Hopkins attends Roosevelt funeral
Flies from hospital ‘to say goodbye’
Saturday, April 14, 1945
WASHINGTON (UP) – Harry L. Hopkins, for years one of President Roosevelt’s closest personal advisers, flew here from the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota, today “to say goodbye to a great friend of mine.”
In addition to attending his old boss’ funeral, he spent 90 minutes with President Truman. When he left the President, he was surrounded by reporters.
He looked thin and shaken. He said he would go back, immediately to Rochester, where he has been under treatment for several weeks. He said he talked to Mr. Truman “about a number of things, but chiefly about Mr. Roosevelt.” Asked if they discussed any part he might play in the new administration, he replied:
Oh, no. I’ve just come back to say goodbye to a great friend of mine. Those of you who know me know what’s in my mind and heart today. Nothing else but that matters.
Mr. Hopkins said he would confer again with the new President as soon as he is able to leave the hospital.
He said:
At that time, I will acquaint him with any information that I might have about the government and that I might have acquired in my relations with Mr. Roosevelt.