Evening star., 1953-01-21
5,OOOAdmirers Cheer 7 truman
AS He Leaves Union Station

But the day for Mr.. Truman
did not begin at the station
Officially. it began about 11:3G
am, when he walked out onto
the north portico of the White
House to greet President-elect
Eisenhower with smile and a
warm handclasp. Then there
was the ride to the Capitol with
Gen. Eisenhower for the swear
ing in of the new President
What did they talk about during
the ride?
"Oh, the weather and the nice
turnout and how I. hoped this
administration would be very
successful" Mr.. Truman told re-
porters later.
Little Noticed Afterward.
On the drive up with Gen.
Eisenhower. hundreds of thou
sands cheered them. But as he
was leaving the Capitol. scarcely
anyone noticed Mr.. Truman.
He climbed into black limou-
sine with Mrs. Truman and
Margaret. Alben w. Barkley,
who used to be Vice President,
got into another limousine with
Mrs. Barkley. There was a
Secret Service car and a station
wagon of news reporters. That
was all.
The little convoy headed down
crowd-lined Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. A few spectators waved or
smiled. A few even cheered.
Most just looked curiously as
Mr.. Truman and his party
passed. &>
They moved on through the
city to Georgetown and the
home Of Mr.. Acheson, at 2805 P
street NV. Mr.. Acheson was
giving final lunch for the Tru-
mans and the cabinet.
Big Throng Greets Him.
In front Of the red brick house
Mr.. Truman saw something that
made his heart pound. Three
hundred persons from the neigh
borhood stood in front of the
iron gate. made from Revolu-
tionary War guns. There were
housewives. their children and
colored servants. They cheered
The smiling Trumans went or
into the house. Then came the
Barkleys and Mr.. and Mrs. Ache
son. who also got a tremendous
ovation from his neighbors.
Other cabinet members soor
arrived. Each got some cheers
from people who recognized
them.
Then went up the chant: eve
want Truman Barkley
Acheson. Wives of cabinet
members peered from the upper
windows of Mr.. Acheson's house
Mr.. Truman stepped out OF
the house and down to the gate
The crowd quieted.
II appreciate this more than
any demonstration I have ever
had in all my years as President
Vice President and member OF
the Senate" Mr.. Truman said
1T is the greatest tribute any
man can have. I am just Mr.
Truman. a private citizen from
Missouri"
The man who used to be Presi-
dent stepped back into the house
and the crowd shouted, mo, no
no."
Mr.. Barkley stepped out. He
said: II am only Mr.. Barkley
now, but I hope I will always be
Dear Alben' to YOU"
Acheson Has Last Word.
Then. came Mr.. Acheson, the
man they said had no human
charm. He said:
Dear friends and neighbors,
I thank you from the bottom
of my heart for this wonderful
welcome-for taking the time to
greet us old has-beens."
Then he. too. returned to the
house and closed the door.
Later, Mr.. Truman went to the
apartment of Matthew Connolly
his appointments secretary, at
2400 Sixteenth street NV, for
a rest before riding to the train
There must be many other
memories yelling up in Mr.. Tru-
mans mind. as his train clicks
off the miles toward home. But
among the warmer memorie;
must be those farewells from
Washington.