Evening Star Newspaper, March 4, 1925, Page 19

Reaction of Ddwes to Senate Easy-Going Rule Is Awaited ‘Apostle of “Direct Results” to Preside Over Deliberate Body—Inclined to Progressive Vacant for more than a year and a haif, the office of Vice President of the United States today was filled by a 59-year-old American of strangely complex capacity—Charles G. Dawes of Evanston, 1lI. Tender-hearted as a philanthropist and musician, hard-fisted &s & table- pounding orator of sensational dra- matic power and sharp-witted as an exponent of the “brass-tacks” method of American achievement, Dawes is virtually a human paradox. He can't be pigeon-holed. The general is roused to righteous wrath by sham, pretense and “pa. rade” He hates “fuss and feathers. He cares not for the limelight for himself personally, vet he has delib- erately resorted to the most spectac- ular of devices at times to catch the Dublic eye and ear in behalf of causes champloned with the flery enthusiasm of a crusader. Defled Many Powers. _He has waved brooms and shaken his finger in the face of the Presi- dent and cabinet in sencational fash- fon as director of the budget; he has stormed about a committee room. of Congress uttering with explosive ex- postulation his now-famous - epithet, Hell and Maria,” while bitterly criti- cising & congressional Investigating committe for its attitude, toward those who had won the war. Yet his mind has been pointed in the direc- tion of progressive conservatism. He has champloned the Constitution, flung down " the gantlet to all ‘reds and pinks,” and, most important of all, as head of the so-called Dawes committee of experts, pointed the way to economic restoration of Europe. Dawes might be characterized as a spectacular conservative, and the country now awaits eagerly to see how he will behave as president of that precedent-bound and conserva- Uve body of deliberation—the United Btates Senate. As an apostle of “direct results,” the new Vice President comes fresh from a long line of achievements into the presiding officer's chair of & par- llamentary body long noted for fts abllity to protract the issue, should It desire. Solution to the pertinent question, “What will happeén?” rests with the future only. Office Vacant Sinee 1923, The vice presidency fllled today be- came vacant upon the death of Presi- dent Harding, August 2, 1923, and ac- cession to the presidency early the next mornin of Calvin Vice President. Sy Gen. Dawes (who won his soldier's stars by rising precipltously out of clviie ian life to the exalted post of member of the military board for supply of the allied armies in Europe), Is.one around whom his public loves to gather char- acteristic anecdotes, to tell the ‘“‘man- Ber of the man.” Among the freshest of these anec- dotes, which came to light within the past few days, Is one revealing typically the general’s disgust at formality. It is related that when he was dlrcc- tor of the Bureau of the Budget there was a certain colored functionary about the pl nose delight was in bowing and scraping to his superiors, obsequi- ously opening and shutting doors, and dotng many pleasing personal services. Opens His Own Doors. The general's Informal soul stood it s long as possible. Then, one day, as the colored functionary jumped to swing | open the door with great dignity before the director of the Bureau of the Budget. Dawes is reported to have said brusquely: “Cut that out, T can open my own t, with all his abruptness, which at times had been characterized by those who feared him as a ‘hard-bofled" at- titude, Gen. Dawes is said by those who worked with him long and faithfuily in the Government service always to have been kind and considerate to his imme. diate offictal family. DIid some minor bureau chief dare to oppose openly, however, the ex- pressed desire of the President that economy be instituted and that per- sonal and bureau ambitions be swept Away for the new and shining ideal of 2 businesslike budget for Uncle Sam, Gen. Dawes could roar and storm. Brought Big Men Down. “T have seen some of the biggest men in the Government service come out of thelr offices almost with tears in their eyes,” sald one who was with him in those days. But the budget was established, and the precedents of years were overthrown in favor of economy. By wav of contrast to this man of the Nation's and the world's affairs, who helped set in order, not only the finances of his own country, but of war-ridden Europe, is the loving tather, and accomplished musician, who in his magnificent home at Evans- ton, finds delight in entertaining groups of his friends at a- musical, Often he invites in about 200, his in- timates say, and entertains with the orchestra from the Chicago Grand Opera Company, and some.of that company’s artists. Perhaps the gen- eral participates {n the music by play- ing_either the flute or the piano, on each of which he is said to be pro- ficlent. Jibed by some of his seli-styled practical friends concerning his musi- cal “temperament,” Gen. Daweés is re. ported to have “put the soft pedal” en the musical side of his nature, =0 far as the public is concerned, for fear that some may get the false no- tion he is not manly, or addicted to “pink teas.” But his musical reputa- tion will not down. Fritz Krelsler, the violinist, has been largely respon- aible for forcing to the front a com- position by Gen. Dawes, which was published, in the first instance, not by the general himself, but by a friend in whom he confided. Ovation for Musical Compositie Within the past month here in the National Capital a public demonstra- tion to the popularity of Dawes and K=uisler was tendered at an afternocon recital of the violinist when he played the general's “Melody.” -Applause amounting almost to an ewvation greeted the number, and Kreisler was obliged to respond by repeating his interpretation. The officlal pregram of that occasion has this interesting sidelight on the “Melody": ¢ everal years axo Mr. Krelsler dls- covered the charm of this little mel- ody by the Vice President-elect. Mr. Dawes’ career is far from the usual one allotted to composers. He has been a lawyer and financler, and has held all sorts of political positions. While in the overseas Army of the United States hé encouraged musio in his regiment, and surprised some of his friends with his knowledge of the art. It is said that when he was made the object of some good-natured jesting about hiz ‘Melody’ he declared he would never try to compose any- thing more. But the undeniable pop- ularity of the ‘Melody' should inspire him to fresh venture in musical fields. He already has what all composers seek—'a name'—to go on Although much has been_ written, naturaily and properly so, concerning the brilllanty of Gen. Dawes' achieve- ments in his various public posts, —such as controller of the: currency, Conservatism. &0 down in history labelled with his name, the more intimate aspects of the man's character loom up at the present -time with fresh impartance s he assumes the vice presidency. The secret recesses of his soul are bared in a document, which already has been distributed by the thou- sands by the Young Men's Christian Association. It was written by the general as a tribute to his son Rufus, a Princeton student, drowned in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, ‘on the verge of a promising career. Religlous leaders term this tribute a classic of its kind, and a clear reflection from the mind and heart of the father himself. Pipe Also Gains Fame. Every one knows about the gen- eral’s famous underslung pipe, which astonished Europe because it appeared to be smoked upside down. Cele- brated in story and cartoon, so popu- 1ar has it become that'thousands of this type have been sold since the campalign, with prospects of thou- sands more to be smoked in the fu- ture. President -Hardingz and Gen. Dawes were understood to have deep- ened their Intimacy over their mutual love of pipes, although the late Presi- dent was not seen in public with a pipe 80 frequently as the noted bud- goteer. Dawes smokes much, but, un- like the picturesque Thomas R. Mar- shall of Indlana, Vice President under Woodrow Wilson, he does not chew tobacco. Also, unlike his successor as Director of the Bureau of the Bud- got, Herbert M. Lord, Gen. Dawes does not chew gum-——often. Dancing holds little attraction for the new Vice President, according to his triends, nor does he care much for cards, although he has been known to particl- pate in friendly games. Soclety func- tions, as such, “pink teas” in particular, are usually avolded by the general wheréver possible. But he finds deep de- light in conversation with his friends, and strangely enough for one who is known to be so eloquent a talker him- self, he is said to be an unusually good listener. This may stand him in good stead as head of the Senate. Any consideration of the personality of Charles G. Dawes unavoidably runs to finance, music and philanthropy again and again. So it develops that as he forged ahead in his career, making money as a lawyer and financier, he spent much of it in muslc, not only for the delight of himself, his famlily and triends, but for the education of many promising students. There is probably no record, anywhere, his friends say, of the number of ambitious music students who have been financed by Gen. Dawes. His money has proved a great aid to the Chicago Civic Opera Co., whose deficits, when they occurred, have been met by the musically minded and generous citi- mens of the clty, among whom Dawes was prominent. He is the vice president of the opera company. Every Spring, usually in May, the general takes much interest and is active in’ promoting the Evanston musical festival. Best Known Philanthropy. Of his philanthropies perhaps one of the most unusual is the serles of throe hotels for indigent and unfor- tunate persons established by Gen. Dawes, two {n Chicago and one in Boston. The first, in Chicago, was erected In memory of his son Rufus, the second, in memory of his son, was bullt in Chicago, also for men, and the last was bullt in Chicago in memory of his mother, for women. In these hotels no guest goes to bed without first taking a bath. In addition, a free employ- ment bureau s maintained, where about 2,600 jobs are procured annu- ally for men who otherwise would be unable to get employment. The prices for this service, as of last June, were: Clean and comfortable bed, 5 and 10 <cents; meals for less than 7 cents each. In establishing these hotels, accord- Ing to one chronicler, Gen. Dawes considered them ‘“investments,” his Idea of charity. “Gen. Dawes,” accord- Ingto the writer, “does not believe that a man who It down and out is materially helped by an endowed li- brary or a theological college, but he does belleve that a comfortable bed, heéarty meals, a sense of security and assistance in getting work are a real benefit. He believes that his system is more practical and helpful than in merely signing a check and send- Ing it to some organized charity. “The Idea of service which Gen. Dawes 5o well typifies, runs back through his ancestry. It seems to have been a family principle dating from William Dawes, first American an- cestor, who came from Sudbury, England, to America in 1628, and as- sisted in founding Boston and Salem. One of Gen. Dawes' ancestors known as “Willlam Dawes, the patriot,’ born in 1745, is reported to have ridden as a companion of Paul Revere in the latter's famous ride to call his pa- triots to arms. Maintains Fine Library. One of Gen. Dawes’ favorite haunts at home is his library, which is sald to be by far the largest in his city of 40,000, Evanston, and one of the best private collections in that part of the Middle West. As an almost ‘“vora- clous” reader, Gen. Dawes is sald to be most fond of history, economles, finance, and related subjects, al- though his taste branches out far into- the realms of general literature. “Brass Tacks,” the term frequently employed In connection with the new Vice President, was actually used by him in an address in Maine, during the recent presidential campalgn, in delivering one of his characteristi- | cally vivid speeches Gen. Dawes de- clared that there was no campaign of “buncombe,” but that it was neces- sary to “get down to brass tack: In a distant Massachusetts city there was listening in over the radio a manufacturer of tacks. Seizing on the tdea expressed over the air by Dawes, he designed a brass tack for coat lapel, with pin attachment. Thousands of them were distributed through Ithe campaign, though few happened to be circulated in Wash- ington. Life Offers Vivid Story. Gen. Dawes' career savors of am- bitions and atruggles, hardships and achievements, with flashes of bril- llance Intermingled—the kind of ma- terial in which writers of storles for amblitious American youth love to revel. Briefly sketched, “so that he who runs may read,” the career story of Charles G. Dawes, which has been written and printed time and again in one form or another, might be pre- sented as follows: -.Not born in the lap of luxury and opportunity, but working his way for the mest part through some early stages to gain_ a broad groundwork of education, Dawes became in turn clvil engineer, lawyer, banker, au- thor of a book on “The Banking S: tem' of the United States,” composer, controller of the currency, brigadler ‘general, United States Army; director of the Bureau of the Budget, head of the Dawes committee for solution of fhe ‘economic snarl in Europe, vice president-of the United States. A modest home in Marietta, Ohio, was his birthplace, August 27, 1865, His father, Rufus C. Dawes, was a Civil War veteran, having been bre- vetted brigadier general after four years of fighting with the “Iron when a young man, 33 years of age; as a soldler-co-ordinator of purchase and supply for the allied armies, and more recently as head of the Dawes committee, whose achievement will Brigade” in the Unlon forces. His first college graduation was as a civil engineer, from Marietta Col- lege, Which now shares in his benefi- clences. . He characterized himself as | talk about. President’s Character Shown in Actions Little Known at First, He Won His Way to the Heart of the People. No other man who ever held the!Mr. Cooll office of President of the ~United States in recent times was as little known personally throughout the country as Calvin Coolldge when he became Executive by the sudden and ;m(lmely death of Warren G. Hard- ng. Quiet, modest, he had been Vice President for a little over two years, had been Governor and Lisutenant Governor of Massachusetts, and had been holding minor elective offices for nearly two decades. Mr. Coolldge today still somewhat the enigma he was when he presented himself in Washington ‘in the Summer of 132 to assume the burdens of the pres dency. But a large majority of voters of the United States evidently thought they knew enough about him last No- vember to keep him in the White House and to Intrust the future we fare and safety of the Nation in his keeping. To be exact, there were just 15,718,789 men and women of this frame of mind on that eventful day, and as a result this “quiet, col- orless, shy stranger,” as he is often described, recelved the largest vote and the largest plurality ever given presidential candidate — 7,339,827, This had the distinction “of being nearly a half a ‘million votes greater than President Harding’s record plu- rality four years previous. Public Teok His Measure. ‘While the electorate of the Natlon knew little in detail of their Presi- dent, it knew enough about his char- acteristics and his abllity to have un- bounded faith and confidence in him. There was no mistaking the out- spoken evidence of the desire to have him at the head of the Government for the next four years. There are many of those millions who voted for Coolidge last Novem- ber who did so because he was a Re- publican. There were just as many who cast their vote for him because he seemed safe and sane and beca his election promised four more years of prosperity. Then there were oth- ers, regardless of party, who voted to keep him at the head of the Gev- ernment because they had every con- fidence In him and his ability and deemed it unwise to change an ad- ministration which from ajl appear- ances was sequring peace and plenty and was ruling the Nation i{n a man- ner that seemed intelligent and sound. Few men can say_they really know Calvin Coolidge. Yet there is no mystéry about him. At least he does not try to vell himself or his move- ments, He is plain and simple. He is by no means a superman. He is triendly and human, and this has been demonstrated many times since he has occupied the White House. Can Talk Much, If Needed. He is frequently referred to as ilent Cal He is wonderfully suc- cessful at keeping things to himself and rarely tells any one what he is going to do before he does it. He might be described as taciturn. And there is no disputing the fact that he has an aversion to public speak- ing and to indulgence in what is known as small talk. He has mani- fested these tralts many, many times since he has occupied the White House, much to the disappointment and frequently the discomfiture of his guests. However, it may surprise many to be Informed that this nick- name, “Silent Cal” is really inappro- priate. If he has anything to sa Calvin Coolidge will say it. He will say it plainly, and will say lots of it if he thinks the occaslon demands it The vast majority of those who have called on him in his office have gone away with an entirely different impression than when they entered. Most of those who call on him for the first time leave his office in amazement. First of all, they found him far more genlal and cordial than they had pictured. They were sur- prised to find him doing the talking. And. more important, they @iscovered that he is a man of wide knowledge and more than likely knew as much if not more about the subject brought up by his caller, than the latter him- self. Yes, President Coolidge can talk, and he does talk. But he must have something werth while, or concrete, to Naturally enough, be- cause of this trait, the President does not shine at social functions. He is not what one would describe as an ideal neighbor at a banquet table, or at a parlor gathering where the talk is general and light. Nothing to Say at Times. This conversational trait of the President's has been evinced on nu- merous occasions. Those times the writer has gone to the President rey garding some matter of the moment he found him easy to converse with, and he found that the President was anything but silent. On each occasion the President prolonged the inter- view. At least, he continued it con- siderably past the point where it could have been politely terminated. On the other hand there have been occasions when it was difficult to get him to talk. On such occasions there was nothing specific to discuss and it 1s not exaggerating the sit- uation to say that it was truly pain- ful trying to make conversatlon with e———————— “a falr second-rate civil engineer. Cincinnati Law School graduated him at 21 years of age with an LL. B.in Y Lincoln, Neb, whers he launched into the legal profession, he strug- gled along, it is sald, galning stead: ily, however, and winning friends rapldly, among them Jack Pershing, then a recent graduate of West Point, assigned to drill cadets of Nebraska State University. One of their vorite reminiscences is said to be of the days when they 'ate at “the palatial 15-cent lunch counter run by one Don Cameron for the benefit of university students and struggling young business and professional men."” Inte Public Utilities. Becoming counsel to public utility concerns, Dawes rapidly inoreased his practice, and, moving to Wisconsin in 1894, be became president of the La- Crosse Gas Light Company. Later he Dbecame president of the Northwestern Gas, Light and Coke Cempany of Evanston, Ill, which eventually was merged into the People's Gas, Light and Coke Company, supplying Chi- cago. Followinlg a terms as Con- troller of the Currency, he returned to the State and organized the Cen- tral Trust Company of ‘Illinois. He was the active head of this enterpri: until January, 1921, when he ac- cepted the chairmanship of the board of directors, ‘relinquishing personal direction of affalrs to a new chief executive. During the past week he resigned as chalrman of the board. During the war he -served with dis- tinction in France from 1917-18, and in 1921 was named first Director of the Bureau of the Budget. His next public post was as head of the com- mittes of experts to unravel the Ger- man reparations trouble and atten- dant problems. The plan drawn by Dawes and his committee, to which he generously attributes the major share of the credit, was accepted by the powers concerned and Is now in operation. B The new Vice President brings a family to Washington, consisting of Mrs. Dawes and their two adopted children, Dana, aged 13, and Vir- ginla, 11, to whom they are deeply devoted. Another daughter, Caroline, who is Mrs. Melvin Ericsom, lives in Evanston, At a dinner party the only words volunteered by Mr, Coolidge sometimes are “yes” or ‘“no.” This may be embarrassing and dis- concerting to the newly Initiated, but when you see more of Calvin Coolidge and feel as if you know him better, you cease to be bothered. Those v'ho are in a position to know say he will frequently go through an entire meal at his own table with only mem- bers of his family or one or twu very intimate friends present, witho ing a word. On his walks aboul streets, whether he is accompanied by Frank W. Stearns of Boston, his most Intimate friend, or by secret service men, or when he walked with his son, he seldom talked. Once in a while he will make some comment about a passing object or Inquire about something that interests him. But on the whole these walks are not turned into chats. They are for exercise. Likes Good Talkers. The President enjoys listening to somebody talk—that is, if the talk is not merely prattle. This i shown by his Mayflower cruise; White House breakfast conferences and other White House gatherings, on which occasions Mr. Coolldge has carefully selected his company for the purpose of learning their views or_opinions In this latter connection President Coolidge has the rare gift of being able to elicit information, generally the information he is seeking, with- out volunteering any himself. He is a good questioner, and in this re- spect he has the happy faculty of be- Ing able to ask a question, the an- swer to which may be very greatly desired by him, without giving any outward evidence of his eagerness. In other words, he does not Wetray himself by any word of mouth nor faclal expression. It is readily seen that this is, in- deed, a_valuable accomplishment for one in his position. His now famous breakfast conferences are typical of this. These informal gatherings were for the purpose of learning the views of his guests, upon certain impor- tant matters that were paramount at the time. Of course, these gather- ings served as a means of getting better acquainted, and with the lay- ing, probably, of a foundation of stronger friendships and unity of action. But they were first of ail de- signed by Mr. Coolidge to get at the bottom of things. He selected his company with care, and those who are in a position to speak authori- tatively, say he generally found out what he wanted. Whether or not it was the buckwheats and sausage, and the cholce cigars that followed the morning meal, or whether his guests talked because he wouldn't, is not known, but it is known that on each of these memorable occasions Presi- dent Coolidge learned something he speclally wanted to know. It is essentially true that none of these guests upon leaving had any real idea of the impression his con- versation made upon his host. Nor did any of them go away from the White House with a full understand- ing of the reason why he had been in- vited or what the President pro- posed to do as & result of the break- fast discussion. His manner of announcing impor- tant conclusions and decisions, t0o, is a further characteristic of this New Englander. Some consider his method of an- nouncing very Important things as distracting. This is not a tralt or hablt he has developed since he has been President and has been han- dling very big things. His friends say he always has been that way. After he has thrashed out a problem in his mind and has gone over all the evidence in the case, so to speak, he frequently summons a group who may be directly or indirectly inter- ested in the decision he has reached, or who may have been helpful to him in_arriving at a conclusion. This subject very likely had occupled a prominent place in the newspapers for days. There had been the usual speculation as to what the President was lixely to do. In other words, every one is in a state of expetancy. This is intensified when the summons from the White House arrives. At last they are to learn what the Presi- dent is going to do. The veil of mys- tery will be lifted. It is in this high-pitched state the company hurries to the White House. ‘There is nothing about the serene ex- terfor of the bfg mansion to indlcate anything out of the ordinary. The same is the case when they cross the threshold. Mr. Coolidge greets them in his usual calm, unruffled and matter-of-fact way. There s noth- ing about his appearance or his voice or movements to suggest that he has anything more important to impart than that the first cherry blossoms have appeared in the White House grounds. There follows con- versation of a general and unim- portant sort. Nothing suggesting the subject in question is mentionea. Takes His Time Always. All are waiting for the President to_open up. His calmness and his failure to re- veal anything becomes virtually nerve-racking. Common decency and White House etiquette prohibits one from prodding the President on such occasions. There Is an uncomfor- table wait. Finally, when every one present has come to the conclusion that it must have been a mistake about the President having some- thing important to ammounce, the Jatter in the most casual and unim- pressive manner imaginable, makes his announcement. It is in this casual manner that he makes i portant announcements ~during- his conferences with__the newspaper men. Many Senators and Representatives and others high in Government and the councils of the Republican party have gone through experiences such as this. Following the resigmation of Attorney General Daugherty in the Winter of 1924, there was great speculation regarding his successor. Rumors were flying thick and fast. Any number of possible selections were being printed in the most authoritative style. President Cool- idge maintained his customary stlence. Then one morning he asked a number of Senators to be his guests at a White House breakfast. Harlan F. Stone of New York was one of the breakfast party. He had arrived In Washington on a sleeper from New York, having accepted the President's invitation to accept the attorney generalship. No mention of this was made by the President to the other guests. Mr. Stone had been included in the rumors about the ap- pointment, and his appearance natu- rally caused some surprise. But the President merely introduced Mr, Stone as Mr. Stone, and not as the new Attorney General, and it was not until later in the day when the story of the appointment appeared in the newspapers did these Senators actu- ally know of it. Mr. Coolidge, born in Plymouth, Vt., in the Green Mountains, has all the characteristics of the New Englander. His silence is one of them. Another is his pollcy on economy.. A third is his insistence on unvarnished and abbreviated facts. Likes His Old Home. To his mountain home Mr. Cool- idge has, with the exception of threce years, returned each year in the 35 he has been away as a college stu- dent, a lawyer and public official After he was admitted to the bar at Northampton, Mass., he did not take a vacation for three conseccutive years, and told his father that It was necessary for him to postpone his annual visit hecause of the necessity of establishing a practice. Mr. Cool- idge particularly enjoys his vacations at the old homestead. There he is admist the silence of the people among whom he was born and free from interruptions from visitors. He learned his ideas on economy a8 a schoolboy while a clerk in the village store of his father. He became well grounded fin all his fundamental ideas from his father and his native teachers in St. John's Academy at Ludlow. The President likes to hear a good story. But he rarely tells one. He recently told friends that his train- ing as a lawyer in the Northampton bar, which he said compelled the presentation of cold-blooded facts, early got him in the habit of follow- ing Blackstone. As a consequence, he has never illustrated his speeches with an appropriate story and even in conversation he never uses an anecdote to strengthen his point or to color his narrative. Mr. Coolldgs enjoys practicing jokes upon members of his family, and quite often Mrs. Coolidge finds an innocent, practical joke by the President at her. expense. One of the earllest of Mr. Coolidge's jokes on his wife relates to the buying of “Our Famlily Physi- clan.’ Shortly after the birth of the first son, Mrs. Coolidge departed from her budget plan and purchased from a book agent a large sized volume, which told how to treat the ordinary diseases of children. The book cost 38, and made a heavy hole in her do- mestic budget. She said nothing to the Presldent about her extravagance, but laid the book upon the library table in such a conspicuous place the President could not help seeing it. One day Mrs. Coolidge found the fol- lowing written in ink on the inside coverin, “Don’t see any cure for suckers. Calvin Coolidge.” One Remark on Long Trip. A story illustrating the taciturnity of the present oocupant of the White House is told by one of his old friends. A few days after his nomination as Vice President, the then Governor of, Massachusetts invited one of his old- est and most confidential friends to accompany him on an automobile trip, which covered 90 miles. There were many things both were interested in, and which naturally they might dis- cuss on such a trip. The governor, after traveling 45 miles and reaching a mountain section of the State, said to his companion, “It is colder up hore.” He then gave directions for the chauffeur to turn back to Boston. The only observation, the only con- versation on this whole trip of $0 miles was that brief sentence deal- ing with the weather. President Coolidge enjoys having sympathetioc friends about him. Thelr presence in his atmosphere makes his work easler, although he rarely seeks their advice or suggestions. A few days after he inherited the presidency and was considering {mportant mat- ters of policy, he summoned his friend, Frank W. Stearns, into his private office. The President waved him to a chair, while he continued writing. Mr. Stearns smoked two cigars, and at the end of about an hour the President. without asking his caller anything, thanked him for coming to the room and said “that's all.” Mr. Stearns understands the Presi- dent's moods, and quite often had similar experiences. He knew that President Coolidge merely wanted a sympathetic friend near him and did not desire to consult him or to con- verse with him on any pending prob- lema President Coolidge is simple in his habits. This he inherited from his ancestors, who have managed to ac- quire ‘8 competence from the rugged hills of Vermont. On his vacations President Coolidge returns to the work of his earlier days and helps the hired man with the haying and other farm dutles. On the day President Harding died he was engaged in doctoring the trees in the front lawn of his father’s home. On that occa- sion he resembled more a tiller of the soil than & Vice President of the United States. He were a smock, one of his now priceless possessions, which was made for him by his grandmother, and which he has used on the old farm during his vacation for more than 30 years. The President took tae oath of office as President Harding's successor un- der a kerosene light in the home of Careers of Coolidge and Dawes Replete With Many Honors By the Associated Press. Calvin Coolidge. 1872—Born at Plymouth, Vt. 1895—Graduated Amherst Col- lege. 1897—Admitted to the bar and began practice at Northampton, Mass. 1899—Elected to Northampton City Council, and served subse- quently as city solicitor and court clerk. 1905—Married Grace Anna Good- hue of Burlington, Vt. 1906—Elected State Representa- tive. 1908—Elected mayor Northamp- ton. 1911—Elected to Massachusectts. State Senate and later became- president of the Senate. 1915—Elected lleutenant ernor- of Massachusetts. 1918—Elected governor. 1920—Elected Vice President. 1923—Became President upon the death of President Harding. 1924—Elected President by larg- . owt plurality in history, gov- Charles G. Dawes. 1865—Born at Marietta, Ohlo. 1884—Graduated from Marietta College. 1886-—After - attending. Cincin- nati Law School, was admitted to the bar. 1887—Moved to Lincoln, Neb., and began law practice; became public utility counselor and or- ganizer. 1889—Married Caro D. Blymer of Cincinnati. 1896—Attracted notice of Mark Hanna and , managed McKinley's - Illinois -campaign. - % 1897—Appointed controller of the currency by President McKinley. 1902—Founded . Centrgl- Trust Company. of Iilinois. 1917—Commissioned ~ licutenant colonel in the World War and rose to be brigadier general in charge of purchases for the American ex- peditionary forces. 1921—Appointed director of the budget. 1923—Chosen head of reparations experts committee that framed the Dawes plan. 8 1924—Elected Vice President. bis father. The oath was admin- istered by the latter—<Col. John Cool- idge, who is = justice of the peacs. This act has {lluminated his entire career, and, according to the late, Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, con- tributed more than anything else to inform the American people of the character and sturdiness of Coolldge. The American people, according to those best Informed, wers greatly in- fluenced by this dramatfc event. It was the first impression many Amer- icans got of this man, and it served as the basis for an appreciation ‘that bas grown and grown with the months that followed. From the very moment he was sworn in as Presi- dent, this sandy-haired man from those rocky hills of New England be- gan to bulld up a wide following throughout the country. This was most astonishing to many Republican leaders, who at the time were not what one would call “Coolidge men.” President Coolldge s sald to have no hobbies. He makes this claim himself, therefore it must be true. The nearest approach to a hobby is reading and studying. Primarily, Cal- vin Coolldge is a student. He is what writers and educators refer to as a “natural student” He analyzes and digests what he reads. And he re- members, too. Remembering 1s one of his happlest and -most convenient faculties. Re- membering names and faces and en- gagements have served him well in public life, He cpends the greater part of his spare moments reading. He prefers books dealing with history and biog- raphies, although he has more than an ordinary fondness for postry. He never acquired the habit of some stu- dents of jotting down notes while reading.. He does the jotting down in his head. ‘He makes very few notes for memory purposes during his daily work. This habit, which was 50 common with Woodrow Wilson and with C. Bascom Slemp, who recently resigned as President Coolidge's sec- retary, has no place in the Coolidge make-up. Dictates Deltberately. ‘When he sends for his confidential stenographer to give dictation he has figured out beforehand what he in- tends to say, and he does not do his dictating from notes. This is true of his important messages and speeches. He dictates slowly, using the great- est care in the selection of his words and the construction of his sentences. It is his custom to have every three or four hundred words read back to bim, that he may hear how they sound and to make any changes or additions. However, he makes few changes when he once dictates. What few changes he makes are not in ideas, but generally in the ratter of adjectives and the placement of words. The President does not play. At least he does not participate in games of any kind. Cards, chess, checkers, golf and the like have no attraction for him. When a youngster he was enthusiastic for a short time in par- cheesi. When asked about these forms of amusement the President generaily replies to the effect that he has never had time for such things. He was always busy trying to earn a living, giving his efforts in the service of the public and in reading and acquiring knowledge. Regarding golf Mr. Coolidge Te- marked recently: “When I was younger I couldn't afford golf, and now I can't afford the time.” The President has played this game, but he gave no evidence of being very keen about it. Shortly after he was married, at the solici- tation of some of his young friends of the Northampton bar, he joined a country club and played two or three rounds of golf, but no more. Since coming to Washington, while Vice President he played several times. But he could not persuade himself that the sport and the exercise war- ranted the loss of time. Methodical in Everything. Saving is e religion with Mr. Cool- idge. This includes saving time as well as anything else. There are a lot of things he would enjoy doing and many places he would like to visit but for the valuable time such diversions would consume. From childhood he has been methodical In sverything he has done. This trait is shown in his dally routine and in the way he works. Mr. Coolidge arises every morning at 7 o'clock. After brief exercises in his bedroom he goes for a stroll for about half an hour or an hour. He then breakfasts. Following this he Boes over the morning newspapers while he calmly puffs away at a cigar, and then he proceeds to the Executive office. He stays in his office until 1 o'clock, when he returns to the White House for luncheon. For half an hour or so following the midday meal he generally sits around talking with members of his family and any friends who may be on hand, and when the opportunity presents _itself he hurries to his room for an hour's nap. This nap is a very important feature of the President's dally rou- tine. It gives him just the sort of mental and physical rest and relax- ation he needs. He returns to his office any time after 3 o'clock and as & rule remains at his work until § or 6 o'clock in the evening. ‘When he closes his desk for the day the President goes for a brizk walk about the downtown streets. Sometimes this late afternoon walk means only a stroll about the rear grounds, sometimes a walk around the White House Ellipse, but as a rule it includes about two miles through the strests in the business section. He enjoys looking in the shop windows, watching ‘the throngs hur- rying past him, and the other sights generally presented on the streets of Washington at that time of the day. It is rare that he is accompanied by any one other than secret service men on these strolls. He appears to prefer to be alone. He likes to look and think, - without the -interruption- of conversation. Contends He Is Healthy. The President contends that these walks and the exercise he takes in His bedroom are sufficient for his needs. He jokes about what he de- scribes as’ his “disgustingly good health” and he has on more than one occasion remarked that he believ he is the healthlest President in many years. At any rate, Calvin Coolidge, who is slight of build and far from being of the museular type, bas gained weight and from all accounts {s mak- ing unpopular the common bellef that the President of the United States is a man killer. His welght on February 23 was 160 pounds, which is eight pounds more than Mr. Coolidge weigh- ed when. he became President. He tells friends that he feels better than he eyer did before in his life. President and Mrs. Coolid; leave the White House in the evening. After sitting around chatting or read- ing the President makes it an {nvari- able rule to retire at 10 o'clock. He has varied from this fixed rule upon few occasions. One of the latter was election night, when he had some friends in to listen to the election re- turns. Confident that he knows what is best for his health and his well being, and that he knows well the best sys. tem for work and relaxation, Calvin Coolldge enters upon the next four years with no fear for himself .and mh;“:mu-t hope _ that Ze can thelr expstiatioms of him. - .. At Outset of |Coolidge Faces New Task His Own Term Entering Upon Presidency in Own Right Will Be Judged on Accomplishments. Inherited Much It is with a realization that he is now confronted with the real test of his character- and his abilities and talents that Calvin Coolidge enters today upon the Presidency in his own right. It is unquestionably with an entirely different feeling that he uplifted his right hand and teok the oath of of- fice before that vast multitude today than when he todk the same oath, vold of pomp, {n that dimly lighted little room {n the home of his birth, 19 months ago. President Harding’s sudden death elevated him to the presidency then and during the months that have followed and through which he has labored he was ever mindful of the fact that he was what the American people describe as an “accidental” President. President Coolidge i3 now a Presi- dent In is own name. His first public utterance after becoming President in 1923 was to the effect that he would unfailingly carry out the pelicfes of his distinguished and popular prede- cessor. And Calvin Coelidge has been knowngto always keep his word. He not only kept this faith, but did even more in the successful administration than had been sketched out by Presi- dent Harding. But now he can ex- hibit a- different spirit in the new term for which he was elected by the largest vote ever given a President. His service as President to date has been distinguished by more than ordinary activities on his part and by the Congr ‘There have been many tense and stirring situation: There has been a memorable national campalgn and election. Faced Great Task. When he presented himself at .the Capital, after having beem sworn in as Chief Magistrate by his father in the old Coolidge homestead in Plym- outh, Vt, the President assumed one of the mightiest tasks faced by any Executlve in many years. He did not take office amid plaudits and cel- ebration. On the contrary, he had succeeded to office by reason of the untimely death of a popular and be- loved Executive, Warren G. Harding. The American people were in mourn- ing and, besides this, the problems that confronted him were of a steg- gering nature. President Coolidge, with his cus- tomary calm and quliet, entered upon this task with an unmistakable d termination and sincerity of purpos With Mrs. Coolldge he made his home at the Willard Hotel and di- rected the affairs of thé Nation from there. His first public act was to announce to the world that, “Under the inspiration of President Hard- ing’s example,” he would “take up the burdens he was permitted to lay down and to develop and support the wise principles of gevernment which he represented.” Under his peryonal direction ar- rangements for the funeral of Lresi- dent Harding were made. At his solicitation Mrs. Harding remalned at the White House for more than four weeks, thus being afforded am- ple time. to direct the packing of her personal effects,.to be moved to the Harding home {n Marion. It was late in September when the President and Mrs. Coolidge took up their abode in the White House. One of:his first acts then was to appoint C. Bascom Slemp of Virginia, who had been a Representative in Con- gress for nearly 20 years, secretary to succeed George B. Christian, Jr., who had served in that capacity un- der President Harding and who had resigned. In the meantime the mem- bers of the Cabinet, all of whom had tendered their resignations, ac- cepted Mr. Coolidge's request to re- main in office with him. Worked for Ecomomy. From the very beginning his ad- ministration was marked by a de- termination to reduce the Govern- ment's expense. His predecessor had Initiated this policy of economy, and President Coolldge earried-it out, with the result that thie administration has succeeded chiefly through the :xenc¥ ot llhe‘ budget to reduce the nnual cost of the Government from $5,538,000,000 in 1831 to-$3,497,000,000. Besides this, the public debt has been reduced from $24,000,000,000 to $21,- §50.1000.;)001, which means an annual ‘aving in interest of more than $120,- 2(0{0.009; ; T!;edczgvernmen( hu‘hnld or refunded $7,000,000, - time obligations. Suetahon The President had not been at the helm of the Government very long before he let it be known that he was going to initiate a movement to reduce the taxes. They were far too high and the burden was becoming unbearable. Brought Tax Cut. Legislation finally enacted into law brought about a reduction of $385 000,000 a year in taxes. His legisla tion to bring about a repeal of the taxes on luxuries and messages and amusements was passed, greatly to the relief of the public. President Coolidge always has contended, while advocating a reduction in taxes, that they bear most heavily upon the poor and that they diminish {ndustry and commerce and make agriculture un- profitable, and he stated in his speach of acceptance that there must be further reduetion. To sum up briefly President Cool- idge's year, it would be only natural to select his decisive victory at the polls November 4 last, when he came before the slectsrate for election to & full term as President in his- own name. - This viotory is in the minds of most as the one big outstanding event of the vesr. As the Repub- lican party’s standerd bearer Presi- dent Coolidge. was elected, receiv- ing the unprecedented. plyrality of 7,989,027, His Tax Polley. In that partion ‘of his message urging tax reductien, the President said that every one desires a lower- ing of ‘taxes. and that there is a great preponderance of gemtiment in tavor of taxation. reform.. In this connectlon he is opposed to the pub- lication of income Teturns and he informed . Congreas that he. bellev that this law’s ' centinuation to detrimental to public welfare and bound to decrease .public revenues, and for those regsons it ‘should be repealed. - * In line with his peliey of govern- mental economy the President vetoed all biils during. the last ‘session of Congress which, Ini his opinion, would make tax reduction’ extremely difficult, if mot impossible. In face of threats from his own party and threats of organized polit- ical opposition é vetoed the soldiers’ bonus, which Was afterward passed over ‘his_veto, -He enaéuntered the oppositfon of the veterans of the Civil and Spanish. Wars by disapprov- ing the Bursum-pensfon bill and then met @ storm of protest when he put his veto to the bill {noreasing ‘the pay of postal employes.. When this legislation Wi rémedled so as to provide the revénte he sigied it. ‘Weuld Ald Agriculture. It has been one of the chisf aims of the President to extend all possible relief - to - the -ag#iculfurists-of- the From Harding. country. During the distress among the farmers and stock men of the West and Northwest last Winter, tiw President cast about, without sué- cess, for some form of remedial Jegislation. He did make it possibile for the finance corporation of the Government to extend extensive loans at more liberal terms than had been the custom. With the view to ar: riving' at some conclusions as to thé manner of legislation needed to help the agricultural situation, the Presi- dent several months ago appointed a special commission to study condf- tions and which commission drafted program for the administration to follow in dealing with this all im- portant domestic subject. The President has been alert to pro- tect the Government’'s interest in the matter .of naval ofl lands leases, as a result of the investigation conducted, by the Senate. He appointed special counsel to prosecute these cases, appointed & special commission fo study the question of conserving the oil lands for the use of the Army and Navy in the event of an emergencs: Very recently he appointed another commission to institute a careful study of the question of protecting and developing the petroleum suppl? of the nation. His Foreign Pelicies, Throughout the year the adminis’ tration has endeavored to continué friendly relations with the countries of the world. Through his efforts the differences between this country' and Mexico were {roned out, and in the place of hostility 2nd bitterness' there now prveails the best of under- standings between' the two republick’ Diplomatic relations have been re- sumed and treaties entered into. While maintaining amicable relations with foreign countries, the President has openly spoken against this Na- tion's entering the League of Na- tions, but favoring participation in ' Court of International Justice. Hg strongly favors a -second - disarma- ment conference, . The President put his signature t 2 bill last Spring which completely reorganized the Nation's foreign serv- ice and which is expected to do much toward improving that service and strengthening our position abroad. President Coolidge was prompted at the first session of the present Congress to defeat legislation which threatened to impair the rallroads,’ However, he approved. legislation pe: mitting consolidations, explaining af: the time that he considered consolida- tion as the only feasible method for, the maintenance of an adequate sys- tem of transpertation with an oppor- tunity so to adjust freight rates as (o, meet such femporary conditions as' now prevail in some agricultural sec/ tions. y Supported Reorganization BilL - * The President supported a bill pro- viding for a complete reorganizatio, of the executive departments of thé Federal Gavernment. In his last two) messages to Congress he recommend” ed an appropriation of $50,000,000 to- cover a perlod of vears, for the erec-: tion of mecessary Government buil ings in the District of Columbia. This’ is necessary, he explained at the time;' in order to properly house the work- ing-force of the Federal Government. He succeeded in getting legislation, calling fer acommission to revise thg. laws of the land. -z One of the important things dons by the President was to institute.a. definite policy regarding immigration by having enacted an immigration law. While he approved heartily the, general idea of this law, he disap- proved the language, fearing it might, give affront to Japan, whose citizens are excluded under the terms of the act. He Urged Reforestation. The President has consistently urged a constructive policy regard- ing reforestation and legislation pro/. viding for further development of reclamation projects, and during the year he obtained legislation provid- ing relief to many thousands of set tlers on Federal projects. Considerabls embarrassment . caused the administration by ths Senate investigation of the adminjs- tration of the Department of Justicé which resulted finally in the dismf al of Attorney General Daughertf. During the turmoil incident to this' and the so-called ofl scandal th President started a reform in the Veterans' Bureau which resulted in dlscovery of irregularities, laxity, h- efficiency and fraud in the bureau. The bureau was reorganized and the Department of Justice brought abous the prosecution of Charles R. Forbes, the director. b Among the more {mportant ai pointments made by President Coo idge since being in the White Hou were: Frank B. Kellogg of Minnesota, whom he promoted from the am: bassadorship to Great Britain io succeed Charles E. Hughes as Sec retary of State; Alanson B. Hough- ton of New York, who was Ambasy, sador to Germany, to the Court of St James, to succeed ‘Mr. Kellogg: Har- lan F. Stone of New York, first as Af- torney General, to succeed Harry M. Daugherty, and recently as an af- sodlate justice of the United States Supreme Court, to succeed Justice McKenna, retired; Charles B. Warren, of Michigan, former Ambassador to Japan and to Mexico, to succeed Mr. Stone as Attorney General; Curtis D. Wilbur of Celifornia, to succeed Ed win Denby as Secretary of the Na T. Douglas Robinson of New York. Assistant Secretary of the Navy, ta succeed his -cousin, Col. Theodors Roosevelt, resigned; Howard M. Gore, of West Virginis, promoted from Asn sistant Secretary of Agriculture to. be Secretary, to succeed the laim Henry Wallace; Willlam M. Jardine of Kansas, to.be Secretary of AgTi- culture, to' succeed Secretary Gore, who resigned to becorme Governor of West Virginia: Everett Sanders, Rep; resentative from Indiana, to be retary, to succeed C. Bascomb Slem resigned; Joseph C. Grew, who had been Miniater to witzerland, to bp, Undersecretary of State; Henry F. Fletcher, Ambassador to Rome, and, William Phillips, Ambassador to Bel- glum, George Parks, to succeed Scott C. Bone as Gavernor of Alaska. ; During the campaign the President malined in Washington, making only & few speeches. In fact, he has travelpd, very little during the year. He went 1o Plymouth, his old Vermont home, to bury his son, and later went there for a 10-day vacation. He made a few short, Journeys, two to New York, one to Philax: Gelphia. one to Baitimore and one to Chix cago. His journeys away from the Capit: tal have been of brief duration, and have mostly been confined to crulses on the lower Potomac over the week ends aboard the presidential yacht Mayfloweri, President Coolidge has_established . s number of precedents as Executive dutot ing_the year. The one which .no doubs called for the greatest amount of pubrg licity ‘and comment, was yecently Wheas he and Mrs. Coolidge used an ordinary, public sleeping car and ate in the public, dining car on the trip to. and from Chiy, cago. - The President made a determined ek, fort to obtain a stringent rent-contral, bill for the District, explaining that he, hds more than an ordinary interest ip, the public welfare in this particular be-. cause of the many thousands of Govern, ment employes who are buying and reai~ ing .homes. fn“this.city.. ~ - - 5