Richmond planet., 1924-06-21
SITUATION is WARMER.

Things are warmer, but in no sense
fairer, between President Coolidge
backed by the group Of MASSACHUSETTS
politicians who wish unhampered con
troll of his campaign and Secretary
Slemp. 1t would be only natural If the
Massachusetts, group has the Presl-
dents ear, since they include tried and
true party men wht nave been Int sc
ately associated with the President
since his advent into political life.
With this group 1t has long been pat
ent that Secretary Slemp Is at logger
heads, and the break definitely came
at the Cleveland convention, when the
trouble and humiliation which develop
ed over the selection OF Vice-Presl'
dent was attributed by Mr.. Slemp 70
bungling. The trouble was not mended
by the accidental selection of run
ming mate not congenial to the Presl-
dent
Mr. Slemp has bean selected as
sort of secretary extraordinary. Form
er secretaries had been content to be
buffers ror the President an! Eianas-
ers Of the more intimate details of his
campaign.
Mr.. Slemp was selected as the man
: who could deliver anything worth hav
ing from Republican standpoint in
the South, and he was selected at
time when it appeared likely the Cool
idge management could not afford to
overlook anything.
TRACE BREACH TO SLEMP.
When news of the break was first
published by a newspaper which is a
sort of court chronicle of the admins
tration. no names were mentioned ana
speculation at first centured about the
probability of Herbert Hoover, Secre-
tary of Commerce, who twice refused
the post of Vice-Pres. and Secretary
of War Weeks, who was said to be dis
gruntled at the course events had tar
en- at the convention. 1t was not until
the next day that the fact was estao-
lished. Mr.. Slemp was the man likely
10 get out shortly.
There is still no official confirmation
CT the break as far as the principles
are concerned. 1t is generally regard
led as desirable in the highest degree
that no further riffs occur in the Presi
dents official family before the CAM
|paign. The advisory committee 70
(which it is said Mr.. Slemp will devote
ibis talents is new thing in Republi-
lean administrative machinery. and is
believed to have been created more to
Save the situation than anything else.
BIT is even claimed that Mr. Slemp is
hone with active work for the admin
advisors who, in his opinion, obtain
fairer consideration.
FORCED TO BOW To CLIQUE
Mr. Slemp's absence from Washing
on was said by him to be occasioned
ky the illness of relative. A later
tatement spoke Of the need of a vaca-
lion. At any rate his departure follow
ID closely upon a clear intimation from
he White House that National Chair
han William NJ Butler and not the
ew advisory committee would have
ctive control of the campaign.
Mr. Slemp while extremely prudent
SpeeCu, Is kHOWn lO Ue q SliShei ANi
Is official prerogatives and to be intol
rant Of interference. Among some OF
Is Republican colleagues the opinion
expressed that he had no choice but
submit to dictation Of a Massachu-
it's clique, or come to an open break
ith his CHIEF and that he probably
rs not diminished his chances of
abinet post in the event Of Republican
ccess at the polls. by his recent
and
~ T. D. Ransom in the Richmond
tTimeS-DiSpatch