THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT PAPERS
 
       On April 12, 1945 when President Roosevelt died, he
had in his possession papers consisting of his incoming
correspondence, copies of his outgoing correspondence,
manuscripts, transcripts of press conferences, miscellaneous
memoranda, political and historical documents, including
the papers in the files operated by him as President of the
United States.
 
       Immediately after President Roosevelt's death, it
became necessary to remove all his possessions from the 
White House to make room for his successor. A serious national
emergency existed at that time; the War on all fronts had
reached a crucial state. Therefore, as a matter of sound
public policy and in the interest of national defense,
President Truman took into his custody for the duration of
the national emergency all of President Roosevelt's papers
relating to the prosecution of the war and commonly known
as the "Map Room Papers". 
 
       Pending a determination as to the ultimate
disposition to be made thereof, all other papers of the
late President, with the consent of James Roosevelt, 
Basil O'Connor and Henry T. Hackett, the persons named 
in Mr. Roosevelt's Will as Executors, were packed in crates 
at the White House by and under the supervision of officers 
and employees of the United States Government and transported 
in Government vehicles