Date: April 25, 1924
Location: Washington, DC
(Original document available here)
I don’t think I know enough about Charles F. Murphy so that I can make any special comment about him and his death, other than what would occur to every one. He was evidently a man of a good deal of force of character. He impressed himself upon a great city and was for a good many years a great influence there.
Here is a suggestion that I should be very glad to comply with if I can, that on account of daylight saving we have the Tuesday conference at 12:00 o’clock and the Friday conference at 3:00 o’clock. This is signed by Mr. Durno of the International News Service. Now if the White House press Association would like to have me do something in that direction, wont they talk it over with their directors, or whatever you call your executive body, and let me know. I do not see any reason why I can’t have the Friday conference at 3:00 o’clock, and probably almost always get the Tuesday conference in at 12:00 o’clock. I suppose that is the more important, to get the Tuesday conference earlier, than the Friday conference.
Mr. President, if the Friday conference is held at 3:00 o’clock the afternoon papers get all the news.
I suggest that the matter be taken up with your Executive Committee as to just what it is you want.
The Bonus Bill hasn’t come to me yet, and the Immigration Bill hasn’t come. I am trying to see if anything can be worked out in relation to the Immigration Bill.
I don’t think I can enlarge very much on what I have said several times in conferences and addresses, I think I referred to it in my address before the Associated Press, about this suggestion that comes to me here relative to pending legislation that calls for large expenditures. Of course, on that, I hope we shall not have such legislation. We need to be as prudent and careful as we can, as was pointed out with great power by Senator Borah in that address he made to the Senate the other day, which went over the general financial situation,with great vigor. It seems to me that he reached very logical conclusions. I am talking now with regard to the general situation, and not any special bills.
We are working, as I said at a conference previously, on a selection of the Mexican Claims Commissioners. There has to be an agreement between the two governments. I think we are reaching such an agreement. If we do not reach it, then it is referred, I think, to the President of the International Court for the selection of the third man.
I have stated my position in relation to the World Court several times. I hold the same position now that I have in the past. I stated it in my address the other day, and it is in my message to the Congress.
May I ask if you can elaborate on what you have just said on the immigration bill?
I am attempting to see if there is any way that that question can be solved so as to satisfy those that want to have restriction and at the same time prevent giving any affront to the Japanese Government.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge: Remarks by the President to Newspaper Correspondents
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