Public Papers
The Public Papers of Harry S. Truman contain most of President Truman's public messages, statements, speeches, and news conference remarks. Documents such as Proclamations, Executive Orders, and similar documents that are published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations, as required by law, are usually not included. The documents within the Public Papers are arranged in chronological order. President Truman delivered the remarks or addresses from Washington, D. C., unless otherwise indicated. The White House in Washington issued statements, messages, and letters unless noted otherwise. (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Harry S. Truman, 1945-1953. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1966)
The Public Papers contain items such as the Statement by the President Announcing the Use of the A-Bomb at Hiroshima (August 6, 1945), the Special Message to the Congress on Greece and Turkey: The Truman Doctrine (March 12, 1947), the White House Statement Announcing Recognition of the Government of Israel (January 31, 1949), the Statement and Order by the President on Relieving General MacArthur of His Commands (April 11, 1951), and The President's Farewell Address to the American People (January 15, 1953).
June 26, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I want to read you a statement, then you can ask questions.
"The Taft-Hartley labor bill has been passed by the Congress over the President's veto.
"I have expressed my objections to this legislation and my concern as…
May 12, 1950
[1.] MISSOULA, MONTANA (7:22 a.m.)
After that introduction, I will have to deliver the goods, won't I?
This is a grand reception, and I appreciate your willingness to come out at this hour of the day--of course, we farmers…
September 5, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. I just called you in to give you an announcement on the Roosevelt Memorial Association meeting over in the White House. It was well attended, and the various proposals for memorials were discussed, and it was finally…
June 16, 1951
Dear Mr. Larson.
I have read with great interest the preliminary report of the National Historical Publications Commission which you sent me on May twenty-fourth. I am highly pleased at the Commission's proposals for the…
June 12, 1948
To the Senate:
I return herewith, without my approval, S. 110, a bill "To amend the Interstate Commerce Act with respect to certain agreements between carriers," because it would permit an important segment of the economy to…
May 15, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] I have no special announcements to make this morning, except that I would like to tell you that I have a visitor today who is my Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, Governor Jim Blair1 --a fine-…
May 16, 1952
Mr. Toastmaster, Mr. Secretary of State, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen:
I am most happy to be here tonight, and to have had this chance to listen to that great and splendid speech by the Secretary of State. I was…
May 12, 1950
THANK YOU very much. I appreciate that introduction very, very much.
It is a pleasure to be here in Butte. I can remember, not quite 2 years ago, you gave me a grand reception. I drove through the town at that time, for I had a little more…
June 20, 1951
Directive to: The Secretary of State, The Secretary of Defense, The Director of Central Intelligence:
It is the purpose of this directive to authorize and provide for the more effective planning, coordination and conduct,…
June 20, 1949
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1949, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. This plan will provide for a Department of Welfare to…
June 12, 1948
[1.] ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA (Rear platform, 9:35 a.m.)
Mr. Mayor, this certainly is a cordial welcome, and I appreciate it more than I can tell you. I have been having a beautiful ride through this western country in the last 3…
June 4, 1946
TODAY, as I sign the National School Lunch Act, I feel that the Congress has acted with great wisdom in providing the basis for strengthening the nation through better nutrition for our school children. In my message to Congress last…
June 26, 1947
To the Senate of the United States:
I return herewith, without my approval, S. 814, entitled "The Wool Act of 1947."
This Bill contains features which would have an adverse effect on our international relations and…
September 6, 1945
To the Congress of the United States:
I regret that you have been compelled to cut short your recess period. I know, however, that you have been just as eager as any of us to meet the problems which naturally have crowded…
June 6, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Well, I'm going to make Fred Vinson Chief Justice of the United States; and John L.--W. Snyder Secretary of the Treasury; and John L. Sullivan Under Secretary of the Navy. [Laughter and exclamations of surprise]
Q.…
June 26, 1947
TODAY, on the second anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter, I am happy to speak for the Government and the people of the United States in saluting the Organization and the ideals of international cooperation which gave…
June 12, 1948
President Sproul, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
I deeply appreciate the privilege you have given me of taking part in these exercises at this great university.
I regret that I could not arrange my schedule to…
May 13, 1950
[1.] FORT PECK DAM, MONTANA (8:38 a.m.)
Governor Bonnet, General Pick, ladies and gentlemen:
I have known General Pick for a long, long time. I knew him when he was engineer in charge down at Omaha. I knew him when he went to…
June 20, 1951
Mr. President:
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the United States. We shall do all in our power to make your stay among us pleasant and interesting.
I am pleased to extend this welcome to you as President of the United…
May 17, 1952
General Biddle and distinguished guests:
Your President has put me in a very embarrassing position. You know, it has been remarked before historically "O that mine enemy would write a book." Sometimes it's bad for your friends to…
September 6, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] By memorandum on May 6 [1942] the President prescribed a policy to effectuate the maximum utilization of the facilities of the domestic airline companies in the prosecution of the war. It now seems desirable that…
June 20, 1949
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1949, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. This plan transfers the Bureau of Employment Security,…
January 15, 1946
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE
MEDAL FOR MERIT TO BYRON PRICE
FOR EXCEPTIONALLY meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services as Director, Office of Censorship, from December 20, 1941, until August 15, 1945·…
January 17, 1949
To the Senate of the United States:
With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith an authenticated copy of the text of a convention concerning statistics of wages and…
April 27, 1945
My dear Mr. Pauley:
I hereby designate you to act as my personal representative, with the rank of
Ambassador, to represent and assist me in exploring, developing and negotiating the formulae
and methods for exacting…