Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-30
Coolidge "Does Not Choose"

Calvin Coolidge continues to run true
20 form. His declaration that he has
no intention Of becoming candidate
for President next year and that he
will support the denomination and re-
election Of President Hoover, contained
in an article in the Saturday Evening
Post. is typical of the former President.
This public announcement by Mr..
Coolidge Of his declination to be con-
sidered a receptive candidate for the
Republican presidential nomination will
probably definitely check attempts to
put life into Coolidge boom. The
sound opinion OF Republican leaders has
been that President Hoover would be
renominated next year and that Mr..
Coolidge neither desired to get into
the race for the nomination nor would
he permit himself to be drafted.
There Is no doubt, however, that Cal
vim Coolidge's appeal for party solldar-
Ity in the coming national campaign
will have its effect. Insurgent Repub-
licans from some Of the Western States
are inclined to sniff and to belittle the
Coolidge statement. They assert that
what the former President has said will
have little effect, especially in their
, part of the country. But they cannot
be sure that they are right in this con-
clusion. The people Of the United
States, including those Of the West,
came, over q period Of years, to regard
. Mr.. Coolidge as having remarkable
grasp of public affairs and great COM
mon sense.
Mr.. Coolidge, In his discussion Of
the Presidential race next year, has
written with the utmost finality. He
leaves not the slightest doubt in any
mind that fully considers his words.
Here and there will be found men who
insist he has not closed the door, that
II the Republican National Convention
should turn to him Mr.. Coolidge would
accept. But it is entirely obvious that
the Republican National Convention
will not undertake to make Mr.. Cool
adgs stultify himself by accepting q
nomination after what he has said.
The former President is entirely
right in his judgment Of the matter.
President Hoover, who has conducted
the administration Of the Government
with soundness, Is entitled to renomi-
nation by his party. Furthermore, the
Republican party must go to the coun-
try In the election next year on the
record Of the Hoover administration.
It must be prepared to defend that
record. How could it ask the suffrage
Of the country on the basis Of that
record II It undertook to dismiss the
head Of the administration which made
the record7
The Republican party. in the face
Of the continued depression in this
country, has q hard battle on its hands
next year. This Is no time for des-
sensions within the party ranks. The
@. o. P. has In the past made a
reputation for closing up the ranks and
fighting shoulder to shoulder, even
though there may have been bitter
family strife before the national cam
paign actually began. Republican
leaders who are looking TO the future,
like Mr.. Coolidge, will rally around the
administration and President Hoover.
Now that the only potential dark
horse" on the Republican side Of the
fence has spoken, it would be interest
ing 10 hear from the titular head OF
the Democratic party, Alfred z. Smith
Of New York, regarding his plans for
next year.