Participants:
John Kennedy, Harry Truman
Harry Truman: Mr. President?
President Kennedy: How are you?
Truman: Well, I'm all right. And I want to congratulate you on that treaty.
President Kennedy: Well, I think Averell Harriman did a good job. And I think it protects our interests without--but on the other hand, maybe it's going to help.
Truman: I do too. And I'm writing you a personal, confidential letter on certain paragraphs in it, which I know you're familiar with it but then I thought that's what you'd want me to do.
President Kennedy: Right. Right.
Truman: And--but I'm in complete agreement with what it provides because I'm--my goodness alive, maybe we can save a [unclear] war over that.
President Kennedy: Well, I think that's the whole--I think that--just to see where we go and see what happens with China. I think that's our--
Truman: Well, and I'm congratulating you on getting that thing done. I think it's a wonderful thing.
President Kennedy: Well, I appreciate that very much, Mr. President. That's very generous and I'm going to make a--
Truman: I'm going to special airmail letter from me confirming what I'm saying to you now.
President Kennedy: Good. Fine. Well, I think that anything you say about it would be very helpful.
Truman: Well, I'm not going to say anything publicly until you give me permission to do it.
President Kennedy: Yeah. Well, I think--
Truman: I don't like these fellows who quote the president on [unclear]. [chuckling]
President Kennedy: Well, no, but I'll tell you what. I'm going to make a speech tonight, then any time you could say anything would be very helpful.
Truman: I'll be glad to do it.
President Kennedy: Fine. When--
Truman: I'm going to St. Louis tomorrow.
President Kennedy: Yeah.
Truman: For the American Legion convention.
President Kennedy: Yeah.
Truman: And do you think that's a good time to do it?
President Kennedy: That--I can't imagine a better--
Truman: I'll mention your statements on the subject if it's satisfactory to you in connection with the letter which I am sending you. You will get it in the morning.
President Kennedy: That'd be very helpful.
Truman: Well, I want to do it the way you want it.
President Kennedy: Fine. Well, if you could say something tomorrow, I think that would really give us a lift.
Truman: I'll be glad to say it. I thought maybe Sunday morning's papers might be a good place to say it.
President Kennedy: Oh, good. That's fine, [Mr.] President.
President Kennedy: Well, you sound in good shape.
Truman: [laughing] Oh, I'm all right. The only trouble with me is that . . . the main difficulty I've had is keeping the wife satisfied.
President Kennedy: [laughs] Well, that's all right. [laughs]
Truman: [laughing] Well, you know how that is. Because she's very much afraid I'm going to hurt myself [unclear] even though I'm not.
President Kennedy: Yeah. Yeah.
Truman: [Unclear] tough bird. But then I want to do whatever will be helpful to you.
President Kennedy: Well, that's fine. I think anything you could say tomorrow would be very good.
Truman: All right.
President Kennedy: Thank you very much. Right. Bye.
