U.S. PRESIDENCY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19178, 8 December 1927, Page 9

U.S. PRESIDENCY.

MR COOLIDGE NOT STANDING.

PREVIOUS STATEMENT CON-

FIRMED.

(ST CABLE —PBESS ASSOCIATION —COPTRIGHT.) (AU3TBALIAH AND H.Z CABLX ASSOCIATION.)

(Received December 7th, 8.20 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, December 6.

President Coolidge advised the Republican National Committee that the Republican Party should proceed to select another candidate for election to the Presidency in 1928. In his address to the Committee, President Coolidge stated: "This is naturally a time to be planning for the future. The Party will soon place in nomination a candidate to succeed me. To give time tor mature deliberation. I stated to the country on August 2nd that I did not choose to run in 1928. That was my statement, and no one should be led to suppose that I have modified it. My decision will be respected. After I had been eliminated the Party began, and should continue vigorously the serious task of selecting another candidate from among the numbers of distinguished men available."

The President's statement, contrary to first expectations, does not appear to have settled definitely the controversy as to whether he will be p Presidential nominee. Both political comment and newspapers throughout the nation show a disagreement. The Topeka (Kansas) "Daily Capitol" says there is a very powerful and wellorganised movement in the country to put his nomination over. The Chronicle" says: "We think Mr Coolidge has made it strong enough, so that his uncalledfor boosters quit." The "New York Times" says: "The President has not only clarified the situation, but given great impetus to the Presidential This will move forward on the conviction that Mr Coolidge, of his own will and for his own reasons, has taken himself entirely out of it." Tlie "Knickerbocker Press" (Albany) says: "It will not be Calvin Coolidge for President in 1928."

The "Washington Post" says: "Despite evidence of sincerity in the President's personal wish to retire, the question may be decided not by him but by the people of the United States. There is no evidence that they wish him to retire."

Senators Curtis and Borah interpreted the statement as definitely eliminating Mr Coolidge from the Presidency The chairman of the Republican Congressional Committee, Mr Wood, said: "The statement merely says he does not desire to be a candidate but it does not sa yhe. would not accept nomination as a duty to his Party "

Senator Foss said: "The statement does not entirely eliminate Mr Coolidge from consideration for re-nomina-tion." One of the immediate effects of the President's statement was an announcement by Senator Wills that he would now be a candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination. Mr Hoover, who is regarded as certain to become one of the foremost figures in the con. test for nomination, declined to comment.

General Dawes, another prominent figure, and at present Vice-President, recently stated that he would not be a candidate for nomination.

Mr Coolidge's statement caused a brief flurry on the Stock Exchange and there was considerable selling for profit taking, but most stocks quickly recovered.