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).
January 9, 1953
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of the Congress Volume One of the Report of the President's Commission on the Health Needs of the Nation. I recommend that this volume,…
February 15, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. I have no particular statement to make to you today. I thought you might want to ask questions.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, are there any negotiations now in progress with other countries for bases overseas--for our bases…
February 15, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Please be seated. I have one short announcement to make, and that is that on Saturday I am going over to inspect the Aberdeen, Md., Proving Grounds. This will be placed on the bulletin board, and anybody that feels…
February 23, 1949
Mr. Secretary of the Treasury and all these distinguished guests and volunteers:
It is a wonderful thing you are doing for the country. I can't tell you how very much it is appreciated by every member of the Government of…
February 15, 1950
Mr. Attorney General, and gentlemen of the Conference:
When the Attorney General told me of his plan to hold this Conference, I welcomed the idea. It seemed to me that it would be most useful for Federal, State, and local…
February 14, 1952
To the Congress of the United States:
Pursuant to the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, I am reporting to the Congress concerning the labor disputes which recently existed in the non-ferrous metals industry.
The…
May 23, 1945
Dear Frances:
I accept your resignation as Secretary of Labor with great regret and with deep
appreciation for all of the untiring service which you have rendered to our country.
During your administration unsurpassed…
February 21, 1947
To the Congress of the United States of America:
I recommend that the Congress authorize the appropriation of not to exceed $350 million to assist in completing the great task of bringing relief from the ravages of the…
February 23, 1948
To the Congress of the United States:
In the next few weeks legislation authorizing rent control and emergency financial aids for housing construction will expire. The Congress should extend and improve this essential…
January 9, 1953
Dear General Eisenhower:
I am forwarding herewith the draft of an Executive Order "Establishing Special Personnel Procedures in the Interest of the National Defense" which has recently been developed and has come to me for…
January 9, 1953
[Released January 9, 1953. Dated January 8, 1953]
Dear Bob:
I have your letter and I accept your resignation as Secretary of Defense, effective at the end of the President's term of office, January 20, 1953, as you desire…
January 12, 1953
Dear Mr. Attorney General:
As a result of factors which have emerged since the institution of the current grand jury investigation of the international activities of the major oil companies, I am of the opinion that the…
January 13, 1953
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting herewith the report of the President's Commission on Immigration and Naturalization, which has been made to me under date of January 1, 1953. This report is the work…
January 13, 1953
[Released January 13, 1953. Dated January 10, 1953]
Dear Charlie:
Effective at the end of my term of office, January 20, 1953, I accept your resignation as Secretary of Commerce, as you have asked me to do.
Since you…
January 13, 1953
Dear Mr. Gorrie:
Thank you for the report of the activities of the National Security Resources Board under your Chairmanship. I am glad to have this record of the constructive steps which our Government is taking to…
January 14, 1953
To the Congress of the United States:
In this, my seventh and final Annual Economic Report to the Congress under the Employment Act of 1946, I think it appropriate to review the period of which the Act is both product and…
January 15, 1953
THE PRESIDENT. I am just about to start now.
[1.] I have got a couple of short statements here. For Tony's1 benefit, I will try to read them slowly.
1 Ernest B. Vaccaro of the Associated Press.
"This is…
January 15, 1953
[Broadcast from his office in the White House at 10:30 p.m.]
My fellow Americans:
I am happy to have this opportunity to talk to you once more before I leave the White House.
Next Tuesday, General Eisenhower will be inaugurated as…
January 16, 1953
I HAVE today issued an Executive order setting aside the submerged lands of the Continental Shelf as a naval petroleum reserve, to be administered by the Secretary of the Navy. The great oil and gas deposits in these lands will be…
February 23, 1948
Governor Hastie, Administrator Taylor, fellow citizens and friends:
I am very happy to be here today to have this opportunity to visit St. Croix and to see for myself what this part of our American family is doing to meet…
February 20, 1946
IN APPROVING H.R. 5158, I wish to take exception to a legislative rider attached to the transfer of a $200,000,000 item for the pay of the Army of the Philippines.
The effect of this rider is to bar Philippine Army veterans from all…
February 16, 1950
THE PRESIDENT. Gentlemen, I have no particular announcements to make. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, you were quoted yesterday as having said that if it had not been for the 1948 campaign…
May 23, 1945
Dear Claude:
With great personal regret I am accepting your resignation as Secretary of Agriculture to
take effect on the appointment and qualification of your successor.
You have served more than four years in that office.…
February 24, 1947
To the Congress of the United States of America:
I recommend that the Congress authorize the United States to participate as a member of the International Refugee Organization.
As an aftermath of the war, there are more…
February 19, 1952
My dear.____________:
I transmit herewith a draft Emergency Powers Continuation Act, recommended by the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Chairman of the National Security Resources Board and the Director of…