THE PRESIDENCY: Time Off

As the presidential DC-6 Independence snored southward from Washington, Harry Truman asked a little speed of the chief pilot—to "have a little fun," he wanted to reach Key West ahead of an accompanying planeload of correspondents. The Independence sat down at 12:34. When the newsmen started climbing out of their Constellation at 12:38, they stared in disbelief—the President was waiting in the sunshine at the foot of the ramp, and obviously he intended. to interview them.

"Where is the president?" called Truman, happily brandishing a pencil and a wad of note paper. "Where is the president of the White...

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