Evening star., 1949-12-26
Presents
jackson Statue
To Home County
Controversial Matters
Avoided by President
In Short Speech
picture on Page As.
By the Associated Press


INDEPENDENCE, Mo-, Dec. 26.
Truman. in speech
devoid of controversial matters.
today formally presented Jackson
County with 12-foot equestrian
statue of Andrew Jackson.
The statue was unveiled by his
daughter Margaret in celemonies
on the courthouse lawn here.
Sheriff's deputies estimated ap-
proximately $500 persons were
massed around the courthouse.
Mr.. Truman said it was "a very
great pleasure" for him to come
here and present the statue.
Speaks for Five Minutes.
He recalled that his daughter
unveiled an even larger Jackson
statue on the courthouse lawn in
Kansas City in 1884 and told the
audience that he was extremely
happy that she could perform the
same function here.
Mr.. Truman, who spoke for
about five minutes, recalled some
early Jackson County history. He
said the first courthouse in Inde-
pendence was built for $3.50 and
that $3.50 was spent for four gall
Ions of whisky and tin cups to
drink it with when the building
was dedicated.
Mrs. Truman accompanied the
President and Miss Truman to
the ceremony. Afterwards he went
inside the courthouse for the un-
yelling of a portrait of himself.
He formerly served as presiding
Judge of the Jackson County
Court, the county administrative
agency.
Sculptor Gave Statue.
In the outside ceremony Mr..
Truman recalled that the new
statue of Jackson was given to
him by the sculptor, Charles Keck,
who made it as a preliminary to
the larger statue in Kansas City.
Mr.. Truman related that he had
difficulty finding a use for the
statue since it was too large to
put in the house or the front yard.
He said he thought it was just
about the right size for the court
house lawn here but that previous
county courts had not accepted
his offer.
Mayor Roger Sermon of 1nde-
pendence, an old crony, intro
duced Mr.. Truman with:
Ladies and gentlemen, the
President of the United States"
The crowd cheered both the
President and Mayor Sermon for
the brevity of the speech, and Mr..
Truman remarked:
That's the shortest speech I
ever heard you make in my life"
The weather was clear and cold,
about % degrees above zero. 1t
had been 18 degrees in 1ndepend-
ence earlier in the day when Mr..
Truman took his customary morn
ing walk.
When he returned home from
the walk, Mr.. Truman gave an
other autograph. Linda Lou
Chopin, pretty 10-year-old
blond, was waiting when the
President got home.
Linda Lou asked Mr.. Truman
for his autograph. He told her
he would be happy to give it to
her. Yesterday he autographed a
book for a 13-year-old girl.
After the speech he planned to
drive to his penthouse apart
ment in the Muehlebach Hotel at
Kansas City to get in some hard
work.
Ready for Work.
Mr.. Truman's speech may sig
nal the end of his annual walk
and-talk visit with his family and
old friends.
Yesterday the President told re-
porters he was about ready to
tackle affairs of state, but asked
them not to announce in advance
that he would be at his hotel
Office because it would bring IN
too many customers.
Just like millions of other
Americans, the President feasted
on turkey Christmas Day and
loafed with his loved ones.
He even delayed his usual morn
ing walk about the streets of In
dependence.
He did not walk out of the Tru-
man home here until the late
hour-for him-of $3.50 am. de-
spite the slushy streets, he walked
for 80 minutes.
While the streets were COM
paratively deserted, he met an oc-
casional friend. A few times he
stopped to shake hands and re-
porters trying to keep up with
him heard such things as:
Merry Christmas, Harry, you're
looking fine"
II couldn't possibly feel bet
ter"
The only other time Mr.. Tru-
man left his home during the day
was for a walk across the street
for his customary visit with three
Misses Nellie and
Ethel holland and Mrs. r. T. Rag
land. He stayed for half an hour
and the cousins gave him fruit
cake and cookies to take home.
Presents had been exchanged
earlier.
The Trumans never announce
what presents they give or get for
Christmas, but Miss Margaret
Truman indicated they are MOTH