Letter from Former President Herbert Hoover to President Harry S. Truman

3 ARCHIVES RECORDE AND HERBERT HOOVER s The Waldorf Astoria Towers New York, April 28, 1950 MAY I 8 56 AM '50 RECEIVED The Honorable Harry S. Truman The President of the United States The White House Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. President: I am grateful for your telephone message congratulating me upon my speech last night at the Newspaper Publishers dinner. I want you to know the background of the incident that embarrassed us both. The word that you wished to speak to me came while I was still at the Speakers' table. The publisher who conveyed the message to me spoke loud enough for half a dozen persons to hear. I sent word back three times suggesting it wait a few minutes unless it was very urgent, as I did not wish to interrupt the current speaker by leaving the room. Also, I did not wish to create more curiosity as by this time the Speakers' table was agog. Word came back from the operator that it was very urgent and I left the hall. Apparently the man on the program stated I had gone to answer a call from you. You have perhaps observed that curiosity is part of the necessary equipment of the press. As I hold to the old and sacred rule (from plenty of experience) that citizens should not discuss what Presidents say, I could only reply "No comment" to the press bombardment.