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Public Papers of President Harry S. Truman
President Harry S. Truman. Source: Truman Library. President Harry S. Truman. Source: Truman Library.   The Public Papers of Harry S. Truman contain most of President Truman's public messages, statements, speeches, and news conference remarks. Documents such as Proclamations, Executive Orders, and similar documents that are published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations, as required by law, are usually not included. The documents within the Public Papers are arranged in chronological order. President Truman delivered the remarks or addresses from Washington, D. C., unless otherwise indicated. The White House in Washington issued statements, messages, and letters unless noted otherwise. (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Harry S. Truman, 1945-1953. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1966)

The Public Papers contain items such as the Statement by the President Announcing the Use of the A-Bomb at Hiroshima (August 6, 1945), the Special Message to the Congress on Greece and Turkey: The Truman Doctrine (March 12, 1947), the White House Statement Announcing Recognition of the Government of Israel (January 31, 1949), the Statement and Order by the President on Relieving General MacArthur of His Commands (April 11, 1951), and The President's Farewell Address to the American People (January 15, 1953).

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Provided courtesy of The American Presidency Project.  John Woolley and Gerhard Peters. University of California, Santa Barbara.
 
195.  Statement by the President Concerning Government Operation of Transit Facilities in the District of Columbia
November 21, 1945

I HAVE TODAY directed the Office of Defense Transportation to take over the control and operation of the buses, street cars and other facilities of the transportation system of the District of Columbia.

The strike now in effect by the members of Division 689 of the Amalgamated Association of Street, Electric, Railway and Motor Coach Employees of America has been called for the second time during this month in violation of a formal written agreement between the union and the employer.

The present agreement does not expire until June 30, 1946. It provides for arbitration of any disputes, and guarantees that service upon the transportation lines of the District shall not be interrupted or interfered with by either party during the life of the contract.

The agreement does provide for opening wage scale negotiations under certain conditions, but it is clear that arbitration instead of a strike is intended to be the means of settlement if agreement can not be voluntarily reached.

The present action of the union in walking out is therefore contrary to the agreement. It is also contrary to the orders of the officials of the local union and of the international union.

The effect of the strike is to tie up all transportation at the seat of government and thereby prevent efficient and normal operation of the agencies of government during this vital reconversion period. It is a blow at the sanctity of labor agreements. It strikes, too, at the very roots of orderly government. The action of this union brings discredit upon the whole body of organized labor, which naturally decries any violation of sacred covenant.

The Federal Government will not permit this kind of action to interfere with its processes either in the capital or any part of the nation.

NOTE: Executive Order 9658 (3 CFR, 1943-1948 Comp., p. 476) directing the Office of Defense Transportation to take possession, control, and operate the facilities of the Capital Transit Company in Washington, was released with the President's statement.
 
 

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is one of twelve Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

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