THE PRESIDENCY: The Coolidge Week: Dec. 19, 1927

¶ President Coolidge was light-learted. As he popped his dress shirt-studs into position and adjusted his crisp white bow-tie and the wings of his collar, he was a happy man. That afternoon he had repeated his withdrawal from the 1928 presidential race (see BOOMS) in such terms that the Republican National Committee would not again ply him with insistent questions—at least, not for some time. Meantime he was still the President, and would continue so for 15 months to come. . . . The President went downstairs and dined in state off the Nation’s solid gold dinner service, laid out in honor of Viscount Willingdon, Governor General of Canada. Viscountess Willingdon, Vice President & Mrs. Dawes, Ambassador Sir Esme Howard from the Court of St. James’s & Lady Isabella Howard, Speaker & Mrs. Nicholas Longworth, Cabinet members, Senators, Representatives were in the company.

¶ Two evenings later, Mrs. Coolidge, in powder-blue velvet, rhinestones and a square, silver-fringed train, joined President Coolidge at the head of the stairs. The Cabinet fell in line behind them. A bugle blew. The Marine Band played “Hail to the Chief.” Down they marched to conduct the outstanding U. S. social event of the year—the Diplomatic Reception. In the multicolored multitude (1,500 shook hands) were Viscount & Viscountess Willingdon again. It was the first time the head of a foreign government had ever attended a Diplomatic Reception at the White House.

¶ Where is Alma Bustle? Who is she? The President appointed her postmistress of Coolidge, Pa. But where is that? The Post Office Department could not find it. Telegraph companies could not find it. Railroads did not know. Postmaster Gosser of Pittsburgh could not deliver to Alma Bustle a postcard some one had sent her. The Bustle mystery last week became a great one. It ended when Georgians protested that “Pa.” should have read “Ga.” Coolidge is small but well known in Georgia and its postmistress since July has been able Alma Bustle.

¶ President Coolidge had said he was going to “whittle” (TIME, Nov. 21). So one W. E. Fulton of Newark, Ohio, sent him a pearlhandled whittling knife. Last week Mr. Fulton showed a thank-you letter from the President’s secretary. The letter assured Mr. Fulton the knife would be useful.

¶The President’s light-heartedness was nowhere more evident than at his press conferences. Not that he sat back in his chair and made jokes. But his voice ran along more freely. Having “spanked” selfish interests which nag the Government in his Message to Congress (see p. 5), he reiterated his feelings on that subject with the frankness of a man who does not choose to run. The National Rivers & Harbors Congress (lobby), meeting in Washington, had sent resolutions to the White House, for example, requesting that U. S. operation of barge lines on the Warrior and Mississippi Rivers be continued even if private ownership of such lines proves a failure. This sort of thing was what President Coolidge described by implication as ingratitude.

At one press conference the President said he had had “something of importance” to tell, but that he had forgotten what it was. Instead of becoming annoyed with himself, he laughed and took Rob Roy (white collie) out for a walk.

¶The President wrote a letter to The National Aeronautical Association that was meeting in Washington last week, and suggested that an international air conference and exhibition be held next year to celebrate the silver (25th) anniversary of “the first flight by man in a power-driven heavier-than-air machine . . . made by Mr. Orville Wright, one of our fellow citizens.”

¶ White House callers of the week included:

The Joint Committee of Congress (Senators Curtis of Kansas and Robinson of Arkansas, Representatives Tilson, Green and Garner) to announce that the 70th Congress was in session (see THE CONGRESS.)

The Republican National Committee, to hear a speech (see BOOMS).

Edward Townsend Stotesbury of Philadelphia for dinner.

Robert F. Wagner, the new junior Senator from New York, to be introduced and chatted with for half an hour.

Jane Addams of Chicago, international president of the Woman’s International League, to tender a 30,000-signature petition for adoption of no-war treaties with France, Britain and all other governments.

Lieut. Arthur Gavin, U.S.N., to be presented with the Schiff Memorial Trophy for 1927 (for most hours of flying without accident in Navy planes).

Delegates to a Y.M.C.A. Olden Boys’ Conference, to pay respects.

President Charles Simon Barrett of the National Farmers’ Union, to confer.

Sculptor John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum, to confer.

Edward W. Bok, Philadelphia publicist, to pay respects.

Governor George Alexander Parks of Alaska, to pay respects.

Senator Norbeck of South Dakota, to introduce Arthur Frame of Anchorage, Alaska, candidate for an Alaskan judgeship.

Jacob Gould Schurman, U. S. Ambassador to Germany, to pay respects.

Senator Capper of Kansas, to present some Master Farmers whom he had been showing around the East.