San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-03
COOLIDGE IN
HIS WAY To
WHITE HOUSE.


brought il by automobile to the Cool
idge home at Plymouth-Notch.
He dressed quickly and came down
stairs TO meet the newspGpermeI who
arrived hard on the heels of the mes
senger. A trifle pale. but steady.
solemn and quiet MS always is mis-
wont. he walked with simple dignity
down the old stairway and int1 the
Sitting room where the newspapers
men awaited him. Mrs. Coolidge, in
gray, followed him. weeping.
Stepping 10 the little round center
table on which stood an oil lamp,
the rooms only illumination. the new
/, President read Secretary Christian
message.
Their slowly and quietly. he dictated
is own statement setting forth III
brief the new executives policy. ana
directed his SECRETARY. Erwin Gels
ser. to make copies Of it loc the
press.
Meanwhile. the new lady Of the
land sat weerinE softly and eAclnim-
ing in sympathy fer the bercayed first
lady in San Francisco.
What blow--Nrat TERRIBLE
blow &c poor Ms. Harding, sn. said.
She had sueb heavy burden in her
own illness. 10 bear Up undS: and
row this!
Mrs. Coolidge still was weeping. the
new President still was impassive.
solemn and quiet, as the newspapermen
rushed away TO awaken the owners
of Plymouth's three telephones and
the lone railroad telegraph operator
so that they might flash TO the world
the Presidents first words.
The newspapermen had scarcely got
ten out of sight when another tele-
graph messenger arrived with copy
of the presidential oath from Washing
ton. And in the same sitting room
where he had made his statement
the sitting room with its hand-braided
rugs, its clutter of venerable Colonial
furniture. its old wood stove and its
family Bible-Calvin Coolidge received
the oath of office from his father,
and became Americas Both president.
News of President Harding's death
came as complete surprise TO the
Coolidges, who had retired shortly af-
ter 10 O'Clock, as haG been their GUS
tom during the three weeks they had
spent here, thinking the President was
well on the road 10 recovery.
Attired in Black.
The elder Coolidge received the mes
senger. who brought Secretary Chris
iian's telegram. hurried upstairs with it
and read it TO Mr.. Coolidge in bed. The
new President rose Immediately, attir-
ing himself in black suit to meet
=. the reporters he knew were coming.
! The honking horns of automobiles
lwiving with the newsgatherers reused
most Of the population of Plymouth
Notch and some of these clustered on
\the porch of the Coolidge home.
The elder Coolidge, plainly dis
1rN~SSed at news OF Pres 'ent Hardings
death, but as plainly proud of his
son, went out and app:ised them of
what had happened. He declined TO
talk to the newspapermen, referring
them to his son.
The elder Coolidge. who administer
ed the oath TO his son by virtue of
his office of notary public. is re-
tired farmer. He lives alone in the
house in which his son became Presi-
dent, ministered TO only by house,
keeper.
Mr.. Coolidge issued the following
statement:
1t will be my purpose 10 carr
out the policies which he has begun
for the service of the American peo-
pie and for meeting their RESPONSE.
bilities wherever they may arise. For
this purpose. l shall seek the coop
Grafton of all those who have been
associated with the President during
his term of office. Those who lave
given their efforts to assist him I wish
to remain in office that they may as
sist me. have faith that God will
direct the deStinieS of our nation. {"
President Coolidge sent the follow
ing telegram 10 Mrs. Harding:
I'VE offer YOU our deepest sym.
pathy. May God bless you and keep
you.
CALVIN COOLIDGE.