THE PRESIDENCY: The White House Week: Sep. 22, 1924

The White House Week

¶The President reviewed a parade of 30,000 soldiers and civilians celebrating Defense Day.

A special announcement was issued from the White House:

General John J. Pershing, General of the Armies, having this day reached the age ot 64 years, is retired from active service in conformity with a requirement of an act ot Congress approved June 30, 1882. . . .

General Pershing has already received from the Congress the thanks of that body and of the American people, and now I extend to him anew the thanks of the nation for his eminent services, and feel certain that I voice the sentiment of the entire citizenry of the Republic in wishing him long life, happiness and prosperity in the retirement he has so richly earned.

(Signed) CALVIN COOLIDGE.

¶Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge attended the first inning of a baseball game between local police and firemen, then went aboard the Mayflower to spend the week-end with political counselors and the report of the Tariff Commission on sugar.

¶Young John Coolidge left the White House, took train and sped away, to matriculate at Amherst, his father's alma mater.

¶Mr. Coolidge with several members of his Cabinet waited several hours in the rain, wearing rubbers and a slicker, to welcome the Magellans of the air, the peri-globular fliers, returning to the Capital of their nation. ¶Malcolm MacDonald, son of Ramsay, British Premier, was the guest of Secretary Hughes, who presented the young man at the White House.