After WWII came to a close, the country of France began the solemn task of rebuilding a nation ravaged by war. Years of German occupation had inflicted many scars upon the French people. They were in great need of life’s everyday necessities.
In his daily column, the “Merry-go-round,” noted Washington newspaperman Drew Pearson, suggested that America come to the aid of its European friend. Inspired by Pearson’s idea of a Friendship Train, newspapers all across the country joined in the effort and over forty million dollars worth of supplies were collected to send to France. Seven hundred boxcars of food, fuel, medicine, and clothing left on a ship from New York City and arrived in France on December 18, 1947.
A little over a year after the Friendship Train arrived in France, the French people expressed their gratitude with a train of their own, the Merci Train. Loaded with gifts of thanks, the forty-nine boxcars arrived in the United States on February 2, 1949. One boxcar was distributed to each of the forty-eight states leaving the territory of Hawaii and the District of Columbia to share the forty-ninth car.
From the preface
His deep belief in world peace and in making the world safe for democracy led him, in 1947, to organize the Friendship Train, a project that was to give him his greatest satisfaction.
Originally planned as a single train of a few cars that would travel coast-to-coast collecting gifts of food for the hungry of France and Italy, the project snowballed to ten trainloads that filled two ships.Believing that governments always favor special interests and convinced that people-to-people friendship was the only way to assure the peace, Drew managed to organize the Friendship Train without official government involvement. Its reception was such that, two years later, the people of France would reciprocate with the Merci Train, and Drew would proudly accompany it across the country.
1949
January 14
At a dinner at the Cafritz's Senator Bewster of Maine paid tribute to the Friendship train and Pearson. (The Friendship Train, conceived and managed by Pearson in 1947, had collected contributions of food for war-ravaged France and Italy.)
February 2
The SS Magellan arrived on time. Forty-nine "40 and 8" boxcars are home. Stuart Symington's airplanes carried out his promise with a terrific salute. We were worried about the jet planes, however. They only had fuel for 35 minutes, and the ship was a little late. None of them fell in the Bay, however.(As a gesture of appreciation for the Friendship Train, a French citizens committee organized the Merci Train, 49 boxcars containing gifts to the American people of every state plus the District of Columbia. From February 2 to 22, the train traveled across the country, and Drew Pearson was with it for most of the trip.)
February 3
We paraded up Broadway. This is only the second time I've gone up New York City's famous canyon in a parade tendered to distinguished visitors. Newsmen seemed to think it was one of the best. Grover Whalen pronounced it better than the reception given to Lindbergh. At any rate, our French friends were impressed.
The ceremonies at City Hall were impressive. Mayor O'Dwyer made an excellent speech but nearly bowled me over by presenting me with a scroll from the City of New York for distinguished service. It was a most magnanimous gesture, but I couldn't help wish that the French, rather than I, had received the honor.
Mrs. Roosevelt was present at the luncheon given by the city in honor of the French committee. This was the highlight of their day. It touched them deeply to think she should take time out to attend a long and formal luncheon. She spoke briefly and in French. Afterwards several Frenchmen showed me copies of her autograph as if it was the most sacred thing they owned.
February 5
I missed the start of the first Gratitude Train. It's about the third train I have missed in my life.
Philedelphia had a tremendous reception, and I personally had a good time. Too many speeches, however, and the French delegation was a little tired. The Pennsylvania had trouble switching the boxcar just outside of Philadelphia.
February 6
Had a special plane waiting for de la Vasselais to take him to the ceremony at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At Lancaster they corralled a visiting Frecnh bride and had a very nice ceremony.
Vice-President Barkley, together with Senators Vandenberg and Tom Connally, came down to the Fourteenth Street Railroad Yards for the ceremony welcoming the French Train. Tom Clark, Senator McGrath, and various others were also present. Barkely made a very touching impomptu address in which he so aptly said that in the French boxcars was the heart of France. Vandeberg was equally good. Tom Connally cut the red, white, and blue ribbon on the door of the D.C. car.
The Association of American Railroads gave a reception for the French after the ceremony.
Went to the dinner at the French Embassy afterwards. I learned by accident that Ambassador Bonnet is paying traveling expenses of some of the French people out of his own pocket. I hope he doesn't get stuck for as much as I am. Dave Karr figures I will be out about $5,000.
February 7
Rain. Up at 6:30 to catch the special train to Richmond. The Marines gave us a great welcome. Major Lemuel Shephard in command. The receptions get better at the smaller towns. A fine reception at Fredricksburg, Virginia, on the station platform, and at Ashland there was a terrific crowd, though the town has a population of only about a thousand. We had no loudspeaker. The folks jammed in both sides of the train. We did our best, however, under our own lung power.
February 8
There is a great excitement throughout the nation regarding the French train, but also an awful lot of headaches. Fort Worth wants the Texas car before Dallas. Oakland wants to stage a better celebration than San Francisco. However, on the whole, things are going well.
February 10
Astabula was cold but a good crowd. Cleveland was even colder. In fact, we stood on the gondola car with a terrific blizzard raging around us. Governor Lausche wore no hat. I am sending him a Lee. The crowd was thin but brave.
February 12
February 18
February 21
April 12
June 12
1950
1951
March 15
May 29
1953
Picard, a Committee member, in in the tow of Frank Douglas, Secretary to A.F. Whitney of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Douglas speaks French. At Akron, Picard finally insisted that he wanted to pay at least one bill so they told him he could pay for the breakfast. Douglas then whispered to the waitress to bring in a check for $25 for ham and eggs which the waitress did. Picard didn't appear to be fazed, though he did ask how much American workmen made per week. He has been flashing a $100 bill which he got exchanged in New York, though Douglas had warned him there were a lot of counterfeit big bills floating around. When Picard went to pay his bill the cashier,tipped off in advance, held the $100 up to the light and said:"Sorry,sir, this is a counterfeit and I have to call the police."
Phoenix-the best weather of the entire trip. Governor Garvey staged quite a ceremony after which I addressed the Arizona legislature.
I went down to say good-bye to the last "40 and 8" boxcar we had to deliver-California's.It sat by itself alongside the freight yard. The band from Ft. Mather had just arrived. A loudspeaker truck pulled up to one side. A few people were gathering. I stood among them. They didn't know who I was. These cars have really made an impression. This is the first time any foreign nation has taken any trouble to show its appreciation to the United States and as far as I can see, the American people are genuinely grateful. I shall be sorry to leave. We have traveled a long way together.
Went to Hyde Park to lay a wreath from the Merci Train on FDR's grave. Most of the old Cabinet was there along with Mrs. Roosevelt and Fala.
Baton Rouge
My broadcast was from the Louisiana Merci Car, which Fred Dent, chairman of the State Capital Memorial Comission, has enshrined on the grounds of the old state capitol.We ended the program with the Marseillaise.
April 18
Lunched with the American Legion
March 14
Flew from Frankfurt to Paris last night on Air France. It was freezing cold and we were delayed by 60mph winds. As a result we landed at Orly Airport instead of Le Bourget. I had no idea anyone would meet me, but when I stepped off the plane, there was Luvie, together with the entire committee of the French Merci Train-Messrs. Cast,Picard, Arrtiguenave, et al. They were just the same as ever, except that they had learned two or three words of English.
The Mayor of the Department of the Seine had a little reception at the City Hall today and presented me with a medal, after which we had lunch at the railroad's Chemin de Fer Club-another long ceremony accompanied by some rather touching speeches.
I remember how at Elkhart, Indiana, Senator Capehart took the trouble to come to the Merci Train reception and made a nice speech from the flatcar, paying tribute to me.
Ray LaHaney was the man who painted up the boxcar with the Teamsters' insignia for the Friendship Train.