Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-20
COOLIDGE RECALLS
CHRISTIANS NAME
FORFEDERAL POST
Action Follows Senate 0ppo-
sition to Former Secretary
as Trade Commissioner.

President Coolidge today sent to
| the Senate the withdrawal of the
nomination Of George b. Christian,
jr.. who was secretary to President
Harding, as a member of the Federal
Trade Commission.
This action on the part of the
President was taken at the request
of Mr.. Christian, who wrote a letter
to the President in which he said
that he preferred to remain out of
public life and that he had received
an offer from large commercial
company which he felt called upon
to accept.
Called by Committee.
Mr. Christian had been invited TO
come before the Senate interstate
commerce committee today to explain
statements made by Huston Thomp-
son, the Trade Commission chairman,
that some one" tried to use MT
Christians office in the White House
to forestall government action against
! a motion picture concern.
Instead of accepting the commit
tees Invitation, the former secretary
asked President Coolidge to cancel
the appointment.
The withdrawal of Mr.. Christians
nomination by the President was not
unexpected as there was opposition
to its confirmation in the Senate by
senator La Toilette of Wisconsin as
well as by certain members of the
Federal Trade Commission.
Letter to President.
Mr.. Christians letter to the Presi-
dent asking for the withdrawal fol-
lows in full:
Dear Mr.. President:
You are aware of my deep appre-
citation OF the confidence in me evil
denced by your nominating me to the
| Senate as a member of the Federal
| Trade Commission. When l informed
you that this appointment would be
| both acceptable and gratifying l be-
lieved that it would afford an OPP
! rortunity for the rendition of real
service and the doing of constructive
work.
Since you sent my name to the SEN
ate Mr.. Hustn Thompson. a men,
| Der of the Federal Trade Commission.
has appeared before the Senate inter-
state commerce committee and in
| formed that body. in substance, that
| i'll May, 1921, I had made inquiries of
! him with respect to the commission S
proceedings against the Famous
| Players-Lasky Corporation in such a
. way as to convey the impression that
! / was endeavoring to interfere with
or influence their proceedings.
Acted In OmciaI Capacity.
| In view of the facts, Mr.. Thomp-
sons impression of our conference
has amazed me. called Mr. Thompson
| to the executive Office in the per-
; Torrance of an official duty solely,
and for the sole purpose of securing
| information as to the status of this
| case. 1 frankly stated to him that rep
| reservations had been made that this
| company was under investigation. and
| that a hearing had been denied them
| / further stated that / knew nothing
/ of the methods of procedure of the
| commission or it's rules of practice
| and asked him for the facts.
| "Mr. Thompson was most courteous
| and painstaking in explaining the
! commissions procedure to me, and
/ that explanation made it perfectly
plain that the company involved had
! no reason whatever to apprehend that
any governmental action respecting
! it would be taken without the fullest
| opportunity to protect its rights.
made no request of Mr. Thompson. /
made no suggestions and voiced no
criticism. l expressed my apprecia-
ton for his coming to the office and
J thanked him for the information.
| Has Desirable oHer.
"Of course, Mr.. President, I should
| be very reluctant to serve on a COM
/ mission a member of which was OBJ
| iectine to my appointment, SO I re-
| speetfully request you to withdraw
my name from consideration of the
Senate.
81 am sure that it will please you
| to know that / have a very desirable
and agreeable business association
which holds every prospect Of giving
me an opportunity for useful services
and future success.
Permit me, Mr.. President, to as
sure you of my warm personal regard
and my Steadfast political support.
Yours very sincerely,
lSigned) GEO. B. CHRISTIAN. Jr.'.