Evening star., 1933-01-06
BY CALVIN COOLIDGE.

ratives, shortened Mr.. Coolidse's life.
BY CALVIN COOLIDGE.
AS I recall the mounting events of
the years I spent in Washington, ap-
preciate how impossible it is to convey
an adequate realization Of the office of
President. Like the glory Of morning
sunrise, it can only be experienced-it
cannot be told.
In the discharge of the duties Of the
Office there is one rule Of action more
important than all others. 1t consists
in never doing anything that some one
else can do for you. Like many other
good rules, it is proven by its exceptions
But 1t indicates a course that should
be very strictly followed in order to pre-
vent being so entirely devoted to trifing
details that there will be little oppor-
tunity to give the necessary consid-
Grafton to policies of larger Importance
Like some other rules, this one has
an important corollary which must be
carefully observed in order to secure
success. It Is not sufficient to intrust
details to some one else. They must
be intruSted to some one who Is COM
petent. The presidency is primarily an
executive office. 1t is placed at the apex
of our system of government. 1t is
place of last resort to which all ques-
tions are brought that others have not
been able to answer. The ideal way
for 1t to function is to assign to the
various positions men of sufficient ability
so that they can solve all the problems
that arise under their jurisdiction.
Must Make Own Judgments.
While it is wise for the President to
get all the competent advice possible,
final judgments are necessarily his
own. No one can share with him the
responsibility for them. No one can
make his decisions for him. He stands
at the center of things, where no one
else can stand. If others make mis-
takes, they can be relieved, and often
times a remedy can be provided. But
final and usually irreparable. This con-
stitltes the appalling burden Of his Of
fice Not only the welfare of 10000
600 of his countrymen, but oftentimeS
the peaceful relations Of the world are
intrusted to his keeping.
At the turn of his hand the guns OF
an enormous fleet would go into action
anywhere in the world, carrying the
iron might Of death and destruction.
His appointment confers the power to
administer justice, inf1ict criminal
penalties, declare acts of State Legis-
latures and of the Congress void, and
sit in judgment over the very life of
the Nation.
Practically ell the civil and military
authorities Of the Government, except
the Congress and the courts, hold their
office at his discretion. He appoints
dnII~wn ~ rxoya~proe,,+ -a,,o,,,,n -, al :
lected and expended under his direc-
ton. The Congress makes the laws.
hut 1t Is the President who causes them
to be executed A power 80 vast In its
implications has never been conferred
upon any ruling sovereign.
Every Day IL Busy.
Every day Of the presidential life is
crowded with activities. When people
not accustomed to Washington came to
the Office, or when I met them on some
special occasion, they often remarked
that 1t seemed to be my busy day, to
which my stock reply came to be that
all days were busy and there was lit
tie difference among them.
It was my custom to be out Of bed
about $50 O'Clock. except In the dark
est mornings Of Winter. One Of the
doormen at the White House was an
excellent barber, but I always preferred
to shave myself with old-fashioned
razors, which knew how to keep in
good condition. 1t was my intention
to take q short walk before break
fast, which Mrs. Coolidge and I ate
together In our rooms. For me there
was fruit and about one-half cupful of
coffee, with a homemade cereal OBJ
tanned from boiling together two parts
Of mground wheat with one part rye.
To this was added roll and a strip
of bacon, which went mostly to our
dogs.
Soon after o'clock found me dictat-
ing in the White House library tn
preparation for some public utterance.
This would go on for more than an
hour. after which I began to receive
callers at the office. Most Of these
came by appointment, but in addition
to the average of six to eight who were
listed, there would be about as many
more from my cabinet and the Con-
gress, to whom was always accessible.
Each one came to me with a different
problem requiring my decision, which
was usually made at once. About
1915 those began to be brought in who
we're to be somewhat formally presented.
Met Public Daily.
At 1890 the doors were opened and a
long line passed by who wished merely
to shake hands with the President On
one occasion I shook hands with 1900
in "a minutes, which is probably my
record. Instead OF burden, 1t was a
pleasure and a relief to meet people in
that way and listen to their greeting,
which was often a benediction. It was
at this same hour that the numerous
groups assembled in the south grounds,
where I joined them for the photo
graphs used for news purposes and
permanent nementoeS of their White
House visit
Lunch came at / o'clock, at which
we usually had guests. 1t made an
opportunity for giving our friends a
little more attention than could be ex-
tended through q mere handshake.
About an hour was devoted to rest
before returning to the office, where
the afternoon was reserved for atten-
ton to the immense number of docu-
ments which pass over the desk of the
President. These were alt cleaned up
each day.
Before dinner another walk was in
order, followed by exercise on some Of
the vibrating machines kept in my
room. We gathered at the dinner table
at O'Clock, and within three-quarters
of an hour work would be resumed
with my stenographer, to continue until
about 10 o'clock OF course, there were
variations, but this was the usual
routine.
Volume of Mail Heavy.
ryr1,n vxy1,i+a Irp,,ea offirns are under