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SOCIAL SECURITY BUILDING

FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY
PUBLIC BUILDINGS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

IN REPLYING, QUOTE THE ABOVE SUBJECT, BUILDING, AND THESE LETTERS FA

July 18, 1941

Mr. Ben Shahn
Jersey Homesteads
Hightstown, New Jersey

Dear Ben:

Reference is made to your letter of July 14 addressed to Ned Bruce who discussed this letter with me following a visit to the office on Tuesday, July 15 and asked me to answer for him.

Ned felt that your request puts him in a difficult position as more than anything else he wishes to avoid doing anything which would lead people to feel that he was trying to help artists avoid the draft, because they are artists.

In case of artists actually holding contracts under the Section and well along in their work letters have been written to the Draft Boards explaining the situation and suggesting that if they could do so with out inconvenience to their program that the artist be deferred pending the completion of their contracts.

Since Mr. Ormai is not under contract with the government Ned felt that he had no leg to stand on in this argument.

Cordially yours,

Ed Rowan

Edward B. Rowan
Assistant Chief
Section of Fine Arts.