Evening star., 1926-10-25
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

The President has given clear inti-
nation that he does not intend to
make any speeches or any stops on
his journey to Kansas City and re-
turn on Armistice day, November II.
Scores of cities along the route have
sent urgent invitations, but all are
being declined. Mr.. Coolidge goes to
Kansas City at the invitation of the
Liberty Memorial Association to un-
veil a memorial to the American
World War soldier dead. 1t is in
the form of single shaft of the
cenotaph type, designed by Van
Buren McGonigle Of New York. Its
inception dates from the American
Legion convention in Kansas city
several years ago when Marshal
Foch was the guest of honor. The
President will deliver an address ap-
propriate to the occa sion, which means
that discussion of farm relief or
tariff is not to be expected. His ac-
ceptance of the Kansas City invitation
right on the heels of his announce
ment that he would be unable to
attend the Army-Navy foot ball game
in Chicago on November %, came
as q surprise. But the date, the
place and the occasion all accord well
with Mr.. COolidge's plans and pref
erences. 1t is after election and not
too near the convening of Congress
in December; not too far from Wash
ington, but far enough to take him
to the borders of the West and a long
way from Massachusetts,, from Wall
Street and La Sale street, and an
occasion dignified, impressive and
wholly devoid of political implications,
and, lastly, not susceptible of COM
mercial exploitation. This last is
added without meaning any disrespect'
to our distinguished present visitor
from foreign shores.
X X X
Another Of Secretary Hoover's
bright young men" has graduated
from the Commerce Department to a
high salaried post in private business.
1t is announced that Paul S. Clapp,
who has been an assistant to Mr..
Hoover" resigns to succeed M. H.
Aylesworth as managing director of
the National Electric Light Associa-
ton. Mr.. Clapp is Westerner,
product of a Western university, and
was an aide to Secretary Hoover in
war relief work.
The Federal corrupt practice act Of
1925, which requires candidates for
Congress and their campaign commit
tees to file with the clerk of the House
or Senate sworn itemized statements
of campaign receipts and eXpendl-
lures, is proving in practice to be a
farce. William S. Ware of slush fund
fame, the Republican senatorial NOM
inee in Pennsylvania, solemnly re-
ports that he has received nothing,
promised nothing, and spent only sos
in his campaign to date. This item
covers incidental personal expenses.
Col. Frank L. Smith. the Illinois Re
publican Senate candidate, likewise OF
unenviable notoriety for his expensive
primary contest financed by Samuel
insult. the Chicago millionaire pubic
utility magnate, officially reports that
in his election campaign so far ne mas
received nothing, spent nothing, prom
ised nothing. Senator William M.
Butler of Massachusetts,, Of large prl-
vate wealth, in the midst Of the most
intensive campaign the Bay state mas
ever seen, reports that his only cam
paign expenditure is his contribution
of 81. 900 to the Republican State COM
mittee. And so it goes. These re-
ports are literally true. The eXplana-
ton is that thousands and hundreds
of thousands of dollars are being spent
in behalf of the various candidates,
but the receipts and disbursements
are largely handled by State commit
tees in conducting State campaigns
for all candidates on the State tickets
quite beyond the reach or control
of the Federal statute.
X y X X
The resignation last week of Ell
liot H. Goodwin, for many years res
ident vice president of the United
States Chamber of Commerce, caused
considerable stir at the Capital
where he was widely known and long
regarded as pretty much of a FIX
ture." John w. OLeary of Chicago,
president of the chamber. in announc-
ing the resignation, said it was be-
cause Mr.. Goodwin desired to be free
to engage in larger activities. Mr..
Goodwin said nothing, except to deny
q rumoc that he Was slated to succeed