Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-17
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

Mr.. Coolidge during his occupancy OF
the White House was exceedingly fond
Of discoursing upon the prosperity
theme. In this connection he was
wont TO cite as barometer Of business
conditions the increases in postal re-
ceiptS as disclosed by the monthly re-
ports from so selected cities. The COM
pariSon was with the corresponding
month OF the previous year and the
average gain cuStomarily ranged from
to per cent. Neither Mr.. Coolidge
nor the Post ONCE Department alluded
TO the fact that the normal growth Of
the United States would account for a
gradual increase In the volume Of mail
from year to year. Assuming. however,
mat the postal receipts figures are an
index OF business, IL Is noteworthy that
the percentage gains during the past
six months have been on a downward
curve. Last August, as compared with
August, 1928. the gain was AGA per
cent; In September. compared with
the same month in the previous year It
was 40; in october 4.52, in November
3.19. in December 2.03. Figures for
January, 1890, just now at hand, COM
pared with January q year ago, show
a percentage increase of only i.s5. Air
mail figures. which are reported sep
arately on a poundage basis, show a
similar decline. Last November the
total was 623,l6l pounds, December
6lS,So9 and in January 505.933.
Il
Former Senator Fred Thomas Dubois.
for so years Idahos most distinguished
citizen and her first Senator, died
IN Washington last week at the age of
79. sim in active service as a member
Of the International Joint Commission.
His passing takes from the scene an
other Of the sturdy figures of the clos
ing quarter OF the last century. His
obituary notices make much Of the
fact that he was one of the few men In
history who switched his party al
legiance and to be elected to the Senate
once as Republican and once as a
Democrat On the question of free
silver In 1895 this grand old man parted
he chung to the party name. When he
was returned to the Senate in the
election Of 1900. his Official biography
listed him not as q Democrat but as
Silver Republican" But when in
1924 Mr.. Coolidge appointed him to the
International Joint Commission, he
designated him as Democrat.
y y
A factor to be reckoned with when
the Republican national convention of
1892 rolls around, which has been by no
means overlooked by Mr.. Hoover and
Chairman Huston OF the Republican
national committee, but which as yet
has not come In for much public at
tention, is the increased convention vot-
ing strength Of the IL Southern States
comprising the block of 10, usually re-
ferred to as the solid South" plus
Tennessee. At Kansas City two years
ago these States cast 1877 votes. In 1892
they will be entitled to 226 votes. The
increase is accounted for by the fact
that the Hoover-Curtis ticket carried
J Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and
Texas in 1928. Under Republican rules
designed to cut down convention repre-
sentation Of Republican Southern
States these Republican victories plus
increased Republican voting totals In
various congressional districts operate
| to markedly swell their numerical con-
vention strength. Republican Presi-
usually have been able to bind the
delegates Of these States to them by
a judicious exercise Of patronage. If
this block Of 226 votes can be held to-
gether, 1t well nigh precludes any rival
from wrestling the nomination from Mr..
Hoover, assuming q contingency, not
now In sight. that some one should
try to.
r +
The elevation Of Attorney General
William De Witt Mitchell TO the SUI
preme Court bench, at the earliest OPP
| portunity, is rated as q near certainty
| by those close to the White House. The
only possible barrier is the fact that
he is fellow townsman and former law
! partner Of Justice Pierce Butler of st.
Paul, MINI. But this Is a hurdle Whire
may be surmounted. according TO E<Sse