1. Home
  2. Daily Appointments of Harry S. Truman
  3. Daily Appointments of Harry S. Truman

Daily Appointments of Harry S. Truman

May 19, 1947

President Harry S. Truman's appointment calendar covers the dates from April 12, 1945 to January 20, 1953. Please select a date within that range.

[Public Papers: Special Message to the Congress on Health and Disability Insurance]
The President remained at the bedside of his mother in Grandview, Missouri.
The President remained at the bedside of his mother in Grandview, Missouri.
The President remained at the bedside of his mother in Grandview, Missouri.
Executive Orders:  [9857 REGULATIONS FOR CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT ENTITLED "AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR ASSISTANCE TO GREECE AND TURKEY"]
[Public Papers: Statement by the President Upon Signing Bill Endorsing the Truman Doctrine]
[Public Papers: Special Message to the Congress Recommending Extension of the Second War Powers Act]
The President remained at the bedside of his mother in Grandview, Missouri.
The President remained at the bedside of his mother in Grandview, Missouri.
The President remained at the bedside of his mother in Grandview, Missouri.
The President remained at the bedside of his mother in Grandview, Missouri.
[Public Papers: Special Message to the Congress on Military Collaboration With Other American States]
Executive Orders:  [9857B AMENDMENT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 9734 OF JUNE 6, 1946, (2) ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENT'S CERTIFICATE OF MERIT]
Executive Orders:  [9857A MEDAL FOR MERIT]
[Public Papers: Special Message to the Congress Transmitting Reorganization Plan 3 of 1947]
[Public Papers: Statement by the President Upon Signing Orders Relating to Meritorious Awards for Wartime Services]
Executive Orders:  [9863 DESIGNATING PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ENTITLED TO ENJOY CERTAIN PRIVILEGES EXEMPTIONS, AND IMMUNITIES (1)]
Executive Orders:  [9858 APPOINTMENT OF THE MEMBERS AND THE ALTERNATE MEMBER OF A MILITARY TRIBUNAL ESTABLISHED FOR THE TRIAL AND PUNISHMENT OF MAJOR WAR CRIMINALS IN GERMANY]
Executive Orders:  [9859 REVOKING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 9196 OF JULY 9, 1942 (1)]
Executive Orders:  [9860 RESTORING CERTAIN LAND, AND GRANTING AN EASEMENT IN CERTAIN OTHER LAND, TO THE TERRITORY OF HAWAII (2)]
Executive Orders:  [9861 RESTORING CERTAIN LAND, AND GRANTING AN EASEMENT IN CERTAIN OTHER LAND, TO THE TERRITORY OF HAWAII (2)]
Executive Orders:  [9862 PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF PERSONNEL TO THE AMERICAN MISSION FOR AID TO GREECE AND THE AMERICAN MISSION FOR AID TO TURKEY]
Executive Orders:  [9864 REGULATIONS FOR CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION ENTITLED "JOINT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF COUNTRIES DEVASTATED BY WAR" (4)]
[Public Papers: Special Message to the Congress Transmitting Agreement Extending Interstate Compact To Conserve Oil and Gas]
The Secretary of the Treasury [John W. Snyder]
Honorable Fletcher Warren, U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay (Ambassador Warren asked to come in to pay his respects to the President before leaving for his post.)
(Mr. Paul Fitzpatrick)
(Mr. Harley Hise)
The Secretary of State, George Marshall (Usual Monday appointment)
(Cabinet lunch) (The Attorney General, the Postmaster General and the Secretary of Interior were absent)
Honorable James F. Byrnes (Phoned Mr. Connelly and asked for this appointment)
Senator Elbert D. Thomas, Utah (Leaving for Geneva tonight or tomorrow morning and wanted to see the President before then)
Honorable Cavendish Cannon, American Ambassador- designate to Yugoslavia (Asked to pay respects before leaving for new post)
The Secretary of Commerce [W. Averell Harriman]
(Former Senator John G. Townsend) (Coming off record to bring to the President the "annual" strawberries. Says he does not need to see the President but if there is opportunity would like to just say "hello")
(Senator Ernest W. McFarland, Ariz.) (Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Watkins) (The Senator phoned Mr. Connelly that he would be showing these two friends around the White House today and hoped he might drop by and present them to the President, off record)
The President received the following officers and Members of the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association: Carl B. Rix, President Howard L. Barkdull, Chairman, House of Delegates Walter M. Bastian, Treasurer Joseph D. Stecher, Secretary Ronald J. Poulis, Asst. Secretary Olive G. Ricker, Executive Secretary Willis Smith, last retiring President William L. Ransom, Editor-in-Chief, American Bar Association Journal Harold H. Bredell A. W. Dobyns Frank C. Haymond Deane C. Davis; Henry C. Hart Mitchell Long; William O. Wilson Cody Fowler; William Clarke Mason Loyd Wright; John T. Barker Noble Stephens (They are meeting in Washington, June 1st, 2nd and 3rd.)
Senator Carl A. Hatch, N. Mexico (Leaving Washington tonight and wanted, if possible to see the President before then.)
The Secretary of State [George C. Marshall] H.E. Senor Dr. Oscar Ivanissevich, the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic (Requested this in order to deliver a message to the President from President Peron) [Public Papers: Joint Statement Following Discussions With Ambassador Ivanissevich of Argentina]
(Lunch)
[Public Papers: Letter to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House Transmitting Report of the Advisory Commission on Universal Training]
Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg Senator Wallace H. White, Me. Senator Alben W. Barkley, Ky. Speaker Joseph W. Martin, Jr. Congressman Sam Rayburn, Texas Congressman Charles A. Halleck, Indiana (Big Six - Senator Vandenberg thought that he would be absent because of hearing on Anglo-American Treaties but decided late yesterday that he would be present)
(Colonel and Mrs. Charles Woods) (To shake hands - will come to see Mr. Matthew Connelly)
Midshipman James R. Bjorge, Editor of the Lucky Bag Midshipman Herbert P. Benton III, Business Manager of the Lucky Bag (Admiral James Foskett) (Each year a copy of the Naval Academy yearbook, the LUCKY BAG, is specially printed and inscribed for the President. This year the Editor-in-Chief requested, through Admiral James Foskett, that they be allowed to make the Presentation direct to the President)
Senator Harley M. Kilgore, W. Va. (Phoned Mr. Matthew Connelly yesterday to ask for the earliest possible appointment with the President, to discuss an urgent matter.)
(Honorable Alfred Schindler)
Mrs. John M. Wilcox, President, United Daughters of the Confederacy (Arranged through Mrs. Truman)
Major General J. L. Huang, of Chinese Army Honorable John Carter Vincent, Director, Office of Far Eastern Affairs, State Department Mr. J. Z. Huang Colonel William Mayer (General Harry H. Vaughan) (Dr. John Steelman) (General Huang is senior aide of President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek and is Secretary General of the Officers' Moral Endeavor Society -- a Chinese Army counterpart of the YMCA. Throughout war he supervised the billeting and feeding of the United States Armed Forces in China and during General George Marshall's mission to that country he personally rendered to General George Marshall various services of a helpful nature. On this present visit to the U. S., he has visited West Point and other Army Schools and has studied United States Army Special Services and supply methods. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and speaks fluent English. He is the brother of Dr. J. Z. Huang, stationed here at the Chinese Embassy, who has several times called on the President)
Commissioner Frank A. Waring, Philippine War Damage Commission
Admiral Alan G. Kirk, American Ambassador to Belgium (Returned to Washington and requested an appointment to pay respects - to report on conditions in Belgium)
Honorable Selden Chapin, Minister-designate to Hungary (Requested an appointment with the President to pay respects before departing for his post at Budapest)
(Mr. George Killion) (Has been in Florida where he had several talks with Mr. Robert Hannegan. Asked to see the President to report)
(Senator John L. McClellan, Ark.) (Dr. R. B. Robins, National Committeeman, Arkansas) (Mr. William Leigh of Little Rock, Arkansas) (Mr. J. E. Gaughan) (Mr. John Daggett, an attorney) (Mr. Gordon Young) (The Senator originally asked Mr. Matthew Connelly for this stating he wanted to come off record and bring several Senators and perhaps one of two National Committeemen, and discuss the labor bill with the President. Late yesterday the Senator seemed of two minds about whether the appointment would be as originally stated, or whether he would come alone, on record, to discuss Tax Bill, not to recommend approval or disapproval, but to make suggestions to the President and leave with him his, the Senator's, views. Finally called and gave the above names of persons who were to accompany him and asked that the appointment be off-the-record.)
(LUNCH)
Honorable Warren R. Austin (Arranged through Mr. William Hassett)
(Mr. Richard Allen) (Honorable Dean Acheson) (Mr. Allen, with Under-Secretary Acheson came through the basement door on the West Side. Secretary George Marshall talked to the President about seeing Mr. Allen, with a view to considering him to head up Relief in Europe)
The Secretary of the Treasury [John W. Snyder]
[Public Papers: Statement by the President on Palestine]
Press and Radio Conference [Public Papers]
Honorable Maple Harl Mr. J. N. Emerson, of Pullman, Washington, President of Kiwanis International (This was originally set up for May 22nd and postponed because of the President's trip to Kansas City)
(The Secretary of Commerce [W. Averell Harriman]) (Coming off record to discuss vacancy of Under Secretary for Air)
Honorable John Foster Dulles (Postponed from May 23rd due to the President's absence)
Honorable Stanton Griffis, American Ambassador-designate to Poland (Phoned Mr. Matthew Connelly direct for this)
Congressman John Lesinski, Mich. Congressman Ray J. Madden, Ind. Congressman Arthur G. Klein, N.Y. (Congressman Lesinski asked to have this meeting, as ranking Minority Member of House Labor Committee, and bring others who are opposed to the Labor Bill)
Senator Scott Lucas, Ill. (Phoned Mr. Matthew Connelly yesterday for this appointment)
(LUNCH)
Cabinet [Meeting] (Treasury and Interior absent -- Mr. Jesse M. Donaldson for the Post Office and Secretary Dean Acheson for State)
On this date in a Harvard commencement address Secretary of State George C. Marshall called for an American plan to help Europe recover from World War II--the so-called Marshall Plan. See student research file Establishing the Marshall Plan: documents, photographs and more.
The Presidential party departed the White House 8.30 a.m. (DST), and motored direct to the ATC Terminal, National Airport, where at 8.45 a.m. they boarded Army Plane 451 for Fairfax Airport, Kansas City, Kansas, arriving at the latter place at 11.40 a.m. (CST). The party proceeded to the theater in the Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, where the President addressed the business committee of the 35th Division. Following this, he proceeded to the Muehlebach Hotel where he had luncheon in his penthouse suite. At 1.30 p.m., the President departed the Muehlebach and motored direct to his mother's home at Grandview, where he remained three-quarters of an hour, departing at 3.00 p.m. and returning with Miss Mary Truman to the Muehlebach Hotel, arriving at 3.30 p.m. The President remained in his suite until 4.45 p.m., at which time the President, accompanied by his sister, Admiral William D. Leahy, and his aides, departed and proceeded to the President Hotel where he attended a reception given by the 35th Division. He departed the President Hotel at 6.15 p.m., and returned to his suite in the Muehlebach Hotel. At 8.10 p.m., the President departed the Muehlebach, accom- panied by his sister and Admiral William D. Leahy, and motored to the Municipal Auditorium where the President and his party occupied a box from which they observed the ceremonies of the 35th Division, during which General Eisenhower delivered an address. At 10.15 p.m., the Presidential party departed the Auditorium and returned to the Muehlebach Hotel.
[Public Papers: Statement by the President Upon Receiving the Attorney General's Report on Governmental Patent Practices and Policies]
At 9.50 a.m., the President departed the Muehlebach Hotel and proceeded to a point where he took up his position at the head of the parade of the 35th Division. At 10.00 a.m. sharp, the parade commenced and proceeded five miles over Grand Avenue in Kansas City to the Victory Memorial, where the President and ranking members of the 35th Division reviewed the remainder of the parade. At 12.00 noon, the President departed the reviewing stand, entered his car, and motored back to the Muehlebach Hotel. At 1.20 p.m., the President departed the Muehlebach and motored direct to his mother's home in Grandview, where he remained for three-fourths of an hour, following which he entered the Lincoln convertible and drove to his in-laws (the Wallaces) at Independence, Missouri. He remained here for twenty minutes, after which he motored direct to the Muehlebach Hotel. The President and members of his party departed from the Muehlebach at 8.10 p.m., and motored direct to the Municipal Auditorium, where the President participated in the concluding ceremonies of the 35th Division meeting. During the course of this meeting, the President delivered the major address. [ Audio: MP3] [Public Papers: Address in Kansas City at the 35th Division Reunion Memorial Service] At 9.45 p.m., the President and his party departed the Municipal Auditorium and returned to the Muehlebach Hotel for the evening.
At 5.55 a.m., the President departed the Muehlebach Hotel and motored direct to his mother's home at Grandview, where he remained for three-fourths of an hour, after which he returned direct to the Muehlebach Hotel, arriving at 7.45 a.m. At 9.30 a.m., the President and members of his party departed the Muehlebach and motored direct to the Fairfax Airport, where they boarded Army Plane 451 and departed at 10.00 a.m. (CST) en route to Washington, D. C., arriving at the ATC Terminal, National Airport, at 3.50 p.m. The President was greeted upon arrival by Miss Margaret Truman and Miss Drucie Snyder who accompanied him on the return to the White House, arriving at 4.12 p.m. (DST)
H. E. Vassili Dendramis, the Ambassador of Greece (Newly appointed, to present credentials.)
The President received from group from the American Legion, a bust which Mr. Charles Keck, Sculptor has just completed, of the President. Following persons were present: Paul H. Griffith, National commander Leonce R. Logendro, Assistant National Adjutant T. O.Kraable, National Director of Rehabilitation Committee Mr. Ralph Lavers, Director, Employment Committee Mr. George Kelley, Assistant, Public Relations in charge of Washington program. Mr. James Fiske, Past Departmental Adjutant Charles Keck, Sculptor
(Honorable Edwin Pauley)
(Cabinet Luncheon - The Postmaster General, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Interior were absent.)
The President, Mrs. Truman and Miss Truman, left Washington by B&O Train, for Canada
The following comprised the Presidential party aboard the Presidential train: Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy Honorable Matthew J. Connelly Honorable Charles G. Ross Major General Harry H. Vaughan Rear Admiral James H. Foskett Mr. Stanley Woodward Brigadier General Wallace H. Graham Mr. Leonard Reinsch Mr. Jack Romagna Mr. Dewey E. Long Members of the press, radio, photographers, and railroad representatives also accompanied the President.
The Presidential train arrived at Rouses Point, New York, (Canadian border), where the party was met and joined by an official delegation composed of the following: The Right Honorable L. S. St. Laurent (The Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs), Honorable Ray Atherton (U. S. Ambassador), W. R. Measures, Esq. (Canadian Chief of Protocol): and three Canadian Aides-de-Camp. At 3.30 p.m., the Presidential train arrived at Island Park Drive Station, Ottawa, Canada, where the entire party detrained and was met by the following: H.E. The Governor General of Canada, The Viscountess Alexander of Tunis, The Right Honorable The Prime Minister of Canada, Madame St. Laurent, Mrs. Atherton, Hume Wrong (Canadian Ambassador to Washington), Mrs. Wrong, His Worship Stanley Lewis, ESQ., and Mrs. Lewis. At 3.45 p.m., the official party entered automobiles and drove to Government House (the residence of the Governor General of Canada), arriving at 4.15 p.m. Upon reaching the main gate of Government House (Rideau Gate), the procession stopped, and the President was rendered a royal salute by a Guard of Honor. Immediately following the arrival at Government House, the Presidential party attended a small tea. At a ceremony taking place at 5.00 p.m., the President and Mrs. Truman planted two trees in the Government House Grounds. At 5.30 p.m., the President, accompanied by the Governor General and Admiral William D. Leahy, departed Government House and motored direct to Parliament where the President, the Governor General, and Admiral William D. Leahy, attended the unveiling of a portrait of former Prime Minister Borden and a portrait of present Prime Minister MacKenzie King. At 6.15 p.m., the President, Mrs. Truman, Miss Margaret Truman, and other members of the Presidential party attended a State Dinner at the Government House. A total of eighty- seven guests was present. At 10.00 p.m., a reception in honor of the President and Mrs. Truman was held at Government House. Attending this reception were 160 guests.
At 7.30 a.m., the President, accompanied by Agent-in- Charge Campion, departed Government House for a walk in and around the Grounds, returning to the House at 7.53 a.m. At 10.20 a.m., the President, accompanied by the United States Ambassador, motored from Government House to the United States Embassy, 100 Wellington Street, where members of the Embassy Staff were presented to the President. All members of the Presidential party attended this ceremony with the exception of Mrs. Truman and Miss Margaret Truman. At 11.24 a.m., the Prime Minister of Canada joined the Presidential party at the American Embassy, and the President and the Prime Minister then walked to the Canadian Parliament Building, where the President and his party were conducted to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons. Shortly before 11.45 a.m., the President was escorted to the floor of the House of Commons, where he addressed a joint session of the members of the Senate and of the House of Commons. The First Lady and Miss Margaret Truman joined the Presidential party before the address. [Audio: MP3] [Public Papers: Address Before the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa] At 12.30 p.m., after the President had concluded his speech, the Prime Minister and the President drove to the National War Memorial, where President Truman placed a wreath at the base of the Memorial. Following this ceremony, the President and the Prime Minister drove to the Chateau Laurier Hotel, where a parlimentary luncheon in honor of the President was given by the Prime Minister at 1.15 p.m. on behalf of the Government of Canada. The First Lady and Miss Margaret Truman attended a luncheon at Government House during this period. During the afternoon, the President, Mrs. Truman, and Miss Margaret Truman moved from Government House to the United States Embassy. The President, Mrs. Truman, Admiral William D. Leahy, and the American Ambassador departed the American Embassy at 7.50 p.m., and motored to the Laurier House to attend a dinner given in their honor by the Prime Minister. At 10.50 p.m., the President and Mrs. Truman departed Laurier House and returned to the American Embassy, arriving at 11.05 p.m.
At 10.30 a.m., the President, accompanied by Admiral William Leahy, Ambassador Atherton and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, took a twenty-minute walk around the grounds of the American Embassy, returning to the Embassy at 10.50 a.m. At 11.30 a.m., the President, accompanied by Mrs. Truman, Miss Margaret Truman, Ambassador and Mrs. Atherton, and Miss Atherton departed the American Embassy and motored forty-eight miles north of Ottawa to Papineau Manor of the Seigniory Club, arriving at 1.00 p.m. Here they attended a luncheon given in their honor by Ambassador and Mrs. Ray Atherton, at which forty other guests were present. At 3.15 p.m., the President, accompanied by Prime Minister MacKenzie King, Ambassador Atherton, and Secretary Charles Ross, departed Papineau Manor and motored to the Golf Club House where he met members of the American and Canadian press. At this time, photographs were taken. [Public Papers: The President's Special News Conference With Prime Minister Mackenzie King Near Ottawa] The President departed the Club House at 3.45 p.m. returning to Papineau Manor, where he joined the other members of the party for the return trip to the American Embassy in Ottawa, arrivng there at 5.30 p.m. At 5.40 p.m., the President presented to General Foulkes of the Canadian Army the Legion of Merit medal. At 8.00 p.m., a dinner was given for the President by the United States Ambassador at the Ambassador's residence. Mrs. Truman and Miss Margaret Truman also attended. At 11.00 p.m., the President, accompanied by Mrs. Truman, Miss Margaret Truman, and Admiral William Leahy, departed the American Embassy and motored to Deep Cut Station, where they boarded the Presidential train for the return trip to Washington, D. C., departing Ottawa, Canada at 11.30 p.m.
At 9.00 a.m., the President departed the Presidential train at Niagara Falls (Canadian side), accompanied by Mayor Houck of Niagara Falls, Canada, for a twenty-minute ride around Niagara Falls Park, returning to the train at 9.20 a.m. The train departed this point at 9.30 a.m., and continued on its return journey to Washington, arriving at Union Station at 9.42 p.m. The First Family immediately motored to the White House, arrivng at 9.56 p.m. (DST)
Executive Orders:  [9865 PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION ABROAD OF INVENTIONS RESULTING FROM RESEARCH FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT]
Executive Orders:  [9866 DESIGNATION OF OFFICERS TO ACT AS SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR (3)]
[Public Papers: Statement by the President on the Peace Treaties With Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria]
[Public Papers: Statement by the President on the Treaty of Peace With Italy]
(The Attorney General [Tom C. Clark])
(Honorable Dean Acheson) (Honorable William Clayton)
(The Secretary of Commerce [W. Averell Harriman])
(The Secretary of the Treasury [John W. Snyder])
(Lunch)
(Worked on the veto message for the Tax Bill)
[Public Papers: Letter Appointing Members of a Special Board of Inquiry on Air Safety]
[Public Papers: Veto of Bill To Reduce Income Taxes]
The Big Six: Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg, Mich. Senator Wallace H. White, Me. Honorable Joseph W. Martin, Jr., Speaker Congressman Sam Rayburn, Texas Congressman Charles A. Halleck, Indiana (Senator Alben W. Barkley was away from Washington and could not attend)
(Honorable William Clayton)
(Mr. J. B. Whitney, of Missouri) (Came in to see Mr. Matthew Connelly and the President, off record--arranged through Mrs. Truman)
Mrs. India Edwards Mrs. Chase Woodhouse (Both from Democratic National Committee - to see the President re Democratic Women's Day, September 26th)
The President received a Committee from the Missouri Legislation, which will present to him Senate Concurrent Resolution Number Six, entitled, "The Declaration of the Federation of the World." The following were present: Honorable Murray E. Thompson, Speaker of the House Honorable R. J. King, Jr., Member of the House Sen. H. R. Williams Mr. F. R. von Windegger, President of the Plaza Bank, St. Louis, Mo. Mr. John D. McCutcheon, St. Louis, Mo. Sen. L. D. Joslyn
Honorable Dwight Griswold