Interview of Maj. Jack A Albright. Type of Activity. Communications support for the White House. Washington DC, worldwide. Date of Activity. This is the second part of an interview with Gen. Jack A. DATE: December 11 , Tape 1 of 1. G: You were going to talk about that trip to the Truman Library. A: Yes. That was an interesting trip, because we went out the day before to visit and to plan for this. When we arrived at the Library, President Truman was there and [he was] a most gracious host.
He came to us, and he said, "Well, you know, I always admired Lyndon. He was a great, great man, a great majority leader. And he is making a great president. You know, I wouldn't offer this for just anybody, but I would really let him and be glad to have him use my podium. President, may I see the podium? He is rather tall and maybe it is too short, maybe we can raise it. We would take a look at it. We'd like to look at it. He took us to a back room. Now, he had led us through the Library; he had already walked us through the various rooms and [was] proud of the Library.
He showed us the various rooms within there, and then finally found a room where this podium was stored. I do not think I am exaggerating, it could not have been more than four foot, four inches, four foot five. It was extremely short, hit you about your navel. Not something I could have used at all, and about that wide.
It might have suited him very well, it might have made him loom large to the crowd in front of it, or behind it to speak. But I did not think the President would be happy with it at all, and so I said, "Mr. President, I do appreciate it, but I don't believe that it would just fit the circumstance, I don't think.
He's taller than I am. What we have done, Mr. President, we have placed certain security within that podium, and so we would prefer to use the regular podium, which is wide, which is about his height. So, if you do not mind, we'll use that one. But I wanted to make the offer and let you know how I felt about Lyndon. He's a great guy. But it is just interesting the attitude, the solicitude he had toward this.
