Change of Pace

In the White House, the President appeared to be changing pace as his problems grew more pressing. He cut down his usually long list of callers through the front door, but there was a noticeable pickup in traffic through the White House side doors, where his close advisers enter. The President gave over three full afternoons to talks with Cabinet members and other officials.

Crisp autumn weather had come to Washington, and Harry Truman caught a cold that frogged his throat at times. It did not cloud his affability or brake his brisk manner of disposing of business across his desk. Newsmen who jampacked his press conference noticed: 1) Harry Truman had switched from summerweight double-breasted to a medium-weight flannel double-breasted suit; 2) his work-to-be-done boxes were stacked high; 3) there was another box on his desk, filled with emerald green match folders. The President indicated the folders, remarked that he was not supposed to be looking. Deskside reporters grabbed the hint and the matches. Across the folders was printed: "I swiped these from Harry S. Truman." Gadgeteer Truman grinned as the souvenirs were passed around. Then he gave out what routine news he had.

The President packed six days of desk work into four, gave over one to his role in the homecoming of Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz. One thing Harry Truman does not like about his job is its fuss and fanfare. But one ceremonial task the President evidently does enjoy is awarding medals to servicemen and shaking their hands. On "Nimitz Day" he presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to eleven marines and three Navy men. He said to them what he always says on such an occasion: "I would rather have this medal than be President." He shook hands with all but one--Marine Sergeant William George Harrell, hero of a Marines-legendary fight on Iwo Jima (TIME, July 30). The sergeant has no hands.

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