Evening star., 1923-09-09


we do to honor a notable parsonage.
He had completed a portion of a trip
chat was to take him to the greatest
points of interest of the nation over
which he presided. He was to, be
further feted and entertained by
thousands who admired him, not only
as the Chief Executive of the nation,
but as a man, a kindly person who
gave every day evidence of his love
for his friends and his high regard
for the citizen.
He was stricken with what ap-
peared to be serious but not dan
, gerous aiIment; eminent specialists
were called to his bedside; bulletins,
OF a reassuring nature were issued
and eased the PUBLIC mind; prepara-
tfons that had been halted were
again taken up, when the news of
his assured recovery was given out;
then, with a suddenness that stunned
not only the United States, but the
whole world, came the message that
he had passed from this earth, but
long before the nation had heard, the
sorrowful news a message was speed
ing to a small farm In Vermont, tell
ais AiS dSSOCidIe OF -Ine Campaign OI
1920, his friend and confidant, that
he. Calvin Coolidge, must take up
the reins of government and at once.
for. no matter what may happen to
any individual. this great nation
must not be left without a directing
head t-
The son of poor but highly respect
ed parents had passed away; mem
Dor of another humble and sterling
family was to be reused in the night
by an admiring father-a knock at
the door, a message thrust into the
hands of the man who for years had
had the greatest confidence in his boy,
the word that his son must arise
and at once assume the reins of gov
eminent, must take the oath of office
as President of the United States.
The father made no comment-it was
too sacred an occasion-but with
typical Coolidge directness wakened
the man who was to guide the ma
ton and serve it's people.
Picture to yourself the solemness
OF the ceremony of taking the oath of
office that makes man President
of the greatest nation in the world.
Perhaps. unconsciously, you visualize
the usual ceremony, bands playing,
flags flying, thousands cheering. but
this recent ceremony was bereft of
any of these accomplishments. The
words of the pledge that made Calvin
Coolidge President of the United
States were uttered by his father,
who, as a justice of the peace, was
. empowered to perform the act. The
son, with right hand raised to heaven,
took the obligation.
The scene changed. Arrangements
were made with the greatest dis1atch
for the new head of the nation to
come to the Capital, for he must be
here to carry on the affairs of the
hundred and odd million people who
live in this country or her posses
sions. The great railroads furnished
locomotives and CARS to bear the new
chieftain to Washington, thousand
and one other necessary things were
done, and with the adaptability of the
people Of this country everything
that had to be done was accomplished
with as great speed as was humanity
possible.
THE arrival of the President was
l. devoid of any dramatic incidents.
1t was like a soldier answering the
call of his country. The train arrived
ahead of it's schedule. The two cabi-
net members who were in Washing
ton at the time, Secretary of State
Hughes and Postmaster General New,
with other officials, met their new
chief at the station and drove with
him to the quarters reserved for him
ir the Willard Hotel, the rooms that
he and Mrs. Coolidge had occupied
when he was second in command.
Late into the night he discussed
with those who were in the city the
arrangements for his predecessors
funeral, talked over matters of state
that must have immediate attention
and made arrangements for the con-
Quoting of the nations business from
rooms hurriedly secured on the same
floor as his apartment. He sent word
that Mrs. Harding was to occupy the
White House, a delicate and thought
full act which will, ever be remem-
bered by Mr.. Hardings friends. He
realized that the wife of the late
President had no other home than the
Executive Mansion. 1t is true that
there were many friends who would
have turned over their houses to her,
but there was only one place that she
knew as home.
With the coming Of the dawn CAL
vim Coolidge took up the task where
warren Harding had laid it down.
From the Executive Mansion and the
departments came numerous clerks,
aides, secretaries and others whose
duties are to help the head of the
nation. Conferences were held with
cabinet members, and rreetings were
held with various other persons The
new President was already working
at his task, a task that is far greater
and more irksome than most people
imagine. r
Down the spacious Railways OF the
hotel hurried messengers. secretaries
were busy at this or that task, Army
officers were giving directions as to
the funeral of the former President,
matters of Importance to the nation
were being considered by President
Coolidge, and he was proceeding in
the same calm and digniaed manner
that has marked mis- course ever since
he came to Washington. -
In all candor IL must be stated that
some of those who surrounded him
were rather more nervous than usual,
nut the man who as youngster. had