The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-03-13
PRESIDENT TRUMAN

4
suit and a light felt hat.
On his left as he reached the
ground reception party was
lined up ready to greet him.
Mayor William w. Demeritt wei.
coined the President, who
answered, Il told you I would be
back. This is my favorite vaca-
ton spot"
Included in the reception par
ty was Neal Helm, close friend
of Mr.. Truman from Crawfords-
vile, Mo-; Capt. Henry M. Coop
err, USN, commander of the Ma
val Base; Capt. Willard Saun-
ders, USN, commanding officer,
Submarine Base; Capt. A. c.. w.
McFadden, USN, Capt. E. S.
Hutchinson, USN, Capt. w. D,
Davis, USN, and 1t Col. c. E.
Singleton, commanding officer of
the Army'S Harbor Defenses OF
Key West.
AS the President opened the
door of the sleek new convertible
coupe with top down, which has
been placed at his disposal here,
Merriman Smith, United Pre- S
correspondent, asked Mr.. Truman
if he had received any reaction
yet from his speech less than six
hours previously in Washington
to a joint session of Congress on
aid to Greece and Turkey.
The President, leaning his left
arm on the open door, said that
he had received no comments as
yet but as soon as he did he
would let the correspondents
know. Then he climbed into the
car and sat in the rear on the
outside. Next to him was Capt.
Cooper. Cooper, with Fleet Ad-
miral William V. Leahy on the
extreme left.
1t was almostdark as the Pres
idential party left the airport
after a battery of photographers
had clustered closely around the
Presidents car taking pictures.
The Presidential car had it's lights
on as it swung off to the Over
seas Highway and Key West.
Sailors stood on roofs to get a
glimpse of him and those closer
to the route saluted as the Com
mander-in-Chief passed.
Mr.. Truman waved his hat as
he passed large clusters of peo-
pie gathered along the Highway.
Most of the Naval Hospital per-
sonnet seemed to have turned
out and every road intersection
was filled with spectators.
Within the city thousands
stood on Division and Duval
streets. Some had gathered be-
fore 5 o'clock. Mr.. Truman SEEM
ed greatly pleased at the recep-
ton and waved and smiled
throughout the trip. At the Con-
vent of Mary Immaculate, he
bowed and waved with a smile
to the nuns and pupils of the
Convent of Mary Immaculate
lining the sidewalk.
All down Duval street the peo-
pie crowded to the curbing and
cheered as the President passed.
AS he entered the Submarine
Base a Navy bugler sounded
taps and a detachment of ma
rines presented arms as Mr.. Tru-
man returned salute. In tradi-
tional Navy custom, Naval per-
sonnet in dress blues manned the
rail from the entrance of the
base to the commandments quar-
tiers which will be the temporary
White House.
To the accompaniment of a
21-gun presidential salute from
the USS Howard w. Gilmore
the Presidents flag was raised
over the administration building
directly in front of Mr.. Truman's
temporary quarters.
In addition to Admiral Leahy
the President was accompanied
by Clark M. Clifford, legal adj
visor; William D. Hassett, secre-
tary; Charles G.. Ross, press sec
rotary; Rear Admiral James H
Foskett, naval aide; Brig. Gen
Harry H. Waugh, military aide,
and John Steelman, special as
sistant.