Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-08
POLITICAL FLAVOR
IN SLEMP FIRST
DAY AS SECRETARY
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Ueased Wire Service to The Journal
fCOnyripht 1921

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6.-Enter
c. Bascom Slemp as secretary to the
president of the United States; exit,
George r. Christian, friend and as
sociate for thirty years of the late
President Harding. y
Mr. Slemp hardly knows Presi-
dent Coolidge. lie was chosen upon
the advice of Speaker Gillette, Secre-
tary Of War Weeks, and Senator
Curtis, of Kansas, because Mr..
Coolidge asked them to select man
who knew congress by its first
name. Ever since the appointment
was made, the fact that Mr.. Slemp
is the member of the Republican
national committee from Virginia
and one of the most influential men
in gathering delegates from the
south to the national nominating
conventions has been emphasized.
To Mr.. Coolidge's friends is attribut-
ed the political vision in the ap-
pointment-not to the president,
though undoubtedly he will benefit
from it.
Mr.. Slemp is the type of secre-
tary who is expected to make 'the
boys" namely the party workers,
feel at home when they enter the
White House, handshaking and a
pleasant smile goes a long way in
politics and with it some times a
personal favor that means expedi-
ton in the handling of a case be-
fore the government. Mr.. Slemp is
in a position to WELD enough in
fluence possibly to insure the nomi-
nation of the man now in the White
House. Mr. Coolidge himself is per-
sonally unknown to the rank and
file OF the party or even the leaders.
Mr.. Slemp knows most everybody
in national politics.
Mouthpiece of Executive
Most important for private Sec
rotary, however, if he is to be the
mouthpiece of the White House, is
to know the mind Of his chieftain.
Both Joseph P. Tumulty and George
Christ knew their respective
presidents intimately-they could al
most suage their minds before &C.
ton would be taken. Mr.. Coolidge
has with him as personal secretary
Edward Clark who was secretary to
the vice president and before that
was secretary to Senator Lodge for
many years. He, too, knows his way
about in the national capitol. The
retention of two secretaries is some
what unusual, but Mr.. Clark will
probably be carried on the White
House payroll as CT the execu-
tive clerks.
Mr.. Slemp's first day had an at
mosphere of politics in it. Senator
James Watson, of Indiana, was one
of the callers. He happened in to
see Mr.. Coolidge.
what did you and the president
talk about?" the senior senator from
Indiana was asked as he emerged
from the executive offices.
"Well, 1 told him I was going to
Missouri to make a speech to the
Republicans there" replied the SEN
ator, land I asked him if he had
any message. He told me to tell
them to get together
1t was only week or so ago when
Jim Watson went to the White
House to pay his respects to- Mr..
Coolidge. On leaving he said the
president had talked to him about
the necessity of getting the Republic
an party united.
IT told the president" remarked
Senator Watson with smile, that
he was certainly talking to the right
man."
No Opposition Seen
Senator Watson was chairman OF
the resolutions committee of the l9ZO
convention which drew up the ma
tional platform. He is one of the
most interesting political PERSONAL
. ties in the senate. 1t was he who
made the first speech in the senate
predicting the denomination of Mr..
Harding. At one time he was being
mentioned as a possible candidate
himself.
The chances are the mention of
anyone as a rival to Mr.. Coolidge
will be delayed for some time to
come-at least, until the strength of
the incumbent with the party is deti-
nitely determined. Just now all the
. politicians seem anxious to tell the
White House how ardently they de-
sire Mr.. Coolidge's term prolonged.
Mr.. Slemp may have an easy job OF
it, judging by present appearances,
for not a ripple of opposition can be
discerned by political eyes anywhere
and President Coolidge. while taking
no part in the furthering of his own
political fortunes, is constantly
preaching a doctrine Of party unity,
which his friends think will help him
materially in the next session of
congress.