The Washington times., 1927-08-03
|lAY RUN Il
HI5PBRTY
Calls
b GEoRuE B. HoIlGEs

u 0EOAGE y. HOLMES
, Political candor Or political
cunningi
AS hot ! political debate -
the country has witnessed il
years ragged today about Preai-
dent Coolidge's enigmatis
declaration that he does not
choose to run for the Presi-
dency next year, with opinion
sharply divided as to whether
he is displaying political cam
dor Or political cunning BY his
peculiarly worded statement.
Meaning In Doubt
II Mr.. Coolidge really means to
take himself out Of consideration
for 1928 he win have to put his
intention in more positive words
before the hard-boiled politicians
In the Capital viii believe ii. The
great majority Of Republicans now
IN Washington are unwilling Co
scratch his name on the basis Of
the 10 startling words that enia-
mated from Rapid. City yesterday
In such dramatic fashion:
d. not choose to run for
President ia 1928. z
Free Field gog E sidaie
tie same time. Ii is generally
conceded that Mr.. Coolidge. BY his
statement, has let down the bars 70
fiock Of Republic lean potentia litfeD
who will not be slow to take the
declaration ct its face value ana
proceed to build themselves IN III
the line Of succession.
There are some Republican lead.
ers who believe that, whether he
lEtended to or not, the President
has removed himself from considers.
ton. They are. however. IN the
minority. The majority whose opil,.
ians were sought viewed the curl.
ously-worded statement with skepti-
cism and attributed TO Mr.. CoolidgA
desire to be drafted, AS they
put At:
II Mr.. Coolidge really wanted ID
Ieliminate himself from consideration
in 1928. he would have said: 81 an
not q candidate. and viii under no
circumstances consent TO stand
again. That is what Theodore
Roosevelt said in similar situation
70 years ago. But Mr.. Coolidge did
not say that. He merely said he did
not choose to run again. OF course.
no man can afford TO rum for the
Presidency when his running ins
wolves buching the American ira.
aitlon against u third term. Roose-
Welt also tried that later--and the
result II well remembered"
Urged To Reconsider /.
A number Of telephone calls ana
kilograms came froTns Wall Street.
New York. and the financial dis
Irlcls OF other large Eastern cities
urging the President to change hla
election az had been confidently en-.
pected. according to reports from
the summer White House.
Many OF these calls ana yg,ran
warned the Executive that despite
the fact he had timed his announces.
ment yesterday to come after the
close Of the market, It, neverthe.
less. would upset today,s opening
almost as much as word sc the
death OF q President.
IN equal numbers came messages
over the wires congratulating Nr.
Coolidge on his statement on the
ground he had done the Govern.
ment real service IN that the
no-third- term principle would not
be violated
View Of Politicians
That represents the view OF the
average Republican politician IN
Washington. As viewed BY these
practical politicians. Mr.. Coolidge's
statement h calculated to remove
whatever stigma there might Be to-
standing for another term, without
ct the same time removing himself
entirely from the picture. Heis now
In the position Of not, openly at
CONTINUED, on Page 1, Column BIZ
T.