James Thomas Heflin to AS Burleson

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I believe that it would be a good idea for the President to have an informal conference at the White House with the loyal Members of the House and Senate and urge speedy action on all war measures and thank them for the assistance that they have given him already.

He could make a short address, urging unity of purpose and concerted action. There are a few Members of Congress, who in conversation, in letter writing and in speeches made here and elsewhere, are doing what they can to discredit the official who is to have charge of food control matters and they are doing all that they dare do against the Selective Draft Law--the law under which we are now drawing an army to defend the life of the Nation from the dangers that threaten it. They are doing everything that they can to delay and defeat legislation necessary to the successful conduct of the war.

I understand that some of these unfriendly Members are planning to go into their States as soon as they can get away from Washington and attack the food law and the selective draft law. I believe that the Country ought to know how these men stand in the estimation of the man who is at the head of our government. I believe that the Country is entitled to know, and as early as possible, who are the friends and who are the enemies of the Nation at this critical time.

I suggest that the President invite the loyal Members from both Houses to a conference and give the list of those invited to the press of the country. This list will be conspicuous by the absence of the names of these men who are preparing to give further aid and comfort to the enemy. I would invite the Members of the House and Senate all together or have them come in a separate body.

I wish you would bring this matter to the President's attention and see what he thinks about it.

With best wishes, I am,JTH/jpd.