Evening star., 1925-03-15
Mystery of Coolidge Seen
AS Reason of His Popularity

brought from them the question, rs
this a new Coolidge?" The PreS-
dents selection of Ambassador Kel-
logs to be Secretary OF State, OF At
torney General Stone for the United
States Supreme Court and of Mr.. War
rem to succeed Mr. Stone as head Of
the Department. of Justice, gave the
politicians something OF a jolt. be-
cause they knew nothing about any
| one Of these appointments until IT
formally was announced. They had
not been consulted. Surprise akin
to fear seized them. Had the Presi-
dent changed from the old party man
they had known to new public
official, Independent, exclusive, keep
Ing his own counsel? They do not
know yet. They still are wondering
whether 1t Is his purpose to be an in
dependent Executive, whether other
urprises are in store, whether the
Organization" is to receive the recog
milton II deserves.
The American people worshiped
Roosevelt and Wilson, yet these for
mer Presidents enjoyed no greater
popular regard than that now being
accorded Mr.. Coolidge. No three men
could be more dissmilar Roosevelt
hammered his way into the hearts of
the people. Wilson talked his way
into their hearts. Each had a breach
with his Congress. Each appealed to
the American public for aid in the
controversy between the executive
and legislative branches of the Gov
ernment. What of Coolidge? How
did he find his way to the hearts of
the people? What means will he
adopt to force acceptance by the Con-
gress OF his legislative proposals?
This is part of the puzzle which is
engaging the minds OF the people.
So long as they are working at the
puzzle, the President will continue
to stand well with them. We do not
become angry at our puzzles. The
more difficult they arc, the better we
like them. 1t is only after solution
that we discard puzzle and turn to
something new.
In my judgment Mr.. Coolidge is
one of the most astute politicians in
the White House since the days of
Andrew Jackson. He knows that
silence is the one unanswerable areu-
ment. He is not stolid, not indif-
ferent. Upon the contrary, he is
alert discriminating. He has a pas
sion for information. He has q
trained mind. In 80 minutes he
can get out OF visitor all
that is worth getting out. He
labels the information he extracts.
one-hHlf of all that is told him, vet
he is not suspicious OF his fellow men
He is good lawyer and can weigh
evidence accurately. Moreover. he can
render a decision without giving to
those against whom 1t is rendered
any just reason for appeal He
already has clashed with the Con-
sress. The split last Spring might
have been serious IL il had been
Ice el-
not become abusive: he did not call
names: he did not condemn those
who disagreed with him: he did not
appeal to the American people to set
tie the controversy his way
The people like man who. In the
language OF the street, does not
welsh, who does not growl nor COM
plain. The President did not berate
the Congress; he merely rejected it's
enactments, giving his reasons for
their rejection. The former service
men. who deplored the veto of the
bonus. did not hold it against the
President. Postal employees. deprived
OF their increase in pay, realized that
the bill in their behalf should have
carried revenue-producing pro-
vision. Many a public official has
courted danger by explaining to,
much.
TIC 10 NOT new 1OOn0Se. lie is
just Coolidge, silent, stanch parti-
san. He knows more about the per-
sonality of the Republican party than
the entire organization. / predict he
VIII continue to do as he pleases
touching policies and appointments
But he Will do nothing and say moth
ing that will raise an issue between
his party and himself His appointees
Will be thorough going Republicans
of his own selection. His acts and
utterances will be grounded on sc-
cepted Republican principles He
probably will not attempt to drive
his party in the Congress Rather
VIII he be content to believe that
most things come right If you do not
try to advance them too speedily. He
Will be willing to wait, well con.
vinced that the world is harmed more
by doing too much than by doinx not
enough.
The habits of a lifetime do not
change because of accession to ex-
allied public Office. Personal honor,
party oyalty ingrsined economy are
Coolidge traits. They will not dfssp-
pear in the White House. The Presi-
dent, feel sure, will have only slight
trouble with his Congress. and no
trouble with his party. The Ameri-
can people may solve the problem
he constitutes, however, and then
desire some fresh amusement
Copyright 1925, hy 21st Century Press