Evening star., 1925-01-25
DENIES PRESIDENCY
FORM OF SUICIDE"
Slemp Cites Coolidge Gain in
Weight in Talk to,
Press.


to be. according to c. Bascom slenp.
the Presidents secretary, who retires
March T.
Mr.. Slemp's resignation as secretary
becomes effective sometime next week,
when he viii take a two weeks vaca-
tion in the South and then enter upon
the practice OF law here. He was
bidding farewell yesterday 10 n gather
ing of newspapermen, members Of the
White House Correspondents Associa-
tion who had just presented TO him
written testimonial of their. apprecia-
tion OF his courtesieS and friendship
during his term as secretary and con-
taAning an expression OF their admira-
tion of him personally and their regret
at his leaving.
After thanking the correspondents
for this tribute Secretary Slenp
entered upon discussion of the
activities at the executive ONCE. He
said he believes the newspapermen
could do real public service by re-
lieving the thought that appears to be
fixed in the public mind that when
man is elected TO tho presidency he
selects a form OF suicide"
Coolidge Gains Weight.
such is not the case" Mr.. Slemp
said. LAS a matter of fact. President
Coolidge weighs eight pounds more
than he did when he came here as
head OF the Nation. and 1, too. am In
better health than when / entered
upon this so-called man-killing
White House work.
This doesn't mean the work is
lighter than previously" he con-
tinued. we have gone through a
nominating campaign, a general cleo
ton, Investigations, so that the pub
lie ought to feel that when the Work
goes on here II Is attended with a
terrific physical strain which every
body seems to think necessarily goes
with the office. This thought has
| undoubtedly grown out of the break
down OF the last two Presidents in
office. The matter OF maintaining the
physical condition and the health of
| the President Is a matter OF sys-
tematic work, relaxation and rest.
l think &c would be assuring TO the
American people to know that they
| are not killing their President. The
! administrator OF this Office for the
| last Is months 10 proof of this.
| Own Work Real Joy.
| president Coolidge has used all
| the helpful resources at his command
l
| other Presidents. In the matter OF
| business with executive departments
| he will call in the best minds to func-
ton with his on the problems pre-
sented. And, II / have been OF any
| help to him feel that I have been OF
| service. The presidency does not
| necessarily break a man down. II Is
| the most attractive form OF public
+, service, and my work here has been
4 Af
| President has had to be systernatizeo
SO that the Executive may get time
| for relaxation and recreation. That
| is most important.
| president Coolidge, the American
| should know, trains for the work OF
| his office as a prize fighter trains for
a fight. He has his breakfast at q
his luncheon at /, and his dinner at l.
He takes his exercise regularly in the
| morning and late in the afternoon
and then he retires early. The oriVt
| S not "a hours long. The real DAY
| work is between 9 and O'Clock
| After that the Presidents time is his
| to do what he wants. He can study
he can pore over State papers, he car
have me make some engagements foi
| him for the afternoon, or he car
| rest. That is the secret Of our Presi'
dents good health, despite the Vicis'
situdes OF the presidential once. II
the present system Is kept up I dc
not see why he should not come ou'
of his term enjoying the same healtf
he now enjoys"
Praises Correspondents.
To make his remarks more per
| sonal to his newspaper audience, tn'
| secretary then went on to say nov
he appreciated their friendship H'
said that no part of his service a.
secretary has been more pleasant o'
more profitable than MS assoeisuo' 81
| WITH the newspaper men. NOBODY II
puoiic service depends more for nii
sucoea IS or failure upon the newspa
per man than does the secretary tS
the President appreciate this.
Besides the letter OF appreciation
l given TO MT. Slemp by the newspape'
men. they presented him with large
handsome leather brief case, with al
inscribed plate upon It's side. e: Kosi
| hartley OF the Associated Press
Inresident of the association, presented
Rnsseu young OF The Washington
EVENING Star, who made the pres
| entation speech. George b, Durn'
| oP the International News read th'
newspaper mems letter.
| Text OF Letter.
The letter said in vart:..
I'VE. the newspaper men who's
work brings US daily to the whit
House, desire to express to you tn
deem regret with which we view you
retirement as secretary TO the Presi
dent.
"The giving up OF the official du
ties which have occupied you for
wear and O half means much more Z
us than q change In administrativ
7 personneL We usually see official
come and go with equanimity, but II
your case It involves a personal los
to all OF us. We have looked upoi
. YOU not merely as secretary to tn
: President, but as our friend.
eve have come 80 to regard yo'
| because through experience we hav
found you ever to be true helpful
; and sympathetic. It is relationshi
we are loath TO have severed ana II
: involved in the one story we woul
prefer not 20 have to write.
I'VE feel that we cannot let yo
leave the Executive Offices withou
expressing TO you in this formal wa
our feelings and also our apprecfa