Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-31
COOLIDGE WINDS UP
YEAR AS PRESIDENT
WITH WHIP IN HAND
BY ROBERT r. SMALL
Especial Leased Wire to The Journal }
Copyright, 1924


WASHINGTON, July 29.-Calvin
Coolidge this week rounds out his
first year as president of the United
States. Coming to the White House
at a time of national mourning, the
end of the year finds the president
in the midst of a personal bereaYe
melt. Between the two seasons of
sorrow the Coolidges naturally have
enjoyed the greatest happiness that
could come to an American family
the fulfillment of all political and
social ambitions.
Politically it has been a. curious
year for Mr.. Coolidge, but one which
could not help but bring him SUI
preme satisfaction. Here was a man
suddenly called to the presidency at
a time when the leaders of his party
had just about determined that he
had made so little impression upon
the people nationally that a stronger
and more appealing figure would
have to be put on the ticket for
vice president in 1924.
A few months elapsed and Cool
idge was master of his party. He
was giving orders to the same men
who had agreed wisely in council
men were glad to take the orders.
There had come a volcanic eruption
at Washington. 1t was sweeping
away official regulations and delving
deep into the doings Of the Repub-
lican administration. The party
leaders knew instinctively that no
investigation could possibly involve
Mr.. Coolidge.
Regarded as Moses
Democrats claimed that Mr.. Cool
idge as vice president had sat as
member of the Harding cabinet and
should have known what was going
on They also said he was presid-
ing in the senate when the first at
tacks were made upon the lease of
Teapot Dome. But that was as far
as they went. The Republicans
began to look to Mr.. Coolidge as the
Moses to lead them out of the wilder
ness They chung to him and pro
claimed him as the party's greatest
asset
( Opposition to his nomination fell
away so rapidly that only Hiram
Johnson was left and before the con-
Vention he gave up the ghost and
released the few scattering votes
that had come to him in the early
primaries. Coolidge won the party
conventions and the party primaries
virtually everywhere.
This unprecedented triumph with
the people, as reflected in the wishes
of his own party, came to Mr.. Cool
idge after a Republican congress
Republican at least in name-had
Haunted him as no president has
been defied, not even Cleveland or
Roosevelt
Mr.. Coolidge found himself at outs
with congress from the beginning to
the end of the one session which
has been held since he became presi-
dent on August 2, last. One of the
very first OF the Coolidge declara-
tons was that he would attempt
so far as possible to carry out the
policies of the lamented President
Harding. The one outstanding Har-
ding policy at the time of his death
was that America should give ad-
herence to the world court of Justice
as organized under the League of
Nations Mr.. Coolidge has been
able TO make no Roadway with a
recalcitrant senate, Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge from his own state of
Massachusetts having been one of
the big stumbling blocks en-.
countered.
Welded Veto Often
Congress passed five big measures
during its session. President Cool