The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1949-03-17
TRUMAN AND THE TUB

TRUMAN AND THE TUB
President Truman, in explaining
the probable cost of around five
million dollars to repair the White
House. declared MY bathroom
sagged SO that ! had begun to fear
it would 60 through the floor.
We can't see why the President
was alarmed. He would have been
the first president ever to have
fallen from one floor to another in
his bath; it would have made his.
tory.
For . century there might
have been signs in the White
House: President Harry s. Tru-
man. 32nd President Of the Unit
ed States, Landed Here" or
ION This Spot Harry s. Truman
Made the First Crash Landing
Ever Made in q White House
Bathtub. Glider Type"
Had Harry kept his mouth shut,
let the building deteriorate and
bravely crashed through the floor
in his tub. it might have been far
from a calamity SO far as his for
tunes are concerned. People love
the dramatic these days. They
crave entertainment and action as
never before. There on the ground
floor in his second-1oor bathtub
amid the rubble. his head unbowed.
he would have a new grip on
the public. The picture might have
taken a place beside Washington
and the Delaware in water exploits.
We can imagine some painter
clarifying it with an oil entitled.
Truman Crossing the Dilapidated
Beams"
The accident would have given
the people a new appreciation Of
what a president has to 60 through.
1t would have kindled a mood Of
warm sympathy and understanding.
What man has ever stepped into a
bathtub without at least a fleeing
fear of an accident? And how many
have known what it is to take a
tumble in one? Can you fancy their
feelings for a President who had
stepped into a tub poWl -.
gone down a flight or twol IS
This is an era of rumor, g0s- Il
sip and suspicion; the story
would have spread that the Re-
publicans had undermined the
timbers, and this would have in
creased pity for the President.
From coast to coast, across
mountains and valleys. over
brooks and rivers, from log
cabin to mansion the n cry
would have gone up: "HoW's
Harry" The world would have
awaited breathlessly the hourly
bulletins from the White House:
10 A.M.-The White House morn
ing statement read: THE Presi-
dent is doing well, but still suffer-
ing from his own amazement.
Noon-The President is resting.
His face is not so red by 10 degrees
as was after the mishap.
/ p. M.-Mrs. Truman was al
lowed to visit the President this
afternoon. She asked him simply.
at seems mighty funny to me that
you and the tub went down two
flights. but your bathrobe remained
on the hook upstairs!"
& ~ [-E&#@#E g.5@@N~& - a&&r,~@. t7- So
2 p. M.-President Truman got a
telegram from Thomas E. Dewey.
It read: Il join the bathtub users
Of America in my deepest gratitude
that you piloted the tub to a safe
landing and / sincerely hope you
will soon be bathing again in the
happiness and security which you
have a right to expect from u
country" II
3 p. M.-Hcnry Wallace was asked
to comment on the Presidents bath
tub accident and replied: 1T was
too far away for me to know the
exact facts. All / know is that you
hear Of nothing like that happening
in Russia"
5 P. M.-The doctors said they
would permit the President to be
interviewed by radio and television.
81 only regret" MI. Truman said.
that ! have but one ceiling to give
for my country"
A New Jersey court has ruled
that a night Waterman sleeping
on the premises is entitled to
overtime if awake during his
sleeping hours. If he sleeps dur
ing his waking hours, does the
boss get a refund?
Ye Gotham and Ye Ban