Oct 25, 1945
Oppenheimer met with Truman. Truman asked Oppie when the Russians would develop their own atomic bomb. Oppie said “I don’t know.” Truman replied “Never”. Oppie considered such foolishness proof of Truman’s limitations. Oppie said “Mr President I feel I have blood on my hands.” Truman repeating this meeting later said he told Oppie: “Never mind it will come out in the wash and offered his handkerchief saying- Well here, would you like to wipe your hands? Truman later called Oppie a cry-baby scientist. (American Prometheus, pg. 331)