The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-05
PRESIDENTS WIFE HAS MANY FRIENDS IN ALL STATIONS
Mrs. Coolidge Spends First Day Shopping And Meeting
 Group Of Reporters
GREATEST INTEREST IS IN HUSBAND AND BOYS
Executives Wife, Like Him, Is Active Members Of Old
 CongregationaIist Body
By THOMAS l.. STOKES (By Leased Wire To The Age-He erald)

(By Leased Wire To The Age-Herald)
 WASHINGTON, August 4.-In Mrs. Coolidge, new first lady of the land, the capital sees parallel to Mrs. Harding and looks forward to the same genial atmosphere about the executive mansion which imme ediately won the thousands of people who came in contact with Mrs. Harding.
 Showing the same lack of formality that Mrs. Harding always displayed Mrs. Coolidge began her first day by going out shopping. She left her hotel, the temporary White House, early in order to avoid the heat. Very few people recognized her as she went from store to store.
 After returning from her shopping tour she had a press conference all her own-for women reporters only while her husband talked to the male members of the capital correspon- dents corps.
 She was very becomingly attired in white pongee dress, simply made, with modified King Tut embroidery bands around the neck and sleeves, and & wider decoration half way down the plain skirt. She wore white shoes.
 Women Friends Received.
 A variety of subjects were touches upon in an informal way. ranging from the weather and train service in New England. to capital society. which Mrs. Coolidge said had treated her very kindly.
 Several delegations of women friends were received by the Presi dents wife in the afternoon in her suite at the temporary White House Scores of telegrams from friends in variou sparts of the country were opened and read. In the evening Mrs. Coolidge and her husband took a long automobile ride.
 Mrs. Coolidge Is home woman" a. some of her friends described her, wrapped up in ter husband and boys. She has the devoted interest in her husbands work that led Mrs. Hard ing to work side by side with Presi- dent Harding, advising him, attend ing neAlly every public function in which her husband had a part, and accompanying him on all his trips, even on the long jaunt to Alaska when her health had not been fully restored after her long illness last summer.
 Has Engaging Personality.
 Like Mrs. Harding, who numbered her friends among the thousands, the nev' mistress of the White House has an open, frank, and engaging person. ality. She has been Very popular With the women O. the capital
 Mrs. Coolidge is not a society woman, nor cub woman. She limits her organization activlti s to the Red Cross and church work. But she has very friendly disposition.
 or some time sne has been presi- dent of dining club, composed of wives and members of Congress. Her popularity with these friends will be great aid to her husband In his lew position.
 The great interest of her life re- wolves about her husband trd her two boys, just how strong an influ- enc sne has lad with her sons nay be gathered from recent inciuent.
 Sne renarhed to her husband that { C b'yS were getting old now--one is IT, the other 15--and that he should Day them more attention as they We're getting on to be men.
 | think you've been a pretty ,ood boss, the President id laugningly. Interested In schools.
 Mrs. Coolidge, formerly a school teacher, is decidedly intellectual and takes a great attrest m educational advancement. She is also fond of m.sic. BeIore an of her interests outside of tn. -Ime. however, comes the cndrch end the < inlay school in both Ut which she talk a very ac- tive part.
 Like ner nusband shs inner very religious lature, fundamentally oi the England character, though nOt narrow.
 The rIsc of the CoOlidges- has been through slow, steady, haru work, which Mrs. Co IluSe mas shared with he husband Wnen the President was governor )f Lssachusetts, they lived In very plain house for W hicn they paid only $50 a month lent.
 Therefore, Mrs. Coolidge has never hau great deal of time or the means ~ltn whlcn to entertain extensively. IL IS not expected that she will do much more than the necessary enter taIning in the Whlle House, though her attractive personality will make L4ivnl happy occasions