Evening star., 1923-08-07
COAL STRIKE ACTION
GREAT FACTOR IN
COOLIDGE FUTURE
New President Faced With
Monumental Issue as First
Official Task.
ADMINISTRATION CRISIS
TO COME IMMEDIATELY
Executive Shows No Sign That Ter
rife Weight Rests Upon Him
as Nation Watches.
BY ROBERT IT. SMALL,

oS NdLlOu watches.
BY ROBERT IT. SMALL.
President Coolidge realized today
that events over which he has no con-
troll are carrying him forward TO a
crisis in his administration.
As the cards are laid upon the table
today there will be a cessation of
work in the anthracite field of the
country on September Ia little more
than three weeks away. The wage
agreements expire at midnight Au-
gust 81. Efforts to negotiate a new
agreement recently were broken off
While 1t will not be so termed by
the mine workers. the cessation of
mining will be a strike. in effect in
purpose and in the popular conception
of the man in the street.
Calvin Coolidge is perfectly con-
Sclous of the fact that millions OF the
people of the United States who suf-
fered from'a coal shortage last win
ter viii look to him for protection
from another winter of hardshfps
and unhappiness. He knows that
particularly the people Of his own
sufferers of the past winter, will look
to him for relief
Believe He Can Aid.
1t will be of no avail to say that
the powers of a President are limited
no matter how true that statement
may be. The people realize there are
constitutional and other legal limita-
tions placed upon ever public official
But they also believe that President
can bring moral force and pressure
to bear to an impelling degree
President Coolidge rose to national
fame for the course he pursued in
the police strike at Boston, while he
was governor of his state. All OF his
friends. all of the politicians in Wash
ington-and there are legions of them
here already-say that Mr.. Coolidge
will have his first test as President
by the course he may pursue in the
threatened walkout in the anthracite
fields.
President Coolidge is pondering that
situation above all others at the pres
ent moment. He has tried to close
| his mind to everything of a political
or economic mature during these days
of the country's last tribute to its
and there is but a short time to study
the coal problem before the date for
closing down the mines is a. hand.
Nation to Pass Judgment.
There is 10 question but that the
country viii be quick to judge the
new President by what he may or
may not do IN the coal strike. No
President ever has found himself with
such a personal problem on his hands
folr inc "a n
office-a problem SO closely allied
with his past reputation and so preg-
nant with possibilities as to his po
litical future.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, is fully
conscious of the Importance that
President Coolidge attaches to the
coal situation. That is why he has
called on the new President two days
in succession; why he has felt 1t nee
essary to place certain matters. Ger
tain data before the new Chief Execu-
tive in the very midst of the national
mourning Organized labor is watch
ing the new President with the keen
ness of a hawk. 1t, too. knows that
Calvin Coolidge rode to popular favor
as strike breaker" and the right
to strike" is a jealously guarded prin-
ciple among the labor leaders OF the
country.
President Coolidge knows full well
that his own political fortunes OF the
future are not to be builded by what
he may or may not do in pressing
the proposal that the United States
! adhere to the world court. Ihat ne
! believes In the principle OF the World
court and of American representation
in it already has been established.
Rut whatever he may do in further
ing the ends he believes to be desir-
able in that direction Will be put
down, in current history at least, as
but a carrying out of a Harding pol
lev conceived and offered TO the
world before there was any thought
of Calvin Coolidge as an occupant of
the White House.
President Coolidge knows that in
the few short months that lie between
him and his further destiny ne IS 10
be Judged by his own personal and
executive acts. The politicians who
have gathered here are as one in
! saving that the country is in mood
today to hail. almost to canonize, a
! STRONG man" If Calvin Coolidge is
if he is overcautious he may be
| mas assed by The very brevity of the
months of opportunity that are before
! him calls for sharp, incisive action, or
they may go for naught.
Remains silent ON Issues.
AS for the President himself. he is
! as silent as ever. He neither asks
nor gives confidence. To most of
his callers he is inscrutable. There
are no telltale expressions upon his
| grave, unsmiling face. 1t was diff
cult for President Harding to stifie
an emotion; it is just as difficult, It
| appears to his callers. for President
Coolidge to express one. Most of his
I interviews are extremely short. for
! he but listens. He does not lend any
sort of impetus or encouragement to
/ the flow Of conversation. He absorbs,
| but he does not give out. He has no
anecdotes to tell: nothing to prolong
| the stay of his visitor beyond the pc
| riod that he desires in which to state
| his mission or make his argument.
Assumes Role of Judge.
| Calvin Coolidge as President has
! assumed the role of judge. He
listens to all that may be said. asks
perhaps a pertinent question or two,
then reserves decision. He is never
! the opposing counsel. He declines to
/ enter into the argument. IL ever
there. was an executive with a judi
/ cial frame OF mind. Calvin Coolidge
| is the man. President Taft was a
| judge before he became President,
! Continued on Page 5. Column 81