Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-15
PRESIDENT TO KEEP
SILENT ON TRIP
White House Announces Off
cialIy He Will Make No
Speeches in Vermont.

The White House has announced
officially that President Coolidge will
deliver no speeches in the course of his
forthcoming trip to Vermont.
1t was said in behalf of the President
that he is going to his native State
primarily for the purpose of visiting his
old home at Plymouth Notch in the
Green Mountains. and to make a trip
through that area of the State that
was affected by the floods last year,
for the purpose of noting the recon-
struction work that has been done.
This inspection trip is to be made
with Gov. Weeks Of Vermont, and other
State officials 1t was Gov. Weeks who
several weeks ago wrote to the PreSi-
dent inviting him to make this inspec-
ton trip.
When it was learned that the Presi-
dent was going to Vermont at the
request of the governor. it was general
ly supposed that the trip was to be
favored with politics. At least it was
thought that there would be some
occasion during the Presidents trip that
would present splendid opportunity
for him to make his initial speech of
the national campaign.
Chiefs Puzzled.
The fact that the President would
not break his silence on this proposed
visit to Vermont was exclusively stated
In The Star yesterday, and since it has
been confirmed by the White House
the question being asked now by RI
publican leaders here is. When is tn
President going to speak in behalf o.
the Republican ticket. and where?
While discussing the subject with
callers yesterday the President declined
to throw any light on the subject. He
Is understood to have given a promise
to do something, but other than that
ne has not been specific or definite.
The impression is. however. that he will
make two speeches during the height
OF the campaign and that one of them
will be in Massachusetts. where the
Republicans are at present being hard
pressed by the opposition In that
event ne Will make second journey to
New England, inasmuch as he has
stated definitely that he will do no talk
ing on the visit he is to make at this
time.
The President will leave washington
for this trip the middle of next week
and return the following Sunday.
Mrs. Coolidge will accompany him and
before they return to Washington they
VIII go to Northampton, Mass. where
tney maintain permanent home. for
me purpose OF visiting Mrs. Lemira
Goodhue, Mrs. Coolidge'S mother. who
has been i'll for nearly a year and who
Is at the Dickinson Hospital in that
city. There is no indication vet that
the President and Mrs. Coolidge will
drop off at Hartford. Conn., to see their
son John, who has just entered upon a
railroad career in that city.
May Speak in Virginia.
The President ic eo;l -
lively accepted an invitation to make
an address at the dedication of the
Spotsylvania fredericksburg Memorial.
at Spotsylvania Court House, Va. some
Time late this month. It has been said |
IN behalf of the President that If he |
Goes make a speech on this occasion
that 1t will have nothing to do with the |
Republican campaign or politics in any
way.
1t is understood that political dis
cussion had no part in Yesterdays |
caolnet session, the first one held bv |
the PRESIDENT since last June, when he !
departed for his vacation in Wiscon-
sin. 1t is known that the PRINCIPAL
topic OF discussion at this cabinet meet |
Ing was the matter of curtailing ex-
penditures between now and June 80
next, with the view to averting a deficit |
The President told friends later that
since talking with the members of his
CABINET and Gen. Lord, director of the
puoget, he feels very certain that
the Government will effect savings dur
ing the next eight months sufficiently
large 10 put the Government on the
right side OF the ledger. He seemed
very positive that there is no need to
worry about the predicted $94, 900 600
derclt, II the economies he is insisting
upon are reSorted to in the meantime,
he mas urged all department heads to
refrain from expanding any appropria-
lions which were not absolutely naces-
sary for the efficient operation of the
Government.
The President has been represented as
having pointed out to his cabinet MEM
bers many appropriations for the cur
rent year which would not require ex-
pendltureS and by which the predicted
deficit would be wiped out.
Mr.. Coolidge is represented as re-
minding those with whom he discussed
the subject that one of the real finan-
clal burdens, and one that was not
expected at this time, has been the
S45,OOO.0O0 expenditure resulting from !
recent decision of the Interstate Com
merce Commission increasing the rail-
way mail rates by $15,000,00O a year,
retroactive for three years.
PRESIDENT Coolidge contends that he
has not accepted any position to step
into when he goes out of the White
House next March He insists that he
has not even given the slightest thought
to his future work. He realizes, how
ever, that there will be all sorts of
stories printed about what he is going
to do. and while mentioning this to I,
newspaper correspondents yesterday he
informed them that they could get a
scoop" If they would deny any of these
rumors. as he will positively accept no
offer or give one serious consideration
until after March 4.