Evening star., 1931-06-16

MARION, Ohio. June 16.-Former
President Coolidge, In accepting the
Harding Memorial, spoke as follows:
'Mr. President and My Fellow Citi-
Gems:
I'm behalf of the Harding Memorial
Association formally accept this stately
monument erected to the memory Of
Warren Gamaliel Harding, the twenty.
ninth President of the United States.
It is f1ttingly located in the city where
he so long made his home, among the
neighbors and friends whom he loved
and who loved him. In his absence his
fondeSt thoughts constantly turned in
this direction. Here above all other
places he would wish his last resting
place to be located, where he has found
peace in surroundings that will be a
constant reminder of him. In the fu-
ture years not even a stranger could
approach this shrine without some
sense of that charming cordiality that
could not be described, but was always
felt by all who came in contact with
him.
Progressed Steadily.
His social graces, however, were only
an appropriate setting for a strong and
rugged personality. He was not taken
from obscurity and raised by fate to
the White House. He won his place in
public life step by step. For years q
time State Senator, a Lieutenant Gov
ernor, a United States Senator, chair
man Of the National Republican con-
vention In 1916-this was the solid and
substantial groundwork of experience in
public service by which he fitted himself
for the ONCE Of President of this Re
public. Nor was he unknown to the
people. He had ranged far and wide
as the principal speaker at many BAN
quests and the orator of the day on
many public occasions. To whatever
position he was called he demonstrated
his power by work done.
It often has been remarked that when
a particular crisis in human affairs has
required a certain type Of ability to
meet 1t the right man has appeared.
Whether this is because the times call
the man or because there are latent
powers in all of us which give those
who become charged with responsibility
the ability to respond by rising above
themselves, it Is impossible to decide.
Perhaps it Is enough to know that when
the world has a work to do some one
appears who is able to do 1t.
Harding Well Fitted.
It seems as though President Harding
was -eninently fitted to serve the
country in the disturbed and distraught
period following the war. He had ex-
perience and ability, courage and pa
tience, combined with a generous toler-
alton and cheerful optimism that in
spired confidence. He had a natural
gift Of expression which he had de-,
veloped into an art. He understood the
people and the people understood him.
In composing a situation, In pacifying
men he was a master.
Those qualities which were so much
needed in our own country and In the
world he brought to the presidential
Office. When he began his term our
domestic situation was chaotic. Credit
was overextended. Commodity prices
had experienced perpendicular decline.
UNEMPLOYMENT was extensive. Agricul-
tlire, was prostrate. The national debt
was enormous. War taxes prevailed.
Government expenses were heavy.
All kinds of business were in distress.
Our foreign relations were precariouS.
We had rejected the treaty Of Versailles,
but we had not made peace. We we're
in the world. The islands, In the Pa
ciflc Ocean were a source of frictton.'
Europe looked on us with suspicion.
Called Congress.
To deal with these problems, Presi-.
dent Harding summoned the Congress
and kept it in session for nearly two
years. The credit stringency was re-
iieved by reviving the War Finance
Corporation. Our markets were pro-
tected by enacting an emergency tariff
law. Labor was protected by restricting
immigration. A Budget Bureau was es-
tablished, and a system Of rigid econ
onny was adopted. To discharge our
obligations to ex-service men, the Vet
eranS' Bureau was organized.
A new internal revenue law reduced
taxes hundreds of millions of dollars
annually. A permanent tariff bill gave
protection to our markets in harmony
with the new conditions Of world trade.
Surplus war materials and Treasury as
sets were converted into cash to pay
expenses and reduce debts. Several bill
lions Of sli0rt-term governmental obli-
cations were paid or refunded. The
shipping business and the railroad ad-
ministration were put in the way OF
whiis these isures were being