Referring to the President’s announcement of his appointment of myself as head of the new United States Food Administration and his recommendation for congressional authorities for the creation of this dept as embodied in the Lever bill and in order that we may have as little delay as possible in formulating plans following congressional action. I would be glad to know if I may depend on your assistance and cooperation in handling the various problems that will arise. It is my view to decentralize this work into the state administrations at every point possible and this is especially desirable for handling local problems as distinguished from interstate problems and that a definite organization should be established by each state with which we can cooperate. I would greatly appreciate your views on the whole question and a short statement of the actual official organization existing in the state dealing with questions of food production consumption and distribution and their powers.