THE PRESIDENCY: The Coolidge Week: Oct. 22, 1928

THE PRESIDENCY

The Coolidge Week

As chief executive, Calvin Coolidge found it necessary last week to use unminced language on one important problem. It had been reported that 22 of the “career” diplomats whom President Coolidge raised to the rank of Minister had tentatively agreed among themselves not to resign on March 4, no matter who is elected President. Secretary of State Kellogg refused to believe the report, but it came to the attention of President Coolidge. It seemed like stubborn insubordination to President Coolidge. He labeled it unconstitutional, an attempt of the “career” diplomats to make themselves a self-perpetuating group. He pointed out that the next President is privileged to appoint new diplomats even if the old diplomats do not resign.

It has always been customary for all Ministers and Ambassadors to tender their resignations to an incoming President. But the increasingly numerous and important “career” diplomats, who have earned the rank of Minister after long and meritorious service, might well feel differently about getting out than would politically-appointed Ambassadors, party henchmen, “lame ducks.”

As man of amity, Calvin Coolidge congratulated Neguest Tafari Makonnen on his coronation as King of Ethiopia, talked to King Alfonso of Spain over a new transatlantic wireless telephone, pressed a button opening the 11th Maui county fair in Hawaii, made a speech on “material and spiritual welfare” before the 49th General Triennial Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church,— in Washington, D.C.

As politician and nominal head of the Republican Party, Calvin Coolidge had conferences with Chairman Work, Senator Borah, Frank Waterman Stearns.

*President Coolidge is a Congregationalist.