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President Harry S. Truman. Source: Truman Library. |
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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).
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121.
The President's News Conference on the Railway Labor Negotiations |
May 18, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. The Engineers and Trainmen have agreed to postpone the strike date from 4 o'clock, May 18, to 4 o'clock, May 23.
That is in response to a request that I made from them, by giving them assurance that I was sure that further progress could be made in the negotiations with the railways if they were willing to negotiate further.
Now, get this carefully: The Trainmen's key word--the Trainmen's key word for Postponement is Convention; the Engineers' key word for postponement is Johnston-J-o-h-n-s-t-o-n.
I called them at 3 o'clock, and they called me back at 3:34, and accepted the suggestion.
Q. You called them at 3?
THE PRESIDENT. Yes.
Q. You called when?
THE PRESIDENT. I called them at 3 o'clock, and then they called hack at 3:34.
Q. They agreed to postpone on your assurance that--
Dr. Steelman [to the President]: You used this word instead of "move."
THE PRESIDENT. Use the word "move" instead of "postpone" there. The Engineers and Trainmen have agreed to move the strike date from 4 o'clock, May 18, to 4 o'clock, May 23.
Q. What is the meaning of that key word?
THE PRESIDENT. That means they will not strike.
Dr. Steelman: The Trainmen will not strike.
THE PRESIDENT. The Trainmen will not strike.
Q. Been given the assurance that--
THE PRESIDENT. Assured them that I was confident that further progress could be made, if they were willing to negotiate further.
Q. Could you tell us what you base that on, sir? Did you confer with the railroad officials before you told them that?
THE PRESIDENT. No, I didn't; but I am confident that that will happen.
Q. Will they be resumed in Washington, Mr. President? They are standing by here.
THE PRESIDENT. They will be resumed immediately.
Q. This key word, sir, is that the key word for resuming
THE PRESIDENT. For postponement of the strike for moving the strike date. The key word is to call off the strike at this time.
Q. Anything on coal?
Q. [Interposing] Convention is for Trainmen, and what for Engineers?
Voices: Johnston.
THE PRESIDENT. Johnston--J-o-h-n-s-t-o-n.
Q. Mr. President, did you say the negotiations would be resumed here?
THE PRESIDENT. Yes. They will fly here tomorrow.
Q. Mr. President, did you talk to--to Whitney and--to both of them?
THE PRESIDENT. I talked to Whitney and Johnston.
Q. Double setup.
Reporter: Thank you, sir.
THE PRESIDENT. That's all right.
NOTE: President Truman's sixty-sixth news conference was held in his office at the White House at 3:53 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 1946. |
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