Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-31

Unquestionably the outstanding
feature during the year just ended. Sc
far as the personal and official activ.
tiles Of President Coolidge were con-
cerned, was his electrifying announce
ment last August that he did not
choose TO be a candidate 10 succeed
himself as President
This startling aud unexpected atti-
tude on Mr.. Coolidges part COM
pleteiy overshadowed everything else
incident to his administration in 1927.
Not only did this pronouncement turn
the political world upside-down. but
1t served as the principal topic Of
discussion and debate. generally.
period afterward. In fact, the in.
terest in the subject has not yet
subsidized
President Coolidge personally looks
upon the last 12 months as most
gratifying and successful from an
administrative viewpoint. The coun.
try as a whole. according TO him. had
prosperity never exceeded: there
was domestic peace and tranquility:
there was virtually no unemployment
and remarkably few Industrial strikes:
the country continued TO progress.
and there was a noticeable advance.
ment In the social betterment Of the
people at large; wages remained at a
high level: crops were bountlful and
prices generally good: the Nation re.
manned at peace with the world.
Farm Relief Veto.
The Government continued along
In the serene fashion which has dis
tinguished IL throughout MFR. Cool
idge's more than four years at the
helm. There was nothing especially
outstanding I'm the way Of legislation
or administrative changes. Probably
the most significant happening In the
matter Of legislation was the Presi'
dents veto OF the McNary.Haugen
farm relief bill. his principal reason
for doing 10 being his disapprovai of
the price.hxing and equalization fee
features. and the fact that he con.
sidered certain provisions OF the bill
AZ being unconstitutional
The President continued his egtab.
lished policy of contructive economy
in Government operation. The Presi.
dent reflects with great pride upon
the continued reduction Of the nation
al debt. which. during the past year.
WAS reduced nearly billion dollars.
He considered the estimated Treas.
nry surplus next year to be sufficient
to warrant another reduction In the
tax burden OF $225 900 900, and there.
fore made "a recomine ndnti0n to this
effect TO Congress He has since sound.
ed IA warning that IL would be dn niger.
GUS To slash taxes greatly beyond the
amount recommended by him. and has
limited that he will resort To the veto
II this warning IN not needed.
Plan Of Navy Expansion.
The President caused no little sur.
prise when he approved an adininistra,
ton program calling for an expan.
sion NJ the Navy which Is estimat ted
To cost approximately $500, 00p, 900.
but which is intended to be spread
out over ii period Of years not definite,
iy determined upon.
Following closely upon the COLA se
OF the naval limitations pariey. held
In Geneva, by the United States. Great
Britain and japan. the Presidents
recommendation Ut naval building
program IN looked upon as being all
the more significant. The President
however. has taken pains 10 remove
speculation IN Ia his motives In this
respect. He insists that the outcome
at Geneva had nothing To do with
his decision To ark for what he de.
keFfbes as moderate building pro.
gram. and denies making gesture la
start "a world competition ia naval
building.
The only happening during the year
that resmtted anything like "a national
emergency WAS The disastrous flood IN
the mississippi Valley. hut although
many thousands OF miles were inuns
dated, many lives lost. and the loss
10 property was tremendous. this ca.
lamity was confined 10 one section Of
the country. The President, however,
was quick 10 appeal 10 the people Of
the Nation for contributions 10 the
Tied Cross for carrying out relief
work and To assemble the various
agencies 0f the Federal Government
for cooperation Ia rescue ana relief
work
lie assigned Secretary of Commerce
Hoover Ia The work of organizing the
forces engaged IN this work. ana later
directed ths Army engineers Ia make
IA study III The situation. and to rec,
otDmend what should be done IN the
way " preventing future floods. The
comprehensive report from tho engi.
Dsefs hAs since been submitted by