Motion Picture MP2002-264A
Administrative Information
Merle Miller interviews former president Harry S. Truman, who discusses taking his morning walk and the volume of letters he receives. Sound only.
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Shot List
Merle Miller interview former President Harry S. Truman:
0:00 Miller: Is there any reason you take the walk at the time you do?
Truman: The only reason is not to interfere with other people.
Miller: Do you see many people?
Truman: Yes. But if I took the walk in the middle of the day I’d stop and talk to too many people; it’s not that I don’t want to see them, I want to take the walk.
0:51 Truman: I get many letters and telegrams. It runs from 50 to 150 a day. Most are letters from people with whom I’m acquainted, and people who want help that they think I can give them. I mostly have to tell them I’m just a private citizen who has no influence. I didn’t have a chance to walk in Independence because I was in Washington.
1:51 Miller: Were there any other presidential walkers?
Truman: Yes, I think there have been. I was in the White House for six months. I told the Secret Service I was going for a walk. They said they didn’t have their coats or hats, because it was November. I told them I was going on a walk and they could come or not.
2:36 Truman: I try to take a walk before people get up. I consider things that come to me in the mail. When I get home I have breakfast, go to the Library, and dictate answers to the letters.
3:12 Ends.