President Truman, an old-time Legionnaire , shakes hands with the Legion's National Commander Erle Cocke, Jr., with whom he broke a White House appointment when Cocke came out in favor of Gen. Douglas MacArthur after a Far East tour. The occasion tonight for the handshake was the dedication ceremonies of the new $1,000,000 Legion headquarters here. The President in his speech denounced "slander mongers" and called on the Legion to "expose the cotton motives of the people who are trying to divide us." A reporter, apparently noting that Cocke did not display enthusiasm for the kind of campaign asked by the President, remarked: "It's no crime to disagree with the President." Cocke laughed and said: "I've had my disagreement with him."
Photo measures 8.25 x 8.75 inches.
Photo is dated 08-21-1951.
Photo back:
