Mr. Coolidge's Week

THE PRESIDENCY

Mr. Coolidge's Week

P: There came to White Court as a visitor John T. Adams of Iowa, who 'was chairman of the Republican National Committee during the unexciting time between the last two Presidential elections (between the incumbencies of Will H. Hays and William M. Butler). Said he:

"Mr. Coolidge invited me and Mrs. Adams to pay a visit, and here we are. I have nothing to ask and nothing to suggest. I have no suggestions to make to the President regarding public affairs, nor have I any ideas to advance for the legislative program for the coming session. The people in Iowa are perfectly satisfied with the way Mr. Coolidge has administered the affairs of the nation."

P: Other callers at White Court included: Admiral and Mrs. Eberle (for dinner); William C. Deniing, head of the Civil Service Commission (to discuss a successor for Mrs. Helen Hamilton Gardener -- see WOMEN) ; Congressman William E. Hull of Illinois, shortly to sail for Buenos Aires as a member of the Pan-American Highway Commission; John Hays Hammond Jr., inventor (to discuss commercial aviation--see AERONAUTICS) ; Attorney General John Garibaldi Sargent; Brigadier General Lord, Director of the Budget; .Secretary Hoover, recently returned from the West, to present Mr. Coolidge with an invitation to visit California; Senator George H. Moses.

P: Mr. Coolidge appeared at a press conference in the trousers and vest of a cutaway and the coat of a gray sack suit. He explained that he had just-slipped into another coat after posing for a portrait. He let the correspondents know that he favored voluntary consolidations of railways and hoped that reduction of freight rates on farm products might be brought about in that way. He said he had no plans for venturing on a radical program for farm legislation, and was waiting for further reports on farm conditions. On the World Court, disarmament, debt funding, a new Ambassador to Japan (to succeed the late Mr. Bancroft), he was "receptive" rather than informative. The correspondents were obliged .'to retire with little grist for their papers. P: Shortly after Admiral Eberle's visit, correspondents announced that the President would soon have discouraging reports as to the possibility of effecting further economies in the administration of the War and Navy Departments. Without impairing its efficiency, the War Department can find only $50,000 to be saved. The Navy Department might save $5,000,000 by closing shore stations and Navy yards, but does not believe such action to be advisable. The President had hoped for savings of $50,000,000 rather than $50,000 in the War Department.

P: Reports from Plymouth, Vt., told the President that his father had made a remarkable recovery from his recent operation (TIME, July 13). "Remarkable progress," said Dr. Chute, Boston specialist.

P: President Coolidge received a letter from Bronislawa Poliacoff, nee Burzynski, a direct descendant of the brother of Casimir Pulaski:*

"Being now refugees from Russia and having as my only hope the undeniable proof of my close relationship to Casimir Pulaski, which I beg to enclose herewith, I take the liberty of applying to your Excellency with the most entreating prayer to consider whether I may not receive from your Government some material compensation for the services rendered to the American nation during its glorious struggle for independence by my ancestor, Casimir Pulaski."

Mr. Coolidge referred the letter without comment to the State Department.

P: Not since 1797, until last week, had the frigate Constitution felt the tread of a President's feet. Last week, "Old Ironsides," peacefully rotting in the Boston Navy Yard, felt the tread not only of a President, but of a President's wife and of their guest, the Secretary of Commerce.

P: Press reports told that Mrs. Coolidge was taking swimming and diving 'lessons of Miss Mary Hernan in an ocean pool at White Court. An article appeared under Instructress Hernan's name in the Hearst Press: I met Mrs. Coolidge at Washington last winter and when I came to Swampscott this summer I met her again at the swimming pool at Little's Point, a private pool owned by the residents of that section of Swampscott. Only ten families are privileged to see Mrs. Coolidge while she is bathing.

A few weeks ago, after watching her, I promised to show her some new strokes. Mrs. Coolidge doesn't know she is taking lessons, but I am really teaching her the Australian crawl, a movement in which the hands paddle and the feet kick.

Teaching Mrs. Coolidge to swim doesn't mean a thing to me. I'm not all athrill when I lift her head or direct her hands. She is to me like every other student.

Mrs. Coolidge is a very gracious woman. When she swims her lively smile is always visible.

The First Lady is going to learn the long side stroke, too. At present there is nothing fancy about her swimming.

The Australian crawl is the fastest stroke known, and when Mrs. Coolidge learns this she will be able to cut through the water in great shape. She likes to swim, she enjoys the water and yields easily to suggestion.

Mrs. Coolidge took occasion to deny the report that she was taking swimming lessons. According to a special report to The New York Times, "she is entirely satisfied with her present stroke and her ability in diving. . . ."

* Polish soldier who, when exiled, went to America, joined Washington's army. He distinguished himself in many a battle, was made a brigadier general, raised for the colonists a mixed troop, the Pulaski Legion. Wounded when Savannah was attacked (1779), he died on board ship two days later. In Savannah, General Lafayette laid the cornerstone of a monument to him.