Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-03
COOLIDGE NOW DEFINITELY
OUT. ASSOCIATES DECLARE

yesterday.
This same feeling was not only ex-
perienced in local political circles. but
even by those in the Presidents So
called official family. Secretary
Sanders and others in the executive
office knew during the morning that
the President had something impor-
tant TO make public. But they had no
idea of it's purport until the President
prepared the brief statement which he
later handed to the press. Even his
intimate friends, Frank w. Stearns Of
Boston. and William nj. Butler, chair.
man OF the Republican national COM
mittee, We're not taken into his conf
dence.
Keeps Things to Himself.
However, there was nothing unusual
in the Presidents not hroadcaSting his
decision in advance of its public an
nouncement. Throughout all his pub
lie career he is known to have acted in
Just this manner. He has an almost
uncanny talent for keeping things TO
himself and for announcing things of
tremendous importance without ad-
vance heralding or without any out
ward trace of emotion. He not only
thinks it is the safest method. but he
seems to derive a certain delight out
of such things.
Therefore, the manner in which he
made his announcement yesterday was
typical of the Coolidge way of doing
things-things that are likely TO make
history. 1t appears to be his pleasure
to do such things in casual sort OF
way-to appear as though they are an
every day occurrence-and then to
stand aside and delight in the surprise
and shock that follow.
Some friends of the President who
readily have accepted his decision as
definite, final and positive admit that
the President could have helped mat.
ters considerably, at least to the eX-
tent of removing much OF the cause
for misinterpretation, IL he had en-
plified his announcement, even just a
wee bit. For instance, il he had given
some hint as to his reasons 1t would
have helped some.
While debating the Presidents at
titude many hit upon that WORD
choose" in his statement. saying 1t
serves to create a feeling Of doubt as
| to the finality Of the Presidents de-
| cision about 1928.
Carefully Selected Choose"
1t is known authoritatively that 1T
| took the President some time to
| choose the exact word he wanted to
express his decision, and his choice
was choose"
Mr.. Coolidge does not Choose to
rum; that is, Mr.. Coolidge himself
had it in his power to take by pref.
erence what further he wanted. or
political activity. He has cisasen, Sc
| iected, preferred or whatever you may
| wish to evolve out Of the word
choose" not to run for President next
year.
The authority for this contends that
| it is an unequivoeal declination made
| by himself to himself and to the Amer
| lean people-that it is absolute, clear
and plain, and there is no reason for
any one to be confused by its usage.
The President is said to have delib'
| Grated whether he should not use the
phrase II will not run" but after care
| full thought he decided in favor or
choose" as the right word to express
his meaning.
This intimate of the President said
further in explanation of his attitude
| that in declining to be a candidate
| again the President has nothing to
take back There is not living soul
to whom he has given any sign that
he either decided a denomination or
would take it. Now that he has spoken,
| the fact is revealed that what has
been bothering the President most
was when to make public his decision
at what time and where he should
take the Nation into his confidence.
Chose Anniversary for Bomb.
Yesterday was the end Of Mr..
| CooLdge's first four years in the
| White House. He is known to have
| sentimental feeling for anniversaries,
and he observes them. UnQuestionably
| the most eyentful moment he has
| known was the administering of the
| oath of office to him by his father,
| who has since passed on, In the light
of kerosene lamp in the Coolidge
| parental home at Plymouth Notch.
| Therefore it is quite natural that Mr..
Coolidge picked this anniversary for
| his announcement. because what he
| had to impart was. in his opinion,
most solemn declaration of final
| decision.
President Coolidge has stepped aside
| in the matter Of another term at the
very apex Of his physical and mental
strength. His physician, Maj. James
f.. Coupal. said today that the Presi-
| dents condition has actually improved
| since he has been at the head of the
| Nation. The job Of President has be IN
| anything hut n "mankilier," SO far
as his strength has been concerned.
| He is the first President who has not
cut into his physical strength while
| occupying that trying post.
it is said that Mr.. Coolidge does
not know what he will do after he
| leaves the White House. lie has
been in public life since his early
| twenties. He enjoys work and it is
felt certain that he will remain ac-
lively at it when he retires.
1t would be only bit Of guess
work to attempt to offer an explana,
ton of the reason which prompted
Mr.. Coolidge's decision, which must
be regarded as final. 1t may be
that he has had enough of running
the Government-that he Is prob
ably "fed-up' on the Job. AS they
say. or that he felt he had done his
best and that II was about time for
him TO draw the curtain on his po-
litical career. At any rate. he steps
out at the crest. lie at least can sit
back. when 1t is all over. and enjoy
the sensations of an undefeated
| champion.
Pressure is Expected.
Moreover it is felt by some of his
intimates that in the years to come
| Mr.. Coolidge will derive infinitely
more satisfaction in the knowledge
that he had strength of character
enough to put personal ambitions
aside to decline to put himself in Il
position again to be elected President
However. there is reason 10 believe
that considerable pressure will be
brought upon the President 10 be-
come candidate to succeed him.
self. This already has manifested
itself. Long distance telephone calls
and kilograms are pouring in on the