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This was part of the campaign, was it?

No, it occurred after '48. They realized that Truman was for health insurance, and so they decided they would do this and organize if this bill wasn't to go through eventually. And so, in '50 and in '52, they were very active, and worked against people, including Pepper, who were for health insurance and contributed to the defeat of Pepper, as a matter of fact.

I have a copy of the President's message in one of my legislative books to insert with this material.

The health massages continued to be a form of propaganda of ideas for legislation in the health field, but the President never did anything energetically himself other than to send a message. He never initiated any ideas or called leaders together and said, “Now, let's get this done,” in the sense that Kennedy has made an effort.

This was background.

This was background really for it.

Did he look upon it in that light?

I think so. I think he thought it was a good thing, but he was busy with many other things and it wasn't of major priority in his mind at all. But he still was very sympathetic