Press Release, Speech of President Harry S. Truman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

"NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SERVICE" HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE September 28, 1948 CONFIDENTIAL: The following address of the President, to be delivered Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, today, Tuesday, September 28, 1948, MUST BE HELD FOR RELEASE until 4 o'clock p.m., Central Standard Time, and no portion, synopsis, or intimation may be given out or broadcast or pub- lished until that time. The same release applies to all newspapers, radio an- nouncers and news broadcasters. PLEASE USE CARE TO AVOID PREMATURE PUBLICATION OR RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT. CHARLES G. ROSS Secretary to the President - I am happy to be in Oklahoma City today. I have been traveling around this great country and making many stops to discuss with the people the issues in this campaign. Here in Oklahoma City, in the heart of the Nation, I consider it appropriate to discuss a subject of great importance to all Americans -- the relationship of Communism to our national security. I should like the American people to consider the damage that is being done to our national security by irresponsible persons who place their own political interests above the security of the Nation. I regret to say that there are some people in the Republican Perty who are trying to create the false impression that Communism is a force in American life. These Republicans know that this is not The time has come when we should take a frank and earnest look at the record about Communism and our national security. First, let me remind you of a few basic facts which are often overlooked. Our country is strong enough to resist and overcome all the forces of Communism - and it will remain so. Our Government is not endangered by Communist infiltration. It has preserved its integrity - and it will continue to do so. The FBI and our other security forces are capable, informed and alert - and will remain so. I am going to give you the hard facts which prove what I have said. The Republicans ought to realize that their failure to deal with the big practical issues of American life, such as housing, price control, and education, is too plain to be hidden by any smoke screen. They ought to realize that their reckless tactics are not helping our national security; they are hurting our national security. I am forced to the conclusion that Republican leaders are thinking more about the November election than about the welfare of the country. I charge that the Republicans have impeded and made more dif- ficult our efforts to cope with Communism in this country. I charge that they have hindered the efforts of the FBI, which has been doing wonderful work in protecting the national security OVER