Evening star., 1933-01-07
BY CALVIN COOLIDGE.

BY CALVIN COOLIDGE.
Everything the President does, poten-
TALLY at least, is Of such great impor-
tance that he must be constantly on
guard This applies not only to him
self but to everybody about him.
Not only in all his official actions but
in all his social intercourse, and even
in his recreation and repose, he Is con-
stantly watched by multitude OF eyes
to determine if there is anything un-
usual, extraordinary or irregular which
can be set down in praise or in blame
Oftentimes trif1ing incidents, some
insignificant action, an unfortunate
phrase in an address, an injudic1ous
letter, lack of patience toward some
one who presents an impossible propo-
sition, too much atten ton to one per-
son or too little courtesy toward an
other, become magnified into the SEN
sation of the hour.
While such events finally sink into
their proper place in history as too
small for consideration, If they occur
frequently they create an atmosphere
of distraction that might seriously in
terfere with the conduct Of public busi-
ness which is really important.
Sought Air of Simplicity.
It was my desire to maintain about
the White House as far as possible an
attitude of simplicity, and not engage
in ANYTHING that had an air of preten-
tious display. That was my concep-
ton Of the great Office. 1t carries sutti-
cient power within itself, so that it does
not REQUIRE any of the outward trap
pings of pomp and splendor for the
purpose of creating an impression. II
has a dignity of its own which makes
it self sufficient. OF course, there
should be proper formality, and per-
sonal relations should be conaucted at
all times with decorum and dignity and
in accordance with the best traditions
of polite society. But there is no need
of theatricals.
However much he may deplore it, the
President ceases to be an ordinary citi-
zen. In order to function at all he has
to be surrounded with many safeguards.
If these were removed for only short
time, he would be overwhelmed by the
people who would surge in upon him.
In travelling it would have been agree
able to me to use the regular trains
which are open to the public. I did
so once or twice, but I found it made
great difficulty for the railroads. They
reported that it was unsafe because
they could not take the necessary pre-
cautions. 1t therefore seemed best to
run a second section, following regu-
lar train, for the exclusive use Of the
President and his party. While the
facilities of private car were always
offered, I think they were used only
once, when one was needed for the bet
ter comfort of Mrs. Coolidge during an
illness she had.
Urges Federal Owned Car.
Although I was not given to much
travel during my term of Office, 1t was
sufficient to convince me that the Gov
eminent should own a private car Tor
the use of the President when he leaves
Washington. The pressure on him is SO
great, the responsibilities are so heavy,
that it Is wise public policy, In order TO
secure his best services, to provide him
with such ample facilities that he will
! be relieved as far as possible from all
physical inconveniences.
1t is not generally understood how
much detail is involved in any journey
of the President. One or two Secret
Service men must go to the destination
several days in advance. His line OF
travel and every street and location
which he is to visit are carefully exam
med. The order of ceremonies has to
be submitted for approval. Oftentimes
the local police are inadequate, so that
it is necessary to use some OF the mill
tary or naval forces to assist them
Not only his aides and his personal
physician but also Secret Service men,
some of his office force and house
servants have to be in attendance.
Quarters must also be provided for a
large retinue of newspaper reporters
and camera men who follow him upon
all occasions Every switch that he
goes over is spiked down. Every freight
train that he passes is stopped and
every passenger train slowed down to
10 miles per hour While all of this
proceeds smoothly, it requires careful
attention to great variety of details.
| It was never my practice to speak
from rear platforms. The confusion Is
so great that few people can hear, and
| it does not seem to me very dignifled
| When the President speaks it ought to
be an event The excuse for such ap-
pearances which formerly existed has
been eliminated by the coming of the
radio. 1t is so often that the Presi-
| dent is on the air that almost any one
who wishes has ample opportunity to
| hear his voice 1t seemed more appro-
pirate for Mrs Coolidge and me to
| appear at the rear of the train, where
| the people could see us.
Invitations Constant and Pressing.
One of the most appalling trials
which confrontS President is the per-
| petual clamor for public utterances
Invitations are constant and pressing
| They come by wire, by mail and by
delegations. No event of Importance is
celebrated by any group anywhere in
the United States without their invit-
ing him to come to deliver an grafton
, When others are enjoying holiday he
is expected to make public appear
ance in order to entertain and instruct
| by formal address.
There are a few public statements
that he does not deliver in person, like
proclamations and messages, which cd
| to the Congress, either reporting his
| views on the state of the Union in his
annual message or giving his reasons
for rejecting legislation in veto These
productions vary in length. My annual
message would be about $4,000 words.
My speeches would average a little
over 5000 words. In the course of a
year the entire number reaches about
20, which probably represents an output
| of at least $4,000 words.
This kind Of work is very eXacting.
1t requires the most laborious and ex-
tended research and study and the
most. careful and painStaking thought.