151 / 230
SHARES HIS HAND-SHAKINGTECHNIQUE
208
●
TRUMAN, HARRY S.Typed Letter Signed, as President, to Emil Hurja, sharing
techniques for avoiding fatigue when hand-shaking. 1 page, 4to, with integral blank,White
House stationery; light soiling, faint paperclip stain, horizontal fold. (TFC)
Washington, 1 February 1947
[300/400]
“
. . . I have a technique of my own on the hand-shaking business. I never yet have had a sore
arm from that sort of experience for the simple reason that I take em first. I have shaken hands
with as many as five thousand people in one day and as many the next and still didn’t have to
go to bed.
“
Mrs.Truman and I had twenty-five hundred people through the line last week at The White
House and about all I got out of it was a case of laryngitis.”
Emil Hurja (1892-1953) was known for revolutionizing political opinion polls, was instru-
mental in FDR’s landslide re-election victory in 1936, and was featured on the cover of Time
Magazine earlier that same year.
WASHINGTON GADFLY PEARSON “HARDLY EVERTELLSTHETRUTH”
209
●
TRUMAN, HARRY S. Typed Letter Signed, as President, to William S.
Cavanaugh, thanking him for calling to his attention an article written by Drew Pearson. 1
page, 4to,White House stationery, with integral blank; signature strengthened, upper cor-
ners restored, few pinholes, light soiling, horizontal fold.With the original envelope.
SOLD
AS IS
. (TFC)
Washington, 31 March 1948
[100/200]
“
Thanks very much for your letter in regard to a statement made by Commander Floyd to
Drew Pearson.
“
I never read Drew Pearson’s column unless somebody calls attention to it because he hardly
ever tells the truth and, if he does, it is by accident.
“
I appreciate most highly your letter and the ethical approach contained in it, which is perfectly
all right.”
“[DAUGHTER MARGARET] ISVERY ANXIOUS
TO MAKE GOOD ON HER OWN”
210
●
TRUMAN, HARRY S.Typed Letter Signed, “H.S.T.,” as President, to Assistant to
the President John R. Steelman, explaining that he did not want [his daughter] Margaret to
make an appearance at the Chicago A.F. of L. Union Industries Show and requesting that
Steelman find another way to appease the people who made the request. 1 page, 4to,White
House stationery; horizontal fold, staple stain and holes at upper left, faint scattered soiling.
With the original envelope. (TFC)
Washington, 8 February 1951
[300/400]
“
Your note of the sixth in regard to the A.F. of L. Union Industries Show . . . was discussed
with Margaret. She told me that if I told her to appear she would . . . .
“
I told her that I would not tell her to do it because . . . she will be on call for the CIO, United
Mine Workers, the Automobile Workers and . . . the United States Chamber of Commerce,
Manufacturers Association and things of that sort. She is very anxious to make good on her
own in a strictly professional career and I just can’t bring myself to order her to make this
appearance. . . .”
WITH
—Two typed notes to Steelman from “V.C.” concerning arrangements with Teamsters
representative Ray Leheney involving a photo opportunity during the May 18 show. Each 1
page, 12mo. Np, 2; 9 February 1951.