Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-04-15
COOLIDGE VIEWS
REASSURE ANGLERS
President Did Not Say Sport
Was Only for Boys,
as Published.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
All the fishermen hereabouts Won
dered if their eyes deceived them
when they read published reports to-
dav that President Coolidge didn't
think of fishing as sport for grown
UPS. but as identified primarily with
childhood.
The White House spokesman :
that anonymous personality who re-
veals with authority the views, inner
feelings and emotions of the Presi-
dent-had given the newspaper cor
respondents a comment in answer to
their questions about stocking the
Tidal Basin with fish.
The correct information given the
press was as follows:
First-The President didn't know
enough about the fishing possibilities
of the Tidal Basin to make an inteili-
gent comment on the suggestion that
that basin should be stocked with
fish. He had advocated out-of door
life, but whether that would be con-
ducive to any success in that dlrec-
ton, he didn't know. Fishing he had
always identified more with the sport
of children than that of Srown-ups.
He supposed that was more or less
used to fish when he was a boy, and
with good deal of satisfaction. The
newspaper men who were up in Yer
mont with him surely would remem-
Der the brook that runs down through
the meadow. When he was boy
that looked to him to be a large and
important stream. He used TO repair
to it as often as he could after school
and catch fish there. That was about
the extent of his fishing experience
Now other people got good deal OF
satisfaction in going TO Florida or
into the north woods to fish.
Would Help Young.
Stocking the Tidal Basin wouldn I
minister to the desires of people of
that kind. So that the President
should think after a moments con-
sideration il would probably appear
that the only good it would do would
be to furnish place for the small boy.
1t it really would he thought it might
be worth while. But he should want
to have it investigated by the fish de-
partment of the Department of Com
merce or then Department of Agricul-
ture or by the committee that has a
special interest in outdoor sports to
see what could be done.
?. Right along with that was an
! inquiry about the Junior Achievement
Club work. That was brought to the
Presidents attention by visit of some
New England people who are organic
ing the work among children, more es.
pecially in the textile industry Some
of the younger people making certain
materials tthe newspaper men saw
them present scarf to the President
and Mrs. Coolidgel were identified with
the Junior Club work. The President
came in contact with it when he was
young. His father organized ii for him
mostly in his childhood.
! Gives Children Interest.
That isn't possible for these children
that live in cities and whose parents
are engaged in the textile industry
| Where that is the case, the President
thought something of this kind was
| a hrst-class proposal. 1t gives these
| young people an interest, it gives
them something to do. They should
see they are making a real achieve
ment: The President thought it would
| be very much worth while Of course
when one got into the open country
this work is really going on in the
dlnerent farm organizations. The
boys have pig clubs where they raise
a pig for market. Now that extends
" Cdllic anu the chicken ana egg IN
dustry is one that lends itself very
we'll to the occupation for the young
people, and, of course, the cultivation
| of the fields. The Presidents grand
father died when Mr.. Coolidge was
years old and before he died young
| Calvin had begun sto sow wheat a.
| his instigation. Had the grand
| father lived, the President perhap,
would have been sowing wheat today
| (this brought a smile from the CORE
| spondents). 1t reminded the Presiden
of wise old judge in Northampton
who thought we might all be better
off if we were engaged with a hos
and potato. So Mr.. Coolidge is very
much in favor of the junior achieve
ment clubs work and one form of i
would be adaptable to city life anC
those who are in textile centerS, anC
another form would be adapted t
| life in the open country. The Presi
dent thought commendabIe progress
1 was being made in both cases
| s. The President didn't know any
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