THE PRESIDENCY: They Can't Tell Harry

The nearer he gets to the end of his term, the harder it seems for Harry Truman to keep from thumping his presidential chest.

At his press conference last week, the President was asked about using the Taft-Hartley law to end the steel strike. The Senate has approved a request that he apply Taft-Hartley. Truman sounded off: regardless of what the House and Senate think, they can't tell him what to do.

It took a while for this sharp assertion of presidential power to sink in. Then the newsmen returned to the point. Did the President mean he wouldn't be governed...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!