Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-28
PRESIDENT HITS
FU[L-HOL|DAY PLAN
Would Have Congress Decide
on Days Off for U. S.
Employees.
By . stat corre.ponden. Of The Star.


RAPID CITY, S. Dak., June 2S.-
President Coolidge Is not inclined to
look with favor upon the idea of
granting q full Saturday holiday dur.
ing the Summer months to Govern
ment employees instead of the half
holiday as is now the case.
Mr.. Coolidge gave this impression
while discussing the subject with the
writer today, but he did not definitely
commit himself. He did say, how
ever, that he thinks the matter of
holidays for the employees of the
Federal Government is one for Con.
gress to determine. He would much
rather have Congress stipulate by law
just what holidays the employees
should have.
Holidays Are Costly
The President is of the opinion that
inasmuch as the appeals and petitions
for more holidays for the employees
are being constantly received by him
throughout the year, the Executive
should be relieved of having to decide.
The matter, according to his view
point, SHOULD not have to be deter
has always tried to be as fair and
liberal as possible in the matter Of
giving extra holidays to the employees.
he thinks that the Executive should
only have authority in extraordinary
occasions or emergencies, such as the
eXcusing of employees from their duties
out of respect for some high official
who has died or in cases such as the
recent Lindbergh celebration in Wash
ington.
Further evidence of his disinclina-
ton to give a full holiday on Satur-
days during the Summer, the Presi-
dent recalled that when he issued an
order back in Washington, granting
half holidays on Saturdays throughout
June, July and August he did so be-
cause he thought it would be more ad-
visable to institute more half holidays
and to make fewer whole holidays.
Moreover, the President thinks the
matter of extra holidays for the Gov
ernment's workers is a very costly
undertaking.
May Suggest Plan.
He has been advised that the spe-
cial holidays-those not provided by
law-which the employees now enjoy
cost many hundreds of thousands of
dollars annually.
In mentioning this the President,
however, did not contend that his
ideas about extra holidays were being
influenced by his policy of Govern
ment economy. He gave the impress
sion, however, that he is not unmind-
full of loss in money to the Govern
ment as result of extra HOLIDAYS, in
his position on the subject. This was
gained from his reference to per-diem
ard piece-work employees of the Gov
ernment, who are not paid for the
time they lose by reason of the extra
holidays.
1t is thought likely that the Presi-
dent will dispose of the question by
making a recommendation to the next
Congress.
President Coolidge made 1t plain
today that he favors the creation of
central bureau for the purpose of
administering the affairs of the in
sular possessions of the United States,
thereby relieving the War and Navy
Departments of this work.
Conferred With Wood.
While discussing the subject today
the President intimated that he will
make recommendation to this effect
in his next annual message to Con-
gress, and at the same time will prob
ably suggest assigning this new bu.
reau to the Interior Department.
The President was represented as
having discussed the matter with Mai.
Gen. Leonard Wood, Governor General
of the Philippines, during his recent
visit to the Summer White House.
He did not say. however. whether the
latter approved the idea.
The Presidents desire to take the
administration of insular affairs out
of the War and Navy Departments,
it was explained, is not because of
any dissatisfaction with the manner
in which these departments have
handled things, but because he con.
siders the War and Navy Depart.
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