The White House Week

P: As an honorary member of the Izaak Walton League of America, President Coolidge expects to fish at White Pine Camp, N. Y. He suggested that newspapermen find some good spots and "lead him to them."

Ever-Thoughtful Governor Alfred E. ("Smiling") Smith immediately wrote the President a letter: "Dear President Coolidge:

I desire to express the pleasure felt by our people upon your coming into our State for your Summer vacation. . . . We are happy to have the proud privilege of preparing you for your Winter's labors at the national capital.

"It is customary to give distinguished visitors a key to the city. We have no keys in this State. The latchstring is on the outside, and we are all tickled to death that you pulled it. . . ."

The Governor inclosed a New York fishing license. P: After approving a batch of 63 bills in the seclusion of his White House office, the President donned formal dress, climbed into his car, rolled down Pennsylvania Avenue, and entered the historic room at the Senate end of the Capitol. There lay another neat stack of 90 bills which were to be considered in the next hour before Congress adjourned. He showed visible displeasure at the practice which has grown up of having the Chief Executive at the Capitol to approve bills without pondering their wisdom. Nevertheless, he set to work with his flourishing big double-C signature. Cabinet members (all except Secretary of the Treasury Mellon were present) and learned Senators were called to his side to give a word or two of hasty advice. Six minor bills (such as "an act to reinstate Joe Burton Coursey in the West Point Military Academy") aroused the President's suspicion, so he decided to take them home. Failure to sign these six within ten days will kill them by "pocket veto."

The most significant bills signed by President Coolidge last week were: the Co-operative Marketing, the Army Air, the Dry Deficiency, the McFadden Branch Banking, the Oil Investigation, the World War Veterans, the General

Pension, and a 1,700 page bill codifying the laws of the U. S. He also signed-- An act to establish a national military park at the battlefields of the Siege of Petersburg, Va. An act to provide for the leasing of public lands in Alaska for fur farming and for other purposes. An act to increase the clothing and cash gratuity furnished to persons discharged from prisons. Joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of War to receive, for instruction at the United States Military Academy at West Point, two Siamese subjects. Joint resolution providing for the completion of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery. P: Upon the advice of astute Senator Borah, who called in person at the White House, the President vetoed the Hayden-Cameron Bill, which would have made possible a Standard Oil invasion of valuable petroleum lands belonging to Indian reservations. Said the President in his veto message: "The fact also that this bill undertakes to decide by legislation a question which is pending in court brings the bill into a position of doubtful propriety." This is the second bill which President Coolidge has vetoed this session; the first being a special measure which would have reappointed one Captain Chester A. Rothwell, found deficient in his duties by the Army Efficiency Board.

P:To do something to help the farmer, President Coolidge assigned 59 U. S. Shipping Board freighters for the use of the export grain trade. Secretary of Commerce Hoover and Secretary of Agriculture Jardine had assured the President that the most acute need of the farmers is adequate transportation to world markets. P: Ella Jaffrey, housekeeper under Presidents Taft, Wilson, Harding and Coolidge is leaving the White House. Her successor will be Ellen Riley, New England food specialist, formerly in charge of the restaurant of Frank W. Stearns' Boston department store. Mrs. Coolidge wrote her three letters urging that publicity be avoided, but the New York World (Dem.) gathered material for a half-column, featuring the new housekeeper as a corned beef and cabbage artist. P: The President celebrated his 54th birthday quietly on the Fourth. In the morning he went to church with Mrs. Coolidge and son John; in the evening he dined Frank W. Stearns. The largest present received was a 15 pound cake bearing the Vermont coat of arms.

P: The President and Mrs. Coolidge entrained for Philadelphia to lead in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. City-of-Brotherly-Love Mayor Kendrick met them; together they rolled into the exposition grounds. After a 48-gun salute echoed away, the President spoke of "inalienable rights . . . idealism . . . destiny." Later he visited Independence Hall, touched the crack in Liberty Bell; then crossed over the new four-mile Delaware River bridge to New Jersey, where he planted a maple tree, with Governor Moore, Senators Edwards and Edge applauding. It was drizzling and a thoughtful observer had thrown a raincoat about the President's shoulders. Tired and wet, the Executive party returned to Washington.

Mr. Coolidge was weary of politics; he told reporters he was leaving for White Pine Camp with the greatest of pleasure.