Evening star., 1924-11-04
COOLIDGE RECEIVES
ELECTION RETURNS
IN PRIVATE STUDY
Gets News by Radio and Spe.
ciaI Wires-Spends
Quiet Day.

returns of the 1924 election in his
study on the second floor of the White
House
Earlier in the day new radio re-
ceiving set, of the most modern make,
had been installed in the room, and
this was tuned-in before Z O'Clock to
bring the messages Of the voice of
the electorate to the President.
Besides the election news broad
cast by means of radio, the President
and his party received news flashed
TO the White House telegraph room
from the national headquarters in
New York and Chicago, the associated
Press and other news agencies spe-
rial election service, the full election
service of the Western Union, and
special wire over which came
messages from individuals in all parts
of the country. There also We're long
distance telephone messages, which
were included in the bulletins, all
of which were carried to the Presi-
dent by White House messengers just
as soon as they were transcribed
Spent Busy Day.
The President had put in Il busy
day at his desk. and at no time dur
ing the day or the evening, when
the news was being received by him.
did he portray any excitement or
The day meant much to him and his
party, the President failed to inn
press any of those who saw him that
there was anything unusual going
on.
While in the library room during
the announcements of the balloting,
the President gave more of the i'm
preston that he was sitting-in to
hear some great concert or some un-
usual event, such as convention or
II world series. Anything but the
verdict of the American people as to
their approval of his administration
of their affairs, or whether they
wanted him to guide the destinies of
their Nation during tho next four
years.
Goes for Walk.
Mr.. Coolidge was cool and main
tanned the air of genuine confidence
that has marked his actions during
The last days of the campaign. After
clearing his desk of the papers upon
ii about 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon
the President, accompanied only by
TWO secret service operators, took his
customary stroll before dinner His
walk carried him through the bust
ness section of the city, right at the
rush hour. During this little jour-
ney along + street to Ninth and re-
turn, he was recognized many times
by the passing throngs, and frequent
ly was compelled to tip his hat or
wave his hand in response to the
greetings accorded him. Several
times admirers cheered him enthusi-
aStlcally, and more than once the
crowds blocked the Presidents way
10 give vent to their feelings of ap-
proVal.
One of these impromptu demonstra-
tions occurred in front of a shoe store
the SOnth side of Il
18th, and in her excitement and de-
sire to get a glimpse of the Presi-
dent, middle aged, rather heavily
built woman rushed from the store
TO the sidewalk with only one shoe
on. The other shoe she waved fond
ly at the smiling President.
Intimate Friends With Him.
Frank W. Stearns and Mrs. Stearns
of Boston, intimate friends of the
President and Mrs. Coolidge. who have
been frequent house guests at the
White House, were with the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Coolidge throughout
the evening.
{. Bascom Slemp, the Presidents
secretary divided his time between
the happy little group in the White
House library, and the telegraph and
press rooms.
The telegraph room and the press
tive spots at the White House. Five
telegraph operators were at the keys
and two telephone operators at the
switch board Besides this, messen-
ger boys were shooting in and out
every few minutes.
The President told friends early
in the evening that although he ex-
pected to remain up an hour or so
beyond his customary bed time-10
oclock-he would be in bed surely
by midnight whether or not the re-
turns up to that time assured his
election.
Day of Routine Business.
The day had been one of ordinary
routine at the White House except for
the tension and excitement among
the attaches. The President seemed
less disturbed about the whole mat
ter than the burly policeman who
stands. guard at the entrance to the
executive offices.
The President rose early, as is his
custom, and reached his desk at 9
o'clock and began the business of
tho day by going through the state
papers presented for his attention
But all the papers before him did
not pertain to matters of state.
AS Mr.. Coolidge reached his desk
this morning and was in the act of
reach1nS Tot a bundle of papers to
sign he was handed an Associated
Press bulletin with the returns from
the first town in the country to COM
pIete its vote, New Ashford. Mass
The vote was Coolidge 90 Davis
and La Toilette nothing, and the
President read y without comment
and assed it back to the Office clerk
who had brought the good news"
A few moments later the next bull
letin telling of how the first precinct
of the tenth ward in Kansas City.
No, had given him 80. Davis IL and
La Toilette !, was brought to the
President at his desk AS in the case
OF the preceding encouraging news
about the balloting. the President
maintained his customary calm and
quiet.
Telegrams Pour In.
These messages Were followed
with patches of kilograms and other
messages from all parts of the coun-
try; some were from friends and
workers predicting victory; some
were congratulations upon the ap-
peal he made over tn radio last
night to the electorate of the Nation
TO exercise it's right to vote; others
were from well-wishers expressing
their hope for his success in today's
election.
Another one of the early election
bulletins taken to the President to-
day was the one from Somerset, VT,
which announced that the villages
total vote of was unanimous for
Coolidge.
The President smiled broadly and
said: at looks as if my native State
and the state of my adoption are
cunning a close race for early re-
turns and for "A record vote for me-"