CHARLES E. "ELECTRIC CHARLIE" WILSON
Charles E. Wilson signed this letter, typed on his personalized stationery in 1966, to a vice president of Walt Disney Productions. In it, he says that he, his daughter and his grandson would be staying at the Disneyland Hotel. He also clarifies that he is "'ex GE'".
Typed letter signed "C.E. Wilson" in blue ink. 1 page, 7¼x10½, on Wilson's personalized stationery, with binder holes at top edge. March 31, 1966. Addressed to Mr. Donn B. Tatum, Vice President, Walt Disney Productions, Burbank, California. In full: "Dear Mr. Tatum: Thanks so much for you very kind letter of March 28. My daughter, grandson and I plan to arrive in Los Angeles on April 11 at 1:30 PM and go by helicopter to the Disneyland Hotel, where we have engaged rooms for two nights. After many New York World's Fair visits to the GE exhibit which your company produced, it did not require much needling by my nine year old grandson - an avid devotee of Disney television productions - to persuade me to take him to Disneyland. I greatly appreciate your kindness in offering the 'special courtesy' mentioned in your letter; but I think I should make clear to you that I am 'ex GE'. After fifty-one years service with General Electric, I resigned as President of that company in 1951 to become Defense Mobilizer during the Korean War. I am now 'retired'. Sincerely yours". From 1942 to 1944, Charles E. Wilson (1886-1972) was Vice Chairman of the War Productions Board. Under President Harry S. Truman, he was Chairman of the Civil Rights Committee (1946-1947) and later head of the Office of Defense Mobilization (1950-1952). He was also President of General Electric twice (1940-1942 and 1945-1951). Wilson was nicknamed "Electric Charlie" due to confusion with the Secretary of Defense and former President of General Motors of the same name. Lightly toned, soiled, and creased. Ink transference near top edge. Pinhead-sized stain underneath signature. Staple holes at upper left corner. Folded twice and unfolded. Bottom edge irregular. File holes on top margin. Otherwise, fine condition.