Spokesman Out

The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. This Biblical quotation might last week have served as an epitaph for the famed White House Spokesman, born 1924, died 1927. He was brought into being by Washington correspondents, who, forbidden to quote directly what President Coolidge said at bi-weekly White House conferences, invented the Spokesman as their authority.

Last week, for the first time in many a month, the "Spokesman" received no mention in conference reports. Though laymen failed to note his demise, Democratic editors and politicians cheered his death, danced on his grave. Said the New York Times: "President Coolidge ... did well to get rid of him." Said the New York World: "The deceased lived a short life but a merry one." Said Senator Norris of Nebraska, nominal Republican: "The Bolsheviks got him." Three months ago Senator Reed of Missouri had said: "Let us have done with this sham."

Existing as a man of straw, the Spokesman's usefulness ceased when the flesh-and-blood man behind him became too plainly visible. In his place is predicted the revival of old, vague phrases: "It is understood at the White House today. . ." "The Administration attitude is. . ." "Someone close to the President said. . ."