New Britain herald., 1923-08-17
u. S. BUSINESS HAS FRIEND
AT WASHINGTON, SAYS BABSON

Wellesley Hills, Mass, Aug. IT.
Knowing that Mr.. Babson is neigh
Dor of President Coolidge, he has beer
continually asked during the past two
weeks to make statement as to the
probable attitude of the new presi.
dent toward business. Mr.. Babsor
has, however, refused to do so until
today, believing that 1t was no time
to talk business. and furthermore
that President Coolidge should be per-
mitted to make his own announce
ments. Now that the president has
done SO Mr.. Babson has answered the
question put to him.
president Coolidge will be found
to be a true friend to the agricultural
industrial, and commercial interests of
the United States" he says, "he is the
first president to ever have had a
thorough economic training. While
at Amherst college he majored in eco
nomics. Ever since graduation he
has devoted large part of his time
to economic research. Those who
have heard him speak or have read
his books recognize the thorough
ground work which he has along eco
nomic lines. The country is very for
tunate to have a president who poss-
esses this background. other presi-
dents may have possessed certain
qualities which President Coolidge
lacks, but none have edualled him in
Judgment and ability to handle the
great economic agricultural, indus
trial, and commercial problems today
facing our country.
Manufacturers may feel very safe
with President Coolidge, owing to his
training and environment. William
M. Butler, whose name has been SO
constantly in the papers the past two
weeks, is the head of the great group
OF Butler Cotton Mills in New Eng
land. These mills are located in New
Bedford, North Adams and elsewhere
and employ about 5000 operatives.
Mr.. Butler is also president of the
Boston and Worcester street railway,
q high-speed, double track, electric
line operating between Boston and
Worcester, which is the most success
full interburban line In New England.
Mr.. Butler combines legal training
with a practical business experience,
and from him President Coolidge has
absorbed tremendous amount of in
dustrial experience. President Cool
idge's closest person friend is Mr..
Frank Stearns, the head of. r. H.
Stearns and company, one of the larg-
est department stores of New Eng
land. Mr.. Stearns is merchant who
not only thoroughly understands the
commercial world, but purchases a
good deal from Europe. Most of our
presidents have been trained in legal
or political life without being thrown
into contact much with practical bust
ness men. President Coolidge has
continually been in an industrial,
and agricultural environ
ment.
ION the other hand" continued |
Mr.. Babson. President Coolidge also
the problems of the
masses. He himself was born poor,
has always been poor and is poor
His father was born Vermont farm
er and is one yet. President Coolidge !
was working in the hay field the day |
before he became president of the |
United States. The last time / talked |
with him he was especially troubled
with the condition of the western
farmer. Our conversation covered a
broad field but he continually came
back to the problem of the farmer
and said, We must do something for
the western farmer. What is the SAN
est and best thing we can do?'
No one better realizes than he that
agriculture is the basis of American
prosperity and that with thirty-three
million people dependent upon agri-
culture for their income we must have
prosperity in the west before we can
have 1t in the east.
& THE home life of the new president
was illustrated by the news item
which appeared in the papers on the
eventful morning of Friday, August
8. The Associated Press dispatch
read: Mr.. Coolidge came downstairs