The White House Week

THE PRESIDENCY

The White House Week

P: The President transmitted to the Senate a recommendation of Secretary Hughes that U. S. sovereignty be extended over Swains Island, a little speck of land off the Bonavista Bay district of Newfoundland, not far from Greenspond Island. It was discovered by a Briton who deeded it to an American. Great Britain does not contest our sovereignty.

P: President Coolidge by proclamation gave notice that in accordance with the flexible provision of the Tariff Act, in 30 days the import duty on barium dioxide (used in the manufacture of hydrogen peroxide) would be raised from 4-c- to 6-c- a pound. The Tariff Commission had reported that Germany was the principal competing country and manufactured barium dioxide more than 6-c- a pound cheaper than it can be done in the U. S.

P: Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge attended the opening of the Congressional Country Club, a million dollar amusement place for Senators, Congressmen and executives. It includes a lake and a golf course.

P: The President's throat (TIME, May 26) was only so-so during the week. His trouble, sometimes botanically referred to as "rose fever," or as a "bronchial cold," or just as a "cold," returned after having abated. So he visited the Army Medical Corps headquarters and in a closed room breathed atmosphere in which was a mild concentration of chlorine gas. Dr. Sawyer, White House physician, went along to see that everything was all right. During his inclusion, the President studied the Immigration Bill. He took three treatments of about 45 minutes each, in the second of which Mrs. Coolidge participated just to see what it was. Meanwhile Secretary Slemp, who had a private cold of his own, went to the Naval Hospital for similar treatments. The success of the treatment, which was discovered by the Chemical Warfare Service, has been such that the Bureau of Animal Industry is preparing to try it out on the cattle of California as a prophylaxis for the hoof and mouth disease.

P: President Coolidge opened with a speech the National Conference on Outdoor Recreation, which he had called. He was several times stopped by the severity of his cold. Said he: "No more truly democratic force can be set off against the tendency to class and caste than the democracy of individual parts and prowess in sport."

P: The second of the White House Garden parties was held on the East and West terraces; because of wet grounds, refreshments were served within on the state dining table. Mrs. Coolidge received alone because of the President's cold. From press descriptions it seemed that she wore the same gown as at the first reception a week earlier. But that was doubtless an error.

P: Mr. Coolidge addressed a memorial meeting for the Confederate dead in the amphitheatre of Arlington cemetery, saying: "All about us sleep those of many different beliefs and many divergent actions. But America claims them all. Her flag floats over them. Her Government protects them. They all rest in the same divine peace."

P: President Coolidge signed the Immigration Bill, although he disapproved the section excluding all Japanese immigrants after July 1.