The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-05-01
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WASHINGTON LETTER

WHEIlllvUlUN LEllEN
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Washington, April 30-Questions
of thousands of high school and col
lege graduates visiting Washington
during the Easter holidays are fairly
indicative of the public mind. Back
home these citizens of tomorrow hear
the problems of the day discussed at
the family fireside and usually know
"what the folks are thinking" 1t is of
Importance perhaps to note that these
young men and women spent more of
their time around the White House
rather than the Capitol, during their
stay in Washington. Professional
guides in charge of the tourists are
the authority for the statement that
more queries were made this year as
to how a President lives and works
than regarding the activities of Con-
gress. Considering the fact that in
vestigative, rather than legislative &C
tivities of the Senate and House have
absorbed the attention of newspaper
readers over long period, observers
having their fingers on the public
pulse feel that the attitude of the
young visitors is true index of pub
lie thought.
Because of these contentious and
questions asked by the coming voters,
it may be of value and of interest, at
least, to present in a non-partisan
way how Chief Executive spends
his business day.
Ordinarily the present incumbent
of the White House rises early takes a
brisk walk through nearby parks, or
the White House grounds, accompan-
led by secret service guards. He is
at his desk about $50 or 9 o'clock.
The list of appointments is placed on
his desk by his secretary and the
mission of visitor briefly outlined for
him. On Tuesdays and Fridays the
morning is taken up with Cabinet
meetings and relatively few visitors
are received on these days.
AS an illustration of the time
given by the President to personal in
terviews, schedule for one day of
the present week shows that two SEN
ators, members of the Presidents
party, called for ten minutes to dis
cuss, presumably, the forthcoming
campaign and the legislative situation.
They are followed by the Director of
the Budget, who is the personal adj
visor of the President on fiscal mat
tiers relating to federal expenditures
and revenue. A cabinet officer calls
to discuss some detail of his depart
ment, distinguished visitor is pre-
sented, chairman of important House
and Senate committees call in body
to acquaint the Chief Executive the
progress of legislation on Capitol Hill.
The Congressman and Senators pre-
senting small numbers of their con-
stituents to the President are received
in a group at noon, in order to con-
serve time and energy. Occasion
ally, if the President is willing, per-
sonal introductions are made by the
legislators, but this practice is not
encouraged as it is a physical strain
upon the Chief Magistrate.
Just at present, the President must
ind time to strike just balance on
claims and counter claims covering
bills awaiting his signature or veto.
The perspective of President must
necessarily differ from those who
frame the law, as he must discrimi-
nate between appearance and reality
Some Legislation is based on the opin-
ion of few and without regard as to
the consequences. But it remains for
the President to make distinction as
to what constitutes, in his opinion,
good and bad laws. He must decide
within few days what position he
will take on the bonus. He must
either approve or reject the Immigra-
ton law, but unlike Congress, the
President is obliged to consider the
effect of this particular bill upon in
ternational relations. The Executive
must look at all angles and in this
work he must depend largely upon
selected staff of advisors.
Aside from giving attention to
these items, the President must ar
range his program to include pre-
paration of speeches, signing of doc
uments, reading of hundreds of let
tiers which have been carefully sifted
by his personal secretary, and duties
which fall to the lot of nations
leader.
President Coolidge's comment that
the recent speech Of Senator Borah
contained illogical conclusions on
general legislation" is significant be-
cause of the fact that the Idaho Sena-
tor is not recognized particularly as
a Republican spokesman. Leaders of
both parties admit that Senator Bor-
abs statement that economy in gov
eminent public expenditure is per-
haps the greatest unsolved problem
of the government and not a party
matter but rather a national prob
lem" is without partisan favor.
Referring to legislation, Senator
Borah said: SIN these days there are
countless remedies being proposed to
help the farmer, but give him mar
ket for that which his indefatigable
industry produces and the farmer will
neither ask for, nor accept, the RENE
dies born Of political fright. And the
way to build this market is to unchain
the latent energies which taxes have
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