The Coolidge Week

P:What with cool weather, plentiful rains, promising crops and the honor of the President's visit, northwestern farmers, cheered, encouraged, no longer plan to name their children after Senator McNary and Congressman Haugen. So, at least, many a caller has assured the President. Onetime (1919-23) Governor Samuel R. McKelvie of Nebraska, overnight guest at the State Lodge, stated that most Nebraska farmers frown upon farm relief of the McNary-Haugen type, (i.e., with a price-fixing feature) but are open-armed toward extension of co-operative marketing and liberal financing arrangements (such as the Administration is expected to offer as a compromise relief measure).

P:Presumably with no punning intent, State Senator S. E. Ainslee of South Dakota introduced into the South Dakota legislature a resolution to name a mountain after the President in return for the "high distinction" received by South Dakota in having been selected for the President's vacation. The resolution, concurrently passed by South Dakota Senate and House, changed the name of a 6,000-foot peak overlooking the State Lodge to Mt. Coolidge. The mountain has hitherto been known both as Sheep Mountain and Lookout Mountain. Thus the South Dakota legislature showed more ingenuity than the legislature of Vermont, which last winter sought to name a mountain for the President, was baffled on finding every Vermont peak already christened.

P:Senator Peter Norbeck of South Dakota has long been a mild insurgent. Recent events have encouraged Administration supporters to believe that he will continue to be mild but no longer to be insurgent. His repeated visits to the White House were considered to have helped much in determining the President's choice of the Black Hills for his vacation. He has taken a paternal interest in Custer Park, and the President's visit has given that locality advertising which a million-dollar publicity appropriation could hardly duplicate. When the President's special train entered South Dakota, Senator Norbeck boarded it at the head of a welcoming delegation. At the State Lodge he has been a kind of master of ceremonies, ushering this and that visitor into the President's presence. For a man who supported Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, Hiram W. Johnson in 1924 and the McNary-Haugen bill during the last session of Congress, Senator Norbeck has thus somewhat conspicuously identified himself with Conservative Republicanism as headed and personified by the President. With Administration control of the Senate indeed shaky, the conversion of Senator Norbeck (has he been, or should he be, converted) would be a valuable by-product of the western trip.

P:"You look nice and sweet and pretty," said the President to Naomi Gill, seven-year-old Sioux Indian girl, pupil at the U. S. Indian School in Rapid City. The President had just completed reviewing 1,200 South Dakota National Guardsmen when he discovered that 54 Indian girls, aged from three to thirteen, had also lined up for inspection. Said one of their instructors later: "These children are deeply patriotic. Seeing the President did so much to gladden their hearts. And when the President actually spoke to them their joy knew no bounds."

P:Sioux Indians, planning to adopt President Coolidge into their tribe when he visits Deadwood in August, have been debating an Indian name for him. It was reported that Still Waters was the name most favored, but that no final decision had yet been reached. The Indians call Senator Peter Norbeck Charging Hawk. Observers, seeking to aid the presidential christening process, suggested Man-Who-May-Be-President-Two-Years-Longer-Than-Washington.

P:Rebecca Raccoon got out of her stable again, climbed a high tree. The White House staff formed a posse, located Rebecca, could not induce her to come down. Mrs. Coolidge coaxed, President Coolidge whistled, Rebecca remained insurgent. Dispatches added that another raccoon had been prowling about the State Lodge since Rebecca's arrival, added sex appeal to Rebecca's escapade.

P:To Will Rogers, funnyman, the President wrote: "I am sincerely sorry to hear of your illness and trust that your recovery may be speedy and complete." To this Mr. Rogers made professionally colloquial and homely reply: "Well, I certainly do appreciate that. It was mighty thoughtful and I hope he and that wonderful wife have a wonderful summer."

Publicity to message and reply resulted from the fact that many U. S. dailies, served by the New York Times Co., each day publish, usually in a prominently displayed box, the syndicated quips of Mr. Rogers.

P:The President addressed visiting members of the South Dakota legislature. ". . . Anyone who has an occupation, or, as they say on the street, a job, no matter whether in industry, agriculture or commerce, that person may be assured that he has the best occupation or job of anyone on earth. This is what the American flag means."

P:Fishing, Mrs. Coolidge caught a fish hook in her finger. The hook was cut out, and by evening Mrs. Coolidge was reported again in her usual good spirits.

P:President Coolidge entertained at the State Lodge Representative John Q. Tilson of Connecticut, Republican floor leader. They talked special session and tax relief. The President was reported as feeling that the business of the country would best be served by letting it continue for as long as possible without the agitation accompanying Congressional sessions.