Truman proclaims mourning period
WASHINGTON (UP) – President Truman today proclaimed Saturday as a day of mourning and prayer throughout the United States in respect to the late Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The presidential proclamation was issued by Secretary of State Edward R. Stettinius. At the same time, by order of the President, Mr. Stettinius ordered that:
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Flags to remain at half-mast on all public buildings of the United States for one month – until the close of Monday, May 14.
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All executive departments and agencies of the government be closed tomorrow afternoon – the day of the funeral.
If you ever pray, pray for me, Truman pleads
WASHINGTON (UP) – President Harry S. Truman said to reporters in the Capitol today: “Boys, if you ever pray, pray for me now.”
The honest, earnest little Missourian left a meeting with Congressional leaders to shake hands with reporters he had known as Senator and Vice President.
“You boys of the press have been good to me,” he said.
When a reporter addressed him as “Mr. President,” he smiled wistfully, and said: “I wish you’d never had to call me that.”