The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-13
COOLIDGE WRITING
 HIS FIRST MESSAGE
Politicians Wait BreathIessly To See How He Meets
 Situation
By RAYMOND CHAPTER

NLeased wire to The AEe-HeraIdD
 WASHINGTON, Nov 12-Behind the closed doors of his private office, President Coolidge Is now in seclu- sion. engaged in ono of the most criti- cal tasks of his life He Is writing his first message to Congress-the 6 document which, in a great measure, will determine his whole political fu- ture. If it makes good" republican big chiefs will tie to Coolidge and make him their standardbearer in 1924. If it proves to he 8 dud, they will begin to look elsewhere and the President will be permitted to slioe down the slope to oblivion, to be re- called only as political accident.
 Not in years has any one presi- dential act been so orammed with fu- ture political effect. Since he became President i'll August, Coolidge has re- mained under cover, pleading that he wished to conceal his hand until Congress convenes. The country and the politicians have recognized his judgment. Even the democrats have been compelled to sleep. on their arms until the enemy made his appearance.
 But the national nominating con- ventions are only. a few months aycay and the matters cannot be delayed after the first week of December, re- publicans realize they face a hard fight to retain their powers. This campaign, unlike that of 1920, will demand the best candidate, the best platform, and the best strategy that can be found.
 No Obligation TO Coolidge.
 Regular republican leaders felt an obligation to renominate Harding. He had carried them through one fight and was entitled to seek re- election on his record. But they do not recognize any such obligation to- ward Coolidge. They hope he will prove acceptable, for they could avoid a disagreeable party fight by nomi- hating him. But the election and the future of the party must be consid- cred above the personal fortunes Of any one man. That Is why Coolidge must stand on his own feet If he ex- poets a lookin at the nominating conventions.
 Leaders have nothing yet by which to judge Coolidge except two major appointments-that of c. Bascom Slemp as his White House secretary and Former Senator Frank B. Kel- logg, as ambassador to Great Britain. Slemp Is personally popular in Con- His handling of Virginia patronage, however. laid him open to attack from the democrats. Kellogg's ap- pointment has brought much criti- cism from progressives because he was rejected by his own state when he sought reelection to the senate after one term
 Gives Few Clues.
 Coolidge has given a few clues to his legislative policies, but these have proven on analysis to be exten- sions of tho Harding policies. He favors re-enactment of the present three per cent immigration restric- tion law, he favors keeping within the budget restriction. he Is opposed to large appropriations for naval bases at this time and he favors low CT export rates on grain. but oppo- sition of the railroads has practically doomed this.
 It is probable that he favors Mel Ions tax reduction program but whether he agrees with the condl- tion that there be no bonus leglsla- tion is uncertain at this writing. He believes the states should be more active in enforcing prohibition. Ihat about sums up all there is to glean as to the views of this pollticai sphinx.
 He has consulted scores of leaders in every national business so that ne writes his message knowing all sides of the question with which he IS dealing.
 Three weeks more and the political moratorium which has existed since the death of Harding will be lifted. The interim Is the most critical pe- rlod in the life of Calvin Coolidge.