Evening star., 1924-12-09
PRESIDENT GRANTS
BUTLER YEAR MORE
Consents to Further Stay in
Observation-Disclosures
( Responsibility.

Brig Gen. Smedley D. Butler was
granted by President Coolidge today
an extension of one year on his leave
of absence from the Marine Corps to
serve as director of public safety at
Philadelphia.
The President in notifying Mayor
Kendrick of his willingness to grant
such an extension announced, how
ever. that the additional year would
be the limit to which the Federal
Government would go in lending TO
Philadelphia the services of Gen. But
Ter.
Another condition attached by the
President to the extension Of leave
was that the Federal Government and
especially the White House must not
be considered as having assumed any
responsibility for policing the city of
Philadelphia under the directorship
of Gen. Butler.
Presidents Letter.
President Coolidge's letter to
Mayor Kendrick of Philad elphia
agreeing to an extension of one year
follows:
Dear Mr.. Mayor:
Your favor requesting continuation
of the leave of absence of Gen. Smed-
ley d. Butler, in order that he may
serve as the head of your police or
ganiZation. has been received.
have sought the advice of the Com
mittees on Naval Affairs of the House
and the Senate, which has caused me
to delay making an immediate de-
cision.
THE practice Of detailing officers
of the United States military forces
to serve in civil capacities in the diff
ferent States on leaves OF absence Is
of doubtful propriety and should be
employed only in cases of emergency
/ am well aware of the difficulty In
getting seasoned and experienced
men to take positions of public trust
and fully understand your disinclina-
tion to undertake to make a change.
have decided to permit Gen. Butler tc
have leave of absence until January
1926, so far as l have authority to grant
it, but it does not seem reasonable Z
suppose that an emergency exists In
your city which would be of a dura-
tion Of over two years, and I, there
fore, have to advise you that leave
of absence should not again be re-
quested. You can, of course, find
some one amply able to serve you
during the year, and I earnestly hope
you may find some one in the very
near future.
to this leave which 1 shall have to in
sist upon at all times. The United
States Government, and especially the
presidential office has and can assume
no responsibility for the policing of the
city of Philadelphia under your State
and municipal ordinances. On several
occasions it has appeared to me that
because Gen. Butler was there some of
your best-informed citizens have as
Cd hot -, 7 vr-o, rci
bic for the conduct of his office and his
] do not suppose you can prevent COM
plants being made to me, but l wish to
give notice in advance that l can take
no action on such complaints, and l
shall refuse to be involved in any con-
troversy respecting the discharge of the
duties of Gen. Butler as police officer Of
your city.
Even now am receiving communi-
cations that would indicate that there
are people in your commonwealth who
think that the United States Govern
ment is in some way responsible for
the execution of your municipal laws
and that 1t is the business of the Presi-
dent of the United States to employ
national officers for that purpose. No
such obligation exists. The people of
your city and your State are the only
ones who are responsible for the con-
duct of their own municipal affairs
unless they execute their own laws
themselves, nobody can execute their
laws for them. OF course, you have
the sympathy and full moral support
of the national Government in main
tanning law and order at all times, but
local self-government cannot be fur
nished from the outside, and it is a
most important position. If those of
,h1 irta ,tay,
to take Gen. Butter ex Washington, l
suggest you release him.
Very truly yours,
CALVIN COOLIDGE"