September 13, 1948

"Have a terrific day. Forrestal, Bradley, Vandenberg (the Gen., not the Senator!), Symington brief me on bases, bombs, Moscow, Leningrad, etc. I have a terrible feeling afterward that we are very close to war. I hope not."

"See Marshall at lunch and feel better although Berlin is a mess."

"Have usual Monday Cabinet luncheon. These luncheons are great. They have kept the Cabinet a team."

"My staff is in turmoil. Clifford has gone prima donna on me. So has Howard McGrath. It's hell but part of the game. Have had to force McGrath to behave and Clifford too. But I get a headache over it. But a good night's sleep will cure it."

"Spoke to the scientists and knocked them for a goal."

The President spoke at 8:45 p.m. in Constitution Hall in Washington. President Truman gave a speech before the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In the speech, Truman discusses the recent report submitted by the Scientific Research Board which he appointed two years before. He also emphasizes the need for scientists to play an important role in keeping our nation strong and to maintain our leadership in science.

Read a copy of the speech