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That the Administration listened to him was apparent. It was he who first raised the ultimate vision of a trillion-dollar economy by the year 2000. After the speech the President not only sent him a note saying: "This is 100%—H.S.T.," but flatteringly cribbed the idea. New Dealing Leon Keyserling quoted him in the Council of Economic Advisers' report to the President. The Administration did not buy all his ideas, which included balancing the budget by cutting defense funds, ECA funds, appropriations for atomic development and the farm price-support program. But the Administration certainly echoed his sentiments.
The reasons why it did were obvious. Harry Truman, who somehow couldn't seem to balance his budget, was staking his political future on the U.S. economy holding up under the weight of a $263 billion national debt in 1951. The whole gamble depended on an "expanding economy." In a way, Mr. Truman's future was in the hands of the U.S. businessman.
Simple Answer. As his ambassador to business, therefore, Sawyer was in a somewhat critical role, and bound to get a respectful hearing not only over the fruit cocktails but from Mr. Truman himself. The President and his Commerce Secretary, who like each other, are curiously alike. They look somewhat alike, dress nattily alike, abhor tobacco, approve of whisky, and mutually subscribe to the basic theory of free enterprise. Although Charles Sawyer arouses none of the warm loyalties which Harry Truman enjoys, lacks his common touch and has few close friends, he is gregarious and coolly amiable.
The President and his Commerce Secretary are both politicians, and proud of it. This fact, in the minds of businessmen, raised the biggest question of all. When the best interests of business appeared to conflict with the best interests of the Fair Deal, where would Charles Sawyer stand? The answer was simple. By his record and by his own statements, he would stand with the Fair Deal.
Furthermore, as a realist, he does not expect the Fair Deal to make any concessions to business that will lose votes among the much bigger voting populations of farmers and labor. Harry Truman, another political realist who can see as far ahead as 1952, has no intention of doing any such thing either.
Charles Sawyer's function is limited and clear—wave the green light and keep business whistling happily along the track. So far he has done very well. Business is enjoying some surcease from harassment. Despite skepticism there is the beginning of a feeling of mutual understanding between business and the Administration, and even some good will. Said a White House aide: "That's useful, and Charlie Sawyer is useful. If there were no Charlie Sawyer, I am sure we would have to invent one."