Evening star., 1925-03-04


istered by the latter-Col.- John Cool
idge, who is q Justice of The peace.
This act has illuminated his entire
career, and, according to the late.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,, con-
tributed more than anything else to
inform the American people Of the
character and sturdiness OF Coolidge.
The American people, according to
those best informed. were greatly in
huenced by this dramatic event. 1t
was the first impression many Amer
icans got OF this man, and 1t served
as the basis for an appreciation that
has grown and grown with the
months that followed. From the very
moment he was sworn in as Presi-
dent. this sandy-haired man from
those rocky hills Of New England be-
gan to build up wide following
throughout the country. This was
most astonishing to many Republican
leaders, who at the time were not
what one would call Coolidge men"
President Coolidge is said to have
no hobbies. He makes this claim
himself. therefore IL must be true.
The nearest approach to a hobby is
reading and studying. Primarily, Cal
win Coolidge Is student He is what
writer's and educators refer to as a
natural student" He anaIyzes and
digests what he reads. And he re-
mo bers. too.
Remembering is one Of his happiest
and most convenient faculties. Re-
membering names and faces and en-
gagements have served him we'll in
public life.
He spends the greater part of his
spare moments reading. He prefers
books dealing with history and bios-
raphies. although he has more than
an ordinary fondness for poetry He
never acquired the habit OF some stu
dents OF jotting down notes while
reading, He does the jotting down
in his head. He makes very few
notes for memory purposes during his
daily work. This habit, which was
so common with Woodrow Wilson and
with c. Bascom SIemp. who recently
resigned as President Coolidge's sec
retary, has no place in the Coolidge
makeup.
Dictates Deliberately.
When he sends for his confidential
stenographer to give dictation he has
figured out beforehand what he in
tends to say, and he does not do his
debating from notes This is true Of
his important messages and speeches.
He dictates slowly. using the great
est care in the selection Of his words
and the construction Of his sentences.
IT is his custom to have every three
or four hundred words read back TO
bim, that he may hear how they
sound and to make any changes or
additions. However, he makes few
changes when he once dictates What
few changes he makes are not in
ideas, but generally in the matter of
adjectives and the placement Of words.
The President does not play. At
least he does not participate in games
of any kind. Cards, chess checkers,
golf and the like have no attraction
for him. When a youngster he was
enthusiastic for short time in par
uheesi. When asked about these
forms of amusement the President
generally replies to the effect that he
has never had time for such things.
He was always busy trying to earn
living, giving his efforts in the
service of the public and in reading
and acquiring knowledge.
Regarding golf Mr.. Coolidge re-
marked recently: When I was
younger I couldn't afford golf, and
now 1 can't afford the time"
The President has played this
game, but he gave no evidence Of
being very keen about 1t. Shortly
after he was married, at the solici-
tation of some OF his young friends
of the Northampton bar, he joined
country club and played two or three
rounds Of golf, but no more. Since
coming to Washington, while Vice
President he played several times
But he could not persuade himself
that the sport and the exercise war
ranted the loss Of time.
MethodicaI in Everything.
Saving is a religion with Mr.. Cool
idge. This includes saving time as
we'll as anything else. There are a
lot of things he would enjoy doing
and many places he would like to
visit but for the valuable time such
diversions would consume. From
childhood he has been methodical in
everything he has done. This trait is
shown in his daily routine and in the
way he works.
at z o'clock. After brief exercises IN
his bedroom he goes for a stroll for
about half an hour or an hour. He
then breakfasts. Following this he
goes over the morning newspapers
while he calmly puffs away at a cigar,
and then he proceeds to the Executive
offlce. He stays in his off1ce until 1
o'clock, when he returns to the White
House for luncheon. For half an hour
or so following the midday meal
he generally sits around talking with
members of his family and any
friends who may be on hand, and
when the opportunity presents itself
he hurries to his room for an hours
nap. This nap Is a very important
feature Of the Presidents daily rou-
tine. 1t gives him just the sort Of
mental and physical rest and relax
alton he needs. He returns to his
office any time after o'clock and as
a rule remains at his work until 5
or o'clock in the evening.
When he closes his desk for the
day the President goes for a brisk
walk about the downtown streets.
Sometimes this late afternoon walk
grounds, sometimes a walk around
|, the White House Ellipse, but as a
rule 1t includes about two miles
through the streets in the business
| section. He enjoys looking in the shop
windows, watching the throngs hur-
rying past him, and the other sights
generally presented on the streets of
Washington at that time of the day.
1t is rare that he is accompanied by
any one other than secret service men
to be alone. He likes to look and
conversation.
Contends He In Healthy.
The President contends that these
walks and the exercise he takes in
| his bedroom are sufficient for his
needs. He Jokes about what he de-
| Scrfheq aS his "dis1rSftp rly rand