National Affairs: Change of Pace

Ever since Harry Truman said at Gilbertsville, Ky. that it was time for the U.S. people to cut out the foolishness and get back to work (TIME, Oct. 22), official Washington had received persistent retorts from out in the country that Harry Truman might apply that maxim to himself. He had traveled widely since his inauguration, and some of his junkets —notably the one to the Caruthersville fair—had obviously had less work than play in them.

On most of his trips he had gone alone, except for some male cronies. Last week, visiting New York for Navy Day (see above), his wife and daughter accompanied him.

This week the President suddenly canceled all trips scheduled for the next two months—a southern junket which would have included a football game, and journeys to Liberty, Mo. and Waco, Tex. to accept honorary degrees. Official reason: pressure of business in Washington.

The President would not change his nature: he works hard, and when through with work he likes to relax the way simple people relax in western Missouri. But he had apparently decided henceforth to clothe himself in a little more presidential dignity. Hereafter, when he did go out again, Bess Truman would probably go with him.

Last week the President also:

¶Worked on his scheduled speech announcing a price-wage policy.

¶Appointed big, able John R. Steelman, onetime boss of the U.S. Conciliation Service, as his special assistant in labor matters.

¶ Terminated military rule in Hawaii.

¶Got a new presidential flag with two major changes: 1) the four stars of the old flag were supplanted by 48; 2) the heraldry was changed so that the eagle now faces toward the olive branch of peace rather than toward the arrows of war.

¶ Received a section of rhinoceros tusk from General Singha Shumshere Jung Bahadur Rana, who presented it on behalf of his ruler, the King of Nepal.