Evening star., 1926-03-29

President Coolidge this noon re-
ceived the nine British trade unionists
who are X-raying American labor
conditions as the guests of the Lon
don Daily Mail. Tomorrow they will
be entertained by James j. Davis, Sec
retary of Labor, whose father was
tinplate worker in Wales, and VINO
himself began life as puddler. The
British artisans, who are all in the
metal trades, have conferred with the
Department of Labor and with Presi-
dent Green, Secretary Morrison and
other executives of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. They came to Amer
lea mainly for light on two points
why our wages are higher ana the Ell
feet of labor saving machinery. Secre-
tarv Davis told the Britons that since
1914 wages have averaged an increase
of 125 per cent, while living costs
rose only rs per cent. Almost exactiy
reverse figures prevail in the Britlsn
Isles. Notwithstanding that laoor Is
much more strongly organized tnere
than here, the visitors flnd tnat
American employers believe IN hlgn
wages as conducive to efficiency ana
nav them as a rule without eltner
compulsion or conjunction.
X y X X
Is washington incorrigibly anti
President, no matter VINO wears tne
crown? That Is the conclusion reach-
cd NV distinguished foreigner, now
resident in the United States, and VINO
until two years ago was domiclled IN
washington. II haven't been PACK
here y. he remarked to this observer
"since the end of 1924. Since tnen
I've travelled up and down the couh
try. east and west, north ana SOUTH
three or four times. It's the rare eH
cention to hear criticism of Mr.. Cool
idge. Political opponents perale MN
now and then. But, on the Whoie,
when people talk about the President
at all. it is in kindly terms. I've oeen
in washington a week and heard
hardly ANYTHING but 'knocks'-from
men and women alike, and among
both Republicans and Democrats.
The stranger in question apparently
has never realized that knocking
the President has long been the Capl'
tails fayorite indoor sport. Roose-
welt and Wilson were its speclai putts'
Evidently Coolidge is proving no ex-
ception to the rule.
" X X X
One of the results of the forthcom-
ing American visit of Crown Prince
Gustaf Adolf Of Sweden may be the
elevation of his country to amoas-
sadorial rank at Washington. Proml-
nent Swedish Americans are advocat-
ing such action, which would auto
matically convert our diplomatic es-
tablishment in Stockholm from a le-
CATION into an embassy. They claim
that Sweden, through it's ruling SOW
ereign, King Gustavus III, was the
first country in the world to recognize
the independence Of the United states
in 1776. From the standpoint of SWe-
denis history as a great power, its
achievement in remaining neutral
during the World War, its popula-
ton, it's commercial importance and
it's splendid contribution to American
citizenship, Americans Of Swedish
origin feel there is ample justification
for seeking ambassadorial status Tor
their motherland, not only here, but
in other world capitals.
X X X y
Senator William j. Harris, Demo-
crat, of Georgia is entitled to credit
for the fact that our European debt
settlements, now under fire in the
Senate, were made by a bipartisan
commission. AS originally formed by
President Harding, the World War
Foreign Debt Commission consisted
exclusively Of Republicans. Senator
Harris single-handedly brought about
the passage of legislation giving the
commission a bipartisan character.
Three Democrats - Representative
Charles r. Crisp OF Georgia. former
Representative Richard Olney of Mas
sachusetts, and Edward N. Hurley
of Illinois, former chairman of the
United States Shipping Board-even-
tually were added to the commission.
1t now consists of five Republicans
| (Messrs. Mellon, Kellogg, Hoover,
Smoot and Burton) and the three
Democrats aforementioned. One Of
the Coolidge administrafious9 priUci.