[ Autographs ] HARRY S. TRUMAN Scarce partial T.Ms.S. as Vice President, 4 1/4 pp. legal folio, Buffalo, N.Y., Apr. 7, 1945, a speech transcript from an address delivered to the Erie County Democratic Committee only five days before Truman would assume the Presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The speech, entitled "The Job Ahead", is inscribed at the top of the first page: "Best wishes to Erans Finnegan from Harry Truman." The speech looks ahead to the state of the nation at and after World War II, in part: "..Prosperity, like peace, is an elusive state of affairs, which can easily be lost by neglect...America will never again permit the callous indifference, the economic and political ineptitude of the late twenties and early thirties to return to political power. No depression will be allowed to grow, like a Frankenstein monster, ultimately threatening our entire social structure...We hear much about the problem of returning veterans. Well, this time there surely will be no Bonus Army! Already we have created the Veterans' Bill of Rights, which contains a whole program for a modest repayment of our everlasting debt to those to whom we owe our freedom...Fear has been expressed that when our fighting forces return these new workers mightflood the labor market and threaten us with heavy unemployment... According to an official poll, after the war doubt one-fifth of our 18million women employees will be anxious to return to their homes. These three and a half million women alone may provide sufficient jobsfor most veterans seeking work...In brief, about six million people may be expected to leave the nation's labor force when victory comes, while there are only about four million veterans ready to step into their places. Modern scientific discoveries should give rise to new important industries. Therefore, if our high production is maintained,or increased to meet the demands of peace, America may actually experience manpower shortages for some time in certain localities..." Moderate dampstaining and soiling, a few minor tears, bottom 3/4 of the first page which bears Truman's inscription is missing, overall good condition with nice, dark signature.