Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-05-27
Politically Better?
By Bruce Borton

Specifically, Harry Truman, 33rd
President Of the United States has q
good deal in common with Calvin Cool
idge, the 10Th.
Physically Harry is, and Calvin was,
small. They were born in small towns
Of the traditional poor but honest"
parents. Coolidge ran a country law
Office. Truman a gents furnishing store.
Each came up the political ladder a
rung at time. and arrived at the presi-
dency from the vice presidency via
death.
In the following respects they differ
decidedly:
Political courage: While Coolidge was
Governor Of Massachusetts, the police Of
Boston, who were unionized, went out
on strike, leaving the city defenseless.
For few hours chaos reigned. Then
Coolidge-in spite of warnings from his
friends that 1t would mean political
suicide-called out the State militia, re-
cruited force Of en-volunteerS,
restored law and order and broke the
strike. Samuel Gompers, President Of
the A. F. Of L., wired him demanding
that the strikers be restored to their
jobs. Coolidge refused, sending Com
pers message that thrilled the Nation:
There is no right to strike against the
public safety by any one anywhere at
any time"
Truman, inheriting from FDR a pol
icy of surrender to labor's threats, has
shown a little spunk here. and there.
But nothing like the CUTS of Coolidge.
Political corruption: The famous
Walsh Investigations of the oil scandals,
which began in Harding's administra-
ton, continued under Coolidge. He
issued orders to every Government de-
partment that every record and paper
the investigating committee wanted
should be made available instantly; that
nobody. whether friend or foe, was to
be spared.
Harry's attitude is: If you investigate
one Of my pals, I not only won't help
you, but I'll do everything can to pro-
tect him and smear you
Pressure groups: Coolidge felt it was
part Of the Presidents constitutional
duty to stand between the Congress and
the selfish pressure groups. Con-
gresham from sharply divided dis
tr1ct is not in strong position to defy
or resist powerfully organized local or
national blocs. The President, on the
other hand, is elected by the whole
country; he does not need to fear local
pressure. He can and should veto many
raids on the Treasury that Congress
men, in an election year, may have been
driven to vote for. If this means being
unpopular, that is part of the presiden-
tial job.
Truman, following the pattern of his
predecessor, has too often said to the
pressure groups: IF Congress won't
give it to you, boys. come to me and I'll
make them"
Waste and taxes: Coolidge hated
waste, extravaganza and taxes. In less
than two full terms he reduced the ma
tional debt from % to II billion dollars,
and cut the tax burden of every citizen.
Truman will end his second term with
a debt of more than $500 billion, and
with taxes that will take most of the joy
out of living. And he still clings fast
to his tax-exempt $4,000, his increased
salary. his yacht. his private car and
his private plane.
It now is the fashion to sheer at the
1920s. They are supposed to have been
very bad days. But politically speak
ing, are we better or worse than We
were then?
-opsEsht. 1851. King Features Syndicate. Inca