Speech of Senator Harry S. Truman Before the Rotary Clubs District Conference, St. Louis, Missouri

Speech of Senator Harry S, Truman of Missouri Rotary Clubs District Conference Hotel Statler, St. Louis, Missouri Tuesday, May 12, 1942, 10:00 A.M. TO BE RELEASED ON delivery The membership of the Rotary Clubs of America has always symbolized and championed American progress and American democracy. In the last war Rotarians throughout the country made a splendid contribution toward the winning of that war. No sacrifice no hardship was too great for them to undertake to achieve that end. Today, as then, we are engulfed in another war and again you -- as all of us -- are called upon to make a substantial contribution toward the bringing of this war to a speedy and successful conclusion. Again you are called upon to make even greater sacrifices to insure this, and may I say that when the record of this war is written for posterity, the Rotar- ians, as in the past, will have played a prominent part. I know all of you are vitally interested in a report of the progress of our War Production Program, and I should like to discuss with you in an intimate way various aspects of this program. Many of you are the owners of small businesses. Our Committee, since its creation over a year ago, has studied and appreciates your many problems. We know that there have been instances where you, as well as other small businessmen throughout the country, have been ignor d in the dwarding of defense contracts. We found that in many cases your facilities were not utiliz. for the production of war materials. And we know that in some instances financial ruin W S your lot because of Governmental restrictions, such as priorities. Our Committee has continually crusaded for the elimination of these abuses, and I am happy to tell you that we are heading in the right direction. To take the offensive and win this war--and we must take the offensive, because wars are not won on the defensive- we must produce vast amounts of instruments of war so that the forces of the United Nations can be equipped to carry the war to the enemy wherever he may be--and carry it successfully. On the battlefronts of the world our fighting men need planes, tanks and guns and they need them now. We have already suffered serious reverses because our forces have not been adequately equipped. We shall not allow this to continue. I have said many times, and I say to you now, that American lives must not be lost because of lack of equipment. The courage of the American fighting men is being proven again. The valiant stand of MacArthur and the American forces in the Philippines is typical. But courage alone is not enough. is THANH