Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-26

When President Coolidge first pro-
posed hot-weather retreat for his
successors in the Blue Ridge Mountains
near Washington, the idea met with
instant popular approval. Now interest
Is stimulated by the prospect Of soon
turning Government property on Mount
Weather into hot Summer White
House.
Commenting on the selection of this
site on the summit of one of the Blue
Ridge ranges, the Roanoke World-News
says: With no cost for acquisition of
property. and with no present use for it
by the Weather Bureau, an excellent
opportunity is offered at small cost to
try out the suggestion of President
Coolidge. If it should later be found to
be less available than now appears, the
property. when again offered for sale.
will have lost nothing in value by hav-
ing been at one time the Summer resi-
dence Of Presidents Of the United
States
Mr.. Coolidge approves the Mount
Weather site, and 1t is reported that
the site has been visited by Mr.. Hoover,
who also gave it his approval" remarks
the Rochester Times-Union. THE
buildings may be easily converted to
accommodate the Presidents encourage.
The selection seems ideal. A weather
observatory was established there after
careful investigation. The air Is brac-
ing, the view wide, commanding and
beautiful"
"A President with the shooting and
fishing proclivities Of Mr.. Coolidge and
fishing fondness Of Mr.. Hoover should
find that an inviting retreat" thinks
the Pasadena Star-News, which nsal1ss
the further suggestion: Another FRO
posal is before Congress-to establish
home, in the District Of Columbia, for
the Vice President of the United States
The second official of the Nation has
been treated like stepchild. There is
no home for him, except as he scouts
| around and rents or buys quarters. He
is just about as important as bride
groom at a fashionable wedding, where
everybody Is looking at and thinking
about the bride. The Vice President
| should have an official home in keeping
with the dignity and Importance that
| this position should be made to have"
i Mr.. Coolidge has done a good serv-
| ice for his successors In developing the
| idea Of retreat" declares the Charles
ton Evening Post, with the judgment
that "such place should have been
| provided long ago." and that there
must be many occasions on which the
President would escape from importu-
mites in order to consider quietly prob
! lens of large import or TO confer with
out fear Of interruption upon matters
calling for decision" The Harrisburg
| Patriot also feels that sit is Just a
! trifie surprising that so many years
have passed without its establishment"
| Y X X
mo matter whether Chief Execu-
| tive and his family make a brief or a
| protracted stay at Mount Weather, the
| establishment will be well worth while"
| AYERS the Manchester Union, with,
however the reservation that 1t docs
not, presumably, mean that after this
| Presidents will abandon wholly vaca-
tions in various parts OF the country"
| The South Bend Tribune believes that
a vast ajority of the taxpayers share
F., the Coolidge view" that conservation
Of the Chief Executives health Is an
important matter" and That "a Sum-
| mer White House Is needed"
| Memories Of two broken men who
sacrificed their health to the demands
| of the office have lent the suggestion
| vivid meaning. Compared with
its value in conserving the Presidents
energies, the cost of the project will be
small" advises the San Antonio Eve
ming News, adding that perhaps Mr..
Coolidge could not request this boon
for himself, but with propriety he may
| seek 1t for his successor"
Observing that President Coolidge
means evidently to leave as clean a
slate as he can for his successor" the
Omaha World-Herald comments: "Mr.
Hoover, If Coolidge can prevent it, isn't
going to be subjected to the annoyance
Of having Saturday afternoons off and
no place to go except down the Potomac
on the Mayf1ower. He Is going to have,
II Coolidge can get it for him, a nice,
quiet little retreat In the Blue Ridge
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