Evening star., 1948-05-09
Truman Celebrates
.64th Birthday, Gets
Surprise Award
By Joseph A. Fox

President Truman had a birthday
yesterday-his 64th-and it was a
busy one.
In the course of a crowded pro-
gram. he worked in two, informal
speeches; attended a couple OF
luncheons which threatened disaster
for his ordinarily rigid diet; said
thanks for a lot of remembrancts
| including a toy horse from nine
year -old admirer, and congratula-
| tory messages from friends and we'll
wishers everywhere.
In the meantime, he kept an eye
on the east end of the White House,
where conferences to halt the rail
strike were under way.
At the wind-up-the second lunch
the President told Carlton Hotel
audience that Henry Clay was a
pretty smart fellow. He explained
that the Kentuckian twice refused
the vice presidency when an accept
ance would have elevated him to the
presidency.
The President spoke at the Carl
ton at an affair honoring recipients
of the Golfers Magazine Award
for distinguished congressional serv-
ice. MIR. Truman had presented
PLAQUES to the recipients at
White House ceremony earlier IN
the day.
Barkley, Herter Honored.
The award, made annually by
the magazine, went this year to
Senator Barley, Democrat, OF Ken
tucky. for his leadership OF the
Senate minority, and to Represen-
tative Herter, Republican, OF Massa-
chusetts, in recognition OF his labors
in the field of foreign affairs.
This year, too, there was third
award-to the President, for his
interest in the award.
Mr.. Truman said the gift OF the
plaque took me off my feet and
insisted that it was birthday re-
membrance, although Eric john
ston. president of the Motion Pic
ture Producers Association, who
headed the award committee. said
it was only happy coincidence
that the tribute came on the
Presidents birthday.
Along with their plaques, Senator
Barklev and Mr.. Herter also re-
ceived $4,000 each to be devoted to
any cause they chose. Senator
Barkley said his would 60 to the
medical department OF the UnlVers-
ltv of Louisville, to start a fund for
research in heart disease. Mr.. Her.
ter is giving his to the Foreign Serv-
| ice Educational Foundation here to
promote advanced study in inter-
national relations.
Senator Barkley said there was
not only great need for a study OF
heart disease, but Said that his
personal feelings entered into the
matter. too, because Mrs. Barkley
had died of that ailment after suf-
fering for many years.
Wyoming Cow Pony.
The toy horse birthday gift, which
took its place on the Presidents
desk. came from George Fotes OF
Douglas, Wyo., who said it repre-
sented Wyoming COW pony. Yes
terday was Georges birthday, too
Other presidential gifts included
birthday cake, flowers in protusion
from the White House force, and
from the same source gold dis
charge button from World War to
replace the bronze insignia the
President has worn for 80 years in
his lapel.
The White Hous force also ar
ranged a little luncheon there for
the President, to which members OF
the Cabinet and Chief Justice Vim
son we're invited.
The President-facing a vigorous
campaign-goes into his 65th year
in good condition, according to Brig.
Gen. Wallace Graham, his personal
physician. He weighs ITS, custom
arily eats sparingly, and walks and
swims to keep in shape for the
grind imposed by a 16-to-18-hour
day,