Evening star., 1948-10-02
Truman Greeted
'ByLargeCrowd
On Return Here
We've Just Begun to
Fight President Tells
District Democrats
BY Joseph A. Fox

President Truman ended his
16-day campaign trip to the
West here at 1910 o'clock this
morning, declaring that he
hadn't pulled any punches" and
that we've just begun to fight"
Greeted by members of his offi.
cial family and several thousand
loyal Democrats carrying campaign
posters and photographs when his
train pulled into Union Station after
l9-State crossing, the President
drove out on the plaza for a brief
talk, then headed a 250-car motor
cade down Pennsylvania avenue to
the White House.
The President expressed his pleas
ure at the turnout, telling the crowd
that it was like the others which
met him over the long route. He
said he had made 143 talks in his
drive for four more years in the
White House, and estimated he had
been heard by 2,5O0,0oO people.
No Sign of Fatigue.
A last-minute check showed his
total mileage was 7,767 by rail, and
more than 300 by automobile.
Mr.. Truman showed no sign Of
fatigue from his long campaign
tour. Sun-tanned and apparently in
excellent spirits, he grinned at the
crowd and waved an acknowledge
mer1t to the cheers. Those who
saw the President from close range
remarked that he was looking fine"
In addition to members of his
Cabinet. his military staff and Ma
tional Democratic officials, those
who greeted Mr.. Truman at the
station included Arthur Clarendon
Smith. president of the Truman
Barkley Club of the District; AL
Wheeler, chairman of the Central
Democratic Committee for the Dis
trlct; Thomas P. Morgan, honorary
chairman of the Truman-Barkley
Club; Mrs. Smith, past president
of the Women's Democratic Coun-
Gil for the District; Mrs. Walter
Maloney, president Of the Council.
and Attorney Melvin Hildreth.
The latter group was ushered
aboard Mr.. Truman's special car
when the long Pullman train backed
into the station. Mr.. Smith and Mr..
Wheeler rode with the President in
his open car ahead of the parade
of some $50 automobiles which
moved along Constitution avenue en-
route to the White House.
Placards Carried.
The crowd at the station bore
placards which said: Dewey Unity
Means UAM Unity" Don't Make
"a Move Unless It's for Truman"
Big Interests COP; Democratic In.
terests You and Me-" and the like.
About so automobiles of White
House and local Democratic officials
were let into the Union Station con-
course, and led the parade immedi-
ately behind the Presidents car.
More than 200 Washington police
and special motorcycle detail were
on hand for the celebration.
Among those to greet the Presi-
dent on his arrival here was Sena-
tor McGrath of Rhode Island, chair
man of the National Democratic
Committee.
The route of the parade was along
Delaware avenue to Constitution,
and north on Fifteenth street to
E street, where the automobile con-
voy disbanded. Members of the off,
cial party accompanied the Presi-
dent into the White House through
the southeast gate.
Reception Held.
Later District Democrats held
general reception at Democratic
headquarters, 1886 New York ave-
nue. NV.
Mr.. Smith told the President that
I'VE voteless Democrats of the Dis
trict of Columbia want to vote for
you and will if we ever get the op-
portunity."
The Washington business leader
said that four generations of his
family living in the District had
been deprived of the vote since his
father settled here soon after the
Civil War.
Neither my children nor my
grand children have been able to
vote" he said, "but we intend to-
keep on lighting for the vote until
we get it."
Several thousand spectators lined
the curbs on the way to the White
House The turnout along the
way, it was said. was somewhat less
than that anticipated by planners
Of the celebration.
Starts Again Wednesday.
Mr.. Truman starts out again We'd
nesday for four-day trip into the
northeastern section of the country.
After -pidpiobt cnhod.