THE PRESIDENCY: Andante

The tempo at which President Coolidge is conducting the affairs of office, was indicated by the results of his first full week in the executive offices. Tuesday and Friday are the regular days for Cabinet meetings. On the first Tuesday the Cabinet assembled (except for Secretary Mellon who had not yet returned from Europe). Problems were laid before the President. Afterwards an official group of policies was announced —collection of all Allied debts owed to the U. S., no special session of Congress, all practical help for the farmers, economy in government, restricted immigration, any possible aid to Europe without entanglement in the reparations muddle, gratification at the possibility of recognizing Mexico, continuance of the present Cabinet in office. The only noteworthy part of the entire announcement was the absence of any reference to the World Court. After this announcement there was silence. Friday came and the Cabinet was scheduled to meet again. It did not. President Coolidge was still considering the results of the first meeting—a typical example of the President’s deliberation before speaking or acting. This should not be taken to mean, however, that the President only sat and “calculated.” He saw Cabinet members individually and many other important officers. Much of his time was taken up with conferences. Much went into the President’s head. Little went to the information of the public.