JFK CALLED OUT STEEL EXECUTIVES 52 YEARS AGO TODAY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) In an opening address at his afternoon news conference 52 years ago today, April 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy lambasted steel executives on their recent price hike. JFK called it a "wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance of the public interest."
JFK went on to tell reporters that the "inflationary" price rise by steel companies would result in higher costs on many consumer products and would make it more difficult to sell American products overseas.
The President concluded his statement with these words:
"The American people will find it hard, as I do, to accept a situation in which a tiny handful of steel executives...can show such utter contempt for the interests of 185 million Americans."
Pressure from JFK forced US Steel and other major American steel companies to rescind their price hike.
TRUMAN FIRED MACARTHUR 63 YEARS AGO TODAY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur from his command of UN forces in Korea 63 years ago today, April 11, 1951.
Truman's decision came after a long dispute between the Commander-in-Chief and his top general in the war in Korea.
The dispute began when MacArthur personally told Truman in a meeting in October 1950 that the probability of the Communist Chinese entering the war was "slim".
Then, later in the year, after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River into Korea, MacArthur asked Truman for permission to bomb China.
General Omar Bradley disagreed with MacArthur's advice by saying:
"This is the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy".
President Truman said:
"I believe we must try to limit the war in Korea....so there will be no doubt or confusion as to the real purpose and aim of our policy."
MacArthur and Truman
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) In an opening address at his afternoon news conference 52 years ago today, April 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy lambasted steel executives on their recent price hike. JFK called it a "wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance of the public interest."
JFK went on to tell reporters that the "inflationary" price rise by steel companies would result in higher costs on many consumer products and would make it more difficult to sell American products overseas.
The President concluded his statement with these words:
"The American people will find it hard, as I do, to accept a situation in which a tiny handful of steel executives...can show such utter contempt for the interests of 185 million Americans."
Pressure from JFK forced US Steel and other major American steel companies to rescind their price hike.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur from his command of UN forces in Korea 63 years ago today, April 11, 1951.
Truman's decision came after a long dispute between the Commander-in-Chief and his top general in the war in Korea.
The dispute began when MacArthur personally told Truman in a meeting in October 1950 that the probability of the Communist Chinese entering the war was "slim".
Then, later in the year, after Chinese troops crossed the Yalu River into Korea, MacArthur asked Truman for permission to bomb China.
General Omar Bradley disagreed with MacArthur's advice by saying:
"This is the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy".
President Truman said:
"I believe we must try to limit the war in Korea....so there will be no doubt or confusion as to the real purpose and aim of our policy."
MacArthur and Truman
