The man who loved roads: by all rights, President Truman should have been the "Father of the Interstate System," but he gave that place in history to his successor

Public Roads, May-June, 2002 by Richard F. Weingroff

By then, Truman had announced he would not be a candidate for reelection. The Interstate System, in short, would have to await the arrival of the other fellow in that vehicle racing along the autobahn to Potsdam on July 20, 1945.

A Love That Never Dies

In the years since Potsdam, relations between General Eisenhower and President Truman had become embittered by political and other differences. By Inauguration Day, January 20, 1953, President-elect Eisenhower had lost his normally sunny disposition when the subject of President Truman came up. Contemplating the traditional drive the two would make on Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Capitol, Eisenhower wondered aloud "if I can stand sitting next to that guy" Even the subject of hats could divide the two men. Without consulting Truman, Eisenhower decided to wear a homburg instead of a top hat. Truman, not wanting to quarrel over a hat, decided to wear a homburg as well.

Shortly after Eisenhower took office in January 1953, citizen Harry S. Truman went to Union Station for the train ride home to Independence. Truman shook hands with his Secret Service escort and said goodbye--once he left Washington, he would have no government protection.

Back home, he bought a four-door black Chrysler for Bess. For himself, he bought a two-tone green Dodge coupe. In June, he decided to give the Chrysler "a real workout" by driving with Bess to Washington on U.S. 40, the National Old Trails Road the former President knew so well. To convince her to go, Truman had to promise he would obey the speed limits and convince her they could travel without being recognized. Margaret Truman, in her biography of her father, described the start of the trip: "They weren't on the road more than an hour, when Mother asked, 'What does the speedometer say?' 'Fifty-Five.' 'Do you think I'm losing my eyesight? Slow down.' As they slowed down, other motorists passed them and quickly began recognizing the ex-President. Soon they heard people shouting, 'Hi, Harry--Hey, wasn't that Harry Truman? Where are you going, Harry?' 'Well; Dad said, 'there goes our incognito--and I don't mean a part of the car.' Everywhere they stopped along their route, Dad was instantly recognized by motel owners or filling station attendants. Local reporters were notified, and police chiefs rushed to escort or guard them. The trip became almost as well publicized as a whistle-stop campaign."

After a pleasant visit with friends in Washington, Truman and Bess drove to New York City for the weekend, then turned west to go home. McCullough, who described the trip in his biography of Truman, concluded his account with the following incident: "Heading home for Missouri, 'perking along' on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Truman was signaled to pull over by the police. According to what State Trooper Manly Stampler told reporters, 'Mr. Truman' had twice cut in front of vehicles trying to pass him. 'He was very nice about it and promised to be more careful.'

"But according to Truman, who had never had a traffic violation, the young man had only wanted to shake hands.