Evening star., 1923-12-31
THE PRESIDENTS
YEAR

The year 1928 at the White House
was marked by the sudden and un-
timely death Of Warren G.. Harding.
Whereupon Vice President Calvin
Coolidge became the Executive head
| of the nation.
President Harding, after an illness
of only few days. died in a hotel in
San Francisco during the early part
OF the night Of August 2. following
| a trip to Alaska, and Calvin Coolidge,
| who with Mrs. Coolidge was visiting
his old home at Plymouth, VT, was
sworn in as President of the United
States by his father. who is a justice
or the peace in that community.
1t was a simple and humble picture
| as this episode in American history
transpired. The oath was taken in
the parlor of the New England farm
house. lighted by an oil lamp and
win only the Presidents mother and
wife as witnesses.
Offices at Willard.
The new President hurried to Wash
ington the next day and as the
executive office was torn up because
OF repair work he set up a temporary
White House on the third floor of
the New Willard Hotel For more
than three weeks the executive busi-
ness of the nation was directed from
these quarters and the President and
Mrs: Coolidge made their home there.
Besides the business of his Office, the
new President Immediately busted
himself in directing the arrange
ments for the funeral of his prede-
| ceSSor
For solemn and inspiring magnifi-
cence nothing has ever been held in
the Capital to compare with the state
funeral accorded Warren c. Harding
by the nation. After journey across
the continent, accompanied by Mrs
Cabinet and a small group Of friends,
the body arrived on the night of
August 9. 1t was escorted directly
to the White House, where it remain
morning, when it was taken to the
rotunda of the Capitol and laid in
state several hours before being
taken to Marion for burial.
Follows Out Policies.
The first public announcement made
by Mr.. Coolidge after becoming Presi-
dent was to the effect that he would
do all in his power to carry on the
policies of administration adopted by
! his predecessor and to bring into re-
alization the plans for the future of
the latter. He first requested each
member of the Harding cabinet to re-
main in office. In fact, he asked all
others holding the higher executive
positions to continue to serve. George
Il. Christian, jr., personal friend of
the Hardings. who had served as
secretary to President Harding, re-
signed and was succeeded by c. Bas-
com Slemp, for many years a repub-
lican representative in Congress from
Virginia and one of the leaders in
the party's national organization.
Since then the President, while he
has made several thousand minor
q
masters, has made very few appoint
ments of any real Importance Among
the latter were those Of Frank B.
Kellogg Of Minnesota, former senator,
as ambassador to Great Britain. to
succeed Col. George Harvey, and Rob
ert ]. Grant Of Colorado as director
of the mint.
Between January / until his death.
President Harding appointed Edward
I. Sanford Of Tennessee to be an as
sociate justice of the United States
Supreme Court, and Pierce Butler of
Minnesota, appointed by him to the
same high bench, took his oath of
office January last. Shortly before
his death A. D: Lasker, chairman of
the Shipping Board, resigned and
President Harding appointed Edward
P. Farley, who two days ago re-
signed, effective at the pleasure of
the President.
Message to Congress.
Probably the outstanding feature
of President Coolidge's administra-
tion thus far was his message to the
joint session of Congress when it as
sembled last month. He treated a
wide variety of subjects in a manner
that caused much favorable comment
throughout the country because of
his clear, brief and courageous state
ments.
On the heels Of the reading of this
important document the Presidents
fion fae 5or ths Fepubliean In lisa nomina
nounced. At the same time William
Butler, republican national commit
teeman from Massachusetts, was Sc
iscted to personally direct the Pres
Since then quite few states have In
dicated their preference for Mr.
Coolidge, and those managing his
political fortunes are satisfied he
VII be the party's choice on the first
In the matter of legislation the
most notable Incidents of the wear
were the veto by President Harding of
the soldiers bonus bill and the faiI-
ure OF Congress to pass the admits
tration's merchant and marine bill.
He signed the act extending the life
of the District Rent Commission.
During the summer the Presidents
coal commission was instrumental in
d
strike Of the bituminous coal miners.
and during the year collected much
valuable data relating to the coal
industry.
Session OF, Governors.
President Coolidge held a confer
ence of governors in October to dis
cuss means for better cooperation
between the federal and state author
tiles in the enforcement of federal
laws-immigration. narcotics and
prohibition.
Mrs Harding remained a resident
Of the White House for three weeks
following the burial of her husband
and, after visiting friends in the sub
urbs of the city for several weeks
returned to Marion, Ohio.
President and Mrs. Coolidge have
planned q social season that COM
pares favorably with any ever held
by occupants OF the White House.
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