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 24, 1950
AT MIDNIGHT tonight the lot of a great many American workers will be substantially improved.
Today the minimum wage is 40 cents an hour. Tomorrow the new 75-cent minimum rate goes into effect for the 22 million workers who are…
January 22, 1951
[Released January 22, 1951. Dated January 19, 1951]
Dear Mr. Paley:
I am very pleased that you have agreed to serve as the Chairman of the President's Materials Policy Commission.
As you and I have discussed, this…
January 20, 1949
[Delivered in person at the Capitol]
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Chief Justice, fellow citizens:
I accept with humility the honor which the American people have conferred upon me. I accept it with a resolve to do all that I…
January 22, 1946
To the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of the Navy:
1. It is my desire, and I hereby direct, that all Federal foreign intelligence activities be planned, developed and coordinated so as to…
May 2, 1945
THIS CHANGE does not in any respect lessen the need for volunteer efforts in our states and
communities. State and local governments are fully aware of their continuing responsibilities, and
I am sure that we can depend upon their knowledge…
February 1, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I have an important statement to make to you this morning which I think is one of the most important that I have made in a good while.
You will recall that in my statement of November 9th accompanying the action…
January 22, 1952
My dear___________:
I am writing to urge that the Congress take prompt and effective action to help prevent the shocking fatalities in the coal mines of this country.
On December 21, 1951, one hundred and nineteen miners…
January 31, 1948
SHORTAGES of food, resulting largely from the devastation of war and adverse weather conditions, have brought about acute distress and hunger in many countries.
In order to relieve hunger in food deficit areas, it is necessary for the…
August 11, 1951
STEPHEN EARLY gave the best years of his life to the public service. He had been an outstanding newspaperman in Washington before he came upon the White House scene in 1933 with the advent of my predecessor, whom he served faithfully…
August 24, 1949
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Attorney General:
You know, it is a great thing to have the chairman of the National Democratic Committee from the suburb of my hometown. It is a great thing to have the Vice President…
Statement by the President Making Public a Report on Moral Safeguards for Selective Service Trainees
September 16, 1948
UNDER the Selective Service Act of 1948 additional thousands of our young men will soon be assembled in camps for military training. I am most anxious that the Government take all practical steps to safeguard the religious, moral,…
July 1, 1952
YESTERDAY I signed S. 2594, the Defense production Act Amendments of 1952, passed by the Congress late Saturday. If I had not approved this measure, our powers to continue the defense production program and the stabilization program would…
August 2, 1946
To the House of Representatives:
I return herewith without my approval the bill (H.R. 2423) to authorize the exchange of lands acquired by the United States for the Silver Creek recreational demonstration project, Oregon,…
September 17, 1947
[Released September 17, 1947. Dated August 28, 1947]
My dear Mr. Steward:
I wish to express my regret at being unable to accept your kind invitation to join with you in celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the…
July 13, 1950
Sir:
I have the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of the Congress supplemental estimates of appropriation for the fiscal year 1951 in the amount of $89,000,000 for the Department of State and the General…
August 25, 1949
IT IS a very great pleasure to have you young ladies here this morning. One young lady, who lives in South Carolina, asked me if in 5 years she might be an ambassador. I told her that she might, if she studied hard and learned all about…
November 15, 1945
[ With Prime Minister Attlee of Great Britain and Prime Minister King of Canada ]
THE PRESIDENT. Will you please listen for just a moment. I am going to read to you the document which has been signed by the Prime Minister of Great…
September 17, 1948
[ Released September 17, 1948. Dated September 16, 1948 ]
Dear Dr. :
I wish to thank you and the seven other scientists for your telegram of September 6, 1948, in which you gave me your views on a…
September 25, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. I have some rather lengthy statements to make to you this morning, and I have just asked Mr. Merriman Smith not to say "Thank you, Mr. President," too quickly. I didn't want anyone to think that I want to avoid any…
July 1, 1952
I HAVE today taken a number of actions to implement the report of the President's Materials Policy Commission, entitled "Resources for Freedom," which was submitted to me a week ago.
This report tells the story of the needs and resources…
August 14, 1951
Mr. Commander, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen:
I am happy to be here this afternoon to dedicate the new Washington headquarters of the American Legion. I wish the Legion every success in its new home.
I…
July 13, 1950
THE PRESIDENT. [1 .] It looks like we'll have to get a bigger hall. [Laughter]
I have no particular announcements to make, but I will try to answer questions so far as I can.
[2.] Mr. President, two allied questions. First, is the…
August 2, 1946
THE LEGISLATIVE Reorganization Act of 1946, which I signed today, is one of the most significant advances in the organization of the Congress of the United States since the establishment of that body.
Both as United States Senator and…
August 25, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. I nave no special announcements to make. I will try to answer questions, if you have any.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, were you aware that in August 1945 the State Department was informed that you were personally interested in…
July 18, 1950
My dear Mr. Administrator:
The Director of the Bureau of the Budget has transmitted to me your recommendation that the aggregate outstanding amount of mortgages which may be insured under Title II of the National Housing Act…