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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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11.
The President's News Conference |
January 13, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Gentlemen, I have no special announcements to make, except that I was in the White House and the Blair House since 6:30 last night1--[laughter]-and if you have any questions, I will be glad to try to answer them.
1President Truman flew to Pinehurst, N.C., on January 12 to visit Secretary of State George C. Marshall who was convalescing from an operation. The trip had been kept confidential and came as a surprise to both Secretary Marshall and members of the press.
[2.] Q. Mr. President, what can you tell us about your interview today with Sir Oliver Franks? 2
THE PRESIDENT. I can tell you nothing.
2 Sir Oliver Shewell Franks, British Ambassador to the United States.
Q. Thank you. [Laughter]
[3.] Q. There have been indications from abroad of a possible Soviet peace offensive. Have there been any new developments that would lead to a meeting between yourself and Stalin?
THE PRESIDENT. None that I know of.
Q. Is your position the same on that, Mr. President, that you will be glad to see Mr. Stalin any time he comes to Washington?
THE PRESIDENT. Yes.
[4.] Q. Mr. President, do you have under consideration the appointment of any women to high positions in Government?
THE PRESIDENT. Oh yes, lots of them under consideration. [Laughter]
Q. Lots of women, sir?
THE PRESIDENT, Yes.
Q. To the Cabinet, sir?
THE PRESIDENT. Not necessarily.
[5.] Q. Mr. President, can Mr. Forrestal's remarks be taken to mean that he is now a permanent member of your Cabinet?
THE PRESIDENT. Mr. Forrestal's remarks say just what they mean. I think he made it perfectly plain.3
3 According to reports in the press, on January 11 Secretary of Defense James Forrestal stated, after an interview with the President, that he expected to remain in the Cabinet.
Q. We didn't hear that, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT. Mr. Forrestal's remarks were perfectly plain, and I think they mean what he said.
[6.] Q. Mr. President, in your messages to the Congress, you suggest raising the taxes in the middle and upper income brackets.
THE PRESIDENT. That's right.
Q. What do you consider the middle and upper brackets?
THE PRESIDENT. The Treasury considers the middle and upper brackets begin about $6,000 a year, from there up to about $25,000 or $30,000 a year. It's a matter of point of view. If you are getting $6,000 a year, you probably would consider $10,000 the--[Laughter]
Q. Mr. President, the point that brings this up is that President Roosevelt, I believe, held the view that incomes ought to level off about $25,000 a year, and that ought to be about the maximum take-home pay. Is that your view also?
THE PRESIDENT. I have no set view on the subject. I think if a man has got brains enough to know enough about the tax la ...
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