a week each which must all be spent in 7 days... Allowing for 10 million People getting $50.00 a week would require a printed order from U.S. of 500 Million dollars worth of buying power.

"I am planning on taking over the old people myself with my new great invention the greatest the world has yet seen. With my new invention working together I will go on a non-stop flight around the world in 24 hours. I wish you could see my drawings as quite a few of confidential friends have and some navy tecnitions have and all have said 'We see no reason at all why it will not work.' I am planning on this invention helping all countries to an elimination of their poor. If you canÕt get away incognitio come out and see my drawings and if I can get any money from my cotton picker I will have a working model in 30 days from the time I get the money and in less than 30 days from then I will have an auto running by the power of this invention. Do not mention this to a soul.

"I am sending it to your wife to escape your guards so you will get it your self May God Bless you and keep you according to Dan 9-27 Christ will come for his church on the 25th of Sept 1951 for that is 3_ years (days) from March 25 Ð 1948 which was (2380 days, Morn & Eve.) Dan 8-13-16) from Dec 7 1941 at which time the Abomination of Desolation was set up... I told you then, in June 1945 when you were in San Francisco I told you then in June 1945 the Japs would be through Aug-6-1945 on the 6th of that month you, I was told ordered the bomb to be dropped on Hiroshima and on Nagasaki on the 8th and on the 9th they got it and so you were Gods instrument in stopping that awful carnage of the World War No 2 and by God giving me this invention you will stop the next war before it begins for with 5 planes at my designing at the hand of God 5000 men can whip the world and no soldier leave the U.S. save and only in the Bombers of my designing at the hand of God."

Charles Edwin Ashton (1872-1953) held at least three patents for inventions including, in 1945, a "parachute harness," a "quick release attachment for parachute harness," and a "ball bearing crankshaft and connecting rod assembly."

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