Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-03
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC EILLIAM B'ILE.

President Coolidge he's come down
like a ton OF brick on revived efforts
to induce the United States to wipe
out, in part or in whole. the various
billions Europe owes us. The Vermont
er's attitude represents no change of
heart on the debt question. Coolidge
comes from corner of the country
where men are raised on the theory
that debts are contracted in order to
be collected and not Cancelled AS
far back as 1920, when he was merely
a candidate for the vice presidency,
Coolidge gave expression to his views
In characteristic lingo. They we're the
days when the cancellationist idea was
Just beginning to sprout. A Washing
ton correspondent sought Gov. Cool
idges reaction" He cogitated a mo-
ment, then rejoined, "Well, If we've
got any money to give away. I think
we ought to begin by giving 1t to
Americans!"
Long before he was an active aspir-
ant for the Republican presidential
nomination, Herbert Hoover coined a
phrase which must frequently be re-
curing to him these whispering days
He stigmatized character assassins as
political gunner" They prevail in
the United States, Hoover said, to such
an extent that hundreds of good men
who would adorn public life shrink
from 1t because they don't care to be
targets for political gunner" The
Californian had particularly In nina
the habit of a certain type of Con-
greSsmen who. shielding themselves
behind the breastworkS of official i'm
munity, specialize in mudSlinging from
behind the safe ramparts of Capitol
Fill. Politicians in both parties are
wondering what's really back of Sena-
tor Jim" Reeds sudden decision not
to swing around the circle on behalf
OF Gov. Smith. Reeds principal pas
time on the stump is assailing Herbert
Hoover's alleged Anglicism. The guess
is hazarded by insiders that the Demo-
cratic management did not banker for
the particular type of anti-Hoover cam
paigning Jim" Reed is fondest of-the
Sir Herbert" business and the like.
Undoubtedly the finest tribute yet
paid to AL Smith by any of his admirers
has Just emanated from the gifted pen
of Owen D. Young of New York. CO.
author Of the Dawes plan Naturally,
Young envisages the presidency from
the standpoint of it's effect upon our in
ternational relations. Il am supporting
Gov. Smith," declares Young. because
think it would be helpful to put the
liberal party in power. Perhaps 1t was
iust as we'll. with the restlesSneSs sue
cceding the war and during the clean
ins-up period, that we had a conserva-
tive administration. Now l think 1t IS
time to try again the initiative of lib
eralism Our position in the
world will be aided by the election of d
liberal party now, Since the war inter-
national progress has been largely made
by liberal parties. Confidence, not sus-
picion, is the attitude of liberals. So III
international relations I am not con :
cerncd with what Mr.. Hoover know
about them. or what Gov. Smith dos
not know. I am only interested in VIII;
one or the other can do, and l am col.'
f1dent that he can do most who has the
most generous and who,ehearted liberal
support. The courage of unselflsh &C
ton. rather than the fear OF selfish in
| terest, is natural to a liberal party"
-
Over in a certain Government depart
mnnt, peopled mostly by the bobbed-hair
sex. politics is nowadays the all-engross-
ing subject, despite the civil service en-
barge on it. The Republican girls have
coined conundrum, why is H the
best letter in the alphabet" The an
| swer is. Because it's the beginning OF
| Hoover and the end OF Smith" The
| Democratic maidcns are retorting with
catch question. do you know Why
every bank in the country will close
| four months aftnT Herbert Hoover is
| inausurateS PRESIDENT" When son,e-
body bites and asks why. The reio'nder
Is. Because it'll be the Fourth Of July"