"THIS WAS THE KEY TO MY DOMESTIC POLICY!": RARE FIRST PRINTING OF TRUMAN'S HISTORIC 1945 MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, INSCRIBED BY HIM

TRUMAN, Harry. Message of the President of the United States to the Congress. Thursday, September 6, 1945. [Washington]: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1945. Octavo, staple-bound as issued, original self-wrappers; pp. 32.

First printing of Truman's plan for a postwar America, delivered to Congress on September 6, 1945, inscribed on the front wrapper: "This was the key to my domestic policy! Harry Truman. Independence. Aug.8, 1954."

Only four days after officials signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri on September 2, 1945, President Truman addressed a joint session of Congress on the important issues of demobilization and transitioning the United States to a peacetime economy. Truman opens his address by apologizing for cutting short Congress' recess: "I know, however, that you have been just as eager as any of us to meet the problems which naturally have crowded down upon us with the surrender of the Japanese. You have cut short a well-merited vacation in order to do so. I hope that the American people realize as fully as I do, that from the very first days of the emergency, the Congress has most energetically and patriotically devoted its time, energies, and capabilities to the immediate problems of war and to the long-range problems of peace. The legislative branch of the Government is entitled to its full share of credit and glory for the victory of the Allied armies. I wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the Nation to congratulate you on the great victory which has been won—in which you played so important a part."

In his wide-ranging address, Truman sought Congressional action to offset the typical problems endemic to wartime to peacetime transitions, including unemployment, inflation, and general economic policy: "No matter how rapidly reconversion proceeds, however, no amount of effort or planning will be able immediately to provide a job for everyone displaced from war work. Obviously, displaced war workers cannot find jobs until industry have been regeared and made ready to produce peacetime good. During this lag the Government should provide help. The cost of this transition from war to peace is as much a part of the cost of war as the transition from peace to war—and we should so consider it."

Looking beyond the difficulties of postwar economic disruptions, Truman laid the groundwork to protect the United States from some of the issues it confronted when war was declared in 1941. One area he cited for more decided government support was scientific research: "Progress in scientific research and development is an indispensable condition to the future welfare and security of the Nation. The events of the past few years are both proof and prophecy of what science can do… No nation can maintain a position of leadership in the world of today unless it develops to the full its scientific and technological resources. No government adequately meets its responsibilities unless it generously and intelligently supports and encourages the work of science in its university, industry, and in its own laboratories…. Although science can be coordinated and encouraged it cannot be dictated to or regimented. Science cannot progress unless founded on the free intelligence of the scientist. I stress the fact that the Federal research agency here proposed should in no way impair that freedom."

Truman also sought to ensure that in the event of another war, the United States would not be caught unprepared for want of critical raw materials: "One of the costliest lessons of our unpreparedness for this war was the great danger involved in depending upon foreign sources for supplies of raw materials necessary in times of national emergency. The United States should never again permit itself to be placed in a position where its defense may be jeopardized by the fact that it has been cut off from the source of strategic raw materials. I recommend that the Congress enact legislation to bring about he acquisition and retention of stock piles of materials in which we are naturally deficient but which are necessary to supply the needs of the Nation for its defense."

Tiny dampstains to wrappers. Very nearly fine condition.