Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-03
PRESIDENT PROUD
OF U. S. PROGRESS
Nation on Upgrade Morally
and Socially, He Feels, in
Fourth Year in Office.
BY j. RUSSELL YOUNG.
STAFF Correspondent of The Star.

and basically sound in every way, but
that the Nation is steadily improving
morally and socially. He thinks there
is every reason for the people Of the
United States to feel happy and Sc
cure, as well as proud.
These expressions came from the
Presidents spokesman today in re-
calling that he is entering upon his
fourth year as President.
In the opinion of the President, the
results of the past three years since
he became President speak for them.
selves In reality there need be no
public reminders or the making of
any noise. However, the President
was in a happy vein and through his
old friend. the spokesman, went on
to recount some of the things that
have been accomplished within three
years of which he is proud and
which he considers the outstanding
features of his administration.
Basic Confidence Sought.
The main effort during this time
has been to create conditions under
which business and industry, by ad-
herring to sound practices, could de-
contributed to this end, but the es-
sential factor, in the mind of the Pres
ident, is the result as it now IS en-
joyed by the country. The official
spokesman emphatically indicated that
the coming years will witness rigid
adherence to the principles upon
which the Coolidge administration has
proceeded thus far.
Nor have the economic and mate
rial factors been the only ones to re-
cord gains since August 3. 1923, be-
cause the President believes that
progress also has been made in educa-
tional and moral standards, though
these are steps SO dependent upon the
economic status of the Nation that
they couldn't well go on without ma
teriai prosperity.
It is true, in the view of Mr.. Cool
idge, that there have been some crimes
of violence, but they have not been 80
numerous nor so widespread as in cor
responding periods after other great
wars. The President believes that
matters in this direction also are on
the mend.
Wages Held at High Point.
The outstanding factors during the
past three years are the reduction in
commodity prices, unaccompanied by
a wage reduction, but, on the other
hand, actually going forward with
some wage increases. While there
has not been as much noise over what
the administration has done or under
taken as at times in past, Mr.. Coolidge
feels that a survey Of results justifies
the conclusion that the methods
adopted have been fairly effective.
Three years ago the reparations
~ Abb cfil
were in the Ruhr and the debt refund
ing, considered by the President as the
greatest international financial trans
actions in recorded history, had not
been made. The country nominally
was ION the outs" with Mexico; taxes
were high, there was turmoil and un-
rest, In a remarkably short space of
time, judging by the standards by
which these things are measured,
vast, scarcely realiZable change has
been effected.
Preparations Issue Met.
The reparations muddle, thanks to
the suggestions Of former Secretary
Hughes, acting for the administration
and to disinterested American partici-
patton, was unraveled. The French,
following in the wake Of that, have
left the heart of industrial Germany
to function normally, practically all of
the allied debts have been funded and
all but the French Of the major agree
mentS have been ratified; two tax cuts
have been made, the national debt
has been greatly reduced, economy
has held sway and sound principles
upon which industrial and agricul-
tural progress rest have been adhered
to. The great economic questions
L. 4Iaa NJ
Coolidge became Chief Executive
very largely have been solved. but
even so, all that has been done has
not injured absolutely universal pros
perity within the United States.
This is a condition recognized by
the President in making a survey of
his years achievements as the head
of the Nation. He feels that the Gov
eminent can't do any more than. to
create conditions under which the va
rious interests will have a chance to
go ahead.
Sees Some Farm Distress.
The country has recovered from the
def1ation period, and while commodity
prices are not lower than they We're
during the slump they are lower than
in the war period The President
realizes there are parts of the West
where full recovery has not been
made, such as the Dakotas and Ne
braska, due to crop failures. The tex
tile industry hasn't been overly busy
For some months past either, but there
are signs Of recovery. The metal and
auto industries are in first-rate condi-
ton, and the railroads, according to
the advices he receives, are doing rec
ord business. Practically all have re-
rovarpd from fha war strain and their
large purchasing power In carrying on
and making extensions to care for the
needs Of the Nation is a great fa0eW
itself in the business situation.
The important legislative enact
h1ents of the period, aside from taxes
and appropriation measures. in the
view of Mr. Coolidge, INCLUDE the
Watson.Parker railroad labor act. the
johnson immigration act, the treaty
notifications, including the decision to
adhere to the World Court, and the
debt agreement Publications.
The recession in stock market
prices which caused the Wall street
furry last Winter and Spring was
healthy, Mr.. Coolidge believes, though
the drop in prices largely has been
made up. Their levels, on the whole,
are not so high as last Winter, but
that is not a matter which affects
the sound business conditions Of the
country. Trade movements are large
and the output of plants, on the
whole, is stupendous.
Another healthy factor is the sta
bility and balance that prevail in bust
ness circles, where there has been a
tendency to adhere to sound principles
and so far as possible, according to
the Presidents spokesman, to finance
itself from its own resources.