THE PRESIDENCY: The Coolidge Week: Oct. 8, 1928

To President Coolidge in august array came nine portents of the beginning of another season of Government—Mr. Chief Justice Taft and his eight associates of the Supreme Court—to pay respects before sitting at the Capitol (see col. 3).

Came also, during the week, Secretary of State Frank Billings Kellogg, carrier of a grave governmental affair already begun—the U. S. reply to Britain and France about their new “secret” naval understanding. President Coolidge gave his approval and soon there was a great clicking of cable instruments as the Note, although it was soon to be made public (see p. 16), was gravely despatched in code, decoded at the other end and checked back by cable.

At the Navy Department there were great buzzings about how President Coolidge would now, surely, see to it that Congress soon passes a cruiser-building bill, if only to show France and England that U. S. naval policy is independent, self-respecting.

¶ National Treasurer Joseph R. Nutt of the G. O. P. called at the White House to receive Calvin Coolidge’s approval of the party’s budget. He forgot to ask Calvin Coolidge for a contribution.

¶ Calvin Coolidge sent a message to the Massachusetts Republican convention. He spoke of “incalculable benefits” and urged support for Nominees Hoover and Curtis.

¶ President Coolidge appointed an emergency board—as provided for in the Watson-Parker (1926) railway labor law—to investigate the longstanding wage dispute between 47 western railroads and 70,000 railroad employes. The appointees: Lawyer James R. Garfield (Cleveland), Chief Justice Walter P. Stacey of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, Professor Davis R. Dewey of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lawyer Chester H. Rowell of Berkeley, Calif., George T. Baker of Davenport, Iowa. Under the law, each investigator receives $100 per day plus expenses. The board must report to the President within 30 days.