The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-04-27


President and his small clique of
Massachusetts managers are visibly
distressed. The enthusiasm with
which the public has watched the
Borah-Butler debate and the Smith
Marshall query and reply has been a
subject of profound grief for them.
They view the tendency with great
alarm.
The idea of having to meet an issue
squarely is one of deep chagrin to
them. It is not the Coolidge way.
He and they are where they are to-
day because they have so far never
been compelled to speak frankly.
To Quiz Coolidge.
1t has now come to their attention
that a small group of very good and
unquestionably regular republicans of
the highest rank are planning on Civ
ing Mr.. Coolidge heavy dose Of the
open letter idea. 1t is learned that
there is under way plan to call the
President on the third term issue. 1t
is proposed to have someone of ma
tional prominence, of unquestioned re-
publicanism, challenge President Cool
idge to bluntly declare himself on the
third term controversy.
1t will be demanded of him whether
he believes in the tradition of a no
third-terms, and if not why he does
not and if he intends to be candidate
to succeed himself. The challenge
will be put in such manner that he
will be compelled to reply straight
forwardly. At least that is what is
the intention of the group maneuver-
ing the undertaking.
Mr.. Coolidge is not above refusing
to reply. 1t is entirely possible that
he may retire on his dignity as Pres
ident and decline to discuss the mat
ter. But whether he answers or not,
the subject is going to be put up to
him in as public and vigorous a man
ner as Marshall questioned Governor
Smith on the catholic church issue.
Await Coolidge Action.
The purpose of course is to smoke
Coolidge out on whether he intends
to run or not. Presidential politics in
the republican party is at a stale
mate because of the uncertainty
among republican leaders as to what
Coolidge intends doing. If he don't
intend running, which few of them
believe, then they want to know it so
they can get busy drumming up trade
for themselves or their candidates.
If he proposes being a candidate and
they can be sure about it, some of
them want to know it to be sure that
they don't pass up any opportunities
about throwing a monkey wrench in
his plans.
The next session of congress is go
ing to offer many opportunities for
monkey wrench throwing. The Pres
ident is going to have hard time of
it next congress under any circum-
stances-but if some Of his good re-
publican friends and associates such
as Vice-President Dawes, Senator
Moses Of New Hampshire and others
ARE convinced that he intends run
ming for reelection, he is going to
have far more difficult time of it.
Would Prefer Silence.
The Coolidge scheme is to maintain
silence and to put a damper on third
term debate. Then if economic and
commercial conditions remain UNI
changed, by applying the patronage
screws, his managers will blow up a
demand" and he will graciously re-
spond to public pressure to run again.
Fess Statement Untimely.
The plan of these good republicans,
who on the face of things are loyal
supporters of the President, is to
prevent just this. They propose keep
ing the third-term debate continually
underway. The more statements from
presidential friends, such as that is
sued last week by Senator Fess, I'LL
tra-reactionary from Ohio, hysterical-
ly insisting that Coolidge has every