Mr. Coolidge's Week

The Presidency

Mr. Coolidge's Week

P:The President traveled to Chebacco Lake to attend an outing of the Essex Club--a Republican organization founded some 20 years ago by the late Senator Lodge. The meeting was a great Republican get-together. Governor Fuller of Massachusetts spoke, praised Senator Lodge, invited all good Republicans to vote for Senator Butler next year. But the speaking continued. Senator Butler attacked political slackers who take no part in party politics. Senator Deneen of Illinois (successor of the late Senator Medill McCormick) preached support of the Administration. Finally ex-Senator Albert J. Beveridge of Indiana, not on the program, was called upon by acclamation for a few Beveridgian words. But the President, having been elected an honorary member, had left the meeting as soon as Governor Fuller had spoken.

P:Callers at White Court included Representative Fred S. Purnell (prospective Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture) to discuss farm legislation; William Phillips, Ambassador to Belgium, presumably to discuss the forthcoming Belgian debt negotiations.

P:Senator Deneen spent several days as a guest at White Court. Martin B. Madden, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, paid a flying visit, having just returned from Europe. He looked forward, he told reporters, to a reduction of surtaxes to a maximum of 15% and a total reduction of $350,000,000. He favored reduction of the corporation tax from 12 1/2% to 10%, objected to a graduated corporation tax and approved in general terms the Treasury's stand (see TAXATION).

P:The President let it be known that he would think favorably of calling an Arms Reduction Conference if a security pact is successfully made in Europe this summer.

P:According to press reports, the President was informed that an unofficial poll of the Senate had been taken, disclosing that the Administration would have a majority of six in favor of joining the World Court. Senator Curtis, Republican leader in the Senate, tersely commented that no poll had been taken or could well be taken with the present scattering of Senators. Likely enough the newspapermen at Swampscott conducted the poll jointly at table during lunch.

P:Mrs. Coolidge and her son John paid a visit to a shoe factory at Lynn, saw how shoes are constructed. Only women's shoes are made there, but the manufacturer measured the young man's feet and promised him a pair of shoes in three days.

P:Mrs. Coolidge acquired ten large balls of yarn and began 18 months' work on a great quilt or bedspread, knitted, to bedeck a fourposter in the state bedroom of the White House. Every mistress of the White House from Dolly Madison to Mrs. McKinley made something to leave behind her in the executive mansion.

P:Said Mr. Coolidge, in effect, to correspondents and photographers: "Let John alone. It's hard enough being the President's son without having everyone thrust it in his face. Let him alone at the summer military camp where he is going."

P:Other callers at White Court included Ambassador to Mexico James R. Sheffield and Mrs. Sheffield (who are cruising along the Massachusetts coast in a houseboat) ; Representative Underhill of Massachusetts, just returned from the Philippines; Admiral and Mrs. Eberle.

P:Senator and Mrs. Pepper of Pennsylvania came to spend the weekend. Reporters took Mr. Pepper in hand and questioned him about the U. S. joining the World Court. He said that he believed the Senate would approve.

P:President Coolidge, following a conference with Senator Pepper, let it be definitely known that he would not intervene in the anthracite situation unless a strike actually began.

P:Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge attended a fete for disabled Massachusetts War veterans given by Mrs. Curtis Guild at Swampscott.

P:John Coolidge left Swampscott for Camp Devens and military training. He was made Acting Corporal of the Second Squad, Company C, Third Battalion.

P:From Mrs. Gute Fox, aged 105, the President received an invitation to attend her birthday party at the Harlem Home of the Daughters of Israel, New York City. Mr. Coolidge's secretary wrote: ". . . the President greatly appreciates your invitation and sends congratulations and good wishes on your birthday."