Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-01
STOP SPECULATION
|. ON HIS NOMINATION
!. IS COOLIDGE PLEA
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal
Copyright 1928.

Copyright, 1929
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30.-Presi-
dent Coolidge would like to have
political speculation" tabooed so
far as he is concerned. This infor-
nation divulged in the last twenty
four hours was not specifically re-
lated to the many utterances of
men in the administration Itself
who have been publicly booming
Mr.. Coolidge for the 1924 presidential
nomination, but the inference being
drawn is that Mr.. Coolidge would
like it Just as we'll if he were not
made the center OF political discus
sion at the moment. RE feels there
is time enough for that later on.
Nothing, of course, has come from
the White House to indicate that,
Mr.. Coolidge is averse to winning
the nomination. But there are en-
barrassments to the presidential
job if ten months before the ma
tional conventions, the chief execu-.
tive is even passively a candidate,
especially while his own appointees
issue public statements predicting
his active candidacy.
Mr.. Coolidge has in all probable
ity been advised that the best poll
tics he could possibly play with ref
erence to 1924 is to play no politics
at all. Since he has taken the oath
Of office there has been no con-
crete evidence that he is playing
the political game. Many Of the
federal office holders however, havs
declared themselves for Coolidge and
the organization Of Coolidge for
President clubs is proceeding just
as if the man in the White House
had given his consent.
Meant for Press Also
The word direct from the admin
istration, therefore, that the presi-
dent would like to be spared political
speculation is as much bit of ad,
vice to the press as it is the we'll
intentioned friends who have been
extolling the virtues of the presi-
dent. Old political observers are
rather amused by the spectacle OF
federal appointees rushing to the
band wagon of the incumbent, espe-
cially when the latter hasn't been
in the White House long enough to
demonstrate whether he is the best
candidate the party can offer. The
feHon
swer the whole business, particular
lywhen it is seen whether the execu-
tive can exercise any Influence with
a legislative bodY in which the bal
ance of power is held by the so-calIed
radical wing OF the Republican par
.ty.
Mr.. Coolidge has taken occasion to
intimate what his policy toward con
gress will be. He will hesitate to
express an opinion about a bill while
it is pending. He will not threaten
a veto or promise his approval tn
anything if he can help it, prefer
ring to let congress act in its wis
dom and permit him to exercise his
constitutional prerogative of signing
or vetoing at the proper time. This
theory of the executive preCludes
welding the big stick of Roosevelt
or exercising the moral suasion of
Wilson. 1t means a free hand to
the executive until the bill actually
reaches him.
Not Always Feasible
While this method is unquestion
ably the most desirable that could be
followed, it doesn't always work out
that an executive can remain silent
in the face of inquiries from mem
bers of congress as to what his at
titude would be toward a bill if
passed. Many measures are side
tracked at the slightest gesture OF
executive disapproval and time is
saved that way.
In all probability the president
means to apply his policy to major
questions such as the soldiers bonus.
Mr.. Coolidge will not follow the prec-
edent of President Harding, who an
nounced that he would veto a bonus
bill unless the sales tax were en-.
acted to finance it. Mr.. Coolidge will
wait for congress to pass the bill
and if the means of financing the
bonus have been devised he will sign
the measure. Advocates of the bonus
are sure the bill now can be financed
and they are hopeful of executive
support when it is needed.
The slogan of the Coolidge admin
istration is caution. No commitments
in favor of or against anything will
be given until absolutely required.
Congress will have hard time
guessing the man in the White
House.