Evening Star Newspaper, January 6, 1933, Page 6

ANECDOTES RECAL ' COOUDGE HUMOR Qton‘es of Dry New England ' Wit Linger in Gossip of Washington, B the Assoctated Press. FMany a choice example of Calvin Qpolidge’s dry humor lingers in the whispering galleries of Washington. ‘Some of the stories are of the just along the border line be- teeen gossip and established truth. btless, most of them are true, but the solemn New Englander himself pver took the trouble to deny a one of haps the gem of them all, much th'g because it played directly on universal theme of Mr. Coolidge's | ence, related to a young lady Wwho whs having dinner at the White House. Seated next the President, she opened | the conversation with this: “I have been told you are the most | sflent of men. But I made a bet before T.came here that I could make you say | more than two words during dinner.” | “You lose,” was the two-word reply. her which became a elassic, | ofi:tox(ess because it dealt with that okher Coolidge trait—thrift—had to do| with a caller who sald: “I have one favor to ask. I am a col- lactor of cigar bands. One of my ambi- | t.m is to have one of yours.” ‘Whereupon the President opened & drawer of his desk, took out a cigar, carefully removed the band, replaced the cigar and closed the drawer. Twitted about this tJonz afterward, . Coolidge's comment Was: “(‘vfcn. that's what he asked for,| wasn't 1t?2” | Secret Service men were the butts of | meny of Mr. Coolidge’s jokes and they | liked it. One of their prize storles tells of the necessity for moving the White House alarmy tition. to hide it from then Preside: } t.h;u had"® quaitft Babit when all was| quiet of stepping from his office, push- ing the buttdn and disappearing. It brought all guards on duty. After this had happened several times bell was quietly moved, without the President, and his fun ended. From the Black Hills comes another. Mr. Coolidge Was presented With a Tushel of potatoes. To an elderly col~ oted man he commented that thére were a lot of black specks on’ them and suggested that they be cleaned off. “To the protests of the colored man He explained that Vermont potatoes gidn't have those black eyes and they jould come off. Willing to please the President at apy cost, the irnflt&ei:g’l\'florhif;:flfd rubbing, aD r. watching lor sgme timé r."xxfliage #trolled away smiling. Men who served with him in the Massachusetts Legislature told this one: 'While Mr. Coolidge was presiding over the State Senate, a heated argu- ment arose between two of its members and terminated with one of the I lators telling the other to “go to hel The offended Senator led to Mr. Coolidge and demanded some- thing Wi expression or e(;:ffl\lr!. the former President re- pl “I have looked up the rules; you don’t have to go.” ©Tt was at s ground-! mony in his home State Mr. custom: ful of waited for him to speak. nothing the master of ceremonies him if he would favor with a ds. ‘words. Mr. Coolidge looked at the spadeful of earth he just turned over and sald: “That's a fine fishworm.” Then tiirned and walked to his waiting car. about. “Sin,” said Mr. "Whatudld the rs. : “He was against it,” sald Mr. Cool- While he was a coll student he returned home for & holiday and took a girl to a party. On the return trip, made in & sleigh, he took his friend o his father's house for coffec. His father asked him if he had en- joyed himself, whereupgn Calvin an- swered: “I had a fine time, father—I didn't dance.” When the Coolidges were living in a rented apartment in Northampton a| reporter asked the President if it was true that he paid only $35 rent. “Don’t print that,” said Mr. Coolidge, “4t’s really only $32 and he might raise it on me.” . Coolldge. to reagher say sbout it,” THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, BURDENS OF OFFICE TOO HEAVY' " TO DESCRIBE, COOLIDGESAID Articles Written After Leaving Washington Tell of Enormous Shoulders of One Man.fi’%‘ The imany exacting duties of the presidency were described by Calvin Coolidge in this article. written shortly after he Jeft the White House A d article will appear here tomorro Many believe the strain of the pres dency, which is indicated in these ratives, shortened Mr. Coolidge’s life, BY CALVIN COOLIDGE. As I recall the mounting events of the years I spent in Washington, I ap- preciate how impossible it is to convey an adequate realization of the office of President. Like the glory of a morning sunrise, it can only be experienced—it cannot be told. In the discharge of the duties of the office there is one rule of action more important than all others. It consists in never doing anything that some one else can do for you. Like many other good rules, it is proven by its exceptions. But it indicates a course that should be very strictly followed in order to pre- vent being so entirely devoted to details that there will be little oppor- tunity to give the necessary consid- eration to policies of larger importance. Like some other rules, this one has an important corollary which must be carefully observed in order to secure success. It is not sufficient to intrust details to some one else. They must | be intrusted to some one who is com- petent. The presidency is primarily an executive office. It is placed at the apex of our system of government. It is & place of last resort to which all ques- tions are brought that others have not been able to answer. The ideal way for it to function” is to assign to the varjous positions men of sufficient ability so that they can solve all the problems that arise under their jurisdiction. Must Make Own Judgments. While it is wise for ‘the President to get. all the competent advice possible, final judgments are necessarily his own. No one can share with him the responsibility for them. No_ ome can make his decisions for him, He stands at the center of things, where no one else can stand. If others make mis- takes, they can be relieved, and often- times a remedy can be provided. But he cannot retire. His decisions are final and usually irreparable. This con- stitutes the appalling burden of his of- fice. Not only the welfare of 120,000,- 000 of his countrymen, but oftentimes the peaceful relations of the world are intrusted to his keeping. At the turn of his hand the guns of an enormous fleet would go into action anywhere in the world, carrying the iron might of death and destruction. His appointment confers the to administer justice, inflict criminal penalties, declare acts of State Legis- latures and of the Congress vold, and sit in judgment over the very lite of the Nation. Practically all the civil and military authorities of the Government, except the Congress and the courts, hold their office at his discretion. He and he can remove. dollars of Government revenue are col- lected and expended under his direc- tion. The Congress makes the laws, hut it s the President who causes them. to be executed. A power so vast in its implications has never been conferred upon any rling sovereign. Every Day Is Busy. Every day of the presidential life is crowded vi{h activities. When To this was added a roll and a strip of bacon, which went mostly to our after 8 o'clock found me dictat- ing in the White House library in preparation for some public utterance. This would go on for more than an hour, after which I began to receive callers at the office. Most of these came by appointment, but in addition to the average of six to eight who were listed, there would be about as many more from my cabinet and the Con- gress, to whom I was always accessible. Each one came to me with a different problem requiring my decision, which Toward the close of his last term as | President a reporter asked Mr. Coolidge | What he intended to do when his term | expired. 1 “I am going back to Vermont and | whittle for & year or two,” Mr. Coolidge | answered DENVER ASKS TAXPAYERS | TO TRY SAVINGS PLAN| City Administration Proposes Sys- | tem Similar to Christmas Funds | to Avoid Penalties. | to shake hands with the President. w2s usually made at once. About 12:15 those began to be brought in who were t0 be somewhat formally presented. Met Public Daily. At 12:30 the doors were opened and a long line passed by who wished merely On one occasion I shook hands with 1,900 in 34 minutes, which is probably my record. Instead of a burden, it was a pleasure and e relief to meet people in that way and listen to their greeting, which was often a benediction. It was at this same hour that the numerous groups assembled in the south grounds, where I joined them for the photo- graphs used for news purposes and permanent mementoes of their White By the Associated Press. DENVER, January 6.—A thrift sav- ings arrangement whereby taxpayers | can accumulate sums sufficient to pay their taxes by making weekly deposits with banks on the plan of the Christ- House visit Lunch came at 1 o'clock, at which we usually had guests. It made an opportunity for giving our friends a little more attention than could be ex- tended through & mere handshake. About an hour was devoted to rest ’ Responsfbilj‘tign {é, ‘ his own problems. Mme ree- dom of discussion, but always without a vote of any kind, I was accustomed | to announce what the decision should be. | Besides social’y gafierings | there were varipus-afterne and | musicales, which X somejimes ‘gglected, and usually oné or twoygardeli parties. My personal social “fun: S con- sisted of the White House breakfasts, which were attended by 15 to 25 mem- bers of the House and Spnate and others. In addition to these White House events, the President and his wife 80| out to 12 official dinners. (Copyright. 1933. by North American News- paper Alliance, Inc.) —_— PREPARES SERMON FOR COOLIDGE RITES | Rev. Albert J. Penner Is 31 Years | 01d, but Looks Much Younger. Came From Minnesota. formal By the Associated Press. NORTHAMPTON, Mass., January 6. —The man who will preach the sermon | for the funeral of Calvin Coolidge is 31 years old and looks much younger He is Albert J. Penner, formerly of Mountain Lake, near Mankato, Minn. | His parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Penner | still live there. | Since last September, when hg re-| turned from two years of.study imk Eu:4 rope, he has been psswro!';l‘ Edwards Congregational _ Church, . whigh #iw founded a hundred years ago By Jona- than Edwards. . He knew the Coolidges slightly. Mrs. Coolidge and her son John were mem- bers of the church. Calvin Coolidge was not, though he attended regularly. The former President was always the first man out. when Sunday services were over, Penner ga! m rare o id. casions he lingered %o say “How de d On rarer occasions he complimented the pr;l:herM on lt,.he sermon., V. Mr. Penner spent a good part of yesterday afternogn with Mrs. CI:):I- idge, making &ufi for the funeral. They decided that the services should be simple, the sermon very brief. The preacher will go along to Plymouth, Vt., to officiate at the burial 3 NEWS GRIEVES JaRAN * Envoy Expresses Sympathy Coolidge Family and U. 8. to POLITICS STIRRED BY COOLIDGE DEATH FelloW Republicans Regarded Ex-President Strong 1936 ‘Possibility. By the Assoclated Press A train of political conjecture fol- lows in the wake of the death of Cali vin Coolidge. Despite ‘his nearly-complete with- drawal from the atens of party war- fare, Mr. Coolidge was regarded by an increasing “number of fellow Republic- ans as an outstanding presidential pos- sibility four years hence. Of “course, no one pretended to be able to forecast with certainty whether that actuslly was the direction toward which Republican reorganization plans were tending. The y leaders, still suffering from .the shock of their No- vember defeat, “havei\considered only tentative possibilities. Whether actual renomination was in store for him, it is certain that had he lived he would have been asked to take a large share in rehabilitating the party organization. Felt Strength Waning. What He himself would have said about another nomination must also re- main an unanswered question. He wrote after leaving the White House that he preferred to retire because, in part, he felt he might not have the physical strength to complete another term—a prophetic conviction. Doubtless- he would have been coun- seled that his interim of quiet in peaceful Northampton had fortified him for another spell of service, and that a new set of problems, arisen since he left the White House, would give him an opportunity to put into new activity a mental energy which he felt had been much- dulled before his re- -4 tirement. His dbath while the Republican party was in the first throes of reor- ganization carried along“to the end a striking analogy between his political career and that of Theodore Roosevelt. Unlike as they were personally, far apart as they were in their conceptions of party regularity, the thread of a surprising similarity ran through many of the experiences of these- two Presi- dents—the only two in our times to retire from the highest office when their personal popularity was at its greatest peak. Similar Climbs in Service. Both ascended to the White House from the vice presidency, after a long climb, step by _step, up the ladder of public office. Both struqfled with sig- nal succéss to hold in line both' the conservative and the progressive wings of the party, and keep the administra- :vnnttn good repute .in both East and est. Either ;Roosevelt or Coolidge might have remained in the White House had | he chosen to do so, and broken for the ‘TOKIO, Janua 6 (#).—Count | Yasyua Uchida, Jepanese foreign min- ister, said today the “grievious news of the death of Calvin Coolidge came as a great shock, and on behalf of my gov- ernment and myself I wish to extend to Mrs. Coolidge and family and the whole American people our very deep | sympathy in the loss they have sus- tained.” “A sage, level-headed counselor has passed away and the world must be | poorer for his death,” he continued. *“Returning from Paris after signing the | anti-war pact of 1928, it was my privi- | to be entertained at luncheon at | the White House and I retain a pleas- ant and grateful recollection of the | manner in which President Coolidge welcomed me. His death: is to me 8| personal 1 c vorite sot the American character. first time the two-term tradition. Each lived to see a successor, chosen from his own cabinet, overwMelmingly re- jected by the people after a single term. At the-time of his death on January 6, 1919, Roosevelt was the magnet toward which a harassed party was turning in increasing numbers for lead- ership. Many think that had he lived, his nomination and election in 1920 would have been almost a foregone con- clusion. It is too early to make predictions, but there.are party leaders who now think the analogy will go still further, and the Republican convention of 1936, lacking a leader recognized by all fac- tions, may reproduce that of 1920, and finally end its deadlock by turning to some comparatively {nconspicuous 1 BARBARA STONE'S SHOE DEPT. FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1933. Vermont Inspired: “{COOLIDGE MADE PLEA Coolidge to Write.|FOR CHARITY DURING 1933 Lines of Verse|Former Prestaent's Last Pabiic Ut- térance Was New Year Greet- ing to Nation. iated Press. January 6.5-A New Year. made public here last Sunday hi by Claude G. Bowers, the poittieal ter, was perhaps the .last public uttemance of Calvin Coolidge, ' “For the year 1933, said My, ige, “it seems to me that we' need: Austere Leader Showed Other Nature in Poem Read in 1928, By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, January 6.—Calvin Coolidge, the austere leader, also was & writer of verse. Here is an original poem he read at Bennington, Vi, in 1928: Vermont is a State I love. 1 could not look Upon the peaks Oroucumey‘ Killington, Mansfield and Equinox Without_being moved In & way that no other scens Could move me! It was there That I first ‘saw The light of day; Here I received my bride, Here my dead lle, Pillowed on the loving breast Of our everlasting hills. If the spirit of liberty Should vanish in other parts Of the Union And support of our institutions Should languish, 1t all Prom the generous atore Held by the people ;" O1 this brave little State Of Vermont., -+ [ SIX WIDOWS SURVIVE FORMER PRESIDENTS Mrs. Cleveland Was Only One of First Ldllies Who Was. Remarried. of By the Associated Press. Although the death of Calvin Cool- idge removed the last former Presi- dent, six widows of Chief Executives are living. ‘They are the widows of Presidents Harrison, ‘Clevelind, Rbosevelt, Taft, Wilson and Coolidge. Of them all, Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Roosevelt have remained, perhaps, most in_the public Mrs. Rooseveit attended the Hoover notification ceremonies in Washington last August and later introduced the President to a vast campaign audience in Madison Suuare Garden. Mrs. Wil- son puts in an appearance at most Democratic party occasions of impor- | tance. | Mrs. Taft remained active in the Capital's social life until the déath of | the late Chief Justice in 1930. Mrs, Harrison lives quietly in New York City. Only one former First Lady, the | widow of President Cleveland, remar- { red. In 1913 she became Mrs. Thomas | J. Preston, jr. She lives, with her hus- | band, professor :of archeology at Prince- 1 ton University, in Princeton. | et S | Folger Library to Close for Day. | | The following statement was given | out at the Folger Shakespeare Library this morning: “The Folger Shake- | speare Library, which is administered | by the trustees'of Amberst, College, wil be closed on Saturday, January 7, out | of respect to the memory of former President Coolidge, chairman of the Amherst Committee on the Library.” Mode Shirts Collar attached, separate collars to match and tab models. $1.65 and $1.95 Grades 31.15—6 for $3 $2.50 and $3 Grades 31]9—3 for §§ $3.50, $4 and $4.50 Finest Imported Madras 3239-3 for §7 Daffodil Radium Silk, white self collars; white and plain colors, collar attached. ,ZSM for $7.75 Our popular Glenbrook Broadcloth—collar attached and neckband. ‘lJH for $4 Pamous Southampton Broadeloth Shirts. 32.29—3 for $6.50 * Mode Cravats Exclusive silks and pat- terns; beautifully tailofed. 65¢ and §1 Grades sscd for. $1.50 $1.50 and $1.65 Grades 89 C—J for $2.50 $2, $2.50 and $3 Grades 51.0—3 for 34 $3.50, $4 and $8 Grades 52.49—3 for §7 Extolled by Spanish Press. MADRID, ' Januaty 6 (#)—All to- day’s newspapers expressed regret at the passing of Calvin Cdaolidge in edi- torials describing him ‘s an excellent President and a splendid example of [} Underwear 75c and $1 Shorts—plain and fancy. 47C—3 for $1.25 50c Ribbed and Flat Lisle Athletic Undershirts. SC-—J for §1 $1 Athletic Union Suits. 9c—3 for $1.7§ * Included are the Lounge models. Plain and trimmed. $1.50 and $2 Grades 81.15—3 for $3 $2.50 and $3 Grades SIM—S for $5 to -taset —because the merchandise is different. DR. GILBERT GROSVENOR SENDS CONDOLENCES - Spokesman Caused 0] e bl f By Calvin Coolidge ‘n: Coolidge ' at Ansborst. - X h t of which former President Coolidge was a of trustee, has sent the following telegram of condolence to Mrs. Coolidge: 9 the officers and trustees of the End of White House By the Associated Press. Among the storles retold today on Calvin Coolidge was the ocoss, S e e g kesman”—! apol cal cl created by Capital newspa, to avoid -direct quotation the President. AV's press confetence oft & dull s'un"ner'u day when news was loss of one of the soclety's trustees, whose wise counsel and .keen interest in the society’s work have been most ins] L lg‘:l()rmvvnor and Mr, Coolidge were schoolmates at Amherst and tained their friendship in after years. Mr. Coolidge became a trustee of the Qeographic Society soon after he left the presidency, in 1929. It is said that an Bskimo baby never cries. They only twist their heads about and contort their features if they ai The Sale that’s different The Semi-annual Clearance has put a deep dent in prices—but it’s the wonderful character of the Clothing—Shoes—Haberdashery that makes these prices so femarkable. They’re All * Bargains All Fashion Park Suits, Overcoats and T‘opcoats $40 to $65 .grades x $28.75 You know- there is 1 equal tailored 'ak,Fuh\xon ark, Ouly Formal Clothes Excepted 46 ‘that All Glenbrook Suits, Overcoats and Tc{pcoats $25, $30 and $35 grades - owa.specially designed and made clothing into which we put the Mode’s reputation. Gy Formal Clothes Are Excepted $3.50.and $4 Grades mas savings accounts is proposed in a |before returning to the office, where 2.39—6 for §7 notice to taxpayers from the Denver |the afternoon was reserved for atten- $ city administration. tion to the immense number of docu- Calling attention to a reduction of $1,053,200 in the tax bill of the city and | dounty of Denver for 1933, compared | with 1932, the notice states that “we realize that even with this reduction in taxation many of the citizens will en- counter difficulties in raising the money necessary to meet their tax obligations. g May 1 anticipate your and accumulate each f of the necessary We hope by then to have an | arrangement with the banks for tax | savings accounts similar to the Christ- | mas savings accounts. Such an ar- rangement would relieve many of you ments which pass over the desk of the President. ‘These .were all* cleaned up each day. Before dinner another walk was in order, followed by exercise on some of the vibrating machines kept in my room. We gathered at the dinner table at 7 o'clock, and within thres-quarters of an hour work would be resumed with my stenographer, to continue until about 10 o'clock. Of course, there were variations, but this was the usual routine. AND BROWN IN SUEDE OR KID Volume of Mail Heavy. [ The White House offices are under the direction of the secretary to the $5, 86 and $7.50 Silk Crepe 33.95—4 for $11.75 Hosiery 50c and 75c Wool, Silk and Wool and Lisle Hose. 39¢=3 for 8t $1 and $150 Silk, Lisle and French Lisle. 89C—J for $2.50 Those wonderful Whitehall Shoes You have thanked us for bringing this famous make of shoes to Washington—and now. in the Clearance Sale the regular prices go tumbling down. from ine imposition of costly penalties or borrowing charges.” EVENING President. Reports come in daily from e | heads of departments, from distant | possessions, and from foreign diplo- | mats and consular agents scattered all | over the earth. A mass of correspond- THIRD RECENT DEATH | ence from the Congress, the officials Father and Son of Coolidge Also | of the States, and the gen!rulll p;l?lgfs i in Ei is constantly being received. All 0 Expired Within Eight Years. | p e om0y Y908 Thces in 8 day BOSTON, January 6 (). —The death| Very much of it is sent at once to af Calvin Coolidge yesterday at North- | the department to which it refers, from ampton was the third in the Coolidge | Which an answer is sent direct to the family in the past eight years. | writer. Other parts are sent to differ- Calvin, Jr., his younger son, died July | ent members of the office staff and some 7, 1924, &t Walter Reed Hospital, Wash- | is laid before the President. While I * Lounging Robes $8.50 and $10 Import- ed Flannel and Silk- lined Brocade Robes. $5and $5.50 $6 and $650 $9.50 and $8 Grades Grades Grades 53.95 54.85 36.85 John C. Coolidge, father of the for- | mper President, died at the family home- stead, Plymouth, Vi, March 18, 1926. —— ANNUAL VESPERS SUNDAY Annual vespers services, benediction gnd sermon will mark the celebration in the Washington section of the Feast of the Holy Name in St. Joseph's Churgh, Seecond and C streets north- -'1;' &t 7:30. p.m. Toan st je president of the Wash- the membership at the services. o |in to be inscribed, . announcement, Wil- | of the Holy Name So-|administration, these were rather clety, urged 100 per cent attendance of | numerous. Later they signed many letters, I did not dictate many. After indicating the nature of the reply, it was usually put into form by some of the secretaries. A great many photographs were sent and a constant stream of autographs went to all who wrote for them. Cabinet Meetings Informal. } At 10:30 on Tuesdays and Fridays | the cabinet meetings were held. These | were always very informal. Each mem- ber was asked if he had any problem {he wished to lay before the President. When I first atiended with President | Harding &t the beginning of a new TIME decreased s each member felt better able to solve LIMITED BARBARA STONE 5 F ST. NW. 5679 Drop in and let Tom Edmonston fit you. The Mode—F at Eleventh