The White House Week

The White House Week

P:A stir in the press was caused by the announcement that Governor Jonathan and Mrs. Trumbull of Connecticut would pay a visit of several days at the White House on their way to a vacation in Florida. Like a bloodhound the press smelled romance, drawing various conclusions from these premises: John Coolidge met the Trumbulls on a special train going to Washington for his father's inauguration; John is at Amherst And Jean Trumbull, the Governor's daughter, is at Mt. Holyoke ten miles away; twice John has visited the Trumbulls at Hartford.

P:Representative John J. Kindred of New York, an alienist, called on the President to urge him to commute the death sentence of Lieutenant John S. Thompson convicted by court martial of murdering his fiancee, Miss Audrey Burleigh, in the Philippines. The father of the convicted man, a Long Island clergyman, contends that his son is insane and that he inherited insanity from both sides of the family. Representative Kindred declared that the Army medical examinations of the murderer show he is abnormal. The President took the case under consideration.

P:The annual Congressional Reception was held at the White House, drawing a great concourse of legislators, among them Speaker Longworth, Senator (onetime Speaker) Gillett, Senator Butler, Senator Deneen, Senator Pepper, Senator Stanfield, Senator McKinley, Senator Gerry, Senator Phipps and many more, with their ladies. After the President and first lady retired to the second floor, there was dancing in the East Room.

P:In Manhattan at a meeting held to collect funds for the National Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, James E. Freeman (Bishop of Washington), its head, exclaimed:

"Silent as President Coolidge is, he is voluble on the subject of religion. He believes that religion must be restored to its proper place in the life of the nation, and that in order to endure we must be true to our faith. He feels profoundly his responsibility not only as President but as a citizen of the kingdom of God."

And Henry White, onetime (1907-1909) U. S. Ambassador to France, added:

"When I was in Washington the last time, I called on the President; and I thought I ought to thank him, not only for his interest in the cathedral, but for his repeatedly expressed attitude on the subject of religion. And as I thanked this quiet, reserved man, his upper lip trembled, and he said: 'Mr. White, no nation has ever been able to endure, no nation will be able to endure, without religion.'"

P:It was announced that the President would contribute an article for a memorial number of the Michiganensian (University of Michigan) to be published next June in honor of the late President Marion LeRoy Burton, friend of the President and onetime neighbor at Northampton, Mass., who nominated him at Cleveland in 1924. P:Following the passage of an appropriation of $50,000 for the expenses of U. S. delegates to the League of Nations preliminary disarmament conference, the President notified the League Secretariat that the U. S. would participate in the work of the Preparatory Commission, as it is called. Hugh Gibson, U. S. Minister to

Switzerland, and Allen W. Dulles of the State Department (who represented the U. S. at the League Traffic in Arms Conference last year) will attend, assisted by naval and military officers. P:A great storm at sea, the English freighter Antinoe floundering helpless and disabled, the President Roosevelt on her eastward voyage across the Atlantic standing by and after four days of effort rescuing the 25 souls on the Antinoe at the cost of two of the Roosevelt's heroic crew--then King George of England telegraphed to President Coolidge:

"The news of the heroism displayed by the officers and crew of the President Roosevelt in rescuing under such terrible conditions all hands of the Antinoe has deeply moved me. In expressing my thankfulness and admiration for this splendid example of skill and gallantry, I know that I am only voicing the feeling of all British hearts. At the same time we grieve for the loss of those who nobly sacrificed their lives, and would ask you, Mr. President, to assure the bereaved families of my heartfelt sympathy."

To this the President made answer:

"The families of those who lost their lives in this humanitarian effort shall be apprised of your generous expression of condolence. The event is but another illustration of the heroism and gallantry which have characterized alike the mariners of the United States and Great Britain, and while regretting the occasion therefor, I rejoice that American sailors have been able to help those of Great Britain."

P:To the tenth semiannual meeting of the Government's business organization (the executive heads of Government departments and bureaus), the President addressed words of encouragement and exhortation:

"How great a need exists to emphasize the homely fundamental virtue of Government economy is seen when we contemplate the mounting tide of expenditure and indebtedness of municipal and state governments. This tendency is one of great concern. The very fact that the Federal Government has been able to cut down its expenditures, decrease its indebtedness and reduce its taxes indicates how great is the accomplishment which you have made in behalf of the people of the nation. These results are all monuments to you and to the Congress. It has been your work and your co-operation that have brought forth these fortunate conclusions."

P:The Washington Hotel and Restaurant Employes' Alliance invited President and Mrs. Coolidge to its annual ball with the stipulation that they were not to dress for the occasion. "You know that full dress is the waiter's working uniform, and when we play we like to wear something else." It was announced that the President had "taken the invitation under advisement."

P:Charles Beecher Warren, almost Attorney General, who failed of confirmation by the Senate because of a tie vote last March, called at the White House. The President announced that he had been called to advise the State Department concerning the Mexican situation. (Mr. Warren and John Barton Payne negotiated the agreement by which the U. S. recognized Mexico in 1923.)