San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-19
Flew President Reveals
Characteristics in First
Days Of Office.
SLEMP AN EXAMPLE
Chooses Secretary and An
nounces Choice With
out Any "Feelers."
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.

Copyright, by The san Antonio Light
Washington, ID. C., Aug. ia
fortnight in the Preside. cy finds
Calvin Coolidge, the same self-reliant
han the country expected him to be.
There have been no hesitant, mincing
steps. The man from Massachusetts
walks boldly-and alone.
When he speaks, Mr.. Coolidge
leaves no man in doubt. He is as
categorical as Wilson or Roosevelt.
He is n man of few words; there
fore he has no room for ambiguity.
His first definite act. the appoint
|nent of c. Bascom Slemp of Big
stoip Gap, Va. as secretary to the
President startled the country. None
kew that the Presi lent was even
considering Mr.. Slemp for this i'm
portant office. There are going to
be more surprises of the same sort
before Mr.. Coolidge has been long in
The White House.
The new President neither gives
pr invites n confidence. He makes
lis own decision and there are likely
10 be few "leaks" of inside informa-
ion while he is chief executive.
Sends Out No Feelers.
President Coolidge faced dilemma
II making his first appointment. He
hid not take the easy course. He
those instead the one which he knew
would bring partisan criticism down
ipon his head. He knew, however,
he way he wanted to 60 and the
moment he decision was made he
gave it to the public. 1t has thus
been determined this early in his
administration that Calvin Coolidge
S not a kite flyer. He will send up
no trial balloons. Even so cool a
president as Colonel Roosevelt is sup
Dosed to have. been, did not hesitate
10 throw out feelers to get the temper
BIZ the people. Other Presidents have
hesitated so long about making an
houncements after having made up
their minds that much turmoil and
trouble has ensued. Calvin Coolidge
comes of the minute men. He pre-
ers the criticism that follows a
definite act and perhaps is soon for
sotten, rather than the typhoon of
conflicting advice and counsel which
ZONES with hesitant mood.
The selection of a secretary to the
is HOI tdSy limo
secause the man entering the
mite House usually has no concep-
ion of the Importance of the posi-
ion. 1t has been truly said that it
requires a man of cabinet caliber. 1t
Is in no sense the stenographic posi-
lion usually associated with secretary
Hips.
The secretary to the President
thould see for the President. read for
he President. think for the Presi-
ient, and, above all, protect the
president.
Must Have High Qualifications.
There has been much talk lately
b relieving the President of many
d his burdens; of creating some such
office as assistant president" All
lch talk is unnecessary and value
l,ss. All that a President needs is
be right sort of secretary. He may
lave any number of stenographers.
[he government sees to that. The
secretary to the President is far
hore. He should be a man who
AN receive presidential callers and
end them away satisfied without
eeing the chief. He should know
washington. lie SnOulu KNOW men
nd affairs: he should know history
nd more than incidentally, he should
now politics.
A new President entering the
White House. usually is confronted
nth the problem of what to do with
he man who has been his secretary
fith him and risen with him in the
Gale of ambition and achievement.
Faturally this man, associated with
is chief for years. expects TO be
made a secretary to the President.
Ind yet, Sthe relationship between the
wo me.i entirely changes when the
residency goal is attained. Occas-
bnalT the private secretary thus
leylted becomes all that is expected
I MIN, but the President often must