Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-24
Report That Powers Plan to
Bargain for Duty Cut Dis
pIeases Executive.
REGRETS INACCURACIES
IN PRESS DISPATCHES
Spokesman Warns of Resentment
That False Statements Create
in Foreign Countries.
BY j, RUSSELL YOCNG.s
staff Correspondent c. The Star.

WHITE PINE CAMP. y. Y. Aug
ust 24.-Presdent Coolidge is greatly
displeased at unfounded newspaper
reports dealing with the foreign rela-
tions of the United States. Such re-
ports, the President said through his
spokesman today. are embarrassing
and harmful and cannot help but i'm
pair the friendly relations between
America and the foreign powers in
Volved.
The President. without going into
specific cases. said. through his spokes-
man, that reports that there is a
movement amorg the nations of Eu-
rope to demand economic concessions
on the part of the United States be-
fore they will agree to the American
conditions to adherence to the World
Court were absolutely without foun-
dation. lie branded them as danger
ouS and absurd.
The President expressed regret that
the press is not more careful in the
matter of publishing reports of this
nature without first making sure of
their authenticity and foundation. He
added also that the press has a pub
lie duty to perform and that it should
not be remiss in its responsibility to
advance the interests of the Govern
ment.
Refers to Speech Here.
His spokesman referred to the ad-
dress he made at the corner stone
laying of the National Press Club in
Wa shington several months ago. when
he reminded the press of its respon-
sihlity and warned against unfair and
unwarrented criticism of foreign ma.
tionS and against the publication of
false reports concerning the attitude
of this Government toward other
powers.
The President declared inaccurate
reports in the American press are
very easily misunderstood and that
the resultant effect Is bad. He be-
li6ves the principles of the golden rule
should be applied. explaining that the
people of the United States are quick
to resent unfounded criticism OF their
country printed in foreign papers and
that they, therefore, should realize
that the peoples of foreign countries
are likely to he just as quick to resent
criticisms of them printed in this
country.
THE President is satisfied there
is a large enough field for candid
discussion in the press of the affairs
of the world without going in for un-
founded and malicious reports of
- critical nature. There should he no
guessing of what this nation or that
nation is doing or is going to do,
the President said.
AS for the reports that European
countries are planning to exact con-
CeSSions from the United States in the
form of revising our tariff to meet
their approval before they will con-
sent to our entering the World Court,
the President indicated that he knows
of no such movement.
Giv& No Credence to Point.
1t was pointed out by his spokes-
man that a readjustment of our
tariff to please the countries of Eu-
rope could not be brought about by
the Executive. hut would require ac-
tion by Congress. Without consid-
ering the lack of founda ton for these
reports. the Presidents spokesman n
doubts if any foreign country even
would think of making suggestions
of this nature.
1t is understood here that the Presi-
dents position was based principally
on a report from Washington that
the League of Nations powers. now
having the United States in the posi-
lion of a supplicant for ratification.
Court protocol. would demand eco
nonic concessions. such rs tariff re-
duction, in return for favorable aC-
ton.
Rv reminding the press of its re-
Sronsiblity in this instance the Pres
ident is thought also to have had in
mind some OF the reports that have
been printed regarding the possible
attitude of the administration toward
BIC
church and state in Mexico.
After listening to leaders among
farmers, captains Of industry and
members of his cabinet give their
views as TO industrial and economic
conditions. the President today went
back to a subject that is very dear to
him--of economy in the operation of
the Federal Government. This is ah-
solutely paramount with him at this
time when the estimates for the next
fiscal year are being whipped into
shape.
Madden Meets President.
The prospective budget is the sub
ject the President is discussing with
Eepresentative Martin Il. Madden of
Illinois, chairman of the House appro-
priationS committee, who will he a
guest at White Pine Camp until to-
morrow afternoon. The President re-
alizes that II is all very we'll for him
and Gen Lord. with the assistance
of the departmental heads. to make
UP the budget. but they must depend
on Mr. Madden and the others of the
appropriations COMMITTEE of the
House and the Senate TO steer this
budget safely through Congress.
Speaking of the conference with
Mr.. Madden. President Coolidge said,
through his spokesman. that the sue
cess met in handling the budgets of
the past has been due in a large
measure\to the cooperation on the
part of MIR. Madden and his COM
mittee. The President Is counting
upon this assistance and co-opera- :
tion in putting through the next
budget strictly in accordance with
the terms laid before Gen. Lord. who
brought the preliminary estimates
10 White Pine Camp recently.
The President, after going over
these estimates with Gen. Lord, cut
st00, 900 900 from the preliminary
estimates. thereby setting the pro-
spective estimates for next year at
s3,21o. orc 900.
Adolph Lewisohn, financier and
~ -~nt;u,,od m pacc Coh,pap II