Date: January 4, 1929
Location: Washington, D.C.
(Original document available here)
I had a very pleasant trip to Georgia. That region, like all of our South Atlantic seaboard, is a wonderfully fine winter resort. The islands that lie off the coast played a very important part in the early development of that region. They are covered with some of the oldest ruins in the United States. Apparently aft r the war they became almost deserted — I mean after the war of ’61 to ’65. The former owners went away and did not come back for years, and when they did come back they hadn’t the means for carrying out their plans. Many of them had been ransacked and burned during the war. Along the coast of that region are especially fine places for game — a great many wild turkeys, plenty of quail; of course the pheasants there have been brought in; there are also a great many deer. That part of the coast has not been known much because there hasn’t been transportation to it. When the railroads were built they went further inland because the coast there is low, and the rivers when they get near the sea broaden out a great deal. There are wide marshes. So the railroads were built a number of miles inland; and it is only recently that they have been putting in good highways. What that region needs especially is good highways. Transportation is always a very important element, and the reason that those islands developed so was because they were on water and had good transportation. It was perfectly apparent that there is a great deal of new life in that part of Georgia, which I am told is characteristic of the whole State. Some of the larger Georgia Industries have for many years been active in a business way but have not extended out in the county much. The making of better highways down there is one of the reasons for the general revival of activity throughout the State.
I am naturally very much pleased with the outcome of the Pan American Conference on Conciliation and Arbitration. They had several difficult problems. It shows a very fine spirit on the part of a11 the delegates, reflecting the same sentiment on the part of their governments and people that they had been able to reach an agreement on all points. It was especially fortunate that the Conference happened to be in session when the difficulty broke out between Bolivia and Paraguay. I am very much pleased that that has been adjusted as part of the work of the Conference.
I am expected to speak again at the Business Conference of the Government. I think that is set for about January 28th. Do you recall the exact date, Mr. Sanders?
Mr. SANDESRS: The 29th.
THE PRESIDENT (continuing): And I am speaking in Florida on the first day of February at Winter Park. I am helping to dedicate a singing tower and a bird sanctuary, which is to be presented to the public for visitation purposes by Edward W. Bok.
I doubt if I shall be able to go to Vincennes, Indiana, when they have their celebration of the anniversary of the battle there in which George Rogers Clark commanded the Colonial troops. I presume the conference will recall that last year we passed a bill making an appropriation for twelve or fifteen thousand dollars to build a suitable memorial commemorating that event.
QUERY: When you go to Florida, Mr. President, is it your intention to stay any length of time?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I shall return at once. I haven’t time to stay at all.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge: Remarks by the President to Newspaper Correspondents
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