Date: September 5, 1919
Context: In August, the Police had voted to unionize. Striking broke the rules of the Boston Police Department. The city’s police commissioner said of the matter, “A police officer cannot consistently belong to a union and perform his sworn duty.” On September 8, police commissioner Edwin Curtis suspended the nineteen police officers who led the unionization effort. On September 9, over 1,000 officers went on strike.
My dear John:-
Sunday you will be thirteen years old. It seems a long time to you but it will only be a little while before you are a man. If you continue to be a good boy you will be a good man. There is nothing else that is of so much consequence.
You must be sure always to think of mamma on your birthday, for you are her first baby.
You may get you a new chain for your bicycle if it needs one. I am sorry I cannot see you on your birthday.
Your father,
Calvin Coolidge
Citation: Coolidge Family Papers, Vermont Historical Society
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The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Richard Link, who prepared this document for digital publication