This I do Carry in my Head, Senator.
New York: Great Island Conference, 1947. Paperback. 8vo. Stiff tan wrappers. 6pp. Very good. Outer wrappers (only) lightly age toned, else tight and internally fine. Item #48058
First separate printing of this Alfred Friendly article that originally ran in the "Washington Post" on February 4, 1947 concerning the Senate's ratification of President Truman's appointment on October 28, 1946 of T.V.A. chairman Lilienthal as chairman of the newly-created U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Tennessee senator Kenneth D. McKellar apparently spent many days as head of the Joint Congressional Committee investigating the appointment attacking Lilienthal and portraying him as a Communist. This speech represents Lilienthal's fiery dispelling McKellar's notion and defending his belief in democracy. His appointment was indeed confirmed and he served as first chair of the AEC until 1950. This scarce pamphlet hails from the collection of Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III (1930-2021) and likely before him from his father, Illinois governor and two-time Democratic presidential candidate Adlai E. Stevenson II. Tipped to inside rear wrapper is a fine autograph addition: On a buff heavy stock 5½" X 3¼" penny postcard is a typed message ("Would you please send me your autograph") from the 20-year-old future Lincoln/Civil War scholar Arnold F. Gates (1914-93), to which Lilienthal graciously complies, adding his large, bold full signature. Postal cancellation on verso dates this 18 May 1934 and in those simpler times it is addressed simply to "D.E. Lilienthal / Washington, / D.C." and is boldly inkstamped alongside this "Received -- T.V.A. / May 21 1934 / Washington, D.C."! (FDR appointed Lilienthal T.V.A. Co-Director in 1933, then in 1939 he became Vice Chairman and finally in 1941 Chairman, serving until he assumed duties as A.E.C. chairman.) The pamphlet is accompanied by an exceptional original glossy 10" X 8" news agency photograph (International News Photo) dated in its printed caption April 9, 1947. A closeup of Lilienthal in three-piece suit beaming alongside a laughing Mrs. Lilienthal, the caption notes: "The Senate voted 50 to 31 today to confirm David E. Lilienthal as chairman of the nation's first Atomic Energy Control Commission. Photo shows Mrs Lilienthal congratulating her husband at a reception given in his honor tonight by DePaul University, Denver, Colorado." An incredibly unusual pair.
Price: $175.00