Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-11
new SERVEDG.0,P,
IN VARIED TASKS
Trip to Vermont to Ask Cool
idge Aid for Hoover High
Light, He Said.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

New tomorrow during funeral services
In his native city of Indianapolis. The
78-year old former Postmaster Gen.
eral and Senator died Sunday night in
Johns Hopkins Hospital Baltimore,
where he had been patient for
three weeks.
Few men were more closely identified
with the political life OF this country
during the last 40 years than was Mr..
New.
Soon after he became Of voting age,
Mr.. New started attending Republican
national conventions and continued
to do so for the remainder Of his life
During most Of his life he was an
important convention figure, either in
the role of delegate, chairman Of his
State delegation, or as an officer Of
the Republican National Committee.
Mr.. New figured prominently in
bringing about the nomination Of
Warren G.. Harding at the 1920 Re-
publican convention. He was prob
ably the first man to whom Calvin
Coolidge said definitely that he did
not choose to run" for another term.
He also was one of the first men Of
any prominence or authority in the
higher councils OF the Republican
party to whom President Theodore
Roosevelt let it be known that he
wanted William Howard Taft. his
Secretary of War, to succeed him as
President.
Worked on Newspaper.
Mr. News stepping stone into poll
tics was from newspaper work in
Indianapolis, where he was born and
where he worked for Is years on the
indianapolis Journal, of which his
father was principal owner.
Mr.. New served six years in the
United States Senate and for more
than five years as Postmaster Cen
eral under Presidents Harding and
Coolidge
During his active participation In
politics and official life, Mr.. New
played prominent role in helping
tllC IiLSlOl VI ClIlo SoAIlCl =,
He figured in many political battles
he had the confidence of many men
in public life and he was a close ad-
wiser to two Presidents But, accord
ing d Mr.. New, nothing impressed
him more than his journey to Ply
mouth Notch, VT. just before the ma
tional election in 1882, when he sought
to prevail on former President Cool
idge to come out of retirement and
make an eleventh-hour campaign in
the interest of Herbert Hoover.
AS Mr.. New told the writer, his talk
with Mr.. Coolidge in tn, Vermont
hills on this occasion revealed for the
first time that Mr.. Coolidge was not
a we'll man. Mr.. Coolidge died a few
months later. Mr. New believed he
was the only person, with the possible
exception Of Mrs. Coolidge, to know
that the former President was con-
cerned over his health.
It was past the middle of October
and the campaign was not going so
we'll for President Hoover, and, ac-
cording to Mr.. New, no one knew this
better than Mr. Hoover himself. Mr..
New was in retirement at the time,
living quietly and happily at his small
estate in Edgemoor, Md, on the out
skirts Of the Capital. Late one Sum
day afternoon his telephone rang and
Mr.. New recognized the voice OF Pres
ident Hoover. The latter outlined
the situation and made plain his con-
Germ over the outcome OF the election
He said that something was needed
to help his campaign. somebody must
arouse the people to rally them to my
banner"
Mr. Hoover added that there was
no one in his cabinet or any active
party leader who seemed to be able
to help to any great extent. He then
came to the point by saying, Il need
the help Of Mr.. Coolidge, and, New,
want you to see Mr.. Coolidge for
me. want him to make only one
more speech for me-
Undertook Task for Hoover.
Mr.. New said he agreed to under
take this task and Mr.. Hoover insisted
he leave Washington that evening.
Mr.. New left the train at Ludlow
Vt. to drive to Plymouth Notch. On
the way he met Mr.. Coolidge and
entered the former Presidents car.
Mr. Coolidge said he was on his way
to see man about some carpentering
work and they could talk while they
drove. Mr.. New came to the matter
OF his business without much delay
He weighed his words carefully and
when he was through, Mr.. Coolidge
said quietly. and without the trace of
a smile: Il knew that was what you
wanted to see me about"
Mr.. Coolidge then said he had
agreed to make one speech for Mr.
Hoover and he already had made 1t
He said he thought he had fulfilled
his agreement and he would not con-
sent to make another Mr.. New then
tried persuasion. but could see that he
was getting nowhere, and yet he could
notice that Mr.. Coolidge was no,
merely obstinate.
Finally Mr.. Coolidge said, "Mr. New
I'm not we'll enough to go through such
an ordeal again. I wasn't we'll wher
I made the last speech and thought
for time that would never be able
to finish it. MY throat and heart were
bothering me. don't feel any bette,
now and I'm not physically able tc
take on such a task at this time"
Mr.. New regarded his meeting with