Evening star., 1938-07-23

President in =" "ou'o Lincoln
1929" wrote Calvin Coolidge. His an.
nouncement was made on August 2,
1927-and the Republican National
Convention to nominate his successor
was held in June, 1928, less than a
year later.
The Democratic National Conven-
ton to pick a presidential candidate
to succeed Mr.. Roosevelt will not take
place for almost two years. 1t is prob
ably unreasonable, therefore, to expect
any kind OF statement from the
President for another year at least.
What some Of the New Dealers-who
wish to renominate Mr. Roosevelt
hope is that by the time next summer
rolls around the sentiment for third
term for the President will be set"
Coolidge Explained Stand.
Calvin Coolidge, after he left the
White House more than nine years
ago, wrote in the Cosmopolitan Maya
zine his own account Of the II do not
choose" incident and the reasons
which impelled him not to seek an
other term. He did not agree that
another term for himself would have
been third term" since he had only
one elective term as President, and
had inherited only part of President
Harding's term when the latter died
He asserted quite frankly also that he,
Calvin Coolidge, could have been re-
nominated and reelected.
But irrespective of the third term
policy" wrote Mr.. Coolidge. the presi-
Dental office is of such nature that
1t is difficult to conceive how one man
can successfully serve the country for
term of more than eight years" In
private conversation with a member
OF Congress, Mr.. Coolidge also said
that no man could remain in the
White House for II years and retain
his popularity. Perhaps this might be
considered word of advice to other
Presidents, including Mr.. Roosevelt.
Mr.. Coolidge. in his written account
OF what impelled him not to be a
candidate for denomination in 1928,
said that "the people would not have
confidence in a man that appeared
to be grasping for Office" He added: !:
1T is difficult for men in high Office
to avoid the malady of self-delusion.
They are always surrounded by wor-
shippers. They are constantly and
for the most part sincerely assured
Of their greatness. They live in an
artificial atmosphere of adulation and
exaltation which sooner or later i'm
pairs their judgment They are in
grave danger Of becoming careless and
arrogant"
Coolidge Very Popular.
Mr.. Coolidge realized that he was
living in such an atmosphere. He
was. with the era of prosperity-at
which New Dealers now sneer-in
full swing. at the height OF popu-
larity. Whether Mr.. Roosevelt real
ICES the atmosphere which surrounds
him he has not disclosed. Calvin
Coolide was the epitome Of economy.
Mr.. Roosevelt is the greatest spender
the country has ever seen in the
White House. Spending is always
more popular than economy-until
the tax collector comes around.
The New Dealers who are demand
ing now, and will in all probability
continue to demand, denomination
for Mr.. Roosevelt want the President
to remain as Chief Executive. But
further than that, they are unable
to discern at this time any substitute
for him in the White House who
would be acceptable to them. Take
look at the list Of possibilities.
There are, for example, John N.
Garner and Jesse Jones Of Texas,
Hull of Tennessee, Ickes Of Illinois,
Wallace of Iowa, McNutt Of Indiana,
Clark of Missouri, Barkley of Ken
lucky, Earle Of Pennsylvania and Far
ley, Hopkins and Jackson Of New York.
Garner Not the Man.
10 the dyed-in-the- wool New Deal
er-and to Mr.. Roosevelt himself,
probably-Vice President Garner is
not the man for the White House
job. Mr.. Garner does not believe in
lot Of things that the New Dealers
have done and sought to do-although
he does not speak out publicly against
them. Jesse Jones, head OF the R. F..
c., is to many OF them merely a
financial man, probably with too much
Of the business view-since he had
been a business man all his life and
a successful one Mr.. McNutt, now
United States Commissioner in the
Philippines, Is far too practical for
many Of the New Dealers. They fear
he would not 60 along with some Of
their theories. Senator Bennett Clark
Of Missouri is too much of an old
fashioned Democrat-and he opposed
the Presidents court bill and his re-
organization bill.
New York's possible entries-"Jim
Farley, the Postmaster General; Har-
ry L. Hopkins, w. P. A. administrator,
and Robert H. Jackson, solicitor gen.
eral-are viewed with diverse emotions
by the New Dealers. It has been said
privately that the White House just
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