Evening Star Newspaper, January 8, 1933, Page 5

THE SUNDAY STAR. WASHINGTON, D. C., JANUARY 8, EYEWITNESS TELLS OF PLYMOUTH OATH Sole Reporter Present at Homestead Inauguration Recalls Details. {Written espectally for the Assoclated the only newspaper man b4 Coclidge's first suguration as President.) BY JOSEPH H. FOUNTAIN. \ ST. ALBANS, Vt., January 7.—The | sudden death of former President Cool- idge vividly recalled the unusual and | dramatic circumstances surrounding the homestead inauguration of the thirtieth President of the United States | in a little white farm house at Plymouth | early on the morning of August 3, 1923. The late President’s father, Col. John Coolidge, a Windsor County notary public, administered the presidential oath of office in the presence of five persons, one of whom included the writer, who represented the Assuciatedl s Word of the death of President Hard- ing at San PFrancisco had been speeded across the continent to Woodstock, Vi in the form of a message to the thén Vice President, who with Mrs. Coolidge, was passing a holiday at his father's farm. The message was intrusted to & Woodstock man who hurried by auto- mobile to the idge farm. Arri there he found the place in darkn But his sturdy raps on the door sc awakened Col. Coclidge who, lamp in hand, admitted the messenger and then | called his son. | Coolidge Gives Statement. By the time Mr. Coolidge had dressed. & half-dozen newspaper men, who had been staying at Ludlow, 12 miles dis- tant from Plymouth and where there was a telegraph office, reached the old farm house asking for a statement. The statement was dictated by Mr. Coolidge and distributed to the rters, who immediately left to file their stories from Ludlow. In the meantime, been telephoned to me at Sgringfleld, Vt., by the Associated Press Bureau at [* Boston, to hasten to the Coolidge home and assist in covering the story. | Arriving in Plymouth shortly after 2| oclock in the morning_ with United States Senator Porter H. Dale, we found the Coolidge home ablaze with lamp lights. The man, who was to become the next President, was sitting in a yocking chair, quietly awaiting word from the village store, across the street, that Washington, D. C, was on the wire instructions had After a five-minute wait the call was completed. Mr. Coolidge was furnished the form of the oath and announced that it would be perfectly legal for his father to administer the oath in his role as notary public and that the cere- | mony would take place immediat2ly. | Col. Coolidge left the room to return in a few minutes freshly shaven. Mr. Coolidge dictated the oath to his then | secretary, Erwin C. Geiser, and had three copies made. He gave one to Senator Dale, one to myself and re- tained the original. We read what Geiser had written and Senator Dale said he believed the form correct. Mr Coolluxe in a characteristic manner, replied “T hope 50.” Father Administers Oath. | Mrs. Coolidge suggested it might be | well to await the return of the other newspaper men from Ludlow and Mr. Coolidge replied that he saw no occa- | slon for delay and that the Associated Press representative would no doubt be pleased to see that proper public notice was given the event. At exactly 2:47 am. Gol. Coolidge took his position in front of an old- fashioned marb’e-topped table in the living room. Two kerozenc il lamps were brought in. The President-to-be | stepped up to the opposite side of the table facing his father and slowly raised his right hand. Mrs. Coolidge was standing at her husband's side, while Mr. Geiser, Senator Dale and myself stepped back and to the side of Mr. Cooildge. It was a solemn and impres- sive scene. Three faces could be seen pressing sgainst the screen in the door—the faces of Mr. Coolidge’s chauffeur and two other men. After clearing his throat, Col. Cooi- idge solemnly read the words of the oath, which were repeated in that firm voice that so definitely marked Mr. Coolidge’s New England birth. By the glow of the two lamps, Calvin Coolidge signed the form of the oath, in triplicate. As he laid the pen aside the President slowly raised his head and glanced at Mrs. Coolidge, who still stood at his side. | Speaking no word, he nodded his head and with Mrs. Coolidge left the Toom. REVEALS COOLIDGE'S PLAN TO VISIT LATINS | John Barrett, Former Head of Pan- American Union, Arranging Trip. By the Associated Press NEW YORK, January 7.—John Bar- rett, former director general of the Pan- | American Union, at Washington, said | tonight that Calvin Coolidge was con- presidency or an | in Stamford, Conn., my bedside telephone Church, Northampton, Mass. citizens passed it in single file. Lower: was taken lD Pl‘vmculh Vt., for BY HENRY L. STODDARD. y Veteran journa and a friend of Presidents since Grant's edministra- tion. Mr. Coolidge declared he al- ways trusted Mr. Stoddard, because he “never wanted anything for him- IL is my pr‘H]{’gP to have probably was the last talk with Calvin Coolidge on national political topics and to have been authorized by him had what at that time to make a publi {in my own way that he was no to be considered in connection wit other public office. The interview took place at the Van- derbilt Hotel in_this city on Wedn day, December 14. Mr. Coolidge h come to New York to attend the m ly meeting of the New York Life Insur- ance Co. “fiu” at that morn: I was ill with the my home *‘Hello. Not Certain of I answered, Voice. sidering a visit to South America aboard s private yacht just before he died Barrett,” who has served as United Btates Minister to Argentina, Colombia and Panama, quoted the former Presi- dent as expressing the conviction that the fostering of pan-American solidar- ity offered the United States its great- | est opportunity and responsibility for future world leadership. | The subject of & South American trip was discussed between them, Bar- | rett said, as recently as last month, dur ing one of Mr. Coolidge’s Visits to New | York. Since he first suggested the trip. | shortly before Mr. Coolidge became President, in 1923, Barrett said, he had communicated confidentially with sev- eral leading Latin Americans and with North American yacht owners | Enthusiastic co-operation was prom- | 4sed on both sides, he said, for a trin that would avoid too much formality and speechmaking. Mr. Coolidge had insisted that he bear nis share of the| cost of the trip, Barrett said. i PORTRAIT OF STEWARD ! or. J. F. 3 Union Will Make Presentation. i 8tandards Presentation to the National Federa-q tion of ral Employes of an oil fnntmg of Luther C. Steward, its pres- dent. will mark a banquet in the Wil- lard Hotel Wednesday night under au- spices of the District Federation of Federal Employes’ Unions. Members of the Executive Council of the national body, who are in Wash- ington for a series of meetings, as v\tlh as officers of the workers' organiga- | tions, will be guests at the affair. ‘The portrait of Mr. Steward will be presented by Dr. J. Franklin Myer, esident of the Bureau of Standards flsul Unicn, No. 260, and will be ac~l &gkfl on behalf of the federation by John Pitzgerald of New York, first vice president of the organization. It will be hung in the national head- quarters in the Labor Building. John W. Ginder, president of the District federation, will preside at the Fanquet. Leslie ©. McNemar will be wastmaster. |idge's secretary, “How are you? that_sounded but I e T T am well, ik came & in a voice Coolidge, 1'~1 versation I ask: “I am very in a voice voice of Ci “Where nd you he continu we ht e & v but up in Yes. a couj 5 afternoon, amford— t I can be in your hotel in of " 1 quicl replied. Cautions About Healih. “Don't take any risks with the ‘flu,’ " he urged. “Better stay home and get well.” “I don't know of an that would help me well mc a visit h ¥ I replied, “and I'm going feel sure about yourself, all he said, “but no chances. notking im now. We | can visit some othe: " I replied, “I can be down about half past one.” “Geod,” said Mr. Coo be back from the New Y Life meet- ing then. We can have a talk Promptly at 1:30 o'clo tered the Vanderbilt Hotel, Mr. Cool- Harry Ross, met me. Together we went to the Coolidge rooms, the ex-President Having preceded us “I am eafraid you should not come out,” he said in kindly tones. In Excellent Health, I found Mr. Coolidge in fine spirits and apparently in batter health than for a long time. I had visited him twice | curing the Summer at Plymouth, Vt. and on both occasions his complexion plainly showed slow heart action. His rather timid, short steps as he then moved about made me feel that he real- ized that he had to be careful of him- “I shall s I en- sell. At the Vanderbilt Hotel that after- | noon, however, three weeks ago, he | walked freely and without hesitaton and his complaxion seemed $most rud- PPER: Banked by flowers, the casket with the body of The body was on vie Pallbearers carrying the casket out of the church after the services. bu*lal NEVER AGAIN ENTER PUBLIC LIFE COOLIDGE INSISTED RECENTL “We Are in a New Era to Which I Do Not Belong—Could Not Adjust My- self o He TOld Frxend dy. As he sat down on the sofa, he drew out two cigars and said. with that quiet smile that all who knew him will al- ' smoke, 1 guess 1 will have to consume both 8 Discusses tion went against us much than 1 had anticipated. he said, - “T suppose that, since 1t had to be, it is just as well that the Demo- stock and barrel; | but somehow I feel it is a mistake to break down the Hoover adm.ni tion just as it is making progress to- onal recovery. The Democrats will set aside the Hoover asures and try some of their own That only means more experimenting with legislation. The big thing this country stands most in need of just now is econcmy. Unless Congress can bring down expenditures drastically all other measures will not count for much Probably the people will have to find The Democrats don't propose to pay much attention to Hoover in this ses- s.on.” I interrupted “That is not unusual” replied the ex-President. “It is no reflection on Mr. Hoover. A President on his way out is never given much considera- tion. That’s politics. I remember that afier the 1922 electon, when the tide ntly against the P(])Uh- see a difference t manner of visitor > President’s office seems to be human ith [h( w lln’h‘l’4 : even some jeans or presumed Republicans.” Kept Out of Picture. “I haven't ywed matters closely enough to understend just what they're * said Mr. Coolidge. “I 2m and have kept out. mind not to emiarrass President r by comments on his policies one other, and I bave never y. The surest way to avoid it was to put my mind on other subje and T have done so. It was hard wor Summer just becaus ad not kept posted. Up in Plymouth, vou know, 1 are pretty well out of the currents “I have b2en out of touch so lorg political activities thet I feel I no onger fit in with all that is going on,” inu=d Mr. Coolidgz. “Great changes can come in four years, Thes2 social- notions of government are not of When I was in office tex re- duction, debt reduction, tariff stability and economy were the things to which I give attention. We succeeded on those lines. It has always seemed to me that commoen sense is the real solvent for the Naticn's problems at all times—commen sense and hard work. “When I read of the newfangled things that are now so popular I realize that my time in public affairs is past. I wouldn't know how to handle them if I were called upon to do s0. Through With Public Life. “That is why I am through with pub- lic life forever. I rhall never again hold public office. I shall always do my part to help elect Republican can- | didates, for I am & party man, but in no other way shall I have anything to do_with political matters “I hear talk of nominating me for President in 1936, That cannot be There is no way I can decline some- thing not yet offered, but I am embar- Thousands Honor Coolidge at Last Rites alvin Coolidge lying in state in the Edwards Congregational for one hour, during which time a steady stream of solemn From Northampten the body P. ana! | rassed by the discussion of my name | I cannot answer letters or give inter- views about it. but I want to stop it | before it gets too far. I authorize you | now to say publicly, in your own way |and in your own time, that I am no longer to be considered for any public | office. I do not care to have you quote me directly, but you will know how to state it so that it will be accepted as au- | thoritative. T do not think anything should be said until after the holidays; | people will not be paying much atten: | tion to politics the next few weeks. “We are in a new era to which I do not belong, and it would not be possible for me to adjust myself to . “These new ideas call for new men to develop them. That task is not for men who believe in the only kind of Government I know anything about. We cannot put everything up to the Government _without “overburdening it However, I do not care to be criticizing | those I've never been much | good cking men in public office If they succeed the criticism fails; if fail the people find it out &s they quickly as you can tell them.” Definite About Retirement. “But, Mr. Coclidge, when this so- called new deal fails to accomplish all that the people expect of it,” I replied, “will th not turn to conservatism overwhelmingly and to you as its most conspicuous leader? Will it not be im- possible for you to resist such a de- mand “It was mot in 1928 replied Mr. Coolidge, “and it will not be again. I am through with public life. You can- not state it too »positively. Nothing would induce me to take office again “Of course, I will do as you sa I said, “but I would rather submit to you whatever I write.” “No,” replied Mr. Coolidge have my ideas, and you know how to state them. I authorize you to go ahead.” It was now time for the Springfield back home. I motored with Coolidge to the Grand Central Sta- on, and as I said good-by to him in e ‘train shed he replied “Teke care of that ‘flu’ You never can tell what it may do to you. 1hope the harm “All that has harmed me, Mr. Cool- idge.” I sald, “is the decision you have made. |~ We shook hands heartily. nied b; ar S e down the aisle towa me forever gone (Copyright i b Accompa- disappeared d his train—for fcan News- SENATOR WALSH URGES STAMP FOR COOLIDGE Messachusetts Democrat Tells Post- master Gene: Country Would Approve Tribute. By the Associated Press. On behalf of the Massachusetts con- | gressional delegation, Senat.y Walsh of that State yesterday recommended to | the Post Office Department the issuance of a memorial stamp in commemoration of the late President Coolidge. | The Masachusetts Democrat, in a letter to Postmaster General Brown. called attention that such stamps had been issued m recent years in honor of Taft, McKinley, Harding and Wilson, and said “The country, I am sure, will approve | of this tribute being paid 'to the mem- ory of our departed ex-President.” | ALUMNAE TO MEET | Ex-Students of Newcomb College, Tulane, to Gather. ‘Washington alumnae of Newcomb College, the woman’s department of Tulane University, will meet at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at the home of Mrs. Er- Tett Albritton, 5437 Nebraska avenue. All former students of the college liv- ing in Washington hlv! been invited to | attend. “You trip down has not done you any | IAVERAGE LIFE SPAN & OF PRESIDENTS 63 Death of Coolidge at 60 Gives New Evidence of Killing Strain. By the Associated Press The life span allotted Coclidge was nine years shorter than the average of all the American Pres- idents who have gone before hi His 60 years even fell below the aver- age presidential lifetime for the period since the Civil War, which has drop) to 63 years and has given rise fre- quently to the statement that America in this modern age subjects its Pres- idents to a strain that kills In the slower days of the Republic'’s infancy its Chief Executive often lived to a ripe old age. John Adams, who followed George Washington in the presidency, lived to be 90. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and John Quincy Adams all reached or passed the 80 mark. The comparative longevity of the early fathers accounts in large part for the fact that the figure for Amer- ica’s Presidents as a whole rests at 69 years—just 1 short of the traditional “threescore and ten.” Taft Died at 72, But since the time of Abraham Lincoln, history shows, only three Pres- idents have atiained that age and none has gone far beyond it. Rutherford B. Haves was 70 when he died, Grover Cleveland 71 and Willlam Howard Taft 72. Assassins’ bullets cut short the lives of James A. Garfield at 49, Abraham Lincoln _at 56 and William McKinley at 58, Theodore Roosevelt was 61 when he_died. Many maladies have risen to take from the Nation a President or former President in the years since George Washington, at 67, caught his death of cold while riding over his Virginia estate, unmindful of a storm. ‘Wilson Victim of Heart Attack. ‘Woodrow Wilson, World War Presi- dent, died of heart disease at the same age as Washington. John Quincy Adams died after a stroke of paralysis. Martin Van Buren was a victim of asthma, William Henry Harrison of pneumonia, John Tyler, liver trouble; James Buchanan, rheu- matic gout; Andrew Johnson, paralysis; Ulysses S. Grant, cancer; Rutherford B. Hayes, heart disease, and Chester A. Arthur, apoplexy, to mention a few. To few was it granttd to on as peacefully as the thirtieth President, Calvin Coolidge, who died of a sudden heart attack, or Roosevelt, whose vig- orous life ended quietly while he was sleeping. Stated Simply Coolidge Beliefs Well Out- lined by Epigrams Run- ning Through Utterances. NEW YORK, January 7 (#).—A few of the epigrams that studded the public utterances of Calvin Coolidge: “We need a faith that is broad enough :: let the people make their own mis- ket “No great question has ever been de- cided by the people of this Nation on the sole basis of dollars and cents.” “When the times hi called for a good man, some one has stood forth. “That State is most fortunate in its form of government which has the apt- est instrument for the discovery of laws.” “Men do not make laws; they do but discover them. Laws must be justified by something more than the will of the majority. They must rest on the eternal foundation of righteousness.” “Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil; our great hope lies in developing what is good.” “I sometimes wish that people would put a little more emphasis upon the observance of the law than they do upon its enforcement.” “I am a Republican, but I cannot on that account shield any one because he is a Republican. I am a Republican, but I cannot on that account prosecute any one because he is a Democrat.” “Promises and good intentions are not enough. We cannot afford rash experi- ments.” “I am all through looking for ideal candidates for public office. They don't exist. We have to make the best of what we have, for it is only in that way that we are able to make any progress.” “The resources of our country are sufficient if we use them to help each other.” “There 1s only one form of political strategy in which I have any confl- dence, and that is to try to do the right thing.” “We draw our Presidents from the people. It is a wholesome thing for them to return to the people. I came from them. I wish to be one of them.” Traffic Regulations Discussed. NEW YORK, January 7 (#).—Another meeting of the Joint Committee of Railway and Highway Users was held yesterday in the Pennsylvania Railroad office to consider a report on regula- tion of commercial highway traffic. No announcement was made after the ses- sion. Another meeting, which probably will terminate the committee's discus- sions, will be called in another week or so, it was stated. [X 00.4- 0.0 o'n‘oo n’“.“. 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