Back in Stride

It was almost three months since Harry Truman had put in a full week of uninterrupted work at his desk. Last week he got back into the swing of his job as if his stride had never been broken.

He became literally one of the sights of the capital. The people of Washington--and the visitors--could see their President several times a day as he walked across Pennsylvania Avenue from Blair House to the White House. He also continued his prebreakfast constitutionals. Many an early riser in Washington was pleased and astonished to see the President smiling or waving at him. A motorist almost ran him down; Harry Truman skipped lightly out of the way.

"Most Sympathetic." The President was in a hurry to bring himself up to date. In his week of hard work, he talked with three dozen official visitors, held a Cabinet meeting, discussed legislation for the new Congress with five Senators, touched on subjects that ranged from Europe's progress to plans for repairing the White House (he wanted no "Hollywood touches," no deviation from its original design inside).

One thing he wanted information about in a hurry was China. He called in Secretary of State George Marshall, talked with him for 25 minutes about what urgent assistance might properly be given to Chiang Kai-shek's government. Wise Wellington Koo, China's veteran ambassador, came in to plead for speed. Coming out of Harry Truman's office, Koo said that the President had given him some encouragement. With Oriental politeness, Koo added: "He is most au courant and most sympathetic."

"A Democrat Again." On Thanksgiving Day, the President put in five hours of work before going home at 2 o'clock to eat turkey with his family.

Next day, between talks with officials about new housing and labor legislation, he sandwiched in a few minutes with Movie Producer George Jessel, who came to present a copy of a song he had written (with two tunesmiths) for Harry Truman.* It will be dedicated to the President at a Democratic rally in Los Angeles next week. Reported Jessel: "In Hollywood, everyone has decided he's a Democrat again."

The President also found time to sit three times for an oil portrait showing him in all the regalia to which he is entitled as a Master Mason of the 33rd degree: silk hat, apron, heavy rings on his fingers. When the picture is finished, it will occupy a place of honor in the Masonic Grand Lodge at St. Louis.

At week's end, Harry Truman, his family and 200 others boarded his special train, sped noisily off to Philadelphia for the "Army-Navy game. This year he sat on Navy's side, bobbed up & down in his box seat as Navy officers got between him and the play, stayed until the last play, the last whistle.

Back in Washington on Sunday, he walked to the First Baptist Church, sat there solemnly while its pastor offered congratulations to him on his election and "earnest prayers as he continues to shoulder the gigantic responsibilities of his significant office."

Last week the President also:

> Assigned to scholarly, rhumba-dancing Dr. Edwin G. Nourse, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, the job of putting together an anti-inflation program for the new Congress.

>Received the resignation of Emmett O'Neal as ambassador to the Philippines.

> Announced a new nine-nation agreement (including Russia) to regulate whaling.

> Asked the press and radio to express his thanks, "from the depths of my heart," to those who sent him about 50,000 letters and 10,000 telegrams congratulating him on his election.

>Approved his Inaugural Committee's selection of Music Czar James Caesar Petrillo to put together and direct a mammoth three-hour Inaugural Eve show in Washington featuring movie, stage and radio stars, bands, opera singers and a symphony orchestra.

*Samole lyric:

Let's get behind the President

Let every Tom and Dick get back of Harry.

Let's get behind the President

And help to lighten up the load he has to carry.

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