Evening star., 1948-08-08
Truman Private Car
Readiedfor2-
Campaign Tour in Fall
By Steffon Andrews
North Am.rieon Newspaper AIlione.


The Democratic high command is
planning two-pronged campaign
train tour for President Truman
that will take him transforming
through the West and then to the
Atlantic seaboard.
This was revealed today as White
House aides disclosed that the Pres
ident's private railroad car, the Fer
dinand Magellan, Is now at a naval
gun factory undergoing face-lifting
repairs for the trip.
Although final plans have not
been approved. it was learned that
the special bullet-proof car will be
used extensively by the President
during the entire fall campaign
starting with one of the longest
train jaunts in political history.
Specifically. plans are in the max
ing which will take the President on
swing through IL Western States
on one leg of the trip and then carry
him north through the Midwest to
New England States on the other
May Open Campaign in Detroit.
BY the time the campaign ends,
the Presidents aides expect him to
have covered every major northern
city, several border states and near
ly every crossroads and whistle
stop outside of Dixie.
Kickoff for the two-phase cleo
tion drive probably will be Labor
Day, with the more than likely
prospect that the President may
open his campaign in Detroit. Mr..
Truman announced this week that
he was seriously considering the
bid of several labor leaders to come
to the automobile city for his OPEN
ing speech.
In the meantime. Navy workmen
are installing a new speaking ros-
trum and altering the entire rear
platform grillwork on the Presi-
dents special campaign car for the
Nationwide tour. Responding to
complaints on his last western trip,
the workmen are lowering the ros-
trum and platform microphones SO
that onlookers can get full view
of Mr.. Truman while he is speak
ing.
To Make Flights.
Heretofore, the Presidents face
was partly obscured from the crowd
and press photographers complained
that the grillWork and the height
Of the rostrum prevented them
from getting good action shots"
During his off-the-cud talks at
train stops, photographers concen-
trste on angle shots from the ground
to show how the President looks to
station crowds.
The presidential tour on the
Ferdinand Magellan, custom built
during the war, will be supplement-
ed during the campaign, it was
understood. with one Or two flights
in the Presidents personal plane,
the Independence, for quickie radio
addresses In industrial cities.
The bulk of the Presidents cam
paign, however, will be confined al
IuCSU W Odl lloLol Uclho
where Mr.. Truman can be seen and
heard by the greatest number of
people.
Can Use Folksy Technique.
II The Democratic. National Com
fn1itteea is adopting this method as,
fthe least expensive type of cam
paigning and one on which the
President can utilize TO the fullest
Ibis new technique of making folksy,
informal talks before impromptu
crowds.
One official estimated that the
President can spend two months
campaigning on the road with
fair sized staff and still cost the
national headquarters treasury not
much more than $25 900.
He pointed out that the President
and his party would be assessed
costs equivalent to excursion rates
while travelling on a cross-country
train.