The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-13
Months Mourning
 First Edict Made |Bv New Executive
By LYLE c. WILSON Limited Press Staff COrreSpOndent)

Washington, April 13-(UP) )-President Harry s. Truman took the nations helm today, summoning to the White House the chiefs of war and foreign policy to pledge his determination to carry forward President Roosevelt's objectves of speedy victory and firm peace.
 His first official act was to issue through Secre- tary of State Edward R. Stettnius, Jr, proclama- tion of months mourning for Mr. Roosevelt
 But already he had plunged deep into the monu< mental task of carrying on the national war etfort without pause hesitation, both in the west and Tn the east.
 To the White House came Stettinius for con- irmation of Truman's pledge that the San Francisco conference shall be held as planned and for arna- tion of Truman's hope that at San Francisco will be erected the foundation stones of a permanent peace after the plans long advanced by MT. Roosevelt.
 And to the White House came the top leaders of the war effort to hear Truman implement the pledge he gave the nation as he was sworn in last night to succeed MT. Roosevelt. The pledge was that the war would be prosecuted "on both fronts, east and west, with all the vigor we possess to success full conclusion"
 In the nations sorrowing capital leaders of all shades of opinion shouldered up with pledges to stand with Truman and the nation in the sudden hour of tragedy.
 From the senate Republicans came pledge of cooperation "for the winning of the war and suc- cessfu peace at home and abroad" To which the Republican senators added an expression of our faith and trust" in the man who until Jan. 20, l945, had been their Democratic colleague from Mlssour1
 
 this morning and down at the presidents desk still Uttered with the tumble of knick kknacks and curos which MT. Roosevets joy-the funeral cortege was forming up the green Georgia hills at Warm Springs At II 13 EWT the presidents special train started It's last, long journey northward
 At the White House Truman talked briefly with Stet- nus who already had called in the representatives of the Big Four for conference to affirm the pledge that the San Francisco Conference would forward panned
 He arranged for issuance of the proclamation of mourn ng-30 days for the government and the nation and half day closing tomorrow in respect to MT. Roosevelt
 Then he swung into his duties For 55 minutes he talked with the chiefs of the eor-Secretary of War Henry L. Stmson, Secretary of Navy James Forrestal Admiral William D. Leahy, Gen. George c. Marshall and Admiral Ernest King members of the joint chiefs of sa
 They left the conference grim-ipped and silent. But there doubt of what they had told the president that the war in Europe stood at the of victorious conclusion and that the in the Pacific moving smoothly if more slowly, toward the end
 It was mellow day in Washington soft with the April sunshine Outside the White House there little ind cate that the helm of the nation had changed hands at critical moment in the worlds history.
 But inside in the cool oval where for 12 years month and eight days Franklin D. Roosevelt had guided American destiny sat president and commander-i- chief Missouri farm boy and of background and that could hardly have contrasted vvdy with that of the man whom he succeeds.