Motion Picture MP2002-313
Administrative Information
Harry S. Truman discusses his efforts to build the library to preserve papers of his Presidential years, how he tells young people about the office of the Presidency. He discusses military leaders and his own military history. He reviews his jobs at Clinton’s drug store, as time keeper for a railroad contractor, and as a bank clerk. Sound only.
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Shot List
Reel 1
| 0:00 | Unidentified voice says "Scene 1, question 11, roll 5." An interviewer, probably Merle Miller asks former President Truman to talk about his homecoming in 1953. David Susskind's voice may be in the recording also. | |
| 0:43 | Harry S. Truman discusses coming home in 1953 and dividing his time and efforts to setting up an institution to preserve the official papers of his Presidential years. He traces the history of other President's papers, how many were burned, scattered, and lost. He details his work before Congress to get funds for preserving Presidential papers. | |
| 4:00 | Mr. Truman tells how young people visiting his library ask questions and he tells them the objectives of the office of the Presidency. He states he has spoken to young people all over the United States on this subject. | |
| 5:28 | He states that he wanted his library built in Independence, his home, although he received offers from many places including University of Southern California, University of Missouri, and Kansas University. Independence is as close to the center of the United States as you can get. | |
| (very poor sound here) Mr. Truman confirms many dignitaries visit the library, but it is the youngsters he enjoys talking to: "they ask very intelligent questions." | ||
| 9:04 | Sound garbled for a time as he discusses visiting politicians. | |
| "Scene 1, question 5, roll 2." | ||
| 10:43 | Mr. Truman discusses his interest in military leaders, beginning with Alexander the Great, and Robert E. Lee. Because of poor eyesight, he could not be accepted in West Point or the Navel Academy, so he joined the National Guard, in 1905. He traces his rise to Captain of Battery D, 129th Field Artillery in World War I. He mentions the family being worried about him having to wear a blue uniform. | |
| 13:00 | He discusses his success with Battery D, a very obstreperous group. "They treat me as if I were their Father Confessor." "Of course I’m not because I’m a Protestant." They were a fine bunch of young men. | |
| "Scene 1, question 6, roll 3." | ||
| 13:57 | Mr. Truman discusses his job at Jim Clinton’s drug store, his friendship with Charlie Ross, the most brilliant student in class who became his press secretary. Mrs. Palmer, their teacher, kissed Charlie Ross at their graduation because he was head of the class, and Mr. Truman asked for and received a kiss years later. Mr. Truman states his disapproval of customers secretly buying drinks at the drugstore instead of publicly at the various saloons on the square. | |
| “Scene 1, question 7, roll 3.” | ||
| 18:00 | Mr. Truman discusses his jobs as time keeper for a railroad contractor and as a clerk of the National Bank of Commerce. He states he wanted to return to the farm "because it was home" and farmed 600 acres for ten years, "one of the finest farms in Jackson County." |