A NEW PRESIDENT
AND AN OLD POLICY
At 4:35 P.M. the news of the president's death was flashed to the White House, triggering a frantic search for Vice President Harry S. Truman. He was in the Capitol, having a postadjournment drink with Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. A telephone call from Press Secretary Steve Early brought him to the White House. When Truman arrived, a somber Eleanor Roosevelt greeted him with the momentous words, "Harry, the president is dead."
A staggered Truman asked if there was anything he could do for her.
"Is there anything we can do for you?" Mrs. Roosevelt asked. "You are the one in trouble now." 1
Not long after Bess Truman heard the news, she said to one of her husband's close friends: "This is going to put a terrific load on Harry. Roosevelt has told him nothing." 2
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Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: The New Dealers' War:Franklin D. Roosevelt and the War within World War II.
Contributors: Thomas Fleming - Author.
Publisher: Basic Books.
Place of publication: New York.
Publication year: 2001.
Page number: 514.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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