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).
July 13, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. I want to express to you my appreciation for your willingness to undertake this trip to Iran. It is a very important job that you have undertaken, and one which I think you can handle with satisfaction and success.
All of…
October 3, 1945
To the Congress of the United States:
As a part of our program of international cooperation, expanding foreign trade, and domestic progress in commerce and industry, I recommend the speedy approval by the Congress of the…
July 3, 1948
I HAVE today signed H.R. 6248, the Agricultural Act of 1948. Title I of this act extends until 1950, with only slight change, the temporary system of rigid price supports for agricultural products which has been in effect since early in…
July 24, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. I have no special announcements to make this morning. I thought maybe you might have some questions you might like to ask me and I will try to answer them.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, can you now tell us the date of your Rio…
June 5, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
I have no announcements this morning. I am ready for questions.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, I have a request from the St. Joseph News-Press, down in your State of Missouri. They said that since you…
July 14, 1949
To members of the Cabinet, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers, Director, Bureau of the Budget, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Administrator for Economic Cooperation, Administrator for General Services, Administrator, Housing and…
July 14, 1951
Dear Mr. Lay:
I have become seriously concerned by a number of reports I have heard recently concerning the administration of the provisions of existing law which authorize the heads of the various departments and agencies to…
July 2, 1946
Dear Mr. Wirtz:
I am writing to express to you and to all members of the National Wage Stabilization Board my appreciation of your letter of June twenty-eighth. It was particularly helpful to receive at that critical time from…
June 5, 1950
IN ORDER to provide clarification of existing hospitalization problems and needs of disabled veterans, I have today appointed a special committee to review certain of these problems, especially those of the paraplegics and amputees.
The…
July 25, 1947
I HAVE today approved Senate Joint Resolution 123, providing for the repeal of certain temporary emergency and war statutes and for discontinuing operations under various permanent statutes which are effective only in time of war or…
July 3, 1948
I HAVE signed H.R. 6402 which amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1946 by extending for 2 years the term of office of the present members of the Atomic Energy Commission.
I had hoped that the Senate would not adjourn without acting upon my…
October 3, 1945
To the Congress of the United States:
Almost two months have passed since the atomic bomb was used against Japan. That bomb did not win the war, but it certainly shortened the war. We know that it saved the lives of untold…
July 25, 1947
IT HAS BEEN brought to my attention that the War, Navy, and Treasury Departments and the National Rifle Association have joined in a campaign of instruction to prevent the loss of life and destruction of property resulting from the…
June 7, 1952
Mr. Chairman, Governor Smith, Mr. President of the 35th Division Organization:
I could recognize the voice of old Blue and old Bob--I don't know which one was leading--but I couldn't hear a single bark out of the fox. I wish…
July 3, 1948
I HAVE today signed the Postal Rate Revision and Federal Employees Salary Act of 1948 (H.R. 6916).
I have done so even though the act meets neither the needs of the employees nor those of the Government.
In my Budget Message in January,…
October 3, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I want to announce some appointments first:
Watson B. Miller, of Maryland, to be Federal Security Administrator.
Lowell B. Mason, of Illinois, to be on the Federal Trade Commission for an unexpired term from…
June 6, 1950
Mr. Chairman:
I am glad to have this opportunity to talk to a group of businessmen from all over the country. I want to congratulate those prizewinners, and I want to congratulate those who awarded the prizes. It certainly is…
July 3, 1946
To the Congress of the United States:
I have today approved H.R. 32, the so-called Hobbs Bill. This measure makes it a felony for any person to commit robbery or extortion which in any way obstructs, delays, or affects…
July 15, 1949
I HAVE today approved the Housing Act of 1949.
This far-reaching measure is of great significance to the welfare of the American people. It opens up the prospect of decent homes in wholesome surroundings for low-income families now living…
July 14, 1951
ON THE OCCASION of your national holiday, I wish to extend to you, Mr. President, and to the French people the heartiest best wishes and congratulations of the American people. I recall with particular pleasure your visit to Washington…
July 5, 1948
Mr. President, Governor Donnelly, Mr. Mayor, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
It certainly is a great celebration today. This will be a celebration that will go down in the history of Missouri as the one and only of…
Statement by the President Concerning Government Operation of Petroleum Refineries Closed by Strikes
October 4, 1945
I REGRET that it has become necessary for the Government to take over the plants of twenty-six oil producing and refining companies which have been shut down by strikes. It has become necessary to take this action in order to maintain…
July 17, 1951
WE HAVE just made an investigation of the flood situation from St. Louis to Salina, Kans., and from Salina to Miami, Okla. And it is one of the worst disasters, I think, that the country has ever suffered from water. I am informed by…
July 3, 1946
THE INDEPENDENCE achieved today by the Philippines comes after a period of forty-eight years of American sovereignty over the Islands. Throughout this period it has been the consistently expressed policy of this Government, as revealed in…
July 18, 1949
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 8 of 1949, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949.
This plan is designed to make urgently needed changes…