The White House Week

THE PRESIDENCY

The White House Week

P: President Coolidge addressed a letter to both branches of Congress requesting passage before March 15, of a bill to authorize a flat 25% reduction in 1923 taxes, payable this year. The legislators replied that it could not be done.

P: A letter from Herbert Hoover, President of the American Child Health Association, and Secretary of Commerce, to Mr. Coolidge explained the plans of the Association to devote May Day to child health and welfare problems. Mr. Coolidge replied: "I wish the organizations every success in an effort which will touch so sympathetic a chord in every American heart."

P: Charles M. Schwab was a luncheon guest at the White House. Other visitors included Joseph Medill Patterson, Alexander P. Moore (American Ambassador to Spain), General Charles H. Sherrill of the U. S. Army and General Ballington Booth of the Salvation Army, Sergei Rachmaninoff (pianist), William Mengelberg (famed orchestra leader).

P: Mrs. Coolidge opened a series of Lenten musicals in the East Room. Rachmaninoff was the first attraction.

P: By an Executive Order the President directed that upon passage of a resolution by either House, a committee of Congress might secretly examine income tax reports.

P: The Oberammergau Passion Players visited the White House and were received by the President. An address made on their behalf by the Chairman of the American reception committee carried a political appeal for assistance to Germany. Mr. Coolidge, angered, abbreviated the interview by ordering other visitors admitted. Later the President sent a letter to Anton Lang (the Christus), explaining that, much though he had enjoyed meeting the Passion Players, it is not permissable for a President to receive public addresses from people of other nations.

P: Mrs. Coolidge, early to rise, hastened to an Amaryllis show given by the Department of Agriculture. Secretary and Mrs. Wallace were giving a private viewing to their guests before the show opened. Mrs. Coolidge, arriving even earlier, was given a very private showing, escorted by the Secretary, Mrs. Wallace and the Misses Mary and Ruth, their offspring.

P:The President submitted to the Senate the name of Hugh Gibson (Minister to Poland) to be made Minister to Switzerland, succeeding Joseph C. Grew recently made Under Secretary of State. This is merely a continuation of the round of promotions which began when Ambassador Richard Washburn Child resigned from his post at Rome.*

* Gibson takes Crew's post in Switzerland, Grew takes Phillips' place in Washington as Under Secretary of State, Phillips takes Fletcher's post in Belgium, Fletcher takes Child's in Italy. (TIME, March 3 et seq.)