The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1924-01-17

flakes al the Eq uatVA.
Mrs. Coolidge has two secretaries I
share her burdens. She is at thei
mercy, in way. They can max
friend sor enemies for her in proper
tion to their ability to treat an ex
acting public with diplomacy. Mis-
Laura Harlan, daughter of former Jus
tee Harlan of the U. S. Supreme
court, is Mrs. Coolidge's private sec
retary. Miss Harlan looks after al
affairs of an official nature. Miss
Mary Randolph is Mrs. Coolidge's per
sonal secretary.
A long list Of state functions con
/ fronts Mrs. Coolidge as she looks at
her 1924 calendar. The New Year g
reception has usually had first place
but this season the diplomatic recep-
ton and dinner preceded it. Among
the formal affairs of state still to
come are the reception of the Judic-
iary on January 10, the Supreme court
dinner on, the twenty-fourth, the con-
eressional reception on February sew
enth, the speakers dinner on Febru-
airy twenty-firs and the army anc
navy reception, which is the grand
finale of White House entertainments.
Sandwiched between these formal af-
fairs of state are the dinners given by
members of the cabinet in honor of
the President and Mrs. Coolidge. On
state occasions the newspaper women
are given a private view of the exc
cutive mansion in its party dress early
in the evening before the festivities
begin. Mrs. Harding always came
down to greet the scribes and to pei,
nit them to see her gown.
Mrs. Coolidge does not do this. The
present system is designed to conserve
Mrs. Coolidge's strength whenever
possible. The new administration aims
to relieve the physical and nervous
strain upon the chief executive which
proved so disasterous to Mrs. Taft, the
first Mrs. Wilson and to Mrs. Hard |
ing.
To the initiated the hardships of |
receiving the homage of one's al
mirer s at series of receptions, the
expense of which is borne by an APP ]
made for that purpose by
congress, does not appear to be great
cross. But imagine standing in line
for three hours, shaking hands and be
ing greeted by hundreds of peole who
are viewing you chiefly through curl
osity and you may get the other side
IF the picture.
The novelty of it might give it a
kick" for one or two affairs, but
10 more.
The state functions are the front,
page events but there are innumerable
ess important demands which must
make Mrs. Coolidge feel like small
10Y at three-ring circus if she at
empts to give all Of them her time
md attention.
Letters from old-time friends swell
very mail. Every day visitors in the
ity send cards to the White House
With the request that an hour be nam
d when they may pay their respects
o the first lady. Five O'Clock on a
ertain afternoon each week is usually
ct aside for the pleasure of these
.uests. Mrs. Coolidge usually re-
elves them in the Red Room and Miss
HARLAN pours tea.
Organizations from every part of
he country send delegations of women
0 Washington, and these delegations
eel the visit has been a rank failure
they have not been received by Brs.
coolidge. Up to date, she is reported
OF to have declined to receive any of
hem which, to the minds of many less
greeable persons, puts her in the list
Christian martyrs.
Can't you imagine what a strain it
'ould be to welcome one bunch of
,urists at three, another at three
iirty, and third at four O'Clock,
lille they all stood around and stared
you in embarrassed silenceT
Not single charity ball has been
since the Coolidges entered
lie White House that didn't include
lie name of Mrs. Coolidge as patron
IS. Each request for such favor
ust receive her personal attention.
In addition to letters, official invi-
Itions and requests from charitable
lterprises, a number of inane com
unications come to the desk of the
Is wife from the uttermost
arts of the earth asking for a sample
the dress she wore at her first
Thite House reception, or perhaps ga
iano for my daughter, Annie, who
lays very well but we can't afford
, buy her a piano. We have always
cen good Republicans and voted for
Iarding and Coolidge" So numerous
re these extraordinary letters that
ne presidents wife would have time
Or nothing else if she gave them ser
JUS consideration.
From away out west writer asks
hat Mrs. Coolidge send something tsto