The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-02-05
COOLIDGE REAL
CITIZEN FINDS
EUROPEAN MAN
President Typihes Sim
plicity and Directness
of America; No Time
for Show

Washington-Immed after Cal.
win Coolidge became president OF the
United States the country was del
uged with stories about his rugged
honesty and the implicitly OF the man.
ncr in which he had lived. Then the
country turned It's attention to how he
would conduct himself in the new po-
sition. Now, however there IS an
other series OF stories regarding the
president that have cropped up in
Washington during the last few days,
one OF them being quite timely and to
the point.
This story involves a minister from
one of the nations born as the result
OF the European war This diplo-
mat was transferred from his post
in Italy to the United States. During
the time of his sojourn in Rome, he
was present at many of the receptions,
soirees and other functions that are
held from time to time for the diplo-
mats. In Europe many hours are
spent in getting ready for these events
there is a polishing of metals and
freshening of ribbons and acquire
ments until one might really say. after
having seen these receptions, that
Solomon in all his glory was never
arrayed like a diplomat. This min
lister. had heard, before coming to
the United States, that it was the
most pussant and wealthiest nation
on earth, where meat was eaten three
times a day, where over eighty per
cent of the automobiles of the world
was operated. and he visualized re-
ception at the white house as being
one of such splendor that it would
eclipse the brilliancy OF the sun itself.
The minister was invited TO the re-
cent diplomatic reception. He had pre-
pared himself for spectacle that
that would rival a tale from The
Arabian Nights. When he entered
the white house, his surprise was un-
bounded. The decorations were taste
ful--very much like those to be found
in the average American home. Mrs.
Coolidge, the hostess, was simply
dressed and free from any mannerism.
She was as are the wives of millions
of American men. There was not the
blaze of single jewel. There was
a straight forward honest courteous Z
welcome, the same as is found in the
vast majority of American homes. 1t
is better to quote the diplomat who Z
said: The president, he is not a 3
large man in size: he is not a small
man; he was dignified yet pleasant, q
and he gave the impression OF having
great reserve power. He was the
plainest dressed man there and he
ooked at if he had seen life in the
-ough and rather liked to look at il b
rom that view point. ! have been b
through three years OF the furbelow q
II the Italian court, so in front of q
linn | feel very much like an exotic. b
lie made me feel very much at home. n
'et homesick, for he was just my sort q
# folk. | wished we could get into q
'ur old clothes and spend an informal q
our with the president and his wife, b
nd I'll bet they would enjoy it. too. q
we have put away our jewels and q
ecorations and the next time | call M
{ the white house outside of a re- 81
option | will wear sack suit | "
Fill feel very much at home Your "
resident helps me understand why the q
United States is such a great nation y
mo frills, but sturdiness of purpose 81
"a spirit that pioneers and builds that y:
'hich is good as well as big. W